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DescriptionOne thing of interest mentioned at the Game Developers Conference regarding the Nintendo DS is that Nintendo is going to be launching a free WiFi online gaming service for the portable console. This will allow DS gamers to not only find and play against each other at Internet hotspots, but they will also be able to use their home WiFi network to jump online as well. Many have faulted Nintendo for their lack of vision in the online gaming department, as they have continued to say that they needed to wait until it was a viable investment. I now wonder if that meant that they wanted to wait until it was cheap enough to run an online gaming service that gamers would not have to pay for. With the Revolution also slated to be WiFi compliant, this is certainly an interesting turn of events.

In other DS news, you folks over in Europe can now pick one up at your local game store. The Nintendo DS made its European debut today at a price of £99 in the UK and €149 in other countries.

Read More | IGN

Gallery: Nintendo At GDC: Free Nintendo DS WiFi Service


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Logitech PlayGear

Logitech has announced a new line of accessories for Sony’s Playstation Portable – PlayGear. The accessories include a protective case, portable speakers, earphones, and an earphone jack splitter. All the accessories are black to complete the portable. Probably the most useful accessory and possibly a must have for all mobile gamers is the protective case. Not only will it protect your expensive gadget but it is able to tilt 270° to block the sun or any other glare and can be used as a stand to watch movies or pictures hands free. No word yet on when they will be available for purchase.

  • Logitech PlayGear Pocket case ($19.99)
  • Logitech PlayGear Stealth earphones ($19.99)
  • Logitech PlayGear Amp portable speakers ($79.99)
  • Logitech PlayGear Share audio splitter ($9.99)

Read More | SonyPSPreview

Gallery: Logitech PSP PlayGear Accessories


Nintendo RevolutionIn news that makes me smile with glee, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced that the companies next-generation console - codenamed “Revolution” - will be backwards compatible with Nintendo Gamecube games. This move adds a lot of power to Nintendo as the next generation race begins to heat up. Microsoft has been trying to tie this feature into the Xbox 2/360 feature set, and has been having difficulty doing so. Having a system be backwards compatible immediately makes it more appealing, as it has hundreds of titles available to play right out of the gate. Iwata also confirmed that the Revolution will come with integrated WiFi capabilities. From the way he was talking at the Game Developers Conference, it seems that Nintendo is finally going to get on board with the online gaming world.

Read More | 1Up

Gallery: Nintendo At GDC: Revolution Backwards Compatible


N-Gage QDFrom the “Can You Please Just Let It Die?” department, Nokia plans to continue throwing millions away by backing the N-Gage cell phone/video game console hybrid. The latest from them is that they plan to bring an updated version of the N-Gage QD to the market, hoping that will breathe new life (or really, initial life?) into the device.

“We’re looking at new colors, a new look and feel for the QD in the next few months,” said Gerard Wiener, director and general manager of the games business program at Nokia.

Hey Nokia, I know technology moves really fast and all, and I know how forgettable it was. However, you did have an N-Gage before the QD, and no one bought it. Then you said you would bring a redesigned version to market, in the hopes that it would spark sales. It really didn’t happen for ya. Now you can stop wondering why you guys have that sense of deja vu. You’re welcome.

Gallery: Nokia Promises Another Revamped N-Gage


PSP Value Pack Giveaway

Each week, Gear Live gives away awesome tech prizes courtesy of PrizeCube. The winner of the last contest was Matt M., who walked away with a brand new Logitech Harmony 676 Remote Control.

I am going to make this quick, and easy. You all want a PSP. You may not want to pay $249 for a Value Pack that may be bundled with things you don’t even want, but you still want one. This is where we come in. We are going to give away two Sony PSP Value Packs in this contest. To enter, all you need to do is tell us which PSP launch game has you the most stoked - without using Ridge Racers as your answer. Just let us know which game it is, and why,  in the comments area. In a week, we will randomly pick two people who met the requirements, and their PSP’s will be shipped when the product launches. As a friendly reminder, anyone is allowed to leave a comment, but only U.S. residents are eligible to win the prize. Thanks again to PrizeCube for sponsoring our giveaways.

Gallery: Gear Live Giveaway: Sony PSP Value Pack


PS3 We love video game gossip, especially when it relates to any details about the next generation in console gaming. Last month we told you that the PS3 was rumored to be released before E3 - turns out we got that partially right. According to GameIndustry, Sony will unveil its Playstation 3 to key Sony executives next week at an internal meeting. Sadly, the meeting is exclusive to Sony executives. Sony has stated that the first time the console will be unveiled will be at May’s E3.

(Thanks gohan_bcc1!)

Read More | GameIndustry

Gallery: Sony PS3 To Be Revealed Next Week?


Forza MotorSport

The Big Apple never looked this good in any other game - believe that. Check out these screen shots of New York City from the upcoming Xbox exclusive Forza MotorSport. The pictures even include avenues and district names for reference. However, there is a flaw that comes to mind in terms of accuracy – where is the traffic? This title will be released on May 3, 2005, aiming to compete with the Playstation exclusive Grand Turismo 4.

Read More | ForzaCentral

Gallery: Forza MotorSport New York Screenshots


Xbox 360 The guys over at Gamespy are one wily bunch. They have managed to scoop us all with their ability to get some nice, solid details on Microsoft’s next home console, the Xbox 2/360. Here are just a few of the specs, some of which have already been speculated:

  • Three 3.0 Ghz PowerPC cores
  • A post X800 ATi GPU
  • 256 MB RAM
  • Standard dual layer DVD drive (no HD-DVD or Blu-Ray)
  • External add-on hard drive (optional)

I am also hearing that the hard drive could possibly turn out to be very iPod-esque. That is to say that is can be connected and disconnected from the Xbox with ease, and used on the go to listen to music. Microsoft is asking developers to ensure that all games run at a minimum of 720p widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, with the ability to access Xbox Live.

Read More | Gamespy

Gallery: Gamespy Gets The Goods On The Xbox 2/360


LG SV360I’m starting to appreciate gaming on a phone.  It’s always so readily available.  Sure the games oftentimes look like crap, but they’re quick, fun, and best of all cheap.  Looks like handset graphics are really going to improve by leaps and bounds though, as LG’s new SV360 contains ATI’s Imageon 2300 media processor, giving it the power to render over 10,000 triangles per frame.  With that kind of power, they decided to even make the phone interface in 3D.  Coming later this year in all it’s 320x240 glory, we’ll see how the public takes to it, in light of all the Sony/Nintendo handheld action going on.

(Thanks falcoboy7!)

Read More | Mobile Mag

Gallery: ATI Teams Up With LG For 3D Enabled Phone


Microsoft XNAMicrosoft has release XNA Studio for video game developers on Monday to ease in the creation of video games for its current console as well as for its next console.  The product is meant to help developers exchange code amongst teams in order to speed up development and standardize systems for porting video games from PC to Xbox (2) and vice versa. This means that the tools will be able to assist developers to keep their budget and keep video games from being ridiculously overpriced. According to Microsoft executives, XNA will be help developers keep next generation video games on the same level as the current Xbox video games. We’ll just have to keep our eyes wide open during the months to come and see if these promises are fulfilled.

Read More | CNet

Gallery: XNA Studio Released


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