Messages

[What!? Can the Q get any shinier?!?]

1776

TalkBack / New Matsushita Q Model in the Works

« on: September 26, 2002, 09:13:57 PM »

What!?  Can the Q get any shinier?!?

XenGamers is reporting that Matsushita is planning on adding a new feature to the already drool-a-riffic hybrid GameCube/DVD player, the Q.  In addition to playing GameCube games and DVD movies (not to mention being downright sexy), this new model will have TiVo-like digital video recording capabilities.  Yes, now you can finally watch TV and play videogames at the same time!

For those that are thinking of importing, no price has been set yet.  In addition, Matsushita will still produce the original Q model.  The new Q is scheduled for a Spring 2003 release in Japan.

[No, you don't get to meet the Osbournes, but you do get a chance to say you've been on MTV. Details within...]

1777

TalkBack / MTV Wants You

« on: September 25, 2002, 07:39:23 PM »

No, you don't get to meet the Osbournes, but you do get a chance to say you've been on MTV.  Details within...

True Life, MTV's documentary series, has a future episode entitled True Life: I'm a Gamer.  The cable network is looking for a few good gamers... gamers like you, as a matter of fact.  Here's what they're looking for:

Are you heavily involved in video games? Are you involved in competitions or leagues with friends? How deep is your obsession? We want to know. What is it about this alternate form of reality that inspires you to neglect sleep, hygiene and nutritional needs in the name of domination?  

Write us a quick note about your particular gaming obsession at gamer@mtvstaff.com. Make certain to include personal information such as age, gender, a contact number/email, and place of residence.

What could be easier?  Except maybe the millions of others that would also like the opportunity.  Don't forget to show PGC some love in return if you just happen to be selected for this job.

[Not bad, considering it was only out for 6 days that month.]

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TalkBack / Mario Sunshine is #2 Seller for August

« on: September 24, 2002, 08:42:42 PM »

Not bad, considering it was only out for 6 days that month.

Madden, Mario Dominate August U.S. Game Sales

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - John Madden and "Mario" -- both roly-poly, both beloved and both featured in blockbuster video games -- dominated game sales charts in August, according to data released on Tuesday.  

"Madden NFL 2003," published by Electronic Arts Inc., was the top-selling video game in August, based on units sold, according to data released by market research service NPDFunworld.  

It was the top game on two of the three leading consoles platforms in the month, Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox and Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2 .  

The only platform Madden did not dominate was Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s GameCube, where the top seller was "Super Mario Sunshine," the newest game in a franchise that has generated billions of dollars in sales over the last 20 years.  

"Sunshine" managed to clinch the No. 2 sales rank overall for the month even though it was not released until Aug. 26.

However, it was the only GameCube game to make the top 20 for the month. The PS2 dominated, with 11 titles on the list. The Xbox came in with four, Nintendo's handheld Game Boy Advance had two, and the older Game Boy Color and Sony PlayStation had one each.  

Among the independent publishers, Electronic Arts led the month, with five of the top 20 games, including four in the top 10 titles.  

Probably the most heavily-watched competition of the month was the sales battle between "Madden," which has dominated, and "NFL 2K3," Sega Corp.'s football title that the company has pushed as a strong alternative in the category.  

"2K3" was the No. 8 game of the month on the PS2, No. 3 on the Xbox and No. 14 overall for August.

For reference, Madden 2003 was released on August 12, two weeks before Mario.

[Now you can make SUVs roll over from the comfort of your own home!]

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TalkBack / 4×4 Evo 2 Ships for GameCube

« on: September 24, 2002, 11:09:45 AM »

Now you can make SUVs roll over from the comfort of your own home!

Universal Interactive Has Shipped Off-Road Racing Sequel '4x4 Evo 2' for the Nintendo GameCube(TM) Customized SUV's and Monster Trucks Race Onto Video Game Consoles Nationwide

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Sept. 24 -- Universal Interactive, Inc., a studio of the Games division of Vivendi Universal Publishing, announced today that it has shipped "4x4 Evo 2," an off-road racing game, for the Nintendo GameCube(TM).   Developed by Terminal Reality, "4x4 Evo 2" features dozens of licensed trucks and SUV's and exclusively brings to the Nintendo GameCube(TM) playing experience the Alpine navigation system, five new vehicles, and four new tracks in more than 32 outdoor courses set in diverse locations around the world. Players get behind the wheel of the Stillen Silverado Monster truck, the Warn Dodge Dakota, the Calmini Nissan Frontier, and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and hit new speeds as they venture from the mountains of Costa Rica to the deserts of Egypt.

In addition, "4x4 Evo 2" is the first game to support the Logitech® Speed Force(TM) force feedback racing wheel for the Nintendo GameCube(TM).

"We are excited to add to our already successful 2002 product line this ultra-realistic game that fully exploits the power and technology of the Nintendo GameCube(TM)," said Nicholas Longano, general manager of Universal Interactive. "4x4 Evo 2 offers an entertaining gameplay experience designed to appeal to racing gamers and off-road enthusiasts."

[If you know where to find it, and how to get it, you might score a nice SFA freebie. But it's not quite what you'd expect...]

1780

TalkBack / Star Fox Adventures Swag Alert

« on: September 19, 2002, 12:50:05 PM »

If you know where to find it, and how to get it, you might score a nice SFA freebie.  But it's not quite what you'd expect...

Yosco, one of our readers, has informed us about a nice little freebie that can be acquired.  Here's what he has to tell us:

I found these while walking the around Circuit City in Westwood, California.  I was on my way out of the game section and on the counter was a box of these air fresheners...I felt like I was at E3 again, I kind of felt funny about taking the items but there was not any price sticker on any of the items and they were with the rest of the gaming brochures.  Just for good measure I took 4...I haven’t opened a freshener yet so I can’t tell you the scent.  (I sure hope it’s not fur scented, maybe pine.)

Nothing says Star Fox like that new fur smell

Yes, that's right, you too can own your very own Star Fox Adventures Air Freshener.  Now, we don't know if you can just walk in and take these, or if you need to buy the game to recieve them.  We're also not quite sure if these are only available at Circuit City stores, or if they're gettable elsewhere.  All we know is that they're out there.

If you know the particulars on how to score one of these, please tell us about it via our news submission form.

[Tonight we're having trivia like always, but once again there's that extra little incentive to win. What's the prize this week? Click to find out.]

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TalkBack / Prize Trivia Tonight at 9p CT!

« on: September 06, 2002, 12:08:24 PM »

Tonight we're having trivia like always, but once again there's that extra little incentive to win.  What's the prize this week?  Click to find out.

Yep, it's time for our weekly reader particpation event, or as we like to refer to it as, Planet Trivia.  Most of you regulars know the deal, so we'll see you there, but for everyone else, here's what's going down.

First and foremost, read and understand the trivia rules.  With so many people participating (usually over 100), any rule-breakers will be banned, so if you want to stay, you need to play nice.
You might also want to check out our Trivia Strategy Guide and PlanetChat FAQ while you're at it.

And now, we reveal this week's lovely prize:

Yes, you too could own your very own Billy Berghammer!

Billy is wearing what will be the prize: A Super Monkey Ball T-Shirt!  This is the exact shirt he was wearing at the Twin Galaxies' Videogame Festival a few months ago, and now it can be yours.  All you need to do is answer the most questions tonight.

See you in #PlanetChat, and good luck! (You'll need it.  Hee hee hee...)

[The game will actually help break down the week's matchups, and serve as quasi-instant replays, complete with telestrator. Amazing.]

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TalkBack / Madden 2003 Technology on Monday Night Football

« on: September 03, 2002, 07:56:05 AM »

The game will actually help break down the week's matchups, and serve as quasi-instant replays, complete with telestrator.  Amazing.

EA SPORTS and ABC SPORTS Debut John Madden's Videogame Analysis on Monday Night Football  

Partnership Has John Madden Using Madden NFL 2003 to Breakdown Monday Night Match-Ups During Broadcast

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2002-- EA SPORTS(TM) and ABC SPORTS are bringing Monday Night Football fans a new way to watch the games this season with an analysis by John Madden using Madden NFL(TM) 2003. During all 17 games this season, John Madden will use the Electronic Arts top-selling franchise, Madden NFL Football, to breakdown the weekly match-up and analyze key aspects of the game. This will be the first time that the Madden NFL game technology has been incorporated into the actual, in-game network broadcast. This segment will debut Monday night, September 9 during the first Monday Night Football Game of the regular season.  

Using Madden NFL 2003, ABC SPORTS can put a "virtual" camera in any location within an animating play and can track the camera across almost any path while the play is in motion. Madden NFL 2003 allows ABC SPORTS to show its viewers footage that could not be accessed from actual field cameras or from real game footage due to the sophisticated technology in Madden NFL 2003. As a result, ABC SPORTS will use Madden NFL 2003 to illustrate John Madden's unique analysis inside the broadcast itself to entertain its viewers in an unprecedented format.  

"Using the EA SPORTS-Madden NFL 2003 technology allows Monday Night Football to uniquely explain the intricacies of NFL Football in a clear and entertaining fashion. We are extremely excited about the relationship," said Fred Gaudelli, executive producer, Monday Night Football.  

Monday Night Football is the most successful primetime sports programming in television history. The series, now in its 33rd year, has been a top-ten-ranked primetime program in each of the last 11 years and is Network television's No.1 show for men.  

"We're thrilled with the opportunity to make history and bring this technology to Monday Night Football," said Chip Lange, vice president of marketing for North America EA. "Nobody has ever used graphics like these in a live, in-game broadcast before. We pioneered this way of breaking down games several years back but now with technology as powerful and sophisticated as the Madden NFL 2003 engine, we can actually move this analytical tool to where it has the most punch -- inside the broadcast itself. John loves to telestrate the plays and what better way to explain in detail than with his own videogame that he helped create 15 years ago. Monday Night Football viewers really will be amazed with what we feature each week this season."

[Don't want to wake up on Saturday? Catch a special early preview of the Kirby's new animated series!]

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TalkBack / Kirby: Right Back at Ya! Sneak Preview

« on: August 30, 2002, 06:55:31 PM »

Don't want to wake up on Saturday?  Catch a special early preview of the Kirby's new animated series!

The new series isn't set to premiere until September 14, but Fox hears our cry for Kirby, and is set to deliver.  This Sunday, September 1, at 7:00 PM (Eastern/Pacific), the Fox Network will be showing a special half-hour preview of its new FOX BOX lineup of anime programming.

Although you're not going to see a full episode, you can get a good idea of what's up with the show.  Watch it on Sunday night, and then get ready for the real thing in two two weeks.

 

[The thing is that this time, Japan is getting them after us.]

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TalkBack / Two New GBA Colors for Japan

« on: August 28, 2002, 08:37:16 AM »

The thing is that this time, Japan is getting them after us.

In addition to the six standard colors it already has, and the five million or so special colors available, it looks like Japan is getting two new colors to its GBA line-up. On September 27, Gold and Silver colored GBAs will become new primary colors for the system.

Now, before all you import-heads become angry over this, don't forget that both these colors have been available in North America for some time.  Obviously, the Silver GBA was released as Platinum here in the US a month or two ago.  The Gold GBA has been available as the Special Edition New York Pokémon Center GBA for more than a year.  (You can buy it online for MSRP.)

There's no word if NOA will be releasing the Gold GBA nationwide (sans Pokémarks), or Japan's other two standard GBA colors, Jet Black and Spice here in the US either.

[Isn't this guy dead yet? Guess not. The man speaks about his dealings after Nintendo.]

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TalkBack / Quick Yamauchi Q&A

« on: August 22, 2002, 08:38:52 PM »

Isn't this guy dead yet?  Guess not.  The man speaks about his dealings after Nintendo.

Our former lord and master, Hiroshi Yamauchi, talked with Nihon Keizai Magazine about what he's doing after holding the reigns of Nintendo for all these years.  While the interview was mostly about Japanese things, GA did pick out two interesting questions and shared them on its site.

Hop on over there and see what he has to say.

[Yamauchi, Iwata, and Miyamoto talk about the recent changes at Nintendo, and a lot more.]

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TalkBack / Dengenki Interviews Nintendo Top Brass

« on: August 12, 2002, 06:37:36 PM »

Yamauchi, Iwata, and Miyamoto talk about the recent changes at Nintendo, and a lot more.

This article is actually a press confrence (as opposed to a one-on-one interview) announcing Yamauchi's retirement and naming Satoshi Iwata as his successor.  Regardless, three of Nintendo's key figures reveal a great deal about quite few things.

Miyamoto talks about online gaming, Iwata says a few things about the non-backlit GBA and Pokémon, and, if you can believe this, Yamauchi says a few things about Square.

There's way too much good stuff in this article to miss it, so hop on over to XG and read it up.

[It's an older one, but it's a lot better. Come hear what Mario himself has to say about his voice.]

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TalkBack / Another Charles Martinet Interview

« on: August 12, 2002, 03:49:08 PM »

It's an older one, but it's a lot better.  Come hear what Mario himself has to say about his voice.

This radio interview was conducted on the first day of E3 this year, and in it, Martinet explains how he got his dream job, what other voices he portrays, and what he thinks about his job.  It's a really nice clip that you should listen to.

It's in streaming Real Audio format, so you're going to need Real Player.  If you've got it, go here and check it out.

[Nintendo puts up a HUGE interview with the three big-wigs of Super Mario Sunshine. You know you're going to read anything Miyamoto says.]

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TalkBack / Mario Sunshine Creators Interview

« on: August 06, 2002, 08:27:50 PM »

Nintendo puts up a HUGE interview with the three big-wigs of Super Mario Sunshine.  You know you're going to read anything Miyamoto says.

NCL interviewed Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka (the game's producers), and Yoshiaki Koizumi (director) after the launch of Sunshine in Japan last month.  Nintendo.com, being considerate of all us that speak English, translated it and put it up.

There's so much good reading in it, we don't even want to put up a snippet of it.  You should just stop reading this and get on over there!

[The developer of Wetrix announces an "action strategy" game for GameCube.]

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TalkBack / Pillage Coming to GameCube

« on: August 05, 2002, 09:40:43 PM »

The developer of Wetrix announces an "action strategy" game for GameCube.

ZED TWO'S PILLAGE

Zed Two Game Design Studio have announced details of their latest project, Pillage.

Pillage is an original, action strategy game where a gang of brave warriors must fight an evil band of creatures and avenge the destruction of their tribe. The game is currently under development for the Nintendo® GameCube™, PlayStation®2 and PC with all versions scheduled for release in late 2002.  

Pillage is Zed Two's first original production since the critically acclaimed Wetrix/AquaAqua and continues the company's tradition of remarkably addictive gameplay matched with rich visuals and environments. This time Zed Two have turned to TV scriptwriter and Digitiser columnist Paul Rose to make sure that Pillage had a plot as rich as its gameplay.  

In the world of Pillage, years of rule by a race of despotic creatures has forced people to give up technology and regress to a simple existence, surviving off what they can grow and hoping that the creatures won't target them next. The creature's immortality has made them immune to fear and able to continue a reign of tyranny over the peoples of the planet.  

Swearing vengeance on the creatures for wiping out his tribe, Low and his sister Pepper recruit a band of hardened warriors to restore the planet to its rightful owners and obliterate the fear that they have lived with for so very long.