Sega celebrates Mega Drive’s 30th anniversary with release of mini console

Sega celebrates the classic Genesis or Mega Drive console’s 30th anniversary by releasing a Mega Drive Mini.

The gaming company showcased a sample of the retro mini console at the 2018 Sega Fes convention held at Bellesalle in Akihabara between April 14 to 15. The name “Mega Drive Mini” is still tentative, as stated in a Sega Twitter announcement, but Sega plans to release the retro console within the year.

Sega also has not yet revealed what games will be included in the retro console. However, it appears that a company called AtGames will be manufacturing the Mega Drive Mini, as reported by Polygon.

AtGames previously released the Sega Genesis Flashback retro console in 2017. It came with 85 built-in games. It could also accommodate original Sega Genesis and Mega Drive game cartridges. The console featured wireless controllers and a 720p HDMI video output.

Compared to the Genesis Flashback, the Mega Drive Mini appears smaller and looks more in line with Nintendo’s own NES and SNES Classic consoles. Fans of the the original Mega Drive may also expect around the same number of pre-loaded games to come with the Mega Drive Mini.

SEGA stopped making gaming consoles in 2001 when the Dreamcast did not become as popular as projected. The company instead shifted its focus on its more lucrative software business. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Atari officially working on new game console

Atari is a brand that many old gamers will recognize, being one of the pioneers in home video game consoles. The company also introduced the arcade video game “Pong” into homes. After filing for bankruptcy protection in 2013, the company is now officially back into making gaming hardware.


In an exclusive interview with Atari CEO Fred Chesnais, it has been confirmed that the company is currently working on a new game console, reports GamesBeat.

“We’re back in the hardware business,” said Chesnais.

During the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2017 in Los Angeles, Atari began teasing a product called Ataribox on a non-Atari website. Many believed the video to be a hoax, considering that the last console the company released was the Atari Jaguar back in 1995.

Chesnais has declined to comment further on the Ataribox but said that Atari’s revival is well under way. He adds that the company is still working on the design, and more information about the new product will be revealed at a later date. It will possibly be announced on the now up-and-running official Ataribox website.

Chesnais, who bought Atari in 2013 after the company had filed for bankruptcy protection, pledged to make it great again. Since  then, Atari has become more profitable and has engaged in making mobile games. The company has also been licensing its brands more widely, including licensing the Atari name for the upcoming movie “Blade Runner 2049”. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Super Nintendo mini-version coming out this year

After enticing old-school gamers with the release of a mini-replica of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) a few months ago, gaming giant Nintendo is revitalizing another classic console—in a miniature version, of course.

According to EuroGamer, the Kyoto, Japan-based game developer will soon release a smaller, near-identical version of the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) later this year.

Much like the tiny NES, the gaming platform will also boast classic built-in game titles and come with the iconic gray controller.

At the peak of SNES’ popularity—which was regarded as “Nintendo’s golden era of gaming”—the device was the prevalent console for every household and paved the way for multiple popular gaming titles.

Now popular franchises like “Donkey Kong Country,” “Super Mario World” and “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past” all first debuted on the SNES gaming platform.

As of this writing, Nintendo has yet to release the possible lineup of games that might appear on the SNES Classic Edition.

The gaming company also remained mum on the console’s development,  but its sudden cancellation of production of the mini-NES last week could signal that they’re shifting focus to the SNES.  Khristian Ibarrola /ra

source: technology.inquirer.net

Latest PlayStation 4 update now ready for download

Early on Sony announced that a major update to the PlayStation would be forthcoming, which includes HDR output capabilities. This update is now live and ready for download.

The update, codenamed “Shingen,” is by far the biggest that Sony has put out for the PlayStation console. Apart from the promised HDR output, the update also tweaks the menu screens and adds folders, reports The Verge.

Streaming in 1080p on Twitch, YouTube and remote play has also been enabled as preparation for the soon-to-be available PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro.

The UI changes were done so that the quick menu screen will no longer cover up games, videos and apps, and occupy only a portion of the TV screen. Folders will also offer more organization options for users while a new LAN connection function helps in transferring data from one console to another.

Sony also streamlined info screens for games, DLCs, videos and trending images. Lastly, users can now play songs from Spotify without needing to launch the app.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Xbox One wireless controllers to come to Windows

Gamers with Windows-based rigs, better start saving up: Microsoft is rolling out soon an adapter that allows Xbox One controllers to connect to Windows PCs wirelessly.

A report on PC World quoted Xbox head Phil Spencer as saying the wireless adapter for Xbox One controllers may come later this year, getting rid of the USB tether.

While the Xbox 360 controller for Windows had a wireless model, Microsoft stopped making the adapter easily available.

A report on PC World said this move may be part of Microsoft's drive to unify the Xbox and Windows ecosystems, or "to keep the Xbox semi-relevant to PC gamers." —Joel Locsin/JST, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

#SonyPrayStation: Woman buys PS4, gets Bibles instead

A woman who bought a gaming console for her boyfriend as a Christmas surprise ended up being surprised after he opened the box and found... two Bibles.

A report on CNN said that Sandra Ortiz bought the Sony PlayStation 4 from US retail chain Target for Christmas—but when he opened the box, all he found were copies of the Good Book.

"Inside was not a console, but merely consoling words," said CNET's Chris Matyszczyk, who also wrote about the incident, tongue in cheek.

“I felt embarrassed. I felt like, you know, I just ruined Christmas for him and everybody else,” Ortiz said, though the Target store eventually gave her a PlayStation 4.

Ortiz joked that her boyfriend "didn't want the Bibles unless they were autographed by Jesus himself."

When she went to the store to explain her situation, the store "apparently explained that these things do happen."

When faith isn't enough

"As soon as the guest brought the package back, we immediately apologized for any inconvenience and exchanged it for a new one," Matyszczyk quoted a Target spokesperson as saying.

However, he also pointed out an obvious way to keep such incidents from happening in the first place:

"Just open the box in the store. It really is that simple. Sometimes, you see, faith just isn't enough," Matyszczyk quipped. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

XBox One update coming in March

Microsoft is rolling out this March the first major update for its Xbox One game console to address issues with the Xbox Live service, a tech site reported Thursday.

The Verge cited sources familiar with Microsoft's plans as saying the major update will also include "other system fixes."

"Party-chat problems and issues with the usability and placement of social features of Xbox Live will be improved with the update," it said.

It added a forum poster at NeoGAF first disclosed the update, and claimed Microsoft will release a white version of the Xbox One console in October.

Other rumored plans include a 1TB version of the Xbox One to be released in November, it added.

Still other rumors include an Xbox One without a Blu-ray drive, a Bluetooth adapter, and launch dates for the console worldwide, it added.

Blu-ray drive

Also, The Verge confirmed Microsoft "has been testing versions of its console without a Blu-ray drive." — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Naughty Dog reveals: Ellie returns in The Last of Us DLC, new Uncharted game for PS4

Naughty Dog has just revealed some exciting news regarding the much-anticipated downloadable content (DLC) for "The Last of Us,” and the long-awaited sequel to the mega-popular Uncharted franchise.

The announcements were made during the PlayStation 4 launch event on Spike TV, according to Arcade Sushi and Computer and Video Games.


Ellie returns in 'The Last of Us: Left Behind'

Those who fell in love with Ellie from The Last of Us will be happy to know that the indomitable Cordyceps apocalypse survivor is making a comeback in the new story DLC for the game, titled "Left Behind.”




“Ashley Johnson reprises her role as Ellie in The Last of Us: Left Behind single-player DLC,” stated Naughty Dog on the PlayStation blog. “Left Behind takes place while Ellie is attending a military boarding school in the Boston quarantine zone, prior to meeting Joel and the events in the main campaign of The Last of Us.”

Aside from Ellie herself, the video—shown during the launch event—also reveals her best friend Riley Abel, who was only briefly mentioned in the original game.

“Joining Ellie on this new adventure is Riley, her best friend and also a mentor of sorts at the military boarding school. Just as 'The Last of Us' focused on the bond between Ellie and Joel, 'Left Behind' explores the bond between Ellie and Riley through a series of events that will forever change both of their lives,” said the original game’s creative director and writer, Neil Druckmann.

Riley Abel also appeared in the comic book miniseries, “The Last of Us: American Dreams,” written by Druckmann himself, and published by Dark Horse Comics. The comics show how Ellie and Riley meet and become friends, and so serves as a canonical prequel to the events that will happen in Left Behind. Left Behind, in turn, is a prequel to The Last of Us.

Though both Ellie and Riley will play central roles in the DLC, it has yet to be announced whether only one or both of them will be playable in the game.

Druckmann also dropped some hints about a possible sequel for The Last of Us. “We’re playing with some ideas, but no direction has been set yet for the next game,” he said.

Though Sony has not yet announced an official release date, Left Behind is expected for release in early 2014.

New Uncharted game exclusive for the PS4

Fans of Naughty Dog’s other flagship title also have something to look forward to. Also revealed during the event was a teaser trailer for Sony’s seminal franchise, Uncharted.



“We have great news for all our Uncharted fans,” said Naughty Dog on the PlayStation blog. “Amy (Hennig), Justin (Richmond), and the team are hard at work on an amazing new installment of the Uncharted series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation 4 system. Our goal is to continue what we’ve done in previous console generations and once again deliver the best in storytelling, performance capture, technical innovation and graphics on the PS4.”

It is unclear from the video if Nathan Drake is coming back for the sequel, leaving some fans understandably worried that that the game will have a new protagonist. In fact the teaser shows very little about the actual game; only a voiceover and a map serve as clues as to what it will be about.

More news regarding both titles are expected to surface in the coming week. — VC, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com