Category: Xbox 360

This Week’s Videogame Releases

This is a pretty huge week for the videogame business. In the short term, Halo Reach is out and it will surely be one of the biggest games of 2010. PlayStation Move is also out this week; while analysts are unsure of its short-term impact, Sony will be trying to make it a big deal for years to come. Lastly, Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest hits several platforms…which is great for gamers still living in 2004.

I know that some of you are buying Reach (thanks so much for those Amazon orders!). Anyone else want to fess up to their Halo purchases? Any other games on your wish list this week?

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of August 2010

[Michael Buffer voice] Are you ready?!? And now…the top ten games…of August 2010 as cited by NPD Group. Let’s get ready to rumble!!! [/Michael Buffer voice] Here they are:

[Michael Buffer voice] Are you ready?!? And now…the top ten games…of August 2010 as cited by NPD Group. Let’s get ready to rumble!!! [/Michael Buffer voice] Here they are:

  1. Madden NFL 11 (Xbox 360): 920,000
  2. Madden NFL 11 (PS3): 893,600
  3. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 124,6000
  4. Mafia 2 (Xbox 360): 121,600
  5. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo DS): 110,400
  6. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
  7. Mafia 2 (PS3)
  8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)
  9. NCAA Football 11 (Xbox 360)
  10. Wii Fit Plus (Wii)

Nobody should be surprised that Madden topped the charts. I was very surprised that New Super Mario Bros. for DS made it back to the top ten. That’s pretty crazy. I’m happy for the peeps at 2K that Mafia 2 did well. On a petty note (and one that I can’t entirely explain), I’m please that Just Dance is nowhere to be found.

Any thoughts on August’s top ten?!? Shout it out in the comments section (please)!

NPD Console Hardware Sales Figures for August 2010

NPD Group has released its console sales figures for August 2010. August is a traditionally weak month for the business and the numbers reflect that. Check it out:

NPD Group has released its console sales figures for August 2010. August is a traditionally weak month for the business and the numbers reflect that. Check it out:

  • Xbox 360: 356,700
  • Nintendo DS: 342,700
  • Nintendo Wii: 244,300
  • PlayStation 3: 226,000
  • PlayStation Portable: 79,400

For the second month in a row, Microsoft has topped the charts. Although the Wii continues to be the market leader, it’s clear that it won’t be putting up numbers like it did in the past. The question is, will this pattern hold for the rest of the year? Since all of you are capable of being industry analysts, I’d love to hear your opinion. How do you think the console wars will play out for the rest of 2010?

Coffee Talk #209: Do You Care About Console Warranties?

While I was in Asia, Sony announced that PlayStation Plus customers are eligible for a discount on the PlayStation Protection Plan. The deal adds a bit of value to PlayStation Plus, but I was wondering how many of you care about console warranties. Certainly console buyers — especially new ones that were burned by the Xbox 360’s red ring of death — are more cautious these days, but does that translate into plopping down cash on something like the PlayStation Protection Plan or a Best Buy warranty?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, 6′ 9″ Aloisia allegedly getting fired from NXT because of naughty photos, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. seemingly getting a pass for being a racist prick, or your U.S. Open picks, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

While I was in Asia, Sony announced that PlayStation Plus customers are eligible for a discount on the PlayStation Protection Plan. The deal adds a bit of value to PlayStation Plus, but I was wondering how many of you care about console warranties. Certainly console buyers — especially new ones that were burned by the Xbox 360’s red ring of death — are more cautious these days, but does that translate into plopping down cash on something like the PlayStation Protection Plan or a Best Buy warranty?

I’ve had amazing luck with consoles. My Xbox 360 Elite was the first and only console to die on me. With that in mind, I’ve never bought a console warranty — never felt the need to. That said, if the PlayStation 4 cost $600 and the PlayStation Protection Plan is still around…well, I might have to pull the trigger on that one.

Now it’s your turn! Kindly take the poll and share your thoughts on console warranties.

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This Week’s Videogame Release

I’m still getting back into the swing of things in America, but as far as I can tell there’s only one interesting game out this week: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. As a comic-book nerd and videogame nerd, I’m all over this one…except that the “Witch Hunt” DLC for Dragon Age: Origins is also out this week. Sorry Spidey, BioWare takes priority over you.

Any of you down with Shattered Dimensions? Perhaps there’s something else on your wish list for this week? Remember, with great power comes….

Dog and Finn Join Dragon Age: Origins “Witch Hunt”

Hot on the heels of Ariane’s introduction, BioWare has revealed that Dog and Finn will be in the mix in the “Witch Hunt” DLC for Dragon Age: Origins. If you’ve played the game then you know that Dog (or whatever you named him) is a charming and devastating companion. As for Finn, here’s the scoop:

Finn is a young mage from the Circle of Magi in Ferelden. He considers himself the Circle’s best linguist and foremost expert on ancient Tevinter history — even if others might consider him more of a bookworm, a recluse that spends all of his time in the tower’s dark library. Finn is the unlikeliest of adventurers… but it may come to pass that his academic expertise will force him to out of the library and into an adventure where his arcane might is the only thing that stands between him and certain death.

I like him already. He sounds much more interesting than Ariane — almost like that dork wizard Presto from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon. Reluctant adventurers can be loads of fun and I’m looking forward to hearing other characters pick on him in “Witch Hunt”.

Any thoughts on the Dog and Finn?

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Dragon Age: Origins “Witch Hunt” Character Reveal–Ariane

BioWare has revealed information on Ariane, one of three new characters in the upcoming “Witch Hunt” DLC for Dragon Age: Origins. Here’s the official word on this Dalish warrior princess:

Ariane is a gifted Dalish warrior, and her clan’s best hunter. When an ancient artifact belonging to the clan’s Keeper is stolen, one with a history tied to the very roots of the elven people, Ariane is charged with the task of reclaiming it. She is determined to carry out her solemn duty, and when her task turns out to intersect with the Warden’s quest to find Morrigan she realizes that there may be far more to the artifact’s disappearance than simple theft.

Hopefully she’s not an angry Dalish woman like Velanna from Awakening. I’m totally over Dalish people whining about the slavery, being ousted from their lands, etc. I’m pretty sure there are better ways to deal with persecution than becoming a nomadic people that wear funky facial tattoos…but that’s just conjecture.

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Morrigan’s Fate Revealed in “Witch Hunt” DLC for Dragon Age

The biggest cliffhanger in the outstanding Dragon Age: Origins will be addressed on September 7, 2010 in the “Witch Hunt” DLC. Along with a new tale than answers a juicy question — what the hell happened to Morrigan? — the game adds three new playable characters. Here’s the official description from BioWare:

The dreaded Archdemon has been slain and the advance of the darkspawn halted by a lone, heroic Grey Warden. The kingdom rejoices, but at least one question remains: what happened to Morrigan? The sorceress joined the Wardens cause, but it is said her true purpose was not revealed until the eve of the last battle. She vanished into the shadows, and while rumors claimed she crossed over the mountains into Orlais no trace of her path could be found. She was never heard from again… until now. Nearly a year has passed since the Archdemon’s death, and word has reached the Wardens that Morrigan has returned to Ferelden. She has been sighted in the southern wilderness where she was first encountered. Is it truly her? If it is, then why has is she here and what secret does she carry with her? The Warden heads into the forest to find out and tie up this last loose end once and for all.

I can’t wait for this DLC!!! Dragon Age: Origins was my favorite game of 2009. In 2010 I’ve been feasting on the DLC and the Awakening expansion pack. I’m pretty sure that “Witch Hunt” will increase my BioWare markdom by at least +100.

“Witch Hunt” will cost 560 BioWare Points on PC, 560 MS Points on Xbox 360, $6.99 on PlayStation 3. Anyone else psyched for this game? How do you think it will play out? Time to write some Morrigan fan fiction!!!

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

The biggest release this week is, by far, 2K’s Mafia II for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The buzz on the game is strong and I’m expecting some cool things from this one. Hopefully it lives up to the hype. Hockey fans can hit the virtual ice…on the Wii with NHL 2K11. Last, and definitely least, is Grease for Wii. Yes, it’s a game based on that crap musical. I’m hoping one of you plays it just so you can regale me with stories (that are much more entertaining than the actual game…in my head, anyway).

As always, let me know if you guys and dolls are picking up any new games this week.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Videos: Amatera, Viewtiful Joe, Dormammu

The latest batch of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds videos feature Amatera (Okami), Viewtiful Joe, Dormammu, and more. It’s slick stuff. I love that an obscure Dr. Strange villain like Dormmamu is included in the mix, but using characters like that always makes me chuckle. Similar to Silver Surfer in Marvel Ultimate Alliance, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense — these characters are way too powerful for the situations at hand. Silver Surfer could destroy any MUA level in seconds. Dormammu could obliterate almost every character in MVC3 in a snap.

Yeah…I’m probably being too much of a fanboy if I’m trying to bring comic-book logitc into the mix. Ha!