The game’s developer, SilverBirch Studios, put out a press release thanking us and GamingExcellence, which gave N+ an award for best PSP game.

“This is obviously a great honor for us,” said Wojtek Kawczynski, Senior Vice President, SilverBirch Studios. “Winning two awards at E3 further validates the quality of N+ and is a reflection of the passion that went into the making of the game.”

There needed not be an E3 sketchbook, because the webcomic geniuses at PA summed up the entire three and a half days in one simple comic.

And then they finished the job in their single E3 blog post:

No doubt the proprietors of Ladies’ Home Journal were breathless during Nintendo’s presentation, but those outside of that august body may derive less enjoyment. This is the deep-dish, delicious irony endured by the Nintendo stalwart: to see their platform of choice ascendant, even as their bright God turns his face away. Though it contained very little sustenance for our kind, the presentation was (as is typical) a confident, refined affair. The salvo was not a failure. It was simply aimed elsewhere.

That was E3 this year. More promises of future promises promising future promises and no real substance out of the big three.

If the big three didn’t bore you to death, there was some actual content at E3 this year, including the rise of Atari, the balls descending on Electronic Arts and an awesome looking Fallout 3.

And there were some sleepers and a movie announcement. Yay.

Talking to radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt, Brokaw reacted to the shooting at the Nebraska mall in a way that I simply consider dangerous, especailly for someone who calls himself a journalist and a free-speech advocate.

HH: Do you not think it’s going to incite other people to try to do the same thing?

TB: No, I don’t. I think…to get back to something we were talking about earlier in general thematic terms, I don’t think we’re doing a very good job about talking about violence in this country, either. You know, Virginia Tech went away. We didn’t have any ongoing dialogue in our communities or on the air about the corrosive effect of violence. It was not what he, what people saw of him on the air that will drive them, it’s what they read in blog sites, and what they see in video games. It’s that kind of stuff that I think is cancerous. And I’m a free speech absolutist, but I think that at the same time, we have to have free speech in some kind of a context. And part of that context is a discussion of the possible effects of it.

For SHAME Tom…

This is why blogs exist — to further free speech and give all people a voice that anyone is free to analyze for themselves.

And great job Matt for bringing this to the spotlight.

Atari released this today:
Atari, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATAR), one of the world’s most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher, today announced that Asteroids(R) and Asteroids Deluxe(R) is now available on Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade, with three more beloved Atari Classics coming soon. With Asteroids(R) and Asteroids Deluxe(R), Battlezone(R), Tempest(TM) and Warlords(R), Atari will deliver the same gaming sights, sounds and action as the original, as well as a new evolved version of games featuring enhanced graphics, sounds and special effects.

“Atari and Stainless are thrilled to bring the Atari Classic and Evolved games to Xbox LIVE Arcade,” said Robert Lindsley, Executive Producer, Atari, Inc. “Players can now get the best of both worlds; nostalgic fun with the original Classics and new gaming experiences with the Evolved versions featuring contemporary graphics and music, all while unlocking Achievements and boosting their Gamerscores.”

Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe offers gamers the chance to rotate, thrust, flip, fire and launch into hyperspace as oncoming asteroids are blasted to smithereens just like in the 1979 original. The evolved version features the same frenetic gameplay with updated, beautifully rendered, high definition graphics.

Following through this holiday season will be Tempest, Battlezone, and Warlords. Maintaining the spirit of the original’s linear geometric rendering by using vector graphics, the evolved version of the cult-classic Tempest features a graphics overhaul. Using skill and an arsenal of weapons, gamers must clear a web of enemies before time runs out and advance to the next stage.

The classic Battlezone has received a serious overhaul and added exciting new multiplayer modes. Players can use the Xbox Live Camera to watch live video of their opponents. Combine these features with new special effects for weapon firing, impacts and explosions and Battlezone becomes one killer classic.

The multiplayer Warlords pits king versus king to resurrect the competitive spirit of arcade games from years gone by. Up to four players can join the action with Xbox Live Camera support and take control of their own castle, allowing for a variety of single- or multiplayer experiences.

Gamers can recall their old-school arcade skills in Emulation mode and experience these treasured games in all their historical glory. Mature trigger fingers can play the evolved versions of the same titles and experience the same core gameplay. Gamers of all levels can test their gaming prowess out with three different settings — Easy, Medium and Hard. For those who need a refresher on Classic Atari games, time-limited trial modes are available for all titles. These Atari Classics on Xbox LIVE Arcade support all Xbox 360 high definition resolutions up to 1080p as well as full-screen anti-aliasing and digital surround sound. Players can make the most of the Xbox LIVE service with leader boards and 12 achievements.

1. DLO HomeDock Deluxe: A home entertainment center for the iPod which is the world’s first iPod dock that lets you view and select your iPod’s music on your TV screen, allowing you to navigate, select and play your songs using the included 18-button remote control.

2. Memorex iFlip: A video viewer for iPod which allows you to enjoy the video content stored on your iPod on a larger screen. It also charges your iPod and has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to 5 hours of video playback.

3. Logitech AudioStation: Just add your iPod to create a full-function stereo that fills any room in your home with high-performance sound.

4. SpeckTone Retro: An iPod speaker system with a 1950′s Retro style. Very good sound output and strong bass, thanks to a bottom-side subwoofer. The SpeckTone is a stark departure from the ordinary, but don’t let the old style fool you. The sound quality of the SpeckTone is worthy of a strong endorsement.

5. Sharper Image iSoother: A ZipConnect speaker system for your iPod or MP3 player, an AM/FM digital radio, a backlit LCD talking alarm clock and a Sound Soother with 20 environments all played through dual built-in aluminum-cone stereo speakers. The universal ZipConnect module (with retractable 18-inch cable) allows you to conveniently connect and listen to music from any audio player with a headphone jack.

6. Apple iPod Hi-Fi: Fill your home with sound, not stereo components. Keep your music collection at your fingertips, not in countless CD cases. Change the way you experience digital music. iPod Hi-Fi delivers crystal-clear, audiophile-quality sound in a clean, compact design.

7. Bose SoundDock: Enjoy the songs on your iPod like never before. The Bose SoundDock digital music system is specifically designed to expand and enhance your enjoyment of the music stored on your iPod.

8. iHome iH26: The perfect portable alarm clock for when you are on the go with your iPod and iPod shuffle. The iHome iH26 comes with a carrying case with a handle to protect both itself and your iPod during your travels, and lets you not only listen to the music on your iPod, but fall asleep and wake up to it as well.

9. JBL On Time: A high-performance sound center that lets you wake up to music stored on your iPod. Just connect your iPod, MP3 player or other music source to JBL On Time and experience clean, powerful and dynamic sound.

10. Klipsch iGroove HG: Designed to leave no room unrocked, the new Klipsch iGroove HG is a convenient all-in-one digital music system that delivers audiophile-quality sound everywhere you need it.

About iPodnanomart.com
The website, launched in September, is a comprehensive resource for information about The iPod and iPod nano technology. iPodnanomart.com includes an extensive library of information about iPod products and accessories, and a comprehensive collection of user driven information about the iPod family.

10. SONY PLAYSTATION(R)PORTABLE PSP(TM)

Who says games are just for kids? Even executives will love the fun and excitement of the Sony Playstation(R) in transit! Much more than simply a mobile Playstation, the PSP(TM) is a lightweight and compact portable entertainment center with MP3 and video playback capabilities, a high- resolution 4.3 inch color TFT LCD screen, built in stereo system, input/ output connectivity and more. Games may be played online against other players via the 802.11 b Wi-Fi feature and users will simply adore the wide variety of cinema entertainment on this amazing handheld.

9. NOKIA N72 CELLULAR PHONE

Savvy and chic, the Nokia N72 cellular phone not only incorporates the latest advancements in cellular technology, but enhances its users’ smart and sophisticated sense of style. This mega-hip phone comes in both pearl pink and gloss black with a matching wrist strap and headset while allowing for photo and video enhancement with Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition. Furthermore, the N72 has USB 2.0 connectivity, Bluetooth capability, is available in Tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900) frequency and allows for up to 20 MB of internal dynamic memory. Tech-savvy and chic!

8. APPLE(R) IPOD(R)

The true definition of entertainment in transit, Apple(R) has released its 5th generation of luxury audio devices just in time for the holidays. Now available in a thinner design and five stylish colors, the iPod(R) 5G holds up to 20,000 songs, 25,000 photos and nearly 100 hours of video for endless media and audio entertainment while traveling, shopping or just hanging out at home. It seems like everyone has an iPod(R) these days so don’t let your loved one be left out!

7. BOSE QUIETCOMFORT(R) 2 ACOUSTIC NOISE CANCELING(R) HEADPHONES

Air travel is more hectic and cumbersome than ever, but at least you can enjoy some peace and quite during the flight! If your loved one has had enough of jet noise, flight announcements, crying babies and other airline noise pollution, then get them the luxuriously designed Bose Quiet Comfort(R) headphones. Their patented noise reduction technology was specifically engineered for airline travel, and blocks out all background sounds while providing a clear, rich audio experience for movies, music and much more.

6. TOMTOM ONE PORTABLE GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH BLUETOOTH COMPATIBILITY

Navigation systems are sizzling hot gifts this year and if your special someone spends a lot of time in the car on business, then the TomTom One is perfect. The TomTom ONE portable GPS navigation system combines the portability and cutting edge technology of a GPS touch screen with an elegant and simplistic design. User friendly and compact, the TomTom One includes a Plug & Go pre-installed memory card, which means there’s no need to download or manage complicated software, and contains the latest and most complete maps available. With the TomTom One, the user is ensured a quick safe route with door-to-door navigation from anywhere in the country. And since that special someone will be singing your praises each time they use the TomTom to avoid a traffic jam, it’ll be the gift that keeps on giving!

5. SAMSONITE DUAL WATTAGE CONVERTER KIT

A must have for the ladies! Never “fry” your gadget again while traveling overseas! The Dual Wattage Converter kit allows you to use your travel iron, hair dryer and other appliances around the globe by converting 240-volt foreign electricity to US standard 120-volt. Its five county coded-adapters help the traveler to easily plug into corresponding outlets in the UK, Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North and South America. And to put it’s value in perspective, it could be mean the difference between your special someone attending that big sales meeting with spectacular curly hair, or a flat, lifeless ‘do!

4. LINGO TR_2203 PACIFICA TALK TALKING TRANSLATOR

Nothing’s more frustrating than not being able to communicate properly when asking directions, ordering a meal or stumbling through basic conversations in a foreign land. With the Lingo TR_2203 Pacifica Talk Talking Translator, your favorite traveler will no longer have to learn a foreign language to converse overseas. This state of the art translator converts over 200,000 words and 25,000 useful and popular phrases in 10 different languages, and then teaches the user how to phonetically pronounce the words at the touch of a button. Also acting as a business organizer, the Lingo TR_2203 allows the user to store all appointments, contacts and memos, provides metric and currency conversions and holds real world time in over 200 cities. Light and compact (5.5 ounces), the Lingo Pacifica Talk 10 is small enough to fit in a shirt or pant pocket and has an easy-to-use keyboard.

3. DELPHI XM MYFI(TM) PORTABLE SATELLITE RADIO

As hectic as traveling is, it can be equally dull. With the Delphi XM MyFi(TM) Portable Satellite Radio, however, your special someone will never be bored. They’ll enjoy real time content from a huge array of custom radio stations, 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world. This incredible portable audio device additionally incorporates the XM Ultimate Playlist, up to 5 hours of fresh content and a host of XM channels (with no computer downloading or list management) live from coast to coast by satellite feed. The Delphi XM MyFi unit can also wirelessly transmit to any FM radio speaker system, car, home or portable device and comes complete with a large, illuminated LCD display, personal stock ticker, sports score ticker, alarm clock and more.

2. IGO JUICE70 UNIVERSAL NOTEBOOK POWER ADAPTER

OK, let’s face it … without enough “juice,” even the most sophisticated and valuable gadget is worthless! That’s why the iGo Juice70 is near the top of our list. The portable iGo Juice70 Universal adaptor weighs less than 9 ounces and allows for the recharging of notebook computer power as well as a second media device (such as a cellular phone or MP3 player) simultaneously.

… and if we can get a drum roll from the Little Drummer Boy …

1. SLINGBOX(TM) BY SLINGMEDIA

About KoolConnect

KoolConnect Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of advanced digital and HD media on demand solutions to luxury and upscale hotels worldwide. KoolConnect was the first company to offer HD VOD in the hospitality industry and today serves nearly 20,000 rooms in prestigious properties in the US, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Dubai and Caribbean. To learn more about KoolConnect, visit http://www.koolconnect.com/.

The Smoking Gun website published the actual police reports showing the boy charged with Petty Larceny. Officers Michael Reid and Andrea Smith responded to the “scene” and took a full report of the “incident.” The “victim” 27-year-old single mother, Nancy Holley, of Rock Hill, SC, was apparently fed up with her disruptive son. The last straw came when he opened his videogame system a few weeks too early.

According to South Carolina’s The Herald, in an article Tuesday, the boy, whose name is not being released, disobeyed his great-grandmother and unwrapped his Game Boy Advance without permission. The mother, who had the boy at age 15, herself, claimed she didn’t know what else to do and called the police after her son produced the contraband.

What’s more, the boy is said to have shown “no remorse” when confronted by police officers.

The Herald report showed the boy to be starved for attention, taking part in petty mischief before.

But it was the first case of a child being arrested for opening a Christmas present early, said Rock Hill Police Lt. Jerry Waldrop to The Herald.

“Yeah, it’s strange,” he said.

Yep. Sure is, y’all.

To say that I took fire for that article would have been to say Saddam’s trial had a few interruptions.

Nintendo fans came out of the woodwork to take a shot at me for the article. Every Nintendo fan in the world had something bad to say about the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360.

Now, Reuters reported 1 million sales of Xbox 360′s Gears of War, which has the best video trailer commercial ever seen in a video game.

And expensive or not expensive, the release day hype over the Playstation 3 was tremendous. It wasn’t exactly a model of citizenship, but the lines were out the door a week beforehand to be the first person to own one of the limited numbers of Playstation 3′s available at launch, despite word from Sony that there will be millions on the street by year’s end. And people can make the argument that those lines were only so people could sell the PS3 on Ebay for thousands of dollars–but that only means there are people out there willing to PAY thousands of dollars for it right now.

The Nintendo Wii is far better than its predecessor and will fare much better than Gamecube, but Reuters has also reported that continued demand for the proprietary titles (Mario, Zelda and Metroid) may not be set in stone.

And to quell and new readers who want to throw the word “fanboy” out there; I have never backed Sony up on a gaming system. I enjoyed four player Bond on my Nintendo 64 and Halo on my Xbox. I’ve never paid money for a Sony system and it took a ton to get me to go against the Wii.

Nintendo has a good product, but it’s not a revolution. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; I don’t buy it.

We have entered the age of Playstation 3 and Wii.

Sony will sell its 400,000 American units promptly and unleash 6 million units by March, according to a CNNMoney article. The same coverage also points out a glitch in backwards compatibility rendering dozens of previous Playstation and Playstation 2 games unplayable. Sony does plan to fix the problem though. Almost 90,000 units of Playstation 3 left store shelves bare in Japan after its launch there last week.

The Nintendo Wii launches on the 19th to high anticipation and one of the better backward compatibility options which enables users to obtain and play games from the NES days.

Interestingly enough, both companies have been quiet with advertising lately. CNN noticed this too:

While there’s been plenty of talk about the PS3 and Wii, television ads have been scarce. Sony (Charts) started running some unusual PS3 ads in the past week, but Nintendo has been silent. Fils-Aime said that’s very deliberate.

Both companies have poured their coffers into development and the hype is certainly there, but something is missing for the PR guy in a useless yet entertaining advertising sweep; a cola-wars commercial battle between Sony and Nintendo with Microsoft scarily coming in as RC Cola just hasn’t been there. Wouldn’t you have loved to see a commercial where a Playstation 3 eats a Wii, or a Wii moves it’s magic “nun chuck” wand and makes a Playstation 3 disappear?

Alas, nobody does it like Coke/Pepsi and Bud/Miller.

The advertising clearly wasn’t a necessity, however, as even Ebay has to put limits on how much the Playstation 3 can be sold for.

Shares of Sony and Nintendo had been mixed today with Sony finishing slightly down and Nintendo finishing slightly up today in trading.

Is it Zune season?

Microsoft’s iPod killer came off its leash today. The WiFi-enabled personal music player enables users who are in close proximity to share their media with one another. The line looks promising with equivalent Microsoft versions of Apple’s Nano and Shuffle expected with flash media storage and Internet compatibility anticipated. Zune may also become a VoIP phone eventually, and CNNMoney reported an iPod phone is in the world. Zune also has an FM tuner on board if you’re feeling saucy.

Both companies will fare well with their computer and portable media products this season, however. Neither looks like they’re throwing a death blow quite yet, and the explains why both companies stocks were flat today. Apple was down slightly on anticipation of Microsoft’s Zune taking some kind of a swing at iPod’s virtual lock on the portable media market.

That’s the Rag for now. Now get out there and spend. If you need early gift ideas, CNN has a few ideas.

Nintendo Wii will be released in the United States on Nov. 19.

The relative success of the Playstation 3 versus the Xbox 360 HD-DVD upgrade will affect not just the gaming industry, but the home entertainment and movie industries as well. Playstation 3 will use Sony’s Blu-Ray technology, another next-generation home video standard. Whichever gaming console does better may tip the scales either way.

Sony has been playing catchup with Nintendo and Microsoft since its poor showing at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this summer. It boasts the highest technical specifications ever seen in a home video game console including built-in digital audio, HDMI and several USB ports that allow a variety of computer peripherals to be connected to the gaming platform.

Nintendo is marketing their console by advertising a system that can be played by everyone from small children to grandparents and is going back to its roots by offering classic game downloads including Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong. Sony is also fueled by a line of well-followed titles including Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy and Gran Turismo. Microsoft benefited from specs by being the first to release an high definition gaming console, long before Sony could put out PS3. Their titles are not as deep as the former two companies, but their action and sports lineups have helped drive their success. They are also eagerly awaiting Bungie’s Halo 3, the next installment in Xbox’s marquee first person shooter game.

The next few months are shaping up to be legendary in the gaming community. It will be interesting to see how things unfold and if Sony can keep its title.