April 2007

Reports are coming in from various gaming forums that the VC update for StarFox 64 unlocks the game from it’s previous 30fps and re-introduces the slow downs that were present in the original game. No word from Nintendo on the status of this yet. We’ll keep you posted.

DigiTimes is reporting that the GPU in the Xbox 360 will shrink to a 65nm chip sometime this fall. The report is coming from sources at equipment makers and is being cited by a Chinese-language [i]Commercial Times[/i] report.

The report goes on to say that an engineering version has already been sent out and production on the 65nm chips is slated to begin as early as May.

Could these 65nm chips be what Microsoft needs to finally quell all the heat issues in the 360 consoles?

As if not to be outdone by Nintendo’s weekly release of 3 titles, Microsoft send word that this week would see a “Triple Threat!” of titles headed to Xbox Live Arcade. This weeks releases include the classics Centipede and Millipede as well as a XLA port of the legendary board game, Settlers of Catan, from Big Huge Games.

Klaus Teuber, creator of the original Settlers of Catan board game, had this to say about the collaboration with Big Huge Games: “I had no doubts that Brian Reynolds would do a great job, and the first version of the game exceeded my highest expectations. The AI is so clever that I even lost several games in a row! Hands down, this game for the Xbox LIVE Arcade is an amazing achievement.”

The Centipede/Millipede double feature will feature Classic and “Evolved” versions of the classic arcade games. The Evolved versions feature pre-rendered HD graphics and special effects like motion blur. Definitely a steal for fans of the original games.

Catan will be available worldwide for 800 MS Points on May 2nd @ 2AM PST. Centipede and Millipede will be available at the same time as a joint download for 400 MS Points.

Catan Screenshots

Centipede/Millipede Screenshots

As if by clockwork, Nintendo announced the weekly additions to the Wii Shop Channel this morning. The most appealing of the bunch is probably the original Castlevania for NES weighing in at 500 Wii Points.

Also making their way to the VC is Shockman, which originally appeared on the TurboGrafx 16, which will set you back 600 Wii Points and The Legend of The Mystical Ninja for SNES which is 800 Wii Points.

All in all, decent additions to the Virtual Console.

As a video game enthusiast, you have to love Atlus. The company stands as one of the few A