Another Look At Konami's Rock Revolution Drums

It was refreshing to sit down at an actual drum set this time around after trying get by with nothing but air a few days ago. After jamming out to a few songs with them, I have to say these are better than the original four-head Rock Band drum set. Now, that's not to say the RB2 or Guitar Hero sets won't better (and they probably will), but I like the setup of these drum heads much better. It's too bad, however, the actual game makes drumming on this particular set very frustrating.

For the drum set itself, it's really nice and sturdy. You can store the sticks right into the side, and the pedal is solid and has some weight to it. What I like the most is how the yellow snare head is sort of in the middle and much larger than the other ones. It's the head you'll be hitting most and it fits more naturally right in front of you like a real set. The other heads are positioned correctly as well, but I'm not really feeling how the cymbals aren't floating like they should be. It's makes it a bit hard to focus on the notes when you might end up missing the cymbals all together since they're small. But these are minor complaints compared to the gameplay.

Read more at kotaku

So What Happened to the Newton Xbox 360 Motion Controller?

It has been a while since I have typed the name "Newton” as in the semi-secret Xbox 360 motion controller wand project. So what happened to Newton?

There are two possibilities:
1. It was delayed and they are still working on it. Either the software or games is not ready.
2. It was canceled and it will never reach market. They might have decided that it was not going to work in the Xbox accessory lineup.

At PAX 08 all of the Microsoft folks that I talked to would clam up at the mention of the Newton code name. I have no doubt that the Newton project is either still going on or was real at one point before being put on hold or canceled out right. I have seen evidence of them building hardware and I think that they invested more resources than if it was just a research and development project.

They unveiled that the game Ninja Blade does not use the Newton controller nor does Banjo Kazooie : Nuts and Bolts. Also the fact that they are making another Sceen It! game that will ship with the Big Button controller is another sign that the Newton is not on track.

They might end up using the research from the Newton project on project Phoenix (the third generation Xbox AKA 720) or it might be introduced in 2009.

The Opus motherboard is out, they are working on Valhalla, Lips is out soon but not every video game hardware project in development makes it to market. I am still waiting for that Super Nintendo CD-Rom drive.

Source 8bitjoystick

Games will have to be programmed to support new Xbox 360 LE controller improvements

At last month's Leipzig Games Convention, Konami mentioned that a new Xbox 360 limited-edition controller would be coming to Europe. The company's spokesperson said that the green controller would be released alongside Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, and it was unveiled alongside the game at the show.

The Xbox 360 controller has received criticism for its directional pad, which is why this new pad sees a 16-way upgrade. That's up from the eight directions on the regular pad, although everything else on the joypad remains the same as before.

According to Microsoft, the new limited-edition green wireless controller offers "enhancements to D pad functionality, which will add to the experience of playing games where the D pad is the primary control mechanism." While only Pro Evo has been announced as supporting the new pad, various rumours suggest other games may offer support, including Street Fighter IV; however, when we spoke to Capcom about the matter, it declined to comment.

We tried the new controller at Leipzig 2008 and found it was fairly difficult to notice the difference. In office tests on Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 and Forza Motorsport 2, the control pad performed at the same standard as regular controllers on both games. It appears that games will have to be programmed to support the new pad or retrospectively offer downloadable updates.

Source gamespot

HP goes wild with new mice and keyboards

We know -- there's a certain sect of you out there that just goes bonkers whenever a new mouse and / or keyboard is released. Unfortunately, we'll be catering to the other 99% with this one. Alongside a few new laptops, a new desktop and a pair of digiframes, HP is also unveiling a whole host of input peripherals this evening. Up first is the HDX Laser Mouse, which features five programmable buttons, on-the-fly DPI switching up to 2,400, five individual setting profiles and USB 2.0 connectivity. Next up is the Wireless Comfort Desktop, which includes a spill-resistant Wireless Comfort Keyboard, a Wireless Vector Mouse (800 DPI), a USB wireless receiver and four AA batteries (imagine that!). Last, we've got the Laser Gaming Mouse with VoodooDNA, which cranks the DPI up to 3,200 and includes VoodooDNA GUI software. As for pricing, you're looking at $39.99, $79.99 and $59.99 in order of mention.
Source engadget

Samba maracas are unofficial, which probably means no bundle

Samba de Amigo ships out next week and we're still scrambling over the maracas situation. We once thought that a retailer's mocked-up bundle box was proof that a maracas peripheral would be bundled with the game, but that image was taken down and, in fact, Sega denied that a peripheral would be produced. And then that statement was seemingly excised from the original source. And then actual pictures appeared of some Wii maracas, along with standalone retail listings. It's been a bit confusing.

It would appear that you'll be paying an extra $14.99 for the first set of maracas and not the second, because looking at the box, it is quite clear that these Wii maracas are not official Sega products. Gamestop lists them as being produced by Cokem International. That, and the fact that no retailer mentions a bundle (and the fact that Sega said they weren't making any) makes it very likely that you'll get a disc with Samba and nothing else.

The good news is that it's basically just a bulb with a Wiimote-shaped slot (and hopefully some rattly stuff inside), and so it doesn't really matter who makes the thing.
Source Nintendo Wii Fanboy

PS3 and Xbox to get Wii-style Nunchuck

In2Games today unveiled Gametrak Freedom, a handheld “ultrasonic 3D motion sensing” controller that enables gamers to play motion-capture games on either console. The controller looks like the Wii’s Nunchuck, but sports four PS3-style buttons and what looks like a microphone cover on the tip.

The system comprises a base unit, which attaches to either console through a spare USB port, and the Gametrak Freedom controller itself. The base unit’s comprised of two sensor bars, which can either be attached to the TV or mounted on included stands.

Gametrak Freedom communicates with the base unit through unmentioned “ultrasonic and RF technologies”, tracking the gamer’s movements with a three-axis accelerometer.

Squeeballs, a bizarre game akin to Wii Sports, is the only title to have announced as compatible with the controller so far.

The Gametrak Freedom controller is expected to launch at some point next year.
Source The Register

Whatever happened to this interesting PS3 handheld controller from Sony?

Maxconsole writes, Way back in 2006, Sony filed a patent (uspto.gov) for a handheld computer interactive device. The 3D game controller was designed to be held in your hands and can capture all your palm and finger movements, and then transmit them as commands into your PS3 or PC. The patent also reveals that it features tactile feedback. But we have not heard anything about this interesting concept for quite some time, who knows when Sony may strike with it if ever...