E3 News: PlayStation Motion Controller, PSPgo, DSi Adds Facebook
Each year the biggest and best in the video game industry gather in Los Angeles to show off their wares destined for release in the coming months and years. We're at the show, and here's the biggest and best of what happened on day two, as the pre-show events wrap and the show itself kicks off.
Sony Makes PSPgo Official
There were a number of leaks of "secret" information ahead of the beginning of the show, probably the highest profile being the PSPgo, Sony's re-invention of the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The Wi-Fi-enabled device is about half the size and weight of the original PSP and ditches the slow and battery-hungry optical UMD drive, relying instead entirely on downloadable games stored on 16-gigabytes (GB) of flash memory that can also store music and videos. It remains to be seen whether gamers with a stack of older, UMD-based games will flock to the new go, but at a hefty price of $249, Sony isn't exactly making it a particularly attractive upgrade.
Sony Unveils' PlayStation Motion Controller'
Nintendo has the Wii with its motion-sensitive controller, Microsoft yesterday unveiled Project Natal, a camera peripheral toat turns you into a controller, and now Sony is taking its turn, showing off a prototype it's simply calling the PlayStation Motion Controller. It looks a little like the Wii's controller, but with an illuminated ball on the end that the PS3's EyeToy peripheral (a motion-sensing Web cam) uses to detects its position. Sony showed a number of simple but fun demos in which a gamer can control everything from a virtual sword and shield and tennis racket to pencils and cans of spray paint -- but no real games. It's promising, but not due to hit until next year. Like Natal, it's a lot of potential without much substance --- yet.
Sony's Sequel Parade
Sony by far showed off the most video game titles at its pre-show event, but they weren't necessarily the most original titles, with a number of sequels on display. Among the list were two flavors of Gran Turismo, GT5 for the PS3 and a mobile version for the PSP, two new Final Fantasy titles, the third installment of the God of War franchise, and dozens more. Don't get us wrong, sequels fulfill a base need for more of the same good gameplay experience, but there did seem to be an awful lot of them floating around.
Nintendo Surprises with New Entrants of Old Favorites
Sony wasn't the only one with a number of sequels on display, but sequels from Nintendo tend to be a little more... special. On display at Nintendo's pre-show event were three surprises, including not one but two new Mario titles. One, the four-player 'New 'Super Mario Bros. Wii,' is another throwback to the old, two-dimensional games. The other,'Mario Galaxy 2,' takes Mario back into space again. Then there's the new 'Metroid Other M,' a fresh installment in the Metroid franchise that looks to re-create the series with a more action-packed experience. Sadly, though, neither is due until next year.
Nintendo Adds Facebook Integration to DSi
Nintendo's recently released update to the DS handheld, the DSi, is selling like hotcakes. Unlike the older DS, it relies more on Internet functionality, including downloading entire games, and now it'll be even a little more connected with Facebook integration. Users will be able to upload pictures they take on their DSi and check the status updates of their friends.
Sony Makes PSPgo Official
There were a number of leaks of "secret" information ahead of the beginning of the show, probably the highest profile being the PSPgo, Sony's re-invention of the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The Wi-Fi-enabled device is about half the size and weight of the original PSP and ditches the slow and battery-hungry optical UMD drive, relying instead entirely on downloadable games stored on 16-gigabytes (GB) of flash memory that can also store music and videos. It remains to be seen whether gamers with a stack of older, UMD-based games will flock to the new go, but at a hefty price of $249, Sony isn't exactly making it a particularly attractive upgrade.
Sony Unveils' PlayStation Motion Controller'
Nintendo has the Wii with its motion-sensitive controller, Microsoft yesterday unveiled Project Natal, a camera peripheral toat turns you into a controller, and now Sony is taking its turn, showing off a prototype it's simply calling the PlayStation Motion Controller. It looks a little like the Wii's controller, but with an illuminated ball on the end that the PS3's EyeToy peripheral (a motion-sensing Web cam) uses to detects its position. Sony showed a number of simple but fun demos in which a gamer can control everything from a virtual sword and shield and tennis racket to pencils and cans of spray paint -- but no real games. It's promising, but not due to hit until next year. Like Natal, it's a lot of potential without much substance --- yet.
Sony's Sequel Parade
Sony by far showed off the most video game titles at its pre-show event, but they weren't necessarily the most original titles, with a number of sequels on display. Among the list were two flavors of Gran Turismo, GT5 for the PS3 and a mobile version for the PSP, two new Final Fantasy titles, the third installment of the God of War franchise, and dozens more. Don't get us wrong, sequels fulfill a base need for more of the same good gameplay experience, but there did seem to be an awful lot of them floating around.
Nintendo Surprises with New Entrants of Old Favorites
Sony wasn't the only one with a number of sequels on display, but sequels from Nintendo tend to be a little more... special. On display at Nintendo's pre-show event were three surprises, including not one but two new Mario titles. One, the four-player 'New 'Super Mario Bros. Wii,' is another throwback to the old, two-dimensional games. The other,'Mario Galaxy 2,' takes Mario back into space again. Then there's the new 'Metroid Other M,' a fresh installment in the Metroid franchise that looks to re-create the series with a more action-packed experience. Sadly, though, neither is due until next year.
Nintendo Adds Facebook Integration to DSi
Nintendo's recently released update to the DS handheld, the DSi, is selling like hotcakes. Unlike the older DS, it relies more on Internet functionality, including downloading entire games, and now it'll be even a little more connected with Facebook integration. Users will be able to upload pictures they take on their DSi and check the status updates of their friends.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
required said 8:24PM on 6-02-2009
"...sequels from Nintendo tend to be a little more..."
No, they tend to be a lot more of the same, as in more tired Mario Wario junk. Or did you mean things like Wii Fit Plus.
LOL, good try though.
Reply
Carrie said 2:12AM on 6-03-2009
I smell a Sony fanboi. Calm down, kiddo. Not everyone likes the same thing, and there's no reason to be that way about it. It only shows your immaturity.