The good news? The one-piece wheel designed for Need for Speed Undercover has built-in gas and brake controls, is wireless and comes with a lap rest, allowing for play as much as 30-feet from the Wii. The bad news? The thing will ring in at $100 when it hits the U.S. and Europe in November. Yikes. $100 for a $250 console? I see Logitech is keeping it crazy.

LOGITECH INTRODUCES FIRST FORCE FEEDBACK WHEEL FOR WII
Logitech Speed Force Wireless Racing Wheel Works With EA’s Highly Anticipated Racing Game Need for Speed™ Undercover

FREMONT, Calif. — Aug. 21, 2008 — To give you a more realistic driving experience on your Wii™ console, Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced the Logitech® Speed Force Wireless™ racing wheel – the first force feedback wheel for the popular gaming platform. Licensed by Nintendo®, Logitech’s newest force feedback wheel works with Electronic Arts’ Need for Speed™ Undercover and paves the way for more force feedback racing titles on the Wii console.

“We’re excited to team up with Nintendo and Electronic Arts to bring driving realism to the Wii and Need for Speed Undercover,” said Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech’s director of product marketing for gaming. “Logitech has been at the forefront of force feedback technology for more than a decade, and we’re confident that our driving platform will be an indispensable part of the racing experience on Wii as more titles that support it become available.”

“As the world’s most popular racing franchise, Need for Speed is committed to delivering players superior racing experiences,” said Larry LaPierre, Vice President at Black Box, developer of Need for Speed. “This November, Wii gamers can fully experience the thrill of the chase in Need for Speed Undercover with Logitech’s force feedback realism.”

Easy to set up and store, the Logitech Speed Force Wireless features a one-piece design that is convenient to use whether you’re sitting on your couch, arm chair or living room floor. The built-in gas and brake controls are located on the wheel itself and the expandable lap rest is easily adjusted – allowing for comfortable game play without the need to use a table or a desk. Plus, familiar Wii controls make navigating game menus a snap.

To help you minimize clutter, the Logitech Speed Force Wireless eliminates the console cable. With Logitech’s 2.4 GHz wireless technology, you can enjoy lag-free racing from up to 30 feet away from the console. To start racing, just connect the USB receiver to the Wii console, plug in the wheel’s power cord, put in Need for Speed: Undercover, adjust the lap rest to a comfortable position and wait for the race to begin. There’s no mounting or assembly involved. And when you’re ready to put it away, the USB receiver can be stowed in a convenient compartment on the bottom of the wheel.

Logitech Force Feedback Technology
Having introduced its first force feedback products in 1998, the company has designed 19 models of force feedback wheels. And more than 100 racing titles have supported Logitech force feedback technology on a variety of game platforms.

When you’re playing a racing game, standard controllers don’t let you feel all the excitement that makes racing with force feedback technology the closest you can get to the real thing. Force feedback, unlike vibration feedback or rumble technology, creates directionally precise, tactile feedback that accurately simulates forces experienced in the game. Through the use of advanced software and electronics, force feedback moves a steering wheel as if the device were subject to real external forces.

About Need for Speed Undercover
Need for Speed Undercover takes players back to the franchise’s roots and re-introduces break-neck cop chases and spectacular highway battles. Players discover a world of high-stakes and high-speed action in some of the world’s hottest cars. The all-new Heroic Driving Engine propels the action forward as players experience the dramatic story through spectacular Hollywood-style live-action in-game movies.
Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Speed Force Wireless racing wheel is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in November for a suggested retail price of $99.99 (U.S.).

Need for Speed Undercover is being developed by Black Box in Vancouver, B.C. and is slated to ship this November. It will be available for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and Wii™ as well as the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system, PC and mobile. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com.
About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

The peripheral will hit North America in late November and in Japan, Europe and Asia by the end of the year. The Bluetooth-enabled device will support all typing on the Playstation 3, including text chatting in Home and LittleBigPlanet support.

The keypad includes two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, letting users jump to pre-set features on the XMB such as Friends screen and Message Box during game play. Finally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to maneuver the pointer while web browsing by sliding their fingers around the keypad surface.

No price has yet been announced, but the full specs and release are on the jump.

Wireless Keypad for PLAYSTATION(R)3 to Be Introduced This Holiday Season Worldwide

TOKYO, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would release the Wireless Keypad, a new peripheral for SIXAXIS(TM) and DUALSHOCK(R)3 wireless controllers for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)), this holiday season throughout the world. It will be introduced in North America in late November. It will be also introduced in Japan, Europe and Asia by the end of this year.

The highly anticipated Wireless Keypad is designed to fit precisely into the unique shape of SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers, and can be easily attached or removed. By using the product instead of the on-screen keyboard, users will be able to enjoy text chat communication more easily and comfortably in their hands, just as they would use familiar portable communication devices. It supports text chat in PlayStation(R)Home as well, and enables users to enjoy interactivity playing on-line titles and enjoying entertainment content more smoothly.

Equipped with Bluetooth(R) functionality, the Wireless Keypad can be paired to PS3 by simply connecting the keypad to the USB cable that comes bundled with the PS3 system. Also, two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, are placed on the lower part of the Wireless Keypad, enabling users to jump to pre-set features on XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar) such as "Friends" and "Message Box" during game play, which help PS3 users to smoothly communicate with each other. Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.

More and more exclusive software titles that will support text chat feature are scheduled for release towards the end of the year including LittleBigPlanet(TM) (SCEI).

SCEI will vigorously promote various measures to introduce new entertainment world that can be further enriched through the network, including PlayStation Home.

Release date and price of this product will be announced later in each region.

Wireless Keypad Product Overview
Product Name Wireless Keypad
Product Code CECHZK1JP (For Japanese market)
Product Color Black
Hardware Specification Weight : Approx 60g
Voltage: DC 3.7V
Operating Temperature:
5 degrees C ~ 35 degrees C
Built-in Bluetooth(R) Ver.2.0
Keypad Layout: QWERTY layout
Battery Specification Built-in Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
Battery
Battery Capacity: 610mAh

Exclusive: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for iPhone [Crunch Gear]

The test is part of a partnership with Japanese telecommunications giant NTT, which is also working with Nintendo on Wifine for DS, which will allow owners to connect at 20 train stations on the Tsukuba Express line, with information on train transfers, weather, and local restaurants at their fingertips.

It's just another way Nintendo is slowly making the DS a requirement for every man, woman and child, waiting until there is one DS for every member of the populace before unleashing their sinister "Phase Two".

Nintendo Japan starts new wireless data service for the DS [CrunchGear]

Among these will be a Big Air action game controller to be launched in the second half of 2008, which Qmotions says is "a full size skateboard that operates with the Xbox 360 and is compatible with popular skateboarding games." The company had such a product, albeit wired, for the first Xbox compatible with SSX3 and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland

The companies didn't reveal other peripherals beyond the skateboard, nor did they say which games would be compatible with the upcoming products. But Xbox 360 owners, take heart: You, too, will soon be able take off your shoes and stand on something when you want to play video games.

Full release follows the jump.

Actiga Corporation (OTCBB:AGAC), a leading pioneer in active video gaming products and services, today announced that Qmotions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Actiga, has signed a North American licensing agreement with Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq:MSFT), allowing Qmotions to incorporate Microsoft's Xbox 360 wireless technology in its game controllers. Under the agreement, Qmotions will produce a full-range of products that will be officially endorsed by Microsoft.

"This is a milestone event for our company that now enables us to design, develop and market a unique range of wireless products, bringing the excitement of action gaming to a whole new level on the Xbox 360 system," said Amro Albanna, chairman and CEO of Actiga. "We are excited to have been chosen as a Microsoft partner, particularly at this early stage of technology development where the award of Microsoft's wireless accessory agreement continues to position us at the cutting edge of technology."

"Our aim with the Xbox 360 system is to broaden the consumer videogame experience and ensure a perfect match between the console, the peripherals and the game," says Scott Loomis, Xbox Third Party Peripheral Program Manager. "Qmotions has proven their commitment to providing a variety of innovative and high quality peripherals to enhance the video gaming adventure. We will work closely with Qmotions to ensure the best experience for our Xbox 360 players."

The first application of the technology will be seen in the second half of 2008 when Qmotions launches a new line of wireless active game controllers. The company's first wireless product introduction will be the Qmotions-Big Air action game controller, a full size skateboard that operates with the Xbox 360 and is compatible with popular skateboarding games.

Worms 2008: A Space Oddity will include four new mini-games, an enhanced single player campaign, new landscape view mode and new weapons, including the Impact Frag, Atom Packs and Cluster Frags. In Worms 2008, the worms are exploring their solar system, fighting to defend installations, repair space craft, collecting minerals and battling alien races.

The game is scheduled to hit 850 mobile phone types starting in June. More details on the release after the jump.

THQ WIRELESS ANNOUNCES WORMS® 2008 FOR MOBILE PHONES

WOKING, UK - 09 April 2008 - THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc., today announced an agreement with Team17 Software Ltd. to publish Worms® 2008 A Space Oddity for mobile handsets worldwide. Whilst being an entirely new game, Worms 2008 retains all the familiar award-winning gameplay and unique sense of humour that has epitomised the brand for more than a decade. The game will showcase a whole raft of new gameplay features including four all-new mini-games, an enhanced single player campaign mode, an all-new landscape view mode and new loopy weapons.

Worms 2008 features a story of intergalactic Worm travellers exploring their solar system. The improved single-player campaign missions feature varying objectives to keep the player on their toes as they fight to defend installations, repair space crafts, collect rare minerals and battle to the death against alien races. With the space setting comes a host of new weapons, including the Impact Frag, Atom Packs and Cluster Frags, which are based around the classic Worms weapons but share all new artwork and names with Worms: A Space Oddity, released earlier this year for Nintendo Wii™.

Worms 2008 also features all new graphics and new animations, including new looks for the opponent alien races. Advanced landscape generation systems have enabled more realistic levels. Graphical effects like smoke trails help to bring shots to life, while multi-layered parallax particles enhance the depth of field effect and have direct impact from gameplay, reacting to the direction and strength of the wind.

Also, debuting in Worms 2008 is a new AI system that allows enemy worms to determine the greatest threats, navigate the landscape and unleash a variety of weapons. Players will also be able to see the main game in landscape mode, as well as classic portrait mode. This view will allow the user to see more of the landscape and will give an experience closer to playing the game on a widescreen.

Worms 2008 is scheduled to be available for over 850 mobile phones starting in June 2008.

Guitar Hero 3 Standalone Guitars Priced, Dated, Pictured [Primotech]

Update: Activision reminds us that they have not actually officially announced anything about new wireless guitars but have confirmed that this information isn't accurate.

Corinex has decided it feels bad for all you console users without a wireless network in your home. So, to alleviate the pain and limitations that come with a wired network, Corinex has come out with GameNet, a wireless, two-part networking solution to connect all of your consoles to the Internet. Here's the deal: connect one part to your broadband modem, and plug it into the wall. Then plug the wireless adapter into any console with an Ethernet port. And according to Corinex, with that two-minute process, you now have a connection to the Internet that's better than wireless, at 200 Mbps. If that really does sound like the perfect solution for you, a wire-free (er, reduced) and speedier world can be yours for US$169.99.

Gamers Get Leg-up on Opponents With Corinex's GameNet [CES Press Office]

Mad Catz just announced they signed a multi-year deal with Harmonix and MTV to start cranking out peripherals and "other products" for Rock Band worldwide.

The company has the rights to manufacture, market and sell game accessories including wired and wireless bass guitars, drum percussions sets and a wired microphone. They expect their first controllers to hit by the first half of the year.

"This agreement with MTV Games represents a natural opportunity for Mad Catz to combine our core competencies of producing and distributing high-quality accessories with the entertaining experience of Rock Band's interactive controllers," said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. "Mad Catz will produce premium instruments, allowing gamers and music fans to experience music in an entirely new light while taking on the personality of their favorite music idols."

"The addition of the Rock Band license is consistent with Mad Catz' stated goal to align ourselves with the most attractive brands and highly-anticipated software releases while seeking additional accessory opportunities to further diversify and grow our revenue base. With the ability to appeal to both hardcore and casual gamers alike, Rock Band is one of the most highly acclaimed releases of the 2007 holiday season and beyond."

I have very mixed feelings right now, VERY MIXED.

With so many great racing games available, I should really pick one of these up to better appreciate the genre. But man, another peripheral? Rock Band's controllers were the cherry on top of me never having a semblance of a real living room again. So as long as I've gone this far already...

Here's the full press release:

Microsoft is now giving holiday shoppers even more value by reducing the price of its incredibly popular Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel by $30 to just $99 (U.S. ERP). The newly priced Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel now comes bundled with a driver disc and a demo of the acclaimed "Forza Motorsport 2" including full force feedback support. With its sleek design and cutting edge technology, the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel immerses gamers in an unparalleled racing experience.

The Wireless Racing Wheel is compatible with all of the most popular racing games on Xbox 360, including:

Forza Motorsport 2
Project Gotham Racing 4
Project Gotham Racing 3
Test Drive Unlimited
Need for Speed Carbon
DiRT
Nascar 08

Harmonix CEO confirms Rock Band's Xbox 360 bundle guitar is wired [Joystiq]

The Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Controllers and Headset and the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit both hit on Sept. 4, Microsoft announced today.

The wireless controllers, which feature Covenant Brute and Master Chief art by Todd McFarlane, sell for $60 a pop. The Spartan green and gold wireless headset also sells for $60.

The Xbox 360 Messenger Kit includes a backlit Chatpad that pops on to the bottom of your controller and a special headset that attaches to it. The two sell for $30, which seems like a pretty great price to me.

The folks at IGn got a chance to check out the new Les Paul wireless controller for the upcoming Guitar Hero III for the 360. It looks pretty sweet although I have a certain fondness for the original PS version. I don't know why, call it short time nostalgia I guess. And it's about damned time the came out with a first party wireless controller. I guess Microsoft decided not to be so proprietary with their wireless technology so that we can all experience the joy of rocking out knocking over our 40 oz. Flynn De Marco

Guitar Hero Les Paul Controller Impressions [IGN]
[via WiiFanboy]

Microsoft Game Studios' Forza Motorsport 2 hits shelves on Tuesday and to celebrate Microsoft is dropping the price of the Xbox 360 Racing Wheel from $150 to $130.

Microsoft is also kicking off a Forza Motorsport 2 Race Weekend which will run from June 1 through June 3. The online event will include Livery contests, gameplay sessions with developers and a leaderboard tournament. They'll also be giving out some newly cheapened Wireless Racing Wheels.

Hit the jump for the full press release. Brian Crecente

"Forza Motorsport 2" Races Into Living Rooms on Xbox 360 Worldwide
Microsoft celebrates the 91st Indy 500 with release of "Forza Motorsport 2" on May 29; announces price drop for the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, now available for $129.99 ERP.
REDMOND, Wash. — May 25, 2007 — Microsoft Game Studios today announced that "Forza Motorsport® 2" will speed onto U.S. retail shelves Tuesday, May 29, and that the estimated retail price (ERP) of the Xbox 360™ Wireless Racing Wheel has been lowered to $129.99 in the U.S.
Timed to mark the biggest racing event of the year, these announcements are sure to ignite the driving spirit in gamers and car enthusiasts alike as the 91st Annual Indianapolis 500 kicks off today.
Tuned and developed with the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, "Forza Motorsport 2" supports true force feedback, setting a new precedent for realism in the racing simulation genre that will have gamers feeling every bump in the road and every jolt of acceleration as they take the corners on 12 of the most renowned tracks on the globe. With the game running at an astounding 60 frames per second, authentic simulation physics, and rumble functionality with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, "Forza Motorsport 2" offers incredible realism and depth for a complete racing experience in gaming.
In addition, to mark the release of the new title, gamers in the U.S. will be able to participate in the "Forza Motorsport 2" Race Weekend, running June 1 through June 3. Gamers will be able to participate in a "Play and Win," Livery contests, gameplay sessions with developers, and a leaderboard tournament. Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheels and other prizes will be awarded to winners. Gamers will experience all the racing excitement they can handle with the following new gameplay experiences:
• Collect, upgrade and tune hundreds of cars. From sport compacts to purpose-built race cars, "Forza Motorsport 2" offers more than 300 cars from over 50 of the world's leading manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Nissan, Volkswagen, General Motors and Lamborghini. Players can take their car to the garage and install alternative engines, suspension kits, bolt-on superchargers, brakes, rims and racing slicks. Players can also dial in advanced suspension settings, tire pressure and gear ratios.
• Experience an uncompromising physics simulation. Top automotive engineers, professional race car drivers and experienced programmers teamed up to create a complete racing simulator experience. Cars incur dramatic damage and wear, which affects vehicle performance. Advanced tire and suspension models that respond to heat and pressure changes as well as weight transfer and aerodynamic load are just a few examples of how the gamer plays both crew chief and driver.
• Master real-world tracks from around the world. From the famously challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife to the green hills of Tuscany, gamers can race on meticulously designed tracks with an incredible sense of speed and realism. "Forza Motorsport 2" features 47 ribbons across 12 environments, including real-world licensed circuits such as Mugello, Suzuka and Sebring International Raceway.
• Create and share a masterpiece with the world. Players can express their inner artist in the paint and upgrade shops with nearly endless personalization options. They can customize the shape of their car by combining different licensed rims, performance parts and aftermarket body kits and create a unique paint scheme using millions of paint and decal options. Then racers can hit the track and take in-game pictures of their creation in the "Forza Motorsport 2" Photo Mode, or sell their work of art to an eager community for in-game credits over Xbox LIVE® using the "Forza Motorsport 2" Auction House.
• Literally feel the road, just like a professional driver. Through the rumble functionality in the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, players will feel uncompromising responsiveness to every acceleration, downshift and turn, making the racing experience as true to life as possible. With the latest improvements to rumble, force feedback and wireless technologies, form and function are placed into high-speed gaming motion, letting racers feel every bump around the turns at famous tracks such as Sebring as well as the differences in handling and stability in each car they drive.
• Compete in a vibrant online community. Gamers can take their personalized car onto Xbox LIVE for some intense online wheel-to-wheel racing. They have the option to compete in private online sessions with friends or in large public tournaments on Xbox LIVE in the seamlessly integrated "Forza Motorsport 2" Career Mode.* They can earn in-game credits and even complete single-player career objectives while racing over Xbox LIVE. Or they can sit back and watch the best racers from around the world compete on "Forza Motorsport 2" TV.
Fans can continue to visit http://www.xbox.com and http://forzamotorsport.net for more information, screen shots and videos.
From the creative minds at Turn 10 Studios, "Forza Motorsport 2" is the game that offers something for every type of racing and car enthusiast, such as optional driving assists for the novice and gameplay options for the serious car aficionado that include the ability to tune, trade, paint and collect players' favorite cars. With Xbox LIVE, players can share and sell their custom creations on the "Forza Motorsport 2" online Auction House and experience an impressively accurate simulation, putting their performance-tuned rides to the test against the best the online world has to offer. "Forza Motorsport 2" will be widely available at retailers nationwide May 29 for an ERP of $59.99.
About Turn 10 Studios
"Forza Motorsport 2" is developed by Turn 10 of Microsoft Game Studios. The experienced development team led by Dan Greenawalt is composed of top developers and real race drivers and car collectors whose pedigrees include work on top racing franchises such as "Forza Motorsport," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "RalliSport Challenge." Microsoft also teamed up with top engineers from the likes of Ferrari SpA and Toyo Tires to create incredibly realistic driving physics in a racing simulation game.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®"; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as "Gears of War" and franchises such as "Halo®," "Fable®," "Project Gotham Racing" and "Forza Motorsport"; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic®."
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Children should never, ever use the internet. Ever.

It's a sad testament to my psyche that upon reading this news the first thing that came to mind was "How could this be used for porn?" The answer? "Just send us your credit card info and friend code, and prepare for the hottest, heaviest Pokemon Battle ever. Don't forget to bring your squirtle." WTB innocence. Michael Fahey

ON APRIL 22, TWO NEW POK MON JEWELS WILL HAVE PEOPLE TALKING

Wireless and Chat Abilities of Pok mon Diamond and Pok mon Pearl Act Like a Cell Phone for Kids

REDMOND, Wash., March 15, 2007 - For a decade, fans of Pok mon video games have been entertained by exciting adventures, dramatic battles and hundreds of new Pok mon. Now the record-setting franchise is evolving with Pok mon Diamond Version and Pok mon Pearl Version, two new games available April 22 for the top-selling Nintendo DS . The in-depth games feature enhanced graphics that make Pok mon jump off the screen like never before. In addition to the 380 Pok mon available in previous versions, players can collect, train and battle more than 100 new Pok mon. After completing certain objectives, they can also import Pok mon from their Game Boy Advance games. Starting March 18, fans who pre-order a copy of either game will receive one of two collectible Pok mon styluses (retailer may require pre-order deposit).

But the game's wireless abilities are what will have everyone talking - literally. Using a local wireless connection, up to eight trainers can connect and play. Both Pok mon Diamond and Pok mon Pearl are fully Wi-Fi compatible, meaning players can log onto Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service, and compete with players all around the world. The microphone built into the Nintendo DS even lets players talk with friends before, during and after battles. Only players who have entered one another's Friend Codes can communicate using this Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, feature so players can control with whom they communicate. For kids, it's like having a cell phone that can only connect with their friends. The Nintendo DS Headset, sold separately, makes these conversations a breeze.

"The amazing wireless and voice chat features of Pok mon Diamond and Pok mon Pearl offer gamers something completely new," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "We make games for everybody, and these Pok mon titles are sure to be a hit with new and returning players."

Players can trade Pok mon or battle with players anywhere in the world, even without voice communication. The Global Trade Station allows players to post Pok mon they want to trade on a board and browse through Pok mon other players have posted. The Battle Tower allows players to battle with seven Trainers who have registered their player data in the Wi-Fi Battle Dome. After the battle, players can upload their data so other Trainers can battle them virtually. The more games a player wins, the higher his or her ranking.

Pok mon Diamond and Pok mon Pearl feature the ability for players to control their Pok dex using the touch screen controls of Nintendo DS. As time passes in the real world, the look of the games changes. The Pok mon characters that appear change, and the evolution of some Pok mon is affected.

More than 155 million Pok mon games have been sold worldwide. When Pok mon Diamond and Pok mon Pearl were released in Japan, they became the fastest-selling Pok mon games ever, with 5 million units shipped to retailers in their first three months of availability. For more information about these games, visit www.Pokemon.com.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii , Nintendo DS , Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.2 billion video games and more than 387 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario , Donkey Kong , Metroid , Zelda and Pok mon . A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

Pok mon USA, Inc., a subsidiary of The Pok mon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia which includes licensing, marketing, the Pok mon Trading Card Game, an animated TV series, home entertainment, the official Pok mon Web site and an online retail center www.pokemoncenter.com. Just coming off its 10th worldwide anniversary in 2006, Pok mon was launched in Japan in 1996 for play on Nintendo's Game Boy and has since evolved into a global cultural phenomenon. Pok mon was introduced in North America in September 1998 and today is one of the most popular toy and entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.

The Xbox 360's wireless controller was the most purchased video game accessory last month. I'm sorta surprised that more Remote Controllers didn't sell, but there have been reports of stock issues with Wii accessories. Yep, Wii remotes are just flying off.. shelves.

Top 10 Accessory Items - December 2006
360 WIRELESS CONTROLLER 823.8 k
WII REMOTE CONTROLLER 646.7 k
WII NUNCHUK CONTROLLER 497.1 k
PS2 8 MEG MEMORY CARD 474.8 k
PS3 SIXAXIS WIRELESS CONTROLLER 336.0 k
PS2 MEMORY CARD 8 MEG 286.0 k
PS2/PS DUAL SHOCK2 CONTL 263.4 k
PS2/PS BLUE DL SH2 CNTL 245.2 k
360 PLAY & CHARGE KIT 224.6 k
PS2 CORDLESS ACTION CNTLR 219.9 k

Brian Crecente

Last week when Microsoft sent me a copy of the retail version of Vista they also sent along this cool little PC dongle, it allows you to connect your standard wireless Xbox 360 controllers to your computer. I haven't had a chance to mess with it yet, but plan to next week after I get back from my 12-hour visit to Las Vegas on Sunday. In and out baby, that's how I roll. Brian Crecente

We have received feedback from some customers that they have experienced issues while using the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, including difficulty syncing the headset to the controller, reception interference and audio sensitivity when playing action-packed games like Gears of War. We are committed to providing the highest quality accessories for Xbox 360 and would like to assist in troubleshooting and resolving those issues, whether by replacing or repairing the units under warranty. We encourage anyone experiencing issues with the Wireless Headset to call 1-800-4-MY-XBOX.

If you've had problems, make sure you get in touch with them. And, hey, let us know how it all turns out. Michael McWhertor

Xbox 360 Wireless Headset Update [Gamerscoreblog]
Xbox 360 Wireless Headset Conflicts With Older Controllers? [Kotaku]

This video illustrates an issue some Xbox 360 owners are experiencing when using their original Xbox 360 wireless controllers alongside the recently released wireless headset. Anyone out there in Kotakuland running into this problem? The official Xbox forums are rife with complaints about buggy behavior with the new accessory, but we're not sure how widespread this may be. Hopefully MS is working on a solution for those affected.

Thanks for the info, Ben. Michael McWhertor

Hit the jump to see my 5-year-old playing Ridge Racer with the Sixaxis, Excite Truck with the Wii Remote and Project Gotham Racing 3 with the Xbox 360's wireless wheel. Typical of a 5-year-old, whatever system he happened to be playing at the time was his favorite.

Personally, I think the best controls depend on the game. I can't imagine playing Excite Truck with a steering wheel or PGR3 with a Remote. Brian Crecente

My Son Masters the Sixaxis

My Son Masters the Wiimote

Clips: My Son Masters the 360 Wireless Wheel

I've posted videos of my son playing race games using the Wii Remote and the Sixaxis so I thought it was only fair to post one of him playing Project Gotham Racing 3 using the Xbox 360 Wireless Wheel. Tristan says this is his favorite controller. Of course he said the other two were his favorites too at the time. Brian Crecente

I haven't had a lot of time to really mess around with the Xbox 360 wireless headset since Microsoft sent it to me. I've just been too busy with the dual console launches. But last night I tried using it for Gears of War and it wouldn't work at all.

I'm going to recharge it and try again tonight.

Apparently those who have gotten it to work have had issues with the microphone disconnecting and way too much background noise. While the mic issue is going to have to be fixed by Microsoft, Teksuo Hikari came up with a fix of his own for the white noise.

Simply remove the little foam filter from your standard wired headset (or any other, just make sure it's got a snug fit) and slip it on the end of your wireless mic. Now, you may immediately notice that the filter may cover up two of your channels lights. If this is a problem, just take a pair of nail clippers and carefully cut out a small hole, big enough to read the first channel.

While this may leave your second channel light covered (and ideally it should, to help keep it from slipping off), many of you will probably be using the first. If not, simply click the sync button to move down to the second channel. Once you're done, you'll be back on live, enjoying the freedom of a wireless headset, while screaming "How ya like that, bitches?!" with the voice quality of a wired set.

Mods FTW! Brian Crecente

White Noise Fix for Xbox 360 wireless headset [RedAssedBaboon, which I own]

Whoops, those crazy kids at Best Buy always seem to be accidentally selling stuff early. Their latest snafu? An Xbox 360 Wireless Headset.

Reader EZWaffles says he was tromping through his local Best Buy when he noticed a blue shirt walking by toting a stack of the headsets in his arms. The employee told them he was just taking them back to the warehouse because they didn't go on sale until sometime between Nov. 8 and Nov. 12. Rejected, EZW started to head to the exit when he happened to notice a spare wireless headset lying on a display cabinet. He snagged it, ran to the check-out, paid and skidaddled. The price tag was about $60.

He hasn't actually popped it open yet because he's gifting it to his wife today... shhhh, don't say anything. Brian Crecente

Finally! Tripping over the wire when you're rocking out to Godzilla in Guitar Hero and shattering your front teeth across the upper edge of your television screen will be a thing of the past: RedOctane has announced that the Guitar Hero controllers are going wireless next month.

They will be compatible with either Guitar Hero 1 or 2 (the latter's due out next month in the US and Europe), and we're assured that they use the same mechanism, and have been created to the same high quality as the wired Guitar Hero SG controllers.

They're also going to be white, we're told... but it's not clear whether the actual shape has changed at all.

The big question is whether or not these will be bundled into Guitar Hero 2 or not. Keeping fingers and toes crossed. Florian Eckhardt

Wireless Guitar Hero controllers next month! [Eurogamer]

Wires, cords and cables? Blech, no thank you. Wireless gaming is pure happiness. And even happier when it's in French and features a spinning controller. Cute TV spot. No, really. Brian Ashcraft

Thanks, Robin

Over at Aeropause, they spotted this worrying paper submitted by Sony to the FCC. In the paper, Sony claims that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules in the PS3 do not transmit simultaneously. This is doubtlessly meant to assuage some sort of FCC requirement.

But if this is true, doesn't that mean that you couldn't be connected wirelessly to the internet and use wireless controllers at the same time? And isn't that just stupid?

Aeropause is cautioning that people not read too much into this, before explanations have been gathered. And hell, there's a few possible explanations, no doubt. I'd personally be surprised if this were true. But then I start thinking all the other ways Sony has managed to fuck up their sure thing, and I start getting a little bit nervous again. Florian Eckhardt

FCC PS3 Papers, What Does This Mean? [Aeropause]

Edit: Kotakuite Kigian writes in the comments:

It is true that both Bluetooth and Wifi use the same ISM band. However as anyone who has Wifi in their home and who uses Bluetooth too, they certainly do work together just fine. They don't need to be transmitting simultaneously.

And Kotakuite John Doe also wrote in:

Just saw your article on the FCC filing revealing that PS3's bluetooth and wifi do not transmit simultaneously. This simply indicates that they're using Time Domain Multiplexing to interleave Bluetooth and Wifi activity to avoid interference between the two signals (since both are on the 2.4Ghz band). To the user, they'll both appear to be on simultaneously, but technically underneath they're actually each active on alternating intervals (it alternates between the two very very quickly, so that to the user it appears they're both on at the same time, all the time). You can do this because the bandwidth required from Wifi and Bluetooth combined is less than that offered by the 2.4Ghz range.

You guys rule. Thanks for the clarification! So we can all probably stand down in alarm on this one' although if that's de facto the way WiFi and Bluetooth operate together, I'm not entirely clear on why it needed to be specified by Sony.

If you're too dang cheap to spend $53.96 on some wireless Guitar Hero controllers, you've got another option: you can rip apart your current one and plans a wireless mechanism deep within its belly.

Make has instructions. All you need are some old wireless controllers, a Guitar Hero controller and the technical sophistication not to send purple bolts of electricity rocketing through your body when you try to wire them together. I was missing one of those three criterion, so I'm afraid I will be mistaken for a rather freakish sufferer for alopecia for the next few weeks. Florian Eckhardt

Wireless Guitar Hero PS2 Controller Mod [Make]

Yesterday, we asked for our readers — whom we see as a vast armada of guinea pigs with money far less valuable than our own — to tell us what they thought of the DDRgame third-party Guitar Hero controller. No one did. But! Someone mentioned that there actually is a wireless Guitar Hero controller. We've been swabbing out our belly buttons ever since.

This is it: the Rocking Freedom V Guitar Controller from Guitar Mania. Not only that, our stinky nemeses over at IGN seem to like it, provided this isn't another one of their on-a-scale-of-8-to-10 punk outs:

Wireless connectivity in Guitar Hero cannot be underestimated in terms of the added level of immersion it offers for hardcore fans. Guitar Hero is all about the fantasy of rocking in front of thousands of adoring fans, and everyone knows if you aren't jumping off of your PAs, spinning, and swinging your guitar around your neck you aren't putting on a proper show. We can't count the times we've jerked our standard guitars right out of the PS2 in the midst of leaping around our living rooms in the midst of a glorious solo, and the sudden freedom provided by the Freedom V has unlocked our true stage presence.

It's pretty pricey at $53.86, but our credit card quivers. Florian Eckhardt

Guitar Mania Official Site

Gamerscoreblog posted up this video of two Aussies playing Project Gotham Racing 3 on their Xbox 360 in the pool. All it took was an outdoor TV set-up, two wireless controllers and four ziplock bags. Man, I wish I had a pool. That looks like fun. Brian Crecente

So here's the list, according to the official press release, to clear matters up.

Both the 20 GB and 60 GB versions of the PS3 will include four USB 2.0 plugs, Bluetooth 2.0 support and wireless controller support.

Only the 60 GB version will have a built in MemoryStick/SD/Compact Flash Reader, though a rep told me that you can just plug a regual reader into the PS3 using a USB plug.

The 20GB will support ethernet, while the 60 GB will come with 802.11 b/g support.

Both versions will support 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p output, though only the 60 GB version will have HDMI out. Both will also have AV multi-out and digital audio optical out.

Both versions will come with a read-only BD/DVD/CD Drive that can read Bluray at 2x, DVD at 8x and CD at 24x.

And for those wondering the device is 325 mm wide, 98 mm tall, 274 mm deep and weighs 5 kg.

The original spec sheet said the PS3 would have two HDMIs out and two ethernet ports, so not that much has been lost.

Hope that clears up at least a few things.

I still don't see why a person would need or want a wireless headset for a wireless Xbox 360 controller, but apparently there is a non-mod way of landing one.

Turtle Beach created the Ear Force X2, a wireless pair of headphones for both the Xbox and Xbox 360. The lightweight wireless cans use high-def infrared signals to avoid interference and gives you true stereo sound, unlike the single ear variety.

The phones will sell for about $100 when then hit on March 20.

Ear Force X2 [Turtle Beach]

Family friend Gizmodo points at yet another pair of headphones for the PSP. What's up with all of these? First, we had the chatting headset and now the wireless headphones from Gizmodo. The Summit headphones (pictured) use an FM modulator to run the signal on an unused FM band.

Not sure just how useful this would be, but Thanko is making a wireless headset for the Playstation Portable. Now you can extend your arms... completely.

PSP Wireless Headset [PSP Vault]