Hasta La Gadget!

Remember that disassembly friendly, unnamed Xbox 360 arcade stick Razer trotted out at TGS last year? It’s back, and while it hasn’t gained any traction in the moniker category, it’s received a few notable hardware tweaks. Razer’s TGS team told us the stick has been through a total of thirteen revisions since it entered closed beta last year, and is now entering its final beta before production. Leveraging feedback from over 200 enthusiasts, Razer has made a number of tweaks to the controller, including alternative joystick tops, an included miniature screwdriver and a honeycomb screw-mount bottom so modders can install custom PCBs.

The new unit also wears an acrylic cover, allowing perspective buyers to swap Razer’s default artwork for a custom inlay. Just like last year, this unit features Sanwa Denshi components — but picky players will be able to swap them out for their preferred parts without fear of voiding their warranty. Razer couldn’t tell us how long the final beta phase would last, and only said that the stick would be released once it was “perfect.” Our host did hazard a guess, however, that it would be out by early next year. Want to see more? Relive our TGS booth visit after the break.

Continue reading Razer’s customizable fight stick returns to TGS for final beta, is still nameless (video)

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Razer’s customizable fight stick returns to TGS for final beta, is still nameless (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When it comes to the current generation video game consoles, which camp do you support? Microsoft’s Xbox 360, the Nintendo Wii, or the Sony PS3? Well, some of us do not really care just which platform one purchases, as long as the games on it are worth playing, and others have all three without getting bogged down by things like fanboy-ism. Well, for folks who are thinking about picking up a Sony PS3, you might want to hold off your purchase for a little while longer, as at the Tokyo Game Show earlier this morning, Sony announced the availability of the new Sony PS3 which comes in a slimmer form factor, where you can choose from two capacities – namely 250GB and 500GB.

The external cosmetics make it easy for you to tell whether you have the new PS3 or not, as it comes in a smaller and more streamlined design, which will surely be more than decent to look at in any living room. In fact, Sony has sent the previous PS3 to the fat house by reducing its form factor by around 20% in size, resulting in it ending up as 25% lighter compared to its predecessor.

Of course, the two models will not just be released like that without any fanfare. In fact, the 250GB PS3 will be available later this month (on September 25th to be exact) for $269.99 a pop, where it will also carry along with it a limited edition bundle that will boast of UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception: Game of the Year Edition as well as a voucher that carries over $30 worth of bonus digital content for the highly acclaimed digital title, DUST 514. In total, this particular bundle would offer more than $70 in total combined value.

As for folks who feel that they obviously will not be able to do much with 250GB of storage space, there is always the new 500GB PS3 model that should be able to cater to your storage needs, where it too, will come in a limited edition bundle, although you will have to exercise additional patience as the release date is October 30th in conjunction with the release of Assassin’s Creed III, yet another more of less guaranteed blockbuster title for the PS3 platform.

Press Release

[ Sony unveils super slim PS3 at Tokyo Game Show copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sony announced ahead of this year TGS (Tokyo Game Show) a new smaller and lighter PlayStation3. Available at first in Black and White with the choice between 250 and 500GB of HDD these new PS3 will be sold at 269.99 USD in its 250GB Version in the US around September 25th, and October 30th for the 500GB Version or at €229,99 in Europe in its 250GB version and €299.99 for the 500GB one with launch date schedule for September 28th and October 12th, while the Japanese version will be sold in both …

Just after their pre-TGS announcement, we were able to snag a closer look at Sony’s new slimmed-down PlayStation 3 consoles. While we weren’t able to put our grubby mitts on the pair, we did get a peek at some of the exterior differences. Aside from the obvious color variations (at least in the white model that’s definitely headed for Japan), the first change that immediately jumps out is the absence of the visible disc slot on the console’s front. We surmise that discs now load via a sliding tray mechanism of some sort — a feature that we’ll definitely take a closer look at when we grab a full hands-on on the show floor. There’s also a grooved design up top, which makes a departure from the smooth casing from the previous models. From the display we took a gander at, an attachable base is included to secure the unit when used vertically. Want a closer look for yourself? Dive in to the gallery below to do just that.

Filed under: Gaming

Sony PlayStation 3 (2012) up close and personal (eyes-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This week Japan’s capital city welcomes gamers from around the globe for some show and tell with the country’s finest at TGS. As for us, we’re particularly anxious to see what Sony may have in store. Will we see another PS3 redesign? Perhaps some buzz about it’s next-gen console? Will we see some energized color options for the PS Vita? We’re eager to find out. Worried you’re too far away to be in the loop with the happenings here? Fret not! We’ve got you covered on all of the proceedings at Makuhari Messe, so keep your peepers locked here for all of the latest news over the next few days.

Sean Buckley contributed to this report.

Filed under: Announcements, Gaming

We’re live from Tokyo Game Show 2012 in Tokyo, Japan! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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