Bungie Releases More Halo 3 Info

Halo 3 developer Bungie has released more details about Halo 3, possibly the most hotly anticipated game of 2007, in their latest Weekly Update. The start of the public Halo 3 beta draws ever closer, so expect even more Halo 3 information to be released as fans count the days to Halo 3's launch date.

First up are some details on the recently released Blastacular Map pack. Apparently, there was a glitch that allowed certain players to circumvent the billing system and download the maps for free. This glitch was quickly fixed, and now, those who try to use this glitch to their advantage will just end up locking themselves out of the system, preventing them from downloading the maps at all, even legitimately. The Xbox Live Team is currently working on a way to allow those who have been locked out the chance to download the new maps again.

Second, new details have been released about the upcoming Public Beta. The “Saved Films” feature, elaborated upon in the recently released Video Documentary is slated to be included, albeit in a very limited form, in the public Beta. The final version of the saved films feature set to be included is said to be “pretty amazing”. The Beta build itself is said to be very close to finished, in preparations for its May 16th launch. Another tidbit of information revealed is that split screen multiplayer is said to be included in the beta, but will be limited to just two players simultaneously.

Third, Bungie debunked a few rumors that had been swirling recently, with the biggest of these being that Microsoft was forcing them to make the game run in native 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. Bungie says that it is unrealistic to expect that the game can run at these specifications with all the action that will appear onscreen at any given time. The game will support 1080p resolution on the Xbox 360 Elite, utilizing the console’s internal scaler.

Finally, Bungie elaborates on Halo 3’s new revamped control scheme. Providing us with a picture of the new control scheme for players to grow accustomed to before the Halo 3 Beta. Of course, Bungie is quick to point out that this control scheme is subject to change before the final release.

Pokémon Pearl First Impressions

Pokémon Pearl begins as many other Pokémon games have in the past. The Professor gives a short speech, giving you a glimpse into the world of Pokémon that you will soon be entering. You are given the opportunity to name your character and your character’s close friend. After finishing this and the Professor’s brief speech, the game begins.

You begin the game in your room watching a television show. The layout of the room itself is very similar to past games in the series, as it includes a television, a bed, a PC, and a famous Nintendo videogame console, this time being the Nintendo Wii. From here, you venture downstairs and after bidding farewell to your mother, you head over to your friend’s place to begin an adventure.

Together you head off towards a nearby lake and bump into the Professor and his assistant, whose gender will be the opposite of yours. There’s no time to get acquainted with either of the two as they are quickly on their way, so quickly in fact that the Professor leaves behind his briefcase in the tall grass. Of course, being the good Samaritans that you are, you and your friend venture into the tall grass to retrieve it. Immediately upon reaching the briefcase, the two of you are attacked, and forced to each choose from three Pokéballs from inside the professor’s briefcase to defend yourselves, choose wisely.

The battle itself shows off many of the new touch screen centric battle interface. Familiar actions such as ordering your Pokemon to attack to using a Pokéball from your bag are mapped to the touch screen and easily accessible. The interface is familiar, but intuitive, and easy to get into. The battle animations are immediately much more dynamic and exciting to look at than those of previous games, adding much visual flair to the battles.

Upon returning the briefcase to the Professor, he commends your battling skills and allows you to keep the Pokémon you chose. In addition, he gives you your Pokédex, only asking that you record data on as many Pokémon as you can during the course of your journey.

After you return home, your mother has a pair of running shoes for you which allow you to traverse the world more quickly. In addition, she has a parcel that she would like you to deliver to your friend who has, unsurprisingly, rushed off on his own and forgotten. When you reach him in a nearby town, it turns out that he has received two town maps and gives you the extra. Your new town map is very helpful for getting to know the vast region of Sinnoh you will soon be exploring.

After your friend departs in his usual abrupt manner, you run into the Professor’s assistant again, who decides to be your mentor. They help you find your way around town, showing you key locations and how to catch a Pokémon. This tutorial is mandatory, so it may come off as a bit of a bore to series vets. After the tutorial is completed, you’ll be gifted with five Pokéballs.

Within the first hour of play, it’s clear that this is a very worthy addition to the Pokemon series. The DS specific elements are already very intriguing and there’s certainly much more to discover upon delving deeper into the game. While nothing so far is drastically different from previous games in the series, the easily accessible gameplay has been proven to be a winner so not much needs to be changed or enhanced. At the end of the first hour of play I was left with the feeling that this would be a deeper and more engaging experience than ever before and I’ll have much more to say about that in my official review.

Playstation 3 Updated to Firmware 1.70

As of April 18th, Playstation 3 owners can now update their Playstation 3’s firmware to 1.70, which adds a few additional functions to the Playstation 3’s already rich feature set. The most notable of additions is the ability to play downloaded Playstation 1 titles on the Playstation 3.

Previously, PS1 titles downloaded from the Playstation Network had only been playable on the Playstation Portable system. As of now, previously downloaded titles are still only playable on the PSP, but beginning on April 26, 2007, Sony will begin releasing Playstation titles that are compatible with both the PSP and PS3.

It has also been explained that save data will be compatible between the PS3 and PSP as well but will require your PSP to be updated to firmware 3.40, which was also released recently.

In addition, the Playstation 2’s backwards compatibility received an upgrade, which increases the PS3’s peripheral support. You will now be able to use force feedback in Logitech's GT-Force Pro steering wheel, which is something PS3 fans, particularly fans of the GT HD download have been eagerly anticipating. Also added to the compatibility list are the, the Densha de Go! Shinkansen Controller, Densha de Go! Controller Type 2 and Hori's Flight Stick 2.

Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility List Updated

The Xbox 360’s backwards compatibility list has been updated today, with dozens of games added to the list of Xbox games playable on the Xbox 360. Many on the list are fan favorites that many have been eagerly awaiting for months such as Panzer Dragoon Orta and Jet Set Radio Future. The list of new games added via a free update is as follows.

Tenku (Japan only)
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Legend of Aang (EMEA/ANZ)
Breakdown
Call of Duty 2: Big Red One
Call of Duty 3
Cars
Crash Bandicoot 5: Wrath of Cortex
Daisenryaku VII
FIFA Soccer 2007
Full Spectrum Warrior
Guilty Gear Isuka
Innocent Tears (Japan only)
Jet Set Radio Future
King of Fighters 2002
King of Fighters: Neowave
Mad Dash Racing (Japan only)
Mech Assault 2
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction
Nascar 2006: Total Team Control
NFL Fever 2004
Oddworld Munch's Oddysee
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Petit Copter (Japan only)
Phantom Dust
Reservoir Dogs
Return To Castle Wolfenstein
Rugby League 2
Sengoku Warriors (Japan only)
Sonic Riders
Soul Calibur 2 UPDATED
Spider-Man 2
Star Wars: Republic Commando
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
Tony Hawk's Underground
Ultra Bust a Move /ULTRA Pazzle Bobble
Unreal Championship 2

This list can also be viewed at Major Nelson’s website and a complete list of all games backwards compatible with the Xbox 360 is available at Xbox.com.