The Console Conspiracy

Run Backups on any Wii Without a Modchip

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:31:54 -0800

Just wanted to let you know that a reader let us know that this works.

Wii Homebrew Guide

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:44:34 -0800

If you are like me you know there has been quite a battle brewing over Wii homebrew. It seems that some games have holes in them which allow Wii owners to exploit the hole to run homebrew. It all starts with the now famous "Twilight Hack" which was blocked but Nintendo only to have a new and improved version released days after the Nintendo patch. All you need is an SD card and of course the game "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" (which you can find in our store). WiiHD has all this information freely available online plus loads more. Why not go check em out?

Nintendo Developing "Hundreds" of WiiWare Games

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:58:15 -0800

Nintendo has revealed that there are currently about 100 WiiWare titles in various stages of development. From an interview posted on IGN: "Our plan is to make new WiiWare games available on Mondays, as we do with Virtual Console titles." And: "Developers have the ability to utilize the same Wii features for WiiWare games as they do for disc-based games, including Wi-Fi Connection, WiiConnect24 and variety of controllers and peripherals. What is important is providing developers the freedom to use the features that are most valuable to express the characteristics of their game. Regarding the use of Miis, Mii characters are included in games like TV Show King and Dr. Mario Rx. " The idea is to give developers as much freedom as possible to develop new WiiWare games in various sizes and obviously worth various point values. Currently there are 24 WiiWare games on the Nintendo site.

Surf Google Earth with the Wii balance board

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:50:15 -0800

Some students figured out a way to use the Wii balance board to navigate Google Earth.

It looks pretty cool, and while more work may be needed, if you happen to have a setup like they do, it might be fun to try.

Not too shabby and I'm sure one of the first of many balance board hacks. WoW anyone?

Games, Gamers and more

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:09:13 -0800

I used to think that "trekies" were the most devoted fans in the world. That was until I saw how big the gamers conventions are getting.

Not only that but the fans that show up in costume are the most amazing!

Sometimes they are homemade costumes, and sometimes there are those dressed up in ones like the Halo Costume you see here.

Now, I'm a big fan of gaming. I'd love to go to one of these conventions just to check out the costumes that people wear there.

Nintendo E3 Announcements

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:26:46 -0800

For a full recap of the announcements, check out the Nintendo E3 liveblog done by Gizmodo. Some of the highlights:

One of the first announcements had to do with some games - how does a snowboarding game using the Wii fit sound?

There's also "Animal Crossing City Folk." A sims-like game where the world continues even if you don't play the game.

The first accesory announcement is the Wii Speak. A mic that, when placed on top of your sensor bar, allows you to have group chats. You and your buddies can hang out in one room and chat with other groups in other places. It comes with the above mentioned Animal Crossing City Folk game.

The second notable announcement is for the Wii MotionPlus. An accessory that attaches to our Wii to make it more accurate by giving you true 1:1 motion accuracy.

Sony E3 Announcements

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:12:27 -0800

There were a bunch of announcements from Sony recently at E3.

One of the most impressive is a movie and TV show download service, however we are hearing reports that it won't be for everyone.

Sites like Edge Online and the Register are reporting that movie downloads will not be available in Europe until sometime in 2009. When? according to the Register "individual launch dates for specific European countries will be confirmed later this year."

In addition, Gizmodo has just reported that movies will be region locked

That means if you want to watch the latest Japanese horror movie, you may not be able to because it may only be available in Japan.

This is different from supposed region locked games where in the past all you needed to play non-North American games was a non-North American account to play games from that region.

The good news? If you live in the US you can start downloading movies now!

Hack your DS Into a Portable Drawing Tablet

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:01:22 -0800

Are you getting tired of gaming on the DS?

Ok so maybe you aren't. But that doesn't mean you couldn't try this hack to turn your DS into something other than a handheld game console.

It actually looks pretty cool. All you need is a flash card, a flash card reader attached to your computer and a free program.

Once you've followed the instructions in Wired's wiki you too can create such masterpieces as this:

360 and DS hooked up? Almost

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:50:40 -0800

MTV Multiplayer recently reported thatconnectivity between the 360 and DS almost happened with Viva Pinata.

The question was posed to Justin Cook, designer of the game and he said:

"We got it to work, but it was too late in the development cycle,"

So it was too late for the latest version of the game. But what of future version?

And could other games also use similar technology?

This would be a boon for Microsoft if more of their family games interacted with the handhelds of their competitors.

25 years of "exergaming"

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:50:57 -0800

Boingboing has an excellent summary on 25 years of "exergaming."

from the Atari Joyboard released way back in 1982:

to the recently released Wii Fit:

And everything in between.

Now, we at CC remember a lot of these, from the Power Pad for the Nintendo, and the very cool Power Glove, also for the NES.

Nintendo Loses $21 Million Patent Lawsuit

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:58:48 -0800

This is old news but we felt we should share it.

Back in May, a federal jury ruled in favor of Anascape, an East Texas gaming company, who claimed that Nintendo had infringed on one of their patents while designing its Wii Classic, WaveBird and Gamecube controllers. Anascape successfully argued their case and won the subsequent $21 million judgement.

Of course Nintendo will appeal, feeling that $21 million is excessive for patent infringement.

Also, according to a Nintendo spokesperson, the company was pleased that no infringement was found with the motion-sensing technology used in its Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers.

Sony forecasts Playstation profits

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:32:52 -0800

According to a recent release, Sony is finally expecting the PlayStation division to record a profit at the end of their fiscal year in March 2009.

That "despite an expected decrease in game segment sales as a result of a decline in sales for the PlayStation 2 business."

The reason for the improved outlook is "due to hardware cost reductions and an enhanced line-up of software titles in the PS3 business."

During the year ended March 31, 2008, Sony says they've sold 9.24 million PS3s globally, 13.89 million PSPs and 13.73 million PS2s. On the software front, 57.9 million PS3 games were sold, as were 55.5 million PSP titles and 154 million PS2 games.

The Gizmondo Saga Continues?

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:24:22 -0800

There's a famous line in a few Arnold movies - "I'll be back."

It seems that some of the people behind the mostly off again Gizmondo are preaching that very phrase.

According to an interview posted in the Gizmondo forums, expect to see the flexible handheld later this year.

From the forum: "We can tell you that the launch with include more than a relaunch of the same model. There will be many new facets to the launch. We have new products, suites of new games, enhancements to both the hardware and software components. Right now, we are on target for a 4th quarter 2008 launch but will be making a series of announcements shortly especially to the developer community. We want this to be a combined effort."

In the new version there will be "certain updates including a new graphic chip" and Windows CE V6 which apparently "comes with a lot of new goodies."

No doubt Stefan won't be involved.

To find out more about the soap opera that is Gizmondo, check out our Gizmondo section.

Glow in the dark PSP

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:49:03 -0800

Wow can't believe how long it's been since a post. For that I must apologize. I've been collecting a bunch of news so I hope to get posting again and get caught up. In the mean time, check this out:

Before:

After some light action (as seen in the dark):

It's a glow in the dark faceplate for your PSP. It comes in a variety of colors. Best of all you can pick one up for under 35 bucks. Check it out at extreme-mods.

Poledancing on the Wii

Thu, 29 May 2008 21:25:52 -0800

It seems that there are no possibilities for new Wii game ideas. Did you hear about this one? A UK based company called Peekaboo says it wants to create a pole dancing game for the Nintendo Wii. The company said, "With pole dancing classes springing up in gyms and health clubs across Europe and the USA, the number of women seeking the body-sculpting and fat-burning effects of this aerobic form of exercise has never been greater." They went on to say it is "focused on using Wii friendly hardware to make aerobic pole dancing instantly accessible just as Guitar Hero did for rock'n'roll."