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  Tropico 3 Is 360 Bound

  Kalypso Media makes their publishing debut on the Xbox 360 this fall, announcing an Xbox 360 version of the island nation management simulation Tropico 3. Shortly after the third game in the acclaimed Tropico series hits PCs, Xbox 360 owners will be able to step into the polished loafers of El Presidente, managing the day-to-day…

  By Mike Fahey Published July 31, 2009
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  Right Now, Mrs. Bashcraft Will Start Reading Kotaku

  To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: The O’Reilly Factor The thing that makes me most excited about Kotaku Japan? Mrs. Bashcraft has never really read the site before, but now she has no excuse. This is a good thing. Perhaps? What you missed last night The Great Nintendo Release Schedule, July 2009 Edition The King of…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2009
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  Talk Amongst Yourselves

  Say goodbye to the diner people, everyone. Their month of TAY duty is complete. Carry on and chat about video games. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ.

  By Stephen Totilo Published July 31, 2009
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  Guitar Hero 5 Gets Full Xbox 360 Avatar Support

  Xbox 360 avatars will be able to jam in upcoming rhythm game Guitar Hero 5, Activision announced this morning. The game will let players import and customize their avatars. Players will be able to choose the instrument each avatar plays, as well as choosing their band mates. The game will still have in-game characters including…

  By Brian Crecente Published July 31, 2009
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  12% Of Americans Buy Digital Goods

  Data taken by research firm Magid and Associates has revealed that an estimated 12% of Americans bought some kind of virtual or digital item over the past 12 months. And we’re not talking music or ringtones or other non-gaming stuff, here. We’re talking items “purchased and exchanged online in games, virtual worlds, and social networks”.…

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009
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  Gran Turismo PSP Box Art Get

  This game’s been so long coming, it’s reached almost mythical proportions. So you’d expect Gran Turismo PSP‘s box art to include something…otherworldly. But nope. It’s just a car!

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009
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  Some Mega Man, Metroid & Persona Figures For Your Wishlist

  You probably won’t ever get your hands on any of these figures, as they’re custom kits sold only in limited quantities, but hey, nobody’s going to stop you from dreaming. Shown off at the recent Wonder Festival in Japan, and crafted by Dimension Diver, there’s exquisite Mega Man, Roll, Samus, Aegis & Metis figures on…

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009
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  Let’s Find Out How Many People Actually Use The PlayStation Network

  For a while now, Sony have publicly measured the sign-up rate of the PlayStation Network by the number of individual accounts. Which looks good on paper, but it’s not very realistic, is it? So we’re much happier now we have a real statement on the number of people making the most of the PlayStation Network.…

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009
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  Hidden Square Enix Countdown Clock Art

  That Square Enix *ungh* countdown clock? Reader Andrew picked through the site and found two images what looks like art for the game. The Japanese internet seems to think this site is counting down to a home console version of Square Enix’s arcade game Lord of Vermillion. A Square Enix trademark for Lord of Arcana…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2009
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  Sony: PS3 Manufacturing Costs Down 70 Percent

  Over time, parts get cheaper and companies get better at the manufacturing process. Case in point: the PLAYSTATION 3. In an investor call, Sony corporate CEO Nobuyuki Oneda revealed that PS3 manufacturing costs have dropped 70 percent. “We don’t disclose how much of the PS3, specifically the cost deduction was achieved during the past two…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2009
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  Nintendo Slips In Anti-Piracy Measures Into DSi Update

  That recent DSi update that brought Facebook to Japanese DSi handhelds also brought something else: software to combat R4-type piracy devices. Back in November of last year, it seemed as though R4 cartridges would not work in the then new DSi units. However, by May of this year, dedicated DSi piracy devices had hit the…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2009
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  Pong, Kinky Boots, Whips, Sexy Times

  Here’s one way to sauce up a game of Pong: have you play the game using a pair of pointy boots. And if you lose, you get whipped. Literally. Confused? Let this creepy British man explain. Tech Know: Kinky boot that whips [BBC]

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009
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  New Life Sales For Wii Fit, Mario Kart Wii, Wii Sports

  Kyoto-based Nintendo Co., Ltd. has released sales data for its biggest selling titles during the April – June 2009 quarter. Let’s have a look. During the period, Wii Fit sold 3.6 million units globally (130,000 units in Japan and 3.47 million overseas), bringing lifetime sales for the game to 21.82 million copies. Mario Kart Wii…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2009
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  Relic Games Go Half-Price on Steam

  If you’re smart, you already own at least one of the following: Company of Heroes, Dawn of War or Dawn of War II. If you’re not smart, you can get smart this weekend on Steam, and for half the price. All of Relic’s recent RTS titles – Company of Heroes (and all its expansions), Dawn…

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009
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  Pikachu, In Awesome Custom Van Form

  As seen on Flickr via kimonobox.

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2009
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  The Great Nintendo Release Schedule, July 2009 Edition

  Let’s say you want to know when a Nintendo game is coming out on a Nintendo system. Or when somebody else’s game is coming out on a Nintendo system. You’ll need some kind of release schedule. Like this one! Here’s a list of all upcoming first and third party games due for a Nintendo system.…

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009
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  Square Enix Rolls Out *Ungh* A Countdown Clock

  Japanese game maker Square Enix pulls out its favorite PR chestnut, the countdown clock, and tosses up a teaser site for some video game. There’s not much to the site: Some background art, text that reads “VI DAYS” and a countdown clock. Does it get anymore exciting than this? Yes, yes it does. The countdown…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2009
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  Take A Tour Of The New Xbox 360 Dashboard

  There’s a range of changes coming to the 360’s dashboard soon, changes people signed up to the preview program are enjoying right now. Not one of them? Enjoy the experience via proxy with this clip.

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009
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  The King of Fighters XII Getting Another Patch To Fix Glitch

  SNK’s 100 percent hand drawn fighter The King of Fighters XII was released with laggy online play. The game got a patch to fix that. That wasn’t the only problem with KOFXII, though. There is a glitch which is caused when Raiden and Elisabeth battle it out, and a specific move causes her to go…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2009
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  Capcom Quietly Reveals Bionic Commando Sales Data

  Bionic Commando came, underwhelmed, then whimpered off quietly into the night. Didn’t really perform as hoped/expected. But just how did it perform? Capcom’s latest earnings report has some numbers tucked away that may be of use. According to the Japanese publisher, the game has shipped 550,000 copies to retailers since launch. And that’s a worldwide…

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2009