PS3 Overstretched By Slippage

We wondered what you guys think about all of the slippage that seems to be plaguing the PS3. With so many titles slipping, some for a short while, others for a long while, is this just the beginning of the end for the ps3, or can it make the leap and get back some pride?

Sure there are some cool titles out for the PS3, but as far as cross-platform titles go, a lot of the time they're out after they've appeared on some other platforms. A few examples of what we mean: The Orange Box - Xbox 360 (OUT NOW) - PS3 version Dec 13, Stranglehold - Xbox 360 (OUT NOW) - PS3 version Nov 29, Blazing Angels 2 - Xbox 360 (OUT NOW) - ps3 version Nov 22 and the list goes on. Add to this the PS3 exclusive titles that have also slipped (SingStar being one of the latest) and things look bleak.

As if all this wasn't bad enough, there's been rumblings quite a few developers aren't happy with the difficulty level of working with the ps3 architecture and that Sony had to 'beg' third-party developers not to abandon the console. Guess that sort of tells us what we've known all along, despite the ps3 being in front with power and size, it ain't those things that matter, but what you do with them that counts. Thoughts?

Buzz! Releases Stateside - Finally!

Buzz! is pretty much the king of quiz games. It features cool buzzer controllers and has loads of games out in the series, including kids versions, sports, movies and general knowledge. As 'party' games / quiz games go, Buzz! is a classic.

So with Buzz! being so prevalent in Australia and Europe, why is it only JUST getting a release in the USA, when, let's face it, they get most games long before the rest of us. David Amor (Relentless Software Boss) thinks it may be down to US gamers being restricted to the 'den', rather than the group play of the living area.

Hmm, we're not so sure, plenty of our US readers love to play the Wii in groups--with family and friends, so really it's not like they're against socially led gameplay experiences (that would be a gross generalisation). Anyway we just thought it was strange, a game series that released in 2005 is only just getting a US release.

eGames Hits Melbourne November 16-18

Heads up Aussie readership, this is for you specifically. The successful eGames Expo is returning to Melbourne and will showcase the latest in gaming and digital entertainment. The eGames and Entertainment Expo takes place at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 16 – 18 November this year. This is Australia's Largest Video Games and Digital Entertainment Expo, so if you're in Melbourne or able to get there, do so.

Visitors to the Expo will be able to play unreleased and all the latest titles hitting the market over various platforms, including Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and PC. As well as all the gaming goodness you'll also be privy to the latest products including Media Centres, mp3 players, Portable Video Recorders (PVRs), Blu-Ray and HD DVD Players and the biggest and the best in High Definition screens. Check out all the info you can digest at the official eGames website.

Samba De Amigo Wii Detailed

Everyone's favorite Dreamcast monkey is back. Samba De Amigo is coming to a platfom made for him and his maraca shaking--the Nintendo Wii. The news broke last week or so, but now we have the official press release from SEGA with fresh details, here we are letting you know.

The Wii incarnation will utilise the Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers as the maracas. We at GirlGamers think two Wiimotes with silly maraca add-ons would have been cooler, but you can't have it all. The title is expected to release Spring 2008 and feature new songs and old favorites. We're including the full press release in the comments for your perusal, so be sure to check that out.

Animal Crossing Wii to be MMO?

More of a rumor at the moment than 'news' perse, but as we're big Animal Crossing fans here at GirlGamers we're going with the flow baby! Animal Crossing MMO, that's the rumor and not on PC obviously, but on your Wii. No 'official' word from Nintendo on this as yet, but let's think back to when they first announced this title and there was lots of chat about it being a massive online title to really show off the Wii's online capabilities.

Nothing on the Wii has even touched on all that chatter, so it will be interesting to see where this goes. Animal Crossing Wild World was a lot of fun over Nintendo WiFi and worked extremely well with up to four players, now imagine that on the Wii with even more players. Fingers crossed! You can check out out Wild World DS review HERE.

Psychonauts Wii Incoming?

It was no doubt the intention of developers Double Fine Projects to cause quite a stir as they placed the above banner on their 'projects' page at their website-and it's worked. Yes that is Raz, the goggle headed hero from Psychonauts.

So what does it all mean? Well, we could leap to the Psychonauts sequel conclusion, which let's face it, would be fantastic, but alas, it is more likely that Psychonauts is headed for the Wii. Tim Schaffer (founder of Double Fine Productions) has previously gushed about the idea of a Wii outing for Raz and gang.

Whatever the case, be it Psychonauts 2, Psychonauts Wii, Psychonauts Xbox 360 or PS3, we're just glad it's Psychonauts to be honest, as it's a fantastic title. Yes we know we didn't mention Scaffer's other project 'Brutal Legend' (Xbox 360, PS3)... oh damn, I guess we did.

Mass Effect Goes Gold

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Mass Effect has gone gold (for those not familiar with that terminology, it means the game is finished and going to press - this term is used because it is a gold master copy that is sent to the CD plant for replication).

Along with the 'gone gold' news, a limited edition has been revealed. The limited collector’s edition will be offered through participating retailers, and will include the following bonus materials: A “Mass Effect” fiction book titled “Galactic Codex: Essentials”, an additional “Mass Effect” art book titled “A Future Imagined” and a bonus DVD of exclusive “Mass Effect” background material and additional content.

Further to Mass Effect and because we're all about the female gamers, don't be fooled by the copius amounts of screenshots showing the games hero 'Commander Shepard' as a macho guy, the Commander can be male or female... very cool! The default names are John and Jane Shepard. We're looking forward to this title, here's hoping it lives up to the hype.