Archive for the ‘Video Games’ Category:
Xbox 360 Price Drops
Well, the rumors have been circulating for about a month now with a decent amount of evidence, but the final piece of evidence needed to convince me was a scan of an upcoming Radio Shack ad that listed the new 360 prices. I think it’s save to say at this point that come Sept. 7, 2008, the new Xbox 360 prices will go into effect:
Arcade – $199
Pro (60 gig) – $299
Elite (120 gig) – $399
This news has caused new speculation on the pricing of the discontinued 20 gig models that are currently $299 and still collecting dust in many stores. Likely, this older model will get a price drop as well, as otherwise why would anyone pay the same price for a 20 gig model as the 60 gig model? I’ve got over $400 store credit available at Blockbuster/Gamerush saved up from trading in used games. I was going to get a 20 gig 360 for $299 a couple of weeks ago until I stumbled across the price drop rumor. Now, I’m definitely glad I waited.
Besides a price drop, the current 360 models are built using new technology and are less likely to overheat or get the red ring of death, according to gamer sites.
For those who have been holding out on getting a next gen system, the magic $199 price point for the Xbox 360 Arcade bundle may finally get them to jump into the current generation of gaming. Also, the announcement that Netflix is bringing their streaming DVD service to the 360 late this fall is sure to create a few converts as well. I already have the Netflix streaming service on my PC (which is hooked up to a 50″ HDTV), and it’s a great service, although the selection of current movies is very limited. If you like classics, TV box sets, or don’t mind watching movies that are several years old, the selection is great. If you want to watch movies that just came out on DVD or Blu-ray, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
Nintendo DS goes to school
Japanese schools have the right idea. Rather than punish our children for their interest in handheld video games, why not take advantage of their interest and produce games that are fun and educational? I’m sure many adults from my generation have fond memories of learning geography and history from the Carmen Sandiego series of PC games. There’s no reason why that concept wouldn’t be valid today. The games should be tested by parents first, however, because if parents find them boring, their children will find them intolerable. We shouldn’t force children to endure anything we wouldn’t inflict on ourselves. The whole idea is to make learning fun. Cable networks like Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel have mastered this but educational video games are much more hit and miss in the entertainment department.
June 27 – Nintendo games are banned in most Japanese schools, but its DS console is becoming the latest Japanese teaching tool.
Teacher Motoko Okubo uses the handheld DS and textbook software and says after years of Super Mario Bros. and other games on the prohibited list, students weren’t expecting Nintendo in class.
Wii Fit parody
Even though I think Wii Fit is a cool idea and look forward to trying it out, I still appreciate the humor in this parody video from Sarcastic Gamer.
Wii Fit gets gamers off their butt
I’m looking forward to Wii Fit, although it’s something I’m more likely to use in the winter rather than the summer, when the weather is nice enough that I can actually get some exercise outdoors. I lost 25-30 pounds last year on another physical video game, Dance Dance Revolution, but eventually got bored with it and gained most of that weight back. Hopefully, if enough physical video games come out that make exercising fun, lazy gamers like myself will be able to lose a few pounds while still supporting our gaming addiction.
The Wii is even spawning websites like Wii Healthy, which are focused solely on the physical fitness applications of the gaming system. If you’re interested in learning more about the upcoming Wii Fit, check out Game Pro.
