Metroid: Other M to have movie ... sort of ...

Source: Kotaku

Their is a lot to be said for cinematic game play, but what if after you beat a game you can re-visit your glory as an actual movie?

Would you do it?

Metroid: Other M will give that chance! Coming out exclusively for the Wii in August this newest Samus adventure will have a "Theater Mode" in which, upon completing the story you can sit back, crack a cold one and watch a Metroid movie.

Nintendo designer and Other M creator Yoshio Sakamoto revealed how this novel idea would play out in an interview with 1up.com. According to him the goal for Theater Mode will be to weave cut-scenes and saved game play video together to tell an epic Samus story. The movie itself will be about two hours long and while game play footage would be included it is pre-recorded, which means you aren't actually watching a video of your self playing, which almost defeats the purpose for me but I can see how that would take a lot of processing power to accomplish ... which is unfortunately not a Wii strong point.

I really do, however, like the precedent that Metroid: Other M sets. I would love to see Theater Mode in some of my favorite games (*cough*Like the Uncharted series*cough*) and I can really see this working out well in the long run.

What do you guys think about Theater Mode in video games? Is it something you dig, or would you just be ready to move onto the next game?

Halo:Reach Combat Trailer

Source: Kotaku

Just a few hours ago a new trailer for the final Bungie Studios created Halo game got a new single-player campaign trailer.

Here is that trailer:

I have to say, while it is short and sweet, it looks pretty damn awesome. I completely forgot that you were going to be able to have starfighter battles! There is just so much going on in that 1-Minute trailer that it will take me a while to process it.

And just because I am a swell guy here are some screens for Halo: Reach:

For all of you who have loyally remained Space Marines, get ready to get some Halo dust on your G.I. space combat boots September 14th!

Dead Space 2 in January

Source: Kotaku

Did you experience the first Dead Space game?

I did, and I can vividly recount my first experience with the SciFi horror/first person shooter. It was well past midnight, it was a Tuesday so the dorms were pretty dead but the Dead Space Dismemberment Demo had just finished d-loading to my PS3. What would follow was two hours of screaming like a little girl while repeatedly playing the 10 minute demo.

Well I may get to re-experience that magic when Dead Space 2 hits shelves January 25th next year.

The sequel, that is still in production, is looking pretty damn awesome. For fans of the first game these pictures will raise all sorts of questions, but we will have to wait a while before these queries will be answered.

Hurry up January! I got me some alien monsters to decapitate!

James Bond 007: Blood Stone in December

Source: Deadline Hollywood

While the next actual big screen 007 adventure is currently up in the air (Thanks MGM ...) but Bond isn't dead.

Not by a long shot.

Our favorite British super-spy is not only getting one video game re-release this year with the classic Goldeneye for the Wii but also a whole new original game entitled James Bond 007: Blood Stone.

Check out an early teaser trailer here:

While the trailer itself leaves a little to be desired (There is plenty of time, yo!) all of the flourishes of a good Bond movie are in there. And this game is going to have all of the trappings of an actual 007 film in spades.

They have Bruce Feirstein penning the screenplay, who has worked on four of the Bond films and including 007: Blood Stone four Bond games. It features a Grammy award winning singer/songwriter, Joss Stone, both creating original music for the game and lending her voice talent as a Bond girl. And the icing on the awesome cake, both Daniel Craig and Judi Dench reprise their roles as Bond and M (respectively, of course)!

James Bond 007: Blood Stone promises to pack the cinematic punch of a real Bond movie with an all new, epic single player adventure as well as a variety of multiplayer opportunities. We can all hope that James Bond makes it back to the big screen, and he most definitely will at some point, but 007: Blood Stone may help hold you over in the meantime!

Look for it on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC this December!

PS3-D In September

Source: CrunchGear

It is no secret that Sony is making itself out to be the champion in all things 3D. They have some of the first 3D TVs on the market, 3D cameras, 3D video recorders and last but not least the PS3.

Over the coming few months you will start to notice a few PS3 updates for various 3D game demos, but come September the PS3 will have full 3D Blu-ray functionality. Not long after you can watch 3D Blu-rays expect to see other features compatible with their 3D cameras, and if you think you can do better than Shyamalan 3D home movies!

I am going to be honest, again (sigh), I am not an advocate for 3D movies in their current form but if I could make a 3D home movie about a family vacation to the Grand Canyon I might have to switch teams.

Always Practice Safe Gaming ...

Source: Engadget

So you got her back to your bedroom, highfive stud!

Then the inevitable question arises almost as fast as you do, "Do you have protection?" Now what you do next may make or break the evening’s coital activities.

What do you boyscout, were you prepared?

Do you:

A) Fumble through you nightstand for that one damn prophylactic you know you left in there somewhere.

B) Say, "Nah, babe. But I'm good to go!" (GAME OVER)

Or are player enough to go with option "C"?

C) Bust out your Game Boy themed condoms case and hop on that honey like Mario on a Goomba?!

I think the answer is pretty obvious! Now the only tough decision is what game to go with, with such classics as Donkey Schlong, Sextris and The Long End of Zelda the choice is yours!

Game on, player! Game on!

Retro Gaming Triumvirate

Source: Wired

Anytime gaming nostalgia used to hit me I would dust off my trusty old NES, blow the dust off a few cartridges and relive my first video game experiences in all of their pixelated glory.

Then my NES broke, and I tried to make due for a while on emulators and downloaded games on my laptop, but it just wasn't the same...

It looks like the good old days can be mine again with the RetroN 3 Gaming System. This ingenious device consists of one part NES, one part Super Nintendo, one part Sega Genesis and is completely radical!

As you can see from the pic it has three separate slots for the various game cartridges, and ports on the sides compatible with the original controllers for all three systems but comes with wireless controllers just in case you forgot what it was like to play with corded controllers. It is a first step to an old school gamers nirvana for a mere $70!

I knew saving my old NES games would pay off someday!

"Video games can never be art."

Source: Gizmodo

Those words launched a tirade of criticism, and you may be surprised who uttered them. Or you may recall the esteemed Roger Ebert (I mean that in all sincerity, the dude was the first film critic that received a Pulitzer!) refusing to believe that video games can ever be a legitimate art form.

Whether you agree or disagree with that statement you should know Ebert has just recently come out with an 1,800 word pseudo-apology. Right in the first paragraph he states "I still believe this, but I should never have said so" which is somewhat counter intuitive for a critic to admit.

But since uttering those infamous words gamers have not let him hear the end of it, and he felt it was worth rehashing after watching a TED speech given by video game designer and producer Kellee Santiago that argues against Ebert that video games are, in fact, a legitimate art form.

Ebert's passion for films is indisputable and has always been one of my most trusted sources for film reviews and criticisms, but I have to agree with Santiago on this one. Video games are art, they just happen to be a little more entertaining than a painting.

Redbox Dabbles in Video Games

Source: Home Media Magazine

It is a cautious start, but Redbox now not only rents out DVDs and some Blu-rays but a very limited catalog of video games as well.

Last week Redbox started experimenting with $2 a night game rentals in about 150 kiosks Austen, TX as well as lukewarm efforts in Reno, NV and Wilmington, NC. If you are in one of these localities and are a gamer who rents it may behoove to check this out.

The success or failure of these limited rentals may dictate how and if Redbox decides to make a major video game push. I think Redbox has every intention on adding video games to its wares in the near future, regardless of how these trial runs turn out, as video game rentals is big business racking in about $10 billion dollars annually.

The key to adding video games to the Redbox kiosks is simply a matter of space economy. These entertainment vending machines can only hold so much, and video games will need to be able to earn their place inside of them. If DVDs and Blu-rays can earn more then games simply will not be included.

It has been a while since I actually rented a game (I can't tell you how many times I forced my mom to rent Battletoads/Double Dragon for the NES back in the day) but is $2 a day too steep? Or do you guys feel that is fairly reasonable?

Human Hamster Ball = Virtual Reality

Source: Popular Science

If somebody was to ask me what the next big step in gaming would be after 3D I would probably laugh you out of the room if you suggested virtual reality, that is so 1992.

But that isn't stopping some people from trying to push the proverbial hamster ball up the hill of progress as the 360 degree simulator previously only available for military and police training is going to be available for public consumption, sort of but they cleverly hide the actual price which is most likely considerable.

Pictured: The Future of Gaming ... don't mind Hamster Rambo (Hambo!)

Virtusphere, as it is dubbed, is exactly what it looks like. It is a large ball that spins around giving the hams- PLAYER a truly realistic experience, virtually of course. Right now, when equipped with the visor, you have the option to play a first person shooter game, go on a tour of Russian architecture or goof around on Google Earth (Personally, I would just pretend I was King Kong in downtown Manhattan).

While you may not personally be in the market for a human hamster gaming ball don't be surprised to see these start popping up around malls and fairs in the near future. After all virtual reality is so 2011!

TRON Out Your Gaming

Source: Gizmodo

Want to show off how geeky and tech savvy you are to your friends and family? Disney is giving you the opportunity by releasing various TRON themed home theater accessories this fall in anticipation for the upcoming sequel TRON: Legacy and the tie-in video game.

Get ready to salivate, there are going to be gaming controllers such as the Xbox one above along with of course PS3 and Wii flavors. For you computer gamers there is a slick looking mouse, but for me the coolest TRON gadget is the keyboard:

And so you can listen to some bumping tunes as you light cycle across a neon landscape check out the sick iPhone/iPod dock disguised as a light disc:

TRON: Legacy could suck all kinds of bad as long as they keep pumping out this kick ass merchandise. But from what I have seen it only sucks awesome and spews it back onto you!

Awesome!

E3: Nintendo 3DS Not For Young Children?

Source: Kotaku

So when you think of Nintendo users who do you think of first?

Children of course!

Especially when you think of Game Boys and other handhelds kids are definitely the target demographic. But now the Nintendo 3D handheld 3DS, due out by the end of next March, is going through some serious safety tests right now. The conclusion this far is that young children should not look at 3D images.

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime had this to say on the matter, “We will recommend that very young children not look at 3D images. That's because, [in] young children, the muscles for the eyes are not fully formed... This is the same messaging that the industry is putting out with 3D movies, so it is a standard protocol.”

This seems to be a standard way of covering themselves from any liability issues that may arise, and it should not be a problem for most gamers. Such as the lucky ones that got a chance to try out the 3DS at the Nintendo E3 booth, who only got sick of waiting in the ridiculously long lines and not from playing with the 3DS itself.

I suppose just like all of the finer things in life 3D should be enjoyed in moderation, so try not to go on a 5 hour bender that only stops when your retinas start bleeding … unless you are hardcore!

E3: Goldeneye Is Back!

Source: Kotaku

Damn it ... I am going to have to finally buy a Wii because the greatest video game of all time (no hyperbole necessary) is coming back.

Goldeneye was the video game of my childhood. I did not own an N64 (I was still rocking the NES!) but looking back I almost feel sorry for the friends I mooched off of for untold countless hours of Mountain Dew fueled deathmatches.

Enough of the nostalgia! Time to get into some details:

• Goldeneye will exclusively be for the Wii.
• It comes out sometime in November.
• The game will feature 8 classic Bond playable characters. (Yes, Oddjob is one of them for you d-bags out there.)
• It will have both classic split-screen and online multiplayer and it looks like the original single player campaign is back.
• There will be 16 game modes including such classics including; Paintball, Melee Only and You Only Live Twice

And here is the kicker: Pierce Brosnan’s Bond has been replaced by Daniel Craig!

This does not make up for the disorder in MGM that has delayed the next 007 adventure from hitting the big screen anytime soon, but it sure doesn't hurt!

If you can stop dancing around from childish ecstasy for a moment you can check out the E3 teaser for Goldeneye yourself:

What other classic games would you guys like to see get re-released, if any? I was going to say NBA Jams, but apparently that too is on the way! BOOM-Shakka-lakka!

Best Buy Will Sell Used Games

Source: Home Media Magazine

It is a good feeling when you are searching for that new game and then finding yourself a used copy of that game at a reduced price. Best Buy wants to foster that warm feeling of victory by beginning to trade and carry used games later this summer.

Gamers will be able to exchange their old games for Best Buy gift cards, which many of them will surely turn around and buy more used games with. It is a proven business model that keeps the traders mostly happy for getting something for their old games, the buys enjoy a price cut and Best Buy will get a slice of that sweet repackaged profit.

Best Buy may have some other changes on the horizon, but having another place to browse used games is so far the one that intrigues me the most. I love me a good deal!

E3: Nintendo and 3D Movies

Source: LA Times

Nintendo has pulled something of a coup against Sony in the 3D market by announcing this morning at the E3 conference that their new handheld called the "3DS" will not only support 3D gaming but also 3D movies.

Currently Nintendo has partnered up with a few major studios such as Disney, Warner Bros and Dreamworks to get stereoscopic 3D movies. The E3 demo of the Nintendo 3DS showed the trailer for the upcoming Disney movie Tangled to give an idea of how the system would work.

The Nintendo 3DS is due out sometime this year, but no definite date has been set yet. The new handheld has two screens just like the previous DS models, with the bottome screen integrated with a touchpad but the top one is now capable of projecting 3D images without requiring cumbersome, but oh so fashionable, 3D glasses. Another major upgrade from the current DS is the inclusion of three cameras that will allow you to actually take 3D pictures that you will then be able to share with your other 3DS buddies.

This was a pretty big announcement that was off of everyone’s radar. They stole some of Sony's thunder (who has been heavily pushing 3D) since their announcement of 3D gaming and movies wasn't until a few hours later in the day.

It has been a long time since I invested in a handheld gaming system, the last one I owned was a Gameboy Color, but the 3DS is looking pretty awesome ... maybe this is the handheld I have been waiting for ... maybe.

E3: Sony Move

Source: Crunchgear

Well everyone is officially in the motion controlled video games business. The Nintendo Wii started the party while Microsoft and Sony chose to be fashionably late.

We all got to see the unveiling of Microsoft Kinect (formerly known as Project Natal) for the Xbox 360 yesterday at the E3 expo and it was really impressive. The thing that set itself apart on is the fact that no controllers are required as a camera just motion tracks your body for a whole new gaming experience.

Now Sony is in the fray with the Playstation Move. The move is much more like the Wii setup, where you have a controller (read: ice cream cone) in your hand that tracks full 3D movement. But before you think that it is nothing more than a Wii clone (I admit the article pic doesn't help matters) there are some differences in quality and functionality. So while it is similar to the Wii controllers but is far more accurate and has a wider range of motion sensing capabilities.

Totally nothing like the Wii ... we promise!

It is also worth noting that Playstation Move still has buttons, unlike the Xbox Kinect, which should be a relief for more traditional gamers who were starting to get concerned about actually getting off the couch to go to war or play in the Rose Bowl. It will also have a secondary attachment for "navigation" much like the Wii has the little nunchuk.

If the PS3 is your console of choice Move will be hitting shelves on September 19th. The pricing is pretty standard as the primary Move controller will cost you $50 and the optional navigation controller will put you back another $30, but that is just over half of what Xbox Kinect costs so it is fairly reasonable I guess. There will also be a bundle that comes with a Playstation Eye (camera) and the game Sports Champions for $100. There will initially be about 20 games that utilize Playstation Move but they hope to have at least 40 available by the time the holiday’s role around.

As a PS3 owner, not fanboy, I will be interested to try this out come September, especially if they can put together a halfway decent lightsaber dueling game. But I will probably be doing it when no one is watching ... just in case.

E3: Microsoft's Monday

Source: Engadget

Today Microsoft has owned the E3 Expo. Here are the Monday highlights from the Microsoft E3 camp:

• Microsoft Kinect: (Pictured above left) Hey potential Project Natal users there are some solid facts in now for you to salivate over. First off it has a price tag now, looks like it will put you back $149 but there are some bundlle deals already popping up at retailers like Gamestop that will pair the Kinect with an Xbox Elite for $399. Microsoft Kinect will officially launch November 4th, along with a first wave of games that will utilize the motion tracking technology. The last Kinect related news for today involves video chatting. Yes. You will be able video chat while watching movies together for starters. Nifty feature that will be both Xbox Live and Windows Live Messenger compatible.
• New Xbox 360: (Pictured center) Yup, that is apparently what it is called "The New Xbox 360" no clever name yet, but man it looks pretty slick and it starts shipping out today! Major changes from the existing Xbox 360 models, besides actually looking cool, is that it has one internal fan. This is supposed to reduce the noise considerably which is one less distraction. The power source is internal, which means no more unsightly brick attached to your power cord. And it has integrated WiFi, so you essentially it takes some of the former Xbox accessories and just compiles them into one sexy package.
• ESPN3: No it isn't ESPN8 "The Ocho" but it is coming to an Xbox near you! Microsoft now has an exclusive deal with ESPN3 that will be available for no extra charge if you have an Xbox Live Gold Account and have a TV/Internet provider that will participate. You will be able to watch replays, highlights, participate in polls and will of course have Kinect capabilities.
• Xbox Netflix: The Xbox version of Netflix is finally getting an essential upgrade in November. You will now be able to search the entire Netflix Instant Watch and add videos to your instant queue, all directly from your console. Xbox is the first console to have this unrestricted Netflix access with out actually needing a computer. I would expect the other major consoles to follow suit eventually as well.

That about sums up Xbox news for the first day of E3; be sure to keep checking in for more updates from the E3 gaming front all week!

New PS3 to be Unveiled at E3?

Source: Engadget

Don't worry, that isn't it. That was actually one of the original PS3 designs a few years back, how about that controller? I apologize for the scare.

With the week long E3 Expo starting next Monday developers and companies will surely have announcements and surprises in store.

For the past several years E3 has been the place to announce the launches of new gaming systems and this year may not be different.

Some rumors are floating around that we might be seeing some new or updated version of the PS3. This speculation is backed up with an FCC report that confirms that they were testing some type of PS3 system with a new debugging unit.

What does this mean?

Well, you would generally need a new debugging unit only if you are using new hardware. If the new PS3 has significant hardware differences than the current model who knows what we will see? My guess is something involving 3D.

All this speculation on the new PS3 and more should be revealed next week during the E3 Expo; be sure to check back in then for updates!

New Mortal Kombat Game

Source: Kotaku

With all of the recent news and rumors surrounding the amazing short film that came out a couple of days ago Mortal Kombat fans are in a frenzy.

If you were among them prepare to go insane.

A new Mortal Kombat is in the works. And it is going to be brutal. Mortal Kombat creator has this to say about the next edition to the battle royale franchise:

"This game really is a response to what players have been demanding; mature presentation, reinvented 2D fighting mechanic and the best, most gruesome fatalities ever."

Aside from the classic 1v1 grudge match against your friend the new Mortal Kombat will have extensive online play, tag-team option that will allow up to four players and what promises to be "the deepest story mode of any fighting game".

Between the short film and the announcement of this game I would say Mortal Kombat is coming back with a vengeance.

XBox Live getting Hulu?

Source: Cnet.com

Word is that Microsoft plans on unveiling its new partnership with Hulu at this years E3 conference.

Xbox Live has already had success with video streaming services such as Netflix, and the addition of Hulu would be seamlessly integrated within the existing Xbox Live dashboard.

The only downside to this news for Xbox owners is there will apparently be a subscription fee for the Hulu service. While there is no definite news on how much a subscription would cost speculation puts it around the $8 a month mark, but that is by no means set in stone.

What do you Xbox guys think about this planned merger? Would you be willing to pay for the service, would you even use it?