To those anxiously waiting for a jaw-dropping console announcement, sorry, but E3's big three — Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony — are all about games and console-turned-TV experiences this year. Still, there's plenty of new characters and media options to get gamers excited for the coming months. With Xbox looking to take over your home media center, Nintendo staying true to last year's Wii U tease, and Sony's wizardly gaming alternative, 2012's E3 releases have a little something for everyone.
A new study shows that 68 percent of the consumed US game console energy happened while in idle mode in 2010, meaning players simply walked away from the console instead of powering down after a session. While this may be more convenient for you, it's costing you an arm and a leg in energy costs; $1.24 billion total nationwide.
Even better than powering down your consoles? Unplugging them altogether to save even more dough when not at home.
Are you guilty of leaving your gaming console on instead of powering down?
Source: Flickr user PseudoGil
Good news, streaming fans: Hulu announced today that Hulu Plus content will be available on Nintendo's Wii and 3DS consoles by the end of the year. The $8 a month service gives you more access to current and archived TV shows and even lets you get content the day after it has aired rather than waiting an extra week to view (as is required on the free subscription for some stations).
An update will be coming to the 3DS next month to enable streaming content from Hulu, along with the ability to record up to 10 minutes of 3D video and stop-motion animations.
Looking to get a head start on holiday purchases for the gamer in your life? Nintendo just unveiled two new Wii bundles to get you thinking about a console for your shopping list. Available in stores Oct. 23, the black Wii holiday bundle ($150) includes a black Wii, a black Wii Remote Plus, a black Nunchuk controller, a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii game, and a special Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack CD. The updated Wii has been reconfigured to sit horizontally rather than vertically and — bummer! — no longer supports GameCube games.
The standard Wii bundle currently in stores ($150) will still be available for the holiday rush and includes a Wii console (white or black), matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, Mario Kart game, and Wii Wheel accessory.
European Wii gamers get their own blue Wii bundle option to be excited for, which is in the theme of the Mario and Sonic 2012 London Olympics game. Included in this bundle available Nov. 18 are also the newly configured blue Wii console, blue Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, and a copy of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. No word yet if the blue Wii will come to the US.
You never thought you'd hear yourself say, "Go play with your video games!" But according to a new study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, active video games, or so-called "exergames," are actually healthy for kids. According to the research, video games that encourage intense movement can result in kids burning at least the same number of calories as more traditional exercise. With more gaming systems using body tracking technology (such as the XBox Kinect or Sony Move systems) it is easier to tell if tots are actually moving. Here are five fun video games that will encourage families to get up and move.
There are plenty of kid-friendly games to choose from on the Wii, but Ubisoft is hoping to sex things up a bit with its new title, We Dare. Described as a "sexy, quirky, party game that offers a large variety of hilarious, innovative and physical, sometimes kinky, challenges," this game is not meant for the youngsters. In fact, by the looks of things, it's really meant for open minds, swingers, "close friends," or a combination of all three. Check out the trailer (and don't forget to stay for the alternate endings!) after the jump.
Rather than going broke on the usual Valentine's Day dinner for two, why not stay home, cook a meal together, and play a few video games? Not only will you save some cash (and calories), but you'll also heighten the mood with a bit of playful competition. Check out five of my favorite games, perfect for couples.
Gaming with a baby? The Babysitting Mama ($50) game for Wii gives mommy wannabes or babysitters-in-training the opportunity to care for a child of their own, through a plush doll that houses the system's remote control. Once turned on, players follow the on-screen mother's cues to rock their babies to sleep, feed, burp, change, and entertain them while competing against friends to see who is the better babysitter. The game bills itself as babysitting practice. What's your opinion?
Congratulations, Super Mario Galaxy 2, you are the readers' choice winner for the top video game of 2010! Claiming 32 percent of the vote, SMG2 beat out top titles like Alan Wake and Fable III to take top honors.
We agree! Super Mario Galaxy 2 is fun to play, with 70 main stars to capture and plenty more to find. It was more challenging than expected, and, of course, also featured the return of Yoshi!
Before the ball drops, be sure to catch up on everything 2010 with the rest of our Best Of coverage.
The Nintendo Wii is getting an exclusive game and peripheral later this year from games maker THQ that will bring Wacom-like drawing to the console. Called the uDraw Game tablet this accessory will come bundled with uDraw Studio, which allows you to draw pictures, color, and play art-based video games with the included stylus and 4x6 tablet surface.
Find out more about the uDraw Tablet and Studio, why it's perfect for your little ones, and a demo video after the break.
