December
Latest
Latest WAR grab bag shows off high-level armor
Anyone interested in taking a look at some of the highest armor sets offered in Warhammer Online should check out the latest grab bag from Mythic, as it features many of them. In fact, it features exactly eight sets, with two images for the classes who can wear them. Something that immediately stands out about the appearance of the higher level armor is that Mythic's able to put together some very cool looking stuff. We're especially fond of the Black Orc, Marauder and Engineer armor sets featured.With the December class additions coming, we're really looking forward to seeing some armor sets for the Black Guard and Knight of the Blazing Sun. In fact, a little voice in our heads (not the bad kind!) tells us that Mythic could have reason to be going full throttle for those particular armor sets.
December NPD: Apparently people shop for nonessential items in December
It's the weirdest thing. Right around November and December of every year, sales of luxury and entertainment items go way up. December of 2007 was no exception for our favorite entertainment item. How much of an exception was it not? How about 2.47 million units in one month alone? 2007 was already a fantastic year for the DS, with 8.5 million systems sold. But considering the constant chart-topping success of the DS, it's pretty remarkable that fully one-third of the year's total DS units sold were sold last month.Let's look at some little arrows to help put the numbers in perspective. DS Lite: 2.47m 940K (61%) Wii: 1.35m 369K (38%) Xbox 360: 1.26m 490K (64%) PS2: 1.1m 604K (122%) PSP: 1.06m 493K (87%) PS3: 797K 331 (71%) Head past the break for the December software charts, where we welcome an old friend back to the chart. We've also got the 2007 totals posted, which are, of course, DS-eriffic in the hardware section.
DS releases for the week of December 31st
We hope you're so excited about Rune Factory 2 for the DS -- excited enough to import it, that is -- because that's the only DS game releasing this week across all major markets. But hey, that's okay ... we needed time to catch up on all those games we never got to this year, right?
DS releases for the week of December 24th
Don't get excited -- you're gonna have to rely on whatever you've already got lying around or anything you might get as a gift this week, unless you feel like importing one of the two Japanese releases. Since there are no games out (and that includes you folks in other major markets), we thought we'd distract you with shiny things. Pretty picture ... pretty shiny things ... ooh.Did it work? It's holiday-ish and everything.
DS releases for the week of December 17th
It's an odd week for gamers around the world. Europe's got a whopping nothing and Australia might as well have, Japan has its usual flood of DS titles, including some highly anticipated titles, and here in the U.S., we've got an odd mix hitting shelves. Let's hope everyone can find something to keep them entertained! Elements of Destruction Indianapolis 500 Legends Luxor 2 MX vs. ATV: Untamed Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command
DS releases for the week of December 10th
This week, we're hoping U.S. gamers like destroying magical spheres, because that's pretty much it for this week, with the release of Luxor 2. Sounds like it might be a good week to focus on picking things up for others. That applies to Europe, as well -- they've got nothing this week, not even a chance at crushing magical orbs. Sadness reigns. Luxor 2
WRUP: "The weather outside is frightful" edition
It's mid-December. The snow is here (in Chicago, anyway), and with it comes the single-digit temperatures, days spent indoors, and hot cocoa and marshmellows. This weekend is the perfect time to stay inside, snuggle up to your PC, and play some MMOs.So as we ask every week, What aRe yoU Playing? For me this weekend, it's all about EVE Trinity-- I was waiting for that little boot.ini snafu to die down before upgrading, but last night after CCP said it was OK, I took the plunge and downloaded all the new files. I played it this morning for a bit (the detail! the lights! beautiful!), and this weekend, I plan to get a good chunk of all the ISK I'll need for moving up to a mining barge (which I'm just a few days from skilling up to as well). So I'll be in game as Frank Dante this weekend-- say hi if you're also flying the unfriendly skies.What MMO is going to grab most of your attention this weekend?
DS releases for the week of December 3rd
Fans of rhythm and fighting (righting?) might want to cast their eyes toward the release of Draglade this week, but the real excitement (at least, to us) is everything releasing outside the U.S. Well, maybe not everything, but there are certainly some interesting titles to consider, including Arkanoid in Japan and Myst in Europe. Alvin and the Chipmunks American Girl: Julie Finds a Way Draglade The Golden Compass Left Brain Right Brain Strawberry Shortcake: The Four Seasons Cake Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008
Guild Wars: got $100,000?
NCsoft would like to remind you that the ArenaNet-sponsored Guild Wars $100,000 Tournament Series is still going strong. The October rankings are in, the November cycle is swiftly wrapping to a close, and the December season rules are now available for review. You'll be able to check out the schedule, the map rotation, and the upcoming prize list which includes in-game prizes such as cape trim for your guild and reward points, and physical prizes like a Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer sound card and a 160Gb iPod. So what are you waiting for? Let's get those slay bells ringing this holiday season.
PSP dead? No, look at December NPD sales
I'll let the numbers speak for themselves:Nintendo DS: 1.6 millionPlayStation 2: 1.4 millionXbox 360: 1.1 millionPlayStation Portable: 0.95 millionGame Boy Advance: 0.85 millionWii: 0.60 millionPlayStation 3: 0.49 millionThis is failing? Although the PSP doesn't sell as well as the Nintendo DS, it's still quite a viable platform. With games like Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops available exclusively on the system, why wouldn't people want to pick one up?[Via IGN]
PSP December Content Pack now available
Every month (except last month, for some strange reason), Sony offers an EXE file they call the "Content Pack" which contains a variety of files, like videos, music and wallpapers for your PSP. In typical Sony style, this pack comes late into the month, but at least they have the courtesy to get rid of that silly "calendar" feature that pointed quite fruitless. This month's content pack features tons of promotional material from ATV Offroad Fury Pro, SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2, and more.The real highlight is the Loco Roco demo that was released a few days ago. The holiday-inspired music is also included in this content pack, along with other samples from other PSP soundtracks. Feel free to visit Sony's official US website to download.
DS releases around the world
We here at DS Fanboy decided it was time to expand on our weekly US game releases -- and so here's the dish on what's coming to the Nintendo DS in the rest of the world. Importers take note!Check out the full list of this week's releases in Europe and Japan after the jump.
DS releases for the week of December 11th
Still playing Castlevania and Kirby from last week? We hope so, because there's not much this week to tempt you away from last week's winners. Only a bare few new releases are set to brighten up shelves this week, and franchise licenses abound. DS: Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy Lionel Trains: On Track Star Wars: Lethal Alliance GBA:None!Of course, supplies depend upon manufacturer delivery.
DS releases for the week of December 4th
Oh no! Kirby: Squeak Squad and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. What's a DS owner to do? The obvious answer, of course, is to forgo buying any holiday gifts this year so that you can instead be assured of enough cash to buy both these games for the really important person here -- yourself. Your friends and family will totally understand. And hey, if they kick you out, at least you can take the DS with you!Back in the real world (oh, fantasy world, we love you so), Gamasutra reports that Kirby: Squeak Squad is the most preordered game across all platforms right now. Everybody loves Kirby!DS releases: Cartoon Network Racing Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Kirby: Squeak Squad Lionel Trains: On Track GBA releases:None!
It's for real this time: Virtual Console Mondays are a go
So, last week's rather spasmodic Virtual Console releases were a bit strangely timed. Still, it's hard to fault Nintendo, who has very little online console experience and consumer demand out the yin-yang. Still, they promised us Virtual Console Mondays, and by golly, here they come. From a press release:Every Monday starting Dec. 4, Nintendo will add classic games to the popular new Wii™ video game console's Wii Shop Channel. Four games will be added at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Dec. 4. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are: Donkey Kong Jr. (NES): 500 points Victory Run (TG-16): 600 points Columns (Sega Genesis): 800 points Ristar (Sega Genesis): 800 points A nice little addition! We're particularly looking forward to Columns, a very relaxing and satisfying puzzle game. With several new games being released every Monday, it won't be long until we see our promised Toe Jam and Earl action, or some of those rumored Virtual Console releases we keep hearing about. And look! A Christmas present! Keep 'em comin', Nintendo.
Elebits delayed, no longer a launch title
Ah, some fairly rare bad news from Nintendo's camp this morning. It turns out that the potential-sleeper-hit Elebits, which won best-of-show at TGS 2006, will be delayed in America until mid-December. The quirky "gravity gun" title seemed to capture the hearts of those who played it (and David, too), so this comes as a blow for many.This may not turn out to be such a horrible move for Konami or gamers, as the Wii's launch is just about the strongest in the history of video games; having to compete against the likes of Zelda and Red Steel is sales chart suicide. Heck, the game may turn out to be a nice gift for the holidays, since the rabid gamers in your family will have probably already spent nigh half a thousand on various launch expenses. Maybe now Elebits will receive the attention it deserves, and not turn into yet another case of Beyond Good and Evil.
New Virtual Console games on the horizon [update 1]
Yes, the U.S. Virtual Console launch line-up is a bit ... anemic. We know, it hurts. However, one has to consider why it doesn't really matter: 1) We'll all be too busy playing Twilight Princess to bother with the Virtual Console immediately, and 2) Nintendo has promised ten new Virtual Console releases per month. That's quite a bit, especially looking at how often Xbox Live Arcade is updated, but the question then becomes: what's on the horizon?Well, thanks to the ESRB, we've got a clue. The ESRB requires that games be rated before release, which obviously means that companies need to send in their product quite a bit in advance. Since they publish their ratings, we've managed to score a list of eight potentials, and quite an eight they are (all rated E for Everyone): Duck Hunt Hogan's Alley Kid Icarus Kirby's Adventure PilotWings Pro Wrestling Punch-Out Wild Gunman Kid Icarus, Duck Hunt, and Punch-Out? Holy hell. The Virtual Console is awesome.[via Joystiq][Thanks, Zeke!][Update 1: Legal issues?]
HD DVD set for December Australian launch
Toshiba has announced HD DVD standalone players will finally be available down under starting in December. Australia will receive the lower end second generation player announced for Europe, the HD-E1 while the HD-XE1 is expected in February. They'll be paying a pretty significant premium, with the HD-E1 starting at $1,099 AUD ($845 US), compared to the $499 HD-A2 player coming soon to the U.S. The HD-XE1 will run $1,599 ($1,230 US) for 1080p HDMI 1.3-enhanced playback. Blu-ray players and movies are supposedly already on the ground in Australia, a reversal of the rest of the world where HD DVD has beaten its competitor to market. We couldn't actually find the Samsung player for sale anywhere or an Australian price, but the Panasonic DMP-BD10 is listed on its Australian site for a mere $2,749 AUD. Ouch.
Sony's BDP-S1 Blu-ray player delayed again...again
The last time SonyStyle pushed back the anticipated ship date of the BDP-S1 standalone Blu-ray player, we jokingly suggested it might end up being pushed beyond the (at that point) already delayed-until-November PlayStation 3. Apparently the joke is on anyone still waiting for this box; while the $999 price hasn't changed, it is now expected to ship "on or about December 4, 2006". In light of the previous July, August, and October prognostications, the Playstation 3 shortage, battery fiasco, and even a just-announced delay of the LF-Box1 LocationFree TV streamer, Sony's manufacturing prowess seems to be slipping. Some customers who contacted Sony have reported that those who have already ordered the BDP-S1 might receive shipments before December, but these days you can't really take anything for granted.[Via AVS Forum]
