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Sony pulling plug on SIXAXIS
This shouldn't come as much of a ... shock, but Sony is discontinuing the Sixaxis in light of the DualShock 3's arrival, according to MTV. A Sony rep says that you can likely expect them to all be gone by summertime.The practical upshot is that if your hands have become so atrophied from a lack of physical activity that you can no longer support the DualShock's heft, you may want to stock up on featherweight Sixaxises (Sixaxi?). Good night, sweet, almost comically light prince. And flights of angels (controllable with aftertouch) sing thee to thy rest.
First impressions: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/First_Impressions_Smash_Bros_Brawl'; Update: Wii Fanboy has some impressions of our first friend-code-enabled Wi-Fi match. The result: Relatively lag-free.Yeah, we've given you the hands-on impressions before, but now that we've gotten the final retail version into our metaphorical Joystiq HQ, we thought we'd share some quick opinions on the full Brawl experience. Click the continue link to find out our thoughts on the Subspace Emissary mode, Online play, the various control options, and more.Warning: Spoilers ahead!%Gallery-8530%
Wireless 360 controller tops battery life test
According to a feature from the folks at GamePro, Xbox 360 owners can expect more gaming bang for their battery-life buck. Multiple tests on the Xbox 360 wireless controller, SIXAXIS and Wii Remote were conducted to see which one would last the longest. Scraping the bottom of the battery-life barrel was the PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS which only held out for 18 hours and 41 minutes; mainly due to the lack of auto-off functionality. Second place went to the Nintendo Wii remote, doubling Sony's time at 36 hours and 43 minutes. Xbox 360's wireless remote topped the list at 56 hours and 56 minutes. While the article states that the Xbox 360 dashboard battery indicator isn't as accurate as the PS3 or Wii, a single-day charge and play session always lasted longer on Xbox 360. In case you were wondering, the irony that anything associated with the Xbox 360 won a reliability test was lost on no one. [Thanks, marklar. Via Ars Technica]
GamePro tests console controller battery life
GamePro got all scientific and decided to test the battery life of the current-gen wireless controllers. As we've learned over the last year, the hidden cost in this generation's consoles is the money spent on batteries and/or charge kits. For GamePro's testing it used only "out-of-the-box hardware" and followed various reasonable rules in its procedures. The results: PS3: The Sixaxis died after about 19 hours and doesn't have an auto-off feature. The upside is that the controller recharges through USB connection to the console and doesn't require purchasing batteries. Wii: The Wiimote lasted almost 37 hours, but depending on what games are played the rumble and audio within the controller can drain the battery faster. Although the batteries won't last as long, consider rechargeable batteries or the Nyko Wii-charge Station. Xbox 360: Lasting almost 57 hours the controller was the winner in the battery life test. Just like the Wii, consider getting the first-party Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit to save cash in the long run. All the controllers have their good and bad sides. Although the Sixaxis allows gamers to plug in and charge while playing, for those who have their PS3 more than a few feet from where they actually sit and go on gaming benders, it may be worth investing in a USB extension cable. As for the Wii and Xbox 360, investing in charge kits (or rechargeable batteries) will definitely save cash and avoid the awkward situation of a dead controller with no AA batteries in the house.
Rock Band controllers priced and dated
While the foaming from the mouth may have subsided somewhat in the months since Rock Band's original release, we know that there's still a large number of you waiting for the instruments to finally become available individually. EA has today thrown you all a bone - but beware, it's a bit mouldy. The prices and dates for the guitar and drum controllers have finally been announced.The drums will be available from the 12th of February for $79.99 and the guitar from April 1st for $59.99. This makes the bundle pack a damn good deal. It also means you've got another two months of waiting until PS3 owners can play four player. Pretty unimpressive, if you ask us.
Rock Band Stage Kit with lights, smoke leaked by GameStop
As if playing Rock Band wasn't one of the greatest group gaming experiences to come along in years, it appears that a new accessory is set to amp up the fun even more by bringing an "interactive light and smoke stage show" to your already thrashing performances. Apparently you can already pre-order this so-called Rock Band Stage Kit from GameStop for 100 bucks, although they've since pulled the box image from the product page, so you'll have to rely on the screencap above to see what you're paying all that money for. Ships on June 23rd, according to the retailer's site, giving us plenty of time to install a proper stage and stadium seating in our game room.[Via Technabob]
Rumor: Microsoft looking to buy Logitech
Though there's not much evidence at the moment to back it up, Reuters is reporting on the rumor that Microsoft (you know, the Zune guys) is looking to buy peripheral maker Logitech, the shares of which have apparently gotten a boost from the speculation.On the gaming controller front, we can't see much benefit. While Logitech's wireless controllers were some of the best last generation, the company seems to be a non-issue on the current platforms. On the other hand, maybe Microsoft just wants Jelly Jumper on the XBLA, in which case you can sign us up.[Via Engadget]
Deal of the day: Logitech Precision controller for $10 at Amazon
Yeah, we know what you're saying to yourself, "This is a really great deal!" right? Well, it is, but you'll have to do a little more work than usual. To get the wireless Logitech Precision controller for $10, you have to buy it by today and submit a $20 mail-in rebate by the end of January. This deal effectively ends at the last second of the year.Even without the $20 MIR, you'd still be getting the controller for $10 off its listed price of $40, so we'd say this is a pretty darn good deal either way.So if you opened up a shiny new PS3 this Christmas but need an extra controller or two, you can't really get a better deal than this. You just better hop on it before it's too late![Via CAG]
Red Octane VP excuses axe incompatibility, blames Rock Band issues
Alright, try to stay with us here. Guitar Hero III's axe works just fine with Rock Band, but only the Xbox 360 hardware -- and Rock Band's guitar won't play the first note on any flavor of GHIII. Yeah, it's a bit confusing, but apparently the folks over at 1UP were downright tired of being dizzy, and phoned up Guitar Hero publisher Red Octane's co-founder and VP of Business Development, Charles Huang, to chat about the totally confusing compatibility quandary. We fully understand the complexities in getting the instruments to work with other games, as well as the potential business impact, but Mr. Huang chose to take a different route in explaining why no Guitar Hero title would accept a Rock Band controller. He was quoted as saying that Red Octane wasn't "too interested in having [Harmonix] guitars work on its game, because [Harmonix is] having a lot of issues with its guitars." Of course, this logic begins to fall apart when you realize there was absolutely no compatibility even before these malfunctions came to light. Nice try, though.[Via DailyTech]
Novint Falcon gets reviewed: undoubtedly cool, unlikely to sell
Ever since we first got wind of this thing, we had a sneaking suspicion it just wouldn't take off regardless of how clever it was. Sadly, reviewers over at Bit-Tech tended to agree, deeming the Novint Falcon the "coolest peripheral" it had ever touched, but completely unlikely to ever gain steam in the marketplace. During the review, it was reiterated time and time again just how phenomenal the device actually is; the internal motors were able to transmit textures to one's hand almost impeccably, and it certainly enhanced certain aspects of game play once it became second nature to use. Unfortunately, all that gushing was met with the stark reality that there's no real promise that developers will ever latch on to this thing, and without guaranteed support, it's hard to recommend handing over $239. Nevertheless, we're sure more than a few of you may be willing to take the chance, and either way, the in-depth look at this curious creation is worth a read just to see what you're (potentially) missing.
Mad Catz purrchases Saitek, Joystiq shoots headline author
And good riddance to that guy. We would have gone with a quip about angry Jazz musicians, but the headline's already gone down the RSS tube.Mad Catz, a name you'll frequently see on third-party console peripherals or sentences ending in "buyer's remorse," has announced its $30 million acquisition of fellow controller constructor, Saitek. The move is seen as part of a "strategic diversification," with Mad Catz gaining access to Saitek's expertise in designing PC peripherals (such as flight sim sticks) as well as a wider distribution network, especially within Europe. It's also expected to open the doors for the purchasing company's foray into PC mice, keyboards, speakers and "electronic chess."It seems Mad Catz is on a bit of a spending spree this year, having previously checkmated Joytech in September. The pessimists among us are already envisioning a monopoly on third-party peripherals (with construction quality on par with Monopoly's board pieces).
DualShock 3 rumble works with PS2 games
Even if your PS3 doesn't work with PS2 games, apparently your fancy, imported DualShock 3 controller will. And that doesn't just include letting you spin two (count 'em!) two analog sticks while you're catching monkeys with a net. No, friends, you'll also be able to feel the visceral thrill of rumbling as you whack the monkeys with your stun club. ... Or, you know, play other PS2 games that don't involve catching monkeys. The DualShock 3's rumbling abilities with PS2 games, which only a few would have noticed by now, was apparently added by the PS3's 2.0 firmware.So the DualShock 3 is the newest gen of a next-gen peripheral now reaching back through time to accommodate a last-gen feature on last-gen games. But the only PS3s that support it will be those that play last-gen games, a feature that itself has become last-gen. We've honestly lost count of the layers of irony. Help us out here, Alanis.
Pelican intros Controller Charging Station for PlayStation 3
Nyko's SIXAXIS charging dock may serve the same purpose as Pelican's forthcoming device, but we'll give the sexy award to the latter. The Controller Charging Station for PlayStation 3 boasts a very unique, if not admirable design that holds two SIXAXIS controllers above ground and juices 'em up through the exposed mini USB plugs. Additionally, the base of the unit is home to two full sized USB ports (shown after the jump), so there's always the option of charging up four PS3 controllers at once should you choose. The price? $29.99 when it lands in just a few weeks.
Pink and Blue controllers available for purchase
Love 'em or hate 'em, two brand new Xbox 360 wireless controllers are available at retail starting today allowing gamers to express themselves in two brand new colors. The new (dark) Blue and Pink controllers retail for the standard $49.99 wireless controller price and also make the perfect "It's a Boy" or "It's a Girl" baby shower gift. Because nothing says congratulations on having a new kid than an Xbox 360 controller themed after a centuries old color coded stereotype.
Pink and blue Xbox 360 wireless controllers get street dates, color changes
For all you fashion plates and bon vivants (and also little boys and girls), we don't want you to forget that Microsoft is introducing two new colors into its multi-hued, wireless, Xbox 360 controller-world on October 2nd: blue and pastel pink. The weird thing here is that in Japan, a baby blue version of the controller will be available (as pictured), but apparently the Xbox team doesn't seem to think the market in the States is ready for such a bold color choice. Regardless, if you really need to get the lighter color, you can plan for the Japanese release date of November 1st.[Via Joystiq]
Brando's WeDock springs your Wiimotes out of storage
Any old shoebox will undoubtedly hold a couple of your Wiimote / nunchuck combos, but c'mon, where's the fun in that? Enter Brando's Wii WeDock, which comes in your choice of black or white and holds two sets of Wiimotes and nunchucks. The (most) geekish aspect, however, is the "springboard" design that springs your controllers out of hibernation by simply pressing down on them, which is honestly only likely to impress the full-fledged geeks in the crowd. Of course, we're pretty certain you're one of those, but if so, $19 ain't too much to pay to satisfy the urge.[Thanks, Lawrence]
Pink and blue controllers shot in the wild
Yesterday, we mentioned that two new Xbox 360 controllers would be available in pink and blue this October. We were all fine and content with the new dark and intense colors, but new photos have us second guessing ourselves. The guys over at MaxConsole posted a shot of the new controllers in their natural habitat and honestly, the pictures supplied on Xbox.com don't match. Well, they are close, because the controllers are pink and blue, but in reality the controllers are more Easter egg pastel than dark intense colors. We're officially renaming the color descriptions to "puffy cloud sky blue" and "soft and gentle I need love pink". They're perfect for baby showers too!
Colored Xbox 360 controllers
The Scene It controllers aren't the only cue that Microsoft has been taking from Nintendo lately. The coral pink Xbox 360 controller, along with the powder blue, just scream for you to pick them up and say, "Awwww." It's just the perfect color for that girl in your life ... or pastel lover. No word when these will release though you'd think there'd be signage or something like that. Just remember, you can always make your own.
Pink and blue controllers join white and black
Getting bored of your bland white and black Xbox 360 controllers? Are you feeling the need for some color in your life? Well, today Microsoft revealed two Xbox 360 controller colors that should make you a happy camper. The brand new blue and pink wireless controllers will retail for $49.99 just like their older white and black cousins and will be available this October. Now remember fanboys, blue is for boys and pink is for girls. Read - Blue Xbox 360 wireless controllerRead - Pink Xbox 360 wireless controller
Show and Tell: Etch-a-Lite
Sometimes, it's not the size of the collection that matters, but rather the general level of awesome inherent within. Reader Kuthakun owns a pair of DS Lites that are so cool that they're worth any ten regular Lites. He went through Lasatorium to cement further fandom into a pair of white Lites, thus ensuring his place in the DS Fanboy Show and Tell Hall of Fame. Or would, if such a place existed. One of these beauties is shown here; hit the jump to check out the other one. You can see a couple more pictures in the photoset at Flickr.So what do you have lying around the house that you'd like to show off? You too can be in this spot, with everyone cooing over your awesome gaming gear. Just take some pictures and send them to showmeit at dsfanboy dot com. We'll take care of the rest.
