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Europe gets three new Nintendo DSi colors October 23

by David Hinkle { Sep 22nd 2009 at 3:15PM }

Brothers and sisters across the pond, we'd like to inform you that three new DSi colors are coming your way October 23. Joining the already available black and white models are the US launch cotton candy blue model, a metallic blue model (which looks exactly like the navy DS Lite from Japan) and a red model. Each DSi will come pre-loaded with the new Facebook integration feature and Flipnote Studio.

Oh, and if you get one, don't forget to take it online for those 1,000 free DSi Points (offer ends March 2010).

[Via Electrigpig]

Nintendo releasing black Wii, red DSi this summer

by JC Fletcher { Jun 4th 2009 at 3:05AM }

Our bingo card was off by just a couple of days. Nintendo didn't bother to introduce a new color for the Wii system during its E3 press conference ... or anywhere else in North America, for that matter. Japan got its own mini-megaton tonight in the form of a new black Wii system, which will release in Japan on August 1. In addition, accessories including the Wiimote, Classic Controller, and Classic Controller Pro, will also be released in black to coordinate with the new system and extract money from people who already have Wiis.

In addition, Nintendo announced that a red DSi system will launch in the region on July 11. No announcements have been made for any other region.
[Via Kotaku]

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Rumor: Red Xbox 360 spotted in Toys 'R' Us product database

by Dustin Burg { Feb 16th 2009 at 1:10PM }

A listing for a red-colored Xbox 360 Elite has made itself known, thanks to a Toys "R" Us employee who sent Kotaku a snapshot of the SKU, which allegedly appears in the store's inventory database. The red Elite's "item inquiry detail" makes note of the console's $399 price tag (which is the current cost of a black Elite), but no other product details are mentioned. It's speculated that this red'licious console could be the mysterious Resident Evil 5 bundle.

If true, consumers will have another Xbox 360 color option to express their individuality. It would also make creating a Hello Kitty mod much easier.

Sony Asia introduces two new colors

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 8th 2009 at 9:02AM }

There haven't been many color variations of the PSP-3000 series yet. That is, until now. Sony Asia has just revealed two new colors: Radiant Red and Vibrant Blue. Both models are part of a new series called "Carnival Color." No word on whether if these colors will make it to other territories. These two colorful systems will be available in Taiwan starting January 17th.

[Via PSPHyper]

Unsurprisingly low Valkyria Chronicles sales

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 15th 2008 at 4:00PM }

What happens when you release a cel-shaded Japanese SRPG into the crowded November holiday lineup? Your game gets largely ignored. Sega's PS3-exclusive innovative tactics game didn't exactly light the sales charts on fire, with only 33k units sold in November, according to the NPD Group. November marked the release of heavy-hitting games like Call of Duty: World at War, Resistance 2 and Mortal Kombat vs. DC. It's thoroughly unsurprising that a game like Valkyria Chronicles didn't perform better in such a competitive market. That's a shame, considering how much we loved the game.

Of course, you could make it right. Right now. But chances are, you'll be waiting for the inevitable price drop on this retail flop. C'mon PS3 fanboys! Tell your friends about Valkyria. And while you're at it, tell them about LittleBigPlanet as well -- both of these games could use some better sales.

VC Monday Madness: Enduro Racer

by David Hinkle { Dec 15th 2008 at 3:46PM }

Enduro Racer (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
Wii Fanboy says: do not download

Again, only one game this week. It's not that Enduro Racer is a bad game, just that it becomes very bland over an extended play session. There isn't much demanded from you, the player, and it's not like the game is incredibly challenging. So, save that $5 or use it toward something better on the Virtual Console.

Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you're looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.

Lawsuit: Microsoft knew about 360 disc scratching issue

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 15th 2008 at 3:45PM }

The Seattle Tech Report ... reports that a motion (PDF link) filed last week in a Seattle, Washington lawsuit claims that Microsoft was aware of the widespread Xbox 360 disc scratching issues -- the console will severely scratch discs if tilted or moved during play -- before the console was launched in 2005. The motion, which seeks class action status for the lawsuit, cites quotes from a (currently sealed) document in which Microsoft employees claim that they were aware of the problem before the console was launched. The document quotes Microsoft program manager Hiroo Umeno who stated that the problem was discoverd in "September or October" 2005.

Microsoft supposedly considered several solutions to the problem prior to launch and rejected them all. Three solutions were considered, including increasing the disc holder's magnetic field, slowing disc rotation speed and installing "bumpers." The first was rejected because it would "interfere" with the disc loading mechanism, the second because it would extend game load times, and the third because it was too expensive (to the tune of $35 to $75 million). The only action taken by Microsoft, apparently, was to add a warning to the Xbox 360 manual. The company later applied a warning label onto the disc drive itself and established a program to replace scratched discs (for a fee).

Perhaps most damning, an outside consultant for the plaintiffs stated that both Sony and Nintendo's designs typically account for the possibility that a console will be moved while a disc is spinning.

Direct-feed: FF Agito & 3rd Birthday trailers

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 15th 2008 at 3:15PM }

It's a Square Enix media explosion! A few days ago, trailers for PS3's Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII made their way into the loving arms of the internet. Now, it's the PSP's turn. Check out trailers for these two upcoming PSP-exclusive games: Final Fantasy Agito XIII and The 3rd Birthday, after the break.

Continued →

DS releases for the week of December 15th

by Alisha Karabinus { Dec 15th 2008 at 3:03PM }

So much for last week's release of C.O.R.E. Looks like it got pushed back to carry another week of lackluster North American releases. Can C.O.R.E. carry anything, with its bland look? We'll never know if it never comes out! But maybe you're more the Dreamer Series: Horse Trainer sort of gamer anyway. It's okay. We won't judge.

Candace Kane's Candy Factory
Cate West The Vanishing Files
C.O.R.E.
Dreamer Series: Horse Trainer
Dreamer Series: Puppy Trainer
Driver's Ed Portable
Learn Math
Mystery P.I.: Portrait of a Thief
Zoo Quest: Puzzle Fun!

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Nintendo loses a little color

by Chris Greenhough { Nov 26th 2008 at 4:24PM }

In one of its more mystifying announcements this year, Nintendo Europe sent out a press release saying it was dumping the famous red Nintendo logo, and replacing it with a ... serious, business-like gray version. Ugh.

The press release, translated from German to English by Kotaku, didn't give a specific reason for the switch, merely requesting that, "In the event that you have not already done so, we would like to sincerely ask you to now only use the current, grey Nintendo logo." CasualGaming.biz contacted Nintendo UK, who not only confirmed the story was entirely true, but revealed that the change was officially made around two years ago. We missed that one, to be honest.

This may seem like trivial news to some of you, but to a generation who grew up in a world where Nintendo was assuredly red and Sega always blue, this feels somewhat sad.

New DS Lites add color to Black Friday

by Chris Greenhough { Oct 28th 2008 at 2:00PM }

In 2007, Sears offered ravenous Black Friday shoppers a pink Nintendogs Lite and an eye-catching gold Phantom Hourglass console.

This year, to help you forget the fact that you're not rich enough to import a DSi, two further hardware bundles will be made available: an Ice Blue Lite with Brain Age and a case that looks like a Filofax, and a Mario Red model with an "M" stamped on it that ships with New Super Mario Bros., both priced at $149.99. It prints money, etc. If you take away that "M," these are basically two of Nintendo's newest European Lites. We admit to harboring mixed feelings about the "M." Would anyone else just prefer the plain red Lite?

Gallery: Limited Edition Lites: A History of Sadness

[Via Kotaku]

Limited edition red and green Xbox controllers coming Sept. 30 [update]

by Kyle Orland { Jul 14th 2008 at 7:30PM }

Want to add a little zing to the plain ol' white and black Xbox 360 color scheme? A Microsoft web page reveals a new limited edition red and black Xbox 360 controller coming on Sept. 30, 2008. The standard wireless controller will come with a matching red rechargeable battery and a play and charge kit for $64.99 (a $5 savings over purchasing them seperately!). We have no idea why Microsoft would reveal a new color so long before the controller is set to be available, but it's release is awfully close to the newly-revealed Gears of War 2 release date of ~~Sept. 9~~ Nov. 7 [Update: Not sure how I made that ridiculous error. Jet lag, I suppose]. Hmmm ...

[Thanks, Scott]

Update: The Xbox press site also has images from a green version of the controller (shown below the jump along with a higher-res version of the red one). No information about this version, which is not even mentioned in the accompanying press release. [Thanks, jdkay20]

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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.

The VC Advantage: Embarrassing Ads of Thunder

by JC Fletcher { Jun 11th 2008 at 10:00PM }

By the time the Turbografx-16/CD combo system, the Turbo Duo launched, NEC's American branch had bailed on the Turbo platform and the new Turbo Technologies Inc. was desperate. Their advertising got increasingly ridiculous and antagonistic, as evidenced by the "Johnny Turbo" series of comic book-style ads in which a pudgy superhero saved kids from the horror of having to purchase a CD add-on for their "Feka" systems (another column for another time!)

The best of TTI's amateurish, juvenile ads, however, was this promotional video for Lords of Thunder, which was mailed out through a coupon program. It consists alternately of overenthusiastic teens swearing their allegiance to Lords of Thunder and confused strangers wondering why they're being bothered. Ironically, this kind of advertising may have served to turn people away from the Duo platform. Lords of Thunder certainly can't take any of the blame for low sales. It's amazing.

The hardcore Lords of Thunder (promo tape) audience must not have been what TTI anticipated, because I purchased a copy of this video from a Hastings Video Store in 2000 for .99. It was one of many copies in a clearance video bin. How did they even get there?

The VC Advantage is a weekly look at the secrets inside games -- not just cheat codes, but assorted trivia and oddities. We aim to bring back the feeling of the hint columns from game magazines, except when we do something else.