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Tomy Mario Kart RC cars use power-ups, blow our minds
Well, science, you've really done it this time. We've had to tighten our belts to notches unknown in light of these tough economic times, but we won't be able to resist importing Tomy's Japanese line of Mario Kart remote-controlled cars. Now, this isn't exactly a brand new idea, but Tomy's toys don't just drive around -- they also use power-ups and shoot virtual shells and bananas at one another. Racers get periodic power-ups, which appear on an LED display on the controller. Each car comes equipped with infrared sensors capable of detecting when they've been hit with a weapon, which causes them to rumble and slow down. Each car will run you 2730 yen (around $30), but your makeshift replica of Bowser's Castle Circuit could cost around $600, depending on how much you invest in the pyrotechnics. [Thanks, Yogesh]
South Korea lifts ban on iPad, personal imports permitted
South Korea's ban of the iPad is being lifted. The Korea Communications Commission issued the ban earlier this month because it had not certified the iPad's wireless networking features. Under the restriction, customers would not be allowed to import the iPad for personal use. An additional concern, the Wall Street Journal notes, was that people would buy iPads in large quantity to re-sell. Korean tech sites expressed their discontent, even exposing famous Koreans who had one. The issue came to a head when the country's minister of culture, tourism and sports, Yu In-chon, appeared at a news conference with -- you guessed it -- an iPad. The minister used the device as a prop while discussing E-Books, and did not activate its Wi-Fi capabilities. On Tuesday, South Korea has announced that the iPad will be certified and that people and businesses wanting to import one would be allowed to do so. To prevent the creation of a black market, the Customs Service will delay shipments that contain more than five iPads at once. Apple has not announced an official launch date for the iPad in Korea. You'll remember that South Korean customers waited two years for the iPhone to launch. South Korea's decision comes days after Israel lifted a ban that prevented travelers from entering Israel with an iPad.
Wanna play EspGaluda 2? Import the standard edition
It's been nearly half a year since we first reported that the Cave-developed shooter EspGaluda II wasn't likely to see a release outside of Japan. It looks like that's all but assured now, as Cave producer Makoto Asada gives Kotaku some importing advice. According to Asada, of the two versions of the game, only the standard edition will be region-free, meaning it will play on any Xbox 360. Meanwhile, the Limited Edition of EspGaluda II remains region locked, as Cave "didn't have enough time to get the application in before pressing," thus making the disc playable only in Japanese consoles. So, importers beware and stay away from that Limited Edition come EspGaluda II's February 25 release. Beyond that, you could always wait to satisfy your shmup craving until the North American release of Cave's Deathsmiles instead.
Pair of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker bundles coming to Japan
Konami is looking to release a pair of new Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker bundles in Japan. There will be two options: an expensive bundle featuring a custom PSP-3000 emblazoned with skulls, a copy of the game, a carrying case and a cleaning cloth -- all together costing 26,980 yen ($296). Then there's an even more expensive bundle that features everything in the first bundle, but also tosses in a custom strap, an original PSP stand, some dog tags, and a few other unrevealed items. The latter package (only 1,974 of which are being produced) will be available exclusively through the KonamiStyle website for 36,980 yen ($405). You'll be able to grab either (or both, if you're Richie Rich), when the game releases on March 18. There hasn't been mention of any kind of custom bundle for the U.S., but considering past bundles, we'd say it's a safe bet to go ahead and assume one is coming our way. Commence Operation Finger Cross ... now! Source - 1UP Source - Image of cheaper bundle at Kotaku
Mass Effect 2's save game import features explained
This past summer, we learned that Mass Effect 2 players could import save files from the previous entry in the franchise, bringing all of the decisions made in the first game into the sequel. But are decisions capable of decimating hordes of insidious, robotic invaders? No, boosted stats and abilities are -- and according to a recent forum post from BioWare Community Coordinator Chris Priestly, players who import their saves will get access to these as well. Of course, you won't be able to play as your super-high-level Shepard when you import -- however, the higher your character's level was when you finished Mass Effect, the better bonuses your Mass Effect 2 Shepard will receive. Some of the bonuses mentioned include extra money or crafting resources when you start the game. In addition, though BioWare has said that the game won't have a "New Game Plus" option, Priestly says that multiple playthroughs with the same Shepard will be possible. %Gallery-70022%
New trailers, screens for Hotel Dusk's sequel, Last Window
There's a bounty of new media from CING's Hotel Dusk sequel, Last Window, to check out. Screens and a pair of new trailers await anxious looky-loos and should provide Hotel Dusk fans with a comfortable familiarity -- Last Window pretty much looks like a Hotel Dusk sequel. You can peep the two trailers over at Nintendo of Japan's site, while you'll have to hit up Game Watch for the new screens. Just remember to pace yourself. We wouldn't want you overdoing it like the dude above this chunk of text. Source - Last Window trailers [Via GoNintendo] Source - Screens at Game Watch
Datel's Sound Speaker DSi eats handhelds for breakfast
Nothing's ever going to top Nyko's crazy Zoom Case, but Datel Japan's bulky DSi speaker attachment thing -- the official title is the Sound Speaker DSi -- is definitely making a strong play for Most Crazy DSi Accessory Ever. As you can see, the accessory is not only meant to protect by consuming the handheld whole, but it also amplifies the DSi's audio ... because that's what you want from your DSi. The multitasking capabilities of Datel's device also allow you to charge your handheld (through an included AC adapter or some AA batteries) after you've spent hours being kind of a jerk. The Datel Sound Speaker DSi runs 3,990 yen (about $45) and can be purchased here. [Via GoNintendo]
German Borderlands importers encounter incompatible DLC
German Borderlands players who just had to import the gory, uncensored version of the title from another region are getting their comeuppance. According to a lengthy thread on the Gearbox forums, players who purchase the Zombie Island of Doctor Ned expansion from the German Xbox Live Marketplace can't access the new content from their imported copies of the game. We've contacted Gearbox to find out if anything is being done to refund the DLC's 800 cost to these depraved, violence-crazed importers. They certainly don't seem like the type of crowd you'd want to upset.
CloudNine open beta starts today
Looking for a new game to pass the hours while pre-cooking all the treats for your Thanksgiving feast? Perhaps you're just looking for a shiny new free-to-play title to check out since you're saving your pennies for Christmas. If you're all about the fantasy genre and dig the idea of special monster systems like Monster Card collection, Monster Taming/Riding, and some mysterious thing they call the "Monster Transformation system" then this may well be a game worth checking out. CloudNine, the MMO that touts all these monstrous new ideas, is entering open beta today. NETGAME, the US distributor of this MGame MMO describe the world as being "based on the conflicts between two nations; Primus Union who fights for loyalty and Ganav Libero who fights for freedom." Also, they note that they'll be starting with a wide range of in-game events and items beginning November 25th, which sounds promising for those of us who love live beta events. So if the idea of spending all day tomorrow staring at Great Aunt Bertha over a plate of dry turkey and gelatinous can-shaped cranberry sauce doesn't appeal, then get your client download started and head over to the CloudNine site to sign up.
Sony finally launches PS2 in Brazil (or, welcome to 2000!)
We don't live in Brazil, but from what we hear, it's not one of the most gamer-friendly places out there. Piracy runs rampant and whenever any kind of controversial game releases, citizens usually find their government won't let 'em play it. But, hey, things are kinda looking up! Reader Renato wrote in to us saying the PS2 has finally officially released in Brazil and that consumers can get it from the Sony Style store now ... for the low, low price of 799 BRL (about 461 USD). That's right, Brazilians no longer need secure safe passage for emigrating consoles or pay ridiculous sums of money to third-party distributors and can instead pay ridiculous sums of money directly to Sony for a locally-supported PS2! Isn't that awesome? [Thanks, Renato] Congratulations to Serge808 on being the first to comment. You've been emailed a free Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta code. All beta codes have been awarded. Click here, for more information on this giveaway. Official rules apply.
Japanese Bayonetta knows English, is region-free
Chances are, you want "non stop climax action" as soon as possible. Thanks to the PS3's region-free gaming, you'll be able to do just that. The game's menus and dialog, as Siliconera discovered, are all in English -- no need to learn Japanese, folks. Considering the game isn't due to arrive in North America until early next year, this import is an easy choice for those who want Hideki Kamiya's latest now.
China Blue HD crosses over to the UK, third Opium War inevitable
We've given HD DVD's bastard child China Blue HD its due for a good start in its native land, but now that U.K. Importer GBAX has made a few units available it's time for English language buyers to at least consider this Blu-ray alternative. Of course, with a £259.99 ($413.22 U.S.) pricetag for this plain TCL player, AV and HD cables, plus 14 CBHD movies (The Aviator, Blood Diamond, The Invasion, The Island, Flood, Poseidon & 8 Chinese-only flicks) to get you started the barrier to entry is high, but as shown in the unboxing / preview video -- embedded after the break, watch for ninjas -- the experience is very familiar. As Format War Central points out, the 220/240Hz power cord makes things complicated for the U.S. and other places outside Europe, but hardcore HD DVD holdouts are used to a world filled with only Warner and Universal movies already, so why not give the other blue laser flavor a try? [Via Format War Central]
Black Wii now available from importers for $333
Yeah, we were pretty bummed that Nintendo's super-hot black Wii wasn't coming to the US, but fear not, fanboys -- it looks like the stealth console has hit the gray-market import scene. Sure, you'll have to pay a bit of a premium at $333, but surely that's a reasonable price for exclusivity, no?[Via DCEmu UK; thanks Craig]
Sharp says ITC ban on LCD imports won't affect US consumers
We just spent some time talking to Sharp's reps about that ITC ban on its LCD panels, and while they certainly didn't sound happy about the ruling, they made it clear that it shouldn't have too much of an effect on US consumers -- Aquos TVs and Sharp professional LCD displays currently on shelves are fine to be sold, and updated models have been hitting the channel as of last month. As you'd expect, the new displays have been re-engineered to workaround the Samsung patent in question, but here's where it gets confusing: the basic model numbers haven't changed. Instead, the new units have an "N" at the end, so a TV like the Aquos LC52-E77U will now be labeled LC52-E77UN. Sharp says the updated models have exactly the same specs as the outgoing ones, but we're waiting on a detailed list of spec changes -- or better, a side-by-side comparison -- so we can decide whether or not the HDTV equivalents of a pre-CBS Fender are floating around out there.Update: Sharp hit us back with some revised information, so we've changed the post slightly.
Xbox 360 Ghostbusters not region-locked, Europe doesn't need to wait
According to a number of reports from North American purchasers of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, the highly anticipated film-to-game adaptation is more than capable of crossing the stream known as the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, players are claiming that the Xbox 360 version of the title isn't region-locked, and can be played on consoles worldwide -- even in Europe, where Sony recently scored the publishing rights for the title, turning it into a PS3 exclusive. In other words, for Europe's import-savvy 360 owners, the chance to digitally don a proton pack is just one transatlantic cargo plane journey away.
Breakfast Topic: How old is your character?
Bricu of WTT: [RP] put forth a pretty thought-provoking question the other day: How old are your characters? From one point of view, that's pretty simple. You do a quick /played, report back the number of days it returns, and there you go. But, especially for those of us who roleplay, it can sometimes go a bit deeper. Sometimes, we take our characters across games. Of course, this doesn't mean importing characters completely wholesale, you understand. On the RP end, you're still going to want to convert them to be born and bred citizens of Azeroth (or Outland), and either way, you may not be able to convert them to the exact race or class they were. There's just no Human Rangers or Halfling Monks in WoW, more's the pity.
Capcom still working on US release of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom
Starting to feel like your North American Wii will never get a chance to spin Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes? Capcom says, "keep hope alive!" Capcom's Seth "S-Kill" Killian recently posted footage (found after the break) of a Ranking Battle final at Simi Valley's Denjin Arcade on the Unity blog, telling fans that the company is still looking for a way to bring the mixed-character fighter to North American shores. The post reaffirms comments made earlier this month by Capcom's bizdev and strategic planning VP, Christian Svensson, who said Capcom was "actively working" to get the game Stateside. However, nothing is set in stone and it still may never happen. So, who's starting the online petition?%Gallery-32421%
Japanese gamers eager for Resident Evil: Long Line
As Famitsu shows us, Japanese gamers were anxious to get their hands on Capcom's latest run-and-gun shooter entry in the survival-horror genre, Resident Evil 5, lining up before stores opened early in the morning. In fact, some of them even purchased the Xbox 360 bundle, as evidenced here.Of course, most of the individuals picking up Capcom's latest were young men, but Famitsu said some females were getting in on the action as well. Sadly, Famitsu doesn't say which version of RE5 sold better, so the fanboys will have to stick with their delusions as argument topics for now.%Gallery-43985%
BlazBlue throws a beatdown on PS3, Xbox 360
Arc System Works, the folks behind popular 2D fighting franchise Guilty Gear, are planning on bringing their high-def 2D fighter, BlazBlue, to the Xbox 360 and PS3 IGN reports. Currently only available in Japanese arcades, the title is being ported to home consoles in the region, with release aimed at this summer. Notable additions to the console port include a story mode, with individual stories for each character available. This story mode will offer branching storylines based on the battles you win, as well as the choices you make while playing. Director Toshimichi Mori says the story mode easily offers 30 hours of gameplay. On top of that, gamers can look forward to online support for battling folks around the globe, as well as DLC, which Arc has planned, yet no specific items were mentioned. The console version of the game will also provide all characters with Astral Heat special moves, which were only given to a select few boss characters in the arcade version of the game.
Nintendo: No plans to bring Classic Controller Pro to U.S.
Well folks, clear some room, because your hopes and dreams are about to come crashing down ... now: Nintendo has no plans to bring the Classic Controller Pro to the United States. In fact, that's exactly what a kind Nintendo spokesperson said: "At this time, we do not have any plans to launch the Classic Controller Pro in the United States." Of course, that doesn't mean you can't have one, if you really want it that badly.
