It's have a pop at the Wii Week
Console round-up PSP and Sky team up for handheld TV
ITS BEEN A busy week in the console world, due to the E3 conference in LA, and we've compiled a list of INQUIRER-related links relating to announcements at the show, at the bottom of the page.
Xbox 360
For more pictures of the new 360 dashboard check out Engadget which has a
nice
collection.
Despite a (limited) price-cut this week, Signal Hill analyst Todd Greenwald has said that the Xbox 360 needs more than just a price-drop.
It seems Europe will not get a price-cut nor will the 60GB model be released in the UK, yet. This is according to Spong.com.
He also said he hoped the company would release a motion controller at E3 to 'better compete with the Wii'. Fat chance.
In what must be the ultimate case mod, someone has mashed together a 360 with a HDTV screen.
Last week Microsoft responded to a number of stories in the mainstream press regarding alleged RROD problems with the Xbox 360 Elite console that have been experienced by numerous UK 360 owners.
Microsoft stated that the stories 'contain inaccuracies and pure speculation, as well as news that is a year old. ' and has moved to debunk rumours of problems with the Elite.
Wired has a useful article on how to improve your Xbox Live experience using port forwarding.
PS3/PSP
Together, Sony and Sky have launched the Go View video service for PSP in the UK
and Eire.
The service lets you download programmes from the Go View website onto your PC and transfer it onto to your PSP.
Only Disney, ABC, ESPN, the BBC, Sony Pictures, NBC, National Geographic and Sky Sports are currently offering content, according to Eurogamer.
The PSP's firmware was again updated this week, to v4.05.
Not only has Sony confirmed a $399.99 PS3 in the US, the company also announced a new PSP Entertainment pack.
For $199, Sony includes a silver slim PSP, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters, a 1GB memory stick, a voucher for Echochrome, and a copy of National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.
Joystiq has a round-up of PSP shots from E3 for your viewing pleasure.
Wii/DS
Another week sees another Wii peripheral - Blazepro are now
shipping
an alternative Wii Classic Controller.
After Mark Rein had a dig at the Wii (see last console round-up), Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg had another go at the defenceless machine.
Apparently Aaron sees it as a novelty device, and not a games machine.
Not only did Greenberg diss the Wii, Sony's Howard Stringer also dismissed the Nintendo Wii as an 'expensive niche game device'. µ
Comments
expensive niche game device
So, the pot does call the kettle black...Wii Controller
Say, doesn't that patent diagram in the link look a lot like a GCN retrofit for a wiimote? Just a thought.Alright, I'll start mathematicaly ranting about the Wii.
As is, a Wii will set you back 250. To have 4 "full" controllers (mote+chuck+classic) you need to spend 3x40 (wiimotes) + 3x20 (chucks) +20x4(classic) = $260 + console = $510.
That's a little rich for my blood.
A 360-60GB + 3 extra wireless will run (350 + [3x50]) = $500. Not likeing that either.
PS3 = (400 + [6x50]) = $700 and pointless support for 7 controllers and crap for BC.
Thanks for reading and have a manic day!
The Wii
They can call the Wii whatever they like, I don't expect Nintendo are bothered in the slightest.The Wii is outselling all of the others by miles, if being a "novelty device" means outselling all the other consoles, having more market share, bringing in more revenue for the brand owners and just being more fun then I would agree with that.
I've got all three main consoles, and I have to say the Wii is the best machine by miles for entertainment and value.
A bit of playground name calling by those put in the shade by the Wii isn't really going to affect anyone, I doubt wether Nintendo would even notice.
ewww...
That Blazepro classic controller looks like a PSP... Yuck! No thanks...I would say though that in rehards to VC games, the classic controller is perfect for everything except N64 titles. The GCN controller (which luckily I managed to get a Wavebird before they stopped selling them) is far better for those games purely because of the position of the left analogue stick.
That patent image would be cool if it did emerge. Better alternative to the standard CC for people who want to play N64 VC games. I had heard that they were planning on re-releasing the GCN controller in Wii white colour, but this would probably be a better option.