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Green Lantern PSP spotted at Comic-Con

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 27th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Sony isn't giving up on the not-expensive PSP-3000 series. In fact, Siliconera spotted this special Green Lantern themed system at San Diego Comic-Con not too long ago. Inspired by the upcoming "First Flight" animated feature, this PSP-3000 stands out due to its unique glossy green color -- something you won't find on American retail shelves. Less exciting is Comic-Con's Caprica-themed PSP, if only because the idiotic "SyFy" brand stands so large on it. Yuck.

While you may not be able to get this Green Lantern PSP any time soon (or ever), you can still get some free Green Lantern digital swag off the PlayStation Store. For a limited time, you can download a 16 minute sneak preview of the upcoming animated film on your PSP or PS3. Simply visit the video section of the PlayStation Store to download.

GreenWorld mod spruces up Fallout 3's wasteland

by Griffin McElroy { Apr 12th 2009 at 8:00PM }

There are many accolades one can lay upon Bethesda's post-apocalyptic RPG Fallout 3, but it's impossible to commend the game for its lush, rich environments. Pools of standing, radioactive water? Yuck. Shelled-out buildings inhabited by sallow-skinned mutants? No thanks. Go ahead and say it was intentionally designed that way to create an unsettling, hopeless atmosphere -- we know a sorry excuse when we hear one.

Thankfully, a modder by the name of Khyrin recently released "GreenWorld," a Fallout 3 patch that brings some much needed arboreal splendor to Washington D.C.'s unsightly landscape. You can download the mod here, then watch as Fallout 3's grotesque, sepia toned pallette is exchanged for something a little more viridian.

[Via Ripten]

No charger required for the solar-powered DS 'Light'

by Griffin McElroy { Feb 16th 2009 at 7:45PM }

If you're an environmentally conscious DS Lite owner with a proclivity for modding, you may want to check out a recent Instructable that shows how to craft a solar-powered DS "Light" using relatively inexpensive components. By attaching solar panels to the top and bottom of the system, you can get a sun-fueled trickle-charge which should keep you from ever needing to plug in your Gore-approved handheld ever again.

Unfortunately, you have to leave your system lying on its easily blemished belly for a bit in order to get an adequate amount of power, but such is the cost of Earth's climatological salvation.

[Via Engadget]

NRDC: Wii is greenest console of them all

by David Hinkle { Nov 21st 2008 at 3:29PM }

The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) recently decided to put all of this generation's consoles through their paces and see which console reigns supreme in the eco-friendly department. As we've heard in the past, the Wii has pretty much dominated all of the competition in each field of study. When looking at power consumption, the Wii only uses 16 watts, compared to the 119 watts of the Xbox 360 and 150 watts of the PS3.

The full NRDC study can be seen here. Warning: it's pretty much all in pdf format.

See also: Nintendo vs. Greenpeace

[Via Examiner]

EPA wants greener consoles starting in 2010

by David Hinkle { Oct 17th 2008 at 7:15PM }

While they're not as crazy as, say, Greenpeace, the EPA is concerned about the energy uses of home consoles. They plan to introduce new energy requirements for home consoles starting July 1, 2010 as part of its Energy Star program. These new requirements include an auto off function, a sleep mode for television/display, power scaling and a wireless access point function that will use less than 10 watts of power.

Seeing as how the Wii already uses less power than its competitors, it shouldn't be too much of a hassle for Nintendo to include these functions. Why 2010 though? The EPA hopes that's enough lead time for console manufacturers to institute these new features.

[Via 1UP]

Nintendo jazzing up Wiimote wrist straps

by Chris Greenhough { Aug 21st 2008 at 4:35PM }

While we're still waiting for that leopard skin Wiimote wrist strap of our dreams, Nintendo will shortly release green, blue, pink, and white straps in Japan. Other than helping to distinguish Wiimotes between multiplayer sessions, we can't really think of a compelling need for these non-threatening, pastel accessories, but perhaps they're a sign that matching controllers are on the way? That's probably a long shot, but it would be nice.

For those of you with an interest in importing, these are scheduled to appear next month for ¥300 ($2.80) each, or you can snag the four-pack above for ¥1,000 ($9.25). For those of you who are too cheap for even that, you can make your own for nada.

UK still betting on black

by Chris Greenhough { Jun 17th 2008 at 5:00PM }

At the bottom of a GamesIndustry.biz story about some PS3 game (Metal ... something) failing to sell PS3s in the UK, we found news of how those new, Europe-only DS colors had fared in Britain.

And here's a surprise: Chart-Track (the company tasked with the exhausting job of tallying how many copies of Brain Training sell each week in Europe) has revealed that while the swish new red, turquoise, and green models had a "massive impact" on sales, none could dislodge the current top-seller, which is ... black. How boring!

Despite being the most delicious of all DSes, the red version could only come in second, and was followed by pink, white, turquoise, green and silver respectively. Sadly, Chart-Track doesn't dispense actual sales figures, but come on, Brits! Show some adventure in your choice of DS colors! Be crazy and live life on the edge like us!

DS Fanboy (European) poll: Gonna get a new DS Lite?

by David Hinkle { Jun 13th 2008 at 3:30PM }

With those new DS Lite colors arriving in Europe this weekend, we were wondering how many of you planned on picking up a new handheld? Like our own Chris, are you in love with that red beauty? More of an Ice Blue kind of gamer? Wait ... don't tell us! You want that puke green one?

Let your voice be heard! Tell us which you plan on picking up in our poll below.

New DS Lite colors found in the wild

by David Hinkle { May 27th 2008 at 3:00PM }

Europeans, prepare to feast your retinas on some delicious eye candy. French site Jeuxvideo has got their hands on the new DS Lite models hitting a store shelf near you soon and took care to snap up a few pictures for us to drool over. We know of at least one individual dying to get their hands on that red one, but what about the rest of you? Any of our European readers plan on picking up one of these new units? Not the green one, though. We know none of you want the green model.

Hit up here to see some more pictures of the handhelds enjoying life out in the wild.

[Via Engadget]

Nintendo confirms injection of color for European DSes

by Chris Greenhough { May 21st 2008 at 12:30PM }

For so long now, Europe has lived beneath a cloud, with a populace that is served by Smart Black, Crystal White, and Platinum Silver DSes. Where's the color, Nintendo? We know all about Noble Pink, but some of us are manly men, and it would hurt our fearful reputation to be seen with such a gentle shade of DS! Across the Atlantic, our North American friends have enjoyed those lovely two-tone models.

But no longer must our portable consoles lack vividity! Following much rumor and speculation, Nintendo has started e-distributing the advert you see to the right, featuring a rainbow of DSes (kind of an ugly rainbow, but a rainbow nonetheless). We've suspected this was real for a while, but it's nice to have some confirmation -- and some cheery color back in our lives.

In case you forgot, the Ice Blue, red, and green will all be here June 13th.

Greenpeace report: PS3 contains hazardous chemicals

by Andrew Yoon { May 20th 2008 at 3:45PM }

Environmental activist group Greenpeace released a video today to emphasize the need for greener manufacturing of today's game consoles. The three console manufacturers were found guilty of using various hazardous chemicals and materials, such aspolyvinyl chloride (PVC), phthalates, beryllium and bromine indicative ofbrominated flame retardants (BFRs).

According to Greenpeace, "e-waste" is the fastest growing type of waste in the world, and game consoles contribute a significant portion to this problem. The organization emphasized that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 contain high levels of phthalates, one of which "is known to interfere with sexual development in mammals: including humans and, especially, males." Yikes!

Things can get better, of course. PS3 uses "bromine-free" circuit boards. However, there are many steps for the console manufacturers to take before they can be classified as "green."

Rumor: New DS Lite colors for Europe?

by David Hinkle { May 20th 2008 at 12:30PM }

European games retailer GAME has some interesting listings up on their site, adding to a rumor we reported on back in March. As you can see above, three new DS Lite colors are being shown as soon releasing. According to GAME, Europeans can look forward to buying a green or red DS Lite, or the Japanese launch Ice Blue DS Lite come June 13th of this year.

In checking out Nintendo of Europe's website, we can find no support to this claim, however since it was redesigned, it's been a haven less for breaking news and more for attracting new gamers. So, it looks like you'll just have to wait and see, Europeans! Consider us jealous.

[Thanks, Frastoglegnia!]

German retailers list three new DS colors

by Chris Greenhough { May 9th 2008 at 8:00PM }

Back in March, Dutch website Nintendo Only claimed that Europe would be receiving a trio of new DS Lite colors on May 1st, including the (previously Japan-only) Ice Blue model, a mysterious green version, and the quite gorgeous Japan Post red DS Lite.

Alas, May 1st came and passed without incident, but now the exact same models mentioned by Nintendo Only have appeared in the database of a German retailer ("hellblau" is "light blue," while the others are obvious), complete with listings for red, green, and turquoise (?) styli. Oh, and there also appears to be serial numbers -- serial numbers make everything look more official.

Suddenly, this same speculation is looking far more credible, and we're way too excited again. Skip past the break for the full listings.

Continued →

Rumor: Three new colors for Europe

by JC Fletcher { Mar 30th 2008 at 12:00PM }

The Dutch site Nintendo Only is reporting that three new DS Lite colors will be available in Europe starting May 1st. According to their "reliable sources," the colors include green, red, and Ice Blue. Lots of people outside of Japan have been waiting for a chance to get their hands on the lovely and kind of soap-bar-esque Ice Blue DS Lite, so we hope for their sake that Nintendo is indeed planning to release it.

The red, as well, could be based on a previously-released system: the Japan Post limited-edition DS Lite. More availability of that one would be welcome as well.

[Via GoNintendo]

Nintendo still dead last in Greenpeace electronics rankings

by Kyle Orland { Mar 19th 2008 at 11:45AM }

Since Nintendo's big goose-egg ranking in environmental friendliness from the activists at Greenpeace last November, we've been on pins and needles waiting to see if the Big N could improve its standing. Well, we're happy to announce that Nintendo has indeed done better this time around, improving to a massive 0.3/10 in Greenpeace's latest rankings.

The number -- which is a full four points below closest competitors Philips -- doesn't tell the whole story, though. Greenpeace itself notes that, since their last ranking, Nintendo has introduced a plan to reduce PVCs in its packaging and posted links to EPA and eCycling programs on its web site. Yet these "tiny improvements," as Greenpeace puts it, didn't even rank the company a single point increase in the corresponding Greenpeace rating categories. Is it us, or is there a scoring bug in the game Greenpeace is playing here?