Duke Nukem 3D for the iPhone is a complete port of the original 1991 shooter. That means the over-the-top soundbites, the gratuitous pixelated borderline soft porn and the more than 20 hours worth of gameplay.

The most important thing with a iPhone game, though, is the controls. And for a first-person shooter that goes double. This iPhone port, developed by Machineworks Northwest, uses something they call TapShoot which the company describes as a "unique way to play first-person shooters on the iPhone and iTouch."

"Once you've experienced TapShoot," they write "you'll wish all FPS games on the iPhone had this breakthrough feature."

Really?

No, not really.

Maybe with some time spent getting used to the controls and tweaking the settings Duke Nukem 3D would play as smoothly as a shooter like Wolfenstein, but my initial, albeit brief impressions of the controls were an exercise in frustration.

TapShoot means that if you want you can set up the game to allow you to tap on a target to shoot it, not having to worry about lining up your targeting reticule. And I suppose it works well enough, though there's really nothing innovative about it in the real of iPhone shooters.

The problem with Duke Nukem 3D's controls though like in the interface for movement, which uses the increasingly popular dual virtual thumbsticks. The problem is that the default setup is far too touchy to make the game enjoyable. I spent about 30 minutes tweaking the controls and managed to make the game playable, but it still wasn't as smooth as a slew of other shooters I've played on the platform. And TapShoot isn't without its issues too. Because of the way the screen is set up, with players taping the bottom to change weapons, it's very easy to accidentally access the weapon change screen in the middle of a fire fight when taking on low lying enemies.

Touchy, awkward controls aside, the game does everything else quite well. The graphics, the sound, the level design all remain faithful to the original. And Duke Nukem 3D certainly holds up to the test of time.

I have no doubt that at some point the developers will release a patch to smooth out controls, but until they do I can't recommend picking the title up, even at $3.

What we were able to learn after digging through Nintendo's official quarterly and annual reports is that the DSi launched a bit more slowly in the Americas than the DS Lite. But first some background.

The DS Lite and the DSi both had staggered launches around the world: The DS Lite first hit Japan, landing there on March 2, 2006, and then Australia on June 1, North America on June 11 and Europe on June 23. The DSi also hit Japan first, launching there on Nov. 1, 2008, and then hitting Australia on April 2, 2009, Europe on April 3 and North American on April 5.

Because of Nintendo's reporting period it's impossible to use their numbers to look at the first three months of each platform for the world. It's easier to do that if you narrow the focus to just North and South America, but you do end up with an extra two weeks of sales for the DS Lite.

Here's how those number work out:

Sales in the "Americas" for the DS Lite from the day it hit here on June 11, 2006 to the end of September were 2.23 million units. While Sales in the "Americas" for the DSi from the day it hit on April 5, 2009 to the end of June were 1.56 million units.

That means the DS Lite sold on average about 20,000 units a day at $130 a pop during the 112 days of that reporting period, while the DSi sold on average about 18,000 units a day at $170 a pop during the 87 days of it's reporting period.

So is a 2,000-a-day gap during the launch window here a sign of weaker interest, a more daunting price, or are other factors at play?

That's because it's going to drop the battery-draining, bulk-adding UMD drive, according to word from Acclaim chief creative officer David Perry. Similar rumblings from Eurogamer say that Sony has dropped the UMD reader, adding a "sliding screen" that may mean a more compact piece of hardware.

Citing an anonymous "development source close to Sony," Eurogamer also says that the next PSP—which Sony may opt to simply call the PSP-4000—will arrive with games that can be played using only the shoulder buttons for playing while the sliding screen is in its closed position.

Eurogamer points to titles like LocoRoco for the PSP that could be played using only those buttons, but that game does use one of the face buttons for gameplay. The outlet mentions that "most controls will be inaccessible" while closed.

The new PSP is speculated to hit later this year.

Developer backs up PSP-4000 chatter [Eurogamer]

Researchers found that iPhone, DS and PSP owners are playing on their devices much more in the last three months than at any time previously adding that "Among iPhone users specifically, the application with the greatest increase in use over the last three months was playing games."

The survey also found that 92% of Nintendo DS owners play solo, spending an average of 4.6 hours a week in single player games. Just under a quarter of DS owners play multiplayer games - they clearly need to get out more.

Portable Gaming Habits Revealed [EDGE]

I say if you really, really want to make a tiny, portable NES, at least make it look less like Doctor Who prop from the late 70's and more like something you'd actually want to play a game on. Hit the link for more pictures, sadly not including ones of the sliced-up thumb after it gets caught on the hastily-cut metal sheeting.

Feature: Gamer Builds Game Boy-Sized NES Portable [TechEBlog]

First, Electronic Arts is not buying Epic Games, OK? Doesn't matter that EA has tons of money and someone else with a lot of time on his hands has good ideas for what to do with it. "Rubbish," says Epic Vice President Mark Rein, a guy who's in position to actually know something substantive about this.

Then everyone jumped on the bandwagon of a rumor that Sega was breaking back into the handheld market. That's not true either. Well, not exactly. The "Sega Vision" isn't a PSP competitor, unless Java games have gotten way more sophisticated, because that's it's only game functionality. Unofficial RPG Site ran down the Sega rumor with, of course, Sega itself. While it's not a fake, "it is not intended as a re-entry to the gaming hardware market or a rival to Sony or Nintendo's systems," said a spokesman.

"Sega is committed to remaining a software third party in the videogames industry," the spokesman continued, "but also has several non-games products in the market. The Vision is primarily an MP4 video player with some basic games functionality, and not a new handheld gaming machine."

Best part? "Further investigation on our part finds the Sega Vision isn't actually a Sega-developed device at all, and in fact a cheap Chinese iPod-style alternative, rebranded with the name of the fallen hardware company."

So there you go. You didn't hear this stuff here first, for a reason. By the way the source of this EA-Epic rumor was the same site behind last week's Xbox 360 slim horseshit, shot down by Major Nelson himself. One's own personal speculation is fine — it helps if it's informed, of course — but it should always be clearly labeled as speculation.

EA Buying Epic? "Rubbish" Says Rein [Videogaming247]
SEGA Vision is "Real," Not a PSP Rival [Unofficial RPG Site]

The first Gizmondo was.. not very successful, but the new device - with its NVIDIA graphics and the option of either Windows CE or Google's Android as an OS is sure to be a winner, right?

A games handheld running Android could be a goer - there should be plenty of decent Android ports of around soon, but when was the last time you went out of your way to play a game on Windows CE? Can you even name 3 games that run on that platform?

Gizmondo 2 Is Here - Sales Start In November/December [The Nordic Link via MCV]

Sony PSP 3000 Hands-On [GameSpot]

Like the GP2X, it runs a Linux-based OS, has a GBA-ish form factor and is wide open for homebrew developers to code original games and — always the killer GP2x app — emulation, emulation, emulation.

Unlike its ancestor, it has a 533MHZ Arm 9 processor with 3D acceleration, 64MB of Ram and a touchscreen. There is only the one screen, so DS emulation is fairly unlikely, but there are already some touchscreen games and apps in the pipeline as you can see in this ridiculously large picture. Long JPG is loooong.

Also new is support for Flash 7.0 which should open up the possibility of playing web-based games that you manage to get on an SD card by whatever means necessary. There is no wifi, which is a shame, but you can't have everything.

The Wiz is available for pre-order now at around $179.99 , due out in October.

The games included aren't bad for the price. You get Shinobi, Eco the Dolphin, Sonic and Knuckles, Altered Beast, Golden Axe, and several others, all for £29.99 - the price of a DS game. While I would have preferred they sneak a cartridge port on their for good measure, the game selection isn't bad and the price is right. Hit the jump for the full game list and additional details.

24th July 2008
News Release FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Blaze International Goes Retro with The 16-Bit Blaze Handheld Console with 20 Built in SEGA Megadrive Games!

Handheld Console containing Sonic and Knuckles, Golden Axe, Shinobi, Ecco the Dolphin, Columns and 15 more superb retro titles for only £29.99 is set to take the market by storm!

At last! BLAZE are proud to announce they will be releasing their 16bit Megadrive handheld console in July 2008. The Blaze portable game player will be heading to a store near you from next month, so mums and dads, if you missed playing Sega Megadrive classics such as Sonic and Knuckles, Golden Axe, Shinobi and Ecco the Dolphin, you now have a chance to do so again... in all their portable glory... and all for the price of a single Nintendo DS game!

Other games to be hooked on again include Alex Kidd - Enchanted Castle, Alien Storm Altered Beast, Arrow Flash, Crackdown, Decap Attack, Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, Ecco Junior, Flicky, Gain Ground, Jewel Master, Kid Chameleon, Sonic Spinball and Shadow Dancer.
...All very 90’s retro chic and far less damaging to your reputation than singing along to Color ME Bad.....Though not everything from the 90’s should make a comeback...are you listening Spice Girls?

Watch a demonstration video and see gameplay footage at http://www.segaretro.net

Now the serious stuff:

Features
Plug & play portable video game system
20 built-in 16-bit SEGA licensed games
Built-in speakers
Build in colour LCD screen
TV out connection
TV format: PAL
Requires:
3 x AAA batteries.
(Batteries not included)

Description
The Blaze Portable game console is a video game player, which is pre-loaded with 20 classic games from SEGA. There is therefore no need to buy game cartridges. The blaze Portable game player has an A/V connector and with the included cable the player can be connected to any TV set. Enjoy playing classic SEGA games anytime, anywhere with the new Blaze Portable video game player. Presented in stylish blister packaging.
Watch out for more BLAZE product announcements from BLAZE and ATGames soon....

Available now from all leading games stores and online at www.segaretro.net for just £29.99 (+ P&P)

Got a cheat video...Why not upload it to the nets largest cheat, tips and tricks community video channel www.youcheats.net – It’s like Youtube for game cheats!

Samsung Unveils Mobile Application for Second Life [koreatimes via Gizmodo]

Portable Copy will give Playstation 3 and Playstation Portable owners the ability to buy a Blu-Ray movie, insert it into their PS3 and download a standard res version to their PSP.

While this would be pretty exciting news the fact that Sony has yet to mention it will be on this latest firmware update leaves me a little dubious about the whole thing. We know it's coming, I'm just not sure it will be with this firmware.

I guess we'll know soon enough, when the firmware hits.

PS3 Firmware Update Enhances Blu-ray Capabilities [PC World]

UPDATE: Turns out the rumors were wrong. Portable Copy isn't coming with 2.2.

Report: Gizmondo delayed until end of 2008 [GameSpot]

"Sonic The Hedgehog is one of the most beloved video game characters of all time," said Simon Jeffery, President and COO of SEGA of America, "And with the installed base that iPod enjoys Sonic now becomes available to a whole new group of casual and hardcore gamers just in the time for the holidays."

Sonic The Hedgehog Comes to the iPod

Fan-favorite Sonic The Hedgehog Now Available for Purchase or Gifting on the iTunes Store

SAN FRANCISCO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that Sonic The Hedgehog is now available for play on the new iPod nano with video, the iPod classic and the fifth generation iPod. Sonic The Hedgehog was originally introduced in 1991 and has become one of the most popular video game franchises in history, selling well over 45 million copies. Sonic fans can purchase and download the game from the iTunes Store for $4.99 (www.itunes.com). Sonic has been designed specifically for the iPod and is available on the 22 iTunes Stores around the world.

"Sonic The Hedgehog is one of the most beloved video game characters of all time," said Simon Jeffery, President and COO of SEGA of America, "And with the installed base that iPod enjoys Sonic now becomes available to a whole new group of casual and hardcore gamers just in the time for the holidays."

iTunes customers can buy the game for themselves, or easily give the gift of Sonic The Hedgehog. Similar to music and video content on the iTunes Store, customers simply find the game on iTunes and click the "Gift This Game" button.

Guanqiao was showing off their line of prettifying console stickers on the show floor. The stickers come in either pre-designed packs for any of the current consoles or portable, or you can design your own art. I wasn't super impressed with the DS Lite stickers, but the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 stuff looked kinda zupear koole.

I'm just going to hit you with the quote here right off the bat.

I-play CEO David Gosen has predicted that the console gaming industry will be left with a "niche audience" to target as mobile gaming becomes ever more popular.

This really blows my mind. I've only ever downloaded on cell phone game in my life, and that one pretty much sucked completely. It all sounds like wishful thinking from a guy who makes a living selling casual mobile games, perhaps enhanced by the local Amsterdam foliage. Your thoughts? Michael Fahey

Mobile gaming will overtake consoles, says Gosen [GamesIndustry.biz]

Thank the heavens above for GameSetWatch and chief poster of all things interesting, Simon Carless. If we could somehow transform him into a single, beautiful woman with a massive trust fund and a penchant for giving foot massages, we'd be all over that. In this week's edition of scraping through the muck of eBay for interesting video game auctions, he came across this "Holy Grail" of Game & Watch units—10 unopened, mostly untouched, perfectly mint Donkey Kong Jr. units.

I am offering for sale the Holy Grail if you will of my collection. 10 DONKEY KONG Jr. with serial - numbers matching and still in manufacture box. I bought this box complete in 1983 and have stored it in a sealed foot locker ever since. No moisture, excessive heat or even worse human hands have touched these games in 23 years. I actually almost forgot about this sealed box. I am obsessive about matching serial numbers and made sure any multiples of games were bought in order from Nintendo and not one by one at some Gaming Shop.

Yes, I would say that obsessive was the right adjective in this case. It looks like the seller didn't find any other Donkey Kong Jr/serial number enthusiasts. Maybe this will be relisted for your insane buying pleasure. Michael McWhertor

Nintendo Game and Watch DONKEY KONG JR. MINT 10pk. BOX [via GameSetWatch]

The Atari Lynx was not only the company's first handheld, but it was as the first portable device to feature a full-color LCD screen. The portable was shown at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Summer 1989. At that same show, Nintendo introduced the Game Boy, and the rest is history. Sleeping on this pillow is so bound to cause nightmares set to Tetris music. Brian Ashcraft

This is the coolest Xbox 360 accessory I've seen to date. It's a big steel case that carries your Xbox 360, controllers, cables and a flat screen. Once you get to where ever you are going you just pop open the hinged-lid and get to playing. Fantastic idea for LAN parties. Brian Crecente

Ackibox