Spike TV has released the list of its 2006 Video Game Awards winners, expunging all temptation to tune into the televised presentation this coming Wednesday. While the results hold little standing in the industry, it's interesting to note that Sony has seemingly fallen out of popularity with Spike TV's award ceremony, perhaps implying a shift in popular brand.

Last year, Sony enjoyed (at least shares in) Game of the Year, Best Action Game, Best Original Score, Best Graphics, Best Handheld Game, and Best Technology; this year, Xbox 360 is tied to all of those awards (except 'Best Technology' & 'Handheld Game'), along with Studio of the Year, Best Shooter, Best Multiplayer Game, Best RPG, Best Racing Game, and Most Addictive. Sony currently has stake in none*.

Sure, PlayStation 3 hasn't even been on the market for a month, but Wii managed to earn the 'Breakthrough Technology' award, and Twilight Princess nabbed Critic's Choice; plus, with New Super Mario Bros., DS won out over PSP. Is 'Comeback Company of the Year' in the cards for Sony in 2007?

*Oblivion will end up on PlayStation 3 next year.

Serious Games Source offers some heady insights into the designs of DS's Super Princess Peach and New Super Mario Bros. Despite North American and European marketing efforts to mask sexist overtones, it should be clear to anyone who's played Peach -- and succeeded using her emotions -- that the game perpetuates certain stereotypes about women. Gonzalo Frasca writes, "What is shocking is that from all the possible design options available, the creators of this game had to frame the princess as an emotionally unstable person."

Digging deeper, Frasca discovers that Mario has also failed to avoid cultural imprints. Where Peach focuses on a woman's bursting emotions, NSMB follows a size-obsessed man searching for that "mega mushroom" to make himself ginormous; and thereby invincible.

[Via GameSetWatch]

A video of some of the new power-ups featured in New Super Mario Bros. has been posted on the official website — additional videos will be posted on 5/1, 5/8, and 5/15. The current video features the exciting new Mega Mushroom power-up (pictured) and its counterpart, the Mini Mushroom. The new blue Koopa shell also makes an appearance, transforming the plumber into Shell Mario, as seen in the underwater scene. And of course, what preview would be complete with a Fire Mario sighting?

The video also gives us a look at some of Mario's moves, including the ground pound (or 'butt bounce'), double jump, and wall jumping ability. We may have picked up on Infendo's skepticism a few weeks ago, but this new footage had us on that nostalagia tip, hard. You know, all warm and gooey inside. New Super Mario Bros. is set to drop on May 15.

The latest issue of EGM reports that the DS Lite is "due in May" on North American shores. The snippet coincides with 1Up's recent speculation, but does not contain further information that would validate this claim. Consider this a rumor — for now.

Nintendo has announced that its legendary designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, will be on hand to field questions and praise during a half hour webchat next week. The discussion looks to focus on the Nintendo DS, including insight into the New Super Mario Bros., but perhaps some skillful fans will be able to pry out some Revolution details (don't count on it). The webchat will be viewable at webchats.tv at 2 pm (Eastern) on March 17. Start submitting your questions now.