RUMOR: Wii successor specs leaked

Well the crazy people over at IGN are claiming they've got a source who knows all about the next-gen Nintendo home console. Here is what they've got to say:

Additionally, IGN has learned that the system will be based on a revamped version of AMD's R700 GPU architecture, not AMD's Fusion technology as previously believed, which will, as previously reported, out perform the PlayStation 3's NVIDIA 7800GTX-based processor. Like the Xbox 360, the system's CPU will be a custom-built triple-core IBM PowerPC chipset, but the clocking speeds will be faster. The system will support 1080p output with the potential for stereoscopic 3D as well, though it has not been determined whether that will be a staple feature.

They are also claiming the system will retail for "anywhere between $350 and $400 based on manufacturing costs" - "will ship from Taiwanese manufacturer, Foxconn, this October, putting the earliest possible retail release anywhere between mid-October and early November."

That's quite a bit to take in, but it sounds like it'll be slightly more powerful than the Xbox 360 & PS3 - and I think that's going to be a pretty kick ass prospect. If the prior rumors of full Wii backwards compatibility are true, then this could be a massive hit. Personally, I really do hope that Nintendo goes out of it's way to court the 3rd party developers - they are going to be key if Nintendo wants to be seen as a real player in the hardcore market again. The addition and total support for a classic style controller is also very key in my opinion. I'm not saying to do away with the Wii Mote and that set up, I'm just asking that Nintendo allow the developers to pick a control scheme that fits the title (and not to fit the title around the control scheme). I'm also asking for a classic style controller "out of the box", and an on board Ethernet port would be a very nice addition as i don't care to use WiFi for gaming.

Allow me to move my existing VC and WiiWare titles to this new system - and keep the VC idea going, it's brilliant.

E3 is going to be a hell of a show this year folks. Let's hope those Mayans were full of shit, because 2012 is going to be a crazy year for gaming...

PSN Still down, bargain bin shopping

So, PSN is still down, and of course I find myself with a nice little score from the bargain bin - Skate 3 for PS3.

Luckily there's plenty of this game that can be played offline, it's just that it feels wrong in some way to NOT have the PSN active on the PS3. More to the point this sucks because it's the start of a long weekend for me, and who doesn't enjoy a little online multi-player violence to celebrate Easter weekend?

Oh well. Back to Skate 3!

Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version trailer!

Our good pals over at Obvious Winner sent this my way -



This is intended to be a sort of beta test of Mega Man Legends 3 (it's planned to launch with the 3DS eShop), which will eventually come out for the Nintendo 3DS.

Looks like 3D Mega Man done RIGHT for a change!

Thanks for the tip khz!

Just as I'm about to start a long weekend... PSN is down

...and it could remain as such for another day or two.

Here is the official word from Sony:

While we are investigating the cause of the Network outage, we wanted to alert you that it may be a full day or two before we’re able to get the service completely back up and running. Thank you very much for your patience while we work to resolve this matter. Please stay tuned to this space for more details, and we’ll update you again as soon as we can.

I guess it's a sign i should spend some quality time with my 360.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Escalation DLC preview

As if this needs any introduction.... Here's a little preview of the upcoming DLC "Escalation" for Black Ops that's coming out May 3rd on the 360:



I know I'll out $15 when this hits the Marketplace...

New Sonic Generations gameplay footage

Here's an unfortunately blurry, yet long video showing off the hybrid game style of Sonic Generations:



Look, i really want to get super excited for this (I do, really!) - But I know the Sonic Cycle all too well... It's just almost too good to be true. But that said, we've got old school meets new school Sonic game play (this could either be really awesome or totally horrible)and no hint of any friends (Tails and Knuckles are always welcome in my dojo).

Don't fuck this up Sega.

(ps- Sonic 4 Episodes 2? is this even going to happen?)

In other news, I managed to score 3 StreetPass tags the other night (standing around a GameStop when people are picking up pre-orders was a good idea!). Two of said tags also had Street Fighter 4 data. I won both figure matches, then promptly blew about 8,000FP on Figure Slots. Once the 3DS reaches critical mass StreetPass is going to be a pretty slick functionality. I'm really excited to see what is in store for this functionality.

R.I.P. PSP Go

From the oh-that-thing-is-still-around dept...

Sony is halting further production of the PSP Go. I can't say I'm too broken up over this, it was simply too little too late in the PSP's life to do such a radical makeover. Well, that and the fact I've already got 3 older PSPs...

Anyway, I suspect this is just an effort to clear the way for the NGP - I'll be surprised if a release date and final name isn't discussed at E3. I've got a real rotten feeling in terms of the retail price of this beast though...