Playstation 3 Firmware 4.41 Released April 26, 2013

PS3 owners should start firing up their consoles and clicking over to the software update feature on the XMB because Sony has released Firmware 4.41 for the Playstation 3.  No patch notes were supplied with the update but it has been reported that the new firmware includes some bug fixes and other behind the scenes improvements.

The new firmware is required for players to access to the Playstation Network.

Wii U Firmware 3.0 Released April 25, 2013

Wii U owners frustrated with the operating system’s long load times can breathe a sigh of relief tonight as Nintendo has just released firmware version 3.0 for the Wii U.

The update will start automatically the next time you fire up your Wii U. Once it’s finished downloading in the background, you can start it from the download menu. Just press the Home button on the Wii U controller to check the download’s progress. Or you could just start a manual update from the Settings menu. The download should take around 30 minutes, and about five more for the installation.

The update does more than just improve load times for the Wii U’s operating system, it adds the ability for the Wii U to download and install system updates while turned off. If you want to enable this feature, the system will prompt you about it after the update is finished and the system restarts.

Miiverse is now on the Web April 25, 2013

Fans of the Miiverse can rejoice today!  Nintendo has officially announced that Miiverse can now be accessed on the World Wide Web through your web browser or smartphone of choice, with no need for a Wii U.

Miiverse is the Wii U’s official social platform.  It allows Wii U owners with Nintendo Network accounts to post their thoughts through either text or art in various different Nintendo communities.  They can talk about current and future Wii U games, or join special communities with a more general focus where you can discuss things ranging from The Legend of Zelda to The Year of Luigi.

Currently, the online Miiverse is in beta.  Only people with a Nintendo Network account can access it, and you can only sign up for a Nintendo Network account through a Wii U.  So from the looks of it, this is going to be Wii U owners only for right now.  Existing Wii U owners with a Nintendo Network account can check it out right now from their web browser or smartphone at miiverse.nintendo.net!

Nintendo has previously announced a native smartphone app for Miiverse is coming in the future.

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Launch Trailer April 24, 2013

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut is hitting shelves next week, but developer Rising Star Games has saw fit to release its launch trailer today.  The new version of the game takes the original Deadly Premonition game which released several years ago, and adds new scenarios, improved graphics and controls, and DLC support.

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut is coming April 30th, 2013 exclusive to the PS3.

New Generation Xbox Reveal in 27 Days April 24, 2013

Huge news this afternoon!

Microsoft has just put the word out via email that a major press event will take place in exactly 27 days.  Unlike Sony, who simply teased with very little prior information what they would show at what turned out to be their PS4 announcement event, Microsoft’s announcement makes it quite clear that they will be revealing off their new generation Xbox.  They concluded it with the Twitter hashtag, #XboxReveal.

The event will take place at 10AM PDT on May 21st, 2013.  The event will be streamed on Xbox.com and Xbox Live.

Nintendo Showcases New Wii U Virtual Console Games April 19, 2013

After releasing their most recent Nintendo Direct, Nintendo released several trailers showcasing new Virtual Console games which are coming to the Wii U.  Many of these games have not yet been announced for the Wii U, as currently only Balloon Fight, Kirby’s Adventure, Punch-Out, Super Metroid, F-Zero, Donkey Kong and Yoshi have been announced as part of Nintendo’s 30 cent promotion.

From the looks of it, Nintendo plans to ramp up their release schedule of VC games on the Wii U after the next major system update, which should be coming later this month.  Take a look for yourselves at what is coming!

First off, Super Mario World.  This was originally a launch title for the Super Nintendo, and has been considered by many to be the finest Super Mario game of the entire series.

Next up, Ice Climber.

Next, the NES game Excitebike.

And of course, Donkey Kong Jr.

Nintendo hasn’t announced when these games will be released yet, but I would imagine that they should be coming following the next system update, and the end of the current 30 cent Virtual Console promotion.  While these games will likely go for $5-9 US by themselves, anyone who has already purchased these games through the Wii’s Virtual Console and wish to buy the updated Wii U version of the game, can do so at a large discount of $1 for NES games and $1.50 for SNES games.  You’ll just need to transfer all of your Wii’s system data to your Wii U, and you can read here how to do it.

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Has Gone Gold April 19, 2013

I’ve just received an email from Deadly Premonition’s developers, Rising Star Games that Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut has gone gold.  For those of you who don’t know, “Gone Gold” is a term used in game development which means the game’s development has finished and is currently in the process of being mass manufactured for retail shelves.  “Gold” refers to the “Gold Master” disc the finished game is printed on.

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut is an updated version of the 2010 cult classic, where FBI profiler Francis York Morgan must investigate strange activity in an open world town.  It features new scenarios, improved controls, and the possibility for new content to come through DLC.

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut is coming April 30th, 2013 exclusive to the Playstation 3.

Nintendo Direct 4/17/2013 April 17, 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen, one more time with Mr. Iwata.

Okay, let’s get this all out there right now.  First, the Virtual Console is going to be stepping up on the Wii U very soon.  The biggest surprises without any doubt is the announcement EarthBound will be coming to the Wii U Virtual Console service in North America and Europe this year!  The Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages games, two classics from The Legend of Zelda series originally released on the Game Boy Advance, are being rereleased to the Nintendo 3DS.  For those of you who loved these games because of their unique capability to interact with each other’s story, Nintendo promises all of the linking capabilities of the original games are remaining intact in this rerelease.

What about new retail games?  Well, the 3DS will be getting a long-awaited official sequel to A Link to the Past in glorious 3D.  Donkey Kong Country Returns, which was originally released for the Nintendo Wii, will be getting a 3DS facelift with an entirely new gameplay mode which will improve the experience for handheld players.  Don’t worry, you’ll also going to have the option to play the game as it was originally designed if you prefer.  But I think the biggest announcement is there is also going to be a brand new Mario Party game exclusively for the 3DS this winter, and it is going to bring entirely new boards and minigames which you’ll be able to play with friends online or locally.

On the Wii U front, more Wii U system updates are coming, which will bring faster load times, and the ability to download and install games in the background during gameplay.  Wii Panorama View, which I mentioned during an open editorial I wrote to Nintendo a few weeks ago, is getting a free demo release shortly after the Wii U’s next major system update.  Nintendo promises that you’ll be able to download new videos through the service for about $2 US a piece.

Oh and for those of you interested in the New Super Luigi U DLC for New Super Mario Bros U, you’ll be happy to know that Luigi is bringing all new moves to the game.  He can jump higher than Mario, but it is more difficult for him to stop his momentum.  Because of that, the 82 levels in the original game are being reworked around this.  Oh, and you’ll only have 100 seconds to complete each level.  New Super Luigi U is coming Summer 2013.  You’ll need New Super Mario Bros U to play it.

I know, there is just way too much for me to post up here.  You can be sure I’ll be covering more about all of this news in the days to come!

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Jetstream Sam VR Missions Released April 9, 2013

The latest VR Missions have been released for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.  The new DLC will put players in the shoes of the game’s antagonist Jetstream Sam in an entirely new VR Mission campaign.  This DLC release is more than just a new set of VR Missions which you can use a new character skin to play in.  This is an entirely new story which follow’s Sam’s recruitment spree for the Desperado group.

The Jetstream Sam DLC is out now for $9.99 US on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and can be purchased and downloaded through their respective online marketplaces.  The full version of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is required to play.  Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is out now for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Halo 4 Castle Map Pack Released April 9, 2013

A brand new map pack has been released for Halo 4 this week.  The Castle Map Pack is 800 Microsoft Points (about $10US) by itself or free to people who have already purchased the War Games Map Pass or the Halo 4 Limited Collector’s Edition.  Take a look at this trailer for yourselves to see a glimpse at what is included!

If you have already purchased the War Games Map Pass or Halo 4 Limited Collector’s Edition, you will need to download the Castle Map Pack through the Halo 4 main menu.  There should be a star next to the Xbox Live Marketplace menu to tell you some new content is now up for download.  You can download the map pack from there.  It is about 450MB in size.

Note:  A new Halo 4 patch has been released recently, and you may need to download it in order to use the Castle Map Pack.  The patch is 36MB in size and should prompt you to download it automatically the next time you run Halo 4 while connected to Xbox Live.

If you haven’t downloaded the War Games Map Pass or any of the previous individual Halo 4 Map Packs, Microsoft says they are holding a promotion where they will be reducing the price of the War Games Map Pass and the previously released Halo 4 Map Packs on April 12th, 2013.  You can check out Major Nelson’s Blog for all the details.

Halo 4 is required to play the Castle Map Pack.  It is out now exclusive to the Xbox 360.