Good thing it's a weeknight.

Our long-time staff writer, and recently appointed Previews Editor, Mike Sklens (StrikerObi) turns 21 today. While I have no clue what his plans are for the day, I'm glad it's a weeknight because Mike can get pretty excited even when he's sober.

All kidding aside, Mike Sklens has been a valuable member of our team for ages. Despite being almost four years younger than me, he was already a PGC veteran and minor celebrity when I came on staff. Now in his new role as Previews Editor, he's worked hard to organize and edit tons of DS previews just before launch.

Stats show that gamers are preparing for the next generation.

In-Stat/MDR Reports Declining Shipments and Prices Continue as Game Console Market Awaits the Next Generation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2004--The video game console market remains in the back end of its current cycle, with declining shipments expected to continue until the next generation of consoles come to market, reports In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com). The high-tech market research firm finds that Sony is still dominating the market with its PlayStation 2 (PS2) console, which shipped its 70 millionth unit in January 2004.

Current Attractions begins a color-coded game rating system focused on content instead of age.

INDEPENDENT RATINGS SYSTEM TARGETS VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY

A Detailed Analysis of Video Games’ Profanity, Sex, Violence Available at CurrentAttractions.com

Research Finds Ambiguities And Inconsistencies In Current Industry-Run Ratings

LOS ANGELES, November 30, 2004 – Cutting through the ambiguity of the current industry-run ratings, Current Attractions has begun an objective and quantitative reporting on the Profanity, Sex, and Violence in today’s hottest video game releases. With Current Attractions’ use of the proprietary PSVratings technology, parents will know exactly what to expect before they purchase video games containing potentially objectionable material for their children.

Brutally hard shooting now available on your GBA.

SNK NEOGEO USA CONSUMER CORPORATION SHIPS METAL SLUG ADVANCE

SNK's Most Popular Action Franchise Miniaturized, Features New E-cards

WALL, NJ (November 30, 2004) SNK NEOGEO USA CONSUMER CORPORATION, the US publishing arm of the SNK PLAYMORE CORP., announced today that the company has shipped its first title for the Nintendo Game Boy® Advance, METAL SLUG ADVANCE.

METAL SLUG ADVANCE will feature five, all-new, action-packed missions plus diverse areas and rugged terrain including subterranean dungeons such as mysterious ruins, limestone caverns, and lava zones. As an added bonus, METAL SLUG ADVANCE will feature 100 different METAL SLUG E-cards to enhance player's abilities and assist them in the completion of their missions

Nintendo is running with its former president's proposal for an animated film studio.

Nikkei News confirmed Thursday that Nintendo is internally making an animated film for 2006.

Hiroshi Yamauchi announced his plans to found a new film production studio in September; it appears his proposal last month garnered support from Nintendo's major investors.

The initial story drafted plans for a movie based the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu poems. Nikkei now reports that Nintendo is considering a movie based on one of its own game franchises instead.

Nintendo's North American division purchases the former president's shares, amassing over fifty percent of the team.

Nintendo of America announced Friday that it now owns over half of the Seattle Mariners.

Athough NOA already owned part of the Mariners, it spent $67 million to purchase former Nintendo NCL president Hiroshi Yamauchi's stake in the baseball team, making Nintendo the majority owner of Seattle's team.

NOA president Yasuhiro Minagawa would not give any exact figures, but explained that Nintendo and Yamauchi performed the trade to ensure that a single owner will keep the team home in Washington.

When they are not at war, it would appear that Frankie's famous outfit are working on a DS & GBA project.

Two Tribes announces new games and is looking to hire new staff

HARDERWIJK, The Netherlands, November 24th 2004: Two Tribes, the Dutch game developer behind Capcom's Toki Tori, announces its involvement in two new game projects: Worms World Party and Three Tribes. Furthermore, Two Tribes is looking for new talents to join the company.

WORMS WORLD PARTY

First out of the gate will be THQ Wireless' Worms World Party, which is developed for the Nokia N-Gage game deck. Converted from the popular PC original, Worms World Party features globally appealing humor, habit-forming multiplayer match-ups, and a myriad of game options to keep you coming back for more. "Developed in cooperation with US-based Paragon5, Sweden-based Synergenix and Netherlands-based CodeGlue, it represents a truly global effort to bring the Worms universe to gamers all over the world." says Collin van Ginkel, managing director at Two Tribes.

The advocacy group announces its verdict on the industry’s efforts to keep adult games away from kids.

The National Institute on Media and the Family held a press conference in Washington earlier today to unveil its yearly report card on the video game industry. David Walsh, founder and president of the organization, presented the grades and gave a speech detailing the group’s findings. Walsh expressed concern at what he calls a “double message” being sent by the industry, that parents should heed the ESRB ratings system (which is a self-imposed, voluntary regulation) even though there is insufficient scientific data to show that games have an effect on a child’s mental or social development. Walsh also commented on the fact that many of this year’s most violent games are also among the most critically acclaimed, saying that game critics should include morality as a factor in how they review games. Walsh also criticized the ESRB for what he considers inadequate enforcement of the “AO” (Adults Only) rating, saying that many games being granted “M” (Mature) ratings fall under the ESRB’s own criteria for “AO” but are given the lesser rating.

New Yorkers and tourists can talk with Mario during the shopping season, but this may just be the start of his grand travels.

Toys 'R Us and Nintendo know holiday shopping isn't always jolly, so they are doing their part to cheer up their customers. Mario is appearing at the giant Toys 'R Us in Times Square to entertain and interact with shoppers during the busiest time of the year. In fact, the plumber already made his first appearance today! The Nintendo mascot appears on a large LCD screen, and people may talk to him via a nearby microphone.

Nintendo fans can meet Mario and Wario (voiced by Charles Martinet, of course) through December 20th, and possibly beyond. His weekly schedule (Eastern Time) is roughly as follows:

However, Shrek still says he hates the guy.

TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue from EA and Krome Studios Acclaimed as a ''Must-Have Game'' for Kids and Families

Action-Packed, Kid-Friendly Title Hailed as "Perfect Pick" by Critics and Kid-Testers, Available for $19.95

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2004-- With the holidays approaching, Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) and Krome Studios have once again partnered up to deliver an outstanding mix of kids' entertainment and family value with TY the Tasmanian Tiger™ 2: Bush Rescue™. Developed by Australia's leading game development company Krome Studios, TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue is the sequel to TY the Tasmanian Tiger, which has sold more than one million units worldwide. TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue is a hit with the critics including FamilyFun magazine and its kid-testers which named the game a top-10 "must have" holiday title, and also a hit with parents and kids, who can now pick up a fun, wholesome game for less than $20.