The Official "Console War" and Video Game Thread

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Wow, The European Nintendo DS game cases are insanely huge. They are much wider/thicker than the US cases.

There is this Buffy the Vampire Slayer game that came out only in Europe for the DS. I ordered it from a site that sells imported games and received it yetsterday. I haven't played it too much yet, but its decent so far. I'm not expecting super great things from it, but it takes place after the events in the series, so I am interested in seeing where the story goes, and that is the main reason that I ordered it.

When I opened the shipping packaging and saw the size of the DS case, it just took me by surprise. At first I thought that it would have maybe come with something extra for the box to be so huge, but nope. Just the game card and instructions, etc, as it usual for most US DS releases. Just a much thicker case.

Its not a big deal, just interesting.

[Skullface]

For the procrastinators/frugal gamers out there, I noticed that LEGO Indiana Jones has officially dropped to $20, if anyone was waiting on a price drop. Keep in mind though, that another LEGO Indy game has been confirmed, which will probably just be the current game with a "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" area added.....

By similar time frames, I think we can expect LEGO Batman to hit $20 sometime in June/July.

[GP Legend]

For the procrastinators/frugal gamers out there, I noticed that LEGO Indiana Jones has officially dropped to $20, if anyone was waiting on a price drop. Keep in mind though, that another LEGO Indy game has been confirmed, which will probably just be the current game with a "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" area added.....

By similar time frames, I think we can expect LEGO Batman to hit $20 sometime in June/July.

In my opinion I find these Lego games boring. I have the Indy Lego game I got fo free with my 360, and it isn't very fun to me.

[markatisu]

When I opened the shipping packaging and saw the size of the DS case, it just took me by surprise. At first I thought that it would have maybe come with something extra for the box to be so huge, but nope. Just the game card and instructions, etc, as it usual for most US DS releases. Just a much thicker case.

Its not a big deal, just interesting.

Thats interesting.

I know the JP DS games are the same size as their US counterparts but it reminds me of the difference between JP and EU Gamecube games which come in vastly different sizes (JP Gamecube games are miniature, only big enough to hold the disc while EU Gamecube games are oversized)

In my opinion I find these Lego games boring. I have the Indy Lego game I got fo free with my 360, and it isn't very fun to me.

Lego Indy is very boring compared to either Lego Star Wars or Lego Batman, the other two games are much more creative (especially Lego Batman which really uses the license well).

Lego Batman imho is the best of the three games in control and story, Lego Star Wars would be second just based on the massive amount of content based on its license.

[wolf-manj]

Lego Batman imho is the best of the three games in control and story, Lego Star Wars would be second just based on the massive amount of content based on its license.

I agree with that. I played lego indy at a friend's house and didn't like it very much at all. But i love batman and the star wars games.

[Raining Light]

I really enjoyed Lego Batman.
Even better than Lego Star Wars 2.

[markatisu]

For those of you who have a 360 and its been getting an E74 error, MS has now given that the same policy as the RROD (3 years)

While the majority of Xbox 360 owners continue to have a great experience with their console, we are aware that a very small percentage of our customers have reported receiving an error that displays "E74" on their screen. After investigating the issue, we have determined that the E74 error message can indicate the general hardware failure that is associated with three flashing red lights error on the console. As a result, we have decided to cover repairs related to the E74 error message under our three-year warranty program for certain general hardware failures that was announced in July 2007.

Its actually the RROD but given under a new error message, if you had to pay for the repairs you can now call MS and get a refund on those charges

[Raining Light]

For those of you who have a 360 and its been getting an E74 error, MS has now given that the same policy as the RROD (3 years)



Its actually the RROD but given under a new error message, if you had to pay for the repairs you can now call MS and get a refund on those charges

A little late. I just sent mine off.
I had a 2yr warrenty from where I purchased it.
I think I would haver rather sent it to MS.

[PJMania]

So M$ fixed the RRoD problem by making an error message come up instead of have the lights flash? Typical Microsoft.

[markatisu]

So M$ fixed the RRoD problem by making an error message come up instead of have the lights flash? Typical Microsoft.

Yup and then charging people to fix it till people figured out it was the same thing

[PJMania]

Yup and then charging people to fix it till people figured out it was the same thing

Grrreat...nickel and dime the customer by changing the error message the customer gets so that you can call the problem something different and therefore charge a repair fee.

You would think that M$ would be embarrassed that acronyms like BSoD and RRoD are actual terms used by the electronics industry. You would think they would fix the problems that cause these, but nope. They just keep putting out 3rd rate products.

I guess if you're lucky enough to get a console that works though, then you have every reason to be happy. A friend of mine has had 4 RRoD systems. After 2 RRoDs I would've said forget it, just like having to fix friends' PCs every other week convinced me to get a Mac.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

So does this mean that the newer "Jasper" models of Xbox 360 are actually just as problematic as the older ones (or at least a lot more so than they should be)? And the problem is just now coded differently?


If so, then wow. I remember one time joking around saying that they would fix the RROD issue by changing the red lights to blue. This isn't far off from that.

[markatisu]

So does this mean that the newer "Jasper" models of Xbox 360 are actually just as problematic as the older ones (or at least a lot more so than they should be)? And the problem is just now coded differently?

If so, then wow. I remember one time joking around saying that they would fix the RROD issue by changing the red lights to blue. This isn't far off from that.

Yes, they have just been programmed to give the E74 error instead of the RROD.

However, the Jasper model did make some significant modifications to curb these errors. They will never fully get RROD/E74 solved until they redesign the case and add more fans so things stop overheating.

In other news...US Video Game Sales for March, RE5 did one heck of a job selling almost 1.5m in one month across the 360/PS3, I still hate the game with a passion but congrats to Capcom!

NPD Hardware March 2009

Nintendo Wii 601K
Nintendo DS 563K
Xbox 360 330K
PlayStation 3 218K
PSP 168K
PlayStation 2 112K

Top 10 Software March 2009

1. RESIDENT EVIL 5* (360) 938K
2. POKEMON PLATINUM VERSION (NDS) 805K
3. HALO WARS* (360) 639K
4. RESIDENT EVIL 5* (PS3) 585K
5. WII FIT W/BALANCE BOARD (WII) 541K
6. MLB '09: THE SHOW (PS3) 305K
7. KILLZONE 2 (PS3) 296K
8. WII PLAY W/REMOTE (WII) 281K
9. MARIO KART W/WHEEL (WII) 278K
10. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K9 (360) 205K

[wolf-manj]

Yes, they have just been programmed to give the E74 error instead of the RROD.

However, the Jasper model did make some significant modifications to curb these errors. They will never fully get RROD/E74 solved until they redesign the case and add more fans so things stop overheating.

if its an overheating/fan issue then why does it only affect some that have the same parts inside? Two of my friends bought an xbox 360 the day it came out and have had no problems at all. Late last year one of those friends won another one at work and as soon as he brought it home and opened it up he got RROD.

[markatisu]

if its an overheating/fan issue then why does it only affect some that have the same parts inside? Two of my friends bought an xbox 360 the day it came out and have had no problems at all. Late last year one of those friends won another one at work and as soon as he brought it home and opened it up he got RROD.

Its not always a sure thing, but it is solely an overheating issue. Extensive tests have been done to prove that (it was one of the ways MS was forced to begin the 3 year extended warranty program after almost 2 years of denying it existed)

My best friend has a launch 360 that has never had an error but my other friend is on his 6th, I know some board members here are in similar situations.

The fail rate is extremely low now since the Jasper came out so some things MS did have worked, but its sad to see that it should have been completely fixed by now.

[wolf-manj]

but its sad to see that it should have been completely fixed by now.

you are definately right about that. It's pretty much the only thing keeping me from getting one.

[markatisu]

you are definately right about that. It's pretty much the only thing keeping me from getting one.

I am in the same boat, its the only system I do not own and had been waiting on Jasper to finally get it (especially since a bunch of awesome games just hit the Platinum line of $19-29)

But I waited it out and now find out not much has changed

[Fendi]

Anyone excited for the new Starcraft game called Starcraft II? If you're a Real Time Strategy/RTS gamer you will love this. I joined the biggest unofficial forum just to entitle my opinion and waiting for updates Enough of me does anyone excited for this one?

[TheDeviot]

Anyone excited for the new Starcraft game called Starcraft II? If you're a Real Time Strategy/RTS gamer you will love this. I joined the biggest unofficial forum just to entitle my opinion and waiting for updates Enough of me does anyone excited for this one?

Well Blizzard's games will always impress even those who aren't in the stereotypical cliche'd "Fan of the genre" clique

But if you want a cool game to hold you over until SCII, and DiabloIII you should really check out Demigod. It's part RTS, part RPG, and part Dungeon Crawling clickathon. It's got some really snazzy character design too.

[markatisu]

Enough of me does anyone excited for this one?

I cannot wait till Starcraft II comes out, me and my brother have been waiting far too long for that

I got Excitebots Trick Racing for Wii today and if you liked Excite Truck at launch this sequel has better graphics, even tighter controls, and 6 player online play, its also $10 cheaper ($39).

If anyone gets it and wants to play me my code is 1118-6622-8508

Also for the PC gamers out there, Street Fighter IV PC release date is going to be announced next week (5/1) and Walmart already has it up for preorder with a tentative date of 6/30 and a price of $36

[Raining Light]

Well-
I got my xbox back from being fixed!!!
Yea.

They recieved it on the 15th and it returned today, and that includes atleast 3 days shipping back-pretty good time. And it wasnt even MS fixing it.
To bad all my games, controller and cords are at another castle--I mean house, so I'll have to wait til the ex gets home to play it.

But hey its back.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

It looks like today and tomorrow (April 26 and 27, 2009), Dell.com is selling the PS3 for $300.

I saw this on slickdeals.net this morning.

That's a really good deal for anyone who doesn't already have the system.

[Galmorzu]

I finally got the RRoD on my launch console last week and had it sent in. I did the support thing online that gave me a free shipping label, and it said my warranty was expired, but I'm really hoping the RRoD extended warranty still works...does anyone know what the actual specifics are on that program now? Are they still the same as before?

[PJMania]

It looks like today and tomorrow (April 26 and 27, 2009), Dell.com is selling the PS3 for $300.

Why is Dell selling PS3s? How would they profit in any major way?

Also, has anyone here put Linux on their PS3? I think I might try it just for ****s, but I wanna know if it's even worth it first.

[markatisu]

Why is Dell selling PS3s? How would they profit in any major way?

DELL sells most game systems and has for some time. They also sell video games and accessories.

I finally got the RRoD on my launch console last week and had it sent in. I did the support thing online that gave me a free shipping label, and it said my warranty was expired, but I'm really hoping the RRoD extended warranty still works...does anyone know what the actual specifics are on that program now? Are they still the same as before?

They will still fix it, the RROD expansion to the warranty basically added 3-4 years from the time of purchase. Even if its past that I think they will still fix it