Consoles - SlashGear

‘Consoles’ Stories

Next-Gen Nintendo DS to boost graphics, get motion sensors

Chris Davies, Jan 6th 2010 Discuss [0]

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has dropped a few details as to the hardware capabilities of the next-gen Nintendo DS, though the executive wouldn't go so far as to pinpoint when we might expect the handheld to be released. Speaking to Japanese paper Asahi Shimbun, Iwata confirmed that both graphical capabilities and alternative control methods were on the cards. Read The Full Story

Sony PS4 to use multi-core CPU not Cell?

Satsuki Then, Dec 28th 2009 Discuss [5]

Sony are considering replacing the PS3's Cell architecture with a more mainstream multi-core processor in the PlayStation 4, according to PC Watch, after game developers have reported greater than average problems developing for the current-gen console. Based on rumors and speculation coming out of Japan, the company also considered - but decided against - a combination Cell/Intel Larrabee setup. Read The Full Story

IntoDream DIY handheld SEGA DreamCast [Video]

Chris Davies, Dec 15th 2009 Discuss [1]

It seems we'll never tire of seeing full-sized consoles refettled into handheld casings, and that's handy since gamers don't seem to tire of attempting such miniturization. Today's - the handiwork of Bacteria - is the IntoDream, and it takes the venerable SEGA DreamCast and packs it into a handheld with a 5-inch PSone LCD, official PAL DreamCast hardware and joystick from the Nintendo N64. Video demos after the cut Read The Full Story

Sony PS3 Slim flirted with SSDs or network storage

Chris Davies, Dec 14th 2009 Discuss [0]

If you want to know where Sony are going next with their PlayStation line, you could do worse than examining some of the decisions they made regarding the recent PS3 Slim refresh. According to a Tech-On! interview with Masayuki Chatani, who works in Sony's strategy planning department, the company considered both a switch to SSD or cloud-based storage to further shave bulk off the updated console. Read The Full Story

Nintendo slash Wii production in face of drooping sales

Chris Davies, Dec 2nd 2009 Discuss [0]

We can remember a time when parents were driven to horrible tears in the vain hope of finding a store with a Nintendo Wii in stock; now the company is apparently slashing production of the console after its recent dreary financial performance. According to Nikkei (subscription required), Nintendo has informed two Japanese suppliers that it intends to reduce the Wii production, a move that has apparently had an extreme impact on those suppliers' own profits. Read The Full Story

Tegra 2 confirmed for next-gen Nintendo DS say sources

Chris Davies, Nov 16th 2009 Discuss [1]

It's almost as much fun speculating about new gaming hardware as it is playing on current-gen consoles, so color us intrigued at DigitalFoundry's "credible sources" who are saying that the next-gen Nintendo DS will run NVIDIA's Tegra 2 and that it's "not unrealistic" that the handheld will out-grunt the current Nintendo Wii. Problem is, Sony's next-gen PSP2 has also seen a few spilled details, and that's looking even more impressive: think along the lines of potential GPU power in-between the original Xbox and the Xbox 360. Read The Full Story

BBC relaunch iPlayer as Wii Channel

Chris Davies, Nov 13th 2009 Discuss [0]

The BBC has announced that it will be "relaunching" the iPlayer streaming TV system on the Nintendo Wii, with the system now present as a dedicated Wii channel. While iPlayer access on the Wii has been possible since April 2008, the new iPlayer channel will apparently offer a "faster, high quality and improved viewing experience" according to Erik Huggers, direct of Future Media and Technology at the BBC. Read The Full Story

Nintendo DSi LL size comparison video with DSi & DS Lite

Chris Davies, Oct 30th 2009 Discuss [1]

We already know that US and European gamers will have to wait until early next year before they can pick up a new Nintendo DSi XL, but with the Japanese launch of the DSi LL imminent the handheld has already had its first TV appearance. In the video you can see after the cut, TV Osaka demonstrate the new DSi LL and compare it against the existing Nintendo DSi. The outcome? Yep, it's bigger. Read The Full Story

Nintendo DSi LL with 4.2-inch displays official [Update: DSi XL for UK in Q1 2010]

Chris Davies, Oct 29th 2009 Discuss [0]

Nintendo have officially announced their latest handheld console, and like the rumors suggested it packs larger displays than the DSi. The Nintendo DSi LL will drop in Japan on November 21st, complete with twin 4.2-inch displays (compared to the DSi's two 3.25-inch displays); as before, the lower panel is a touchscreen. Update: Nintendo UK have confirmed to Electricpig that the handheld will arrive in the UK come Q1 2010, as the Nintendo DSi XL. We're guessing it'll have the same name and launch schedule in the US, too, though nothing is official as yet. No word on pricing, either. Read The Full Story

Nintendo DSi to get screen size increase in Japan?

Chris Davies, Oct 27th 2009 Discuss [0]

Nintendo are tipped to be readying a refresh to their DSi handheld, timed to coincide with the games console's first birthday on November 1st. According to Nikkei, Nintendo Japan are readying a new DSi with dual 4-inch displays, rather than the existing 3.25-inch panels used in the current model. Update: A Nintendo spokesperson has told Famitsu.com that "Our company isn't doing any interviews [about this]. We think it's a speculative article." Neat sidestep, guys. Read The Full Story

Netflix movie streaming hits PS3 in November

Chris Davies, Oct 26th 2009 Discuss [0]

Remember all the furore back in August, when Microsoft announced they'd locked up Netflix movie streaming for the Xbox 360 and basically told us it was an "exclusive" partnership? Well, that exclusivity seems to have been short-lived; Sony have announced that from November Netflix subscribers will be able to stream content on their PS3. Read The Full Story

Ballmer confirms Xbox 360 Blu-ray accessory?

Chris Davies, Oct 22nd 2009 Discuss [0]

One of the ongoing frustrations for Xbox 360 owners is the absence of a Blu-ray accessory; they keep pestering Microsoft for one, and Microsoft keep rolling out the same "we have no plans" excuses. Now, finally, the company appears to be changing its tune, though it takes some between-the-lines reading of outspoken CEO Steve Ballmer in order to fathom it. Talking to Gizmodo, Ballmer told interviewer Wilson Rothman that "you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories". Read The Full Story