Spiderman 3, the 2 Blu-Ray Disc Special Edition, in MY stores now.

Spiderman 3 (2 discs Special Edition), of the blu-ray flavor, can be found in local video stores now (although you may need to do a bit of walking to find them on shelves). One store indicates the price of the blu-ray set at RM179.00.

Happy hunting.

Latest Game Titles available in MY stores.

Xbox360:

Guitar Heroes III (US - Game only) - Music Simulation

Clive Barker's Jericho (US) - FPS

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary (US) - Action

Wii:

Rockstar Table Tennis (US) - Sports Simulation

PS2:

Guitar Heroes III (US - Game only) - Music Simulation

Glitch: Copied and printed Eye of Judgement cards, plays fine.

It seems that the security features (the special ink with magical properties) used to print the cards for PS3's Eye of Judgement game has flaws. You can copy the cards, print them using regular color printers, and the Eye Play camera will still read them fine.

While the game itself has anti cheater codes (like limiting total numbers of special cards) in built, this does seem to be a big problem for Sony and developer Wizards of the Coast. Players can now find the special and rare cards online from other players who will scan these cards and post them online, perhaps some entrepreneurial ones will start charging a small fee for access to these cards. This will surely hurt Sony and Wizards as they see future income in terms of expansion card packs sold to players.

I suppose a patch by Wizards will be out soon, but as there is already a way to copy and use the cards with the distribution power of the world wide web, Sony and Wizards stands to lose big time if they cant come up with a solution. Lets not hurt Sony any further, financially.

Pic source: http://kotaku.com/

iPhone available in MY, but don't work with Maxis.

Local handphone shops have the unlocked iPhones! Prices range from RM2000++ for the 4GB version and RM3000++ for the 8GB version.

While the stop sales reps are unsure of the iPhone firmware version, I am pretty sure its the V1.02 Sim unlocked with the tools available from the internet. Be warned that if you upgrade the firmware to V1.1.1, you are guaranteed to brick your new toy.

Contrary to earlier reports, these sim unlocked iPhone will not work well with Maxis where you can only make outgoing calls and not receive incoming calls (defeats the purpose of having a handphone, doesn't it??). Its report that this is apparently a Maxis internal problem and its not native to the iPhone itself. This was confirmed by several readers as well.

These sim unlocked iPhone works well with Celcom and DiGi, so if you are a subscriber and have deep pockets, get your paws on one today from the local shops.

Transformers, the 2 Disc Special Edition DVD in MY stores now.

Transformers, this summers biggest blockbuster, is out in MY stores in a 2 disc standard defination DVD.

Featuring the movie on one disc while housing a set of informative features on the making of the movie on the other disc, this DVD is a must have for fans of the movie, like me! Please take note that the discs are full of hidden items (including Michael Bay's commentary track), so have fun hunting them.

So head to your nearest local DVD store to get them.

Super Mario Galaxy leaked to the internet.

It seems that Gamestop and EB shops in the US have been using a full game disc to demo Super Mario Galaxy. They have put in a 10 minutes restriction on the Wii consoles demo-ing the game, but the game is not restricted.

Now, some industrious person have copied the disc, and made it available on the internet for download. While the downloaded and self burned disc will only work on modded Wiis, this does mean that there are potentially many Asian regions gamers that do have modded Wiis could be playing Super Mario Galaxy real soon.

This case is similar to the leaked PS2 version of the unrated Manhunt 2 game that I was playing few weeks back. In that case, it was a SCEE staff that leaked the game to the internet.

There is no indication where the Super Mario Galaxy files may be found, so don't ask nor go looking for it.

Latest Game Titles available in MY stores.

Here's the list of games available in local MY stores for the past two weeks. Due to some games being released on multi platforms, I will feature the boxart only on the first format it appears (as they all share the same boxart except for the format header).

PS3:

Oblivion: Game of the Year Version (US) - RPG

(Inclusive Shivering Isle expansion pack)

FIFA 08 (US) - Sports Simulation

SEGA Rally Revo (US) - Driving

DiRT (US) - Driving

Xbox360:

Conan (US) - Action Adventure

The Orange Box (US) - FPS

(Half-Life 2, HL2: Episode 1, HL2: Episode 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2)

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (US) - Sports Simulation

FIFA 08 (US) - Sports Simulation

SEGA Rally Revo (US) - Driving

Crash of the Titans (US) - Action Platforming

Wii:

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (US) - Sports Simulation

FIFA 08 (US) - Sports Simulation

Crash of the Titans (US) - Action Platforming

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast (US) - Racing

PS2:

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (US) - Sports Simulation

FIFA 08 (US) - Sports Simulation

Crash of the Titans (US) - Action Platforming

Juiced 2: Hot Imports Night (US) - Driving

CSI: 3Dimensions of Murder (US) - Adventure

Ratchet & Clank Future: Glitch!

US gamers have reported a glitch in the Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction game. Occurring during initial boot up, the game will install some files onto the PS3 hard disk, but with the random appearing glitch, the game sometimes reports of a full hard disk (even if its not) and simply refuses to boot up.

To fix it, simply add or remove approximately 500Mbs of file, the game should boot fine. Now you know its not your PS3 being problematic, unless you bricked your unit by installing the wrong firmware version (read my previous article).

Oblivion's Shivering Isles expansion coming in standalone disc November 20th.

Owners of PS3 Oblivion wanting to experience the Shivering Isles expansion pack, but not willing to fork out USD$60 to get the recently released Oblivion GoTY version, rejoice. Bethesda have announced that the Shivering Isles expansion pack will be out on its own standalone disc, retailing at USD$29.99 on November 20th.

Shivering Isles is set in the realms of Sheogorath will add 30+ hours of gameplay, and players can travel freely between Sheogorath and Cyrodiil as they please.

Now you don't have to fret of having two disc containing the same content and needing to fork out full price just to get the expansion pack.

PS3 Firmware 1.94 in Ratchet disc update warning.

PS3 Firmware 1.94 found in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction game disc will be of the same region as the game itself. If you import the game from other regions while you have a PS3 console of a different region (usually from where you live), PLEASE BE WARNED that you are not advised to install the Firmware 1.94 found on the disc.

This is because the Firmware 1.94 found on the disc is mainly for the same region it was released to, US iirmware updates are meant for US PS3s only. Notices found in Sony's websites have specifically instructed PS3 users not to install firmwares whose origins are of another region, as it may render your PS3 useless (bricked in our gaming terms).

So if you are Asian, European or Australian gamers who imports the US version of Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, be warned of the dangers in installing the Firmware 1.94 and do it at your own risk.

Firmware 1.94 out in Ratchet disc, online version later.

Firmware 1.94 will be available on a disc first, before even its online. How? In Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, arriving in US stores as we speak.

This latest firmware update will add the rumble functionality to the Dual Shock 3, and as Ratchet game be PS3's very first rumble enabled game out of the box, the firmware will be available on the disc itself.

Dual Shock 3, with its rumbling abilities, will only be available in November of Japan and the US will only get them sometime early 2008. For those of you who will not be getting Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, you will have to wait much longer for the firmware to be available online as it should be out in time with Dual Shock 3's release dates.

Xbox360 Arcade made official, available in US today for USD$279.

Microsoft have finally announced the Xbox360 Arcade pack, priced USD$279 (RM980), available in US today October 23rd. This new Arcade pack is to replace the Core pack.

Xbox360 Arcade ships with a 256MB Memory Unit, a wireless controller, HDMI port (but with standard def composite cables only), and a disc that includes five full Xbox Live Arcade games: Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Pac-Man Championship, and Uno.

Note that as this is the replacement pack for the earlier Core pack, this Xbox360 Arcade is sans hard drive of any sorts.

US 40GB PS3 made official, available from November 2nd onwards.

SCEA have finally announced the existence and availability of their 40GB PS3 for the US markets. Featuring the same 2 USB, card reader-less and PS2-less back compatibility, the American 40GB PS3 will retail for USD$399 with an added bonus, a blu-ray disc of Spiderman 3 movie. The 40GB PS3 will be available from November 2 onwards.

At the same time, the 80GB PS3s will be retailed at USD$499, at USD$100 lesser.

Capcom's Biohazard: Umbrella Chronicles Zapper bundle, Japan only.

Wii Zapper is being given plenty of love in Japan. With Sega having their Ghost Squad Zapper bundle, now Capcom have revealed their very own Biohazard: Umbrella Chronicles Zapper bundle.

Featuring the game, Wii Zapper, a special 28 page full color book called Wesker's Extra Report and stickers. All this for Yen8610 (USD$74/RM260). No news if it will hit other regions.

AnySim 1.1, free unlocking apps for V1.02 and V1.1.1 iPhones available now.

iPhone Dev Team have released into the wild AnySim 1.1, their free unlocking application that unlocks iPhones with firmwares V1.02 and V1.1.1 and lets you use the iPhone with any GSM network.

AnySim 1.1 will only unlock "virgin" iPhones only, so it wont unlock your currently locked V1.1.1 iPhones, but iPhone Dev Team have also mentioned of a future apps that will unbrick locked V1.1.1 iPhones, but no dates were mentioned.

And if you update your unlocked V1.02 (using AnySim 1.1) to V1.1.1, you will still brick the iPhone, so be warned and be very informed on what you are doing.

Xbox360 Arcade unveiled by gamers.

More details of Xbox360 Arcade pack is found by gaming enthusiasts who have landed themselves with the Arcade packs.

Xbox 360 Arcade will not have any hard disk drive but is shipped with a 256MB Memory Card, a Wireless controller, one HDMI output port, and a disc that includes demos (not full games as earlier speculated) of Xbox LIVE Arcade games of Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Pac-Man Championship, and Uno.

Xbox360 Arcade is not officially announced by Microsoft yet, but expect to get it off from the US stores at USD$279.99 (RM980) when it hits the streets.

Pic from www.engadget.com

Nintendo Conference 2007 Fall details, from Japan.

During Nintendo Conference 2007 Fall in Japan, Nintendo have revealed some interesting news for the Wii.

Nintendo will be concentrating on increasing Wii internet users, having reached 7.8 million Virtual Console downloads. More internet related Wii interaction is being developed:

• Wii Vote - where users can vote for their favorite games and even search for your favorite games.
• Wii Ware - downloadable games specifically developed for Wii, with emphasis on creative competition as well as low prices.
• Setting up system similar to the DS retail service, where you can download demos for your Wii.

Mario Kart Wii will include a steering wheel controller, and the game will feature motorcycles. Out in Spring 2008.

Smash Bros Brawl will include Sonic, but will be delayed in Japan till January 24, 2008. Will feature online fights and online cooperative play of some sort.

Monster Hunter 3 will be headed for Wii.

And finally... Wii Fit will retail in Japan on December 1, for Yen8800 (USD80/RM280)

Asia gets the ceramic white 40GB PS3 in November, while AU gets black ones in October.

Sony have finally unveiled the 40GB PS3 for other SCE regions. It seems that Japan is not the only region getting the new ceramic white 40GB PS3. The same system (model CECHG06CW) will be available for the Asian region as well as the regular black version (CECHG06). All specifications of the Asian and AU version are similar to the EU version, no backwards compatibility to PS2 games, no card reader and 2 USB ports.

Priced at SGD$559(USD$374/RM1280), the 40GB PS3 models will be launched in Singapore on November 11th, the same day Japan gets it. Similarly, Australia will be getting their 40GB PS3 (only in black) on October 12th, priced at AUD$699.95

Now it seems that SCEA (US) is the only region not to have the 40GB PS3 officially announced but its rumored that US wil get them sometime early November. It seems that Sony is very serious in wanting to play catch up and reclaim the world's most popular console throne (as they did with with PS2) away from Nintendo Wii.

Koei announces Shin Sangoku Musou 5 with PS3 package.

More bundles on the horizon. It was only one day after the new ceramic white 40GB PS3 was announced for Japan, Koei have now introduced their own bundle, Shin Sangoku Musou 5 with PlayStation 3 package.

In this package is their new Dynasty Warriors 6 game, a ceramic white 40GB PS3, nine metal character plates and four clear files. This bundle will be available on November 11th, for the price of Yen49,980 (USD$470/RM1645). You can also get the standalone game for Yen7560 (US70/RM245) or in a limited edition Treasure Box set for Yen13440 (USD$126/RMRM441).

Stars Wars PSP Pack out in the open, in US today.

Hitting the stores today is the Star Wars Battlefront PSP Bundle, containing a Ceramic White PSP with a black Darth Vader profile at the back, and PSP exclusive Star Wars Battlefront game, all for USD$199 (RM700).

If your are a staunch Star Wars fan and absolutely need to collect all items related to the sci fi universe, you should head for the stores now, if you are staying in the US. Or perhaps you have already pre-order one unit, to which you should be eagerly wait for the delivery guy to ring your bell.

New Xbox360 bundles announced.

Microsoft have announced Xbox360 bundles for US. To be available towards the end of October, buyers of Xbox360 (USD$349.99/RM1225) and the Xbox360 Elite (USD$449.99/RM1575) will receive two free games in the box. They are "Forza Motorsports 2" and "Marvel Ultimate Alliance".

Seems that everyone is jumping higher to see who can best attract the most buyers for the holiday seasons, as even the popular Wii is rumored to be announcing a software bundle soon. Its a good time for gamers to move on to the next (or shouldn't it be current?) gen consoles.

White 40GB PS3 for Japan, and black for US, in November 2007.

Sony's 40GB PS3 news floodgates have opened. Japan will get the 40GB PS3 come November 11th, available in black and new ceramic white. No other regions was announced to carry the new ceramic white PS3 apart from Japan.

Sharing the same specifications as the European 40GB PS3, the Japanese 40GB version will not have backwards compatibility, memory card slots and only 2 USB ports. Cost? Super low at Yen39,980 (USD$390/RM1200). Also coming out on the same day, matching white DualShock 3, at Yen5,500 (USD$47/RM165).

It is rumored that the US version 40GB PS3 will hit the streets on November 2nd, at USD$399. Expect Sony to announce this piece of news real soon, and hopefully they will announce something for the Asian markets too.

Halo developer Bungie splits from Microsoft.

Bungie, the developer of the hottest game in the planet now - Halo 3 on Xbox360, as well as Halo 1 and 2, have separated from Microsoft with effect from October 1st 2007. This means that now as an independent company, Bungie is free to develop games for other systems like PS3 and Wii instead of just Xbox360.

However, don't expect to see Halo 3 (or its earlier versions) on the PS3 or Wii so soon, if ever it does appear on these systems. But the gaming industry is eagerly expect new and exciting exciting games from Bungie on other systems in the future.

40GB PS3 is official, in Europe for now.

Sony have finally admitted to the existence of the 40GB PS3, in Europe at least. Retailing at Euro399, the new PS3 model is equipped with a 40GB HDD, WiFi, 2 USB ports (instead of 4), and loses the card readers and the back compatibility of playing PS2 games. This 40GB PS3 model will be made available in all SCEE territories (throughout Europe) from October 10th onwards.

Also, the current 60GB PS3 Starter Packs (with 2 games) will be reduced to Euro499 while stocks lasts.

Will this 40GB model reach Asian shores? What will the price level be when it arrives? We shall wait eagerly for Sony to announce it here.

PSN Demos and Games this week.

US PSN:

Game: Go! Sports Ski (USD$2.99)
Demo: The Simpsons
Demo: Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War

EU PSN:
Demo: Skate
Demo: Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War
Demo: Stuntman: Ignition
Demo: Clive Barker's Jericho

Asian PSN:
Nothing!

DVD Box Set available in MY stores now.

Smallville S6

Numb3rs S3

Brothers and Sisters

30 Rock

US wont get Slim PSP S-Video cables.

Sony US have announced that they will not be retailing the Slim PSP's S-video cable. They will only sell the standard composite and high def component cables for TV out. Both will retail for USD$19.99.

For US PS3 owners who still prefers and uses S-Video, you can always import the cables as they will work too.

Microsoft's new Zune 80, Zune 8 and Zune 4 sometime in November.

Microsoft have announced their new Zune line up, which will be available in November. These new Zunes will be known as Zune 80 (80GB Hard drive version), Zune 8 and Zune 4 (8GB and 4GB Flash version respectively). They will be retailing at USD$250, USD$200 and USD$150 respectively.

The older 30GB Hard drive Zune will simply be known as Zune 30, and Microsoft will be giving it a system update to match the new Zune's interface and abilities such as Media Center PC sync, additional h.264 and MPEG-4 video codec instead of only WMV, WiFi sync and more.

As November is still far off, we shall see when the actual units are available for review.

Note: Pic from Engadget.

Xbox360 new colored controllers.

Microsoft's new colored Xbox360 controllers hit the streets today. While the pink version is the same, the tone of the blue controller for the US market is slightly darker. Microsoft thinks that American players wont be able to accept the lighter, softer, cuter light blue, so they made it more masculine with a darker tone.

Check out the colors below and decide which blue would you choose.

Japanese Xbox360 controllers:

US Xbox360 controllers:

Latest Game Titles available in MY stores.

PS3:

Folklore (Asian - Jap/Chinese version) - RPG

Warhawk (Asian Blu-ray disc, no headset, with bonus SGD$10 PlayStation credit)

Stuntman: Ignition (US) - Racing Action

Xbox360:

Halo 3 Legendary Edition (US) - FPS

Skate (US) - Sports Simulation

Wii:

Fishing Master (US) - Fishing Simulation

Ninjabread Man (US) - Platform Action

Anubis II (EU) - Platform Action

Free Wii Remote Jackets from Nintendo!

Nintendo is giving out free Wii Remote Jackets, a slip cover that wraps around the Wiimote, for all their customers in Japan, US and Europe. All you have to do is visit Nintendo's respective regional websites (Japan, US, Europe) and register for them using your units serial number. Best of all, its all free!

According to its website, Nintendo hopes that by using the cover, players will be able to get a better grip on the controller, helping to prevent accidents. The cover also provides cushioning in case the Wiimote falls, or in case you happen to swing the controller at someone's head. Nintendo plans to ship 20 million of these freebies worldwide, which will cost them in excess of 2 billion yen (USD$18 million).

Its reported that the registration process via these websites is rather difficult to get through, so be patient and try again at a later time. Spare some thoughts for the servers that need to register over 11 million Wii owners out there.

Sony "Big Bang" event on October 12, 2007 to announce 40GB PS3?

Sony Computer Entertainment US is said to be announcing something major on its "Big Bang" event come October 12, 2007. Many gaming industrial players and enthusiasts are hoping that Sony will announce the cheaper USD$399 40GB PS3, which research is predicting to attract an increase of over 20% demand for the PS3 as of current.

More rumors are aslo being belt out, going as far as setting November 16th as a date that will see the street avaiability of the USD$399 40GB PS3. There were even leaked Best Buy documents showing the stock coding for a certain “40GB PS3″ stock in store by October 28th 2007!

Sony is still keeping mums at it, but with recent developments in the FCC, and Sony being eager to counter Xbox360 price cuts and Halo 3, the cheaper 40GB PS3 seemingly getting more real as each day passes. We shall know come October 12th or November 16.

Rock Band prices announced.

Rock Band, the game that will have you and two other friends making up a... errr... rock band, will be out on November 23rd in US, for a lower than expected price of USD$169.99 - for the PS3 and Xbox360 versions, while the PS2 version will be your for USD$159.99 come December 10th.

In the bundle will be the game disc, a guitar, a drum kit and a microphone, all the ingredients required for a jam session. Strangely, the Sony's PS3 and PS2 versions will get you a wireless guitar but not in the Xbox360 bundle.