40GB PS3 set to ruin Halo 3 launch

THIS WEEK'S gaming news has been dominated by Halo 3. Let's hope it settles down once the game is finally released.

The game is expected to propel 360 console sales, which are already reaching new highs.

While the Nintendo Wii was the best-selling console in North America last month, the Xbox 360 outsold the Playstation 3 by more than 2 to 1.

According to analysts the NPD Group, via Eurogamer, 403,600 Wii units were shifted during August while DS sales stood at 383,300. Falling up in third place was Xbox 360 after a $50 price cut boosted sales to 276,700. Sony sold 151,200 PSPs and 130,600 PS3s.

Xbox 360
Microsoft's proprietary wireless feature of the 360 is becoming the bane of many developers due to the licensing fees - causing the Rock Band bundle from Harmonix to come with a wired guitar for the Xbox and a wireless version for the PS3, explains OXM.

The bundle is already set at a staggering $199.

There's always the odd pointless disassembly that gets coverage on the interwibble, but this one has to take the biscuit - the internals of the the Xbox 360 messaging pad.

Here's a more sensible unboxing.

Lets hope the pad will also arrive in the new controller colours announced by Microsoft - black, blue and pink.

Microsoft and Bungie have reportedly banned a Halo 3 fan from Xbox Live for more than 7,000 years after he got his hands on the Halo 3 Epsilon test build.

The gamer who goes by the name of 'Scar' says he won't appeal the ban.

We suspect that people purchasing early released copies of Halo 3 on Ebay may also receive similar bans.

In his latest research note to investors, Wedbush Morgan's Pachter said, "The top September release is expected to be Microsoft’s Halo 3 (360), which we expect to sell over 3 million U.S. units in its first 12 days."

"We expect the game to be a driver of console sales, and believe that Microsoft’s unit sales for the 360 could exceed 400,000 in September, the highest figure for a non-holiday month since launch."

Pachter also believes Sony could attempt to spoil the party.

PS3/PSP
Pachter notes that should whisperings about a Playstation 2 price cut to $99 and the release of a new $399 40GB PS3 turn out to be more than just rumors, the Tokyo Game Show would be an ideal venue for Sony to make such announcements.

“We think that both of these ideas have merit, and note that Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai is the keynote speaker at next week’s Tokyo Game Show. If the rumors are true, we cannot think of a better forum for making such an announcement, given that the event is less than a week before the launch of arch-rival Microsofts Halo 3."

The analyst also stated in the past that he believes that the $599 80GB PS3 will be available for $499 once the 60GB version is out of stock. But he now expects another PS3 price cut 'no later than April' of 2008 to $399 for the 80GB version. This could possibly spell doom for the 40GB version, or an even lower price point for the entry level PS3.

Sony released another small firmware update for the Playstation 3 this week, bringing it to version1.92. The addition apparently only updates the PS3’s backwards compatibility.

The PSP firmware has also been updated to version 3.70 in Japan, with US and European updates to follow soon.

Version 3.70 which works on the new PSP Slim & Lite as well as the older model, although some features are specific to one or other model.

New features include the ability to set custom themes, while videos can now be searched through and played sequentially. You can also listen to music while browsing photos now.

An SCEE spokesperson has confirmed to Next-Gen.biz that Lair is the first Playstation 3 Blu-ray title playable on PSP via Remote Play.

Remote Play is a feature that lets gamers share content between their PlayStation 3 and PSP, locally using the devices' in-built wireless features or remotely via an access point.

While the in-built Remote Play functionality was previously restricted to accessing media content such as music and videos from the PS3's hard drive, Sony has stated that is no longer the case.

Just five days after the official European release of the PSP Slim & Lite, 'Team M33' has released their custom PSP firmware v3.6, which operates on both the PSP and newer slimmer PSP. This release also confirms that the previously announced "Pandora's Battery" will be fully compatible with the new PSP Slim & Lite. More at Maxconsole.

Wii/DS
Some excellent hardware hackers have been able to produce some homebrew software that enables to Nintendo DS to place VoIP calls via the internal WiFi and built-in microphone. You even get to dial on the DS' touchpad.

Nintendo has properly announced the new Wii Zapper peripheral, which integrates both the Wii Remote and Nunchuck into a gun accessory, and has stated that it will be available at retailers starting November 19th for $19.99.

"The Wii Zapper combines our remarkable controllers into one housing with a classic style reminiscent of arcade-style games," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Both veteran and first-time players will find it brings a whole new dimension to games where targeting is key and provides even more exciting game-play experiences."

In addition to the accessory, a Link's Crossbow Training game, based off the Legend of Zelda series, will come packaged with every Wii Zapper.

Brando's 2-in-1 combined light gun will go into direct competition with the Zapper and has a leg up on rivals in its ability to be used as a pistol-like remote holder or a bazooka-style combination for the remote and Nunchuck together. More over at Joystiq.

Nintendo's success with the Wii is a benefit to the gaming industry according to Microsoft.

In an interview with canada.com (via Xbox-scene.com) at this year's X07, Xbox Marketing VP Jeff Bell said that there was room in the marketplace for three consoles.

"I'd like to see the industry grow and be robust" said Bell. "In many ways, I'm thankful the Wii has been as successful as it has."

As if the name 'Wii' wasn't bad enough, some entrepreneurial Japanese businessman have released the Chinese made 'Wee'.

The Wee is a mini DVD player, and probably performs similar to its name.

As usual, here's the Eurogamer Wii Virtual Console review round-up. µ