We saw a brief glimpse of it last year at E3, and we have not seen much of it since. However, last night at the Game Developers Conference in San Fransisco, Sony unveiled new details about the upcoming PlayStation Move– Sony’s wireless “wand-like” motion-sensing controller.

The Move will be made up of two parts very similar to how Nintendo has it with the Wii– the main  “wand” (the one in the pic above with the wrist strap and giant glowing circle on top) is officially known as the Move, and will have smaller wand like controller (seen on the left) called the sub-controller. As you can tell these look very similar to the Wii’s Wiimote and Nunchuck, and they function very similarly but are also very different. For example, unlike on the Wii, these are going to be used in both casual as well as much more intense games such as the upcoming SOCOM 4 (which, as anyone who has played SOCOM before knows, it’s no Mario). So how else are they different? Well…

• The PlayStation Move uses the PlayStation Eye video camera (which Sony has had around in some form since the PS2) to track your movements and motions, and couple with that circle on top of the Move, look to provide a very accurate sense of exactly what your doing.
• The Nunchuck part of the controller, will not connect to the Move. Instead it will utilize the PS3’s built in Bluetooth to wirelessly sync up with the Move and the PS3 (unlike the Wii’s Nunchuck which needs to be connected into the Wiimote).
• The circle on top of the Move isn’t just to help the Eye sense where you are– it also changes color depending on what game you are playing and how fast your moving your controller (as seen above with the blue).
• Sony also has unveiled a list of starter games, and one in particular is called Sports Champion– which is like Wii Sports just a lot better looking. The next version of Sony’s hit SOCOM series– SOCOM 4– which is slated to be released this fall, is going to support the use of this controller, which should definitely put a new spin on the SOCOM experience, and looks to be the first real test for this new controller to see how it handles itself in an intense game.

Sports Champions on the PS3

Like Microsoft’s Project Natal for the 360, the PlayStation Move will be launched sometime around the holiday season (Sony, again like Microsoft, is viewing this like a major console launch) in either a bundle with a new PS3, by itself, or in a “Starter Kit” bundle with a PS Eye, controller and game for under $100 (which if you ask us looks to be a very solid deal).

One thing that I can’t though seem to wrap my head around is why Sony put an extra X and an extra O on the sub-controller, considering the Move already has them? I guess we will just have to wait to find out what their purpose is for when E3 rolls around June 3rd, and more info on the Move is sure to be announced.

If you want to see the first trailer for the PlayStation Move or more pix, check out Joystiq’s post on the Move here

Info and pix from Joystiq

If you haven’t been able to get any trophies, load any data (or lost any data like trophies or saved games), sign onto the PlayStation Network, or even play any games on your PS3 over the last 24 hours then you’re probably confused as I was initially and pretty upset. What happened? Its because you have a “fat” PS3, otherwise known as any PS3 that is not a PS3 Slim. The error (Error 8001050F for those who want specifics) is why us ”fat” PS3 users have noticed that our date has gone back into the past to the mystical year of 1999, or 12/31/99 to be exact. Y2K anyone? This internal clock error has been the cause of failed PlayStation Network logins, and even the inability to play certain video rentals and games! Sony has given updates saying that they are working as fast as they can to fix this problem, and are predicting this error to be solved by tomorrow morning. Has your PS3 caught the time traveling bug or are you still here with us in 2010? Leave a comment below. We will post any updates that come our way on this post.

Update (8:30 PM EST): People have been testing out their PS3’s and they are running fine. Not everyone’s PS3 has lost trophies and other game data, but if you did then here’s what you do to get it back: just launch the game that has lost trophies, and the game automatically links with your PSN account online and all your trophies should reappear. You also can go to Settings and Date and Time and set your PS3 to sync the date and time online.  Sony also has officially confirmed on their PlayStation Blog that PS3’s should now be good to go, and judging from the amount of people that are playing Uncharted 2 online, we’re gonna go ahead and say its once again safe to turn your PS3 on.

The new DSi XL in Burgundy

Have you been craving that super sized DSi LL Nintendo released for Japan last year? Really wanted to get a DS with 93% bigger screens than the DS Lite but was stuck in the US? Well, those days will soon be over my friends, as come the end of next month, Nintendo will have answered your prayers: it is releasing the DSi XL on March 28th here in the US for $189.99 (only $20 more than the current DSi). Oh, and European readers– don’t worry, you guys will be getting this a few weeks earlier on March 5th.

The DS Lite compared to the DSi XL

On top of the standard features of the DSi (such as the 2 cameras, SD card slot, music playback, and photos app with ability to upload to Facebook), the slightly thicker new DSi will pack 2 4.2 inch screens (over the DSi’s 3.25 inch ones), a bigger, full size stylus, and will come preloaded with 2 Brain Age games (Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters and Brain Age Express: Math & Photo Clock), as well as the DSi Browser and Flipnote Studio. Intially, the DSi XL will launch in either Burgundy or Bronze colors, though knowing Nintendo and previous DS’s, it probably won’t be long till this comes in any color you like. Also at launch will be two new DS games, America’s Test Kitchen: Let’s Get Cooking, and WarioWare: D.I.Y– and while they will work on all DS systems, Nintendo says games like these will demonstrate the “enhanced experience” available with the DSi XL.

Considering this thing sold over 100,000 units in the first 2 days of launch in Japan (yes, that’s 100,000– in 2 days!), any one out there going to hold off on that new DS purchase just a tad longer to get the DSi XL?

To learn more about the DSi XL, visit Nintendo’s site here.

What with Facebook, Netflix and Twitter already playing on Xbox Live, and with a new Halo and, of course, Project Natal coming out later this year, you’d think Microsoft has done enough to pump up 360 owners for another great year. Well, for all us 360 owners who love all things sports and ESPN, things look to be getting even better.

According to the New York Times, Microsoft is having “super secret” meetings with Walt Disney Co. (the owners of more than Disney land and Disney channel—they also own ABC and ESPN) in order to bring live streaming of ESPN to the 360 (think kinda like the current ESPN360, we know—a perfect name, that lets you watch live games on you computer).

The rumors also say that, unfortunately, this may require some sort of subscriber fee, though if its any consolation, it might be live streaming and some interactive games. Of course seeing as neither Microsoft and Walt Disney haven’t said anything on the topic, take this as an awesome rumor for now.

And I believe this very well could happen. Microsoft over the past couple of years have pushed something called IPTV, or TV over the internet, with the 360 helping drive its case. Getting ESPN and perhaps other Disney-owned channels would be a great way to really build this service up and really make the case for people to ditch their regular cable or satellite.

What you think? You think/want this to happen? You watch any movies or do other things with your 360 beyond gaming? Do you want the 360 to become your “cable box?” Sound off in the comments.

Info from the New York Times. Pic from Engadget

It’s almost 2010, and for the video game world, that means that Microsoft and Sony are preparing to release their motion controllers for the Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. Now while we know the PS3’s looks and acts like a more accurate Wiimote that works better with hard core games, Microsoft’s Project Natal has remained far more ambiguous, especially as to how it will handle particularly intense games like Halo or Call of Duty.

Until now.

A leaked video has popped up on the internet over the past 24 hours showing off  EA’s Half Life 2 running on Project Natal. Anyone who’s played Half Life 2 knows that it definitely goes up there in that “intense games” category, so this is a pretty big step showing that Natal will be able to play these more intense games without the need for a traditional 360 controller. How well does it play? We can’t really judge conclusively based on the brief 1 minute video, but from my take the graphics look traditional Xbox 360 awesome (the video is on a decent-looking camera and the game is said to only be in the early stages of development), and after getting used to them, the movement and controls should take you into games on a whole new level– particularly as this all gets refined and finished up before release.

Who else out there hoping Madden 11 and Halo 4 are Natal capable?

Video of Half Life 2 on Natal after the break.

Last night were the Video Game Awards and among the surprise winners and losers, Modern Warfare 2 did not win Game of they Year. In addition, we were informed that 2010 will be a very fun year for gamers especially if you’re a batman fan like me. Read on for more

Batman: Arkham Asylum may very well be, the best comic book video game ever made. And the geniuses at Rocksteady Studios have announced a sequel along with an absolutely demonic trailer showing the Joker after the events that occurred at Arkham Asylum. Also judging by the games new website, http://arkhamhasmoved.com/us/, and the trailer, it seems that Arkham moved from the island to the heart of the city. Check it out and decide for yourself  whether or not you would be interested in the sequel or were you satisfied with the original?

Whenever people think of FPS war shooters they think Halo, Call of Duty. But never does Medal of Honor come to mind, until now that is. EA is rebooting the franchise promising “the most authentic war experience”. They backed this up with a trailer that looks absolutely beautiful and completely authentic. Will Medal of Honor actually dethrone Modern Warfare as the most authentic modern war game ever? I guess we’ll find out in 2010 when its rumored to come out

The original Force Unleashed featured unprecedented focus on the force and how you can take advantage of it. Even though it did not do well critically, it did have some very, very cool ideas. And Lucasarts is looking to perfect those ideas in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2. This game, rumored to come out in 2010 is looking real good by the trailer that was shown at the VGAs. Will this Lucasarts perfect the ideas in this game? Or will it be what the Force Unleashed should have been?

Info from Joystiq.com

Its Experimental Weekend for Uncharted 2 Multiplayer this week. To battle the releases of  impressive rival video games like Modern Warfare 2 and Assassin’s Creed II, Naughty Dog is trying to keep things fresh and interesting by shaking up multiplayer. They added Plunder to the playlist (one of my favorite modes) and, if you have been dying really easily this weekend,(don’t worry you’re not the only one ; ) ) it’s because Naughty Dog reduced player’s health to 65%.

Like the changes or no? Let Naughty Dog know so whether to institute them permanently or keep the status quo. See you in deathmatch!

With Black Friday  just 1 day away, you gotta have a guide to the best holiday deals right? Well, listen up as we have rounded up all the best deals from stores like Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Amazon.com for your viewing pleasure right here. Read on!

Wal-Mart

Wal-mart is offering an Acer Aspire laptop with a 17.3” inch screen for $498.00.With 4 GB of  RAM, a 320 GB hard drive,  and Windows 7, at a price like this, this is a great black Friday deal. No need to get up early though, as this is an online deal only.

Want an HDTV to see the sweat on Kobe Bryant’s face? Ok maybe you don’t, but if you want to upgrade your television to HD then you can get a 32” inch LCD TV for $248.

Amazon.com

Nintendo DSi Mario and Brain Age bundles. Nintendo and Amazon are bring out 2 DSi deals, one for the Mario lover, and one for the “grown ups.” Both go for $154.99 tomorrow, with the Mario bundle giving you a Blue Metallic DSi, and a bunch of games/DSi apps like Mario Calculator, Mario Clock, WarioWare: Snapped!, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, Dr. Mario Express. The “grown up” bundle drops the blue color and Mario for a white color and a bunch of more educational and intellectual games/apps like Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math, Photo Clock, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics.

HTC Pure Windows Phone (With New AT&T Service Plan) Usually $149.99, tomorrow for FREE!!! (to learn more about the Pure click here)

LG Xenon Cell Phone (With New AT&T Service Plan) usually $99.99, tomorrow for FREE!! (to learn more about the Xenon click here)

Best Buy

Compaq’s Mini 110 netbook

Need a netbook? Want Windows 7? Well Best Buy is offering a Compaq netbook with Windows 7 for $179.99.

Don’t want a Netbook, but want Windows 7? Best Buy has a $197 HP laptop with Windows 7 (decently spec’ed too like a netbook, just with more RAM, 2 GB, and a 15 inch screen)!!

Don’t fret fellow gamers, Best Buy hasn’t forgotten about you:

You can get an Xbox 360 Elite 120 GB with 6 games free! This is the ultimate Xbox 360 starter kit for new 360 owners, not only giving you a 360 Elite, but also games like Lego Batman, Pure, Wall-E, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Sonic the Hedgehog and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2.

Best Buy also has a lot of sales on video games too. Brutal Legend, Madden 10, Need for Speed: Shift (for our review click here) are all down to $34. You can also get a PS3 with the new Ratchet and Clank, and the must have LittleBigPlanet also for $299!

Target

If you need a cheap HDTV, then Target has you covered. They are offering a Westinghouse 32” inch LCD TV for $248.

Target also has sales on video games. Hit new games like Assassin’s Creed II, and Modern Warfare 2 have $10 gift cards along with them, and Batman: Arkham Asylum, Need for Speed: Shift, and Halo: ODST are all down to $37.

Have fun, and happy holidays!

If you read our round-up posts on E3 last June, you noticed a new way to play video games on your Xbox 360 called Project Natal. Basically, Project Natal allows the player to be the controller, something that PlayStation attempted since the days of the PS2 with PlayStation Eye, but it didn’t pan out too well for them. Today reports were coming out that Microsoft was showing Natal off to some UK game publishers and they let a possible price tag slip. What is the price of this sick looking device? Try an awesome $84, that could possibly go down to $50 as Microsoft is trying to push this to be a must have or “impulse buy” for everyone. Oh, and they also let slip a possible  release date of November of next year.

For a full overview of everything that is the awesome Project Natal, see our post here.

Of course these are just rumors for now (and don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more), but what you think of Natal possibly being so cheap when it comes out? If it is, you running out on day one and picking it up? Sound off in the comments.

Info from Joystiq

Not to be confused with Halo.

And, once again, I return to that wonderful gaming platform, the iPhone/iTouch. That’s right readers, another iGame review. This time, I’m talking about Eliminate Pro, the new online 4-player FPS that just came out. Also, its free. Kinda.

First off, what is Eliminate? As previously mentioned, its a iPhone first-person shooter. The quality of the game is way up there – some of the nicest graphics on the iPhone, especially considering that it’s running online with 4 players. There are 5 maps and a total of 6 weapons, 5 of which need to be unlocked, as do a variety of armor types. Weapon and armor attributes, like rate of fire and speed are also upgradable. You play up to four players online, with a matchmaking system based on skill ratings to provide as fair a match as possible. Private games are also available, which is nice for when you want to play some people you actually know. There is also an offline mode, but it’s somewhat limited, allowing you to play against 3 computer opponents, but it doesn’t allow much customization.

Gameplay is awesome – the maps are pretty small, so the action is pretty frantic, and fun. A variety of powerups, including heath regeneration, invisibility, superspeed, damage increase, and the always fun jet pack are scattered around the maps, adding to the chaos. Controls work well, with your left thumb working movement, and right thumb aiming, with tap to fire. Those used to playing console first person shooters should easily adapt.

So, I mentioned before you need to unlock and upgrade things. And you do that through credits, which you earn through playing games online. And thats where the monetary aspect of the game comes it. The game itself, as I said, is free. But unless you have “energy” while playing, you won’t earn any credits, which are used to unlock weapons, armor, and upgrades. You’re given a free energy recharge every four hours for about 3 games or so, but after that, if you want to play AND earn credits to upgrade (you CAN still play for fun), you need to buy energy through the in-app purchasing system. Personally, I can understand why they run the system this way, since its the only way to support the game and keep it free, but I can’t say I’m a fan of the nickel and diming.

However, even without energy, the game is still fun, and that’s what counts in the end. And since it’s well, free, I suppose I can’t really argue against it. Check it out on iTunes here. (Note: iTunes Link)