See what Mario Galaxy looks like in HD
Remember that Wii emulator that boosted the graphics up to 720p? Thanks to a recent update, Super Mario Galaxy is now playable on the emulator -- known as Dolphin (get it?) -- and we have to admit, it looks pretty gorgeous. Granted, Super Mario Galaxy was no graphical slouch in the first place, but the extra resmolutions certainly add to the overall experience, and it gives us an idea of what the rumored Wii HD console would be capable of producing.
Check out a video of the Super Mario Galaxy running in HD after the break (don't forget to turn on HD in the player).
[Via CVG]
Check out a video of the Super Mario Galaxy running in HD after the break (don't forget to turn on HD in the player).
[Via CVG]
Bustin' makes Sackboy wear a hood

The PlayStation Blog revealed a poster of a Sackboy wearing a white, hooded sweatshirt, which makes the LBP avatar resemble the ghost character from the Ghostbusters logo. While it doesn't answer all the questions we have (is this a downloadable costume? Is it free? Will there be Ghostbusters-related levels? Is the "no" symbol part of the costume?) the latest update on LittleBigPlanet suggests that some Ghostbusters-related content is on the way. We think.
Wii Fit is UK's best seller for 2009 so far
Nintendo is king of the UK retail gaming jungle, according to ELSPA GfK-ChartTrack data. The House of Mario holds the top four spots for titles sold on the isles during the first half of 2009.
Yes, surprisingly, Killzone 2 did take the fifth spot, beating out Resident Evil 5. ELSPA's director states that the figures indicate "gaming is now mainstream in the UK." And that a lot of people in the UK think they (or a loved one) need to lose 10 lbs.
[Via VideoGamer]
Yes, surprisingly, Killzone 2 did take the fifth spot, beating out Resident Evil 5. ELSPA's director states that the figures indicate "gaming is now mainstream in the UK." And that a lot of people in the UK think they (or a loved one) need to lose 10 lbs.
[Via VideoGamer]
The next Gears of War could feature RPG elements
Look, we know, alright? Cliff "Not CliffyB" Bleszinski has a lot to say, and as such, he ends up in the headlines a bit more than anyone could expect. But how can we resist when he says such interesting stuff, like what he said during a recent interview with Develop. He dropped some pretty serious hints about the future of shooters -- and in turn, his own franchise, Gears of War. "I had a conversation with Harvey Smith – one of the lead designers on Deus Ex – and said to him the future of shooters is RPGs," the Cliffster said during the interview. "He said he completely agreed."
So, Deus Ex of War with RPG elements confirmed? Not quite. Bleszinski made sure to mention immediately afterward, "One could wean that from the comments I made earlier about the future of shooters is RPGs and see where things are going with us. It depends on where things go." Here's hoping "things go" right back to work on the game and less of the gum flapping!
(Just joshin' ya, Cliffy. We still love you.)
So, Deus Ex of War with RPG elements confirmed? Not quite. Bleszinski made sure to mention immediately afterward, "One could wean that from the comments I made earlier about the future of shooters is RPGs and see where things are going with us. It depends on where things go." Here's hoping "things go" right back to work on the game and less of the gum flapping!
(Just joshin' ya, Cliffy. We still love you.)
NintendoWare Weekly: Bit.Trip: Core becomes 100th WiiWare game
Folks, it's time to break out the party hats and noise makers because, just as expected, Bit.Trip: Core is the 100th WiIWare game to release on the service. Why, we remember our little pal doing finger paintings and learning to ride a bike like it was yesterday. They grow up so fast!
Best Buy's 80GB PS3 to be bundled with MGS4 and Killzone 2 [Update]
Remember a couple weeks ago, when Ars Technica's trusty, eerily accurate "mole" prophesied that the 80GB PS3 would be ushered off store shelves in order to be replaced by the 160GB model, ultimately leading to the introduction of the oft-rumored PS3 slim? Remember when he (or she) said the 80GB model would have boosted sales thanks to the creation of new, attractive bundles? Did you notice the image above? Do you see where we're going with this?
One week after releasing an 80GB bundle containing Wall-E and LittleBigPlanet, Best Buy will supposedly be upping the ante with the package you see above, which includes Killzone 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4. Said photo was sent in to Kotaku from a Best Buy employee, and several other Best Buyers have confirmed its legitimacy. We won't know for sure until the bundle hits store shelves, but it certainly looks like the ol' "mole" might have another notch in his accurate-prediction-belt.
Update: We've received confirmation from two Best Buy employees stating the bundle is real. One employee's store anticipates the bundle will go on sale within the next week (possibly on Sunday), while the other employee says the bundle is on sale in his store in Louisiana. They claim the price of the bundle is the standard $399 price point for the 80GB system. We recommend asking your local store if it's carrying the bundle, and finding out when it'll hit shelves! Thanks, guys!
One week after releasing an 80GB bundle containing Wall-E and LittleBigPlanet, Best Buy will supposedly be upping the ante with the package you see above, which includes Killzone 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4. Said photo was sent in to Kotaku from a Best Buy employee, and several other Best Buyers have confirmed its legitimacy. We won't know for sure until the bundle hits store shelves, but it certainly looks like the ol' "mole" might have another notch in his accurate-prediction-belt.
Update: We've received confirmation from two Best Buy employees stating the bundle is real. One employee's store anticipates the bundle will go on sale within the next week (possibly on Sunday), while the other employee says the bundle is on sale in his store in Louisiana. They claim the price of the bundle is the standard $399 price point for the 80GB system. We recommend asking your local store if it's carrying the bundle, and finding out when it'll hit shelves! Thanks, guys!
Now Playing: July 5-11, 2009
Why Two Worlds II isn't Two Worlds: The Temptation

The short version, from publisher Zuxxez PR director Joerg Schindler: "The Temptation had been canceled due to technical outdating [sic]. We use a complete new engine for Two Worlds II."
1 vs. 100 beta begins in UK this week, Germany and France on July 12
Xbox European Community Manager Graeme Boyd tweeted word that 1 vs. 100 will begin its beta in the UK on July 10, with France and Germany joining on July 12. There is currently no information about 1 contra 100, 1 contro 100, 1 tegenover 100, 1 против 100 nor any other territories.
The US version is also currently still in beta, but begins offering "skill-based prizes" on July 10 (this Friday). Oh, and a word of advice for our European friends: Never trust "The Brain!"
The US version is also currently still in beta, but begins offering "skill-based prizes" on July 10 (this Friday). Oh, and a word of advice for our European friends: Never trust "The Brain!"
Demon's Souls: North American date, deluxe edition detailed
But it is also going beyond its usual Atlus Spoils content and offering a "deluxe edition," with a 150-page strategy guide and a fancy slipcover for $69.99. According to Atlus, pre-orders for both versions will begin on July 8. Giving away extra stuff seems like a smart way to entice a repeat purchase out of the many Demon's Souls players who already imported the English-language Asian edition of the game.
Gallery: Demon's Souls
PSP Go's 480MHz state refers to USB, not CPU
FCC documents originally believed to have revealed that the PSP Go had a 480MHz processor -- over 40% more than the PSP (1000-3000) -- were actually talking about another part of the device ... the USB. Sony Computer Entertainment has stated that those extra megahertz are being used to clock the USB transfer and not the CPU.
So, other than the body and a slew of new accessories, it appears the PSP Go continues to be the same as its non-flipping cousin -- at least the processor won't put any extra drain on the handheld's batttery.
[Thanks, Rooshma]
So, other than the body and a slew of new accessories, it appears the PSP Go continues to be the same as its non-flipping cousin -- at least the processor won't put any extra drain on the handheld's batttery.
[Thanks, Rooshma]
The Best of Big Download: June 29-July 5
Unlike the previous week, the last seven days were actually fairly slow. But we still have some news and exclusive articles for the PC gaming crowd to check out:
Exclusive articles
Exclusive articles
- Microsoft Games For Windows Interview: We chat with the marketing manager of their PC gaming team to find out more about their future plans.
- The Top 10 Biggest PC Game News Stories of June 2009: We look back at a particularlly busy month for gaming news.
- Light of Altair review: We give our final verdict to the recent indie space strategy game.
- Mac Monday: Our weekly look at Mac games takes a gander at the space action title Escape Velocity Nova
- Boot Disk: Our retro PC game features looks back at 3DO's turn based strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic 2.
- Big Ideas: Our look at game themes wonders if games should move away from the typical fantasy setting.
- Freeware Friday: Our look at free PC games this week checks out the space shooter title Tyrian.
Japanese hardware sales, June 22 - June 28: Freedom Hangover edition

On this crummiest of days, it's as important as ever to try and find the silver lining in your life's costly, nauseating rain clouds. Sure, your highly illegal "Bottle Rocket Surprise" maneuver didn't work as well as you'd intended, but now that you don't have any hair left on your arms, you'll be able to swim really fast, like Michael Phelps, who is awesome.
Oh, and we've got Japanese Hardware Sales for you to digest! They may not be as juicy or flavorful as the nine Cheddarwurst you consumed last night, but at least they won't attempt to escape your body during the slimy alien autopsy scene in the middle of your annual viewing of Independence Day.
[Image]
- DSi: 39,885 - PSP: 26,789
- Wii: 21,790
2,404 (12.40%)- PS3: 11,310
951 (9.18%) - Xbox 360: 5,766
- DS Lite: 5,595
64 (1.16%)- PS2: 3,578
[Source: Media Create]
See: The hairless archives
XSEED bringing The Sky Crawlers to North American Wiis

Fortunately, a recent XSEED press release has turned our melancholy into melan-jolly (ugh) -- the capitalized company has purchased the North American publishing rights for The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces, due out this holiday season on the Wii. The game, which was developed by Ace Combat veterans Project Aces, will have players using the Wiimote and Nunchuck to simulate actual flight controls. It's a bit overdue, but we're thrilled about the Americanization of this aeronautical gem nonetheless.
Gallery: Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces
Super Meat Boy character select screen reveals playable Alien Hominid [update]

Quickly panning to his computer screen during the interview and teasing it, one of our wonderful readers snagged a screen grab so we could share it with the world. Now the real question: Castle Crashers characters playable as well? Hmmmm, McMillen? Hmmm?
(We love you. Please?)
Update: It was pointed out by a few astute Game Informer readers in the comments section that Alien Hominid was actually revealed as a playable character in a recent issue. Sorry, folks!
(Thanks, Zack!)




























