Busy Gamer News

Tecmo revealed that its highly anticipated Ninja Gaiden for Xbox will include the original 1980s arcade brawler (later ported to the Atari Lynx) as an unlockable feature�

Following in the footsteps of Tomb Raider, Resident Evil and House of the Dead, Konami's Silent Hill will be adapted for the silver screen. No big names attached to the project yet. Let's hope it's not 90 minutes of some poor schlub trying to open doors with broken locks�

Finally, a real-time strategy game based on the world of hobbits, humans, orcs, elves and wizards. Electronic Arts' The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth will be built on the Command & Conquer: Generals game engine. Expect to see it released summer 2004 for the PC...

No doubt hoping to combat flagging sales and spur holiday purchases, Nintendo has dropped the price on its GameCube to $99. Yes, that means you can get a complete GameCube console for the same price as a GameBoy Advance SP...

Microsoft is touting the news that its Xbox console is the only console to show growth in its installed base in the last year  (up 6% from August 2002 to August 2003) and software sales (up 58%). Of course, Sony -- which had a headstart in the current generation of consoles -- still has a much larger installed base, but this could spell bad news for Nintendo...

So far, Nokia's N-Gage mobile phone/gaming portable has been getting a lukewarm reception from critics. But at least now it'll be cheaper to try, thanks to a 30-day free trial offer from service provider T-Mobile. (Of course, the device itself costs $299, so start saving your pocket change.) After the 30 days, there will be a $9.99 monthly fee for unlimited gaming with a qualifying voice plan...

Nintendo revealed a new Wireless Adapter for GameBoy Advance. The wireless adapter snaps onto the GBA much like the GameCube adapter, enabling up to five people to play each other. Before you get too excited, the adapter is only being released in Japan (at least initially) and it will only work with games designed specifically to use it. In other words, you won't be tossing out your GBA connector cables anytime soon...

The recycled Sega Dreamcast action/RPG Rent A Hero No.1, now being ported to Xbox, has been delayed indefinitely. U.S. publisher AIA USA muttered something unintelligible about changes in market conditions. Don't hold your breath for this one...

Game delays: Painkiller, the PC shooter featuring demon massacre for redemption (think Devil May Cry meets Doom), has slipped. The new ship date for PC gamers is March 10, 2004. The June date for Xbox still seems feasible, but might slide as well...