Sega of Japan has been sighted nosing around our Dreamcasts, asking all sorts of questions. Questions like, "Do you still own a Dreamcast?" and "What's its serial number?" They've just updated their Dreamcast.com website with the first question, and clicking on it takes you to a page where you can use your console's serial number to register for a user.dreamcast.com account. After snagging my trusty console from my entertainment center and plugging in the serial and some other pertinent info, I got a simple email confirmation thanking me for registering. What happens next? No clue, but they're planning something. First they update their Dreamcast trademark to include new terms back in August, and now this. With the tenth anniversary of the console coming up in August, one can't help but wonder what the hell is going on. Re-releasing old games perhaps? Offering really, really extended warranties? All I know is this thing they're doing now needs a massive response, to both show our love for the noisy little console and show Sega that we're ready for whatever Dreamcast lovin' they're willing to toss our way.

UPDATE - I just got my account approved, and now have a relatively useless (myserialnumber)@dreamcast.com Gmail account! Hooray!

SEGA of Japan to update www.Dreamcast.com for 2008! [Sega of America Forums via Sega Nerds - Thanks Sonic_Freak!]

Professor Layton's Curious Desktop

Nice little collection of titles coming out this week. My money is on Professor Layton although Lost Odyssey seems rather intriguing. On the PC side of things, the new episode of Sam and Max is on its way as well as a new version of RPG Maker. What will be taking money out of your wallet this week?

Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS)

Lost Odyssey (X360)

Conflict: Denied Ops (PC, X360, PS3)

Penumbra: Black Plague (PC)

Jumper (X360, WII, PS2)

Dungeon Explorer: Warrior of the Ancient Arts (PSP, DS)

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements (X360)

Spaceforce: Captains (PC)

Sam & Max Episode 203: Night of the Raving Dead (PC)

Carrier Strike Force (PC)

XIII Century: Death or Glory (PC)

Wipeout Pulse (PSP)

Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon (Special Edition) (PS2)

RPG Maker VX (PC)

Professor Layton And The English Language Trailer

Ace Attorney fans looking for fresh Nintendo DS adventures sprinkled with puzzle-solving would do well to familiarize themselves with Professor Layton, who will be arriving in the West in just a few short weeks. Brought to us by Level 5 (aka the "new Square Enix") by way of Nintendo, the series has been a smash hit in Japan, with the follow up to Professor Layton and the Curious Village hovering closer and to closer the million-sold mark overseas. Adventure games may not necessarily be my thing, but throw in some logic puzzles and you have a confirmed sale, Nintendo.

Professor Layton Quietly Announced For Domestic Release