One of the biggest surprises of E3 Day 0 was the PlayStation Vita. Everyone knew that the hardware was going to be powerful since details were known when the system was codenamed NGP. The big surprise was the price point — $249 for the WiFi model and $299 for the 3G/WiFi model. That’s a bit cheaper than people were expecting. The recently released Nintendo 3DS retails for $249 and uses older technology (CPU, GPU, screen, etc.). Compared to the Vita, Nintendo’s portable system seems like a rip-off at … more

Sony Computer Entertainment is set to announce details on PlayStation Vita, previously codenamed the Sony NGP. The company also has some hot games in the works for its PlayStation 3 console. How much time do you think Sony will spend addressing the recent PlayStation Network hack? Any predictions on the Vita’s price? Join me for his Sony press live blog and learn all sorts of exciting details!… more

It’s time for Microsoft’s E3 2011 press conference! Microsoft is the only one of the “Big Three” that hasn’t confirmed new hardware for the show. Will the company counter with some hot games? How will it take Kinect to the next level? You think there’s a chance that there will be a hardware surprise? Follow this live blog and find out!… more

Howdy boys and girls! I’m going to try live blogging the major press conference on my iPad 2 tethering off of a Verizon LTE connection. I’ve done dry runs and it should work, but I won’t really know if it will work under real-world conditions until I do it. If everything goes as planned, I’ll be live blogging the Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Sony, and Nintendo pressers. Please, please join me if you can, because your comments are what makes these live blogs awesome!

Here’s the schedule.

Monday June 6
Microsoft: … more

Before the E3 show floor opens, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony crank their hype machines to 11 and set the tone with their press conference. What I really want to know is which E3 2011 press…

Today’s poll is going to require some deep thought (Jack Handy). I want to know which “situation” did more damage, the PlayStation Network outage or the Xbox 360 red ring of death? It’s easy to go with the PSN outage since it’s fresh, but I’d love for you to take a step back and give it some thought. Is a hardware issue for some worse than a service outage for all? Which situation did more damage to the reputation of the respective console manufacturer? Kindly vote and discuss!… more

I’m late to the party on the Nintendo 3DS…and I’m trying to figure out where the party is. As a frequent flyer and huge portable gamer, the 3DS is off to a disappointing start. What was your…

Nintendo of America has announced a new Wii bundle that will be available on May 15, 2010 for a price of $149.99. The bundle includes the Wii console (black or white), Mario Kart, and the Wii Wheel accessory. The company is also launching its Nintendo Selects line of games; these are older titles with a new price of $19.99. The first four Nintendo Selects games are The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing: City Folk, Mario Super Sluggers, and Wii Sports.

For those of … more

Gamasutra’s Colin Campbell wrote this excellent article on how the PlayStation Network outage has further devalued the PlayStation brand. I don’t think he went far enough. The PSN outage has damaged the (already declining) Sony brand.

Sony’s PlayStation Network security breach is arguably the biggest story this console generation. While writers and gamers alike are talking up the PSN outage, I have to question whether all this talk will lead to action. (I studied philosophy. I question everything.) According to a survey conducted by CouponCodes4U, more than 20 percent of people that are PS3 gamers are considering leaving for Xbox 360 due to the security breach. Here’s a clip from GamePolitics:

The survey found that 21 percent of PlayStation 3 owners said they were

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