tag:www.busygamernews.com,2012://1 2007-07-17T22:32:19Z News, reviews and advocacy for gamers who have a life. Movable Type Pro 5.12 tag:www.busygamernews.com,2006://1.941 2006-07-11T07:14:10Z 2007-07-17T22:32:19Z

Rumors are flying that Nintendo plans to capitalize on its positive E3 buzz by moving up the Wii launch to October. This is a little earlier than predicted and, if Microsoft and Nintendo can saturate the holiday marketplace with their...

Gamewatcher Rumors are flying that Nintendo plans to capitalize on its positive E3 buzz by moving up the Wii launch to October. This is a little earlier than predicted and, if Microsoft and Nintendo can saturate the holiday marketplace with their next-gen consoles - which together total little more than one PS3 - they might shut Sony out of their reindeer games. It's believed that Nintendo has already begun producing final hardware and that they've compressed schedules for launch titles... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2006://1.825 2006-02-08T07:59:32Z 2007-07-17T22:36:41Z

The '80s classic shooter Crystal Quest is now available with upgraded graphics and sound on Xbox Live Arcade for the 360. The best part? It's only $5 and includes the original version. Apart from the many announced titles in the...

Gamewatcher The '80s classic shooter Crystal Quest is now available with upgraded graphics and sound on Xbox Live Arcade for the 360. The best part? It's only $5 and includes the original version. Apart from the many announced titles in the works, the big rumor about Arcade is that some 50 Dreamcast games are being ported for Marketplace release later this year. Could Microsoft be enlisting Sega to make a preemptive strike against Nintendo's plan to release its rather impressive back catalog on the Revolution? Not to mention Sony, which is rumored to be working on its own retro gaming counterstrike for the PS3 that could easily include many classic PlayStation games... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2005://1.743 2005-11-09T15:44:28Z 2007-07-17T22:37:15Z

Not to sound anti-Sony, but there are a number of negative PlayStation 3 rumors that can't be ignored. First, to start on a positive note, the system's Cell processor does look like it may deliver more raw power than the...

Gamewatcher Not to sound anti-Sony, but there are a number of negative PlayStation 3 rumors that can't be ignored. First, to start on a positive note, the system's Cell processor does look like it may deliver more raw power than the Xbox 360 or Nintendo Revolution. There are also reports that it will be region free, at least for games. And its Blu-Ray discs will play HD movies and have more storage space than other next-gen systems, which could yield games with more high-end sound, video and bonus content (and no flipping!). On the downside, Sony has rejected suggestions of a unified online service (a la Xbox Live or Nintendo Wi-Fi) and we're hearing that developers are finding its architecture difficult to program. Also, the PS3 may cost twice the price of a 360 by the time it launches in 2006 and now there's buzz that the it might contain technology to block secondhand games. This would make game publishers happy, since they lose a ton of revenue to used games and rentals. But it would be marketplace suicide, Divx-style, unless the games cost significantly less than the $60 expected for most next-gen titles... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2005://1.644 2005-08-04T16:25:27Z 2006-11-14T22:07:29Z

In one of the better pre-order deals, Vivendi Universal is offering a limited-edition reprint of The Incredible Hulk #1 comic from 1962 when you pony up early for The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, due Aug. 23. The game is modeled...

Gamewatcher The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, due Aug. 23. The game is modeled after Spider-Man 2, which was a knock-off of the Grand Theft Auto style of open-ended play - for those keeping score at home... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2005://1.574 2005-05-16T15:23:04Z 2006-11-14T22:07:29Z

On the eve of E3, the console rumors are flying. First, it appears Sony and Apple have joined forces on the PlayStation 3, suggesting both iPod integration (which, we predicted, will be sorely lacking in Xbox 360) and a new...

Gamewatcher PlayStation 3, suggesting both iPod integration (which, we predicted, will be sorely lacking in Xbox 360) and a new user-friendly interface (finally!)... In addition to built-in wireless networking, Nintendo Revolution (due in 2006) will play GameCube games. So you'll be able to enjoy The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (as the new realistic Link game has been named) on either system... Microsoft's big strategy for heading off the console war competition seems to be this: Release Halo 3 in spring 2006. This, of course, assumes that Sony isn't prepared to move up its launch... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2005://1.528 2005-03-25T08:06:58Z 2006-11-14T22:07:29Z

If you were hoping to pick up Soul Calibur III on anything but the PS2, you'll be disappointed. Due out by year's end, the game will offer up three new characters including, it's rumored, Dante from the Devil May Cry...

Gamewatcher Soul Calibur III on anything but the PS2, you'll be disappointed. Due out by year's end, the game will offer up three new characters including, it's rumored, Dante from the Devil May Cry series. If none of the premade characters suit you, you'll be able to create your own. Hm, maybe you can make one that looks like Master Chief... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2004://1.262 2004-06-24T16:27:06Z 2006-11-14T22:07:29Z

Starcraft: Ghost has been delayed indefinitely, probably into 2005. The stealth shooter, based on the popular real-time strategy series, also lost co-developer Nihilistic Software. It's not clear whether they left voluntarily or were shoved, but rumor has it the game...

Gamewatcher Starcraft: Ghost has been delayed indefinitely, probably into 2005. The stealth shooter, based on the popular real-time strategy series, also lost co-developer Nihilistic Software. It's not clear whether they left voluntarily or were shoved, but rumor has it the game needs major refocus on the much-trumpeted stealth elements... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2004://1.243 2004-06-03T14:55:52Z 2006-11-14T22:07:29Z

After breaking free somewhat in Bustin' Out, the next console Sims title puts your highly customizable creation into a bustling metropolis. The Urbz: Sims in the City, due late 2004, has you build your reputation to unlock new areas and...

Gamewatcher The Urbz: Sims in the City, due late 2004, has you build your reputation to unlock new areas and actually go to work instead of just watching your house when your Sim catches the bus. Also, expect lots of mini-games (such as sushi making) and, on the PS2, EyeToy integration... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2004://1.240 2004-05-31T23:09:52Z 2006-11-14T22:07:29Z

If you've been itching to play a Daredevil game, bad news. The developer, Encore, decided it should focus on publishing and not game design. Hey, it's not even a Warner Bros. property......

Gamewatcher Daredevil game, bad news. The developer, Encore, decided it should focus on publishing and not game design. Hey, it's not even a Warner Bros. property... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2004://1.138 2004-01-30T16:09:51Z 2006-11-14T22:07:29Z

Console price cut rumors are in the air. The most likely time for a drop is E3 in May and expectations are for a $50 reduction on PlayStation 2 and Xbox systems. Now, some analyst has posited that Microsoft might...

Gamewatcher PlayStation 2 and Xbox systems. Now, some analyst has posited that Microsoft might take the dramatic step of cutting to $99 by end of summer. Folks, this borders on rampant speculation. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me to find some Microsoft bean counter running the numbers right now. At this rate, with the price deficit where it is, Nintendo could have to start paying people to take the GameCube... ]]> tag:www.busygamernews.com,2003://1.109 2003-12-25T08:21:36Z 2006-11-14T22:07:29Z

Did you get an HDTV this holiday? Be sure to pick up some games that support the higher resolution modes; there's a helpful list at http://www.hdtvarcade.com/. Here's a quick guide: 16x9 = widescreen resolution480i = standard TV picture quality480p =...

Gamewatcher http://www.hdtvarcade.com/.

Here's a quick guide:

16x9 = widescreen resolution
480i = standard TV picture quality
480p = very good picture and available for at least a few games on all major consoles
720p = excellent picture but Xbox only
1080i = overrated since it tends to max out the Xbox graphics card

[See related Rant] ]]>