Latest Headlines

Now That’s a Home Arcade You Can Be Proud Of

Do you always have to have the Biggest and best toys and show them off to your friends? If yes, the “Dreamcade Vision 120” is the must have game system gift for you this Christmas.

The “Dreamcade Vision 120″ isn’t just a game system; it’s an arcade center. In fact, the Vision 120 comes complete and ready to play with more than 145 classic arcade games, including all of your favorite classic games from Atari, Midway, Namco, Digital Leisure, and Capcom as well more than 7,000 classic console games. What did you just say; you already have a Next-Gen game system? The Vision 120 also comes with Component and HDMI video inputs for your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Nintendo’s Wii console with a wireless sensor bar built right in. Play all of this in high definition with a 120-inch portable screen.

All this for the small retail price of $3,999, but can you really put a price on playing 145 classic arcade games on one system with a 120-inch screen?

Dreamcade Vision 120 Features:

• High powered projector - Bright enough for daytime use!
• 120-inch Portable projection screen - makes it simple to set up, move, and store
• Dreamcade 2.0 Gaming PC - modern PC games can be played using authentic arcade controls
• More than 145 classic arcade games including Ms. Pac-man, Centipede, Dig Dug, and many more.
• Free year’s subscription to more than 7,000 classic console games via Console Classix, including games for Atari, ColecoVision, NES, SuperNES, Sega Genesis, Sega Master System, Sega GameGear, and GameBoy.
• Component and HDMI video inputs for your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii for the ultimate in modern gaming as well as classic arcade games.
• Arcade Control Panel Features:
• Lighted trackball - For authentic gaming action on games like Centipede and Missile Command
• Spinner - To play retro classics like Warlords, Breakout and Pong
• Full arcade control panel with additional side buttons allows playing nearly any game from Street fighter to MAME pinball as well as modern games and classic console games through Console Classix
• Removable control panel - Gives you the ultimate versatility

Bringing the arcade Joystick to the Wii console

The Shaft, an arcade-fighter style joystick complete with turbo for the Wii’s virtual console, is currently available for pre-orders. The site says you can customize it so only some of the buttons are turbo and a “Full 360 Degree range of motion that works with both digital and analog stick games,” though I would honestly be kind of worried if it didn’t. It comes in white, pink, and black and has a 10-year warranty, though no word on whether it’s limited or unlimited.

They’re only taking pre-orders at the moment, and plan to ship in mid-December, just in time for Christmas. If you want to get one you should probably jump on it now, as they say it will normally retail for $79.95, but they’re selling right now for $39.95 for one and $69.95 for two.

I’m not sure how much use gamers could get out of this, considering the primary game most people would use it for is Street Fighter II and the HD version isn’t coming out for the Wii, but I suppose for those who don’t have a Xbox 360 or a PS3 this could be a good option to bring the arcade home. There’s always Virtua Fighter 2…

Update: I talked with a representative of Overline Gaming, the company selling The Shaft, via e-mail.

If you look in the picture above you can’t see it, but in some of the other pictures on their Web site you can see a wire sticking out of the back. The Shaft is wired, but apparently this works better for fighting games.

The Shaft is a wired controller. In our experience, wireless controlles don’t give adequate response in fighting games, so we chose to make it wired.

Also, on the 10-year warranty:

Our 10-year warranty will cover anything except intentional damage (like stomping on it). We will replace any defective units with a new one for 10-years of the purchase date.

Microsoft Officially Makes Xbox 360 Arcade Official

After weeks of deliberation, speculation and rumors the Xbox 360 Arcade Console has officially launched for a price of $279.99.  Talk about a poorly kept secret.

Just in time for holiday, Microsoft Corp. today released a new Xbox 360^® console that delivers games and content to everyone in the family for an incredible value of $279.99 (U.S. estimated retail price)*. Available in stores beginning today, Xbox 360 Arcade console is the first Xbox 360 console to include five family-friendly games, a wireless controller, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection to enable high-definition output if desired and 256 MB of memory useful for storing games and entertainment content. At $279.99, the Xbox 360 Arcade console will include five best-selling games: “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.), “Uno” (Carbonated Games), “Luxor 2” (MumboJumbo), “Boom Boom Rocket” (Electronic Arts Inc.) and “Feeding Frenzy” (Sprout Games).

“As families gather together this holiday, it’s the perfect time to launch a new low-priced, high-value Xbox 360 that plays games, TV shows and music for everyone to enjoy,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “In addition to offering an incredible all-in-one package for families to get right into the fun, the Xbox 360 Arcade system features the industry-leading Family Settings, which allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing — and we know how important that control is to families around the world.”

Karen Dodge, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer at Toys “R” Us, added, “We are excited to offer this new gaming experience to our customers — children and families — who can now enjoy the fun of Xbox 360 together. Many of this holiday season’s hottest items provide Internet connectivity, and with the online entertainment options available through Xbox LIVE^®, Xbox 360 Arcade offers families a great mix of online content and traditional gaming in one console.”

The news of Xbox 360 Arcade comes as part of a broader initiative by Microsoft to bring the Xbox 360 experience to families everywhere. Microsoft also announced today that it is significantly expanding its catalog of high and standard-definition family fun content that is available on demand direct to the consumer’s living room. This includes the addition of everyone’s favorite characters such as “Bugs Bunny” and “Daffy Duck” from Warner Bros., which will be delivering the first ever “Looney Tunes” cartoons for download on Xbox 360, starting today. In addition, Nickelodeon is adding three new shows to its already large library of more than 300 episodes of TV shows on Xbox LIVE, Microsoft’s premier online gaming and entertainment service, with the inclusion of “Blue’s Clues,” “The Backyardigans” and “iCarly.”  “SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam™” (THQ Inc.) and “SHREK-N-ROLL™” (Activision) games will also be available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the place to download games for Xbox 360 over Xbox LIVE, adding more fun for everyone in the family.

Is the Xbox 360 Core being Replaced with Xbox 360 Arcade

Thats right folks Core’s days may be numbered both Toys “R” Us and Amazon had an Xbox 360 Arcade SKU listed then it was taken down as soon as people noticed it. This is most likely why there has been so many rumors of the Core SKU being discontinued MS plans on replacing it with the new Arcade bundle.

The arcade bundle was listed as being shipped OCT 23rd and to include a 256 MB memory card, 5 XBLA games, and a wireless controller.

We will keep you informed as we get more information.

Kick Some Ass on Your Cell Phone With Street Fighter II

Capcom is unleashing the first family of fight for mobile with the North American release of Street Fighter II. A direct translation of the classic 90’s arcade hit, Street Fighter II mobile has been built from the ground up to play fast and frenetic on today’s handsets, while appealing to the most ardent Street Fighter fans.

“Since the series debut 20 years ago, Street Fighter has defined the fighting genre, setting sales records as it makes its way to newer and newer platforms,” said Midori Yuasa, President, Capcom Interactive, Inc.” “With the launch of Street Fighter II for mobile, history is once again poised to repeat itself by offering players the experience they know and love in an ultra portable package.”

Designed to be the definitive Street Fighter II mobile title, the game allows players to control and eventually master eight different fighters including Ryu, Ken, Chun Li, E Honda, Blanka, Zangief, Guile, and Dhalsim. And like its big screen cousins Street Fighter II mobile incorporates dozens of combos and special moves for players to learn as they attempt to gain the coveted title of world champion.

Later this year, Capcom Entertainment, Inc. will publish Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Originally developed by Capcom for the arcade, the game makes its downloadable debut on Xbox LIVE Arcade and PLAYSTATION Network. Capcom will stay true to the foundation of the popular game by utilizing the original game code, while creating a fresh upgraded experience with new artwork and high resolution 1080p graphics. All of the art will be completely redrawn and created by UDON Comics, which currently publishes the official Street Fighter comic.