To give some perspective on the relative age of Sony's second console, think about this: if the PlayStation 2 were a human being, it would be a third-grader right about now, and would probably know more about long division than we do. While most eight-year-old consoles generally go the way of the Jaguar, Sony seems dedicated to the continued growth of their popular (though fairly aged) home console -- for example, in an attempt to extend their already impressive multinational reach, Sony recently hired 13 Indian game developers to create domestically-themed games and improve sales in India and the Middle East.

Though nearly 3.3 million Indians already own PS2s, Sony is confident that creating games based on "Bollywood, mythology and culture" and featuring motion-sensing gameplay using the fairly neglected Eye Toy peripheral will further increase their dominance in the Indian market. Could these rupee-garnering efforts prolong the system's life until middle school, and the associated joys of puberty? Only time can tell.

It's the stuff great urban legends are made of: A drunk University of Wyoming student supposedly knocked himself out and earned a trip to the hospital after urinating on a still-plugged-in PS2 at an off-campus party. The story got pushed by Fark on Monday and is slowly making its way into the mainstream media, getting a mention yesterday on Fox News Live.

We're a bit incredulous. First of all, it's arguable whether or not the physics of the story would even work. The popular Discovery TV show Mythbusters determined that it's nearly impossible to get shocked by peeing on the supercharged third rail of a train track because the urine stream isn't consistent enough to carry a charge. Even if the drunken party-goer somehow did get close enough for a solid stream, we find it hard to believe that the measly power output of a PS2 would knock someone out for a full ten seconds.

The original report itself doesn't exactly inspire confidence, either -- Fun Tech Talk is not exactly a well-known and respected source for news. While the post reads like an AP brief, there's no link to any outside sources or mention of who originally reported the story. There are some journalistic inconsistencies too -- the party supposedly happened late Saturday night, but the dateline says it was written that same Saturday.

The final nail in the coffin? None of the three students mentioned in the piece turn up on the University of Wyoming's online student directory.

While we'd like to believe in the poetic justice for anyone stupid enough to pee on a game system, we've got to nip this one in the bud. As the Mythbusters themselves might say, this one is busted.

Amid concerns that the European version of the PlayStation 3 will be less than fully backward compatible, Sony has unveiled a new web site listing old games that will work under the version 1.6 firmware, due to be released concurrently with the European launch on Thursday. Unfortunately, the site is organized in a rather user-unfriendly paged format that requires a lot of clicking around to get to the data you want. We did some extra legwork and copied the data into a couple of convenient Google Docs spreadsheets (PS1, PS2). We also crunched the numbers to see just how extensive the European PS3's backward compatibility will be at launch.

The results are a little underwhelming. While over 2,800 combined PS2 and PS1 games are listed as working on the PAL PS3, they represent only about 56 percent of the approximately 5,000 discs available for both systems in PAL format. Unlisted games like Metal Gear Solid 2, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil 2 and all the Ratchet and Clank games will not work at all come launch day -- as it says in the fine print of the site, "if your game is not listed here, emulation is not yet supported on PLAYSTATION®3." [update: added fine print quote -- thanks Ian] (Note: Discs are listed by serial number, one game may be listed under multiple serial numbers).

What's more, of the roughly 2,800 listed games, only about 1,800 of them (approx. 63 percent) work with "no known issues." A good 550 or so have "noticeable issues," according to Sony, among them big names like Metal Gear Solid and Tomb Raider II on the PS1 and Final Fantasy X, Kingdom Hearts, SingStar, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on the PS2. [Update: Moved Kingdom Hearts from PS1 to PS2. Whoops!]

Of course, these numbers will only go up as Sony continues to update the firmware, but as a starting point, we're a little disappointed that roughly two-thirds of the PlayStation/PS2 library won't work perfectly on Europe's launch day PS3s.

Continue reading for a quick breakdown of the numbers and more chartly goodness.

When video game analysts are mentioned, most of us who closely follow game news think of Michael Pachter. Like any analyst, their predictions aren't perfect. In fact, many abide by the 51% rule; if you get at least 51% of your predictions right, you're a good analyst.

Back in November, Pachter predicted GameStop (GME) to ride a wave of consumer spending on video games. GameStop has released some information proving that buy a good one. GameStop has increased its already strong revenue outlook by $50 million and its Q4 earnings per share from $1.53-$1.59 to $1.58-$1.60.

On top of other interesting sales promotions, GameStop certainly enjoyed the console launches and top-selling games like Gears of War immensely. GameStop is still looking like a strong buy with the strong Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii lineups for 2007 along with continuing PS2 support (though not everyone is in consensus on this). Since we're going to make some money off this one, we're going to forgive Pachter for some of his missed predictions.

We wonder how much time these guys spent on this thing. If it was more than one Sunday afternoon, then we fear for their souls. It starts off pretty decent, and the costumes are nifty (check out Link's ears and Riku's hair -- dang), but then we get to the fighting and it just slows. way. down. Watch as I SWING WITH MY SWORD AND THEN ... *tap*. Check out Link's off the rock spin move, eh? He's so proud of it that he does it several times.

The video ends with, "It's not over yet." Dear god, why not? Is there a sequel brewing? Don't get us wrong, it was a nice effort ... just two minutes and 41 seconds too long. Check it out after the jump.

On the heels of THQ's quarterly report comes some more positive gaming news. According to the NPD Group the gaming industry has posted a 16% jump in software sales. An interesting trend noted by the NPD Group is the average price of games sold has declined by $2.40.

The decline in price could be confusing to many gamers, especially those staring down the $60 price tags on new Xbox 360 (and soon to be PS3) games. The decline in price was due mainly to the fact that new release PS2 games are now in the $40 range and six of the top ten software games were for the PS2 (the top ten was rounded out by three Xbox 360 games and one Xbox game). If the revenue is up and the game prices are down this means that unit sales are WAY up.

The data pokes in the eye the argument that next-gen software needs a $60 price point to make a profit. If PS2 games are selling for $40 -- and selling well at that -- keeping $60 price tags emblazoned all over our precious games is absurd when gamers are clearly buying $40 merchandise in droves. By selling next gen software at even $50, gaming companies can easily use economics of scale to their advantage. The increased production costs can easily be drowned out by more sales generated by a lower price point. Stop gouging us guys ... you know you can make a profit without that $60 price tag.

Nolan Bushnell , founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, looks to be a new member of the Microsoft Defense Force. In an interview with Red Herring, Bushnell took the time to trash the entire PlayStation brand, not just the PlayStation 3. While we can expect the SDF to come out swinging, Bushnell's comments leave even those of us sitting on the fence with raised eyebrows.

Bushnell is absolutely convinced the PS3 will fail ... and not just fail to reach the vaunted nine-digit milestone for the third time, but outright flop. Bushnell told Red Herring that "It would not surprise me if a year from now they'll be struggling to sell 1 million units ... I think in the the number of early adopters you have is actually around 300,000." Furthermore, he goes on to say the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 were merely accidents, reaping rewards not by being the best, but by being in the right place at the right time.

The PlayStation did not succeed because Sony had a Field of Dreams moment; it was supported because developers loved how it was easier to develop than the cumbersome Saturn and consumers bought it because the software was far cheaper than the N64. My PlayStation didn't just fall off the shelf and into my shopping cart, I bought it for a reason. While it would take a fanatic to believe the PS3 will sell over 100 million units, thinking the PS3 will only sell one million units by this time next year -- and fail to sell out of the launch units -- is crazy.

[Via GameDaily]

Gaming is frequently blamed for many of society's ills. One social problem, child obesity, is now being taken on by gaming. Gymkids, a UK manufacturer of children's fitness products, has released the Step2Play,seeks to tackle the problem of childhood obesity not by taking the games away, but turning every game played into a workout.

The theory behind Step2Play is that outdoor activities aren't necessarily for everyone and that many kids simply won't put down the controller. The Step2Play system, which resembles a stair-stepper workout machine, plugs into the child's Playstation 2. If the child wishes to play the game, he must use the machine. If the child stops, the controller cuts off and the game cannot be played. Parents can even change the pace the child must keep up to develop a workout regimen.

For £115.00, parents can buy a tool that could prove valuable in battling life-long illnesses that result from obesity. The site does not indicate if the product works in other markets, such as the United States, or if they will ship internationally. The product does have opponents who claim that Step2Play only highlights the problems with society; however, why should we undertake an impossible social re-engineering program when it's far easier to convince people to better themselves by playing on what they normally do every day?

[Thanks Jose]

Here's a collection of useful (and useless) PlayStation 3 facts compiled by GamePro -- and complimented by our parenthetical remarks:

• Touch-sensitive power and eject buttons are a nice touch - literally (but we prefer handling said activities from the couch, with a remote or controller)
  
• 15,000 kiosks across the nation by the end of November (you might not be able to score a unit until 2007, but at least your local retailer will have one)
  
• The PS3 is not just a cheap Blu-ray player (actually, it's relatively inexpensive)
  
• Not all games will be 1080p (now that's an understatement!)
  
• The Sixaxis controller doesn't feel too light (we disagree)
  
• Speaking of which, the Sixaxis motion sensing takes some getting used to. (uh-huh)
  
• The PSP will connect via Wi-Fi to the PS3's hard drive (a good reason not to sell your PSP)
  
• The Sixaxis gets roughly 30 hours of battery life (if true, it blows Microsoft's Xbox 360 rechargeable -- but easily replaced -- battery away)
  
• There's no "lag" on the wireless Sixaxis controller, either (and there shouldn't be!)
  
• The Sixaxis's wireless range tops out at over 65 feet (20 meters) (how far away do you sit from the TV?)
  
• A new controller will set you back 50 beans (and there's no first-party wired alternative)
  
• Your PlayStation 2 save game files can be transferred to the PS3 (thank goodness! Transferring Xbox saves to 360 is tedious and requires purchasing third-party apps/equipment)
  
• The Blu-ray disc drive is slot loading, and it works like a dream (yeah, but does it have a paperclip-hole fail-safe?)
  
• One LED on the PS3 seems dedicated to tracking hard drive activity (so ... ?)
  
• The first 500,000 PS3s will be packaged with a free Blu-ray feature film (but it's Ferrel's "Talladega Nights")
  
• There's still a hard "power-off" switch on the back of the system, just like the PS2 (annoying)
  
• The PS3 is very, very shiny (so keep your greasy paws off it)
  
• As a whole, the PS3 itself looks incredibly sexy (see previous)
  
• The PS3 is super quiet (we hope -- 'cause the 360 is damned loud!)
  
• You can plug in a USB keyboard and surf the 'Net (and a mouse too?)
  
• The power supply is integrated directly into the system (in other words, there's no brick to trip over)
  
• Re-download all your merch to someone else's PS3 (or better, download a friend's merch on to your PS3)
  
• First-party games are priced at $59.99 (so are some of the 360's -- *sigh*)
  

[Via Digg]

Following rumors that the PlayStation 3 version of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 has been cancelled, THQ confirmed that its perennial wrasslin' series will not boost the PS3 launch lineup this holiday. Instead, SmackDown 2007 will ship for PS2 and PSP, and more importantly, will make its 'next-gen' debut exclusively on Xbox 360. THQ did add that the SmackDown franchise would eventually make it onto PS3, but not until holiday 2007.

Get this, so, some anonymous source -- don't worry, this source is, like, totally "in the know" -- has tipped off a blog -- okay, not just any blog, but GamerAndy.com -- and ... you ready ... Red Octane & Harmonix are developing a version of Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360! Rock! On!

Alright, so it's just a rumor without a credited source, but it's at least worth entertaining the possibilities: a wireless 'guitar' ... downloadable tracks ... Xbox Live battles! Please...

Guitar Hero II is scheduled for release in November on PS2. Neither Red Octane, Harmonix, or Microsoft has confirmed -- or even hinted at -- a version for Xbox 360. As always, take any rumor with a grain of salt (but it doesn't hurt to keep your fingers crossed).

The latest out of Tokyo reports that PlayStation 2 outsold Xbox 360 by 21,236 units in the last week of June. Not good. Sure the Japanese launch of Xbox 360 was marred by a lack of content targeted at Japanese consumer interests, but Mizuguchi's N3 Ninety Nine Nights has since been released, and so has Final Fantasy XI -- though we suspect Japanese gamers are content playing FFXI on their PS2s, as they've been doing since 2002.

With Sony and Nintendo on the verge of launching their new consoles, Microsoft has run out of time to gain a significant foothold in Japan. A May poll, conducted by Cross Marketing, found that out of 366 self-identified gamers, 256 of them want a PlayStation 3. Of the respondents that were permitted to select multiple next-generation consoles, 127 said they wanted Wii. Only 93 said they wanted Xbox 360. "I can't say I'm beaming with confidence in Japan," president and chief executive officer of Microsoft Japan Darren Huston admitted at a company event last Thursday. Not good.

AddictedGeek.com recently dropped a N64, four controllers, and a copy of the much-beloved Goldeneye in front of a 12 year-old. Mind you, said 12 year-old, while a "confirmed geek," has never played a game that predates 2001. His entire gaming collection is firmly rooted in a high end PC, Xbox 360, and PS2.

So what was this young upstart's reaction to what many of us consider a 'timeless classic?' Well, the little bastard panned it:

"The single-player was one of the worst I have ever played ... I can see why it was so popular when it first came out, but nowadays very few aspects of the game stand out, and many more pull it back ... it wasn't long before we pulled out Halo 2." (Kids these days...)

Do you leave your game console on standby?
	Yes, all the time. It's more convenient that way.
	Sometimes, when I forget to turn it off completely.
	No, I make a conscious effort to turn off my console once I'm finished.

In June last year, UK Environment Minister Elliot Morley revealed that people that leave their TVs sets and other gadgets on standby mode waste roughly "7TWh of energy" of the National Grid's energy per year. According to the Energy Saving Trust, CO2 emissions from the generation of energy required to keep game consoles on standby amounts to roughly 390,000 tonnes annually. That's a big waste and a large contribution to global warming, especially for something people aren't actually using.

When answering the above poll, take note that while some consoles show a red light when in standby (PlayStation 2), others do not (Xbox 360).

[Image credit]

The reaction to yesterday's PS2 price cut has been one of disappointment on two levels:

1) Sony could or should have brought the price down to $99.

This comment from Resident Gamer is a typical example of this opinion: "So why is Sony being so picky about moving it to the $99 mark? Not like everyone doesn't have a PS2 already (he's got a point, Sony's sold over 100 million of 'em). But they need to make it so that anyone else who might be a new gamer can easily get into playing at a low cost and enjoy the large body of games PS2 has." Like we mentioned in our earlier post, the reason Sony didn't go for the symbolic "under $100" price point is most likely because of the PS3. With E3 just around the corner Sony will want all the attention to be on their next-gen effort, rather than on their console that was six years old last month (the PS2 was released in March, 2000 in Japan).