According to Konami’s online store “Konami Style,” reservations are being taken for the “Guitar Freaks arcade style controller.” However, if not enough orders are placed (at least 2,500 guitars) by January 3, 2006, there is a chance that Konami will not make the product. The current list price from Konami’s site is ¥21,000, which is approximately $178 USD. If enough guitars are ordered, Konami plans to begin selling the controllers on May 26, 2006. The guitars are being specified in size and weight to be as close to the original arcade controllers as possible. The guitar will also include decals and a shoulder strap. See links for images.


Translated by yamakiyo
Source: [GAME Watch] [Konami Style]

Posted by yamakiyo in Gaming at 16:50 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

The Nintendo DS version of the new Pokémon game, now out in Japan, has been officially recalled by Nintendo. Apparently there have been reported cases of the Pokémon game causing a loss of Game Boy Advance game save data. The problem seems to only manifest itself while playing the new Pokémon game for Nintendo DS while having a Game Boy Advance cartridge inserted into the Nintendo DS system. Nintendo is offering a free exchange for defective carts.


Translated by yamakiyo
Source: [Nintendo of Japan]

Posted by yamakiyo at 04:07 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Pioneer is preparing for the shipment of it’s new internal ATAPI Blu-ray Disk (BD) recorder/player, the BDR-101A. The unit will ship as an OEM at the end of January 2006. The BDR-101A can write to BD-R and BD-RE disc formats as well as read BD-ROMs. Both the BD-R and BD-RE have a capacity of 25 GB with a maximum read/write speed of 72 Mbps. Single layer recording takes place at 2x speed while playback of single or dual layer discs at 2x speed is also supported.

DVD writing is also supported with a maximum write speed of 8x for DVD±R, 4x for DVD±RW, 2.4x for DVD+R dual layer, and 2x for DVD-R dual layer. The buffer capacity for BD is 8MB while only 2MB for DVD. However, CD read/write is not supported.


Translated by yamakiyo
Source: [PC Watch]

Posted by yamakiyo in PC at 02:55 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

On January 6, 2006, players will get the chance to challenge the Kojima Production Team at their own game, Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence (PS2), in an official online match sponsored by Konami. Applications for this event are currently being taken on the Konami homepage lasting until 12pm on January 4th. If you are successful in beating the Kojima Production Team, your account name will be bestowed with a special emblem that is not obtainable with a normal account.


Translated by yamakiyo
Source: [GAME Watch]

Posted by yamakiyo in Gaming at 02:01 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Three days after its Japanese release (12/22), Square-Enix’s “Kingdom Hearts II” title has surpassed the 1 million mark in number of units sold, bringing worldwide sales for the series to 7 million units.

“Kingdom Hearts II” is currently slated for a release in the U.S. and Europe next year. According to Square-Enix, sales of the series is expected to reach over 10 million units.


Translated by yamakiyo
Source: [Dengeki Online]

Posted by yamakiyo in Gaming at 00:33 | Comments (0) | Trackback (1)