DS Breaking Sales Records in the UK

The DS is selling like, well, a Nintendo product that's not the Gamecube. According to the MCV the DS has beaten out the PSP's weekly hardware sales of 185,000 units from September 2005.

The DS sold over 191,000 units in one weak. Nintendo says "Momentum has been increasing on DS sales and to achieve the highest weekly sales figure ever in the history of the games market is fantastic.”




Just as a side note, I participated in the Black Friday sales and the Circuit City I was at was packed full of people buying the new DS Lites that were bundled and customized for Zelda and Nintendogs. It was a good deal to because you got a cool looking DS with a good game.

Guitar Repair for Dummies!

For any of you poor saps who were lucky enough to grab your box-o-rock, but unlucky enough to get a busted guitar here's a possible solution. It seems that some impatient maverick took it upon himself to crack open the strum-less ax and fix it freelance. If you also have the gumption to go at yourself he has posted some directions with pics here. Of course I'm sure this would void any warranty if your parts appeared "tampered" with, but for those in need of a quick fix of rocking this may be the way to go. Rock On on soldiers of noise, Rock On!!

Rock Band Announcement Hinted At

MTV, the creators of Rock Band, are hinting that a major announcement will be coming from them very shortly. Rumors run wild on the internet as to what the announcement will be.

Some think it will be a Rock Band update or expansion that will allow gamers to create or use their own music.

A lot of the speculation thinks that the announcement will have some kind of "Hollywood" tie in. I'm not sure what that would be. There's already a game where you make movies, it's called The Movies.

Friends of Friends Coming to Xbox Live

Microsoft has announced a new feature that will be included in their December 4th Fall Update: Friends of Friends. This feature will allow Xbox Live members to browse their friends' friends lists.

Microsoft says that this feature was inspired from websites like Myspace and Facebook. In such social websites, users are able to find other people they know by browsing their friends' friends lists.

I don't think it will work as well on Xbox Live, though. You can't see as much personal info on Xbox Live. So I could scan Josh's friends list and see his Xbox Live friends, but that doesn't mean I would recognize them.

(And for those that scan my friends list. I just cleaned it out the other day. I'm down to pretty much only people I know from real life. Sorry to those who did not survive the Friends List Purge of 2007, but I got tired of constantly getting notices that so and so was online when I never play with so and so.)

Bungie Announces Halo 3 DLC

Starting December 11th, you can download the first DLC for Halo 3: a map pack of three new multiplayer maps for 800 Microsoft Points($10).

The first map is called Standoff. It is described as a two base map with some vehicles and turrets.


The second map is named Rat's Nest. It was inspired by the campaign level Crow's Nest and is a primarily indoor map. There are vehicles on the map but expect some tight spaces as well. Ideal for 6-16 players and should be added into the Big Team Battle games.


And the last map is Foundry. Developers expect gamers to have a lot of fun with how much you can change this map in Forge. This level was inspired by the campaign level where you fight the Flood in the warehouse(the level where you should definitely NOT kill the wounded Marines, Josh). Developers say this is a good map for 4-12 players.

Xbox "Fall" Dashboard Update

I say "Fall" since it will actually be released December 4th. I've been collecting some information on the update, but now a whole list of the new features has been leaked. Take these statements with a grain of salt. Right now they look legit, but it could all be fake.

I'm only posting some of the more important or interesting updates(IMHO).

* New Xbox Live Arcade blade - where you can download, play and learn about Xbox Live Arcade
* New clan support - will be able to launch clan games direct from dashboard, can “fold” friends into new clan category in friends list
* New option in Games tab - beta and others, will be launcher for MMO and multiplayer betas
* New option in Marketplace Games tab, search by letter, can be inputted via text pad or console
* Themes can now be animated and may now have sound effects
* New estimated timer for downloads, informing how long download will expect to take
* Filter friends list, will be able to filter friends via games
* New screensaver settings - when away from Xbox 360, screensaver will play for optional time, before screen goes dark
* IPTV Functionality - support for TiVo like PVR options. Will be able to record TV direct. Options include source by channel, director, actor and distributor
* Console will now recognise low Hard Drive space, will inform you immediately if can’t download current item, will automatically download next available that is able.
* Xvid support

There's also this one: "Brand new “web based adver-games” flash games which aren’t downloaded, but are playable bite sized games, accessed via new Xbox Live Arcade Blade"

What is that? Those flash games where I punch George Bush in the face or fight a sumo wrestler? Why would I want that?

Microsoft is also putting some old Xbox classics in a downloadable format for 1200 Microsoft Points(about $15). They include "Halo," "Psychonauts," "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge" and "Fable," among others.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like these games have been improved. There is no online for Halo. There's no achievements. And I'm sure all the other games will be exactly the same as they were on Xbox. Why no achievements? Even Burger King games have achievements! And why no online for Halo? You used to be able to play the original Halo online if you hooked the Xbox up to a computer that had a program that tricked the Xbox into thinking it was system linked instead of online.

There's also rumors that the update will make the Xbox 360 and DivX video 100% compatible.

Happy Birthday, Xbox Live!

November 15th is Xbox Live birthday. The gaming service turns five years old. Soon it'll be off to kindergarten to learn about tying shoes, the alphabet and socializing with others.

But in order to celebrate the birthday, Microsoft is giving gifts to its Xbox Live members. Free Carcassone XBLA games for everyone! (Provided you log in and download it on the 15th.)

What the hell is Carcassone? Some kind of medieval risk type game with cards. I guess. I really have no idea. It's one of those Xbox Live Arcade games that probably most of us have ignored. It came out in June.

But I'm still happy about Xbox Live turning five. I've enjoyed the service very much. (Even though it's been laggy and buggy the last week or so - growing pains, I guess.) And I look forward to enjoying it for years to come.

Also, anyone who joined Xbox Live in 2002 will get 500 Microsoft points. (I might actually qualify for that. It was close, but for me it might have been January 2003.)

November Game Releases

November - a time to give thanks. And many gamers will be thankful for the "perfect storm" of games. I hope you've been saving for the flood of games this month.

 

DS Titles

November 5
• Bratz: 4 Real
• Build a Bear Workshop
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves Mermaid
• Go Diego Go: Safari Adventure
• Shrek the 3rd: Ogres and Donkeys
November 6
• Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
• Enchanted
• Horse Life
• Hot Wheels Beat That
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
• LifeSigns: Surgical Unit
• My French Coach
• My Spanish Coach
• My Word Coach
• Ontamarama
• Panzer Tactics
• Puzzle de Harvest Moon
• Spectrobes Collectors Edition
• World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets
November 7
• Hannah Montana: Music Jam
November 12
• Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader
• Dr. Suess: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders
• John Deere Heartland
• Mortal Kombat
November 13
• Baby Pals
• Contra 4
• Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends
• Monster Jam
• Need for Speed: Pro Street
• Orcs & Elves
• Petz Catz 2
• Petz Dogz 2
• Petz Hamsterz Life 2
• Petz Horsez 2
• Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008
November 15
• Garfield Gets Real
• Impossible Mission
• Super Fruit Fall
November 19
• CSI Dark Motives
• Mario Party
November 20
• Corvette Evolution GT
• Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
• Godzilla Unleashed
• Jenga
• Strawberry Shortcake: 4 Seasons Cake
November 26
• Master of Illusion
November 27
• Geometry Wars: Galaxies

PC Titles

November 5
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
• Zoo Vet Endangered Animals
November 6
• Blackbeard’s Revenge
• Democracy
• Empire Earth III
• F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate
• F.E.A.R. Platinum
• Gears of War
• Ghost in the Sheet
• Hot Wheels: Beat That
• Quest Pack
• The Office
• The Sims 2: Teen Style Stuff
• Viva Pinata
November 8
• The Lost Crown
November 12
• Alpha Prime
• BlackSite: Area 51
• RPG Collection
November 13
• Beowulf: The Game
• Crysis
• EA Sports 07 Collection
• EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark
• EverQuest: Secrets of Faydwer
• Fantasy Wars
• Guitar Hero III
• Imagine: Fashion Designer
• Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
• Need for Speed Pro Street
• Next Life
• Petz Catz 2
• Petz Dogz 2
• Petz Horsez 2
• Sega Rally Revo
• Sim City Societies
• Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back
November 15
• Combat: Collector’s Second Edition
• Left Behind: Eternal Forces Expansion Pack
• Mission: WWI Combat
• Panzer Killer
November 20
• Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess
• History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
• Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of Illuminus
November 26
• Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games

PS2 Titles

November 5
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Zombie Ninja Pro-Am
November 6
• Cabela’s Big Game Hunter
• Yu-Gi-Oh! The Beginning of Destiny
November 13
• Boogie
• Daisenryaku 7 Exceed
• Dancing with the Stars
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
• File Pro Wrestling Returns
• Godzilla Unleashed
• King of Fighters XI
• Luxor: Pharaoh’s Challenge
• Monster Jam
• Need for Speed: Pro Street
• NeoGeo Battle Colliseum
• Petz Catz 2
• Petz Dogz 2
• Petz Horsez 2
• Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008
November 19
• College Hoops 2K8
November 20
• Cabela’s Monster Bass
• Final Fantasy XI Online: Vana’Diel 08
• Final Fantasy XI Online: Wings
• History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
• Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of Illuminous
• Star Trek Conquest
• Swashbucklers

PS3

November 1
• Fifth Phantom Saga
• The Getaway 3
• The Outsider
November 5
• BlackSite: Area 51
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
November 6
• Bladestorm: Hundred Years War
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
November 13
• Assassin’s Creed
• Beowulf: The Game
• Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
• Need for Speed: Pro Street
• Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008
November 19
• College Hoops 2K8
• Medal of Honor Airborne
November 20
• History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
• Time Crisis 4
• Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
November 23
• Rock Band
November 27
• Haze


PSP

November 6
• Chessmaster
• Silent Hill: Origins
• SOCOM US navy Seals Tactical Strike
• The Simpsons Game
• World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets
November 13
• Alien vs Predator: Requiem
• Beowulf: The Game
• Medal of Honor Heroes 2
• Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus
• Sonic Rivals 2
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008
November 15
• FlatOut: Head On
November 19
• Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command
November 20
• Atari Classics Evolved


Wii

November 5
• Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
• Game Party
November 6
• Cabela’s Big Game Hunter
• Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity
• Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
• Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games
• My Word Coach
• Showtime Boxing
November 12
• Cruis’n
• Spongebob: Atlantis Squarepantis
• Super Mario Galaxy
November 13
• Geometry Wars: Galaxies
• Luxor: Pharaoh’s Challenge
• Medal of Honor Heroes 2
• Monster Jam
• Need for Speed: Pro Street
• Petz Catz 2
• Petz Dogz 2
• Petz Horsez 2
• Pimp My Ride
• Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
• Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
• Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles
• Soul Calibur Legends
• Star Trek: Conquest
• Tomb Raider Anniversary
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008
November 19
• Cars: Mater-National
• Nitrobike
• Smarty Pants
November 20
• AMF Bowling Pinbusters
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
• Ghost Squad
• Godzilla Unleashed
• History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
• Indoor Sports
• Jenga
• Trauma Center: New Blood
November 21
• Indy 500 Legends
• Mythmakers: Orbs of Doom
November 23
• Kawasaki Quad Bikes
• Rig Racer
November 27
• Cranium Kabooki

Xbox 360

November 5
• BlackSite: Area 51
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
November 6
• Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War
• Cabela’s Big Game Hunter
• F.E.A.R. Files
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
• Scene It! With 4 controllers
November 13
• Assassin’s Creed
• Beowulf: The Game
• Dance Dance Revolution Universe 2 Bundle
• Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
• Monster Jam
• Need for Speed ProStreet
• Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back
• WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2008
November 19
• America’s Army: True Soldiers
• College Hoops 2K8
November 20
• Final Fantasy XI Online: Vana’Diel Collection 08
• Final Fantasy XI Online: Wings
• History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
• Mass Effect
November 23
• Rock Band