Poorly framed, low-quality photo? Non-descript but brightly colored background? It can only mean one thing: the FCC’s team of crack photographers have been at it again, and in this case it’s the DJ Hero controller that has born the brunt of their traditional teardown.
Nintendo’s inflatable horse controller not good enough for you? The company’s latest controller patent application has come to light, and as you might expect it’s another bizarre, exceptionally-niche device. Basically a squishy football with slots for your Wiimote and nunchuck, the controller would allow the Wii to estimate trajectory and distance from the force and angle with which you pretend to throw it.
Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kazuo “Kaz” Hirai has confirmed that the company will continue to lose money on each of the $299 PS3 Slim consoles they sell, together with revealing that Sony’s motion-controller has been pencilled in for a release in spring 2010. Meanwhile he also denied that, with the advent of the UMD-free PSP Go, we are seeing “the death of physical media”, pointing to the large percentage of the 100 countries Sony sells gaming products in that don’t have access to high-speed internet connections for downloads.
iBUYPOWER revealed a new USB Internal Expansion System or IES Controller today that’s proprietary to the company and offers a significant power boost to the USB ports and card readers on PCs.
We’ve seen some great hacks with the Wii controllers since the console first arrived, and things could get even easier if Todbot has his way. He’s launched the WiiChuck, a tiny plug-in board that slots into the plug of the Wii Nunchuck, and allows you to access all of the controller’s connections – its 2-axis joystick, two buttons and 3-axis ±2g accelerometer – without needing to cut any of the cables.
Logitech have outed their latest Racing Wheel, the G27, and it looks to be the ideal way to make your desk feel like a car. Intended for PS2, PS3 and PC gamers, the G27 set consists of the steering wheel – with force-feedback, real leather and stainless steel, paddle shifters and programmable LEDs – plus a three pedal set and a separate shifter with eight buttons and a D-pad.
One of the regular complaints about the Sony PSP is its lack of dual analog sticks. Rather than berate Sony about it, however, one enterprising gamer over at AcidMods hacked together a workaround, connecting a DualShock 2 controller to his PSP.
Video demo after the cut
Can’t quite figure out why you’re friend shoots faster than you every time you’re playing Call of Duty or Halo? Well maybe it’s time you went to the next level, and added a quick modification to your favorite wireless Xbox 360 controller.
If there’s one thing Nintendo – no, scratch that, the world - needs more of, it’s gimmicky Wii controllers. Thankfully the trusty patent system has given us a heads-up of what might be the next obscure gaming gadget to monopolize the holiday season, in the shape of an inflatable horse-riding controller.
Reports are coming in that the anticipated next installment of the Tony Hawk skateboarding series has been set for November 17 here in the States, which we’re hoping means all three console-based variations will be hitting shelves on that day.
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