Filed under: Online

Home coming this year as 'open, working beta'

by Jason Dobson { 1 year ago }

Sony has again trumpeted intention to get its virtual world Home out the door this year, though precisely what state it will be in when players are eventually allowed to log on remains another issue entirely. Speaking to Wired, PSN senior director Susan Panico referred to Home's initial roll out as "similar to Gmail," calling the online initiative's presumably fall release an "open, working beta."

These comments have not exactly filled our heart containers with confidence. Google officially launched its email service in 2004, and now, some four years later, it's still in beta.

Mario Kart Wii tournament features new 'Galaxy Colosseum' stage

by James Ransom-Wiley { 1 year ago }

A new stage. A new challenge. A new way to play Mario Kart Wii. Is this Nintendo doing DLC? Not so fast.

We're not certain if Mario Kart Wii's new "Galaxy Colosseum" stage is actually downloaded or simply unlocked from the game disc by downloading the latest Tournament update -- either way, you could argue it's "DLC." But what's its value as additional Kart content? If the stage disappears when the tourney expires on June 9, then the freebie ranks as negligible (currently, Galaxy Colosseum is only playable through the online Tournament mode). Even if it's archived in a single-player mode, the timed minigame (knock four Spiky Topmen out of the arena using mushroom bursts as fast as you can) is an incredibly dull use of a Super Mario Galaxy crossover. Keep trying, Nintendo. And we'll keep dreaming.

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is offended

by Ross Miller { 1 year ago }

We're offended by the above joke. We tend to look up bunnies all the time, at odd moments, but we do not have A.D.D. Here are our picks for the week's best game-related webcomics; voting after the break.

The Unhorse (Penny Arcade)
I just wanted to play it again... (Extra Life)
Fwooosh! (Awkward Zombie c/o VG Cats)
Wii Fit Training (Monday Night Crew)
Wii Quit (2P Start)
Historical Landmark (Digital Unrest)
Knock Before Entering (Fanboys)

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Rock Band Weekly: Jimmy Buffet and Disturbed

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

This, this may actually be the weirdest Rock Band Weekly ever. This week we get a combo platter of Jimmy Buffet and Disturbed. Our brain actually gave up for the rest of the week on this news, so we've really got nothing else left to add. But, we have pulled out the crushed ice and lime juice and are ready to waste away the weekend. This gives us hope that one day we'll get Abba Gold as a DLC album. Harmonix, make it so!

Two packs: Buffet (440 Microsoft Points / $5.50) and Disturbed (240 MS points / $3)

"Margaritaville" - Jimmy Buffett (160 MS Points / $2)
"Cheeseburger in Paradise" - Jimmy Buffett (160 MS Points / $2)
"Volcano" - Jimmy Buffett (160 MS Points / $2)
"Indestructible" - Disturbed (80 MS Points / $1)
"Inside the Fire" - Disturbed (80 MS Points / $1)
"Perfect Insanity" - Disturbed (80 MS Points / $1)

Videos for these tracks can be found after the break (one Disturbed video may be NSFW). DLC will be available next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3 respectively.

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Nintendo of Canada offers sealed NES, SNES, GameBoy titles for charity auction

by Ross Miller { 1 year ago }

Video game collectors have just been given a golden opportunity (and another thorn in their significant others' side). Nintendo of Canada is cleaning out their warehouse and is auctioning their collection of brand new, sealed retro games, with all proceeds going to United Way charity. The auctions, totaling 421 games in 24 different auctions, break down as follows:

70 NES games over 4 lots
169 SNES games over 13 lots
182 GameBoy games over 7 lots

As of this writing, the highest bid in any auctions is US $1,013 for a collection of NES games that includes Mario's Time Machine, Dragon Warrior IV, The Great Waldo Search and – this is the big draw, folks – George Foreman's KO Boxing. There's some great games in the other lots, too, with Addams Family and Lost Vikings activating the most synapses in our nostalgic minds.

Joystiq got in touch with Nintendo of Canada to confirm the auction is legit, so what are you waiting for? Bidding for all lots ends June 5.

Free DS Wi-Fi no more at McDonald's

by Scott Jon Siegel { 1 year ago }

Hey, remember when McDonald's and Nintendo teamed up to offer free Wi-Fi access for Nintendo DS players? No? Really? We thought it was kinda cool. Anyway, they're not doing it anymore, so just forget it.

The contract between Nintendo and Wayport -- the internet provider for McDonald's in North America -- actually came to an end late last year, though the termination of the agreement wasn't made well known. Well, now you know. DS-playing Mickey D's lovers can still get their fast food game on using a laptop and Nintendo's Wi-Fi dongle. Or, you know, not.

[Via DS Fanboy]

PSN Thursday: Prince of Persia wallpaper

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

Not actual wallpaper

OK, last week's PSN update was lacking, but this week ... well, this week we're just not going to comment on it. There's a couple of Prince of Persia wallpapers and the weekly Rock Band content. Beyond that, there's not much else. Check it out after the break if you don't believe. We'll take this opportunity to mention that PixelJunk Monsters is awesome -- particularly on two player local co-op -- and we recommend at least trying the demo.

Europe got a little somethin-somethin, which can be found over at PS3 Fanboy.

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GameTap Thursday: Tortuga Pirates in the Ducati World Championship

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

We take a moment this week in our GameTap Thursday post to remember the men and women who made up the editorial team over at the service. Their employment was cut tragically short this week due to shortsighted management decisions. So, we raise a glass to our fellow scribes and toast to the words of Eddie Valiant, "Here's to the pencil pushers. May they all get lead poisoning."

Ducati World Championship (Windows) - It's sort of, but totally not, like Gran Turismo with bikes.
Tortuga Pirates of the New World (Windows) - Pirates! or Tropico are much better games.

If you're really looking for something different to play (and probably learn), Brian Lara Cricket 2007 joins GameTap's free lineup this week.

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Readers pick best webcomic: Million Dollar Arcade

by Ross Miller { 1 year ago }

Dueling Analogs artist Steve Napierski's tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the Penny Arcade duo took top honors in this week's webcomic wrapup. Don't worry, we're sure Tycho and Gabe are in on the joke. After all, PA Adventures is number 3 for all-time best Xbox Live Arcade launches ever.

Second and third place go to VG Cats and, well, Penny Arcade, respectively. Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week!

Zero Punctuation unhappily discovers The World Ends With You

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

Zero Punctuation discovers The World Ends With You this week. This sudden realization has caused him to send his vast internet army to your house and kill you. Really! Run!

Actually, The World Ends With You is a JRPG that's been getting some strongly supportive reviews from several outlets that do that reviewing sort of thing. As any disciple of Yahtzee knows at this point, he hates JRPGs and Nintendo -- the jury is still out though on which one he hates more. TWEWY gets off easy in this review by confusing Yahtzee to the point where he can't form an opinion and leaves it up to the audience.

Find this week's NSFW ZP review of another Japanese game with kids who have gravity defying hair after the break.

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GameTap fires editorial department, Read and Watch sections to shut down

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

GameTap is shutting down its relatively new editorial department and the entire staff has been given a couple of weeks notice. GameDaily reports that GameTap's Read and Watch sections, which are less than a year old, had a strong stable of veteran industry writers, but those sections will now be dismantled and integrated into the site's actual game pages.

GameTap VP Rick Sanchez writes on the community boards that the service has been happy with the editorial team, but has decided to focus on the company's main business, which is its game catalog. Details are still lacking about what the new vision for GameTap is, but being an all-purpose mega-site with games and news to rival Gamespot or IGN is obviously not it.

Update: We've placed GameTap's official statement on this issue after the break.

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Bionic Commando Rearmed's May deployment delayed

by Ross Miller { 1 year ago }

Attention, soldiers! It looks like the Bionic Commando Rearmed remake is going AWOL for a little bit longer. According to a message on the BC website's Communicator, the game is complete but missing its scheduled May release date. The game is reportedly done but has a few bug fixes and submissions procedures to battle.

To spare you the hassle of clicking through a whole lot of retro text boxes (and it was a pain), we've provided transcription of the message after the break.

Gallery: Bionic Commando Rearmed

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Rez, Ikaruga hold record for best XBLA launches

by Ross Miller { 1 year ago }

In news post yesterday, Penny Arcade's Gabe revealed the top four best launches ever for Xbox Live Arcade, with the launch window being the first three days of availability. The list is as follows:

Rez HD, 25k units
Ikaruga, 22.5k units
Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1, 16.5k units
N+, 13k units

Honestly, we're a bit surprised by the initial success of Rez and Ikaruga. Not that we didn't want them to succeed (they really are awesome games), but we didn't expect to see Xbox Live community rally so quickly around years-old re-releases. Now, if we could only see data for worst XBLA launches, or even total Rez playtime using multiple controllers as trance vibrators.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

[Via X3F]

Rock Band Weekly: The Cars' self-titled debut album

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

This week The Cars' 1978 self-titled debut record becomes the latest full album available from Rock Band's music store. Currently, it's keeping Judas Priest's Screaming for Vengeance company. Who's Next? Yeah, we're wondering that too.

The Cars album (1200 MS points / $15) -- All songs are also sold individually (160 MS Points / $2)

"Good Times Roll"
"My Best Friend's Girl"
"Just What I Needed"
"I'm in Touch with Your World"
"Don't Cha Stop"
"You're All I've Got Tonight"
"Bye Bye Love"
"Moving in Stereo"
"All Mixed Up"

Videos for all this week's songs (the second week in a row of large Rock Band Weekly post video hunts) can be found after the break. The Cars will be available tomorrow on Xbox 360 and Thursday on PlayStation 3.

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Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is on the rain-free precipice of sunshine and rainbows

by Ross Miller { 1 year ago }

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! 'Tis not a single thing bad about this day! Althought we're knee-deep in the awesome Penny Arcade Adventures (hence the really bad tracing on the Photoshop above), we thought we'd take a moment to reflect on sunnier adventures. ... Okay, we're done, back to the game! Here are our picks for the week's best game-related webcomics. Voting after the break.

Bingo, the New Game by Rockstar (Married to the Sea)
Universal Access (Robot Martini)
Tales of the Boundless Universe (Nobody Scores)
Super Ultra Double Secret (Penny Arcade)
Million Dollar Arcade (Dueling Analogs)
The Case (CAD)
Ages 7 and Up ... and Up! (VG Cats)
A Turn of Events (2P Start)
Waistline Dilation (Digital Unrest)
D'awwwww! (Fanboys Online)

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