REVIEW >> The Avenger Adapter for the Xbox 360

I’m sure that you are probably looking at this Xbox 360 controller and wondering what kind of cybernetic job was done on it.

This is the Avenger, and it has nothing to do with Marvel’s super-hero team or that really interesting British spy show that was done in the 1960s. The Avenger is designed to speed up the performance of the XBox 360 gamer.

It does so by electronically stimulating the knuckles so the gamer becomes as fast as The Six Million Dollar Man. Just kidding. Find out how it really works after the jump.

It is as simple as strapping it to the controller, and then the user needs to re-learn how to game. Becoming a champion on the Avenger is all about how not to hit the X, Y, and B keys with your thumbs.

Instead, you need to use the levers with the back of your fingers to trigger the buttons. The advantage is that one doesn’t have to switch their thumb from the Right Stick to those pesky buttons. You still have to hit the A button with your right thumb, but you save time by saving your thumb from excess work. This little bit of saved time increases your reaction time, and results in a better game.

See how it works now? You should be able to get it from the official Avenger site for about $49.99.

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REVIEW >> Razer’s new gaming keyboard is made for new Star Wars: The Old Republic game

I suppose that their will always be Star Wars games just like there will always be new Star Wars stories, and a soon-to-be released one is Star Wars: The Old Republic.

When the game gets released from Bioware and LucasArts, Razer will release this Star Wars gaming keyboard. It has a full color LCD track-panel which highly sensitive multi-touch support, perfect for making macros.

Speaking of macros, it also has some tactile keys above the LCD track-panel, just so you can make your move faster. Those keys can somehow change pictures, which is going to make this space-age combat a lot more nifty.

Yeah, I could have written that much better, but just to let you know, the keyboard has a special lighting feature. It can be blue for the Republic, red for the Sith Empire, or green like a lightsaber, so you can customize your keyboard.

I think it is interesting that Razer is putting out this gaming keyboard for this MMO game, and I am wondering if every MMO game is going to have a specially made keyboard. I know that SteelSeries puts out a bunch of them, and I’m wondering why these games just don’t get bundled together with these keyboards.

This one for The Old Republic is the coolest that I have seen, but there is no word on when it will come out, which is the same for the game. Here’s the official site if you are interested.

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REVIEW >> Star Trek Phaser Mod coming to the PS3 Move

I have seen gun mods for the PS3 Move before, like the Flex-Fire, but this has to be the geeky-est. I wasn’t certain how to spell that last word, but you see what I mean.

I first saw the images of this Star Trek phaser mod last week, and I heard very little of it since. This is apparently in “pre-alpha”, so I wasn’t certain when Trekkies could get their hands on this.

However, I have just learned that Paramount intends to launch a Star Trek video game sometime in 2012. Just to let you know, the game is sort of a continuation of the new Star Trek universe that was established in the J.J. Abrams movie two summers ago.

I can’t help but wonder why in the world Paramount revived Star Trek, created a movie that a lot of people liked, and doesn’t seem to bother making a sequel. Perhaps Paramount is sick of this franchise and doesn’t want to reboot again it until more years have passed. Until then, the video game will suffice.

I suppose that the phaser mods for the PS3 Move will come in handy when the gamer plays Kirk or Spock. That is apparently an option in this game, seriously. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what else Paramount has in store next year.

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REVIEW >> Trioviz allows 3D images on 2D TVs, and more!

I’m not certain how much 3D is really going to change television as we know it, but if you have a 2D television, and you want to play 2D video games, then I have some good news.

TriOviz has some interesting technology called TriOviz for Games SDK (Software Development Kit) which “leverages existing three dimensional graphics information in games to greatly enhance the depth-of-field, geometry volume and position, and the rendering of characters within a scene”.

I got a chance to try out for myself, and played the Captain America: The First Avenger in the process. As you can see, the INFOCOLOR 3D Eyewear glasses are in slightly different colors than traditional red and blue. If used with the SDK software, TriOviz SDK allows the gamer to play 3D games with glasses on a 2D television.

So far, the process has been tried out on other video games such as Batman: Arkham Asylum, Enslaved, and another game based on a Marvel superhero movie out this summer: Thor.

Of course, this is actually old news as TriOviz launched this Games SDK over a year ago. Now they have Games SDK 2.0, which is compliant with 3D TVs.

Okay, so all we need to do is get TriOviz on all video games, and every TV set will be ready for 3D video games, right? I suppose that we will see, and I would like to see where we are on this 3D thing in the next two years. Check out more information about TriOviz at their official site if you want to know more.

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REVIEW >> Rumor alert: New version of Xbox is being revealed at E3 2012

Just when I thought I was out of E3, they pull me back in! Yes, E3 2011 was over as of Thursday of last week, but there is already a rumor brewing for E3 2012.

And that rumor is…a new Xbox console! The only reason why we know this is because Crytek is working on TimeSplitters 4 for a “next-gen console” and they are using hardware supplied by Microsoft.

Assuming that Microsoft does not want to hold off on the releasing this new hardware, we could be looking at an unveiling of a new Xbox console by E3 2012. Of course, this doesn’t mean that consumers would get to play it by that year.

After all, Nintendo Wii U was unveiled at E3 this year, but won’t be sold in stores until 2012. I predict it will be the big holiday gift of next year, and I don’t see what Nintendo could possibly unveil in E3 2012.

If Microsoft wanted to, perhaps they could kick the production of the Xbox 360 2 into high gear after E3. Then they could have their newest console out at the same time as the Wii U. Oh, that could lead to a serious battle of the sales for the two companies. Wouldn’t it be funny if the Playstation 4 was available at the same time? I would call that The Perfect Storm.

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REVIEW >> Hands on with the Wii Premium Fitness Board from Snakebyte

 

Yesterday, I reported on some interesting Wiimotes from Snakebyte, and I will have to admit that I wished Nintendo made their controllers with their Snakebyte’s design. Today, I will discuss Snakebyte’s version of the Wii Balance Board.

Again, Snakebyte managed to create a version of the Balance Board that I wished Nintendo created originally. The first thing that you will notice is how the balance board has a tiny screen on the top-center that isn’t included with Nintendo’s Wii Kit. That is designed to take your weight, at all times.

Yes, you can use the Wii Premium Fitness Board as your bathroom scale. Not only that, it has some very nifty blue lights on the side.

It is pretty fantastic, but the thing that I don’t know is how it compares to the Wii balance board. In other words, is it more sensitive than the one that already comes with the Wii Fit kit? I tried it out, and I honestly didn’t see a difference.

You should be able to get the Wii Premium Fitness Board at the Snakebyte website for a price of about $54.99. Just to let you know, it is usually $69.99, and I think that is a sale price.

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REVIEW >> G155 Mobile Gaming Environment

If you tend to do a whole lot of traveling, then surely you would have something to keep yourself occupied especially on those long transits. Some people rely on their iPhone or iPod touch, others prefer a more hardcore gaming experience in the form of a Sony PSP or a Nintendo 3DS. Either way, games are the perfect (and popular) way to kill time these days, so it is no surprise that we see yet another peripheral hit the market in the form of the G155 Mobile Gaming Environment.

The £299.99 price tag might just scare off most folks, but wait for a while and read what it is capable of doing. This unique gaming peripheral allows you to enjoy your gaming on the go as long as there is a nearby power socket. Featuring an integrated 15.5″ LED HD display, it will be accompanied by a pair of stereo speakers, a fitted foam base and velcro straps that ensure your gaming hardware remains right where it is supposed to be while you save the world from an alien invasion. With a hard plastic shell protecting it from knocks and scratches, the lightweight design is even TSA compliant to let you tote it on an airplane as hand luggage.

A 3.5mm headphone jack tops off the list for a personal portable gaming environment – we just wonder whether the price is well worth it or not, or just get a Nintendo 3DS or PSP instead.

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REVIEW >> The iPhone Air Guitar

 

Considering that Guitar Hero is no longer going to be made with new editions, one can’t help but wonder what the future of music gaming is. It would appear that someone believes that the next phase of music gaming is mobile with this Air Guitar Move.

The Air Guitar Move is a combination of hardware and an iPhone, and there is a motion sensing guitar pick for strumming away. As the user strums the connector, he or she uses the iPhone as a fretboard. As you might have guessed, there is an App for it.

So far, this is one of those Kickstarter projects, which means that it needs some funding in order to get it going. The designers, Ronald Mannak and Colin Karpfinger, are building their hardware at the same place where Guitar Hero was built, and have the same engineering team working on it.

Considering that a lot of music games on mobile platforms are not as cool as the plastic instruments on music games on the console, I just can’t see a mobile game breaking new ground on the music gaming front. Until now, at least.

The designers of the Air Guitar Move need about $25,000 in the next 25 days. Generally, Kickstarter donors get the item after a good donation, so this is probably the fastest way you’ll get it.

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REVIEW >> Hands on with the Snakebyte MiniMote and Premium Remote XL+ Controllers

I got a chance to try out some of Snakebyte’s gaming accessories last week, and I have to admit, I was pretty impressed.

The first was the Wii MiniMote Controller, which is the red Wii controller on the left. You might have noticed how small it is, and you are right. It is actually twenty –five percent smaller than the Wiimote. I found that it fits quite comfortably in my hand for a lighter gaming experience.

As for the Premium Remote XL+, it looks like a regular Wiimote. It does have that Wii Motion Plus Sensor built-in, and there are some other features that I will talk about after the jump.

You should probably know that the Wii MiniMote takes AAA batteries instead of the usual AA. That is probably something that should be put on the box. The Premium Remote XL+ takes AA batteries, but you have to unscrew the back to put them in. At first I thought this was a terrible feature, and I noticed that it comes with rechargeable batteries as well as a USB charger. So you don’t have change the batteries, but connect it via USB to the Wii for power.

You should be able to get these terrific video game accessories at the Snakebyte website now. The Premium Remote XL+ is on sale now for $27.99 and the Minimote is about $23.99.

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REVIEW >> T-Mobile to Provide Android App Rentals

With millions of apps available, just a few screenshots and a short description may not be enough to say that they are worth the purchase. This is not a n issue when it comes to free apps, but if an app requires you to shell out some money, then there lies the problem. Some app stores have managed to solve this by test-driving apps, but T-Mobile has decided to take a notch higher by allowing apps to be rented.

T-Mobile, in cooperation with gaming company WildTangent, will provide 25-cent game rentals to all subscribers with an Android tablet or smartphone. It is a cheap way of testing an app before deciding whether to download it. The service will deduct the rental cost from the price of the app should you choose to purchase it.

There is no word yet on when this service will be launched.

Source: Electronista

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Full REVIEW >> Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

 

Sony Ericsson’s Xperia PLAY is the company’s first smartphone focused on bringing serious gaming and a powerful handset to the masses. The slide-out PlayStation-style game controller is innovative and it enables you to interact with games on your smartphone in ways that just aren’t possible on a touchscreen-only device. With that said, there are some obstacles in the way — PlayStation Suite offers limited games, and there are some pretty big bugs even on the stock Android handset. Do the positives outweigh the negatives, though? Jump past the break to find out.


Hardware / Display

The Xperia PLAY’s hardware is, for lack of a better word, interesting. Closed, the device feels like a reasonably thick Android handset. With glossy black plastic and glossy chrome finish, the PLAY doesn’t exude high-end fit and finish, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. It’s deceptively well-weighted, even when opened, and the only complaint I have about the hardware when holding and using the phone is that the left and right triggers on the top of the handset can get in the way when the device is being held one-handed.

The display on the Xperia PLAY is great. It’s crisp, it’s clear, and the colors seem to accurately display anything I can load up on it. It’s one of my favorite displays, to be honest. Sony Ericsson has a beautiful screen with a touch sensitivity that can almost rival Apple’s perfected digitizer and screen. I really can’t say enough about this touch display, it’s probably my favorite of any Android handset, even more so than any qHD displays I’ve seen and used. It’s something Sony Ericsson has just got right, and it’s really refreshing to see.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY doesn’t fall short in the button department, either. On the front of the device you’ll find the four traditional Android menu keys, and while these are meant to serve as the primary navigation keys for the device, I can’t help but think Sony Ericsson could have implemented something better. Besides being difficult to press in some scenarios, they are ridiculously close to the display itself, and I’ve found myself accidentally tapping the display when I’ve been trying to hit the back button, for example. The layout isn’t ideal, but that’s more of a personal preference.

On the left side of the handset, there’s a 3.5mm headset jack and a microUSB port for syncing and charging. On the top of the device there’s a power on / off button, but the button isn’t on the display part of the sliding mechanism, it’s on the main middle frame. It’s a little niggle, but it would have been great if the power button was on the display piece as it would make it much easier to press when using the device one-handed. A nice touch is that there’s a notification light built into the power button that will let you know of any unread message or alerts, however. On the right side of the PLAY you’ll find left and right trigger buttons with a volume up and down rocker placed in between them.

Something that’s been truly irritating is the lack of an ambient light sensor on the Xperia PLAY. It’s one of the only smartphones in the last few years I have ever seen that lacks this feature, and while it’s not a show stopper, it’s inconvenient to have to go into the device’s setting to manually change the brightness level of the display in different lighting environments.

UPDATE: The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY does in fact have an ambient light sensor, it’s just not user-controllable in the settings, and it doesn’t perform too, too well, thus the reason for mistaking it’s existence.


PlayStation Controls

There isn’t a bunch to say here… the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is the first smartphone to feature an actual gaming-grade gamepad, and it’s pretty close to being amazing. There’s enough tactile feedback on every button to make it feel fantastic while playing games, and the button layout is perfect. Compared to add-on third-party attachments for the iPhone or Android devices, the Xperia PLAY really sets the mobile smartphone gaming bar. One of the best parts is the ability to take a third-party app and assign the gamepad buttons to the game or emulator.


Phone / Battery

I have had serious connectivity issues with the Xperia PLAY on Verizon Wireless. I’m not sure if it’s just this review unit in particular, but in places that normally have 3G reception, I was stuck on 1X, and the phone kept on holding a 1X signal instead of switching back to a 3G one. Additionally, the signal level reported by the PLAY was much lower than other Verizon Wireless devices in the same room on the same desk. While this isn’t a scientific method by any means, it’s a little frustrating to see just one or two bars on a Verizon handset in and around New York City — especially when other Verizon phones were getting full signal just a few inches away.

Battery life is pretty decent despite the reception issues, and were completely acceptable for a CDMA smartphone. The Xperia PLAY powered through a day of moderate usage including emailing, web browsing, light calls, and hours of game playing. Your mileage will obviously vary, but all in all the battery on the Xperia PLAY should suit most people’s usage just fine.


Conclusion

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is one of the most enjoyable game-focused smartphones I’ve ever used. With a solid slide-out hardware gamepad, a fast processor, and stock Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the PLAY is truly in a league of its own. That’s not to say I haven’t had my share of frustrations with the handset. The power button seem glitchy as far as the software is concerned — the phone just won’t turn back on sometimes after the screen is locked, and it’s incredibly frustrating. Verizon’s solid voice and data network didn’t agree with my particular unit, and while I’m not positive this is an across-the-board issue, signal reception and connectivity were probably the worst of any Verizon handset I’ve used in recent memory.

I like the overall concept of the Xperia PLAY — one of the only companies in the world that could pull off a pure gaming handset is Sony Ericsson — and this is a valiant first effort in the space. But in the end, the Xperia PLAY is a little chunky and it feels like it needed a little more time in the oven. If Sony Ericsson decides to introduce a follow up handset, I have no doubt it will be a formidable mobile gaming smartphone that few if any devices could rival. The current iteration is more a concept than a full-fledged gaming device and platform, though if you’re a hardcore gamer, you probably won’t be disappointed with the Xperia PLAY. For general consumers, I’d probably recommend waiting for the follow-up version, however.

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TriMount Turns Your TV Into an Ugly But Organized Gaming Nirvana

Once upon a time, it was possible for hardcore gamers to ply their avocation inconspicuously, their games and controllers stored in boxes, and their consoles tucked away behind the doors of their entertainment center or component cabinet.  These days, however, motion is A Big Deal, and as a result, taking full advantage of a modern console requires placing a sensor of some kind out in the open, usually on top of your TV.  But HDTVs only have so much real estate on top of their ever-slimmer frames, and naturally the big three console makers have no interest in making it easy to use a competitor’s sensor in addition to their own, so the number of consoles a gamer can use effectively becomes limited by how many sensors one can haphazardly stack on top of one’s TV.

Well, multi-platform gamers need fret no longer, because the dreamGEAR TriMount is here to solve our sensor-placement woes for good.  Attaching easily to most HDTVs via an adjustable screw or to a wall via a wall mount, the TriMount provides space for the Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor, the PlayStation Eye, and the Wii Sensor Bar.  The resultant amalgamation of cameras and sensors ends up looking like some sort of dystopian Big Brother surveillance device, but at only $29.99 it may be just what the doctor ordered, presuming that your doctor’s last name is “Mario”, “Robotnik”, or “Wily”.

The TriMount is currently available for pre-order at the dreamGEAR website, and will begin shipping on 8/15/2011.

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REVIEW >> Next Generation Portable Gaming – PlayStation Vita

Sony announced on June 7, 2011, their next portable gaming system, PlayStation Vita.  Vita means “life” in Latin.  The Wi-Fi model will be available for $249 or $299 for the 3G/Wi-Fi version.  AT & T will be Vita’s exclusive 3G partner. The Vita has a 5″ multi-touch organic light emitting diode (OLED) (960×544 pixels) as its front display and has a multi-touch pad on the rear. 

The PS Vita allows game play like never before, featuring three-dimension-like motion through finger motions of push and pull, trace, push and pull, and grab. PlayStation’s Vita has two analog sticks which create a larger genre of games for the portable gaming experience. It will also have 6-axis motion sensors and dual front and back facing cameras. 

This device is supposed to run on a quad core ARM Cortex A9 processor. Vita will be preloaded with a new application called “Party”, which enables the user to engage in voice or text chat  while online gaming and also when playing different games, or even performing different applications, like surfing the internet. 

PS Vita will also come with an application called “Welcome Park”, which is a user’s guide to accustom them easily to the features of Vita and to easily learn the three-dimension-like  finger motions on the PS Vita.

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REVIEW: Mad Catz has more Xbox 360 licensed audio headsets for gamers

When it comes to gaming, you surely place a premium on expensive peripherals if you feel that you want to remain at the top of your game always – after all, let’s just say that if your mouse is slightly faster thanks to its wired connection that has gold-plated USB connectors, it is worth every penny since it might mean the difference between life or death in that particular fragfest. Mad Catz has long been a name associated with quality gaming peripherals, and they have just worked to release a new exclusive range of co-branded, licensed audio headsets for the Xbox 360.

These headsets will be co-branded under the TRITTON and Xbox 360 brands, where it will comprise of a couple of wireless headsets and a wired headset. After all, gaming audio is a vital cog in Mad Catz’s business, and is touted to be a key growth driver in the immediate future. Expect these new headsets to ship in time for the holiday season this year, where we will look at them in greater detail in the extended post.

TRITTON Warhead 7.1 Dolby Wireless Surround Headset for Xbox 360

This model is touted to be the first truly wireless Dolby 7.1 surround sound headset for the Xbox 360 in the world, so don’t expect to be tethered to your Xbox 360 in any way, letting you play in the laziest of postures that you are accustomed to while gaining the ability to hear every single footstep made by your opponent.

• Truly Wireless – Utilizes Xbox 360’s secure Wireless Xbox Live voice communications (no cable to the controller)
• 5.8Ghz Wireless Technology – Clear surround sound without interference from
• wireless devices (range 33ft/10m)
• Dolby Headphone 7.1 Surround Sound – Expands native stereo and 5.1 game and movie audio to immersive 7.1 surround sound
• 50mm Neodymium Drivers – Precision tuned and balanced speakers
• Two Hot-Swappable Rechargeable Battery Packs – Change batteries on the fly for endless gaming
• Selective Voice Monitoring (SVM) – Allows the gamer to enable or disable the ability to hear their own voice
• Audio Control – Independent voice and game volume controls with mic and game mute
• Built-in EQ – Gamer can choose from pre-defined equalizer settings for movies and games
• Designed for Extended Play – Padded adjustable headband and plush around-the-ear earcups
• Everything Needed to Connect to Any Xbox 360 – Supports both analog and digital audio connections and includes Digital Audio Adapter (for use with HDMI installations)

TRITTON Devastator Wireless Stereo Headset

As for the TRITTON Devastator Wireless Stereo Headset, this is also a wireless model that will offer Selective Voice Monitoring (SVM), delivering clear, balanced stereo sound, analog input, where it will be juiced by a couple of AA alkaline batteries.

Last but not least, the TRITTON Detonator Stereo Headset for Xbox 360 won’t have any wireless capability but that doesn’t mean it is any less in terms of performance, and since it is wired, that means it will play nice with other compatible devices such as portable media players and handsets. Features of the TRITTON Detonator Stereo Headset include :-

• Wired Stereo Headset provides clear, stereo sound
• Selective Voice Monitoring (SVM) – Allows the gamer to enable or disable the ability to hear their own voice
• 50mm Neodymium Drivers – Precision tuned and balanced speakers
• Audio Control – Independent voice and game mute and volume through wired in-line remote
• MP3 Player and Phones Support – 3.5mm jack supports both media playback and voice communications
• Designed for Extended Play – Padded adjustable headband and plush around-the-ear earcups
• Everything Needed to Connect to Any Xbox 360 – Supports analog audio connections and includes Analog Audio Adapter (for use with HDMI installations)

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110606005673/en/Mad-Catz%C2%AE-Announces-Range-Xbox-360%C2%AE-Co-Branded

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REVIEW: Microsoft Announces new Kinect Developments at E3 2011

 

I just arrived in L.A. just hours ago to report on E3. While I was on the way to my hotel, I happen to read another attendee’s text. It read: Microsoft just announced the 3602.

Apparently, this was some sort of misunderstanding. Unless Microsoft is planning to announce a second version of the Xbox 360 later at E3, the press conference that they held today was primarily devoted to advancements with the Kinect. Apparently, there will be more games that are Kinect compatible, like Tiger Woods, Madden, FIFA, Mass Effect 3, and Ghost Recon Future Soldier, as well as all future Tom Clancy games will be Kinect-able. I have no idea if “Kinect-able” is an official term, but it ought to be.

The Kinect will be used in new ways, like we once discussed with Forza4. Forza 4 uses head movement, and a Tom Clancy game allows the player to customize weapons with hand gestures. Fable: The Journey allows the player to use magic via hand movement. What is really going to sweep geeks off their feet is Star Wars Kinect, with use of the Force and a lightsaber.

Kinect seems to be targeting those younger audiences with Disneyland Adventures as well as Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster. All this, and adding Live TV to Xbox. It’s hard to believe that E3 hasn’t even officially begun yet!

By the way, I believe that those who attended Microsoft’s Press Conference got a free Xbox. The same thing happened last year, and I missed that one too. Man, I need to get to E3 earlier!

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-21539_7-20069377-10391702.html?tag=TOCcarouselMain.0

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REVIEW: Defiance is an MMO and a TV show

 

One of the challenges of franchises these days is to create a storyline that exists on multilple media. Some of you might remember how the Enter the Matrix game ties the last two Matrix movies together, but what if there was a game that worked with it’s related TV show.

This is the concept behind Syfy’s Defiance, which is both a game by Trion Worlds that will also be a TV show. As players play the game, their actions actually change the way the show will progress. The game itself is both an MMO and an FPS, which are two game genres that don’t really mix well.

I’m not certain how well Defiance will play out, but I will say that I am relieved. After all, most MMO games are all about characters going through missions to earn personal points, but most of the world that they can freely explore is completely immutable. For example, if there was a giant rock in front of them, and the player had some dynamite, they could not put a crack in the rock unless the game allowed it. Today’s games, especailly MMOs, are pretty expansive, but they have limits.

However, to have a player’s actions affect the show might give a good feeling to the gamer when they watch the Defiance television show. I can just see a scene where the characters are explaining that “such and such battle was a complete victory”. Then one of the players watching will turn to his friends and say, “hey, we were in that battle”.

And so the players can feel more immersed in their vicarious existence, more involved in a community, and all make a difference together. I’m looking forward to seeing both the Defiance game and TV show, but I hope it isn’t the next Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future. Go ahead and enter a comment if you know what that is a reference to.

By the way, I am at E3 in LA for the next few days. Expect a lot of video game related posts.

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/06/playing-this-vi.php

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REVIEW: Sony PlayStation Vita announced

E3 2011 is where Sony has announced their vision of the future of portable console gaming – and they have decided to call it the PlayStation Vita, or PS Vita for short. As usual, it will start off with the lowest number in terms of model naming just like the original PSP, going by the moniker of the PCH-1000 series. This will be the official platform name for the next generation portable entertainment system, where you can choose the from a Wi-Fi only model as well as a 3G capable model – this seems to follow the footsteps of tablet devices, no?

The Wi-Fi only model will retail for $249 in US and €249 in Europe, while the 3G/Wi-Fi model will retail for $299 in US and €299 in Europe, as they will launch in time to meet the frenzied demands of parents this coming Christmas as they make a mad scramble to find a present other than the iPhone 4 or iPad 2 for their kids.

“Vita”, which means “Life” in Latin, was picked by Sony’s top brass because it will be the next generation portable entertainment system, enabling a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity as Sony hopes to change every aspect of user’s daily life into an entertainment experience. PS Vita will ship with a lovely 5″ multi-touch organic light emitting diode (OLED) display on the front, while there will be a special multi-touch pad located on the rear.

Apart from that, the PS Vita fully intends to deliver a totally new game play experience that has never been seen before, letting users interact directly with games in three dimension-like motion, via “touch, grab, trace, push and pull” finger motions. Coupled with two analog sticks for a wider range of game genres that can be enjoyed on a portable experience, we suspect that the learning curve for some games might be rather steep.

The PS Vita will also come pre-installed with a newly and specially developed application known as “Party”, where this innovative application will let you enjoy voice chat or text chat when you are gaming online without missing a beat. Seems to be rather pricey at first glance – would you go for the Nintendo 3DS instead?

http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/110607a_e.html

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REVIEW: Sony to release own 3D display for gaming purposes

 

Sony has taken advantage of E3 2011 to announce that they will be rolling out a spanking new 24″ 3D Display for the masses later this fall, where it will arrive in the Land of the Rising Sun, North America, Europe/PAL territories, and Asian countries/regions. Wait a minute – doesn’t that mean the whole world? Perhaps, save for Africa. Well, our friends living in North America will be pleased to know that the Sony 3D Display will be accompanied by its own pair of 3D Glasses to help you get started right out of the box, in addition to an HDMI cable and one of the most anticipated titles on the PS3 platform – Resistance 3 from Insomniac Games.

Retailing for $499.99, it would prove to be an interesting experience and perhaps a hard sell, considering how the economy does not look as though it would change its outlook anytime soon, even when Christmas time rolls around. Just in case you were wondering, you can also purchase the 3D Glasses separately if you do not want to pick up this bundle, where it will retail for $69.99 Stateside.

This new product will offer gamers easy access to all of their 3D entertainment in a step as simple as connecting the PS3 to the 3D Display. The 3D Display itself will feature a 24″ full HD LCD display which is an industry first for its size – according to Sony, where the display adopts quad-speed frame sequential display technology which is capable of minimizing crosstalk distortion for stunningly realistic 3D viewing experiences. The 3D Display will also boast of support for a bunch of 3D formats, where among them include “frame packing,” “top and bottom” and “side by side,” letting users experience different options when it comes to 3D enjoyment.

Other features of the Sony 3D display include :-

•     Full high-definition display with contrast ratio of 5000:1
•     Wide viewing angle of 176 degrees
•     High response time (4ms GTG average)
•     Special feature for two-player mode
•     High quality sound
•     Slim, sleek design
•     3D Glasses
•     Versatility for the supported devices

http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/110607b_e.html

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REVIEW: Batarang Controllers coming to PS3 and Xbox 360 in October

Right now, I am anticipating the opening of E3 video games show, but “official” announcements just keep leaking out. One of them is these Batman-themed controllers.

As you might have guessed, these Batman controllers are designed to accessorize the imminent release of Batman: Arkham City. For those who aren’t aware, Batman: Arkham City is a sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum, a very popular video game. I’m sure that you have noticed by now that they bear resemblance to the Batarang, the main weapon of the caped crusader.

These particular controllers come with reverse analog sticks, dual rumble motors, as well as black rubber grips. They even have some LED highlights, like the AFTERGLOW controllers from PDP that we have reported on in the past.

They are made for the PS3 and the Xbox 360. You may notice that the Xbox 360 version is wearing a wire, but it is a 10 foot long cord. The Xbox 360 version also has a chat headset port built into it. As for the PS3 version, it has a USB receiver that plugs into the PS3 USB port, as well as a six foot charging cable.

These controllers should be available on October 18 this year, the same day that Batman: Arkham City will be released. The price will be about $49.99. Since I am at E3, I want to see if I can get a sight of them at the show.

http://www.gamertell.com/gaming/comment/e3-2011-play-batman-arkham-city-with-power-a-batarang-controllers/

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REVIEW: Nintendo shows off the Wii U at E3 2011

We all knew that the Wii 2 was coming at E3, and it is here! It is actually called the Wii U. That’s two personal pronouns (We and You) all in one!

It is also a screen and controller all in one. That’s right, you don’t have to have a TV to enjoy video gaming goodness. So the next time my wife wants to watch Grey’s Anatomy while I’m wanting to play Lego Star Wars, we will both win. The user has access to a 6.2 inch touchscreen embedded on the controller.

I’m not too surprised that Nintendo didn’t go 3DS on the screen, but the good news is that it has finally gone 1080p HD, compatible with HDMI, component, S-video, and composite cables. it will also have expandable memory with an SD card or external USB HDD (through one of four USB slots). And yes, it is reverse-compatible with the original Wii games.

Of course, you will have to wait until 2012 to get your mitts on it, but it will have games that would probably never had any screen-time on the first Wii such as Batman: Arkham City, the next Assassin’s Creed game, and others.

I wish I could have got a picture of the Wii U to show you, but the line to it was just way too long at the E3 Nintendo booth. Maybe I will brave it tomorrow.

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