Tag: Xbox 360

Coffee Talk #231: Rearranging Your Living Room for Kinect

I’d have to get rid of my coffee table in order to use Kinect for Xbox 360. I kind of like my coffee table. It’s useful and handsome. It’s also heavy. I’d worry about my right knee giving out if I had to move the coffee table every time I…

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, the Yankee bats completely choking (except for Cano), winning the lottery today, or BlizzCon 2010, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’d have to get rid of my coffee table in order to use Kinect for Xbox 360. I kind of like my coffee table. It’s useful and handsome. It’s also heavy. I’d worry about my right knee giving out if I had to move the coffee table every time I wanted to play Kinect…but that’s probably what I’m going to have to do.

RPadholics Iceman and N8R chatted with me about this topic yesterday: Do you have to rearrange your living room to use Xbox Kinect? Do you plan to? Do you find it ridiculous that this new form of gaming requires you to move furniture? Or is it worth it for the new and exciting experience?

Xbox 360 Kinect Launch Titles Announced

Microsoft has announced the launch games for its upcoming Kinect motion controller for Xbox 360. Here’s the list:

Microsoft has announced the launch games for its upcoming Kinect motion controller for Xbox 360. Here’s the list:

Kinect Adventures
Kinectimals
Game Party: In Motion
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Your Shape: Fintess Evolved
Dance Central
The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout
DanceMasters
EA Sports Active 2
Zumba Fitness
Kinect Sports
MotionSports
Deca Sports Freedom
Kinect Joy Ride
Adrenalin Misfits
Fighters Uncaged
Sonic Free Riders

I know that most of you are longing to add four fitness games to your library, but what about the other titles? Do any of these Kinect launch titles interest you?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

Kirby’s Epic Yarn — my favorite game of E3 2010 — is out! What? You need to hear about other games too? Oh fine. There’s actually a bunch of interesting titles coming out this week. Fallout New Vegas will be popular with enthusiast gamers (it’s actually #1 on the Amazon charts as of this writing). Fight fans will want to give EA Sports MMA a look. Want some fun with peripherals? Power Gig: Rise of the SixString features a real guitar as its controller. Time Crisis: Razing Storm gives PlayStation Move owners some visceral shooting fun. DJ Hero 2 is out for gamers that want to spin and fade.

Really though, you should all be buying Kirby’s Epic Yarn…but do let me know what games you’re planning to buy this week.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011: Road to WrestleMania Screens

THQ sent over a batch of screens from SmackDown vs. Raw 2011’s “Road to WrestleMania” mode. Featured WWE Superstars include John Cena, Randy Orton, The Miz, and Christian. These screens illustrate some of the best writing ever made for a videogame. Check ’em out and let me know what you think (please)!

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NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of September 2010

Here are NPD Group’s top 10 videogame sales figures for September 2010. As some of you know, NPD has scaled back the information it reveals for free. Game sales are no longer broken out by platform. Sadly, hardware numbers are no longer given either. Scientists have predicted that console flame wars will be reduced by 28.8 percent due to NPD Group’s decision. Anyway, here are the numbers:

  1. Halo: Reach (Microsoft, Xbox 360)
  2. Madden NFL 11 (Electronic Arts, 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PSP)
  3. Dead Rising 2 (Capcom, 360, PS3, PC)
  4. NHL 11 (Electronic Arts, 360, PS3)
  5. FIFA Soccer 11 (Electronic Arts, 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, NDS)
  6. Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep (Square Enix, PSP)
  7. Mafia II (Take-Two 360, PS3, PC)
  8. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (Activision Blizzard, PS3, 360, NDS, Wii)
  9. Metroid: Other M (Nintendo, Wii)
  10. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision Blizzard, 360, PS3, PC)

I was pleasantly surprised to see Dead Rising 2 so high on the list. I underestimated its popularity. RPadholic smartguy was surprised to see a PSP game crack the top 10, but that’s just a testament to Kingdom Hearts’ popularity. The new NPD format combined with declining Wii sales makes this list look funny; it’s kind of weird not seeing New Super Mario Bros. and Wii Fit Plus on the list.

Anything in September’s top 10 surprise you? Show everyone that you’re better than Michael Pachter and analyze this (please)!

New Splatterhouse Screens Feature Blood and Splattering

Namco Bandai has released a batch of new screens for the upcoming Splatterhouse. A modernization of the classic beat-’em-up arcade game (also popular on TurboGrafx-16), I had fun checking out Splatterhouse for Shacknews at E3 2010. The art is super stylish and the gameplay offers ludicrous violent.

Check out the screens and let me know what you think (please)!

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Dance Central Track List Revealed

Harmonix and MTV Games have revealed the complete song list for the upcoming Xbox 360 Kinect game Dance Central. This November you’ll be able to shake your booty to the following:

Harmonix and MTV Games have revealed the complete song list for the upcoming Xbox 360 Kinect game Dance Central. This November you’ll be able to shake your booty to the following:

  • Audio Push – “Teach Me How To Jerk”
  • Basement Jaxx – “Rendez-vu”
  • Beastie Boys – “Body Movin’ (Fatboy Slim Remix)”
  • Beenie Man – “King Of The Dancehall”
  • Bell Biv DeVoe – “Poison”
  • Benny Benassi – “Satisfaction”
  • Cascada – “Evacuate the Dancefloor”
  • Christina Milian – “Dip It Low”
  • The Commodores – “Brick House”
  • Craig Mack – “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)”
  • Dirty Vegas – “Days Go By”
  • Eric B. & Rakim – “Don’t Sweat the Technique”
  • Fannypack – “Hey Mami”
  • Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne – “Down”
  • Kool & The Gang – “Jungle Boogie”
  • Kylie Minogue – “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”
  • Lady Gaga – “Just Dance”
  • Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”
  • Lipps Inc – “Funky Town”
  • M.I.A. – “Galang ‘05”
  • Nelly Furtado – “Maneater”
  • Nina Sky – “Move Ya Body”
  • No Doubt – “Hella Good”
  • Pitbull – “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”
  • Quad City DJ’s – “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train)”
  • Rihanna – “Pon de Replay”
  • Salt-N-Pepa – “Push It”
  • Snoop Dogg/Pharrell – “Drop It Like It’s Hot”
  • Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em – “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”
  • Technotronic – “Pump Up the Jam”
  • Wreckx-n-Effect – “Rump Shaker”
  • Young MC – “Bust A Move”

As I mentioned last June, Dance Central was one of the coolest things I saw at E3 2010. It’s one of two Kinect games that actually looks interesting.

Are any of you planning to pick up Dance Central? What songs are you looking forward to playing? “Brick House” is aweome!

SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 DLC Announced: Nexus, NXT, and More!

THQ has announced details for the first two batches of DLC for the upcoming SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 (aka the game with the best writing in the world). I’m going to get all Michael Cole on you now. May I have your attention please? I have a press release from the general manager. It says, and I quote:

The first downloadable content package for Fan Axxess, currently scheduled for release this holiday season, will include WWE Legends British Bulldog and Lex Luger; WWE Superstars Wade Barrett, David Otunga and Justin Gabriel; WWE Diva Layla; alternate ring gear for WWE Superstars Shawn Michaels and Shad; and a playable WWE NXT arena. The downloadable content package will be included as part of the Fan Axxess program, as well as sold separately for the anticipated cost of 560 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE or $6.99 on PlayStation Network.

The second downloadable content package for Fan Axxess, currently scheduled for release in early 2011, will include alternate ring gear for WWE Superstars John Cena, Undertaker and CM Punk, as well as a playable WCW arena. The downloadable content package will be included as part of the Fan Axxess program, as well as sold separately for the anticipated cost of 240 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE or $2.99 on PlayStation Network.

I’m definitely interested in the first DLC batch. Most of you know that I’m a big Shawn Michaels mark. I also love Justin Gabriel’s 450 splash (which is almost as good as Austin Aries‘). The second one…I think I’ll pass.

Any of you interested in either DLC pack? Do you find it weird that DLC pricing and details are announced before the game is even out? Does it give you the “well why isn’t it in the game?” feeling?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

There so many great games coming out this week, ranging from major releases to several game-of-the-year editions to a follow-up to an incredibly innovative DS title. Leading the way is Medal of Honor (which one of you was kind enough to order through my Amazon links — thanks!). Bundled editions include Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition, Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, and Uncharted 2: Game of the Year Edition. Just Dance 2 is going to be a wildly popular game for the Wii (it’s already #8 on Amazon’s videogame charts). DS fans have Super Scribblenauts and Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals to gobble up. As a La Parka mark, I’m really looking forward to Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes of the Ring.

*sigh* There are like four games I want to buy this week. How about you? What new games do you plan on picking up?