Finally some Pokemon Diamond and Pearl news, the japanese magazine CoroCoro will be running an offer with their January issue. Apparently, a lucky fan will be able to get a unique ticket with his copy and he will get both versions of the game for free on the release day and he will have the chance to suggest some ideas to the developers and see them incorporated into the final version of the game.

I think online capabilities for this game are going to be added anyway so suggesting that might not be useful, i would ask them to get rid of all the contests and mini-games stuff and focus more on the in-battle gameplay and experience.

Ds-x2 published some boxart images from some games wich are launching on the next few months including Super Princess Peach and Final Fantasy IV for the gba.

You can check out the full gallery here. They also have the Elektroplankton, Drill Doozer and Touch Golf covers.

I know this is a bit off-topic but it´s worth it. 1up has spotted 23 similarities between the 360 and the Dreamcast. Some items on the list are certainly impressive and even a bit scary. For example:

#16:
Dreamcast: Exclusive promotional partner leading up to launch: Pepsi.
Xbox 360: Exclusive promotional partner leading up to launch: Mountain Dew…which is owned by Pepsi.

#17:
Dreamcast: Highly anticipated First Party racing game from Bizarre Creations (Metropolis Street Racer).
XBox 360: Highly anticipated First Party racing game from Bizarre Creations (Project Gotham Racing 3).

Weird? coincidence? i don´t know but you have to check out the full list.

Not exactly shocking news but at least we have a date now. Nintendo sent a note today announcing tehy will unveil all the revolution secrets they are still keeping on May 9. 2006 on their pre-e3 conference.

What can we expect to see? well, there are a lot of questions about the revolution. We still need to see some working games, graphics, technical demos and that kind of stuff. I think we´ll find out at least some technical details even when nintendo has already stated they will not reveal them.

The final name will aso be revealed and the initial price tag can be expected as well.

So, Mark your calendars for May 9, 2006 at 9:30 Pacific time and start biting your nails because there are still over 160 days to go.

1up has published the revolution developer rund table where they talk with some developers who are embracing the idea of the revolution (and some who are not). Here´s what they said:

Tom Fulp (The Behemoth): I see the potential for serious full-length games. For example, one of the most common ideas is using the analog stick to run through the hallways of an FPS while shooting enemies with the controller, or “pointer” as I’ve seen it called. Survival horror games could be tons of fun, using the pointer as a flashlight or gun. Maybe someone will make a Harry Potter game where you walk around and wave your wand in different patterns to cast a variety of spells. Sports games such as golf and baseball have obvious potential, but I’m more curious about the original concepts people will come up with, stuff we haven’t thought about yet. Maybe a single player could twirl two controllers over top each other to roll a Katamari, or wield two guns at the same time while walking, ducking and jumping in place on a dance pad.

Karthik Bala (Vicarious Visions): I think the learning curve will map roughly similar to that of game designers learning to design for the DS touch screen. At first the device will seem gimmicky as designers start out creating some simple applications. But as they get used to the mindset of developing for the Revolution controller, you will start to see more sophisticated game designs. For developers, programming the controller shouldn’t be all that challenging. Now, coming up with a great game design — that will be challenging!

Check out the full article to read some interesting stuuf on how developers are looking at the revolution.

Update: link fixed

This mught just be another old unused patent or it could mean good news for the revolution´s retrocompatibility system.

Nintendo was recently been granted a patent wich basically could reveal how the emulation of older games will work. First it would be possible to add new stuff to the games like characters or maps without changing the original coding. This would allow Nintendo to make great use of the system to revitalize old games.

The patent also shows how the interface would work. The gamer will be able to choose the games he wants to download looking by name or series.

The technical details also state the console wouldn´t use dedicated hardware to achieve the emulation.

All this is pure speculation, we´ll have to wait to see if Nintendo will actually make use of this patent or if it´s just one of their archived ideas.

Link: Revolution Report

Gamecube

• United States
  • American Chopper Full Throttle
  • Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
• Europe
  • Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation V.I.D.E.O.G.A.M.E.
• Japan
  • Crash Bandicoot: Gacchanko World
  • SD Gundam Gashapon Wars

Nintendo DS

• United States
  • Elf Bowling
  • Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
  • Burnout Legends
• Europe
  • Big Mutha Truckers
• Japan
  • Dragon Ball Z: Bukuu Ressen
  • Futari wa Precure Max Heart: Danzen! DS de Precure Chikara o Awasete Dai Battle
  • Lucky Star: Moe Drill
  • Lucky Star: Moe Drill (DX Pack)
  • Mawashite Koron
  • Power Pro Kun Pocket 8
  • Slime MoriMori: Dragon Quest 2 - Daisensha to Shippo Dan
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Baikinman no Daisakusen
  • Super Monkey Ball DS
  • Tottoko Hamtaro: Nazo Nazo Q Kumonoue no ? Jou
  • Zoids Saga DS: Legend of Arcadia

Game boy advance / Game Boy Micro

• United States
  • Dr. Mario / Puzzle League Elf Bowling 1 & 2
• Europe
  • Crazy Frog Racer
  • Dogz
  • Dynasty Warriors Advance
  • Snood 2: On Vacation
  • Trollz: Hair Affair
• Japan
  • Cinnamon FuwaFuwa Daibouken
  • Super Donkey Kong 3

Source: Gamefaqs

A guy apparently named Cristopher got really bored at his job and decide to skin his DS to look like an old first generation game boy. I think this woulnd´t be exactly considered as a mod but it is pretty damn cool. Check out the full set of pictures here.

Via | 4cr

Xbox 360 is out and despite the crashes, a lot of people wants to ut their hands on Microsoft´s new console. ign published a list wit the reasons to wait for the revo, i don´t agree 100% with the list but they have a few points you might want to consider:

1. Limited Funds and Quantities
2. Same Games, Prettier Graphics (Xbox)
3. 360 Doesn’t Have Legend of Zelda
4. Girls and Grandpas Will Play Revolution
5. Metroid Prime 3
6. Revolution Will Be a Lot Cheaper
7. True Backward Compatibility
8. Revolution is Small, Stylish, and Quiet
9. Super Smash Bros. Online
10. The Controller Will Change Everything

I still want them both but this might not be a good time to get a 360, looks like they are having a lot of problems with it, the first consoles sold have been crashing and it is pretty expensive and hard to get one right now.

Via | IGN

MTV Override interviewed Shigeru Miyamoto, check it out to see the creator of some of the best game franchises talking about the revolution controller, Mario, Nintencats and more. And no, he did not give away any extra revolution information, is just a regular MTV like interview.