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Xbox 360 Final Fantasy Ad Banned in the UK

An ad for the version of Final Fantasy XIII has been removed from UK screens after being accused of using PS3 footage. Sqaure Enix admitted to the ruse, but added that the ad was made entirely from pre-rendered cut scenes that look no different from the Xbox 360 version. The PS3 version of FF13 does indeed look a bit sharper, but not enough to really be noticeable, especially when viewing it in standard definition broadcasted over the air. However, Square states that the ad, comprised of FMV cut scenes, “could have been captured on any device”. Though, apparently the UK doesn’t take too kindly to duping viewers with interchangeable video game footage, as the ad has since been banned from the air. See the ad and judge for yourself above.

Read More | Gamespot via Engadget


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120GB and 250GB PS3 SKUs Being Phased Out

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Hardware, Hot Deals, PlayStation 3, Sony,

250GB PS3

In order to make way for the new 160GB and 320GB PS3 units Sony has decided to phase out the other older SKU’s. This comes as no surprise really; why have so many different confusing price points for consumers? This phasing out will see stores attempting to push theses models onto us with pretty good deals, such as the $299 250GB model seen at Fry’s. The same price tag that the 160GB PS3 will sport when it’s released. So if you want to take advantage of these awesome fire sales then start searching around stores in your area.

Read More | Engadget

Deal of the Day: Xbox 360 slim, Wii, Nintendo DSi sale

Game console sale

If you’re a gamer looking to pick up a new console or some accessories, then today’s is for you. Whether you are looking for a 250GB Xbox 360 slim, the black or white Nintendo Wii summer 2010 bundles, or a Nintendo DSi, you can pick them all up at a nice discount. If the Xbox 360 or DSi are on your radar, you can grab them for $20 off their normal price. If you’re more focused on the Wii side of things, you can get a new Wii bundle for $30 off the normal price. In addition, you can get Wii Fit Plus with the Balance Board for $25 off, and a Sony PS3 controller for $20 off as well! Hit the link for all the details.

Save up to 40% off XBox 360 slim, Wii, Nintendo DSi and gaming accessories!


Disc-Less Netflx Finally Coming to PS3

Playstation users have had access to Netflix for awhile now, but it’s been somewhat of a clumsy experience up until now. This is because unlike its Xbox 360 equivalent, PS3 requires a disc to run Netflix. This has proven to feel like a tacked on experience rather than the full quality experience seen on the 360. A little frustrating when you have to constantly swap out the Netflix disc in order to play a game or watch a film. However, it seems that PS3 users will finally have a Netflix app added into the actually dashboard that will allow them to seamlessly enjoy the Netflix experience. There’s no official date for when this change will happen, but according to Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix, it will happen very soon.

“Before our next call in October, we expect to be launching a major new version of our Sony PS3 user interface which doesn’t require a disc and is dynamically updated continuously with the latest Netflix UI improvements,” states Hastings.

Hopefully these Netflix updates will make for a similar experience to the one seen on Microsoft’s machine, and a less stiff experience than the one currently offered on PS3.

You can grab a two-week free Netflix trial to try out the service yourself.

Read More | AllThingsD via Ign.com


Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Preview

spider-man shattered dimensions previewSpider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is Activision’s way of trying to please fans of Spidey all across the spectrum. This game is more like four games in one, as you fight through different universes each with their own take on the Spider-Man character. Noir Spider-Man, for example, is a 1930s version of the webbed head crusader. When you play in this universe you will notice the lighting is very dark à la film noir, and the game play is centered around stealth rather than action. The Amazing Spider-Man universe flips this on its ear and chooses full frontal action as its main source of game play. As amazing Spidey you will encounter waves of baddies looking to get their skulls crushed by the non-stop assault of fists and webs you will throw at them. No creeping around in the shadows here. Ultimate Spider Man finds Peter Parker donning a black suit in a cell shaded visual style. Here your suit is your main means of offence against the waves of baddies. With the black suit you will smack, slap, and spike your way to victory. While 2099 Spider-Man takes the universe to the future, where Spidey aerially duels with robotics and other variety of baddies in amazing futuristic cities.

Whether Activision can pull off this four narrative adventure to please the hardcore and mainstream fans of Spidey while making a great game is yet to be seen. Look for this to hit stores September 7, 2010. If you pre-order it on Amazon you’ll get a concept art book and unlock the Iron Spider-Man costume as a bonus.


Hulu Plus: HD, $9.99 per month, full details

Hulu Plus

has finally announced their Hulu Plus programming package, and we’ve got all the details here for you. First and foremost, a Hulu Plus subscription will run you $9.99 per month. For that price, you get expanded access and features to the Hulu service:

  • Hulu Plus Season Ticket: Every episode of the full current season of a bunch of shows are available to you, whenever you want (rather than just the last few episodes)
  • Watch past seasons of shows in their entirety
  • Watch Hulu on your iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, or iPad
  • Watch Hulu on television-connected devices. Launches on Samsung devices, but coming soon to Xbox 360, PS3, Sony devices TV and Blu-ray devices
  • Hulu Plus gives you access to watch shows in 720p high definition

The Hulu Plus service will be publicly available next month, but they are accepting email addresses from people who’d like to be part of the Hulu Plus Preview, starting today. Get ready to ditch cable, y’all.

Read More | Hulu Plus

DJ Hero 2 trailer: Two turntables and a microphone

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Activision, E3, Music, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360,

We were big fans of the original DJ Hero, so you can bet that we’re really excited about DJ Hero 2 and all the enhancements that come with the title. Launching this fall, DJ Hero 2 aims to be more social than the original by focusing on multiplayer aspects. Obviously, in the trailer, you’ve got three people playing together—two of them using turntable controllers, and the third singing into the mic. As far as artists features in the game, you can expect names like Dr. Dre, The Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Metallica, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and over 85 others.

Another complaint about the original DJ Hero was that you kind of had to stick to the script. A big part of DJing is freestyling your way to creating your own sound. In DJ Hero 2, that’s fixed as well, with over 70 tracks available for you to do your will with. We will hear more about the title at E3 next week, and seriously, fall can’t come soon enough.


Gaming gear I wish I had on this 12-hour flight

As I write this, I am squeezed into a coach seat on a 12 hour flight from an undisclosed location in the middle east to New York City. Once I get done with this, I have another 6-hour jaunt to Los Angeles, and the memory of my last 2-hour flight here fades with every drop of overpriced airline beer. In these trying times, a man needs to keep entertained. My DS is charged, but alas, I have completed Castlevania already.

There are three - no, four crying infants on board. The man to my left has clearly not showered since the Reagan administration. If I don’t survive, let me leave you with these thoughts of what could have been, if only I had taken this frightening possibility into deeper consideration.

Hit the jump for my last coherent thoughts before the chilling onset of complete madness.

Click to continue reading Gaming gear I wish I had on this 12-hour flight


Mafia II: Hands-on impressions

Mafia II

Poor Mafia. When the first game released in 2002, it drew plenty of criticism for being too much in the vein of Grand Theft Auto. The game actually had a flair of its own and a distinct cinematic style, with plenty of interesting moments and glowing reviews. Some moments in particular (notably the one involving crashing a funeral) were altogether more memorable than anything in other open-world games.

Nearly a decade later, 2K Games has decided to bring the series to current-gen consoles with Mafia II. We got a hands-on sneak peak at the game at the GDC. Do your best Marlon Brando impersonation (note: please do not do your best Marlon Brando impersonation) and hit the jump to see how it stacks up to its namesake.

Click to continue reading Mafia II: Hands-on impressions


Hands-On with Sony’s PS3 3D Games

Posted by Alex Lifschitz Categories: Features, PlayStation 3, Reviews, Sony,

Sony 3D Stereoscopic gaming

3D was a fad that died a well-deserved death during the 90s. Of course, the flame was kept alive by evil, evil hipsters who swapped between polarized lenses and shutter shades for a while, but only recently has it come back in a big way (thanks to new glasses, new technology, and the ability for us as a culture to forgive transgressions for existing as fads before being properly implemented.)

Sony is apparently on board with the 3D revival, and they had a bunch of games and TVs showing off their 3D technology at the GDC. Hit the jump for our hands-on impressions.

Click to continue reading Hands-On with Sony’s PS3 3D Games


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