You might have noticed that we haven’t been updating anything on the site. Let us assure you, there is a good reason for that. N00b Alert has officially merged with New Gamer Nation.

You can still access all of our old new, reviews, trailers, etc at the N00b Alert website, but all new information will be exclusively on the new site. Not only will you still be able to hear the latest and greatest from us, but you will now have access to even more news, reviews, and previews due to the significantly larger staff over at New Gamer Nation. The N00b Cast is also making its way over and the first episode has already launched.

While N00b Alert might be dead, we are all part of something much greater than ourselves. So what are you waiting for? Go to www.newgamernation.com and get all of the latest news, reviews, previews, and editorials to your heart’s desire.

I dunno if they expected the system to basically not be selling at all, but the Wall Street Journal reported Sony CEO Kaz Hirai as saying the PS Vita sales were, “on the low end of what we expected.”  He did seem to remain optimistic about the sales though, because he also said it would take 5-10 years to say whether or not a product has been successful.  Noting that the real importance when it comes to consoles is in the long term, and that the PlayStation 3 also got off to a slow start.

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be too hopeful for the Vita picking up any serious steam anytime soon.  The market for handheld devices just isn’t what it used to be with the emergence of Smartphones.  When the PlayStation 3 first came out its only serious setback was the price point.  Surly the Vita price point isn’t the only reason sales are low.

via WallStreetJournal

Nintendo is definitely starting off the new year right in the digital side of things with a big update that includes 2 retail releases that many 3DS owners should check out.

3DS

• Unchained Blades ($29.99)
• Gunman Clive ($1.99)
• Air Battle 3D Hockey ($4.99)

3DS Retail

• Code of Princess ($29.99)

DSiWare

• Galaxy Saver ($1.99/200 Points)
• Snowboard Xtreme ($1.99/200 Points)

Nintendo Video

• Best of 2012 (Free)

My pick of the week would be Code of Princess. If you enjoyed Guardian Heroes on the Sega Saturn (and it’s re-release on XBLA) then you will absolutely enjoy it since it’s made by some of the same team members.

Well it’s a sad day for those us who are fans of the PlayStation 2. The system has just stopped shipping to Japanese retailers, so when the current stock they have runs out… it runs out! Don’t worry though. It’s had a pretty good run. Having been released in 2000, and selling more than 153 million units, it’s been the best selling home console ever.

The PlayStation 2 is one of my favorite console.  It took gaming to the next level, and really started putting an emphasis on making a home console your one stop entertainment system.  You didn’t need a separate DVD player if you had your PlayStation 2, cause Sony had that on lock.  ~12 years is a good run for any console.  Hopefully we can see more consoles with runs like that in the future!

via Kotaku

Well if you’re looking to check out this Walk Dead that everyone’s talking about, you can do it now for free.  Episode one is currently free on the Xbox Marketplace, and it’s looking like it’ll probably be there until the New Year.  The game’s been getting tons of hype, and it’s getting many end of the year awards, so you should definitively grab it while you can!

via IGN

We got a pretty good update on the eShop this week across all of Nintendo’s platforms with the highlights including Wario Land 2 & Mario Tennis Open. To me, the best deals are Bit.Trip.Saga & the three Wii U Indie games being on sale so early in their lifespan, normally WiiWare games are never on sale so to see that is pretty cool.

Here’s the rundown:

Wii U

• Jeopardy! ($49.99)
• Wheel of Fortune ($49.99)
• Trine 2 – ($14.99)
• Little Inferno ($9.99)
• Chasing Aurora ($7.49)

3DS eShop

• Wario Land 2 ($4.99)
• escapeVektor ($9,99)
• Bit.Trip.Saga ($14.99)
• Mario Tennis Open ($39.99)
• Pilotwings Resort ($39.99)
• Pokemon Rumble Blast ($34.99)
• 3D Game Collection ($5.99)
• PIX3D ($3.99)
• Riding Stables 3D ($29.99)
• 2 Fast 4 Gnomz *Demo*

Nintendo TVii, the service that lets you use the Gamepad as your remote is now available to US & Canada Wii U owners. You are able to set up your favorite shows & movies, your favorite sports teams and check out what is currently being airing on your select cable or satellite provider. You can access Nintendo TVii by hitting the red icon at the bottom of your Gamepad when you turn it on and just follow the instructions and you are good to go.

I have had a couple of hours of time to fiddle with TVii and the potential is definitely there. The app is pretty slow when navigating through the menus (for some reason you have to scroll with the stylus instead of the sticks) and it will definitely take some time getting your cable or satellite service up and going with the app (I have Dish and I still haven’t been able to sync it with TVii) but if Nintendo can squash those minor nuances and updates the app frequently and listens to the feedback of the consumers then this could be something big for them. You might not think that it’s something you will like or even need, but try it at least.  Because then you will begin to see the potential and how Sony & Microsoft will most definitely try to do something along these lines with their next consoles.

Source: Joystiq

Quite possibly the best Final Fantasy game ever, Final Fantasy 4, has just been ported to iOS.  The version that was ported was the DS remake, which includes some spoken dialog and a mapping feature.  It’ll cost a hefty $15.99, but I guess that’s a small price to pay for one of the best games ever made.

Me and my friend always have an argument over which game is better.  Final Fantasy 4 or Final Fantasy 5.  I, personally, believe Final Fantasy 5 was as good as it gets… but I can certainly understand the argument for Final Fantasy 4 being better.  Basically they’re both great game and I’d like to have them both on any, and every, portable device I have.  You should too!

via iTunes

The general premise is that you are invited to an exclusive combat tournament on a hidden island of the coast of Hong Kong. With a taste of Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon meets Jean Claude Van Damme’s Blood Sport, Wei Shen must test his martial art skills versus the world’s greatest fighters in death matches that include fire pits, spiked ceilings, and more.

You can pick up the Zodiac Tournament DLC now for 400 MSP or $4.99. Check out the screenshots and trailer below and let us know what you think.

[Show as slideshow]

This week’s PSN update is great if you are a PS2 classics fanatic with Red Dead Revolver & Bully joining the classics lineup, but also if you are a PS Plus user (as always) with some pretty good discounts and another free game!

Here’s the rundown:

Pre-Order Now

• Devil May Cry – $59.99
• Metro: Last Night – $59.99

PS3 Full Games

• Batman: Arkham Asylum – $19.99
• Heavy Fire: Afghanistan - $14.99
• LEGO Lord of the Rings – $49.99

PSN Games

• Labyrinth Legends – $9.99
• Karateka – $9.99
• Knytt Underground – $14.99
• Zombie Driver HD – $9.99

PS Vita

• Burn The Rope – $3.99
• Knytt Underground – $14.99
• Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath – $14.99
• Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed – $29.99

Added to Vita Store: Defenders of the Mystic Garden & Jetpack Joyride

Bundles

• Dogfight 1942 – $9.99
• Sega Heritage Collection – $19.99
• Sonic The Hedgehog Episode 4: Episodes 1&2 – $14.99
• Sports Champions 2 + Deadmund’s Quest Bundle – $29.99
• Zombie Driver HD + Soundtrack – $12.99
• Pure Chess Festive Bundle – $10.49

PS2 Classics

• Red Dead Revolver – $9.99
• Bully – $9.99
• Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition Remix – $9.99

PS Minis

• Hotel Mogul – $2.99

Apps

• Pulse Elite Manager
• Totalmovie

Soundtracks

• Papo & Yo Original Soundtrack – $4.25
• Zombie Driver HD Soundtrack – $4.99

Playstation Plus

• Instant Game Collection: Anomaly Warzone Earth
• Holiday Essentials Sale Various Discounts

Source: PlayStation Blog

Well we’ve gotten our confirmation!  Hitman: HD Trilogy is on it’s way to the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 in North America on January 29th, 2013.  It’ll also be hitting those consoles in Europe on February 1rst.  The collection’s going to feature HD versions of Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, Hitman: Contracts and Hitman: Blood Money.  It’s going to be priced at a sweet sweet $39.99.

I’m actually pretty excited about this because, in my opinion, it’s always been a quality franchise.  Definitively one worthy of a HD remix.  Nothing like bringing the games of yesteryear up to snuff with the standards of today!

via gamasutra.com

The final issue of Nintendo Power hit newsstands yesterday and it’s a real bittersweet moment for me in my life. While I understand with the internet & tablets have rendered the modern magazine essentially useless, it’s still a very sad scenario to go through for both reader and publisher. All of these talented writers are having to find work elsewhere, maybe even a different field all together,  and readers are having to say goodbye to a piece of their childhood.

While I can’t recall the very first Nintendo Power issue I ever owned, I was a subscriber for the better part of 10 years. I know that the magazine has seen better days, the articles and previews were just as good as ever these last couple of years and they really showcased games that would probably not be given such a chance in magazine or online form. Alas, it’s time to say goodbye to Nintendo Power but Gamasutra  has a fantastic piece with the founders of Nintendo Power reminiscing about the magazine’s illustrious history.

Thank You Nintendo Power.

Source: Joystiq

Aliens: Colonial Marines launches on February 12, 2013 for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Still no word yet on the release date for the Wii U version. Check out the screenshots below and let us know what you think!

[Show as slideshow]

Sony will be adding 2 great games to it’s already stacked PlayStation Plus program tomorrow with the inclusion of Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition & Rochard. Both games will be available to Plus members for as long as you are still enrolled in the Plus membership, but even if you let it expire you can apparently still play those games because they are in your Download History and ready to go regardless (thanks IGN!)

Sony has really been adding some great games to it’s service that you have to wonder know whether or not you will see an Xbox or Nintendo equivalent at some point in the future. The means to pay for online services, I believe, are over. You shouldn’t have to pay for services to access online content on your devices if you already have internet access. Sony & Nintendo get that, it’s time for Microsoft to do the same.

You will be able to download both titles when the PS Store updates tomorrow.

Source: IGN

Ubisoft has just announced the release date for their upcoming Wii U exclusive, Rayman Legends. Look for the platformer in North America on February 26, 2013 followed by the UK release on March 1st. In the meantime, you can actually take a nice sneak peak via the Nintendo eShop worldwide on December 13, 2012. So if are a big fan of the Rayman series, at least you don’t have to wait too long to get your hands on the next installment.

From the press release:

The classic cast of Rayman, Globox and the Teensies return and are joined by new characters Murphy and Barbara as they embark on a fantasy adventure through a series of legendary worlds with new environments and enemies. Developed exclusively for Wii U, Rayman Legends expands beyond the traditional platforming experience by utilizing the Wii U GamePad in an array of innovative ways to interact with the game. Players can use the Touch Screen on the GamePad to take out enemies, cut ropes to clear a path and move rotating platforms with the gyroscope technology. Rayman Legends features a fresh gameplay adventure to enjoy alone or with friends, and a plethora of creatively themed levels including several musical maps intricately set to popular and original music, a gorgeous underwater haven and a flourishing beanstalk environment.