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Take a look at the PSP's battery bulge
Sony's official extended life battery cover for PSP-2000 owners doesn't come out for another few weeks. However, 1_blue_pixel from the PlayStation forums has purchased a third-party cover from DealExtreme. He offers some truly insightful pictures of the system with its battery bulge. (For those that aren't in the know: longer life PSP batteries are larger than the current batteries in the PSP-2000, and will protrude out of the system slightly.) From the looks of the picture, it doesn't seem like the bulge will be too noticeable. In fact, we think it's worth it just for the 11 hour battery life (pictured after the cut).
SGW dev interrogated by Jaffa, reveals combat secrets
Stargate Worlds' combat is mostly ranged, is more action-oriented than the combat in other MMORPGs, and utilizes a cover system. Before today, that was all we knew. Cheyenne Mountain's Josh Kurtz (a familiar face, now) wrote up a developer journal describing Cheyenne's ambitions for cover-based combat. The journal is humorously presented in the form of an interrogation by a Jaffa. Stargate SG-1 geeks will smile.Most objects in the world will act as cover, and players will be extremely vulnerable in open spaces like grassy fields or desert dunes. Kurtz described a scenario in which a player in Faction #1 might sit in an ambush position, waiting for a player in Faction #2 to wander into the open. If the player from Faction #2 is dumb enough to do that in a PvP area, he or she is likely to get ganked. On the other hand, he or she could move around in the woods nearby; it would take longer, but it would be stealthier and more secure.Kurtz also said that humanoid NPCs will be the most common enemies, and since humanoids will build structures and trenches and stick near them, most combat will be in cover-rich areas
Wii on Toys 'R' Us' Big Toy Book cover
The Wii may have been Toys "R" Us' first video game console to appear on their "hot toy" list last year, but this year it goes straight to the cover of their annual Big Toy Book. Not only did the Wii get the cover, but Nintendo products received a two-page spread inside. Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's video game products had to share a spread with each other.What does it mean? Well, the cynical part of us wants to say that Toys "R" Us is just pulling a giant bait and switch. Just because the Wii is on the cover -- brilliant marketing given the demographic they're targeting -- doesn't mean the stores will have any in stock. Who knows, parents may walk in for a Wii and walk out with an Xbox 360, or maybe even a PS3? At least Toys "R" Us got them in the door.[Via GoNintendo]
Pirates cut costs on Wii-labeled GC games with compilation discs, crappier covers
Our undercover brother from another mother, GameOPS, has continued its documentation of video game piracy in the Philippines with more packaging photos taken at a Manila mall. The island nation's counterfeiters aren't content with just purposely mislabeling GameCube titles; they're taking a page from their handheld capers, packing multiple titles into one disc and selling them as unofficial Wii anthologies.The 4-in-1 Zelda "Collector's Edition" pictured above contains the following GC/Wii releases - Four Swords Adventures, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Ocarina Time [sic] -- all for only 400 pesos (approximately $8.75). Further insulting the series, the offending shop also sells a Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic Riders 2-in-1 pack for the same price, suggesting equal worth. That is some straight-up malarkey. Jump past the post break for more examples of this duplicitous practice.
Pirates selling GameCube titles as Wii games
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo_wii/Pirates_selling_gameCube_titles_as_Wii_games_PICS'; The last time we visited the Philippines, we stopped at a video store and picked up a movie labeled Anaconda 4, amazed to find that the horrible horror film had received three sequels which we'd never heard about. Imagine our surprise when we popped in the VHS tape later that evening, only to find that Anaconda 4 was actually Komodo, a completely unrelated B-movie with absolutely no anacondas in it whatsoever. It's a good thing we passed on Breakfast Club 3.Filipino site GameOPS found that pirates are up to their old tricks again, copying GameCube games onto DVD discs and packaging them as Wii releases. Titles like Luigi's Mansion, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition are advertised with new covers that've been rebranded with Wii logos and boxart elements. Unlike official GameCube-to-Wii ports, these don't even feature tacked-on waggle controls!When asked about the "Wii" copy of Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes on display at ShopesVille, a department store in Manila's Greenhills Shopping Center, one of the salesladies explained that it's the same Metal Gear Solid release as the upcoming PS3 game. We bet that all the people who argued about the Wii not being able to handle next-gen graphics feel a bit silly now! Check past the break for a couple more photos of the counterfeit case jackets. See also: Pirates rule the Philippine seas
Wii Covermaker dresses up your CD cases
While Kenney Vleugels developed Wii Covermaker to help with designing packaging art for "back-ups" -- a practice we don't endorse -- this little application can still be pretty useful for easily creating CD jackets for games that aren't pirated.Wii Covermaker allows you to import images and attach to them a number of elements common to Wii game covers: ESRB and PEGI ratings, logos for several prominent developers and publishers, and a header strip. There are also options for you to drop in the "CD Type" and a credit for the boxart's author.We would like to see a few more features, like an option for DVD covers and a header strip that better resembles the official one, but those will probably come with future updates. For now, we'll settle with this ersatz Zombies Ate My Neighbors CD case we've put together, wondering to ourselves when we'll ever be able to fill its empty plastic. Leave us to our sorrows and jump past the post break for a Wii Covermaker demonstration video.
Possible English-language Phantom Hourglass box
It's considerably less blue than than the Japanese box art, but word around the campfire is that this may be the box we're all going to be opening in October for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. While it seems a little less playful than the Japanese counterpart, the brown background seems very much in keeping with the series. And we just love Link's expression! [Via Digg]%Gallery-3279%
When you stare at this DS case, the DS case stares back at you
Gametech seems to have a taste for the gaudy when it comes to DS Lite covers, but they totally got it right at least once. This DS Lite case features a kunoichi (female ninja) design in simple white on black fabric. It's cute and striking at the same time.The design looks quite similar to R Stevens' I am Ten Ninjas t-shirt, although much more feminine and much less blocky. We'd love to clothe our DS in such mystery, but at 3,980 yen ($32.26) it's a little pricey for our tastes. But, then, so are most sandwiches.
Edge's July cover: Wii remote winged and gilded
We try to tip our hats whenever we spot a magazine cover that catches our fancy, but after having received numerous complaints from the jerks in accounting, upper management recently revised our office dress code to prohibit the wearing of sombreros, bowlers, and Davy Crockett caps. Our heads have been bare ever since the decree was passed down, and we haven't been doing much hat-tipping as a result. Needless to say, we really miss our silly hats.Edge's cover for its July issue is just what we needed to lift our spirits. The UK magazine has a reputation for attractive layouts, inside and out, and this month's artwork is no exception, heralding Nintendo's victory run on gold. Though the image pasted above captures the basic gist, you can see a shot of the full cover after the post break. Ironically, only one Wii game made Edge's review pages this time around -- Mercury Meltdown Revolution. Ignition's labyrinthine title garnered an 8 out of 10; quite impressive considering the magazine's traditionally tough scoring.
Wiimote cover has a little something extra
If you've got the wrist strap secured tightly and you're still launching your Wiimote skyward, then ... well, you have a problem. Maybe you're eating too much Xtreme Butter popcorn, or maybe the can of WD-40 you always carry around is leaking. This product from Elecom is for you and no one else, Mr. Comically Slippery Hands. It's a silicone Wiimote sleeve with a big handle on it. There's no link to order one yet, so you have time to wipe your hands off and put some grip tape on your mouse in preparation for placing an order.[Via Cubed3]
Rumor redux: Nintendo Power heading to 3rd party publisher
There are further rumors about Nintendo Power, Nintendo's official gaming magazine, but the rumblings have changed slightly. The latest word is that the publication will continue, just with a new publisher working things behind the scenes, which is how the European Nintendo magazine is handled. It's a good time to to relive some nostalgic moments with the magazine, and Infendo recently clued us in on a shiny new set of covers courtesy of Flickr user kocojim. Go forth and bask, and let's hope this version of the rumor is true.
Comparing Square Enix's Japanese and US boxart
In a recent interview with 1UP, Square Enix's marketing communications manager gave us some insight on the process behind adapting Chocobo Tales' packaging for the US. We happen to prefer the Japanese version's modest artwork over North America's chaotic cover, but we understand that the company had a younger audience to appeal to and a different message it needed to convey. We've collected DS covers from Square Enix's Japanese and US releases after the post break for you to compare and decide which one you like best. To its credit, the company hasn't completely mangled its DS boxarts so far (The same can't be said about Nintendo's bastardization of Hotel Dusk's cover). How do you feel about Children of Mana's simplified design? Does Final Fantasy 3's stripped packaging appeal to your western tastes? And do you agree with 1UP that publishers have been doing a better job with dressing their products?
Classic Controller gets skinned
You've been able to cover your Wiimote and Nunchuk with a colorful silicone shell for some time now. But your poor Classic Controller has remained-- shamefully-- nude. Cyber Gadget is offering a solution to this indecent situation with Classic Controller skins in six colors: blue, pink, white, black, clear, and clear black. They even come with little coordinating analog stick covers! Cyber Gadget has yet to put these up on their own site, so it seems that they aren't available for sale yet. We're sure someone will offer them to non-Japanese markets once they're released.
Ouendan 2's epic boxart
Due for release in Japan this May 17th, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2's packaging art has two-stepped its way onto the internet. The cover features the sequel's two rival cheer squad team leaders with their arms outstretched, magnificent rays of light bursting behind them. Their eyes and expressions are brimming with determination, as if to say, "If you don't dance, well you're no friends of mine."With a partial songlist, screenshots, and boxart now out on the internet, unchained, all that's left to cast loose is the actual cartridge. We've already put in our pre-orders for the rhythm game. Have you decided whether or not you'll be importing Ouendan 2 yet?
Apple Remote Cases
Macworld's Mobile Mac blog has a post on cases to keep your Apple Remote safe and sound while on the go. First up is Tuneware's rather bright, red and white leather TuneRemote case with detachable clip ($20). You'll be pleased to know that the "TuneRemote is designed to be suitable for both casual and formal occasions" (I hate it when my Apple Remote case doesn't match my shoes, don't you?).Rather more practical, perhaps, is zCover's iSA Key silicone skin case for $14.95, which includes a removable lanyard if rocking it old school iPod Shuffle style is your thing.We've even asked before where you keep your Apple Remote. Personally, I don't worry about mine very much and I either leave it at home, or just throw it in my all purpose gadget bag and forget that it's there. What about you?
NIS America to sell DS Lite kimono cover
NIS America just opened their own online shop, and it's already decently stocked with neat stuff. This kimono-style DS Lite cover isn't exactly one of them right now-- it's available for preorder only-- but as soon as it's available we're considering getting one. The cover comes in eight colors, all of which add an air of serene beauty to your DS as well as a barrier against unwanted contact. Touching is good, unless it's your keys "touching" your DS in your pocket.[Via Game|Life]
Rich Corinthian leather for your DS Lite, not your wallet
Tired of your Nintendo DS looking sad and forlorn in it's simple plastic shell? Ready to upgrade that sucker to ultra-executive wannabe? Then wrap it in leather with primo stitching, and fool everyone in the boardroom into thinking you've got some fancy new PDA, while you secretly unravel the secrets in Hotel Dusk: Room 215.Sister site DS Fanboy has the goods on the covers for the DS only, which appear to come in dark brown and ... light brown from Cataloger (Japan). What, no black? C'mon, we need a black leather case for our black DS lite with black stylus. Fortunately, you can pick up a black and tan (delicious) case for your DS Lite over at Play-Asia, where Hori has three different shades going on, plus a nifty retaining strap.When you start buying accessories that are more expensive than what's inside, then it might be time for a little self-examination. Then again, we just can't help ourselves.[Thanks, Anon I Mousse]
Hello Kitty embraces warming blankets, gets fired up via USB
If you think we were baffled after seeing Hello Kitty USB foot warmers, you probably can't imagine the speechlessness we all feel when seeing the USB-powered lap warmer. Considering that anyone who would actually toss out their hard-earned dollars on feline feet heaters would likely not have the will power to resist this mat, it's fairly to say to say that this is a must-have for hardcore fans braving the tail end of winter. No word on just how large this thing is, nor if poses any eruption capabilities like one of its siblings (clones?), but judging by the mat-to-USB-connector ratio, this kitty ought to warmly cover a litter or two at least.
DIY game case replacement covers
Does that Wii Sports' generic disc sleeve get your blood boiling? Has it steadily climbed your list of annoyances -- sticking out like some cheap freebie demo disc in your otherwise tidy display case? Dude, then you needs to check out CDCovers.cc. The site maintains a growing archive of video game cover art.With a little time and care (and cash), you'll have crafted an authentic Wii Sports game case. A viable solution for the true connoisseur.[Thanks, Jonah]See also: A much better Wii Sports DVD case
Jeter still MLB cover model
If you base your sports game purchases on how pretty the cover athlete is, than this is a great day for you. Derek Jeter will once again don the cover of a 2K Sports' title. Predictably that title will be Major League Baseball 2K7. Mr. Jeter (or DJ as I like to pretend I call him) had this to say: "It is a real privilege to represent the premier MLB title in the video game industry." He continued, "Just as I am always striving to improve my game, 2K Sports is constantly improving theirs, and this dedication has made Major League Baseball 2K7 the best MLB video game ever." He then stopped reading the cue cards and went back to his favorite hobby of counting money. Major League Baseball 2K7 will appear on the PSP March fifth (according to EB Games). [Via IGN]
