We can’t say we’re surprised. With sales of the Cooking Mama franchise now two million strong worldwide, publisher Majesco Entertainment announced today that it is serving up a fourth outing in the series for Wii.
Entitled Cooking Mama World Kitchen, the game sports fully 3D graphics - a first for the series, along with new recipes, modes and mini-games. Look for it to hit store shelves this holiday season. more »
Homebrew developer Zx-81 has released a compatibility update to Danzel’s multi-protocol instant messaging client AFKIM, resolving graphical issues present under 4.01 M33 series custom firmware on PSP Slim units. If you have a regular (fat) PSP or are running a previous CFW release, then there is no need to apply this update, according to the author. more »
Microsoft may be taking cues from Sony’s hardware strategy if a rumor stemming from technology site Arstechnica is to be believed.
The site’s source claims that Microsoft will announce a 60GB equipped Xbox 360 model at E3, which is to replace the 20GB configuration of old. In an effort to move the 20GB off store shelves, retailers will be cutting the price of it down to $299, which falls in line with previous reports, as well as an ad from K-Mart. Below is a snip from the email that Microsoft allegedly sent to retailers:
At E3 Microsoft will make an official announcement that we are dropping the 20GB pro console to $299… As we launch the 60GB SKU throughout July, the 20GB SKU will DISCONTINUE. You will see the new SKU on your 7/1 price list.
Publisher Atlus has sent over a new selection of screenshots from its upcoming card-based PSP strategy RPG Yggdra Union. Recently announced for a September 16 release, the title is an enhanced port of the original GBA release, featuring remastered audio and visuals, along with new playable characters and additional missions.
Harmonix and its parent company MTV Games just sent out a release confirming the inevitable: Rock Band 2 is in development. Interestingly, though, it will be released as a “timed exclusive” on the Xbox 360 in September, with a release on “additional platforms” slated to follow later this year.
The sequel promises to build upon the success of the original title with co-op band gameplay, dynamic online modes, as well as new and improved improved drum and guitar peripherals. And yes, all of your purchased Rock Band downloadable content will be cross-compatible with the sequel. more »
Microsoft today announced that Soulcalibur will headline this week’s Xbox Live Arcade update, which as usual is scheduled to commence on Wednesday.
An enhanced port of the 1996 Dreamcast original, Soulcalibur XBLA features high definition visuals along with local versus play and online leaderboards. Online play, however, is not included. As standard for retro ports, the game costs 800 Microsoft Points.
Additionally, alongside the release of Soulcalibur, downloadable content consisting of 280 new trivia questions for the party board game Wits & Wagers will be available at 320 Microsoft Points.
This is clearly an unsubstantiated rumor, so take it with a fine grain of salt. According to a poster on a gaming forum, who claims to have a friend in the know at Sony London, downloadable PS2 titles are coming to the PlayStation 3 this summer.
Normally, we’d brush off rumors like this one, but this same poster also provided an off-screen capture of the PS2 download store in action, as shown above. Needless to say, it looks very legit. Apparently, Sony will formally announce the store during this year’s E3, with a launch following in summer.
Plus, this isn’t the first time we’ve caught wind of rumblings regarding downloadable PS2 games. This rumor may be unsubstantiated, but it’s far from unlikely.
PlayStation 2 Store [N4G]
Last week, we mentioned that the Xbox 360 may be receiving a price cut in July, as evidenced by a scanned image of a K-Mart retail ad.
Now, citing a “major retailer” as the source, Hollywood Reporter reports that Microsoft is set to cut the price of its Xbox 360 Pro model by $50 in the coming weeks, a move that would place the console at $299, $100 less than Sony’s 40GB PS3. Still no word on whether the low-end (Core) and high-end (Elite) models will also be included in the cut.
This week’s WiiWare and Virtual Console update gives us a single offering in both categories, along with additional downloadable content for Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King.
On the WiiWare front is the ball-busting puzzler Magnetica Twist (1,000 Wii Points). Featuring five varied play modes as well as multiplayer support, players pilot a launcher using a Mii of their choice and shoot marbles with matching colors before the time runs out.
Moving over to the retro side of things, NeoGeo fighter Fatal Fury 2 (900 Wii Points) is now available on the Virtual Console. For Nintendo provided details on this week’s additions to the Wii Shop Channel, hit the jump. more »
Update: Sony has sent out a press release, confirming that the firmware will hit Network Update on July 2.
The firmware update PlayStation 3 owners across the globe have been waiting for is nearly here. In part one of a video walkthrough posted on the PlayStation Blog, PSN director Eric Lempel gives us a detailed preview of the impending 2.4 firmware update, highlighting the much requested in-game XMB access feature.
