White PS2 coming to America

Limited-edition console will come bundled with SingStar Pop and be available in November.

By Tom Magrino, GameSpot

Posted Aug 29, 2007 2:00 pm PT

In May 2005, Sony Computer Entertainment opened up Japanese gamers' color options with a slimmed-down PlayStation 2 with a ceramic white console. Later that year, Sony gave Japanese gamers a third choice with a silver line of PS2 slims. And while Sony eventually extended these colors to Europe, it wasn't until October 2006 that American gamers were able to pick up the silver console. Now it appears North Americans will be getting a crack at the white slimline PS2s as well--temporarily, at least.

Only while supplies last.

Sony announced today that a limited edition, ceramic white PlayStation 2 bundled with SingStar Pop is headed to the US and Canada. Aside from the color change, the white PS2 will be the same as Sony's other slimline consoles. Ceramic white seems to be Sony's hardware color du jour. At this year's E3 Media & Business Summit, the console maker unveiled a Star Wars-themed PlayStation Portable in the same hue.

Released in April, SingStar Pop is the second installment in Sony's popular karaoke series, which makes its debut on the PlayStation 3 in November. The game lets players belt out tunes by the likes of Alicia Keys, Ashlee Simpson, and The All-American Rejects in both single- and multiplayer modes. The game was developed by Sony's London Studio and is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older.

Along with the white console and a copy of SingStar Pop, the bundle will include two USB microphones. It will be available this November in North America and retail for $149.99 in the US and C$159.99 in Canada.

taken from : http://www.gamespot.com/news/6177858.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;more;7

Halo 3 golden

Two weeks after the game was "99.9 percent complete," the Master Chief is now on a direct course for a September 25 launch.

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot

Posted Aug 29, 2007 9:37 am PT

It's official: Halo 3 is done. Two weeks after developer Bungie Studios announced that "99.9 percent" of work on the game was complete, publisher Microsoft Game Studios announced today that the eagerly awaited sci-fi shooter has gone gold. Rated M for Mature, the Xbox 360 exclusive is available in three versions: the $59.99 regular edition, the $69.99 limited edition, and the $129.99 legendary edition, which comes with a miniature helmet of the game's hero, the Master Chief. Microsoft is also releasing a special Halo 3 edition of the Xbox 360 in September for $399.

Halo 3 is the culmination of the trilogy that kicked off in 2001 with Halo: Combat Evolved. Despite having no online support, the Xbox exclusive was a multiplayer phenomenon, and greatly aided Microsoft's entry into the console fray. The online-enabled Halo 2's debut in 2004 provided a major shot in the arm for Xbox Live, Microsoft's gaming service. With over one million preorders of Halo 3 in the US alone, Microsoft is hoping for a similar boost for the Xbox 360, which has been recently losing market share to the surging Wii and the temporarily discounted PlayStation 3.

Story-wise, Halo 3 will chronicle the invasion of Earth by the pan-species religious crusade known as the Covenant. As outlined in GameSpot's extensive previous coverage, its single-player campaign will support four-player online co-op play, and will feature both the human Master Chief and the ex-Covenant Elite warrior known as the Arbiter. The game's online multiplayer modes were tested extensively earlier this year in an open beta program, and will feature many new maps, weapons, and a limited level editor.

taken from : http://www.gamespot.com/news/6177826.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;more;1

I Wanna Be a Twin Angel!

by Gia

Moon Phase reports that an anime called Kaitou Tenshi Tenshi Twin Angels (that's "Heart-Stealing Angel Twin Angels") is in the works. The anime is based on...a series of Pachinko machines. No fooling. The new show features Yukari Tamura (Galaxy Angel's Ranpha Framboise, Nanoha's Nanoha) as Haruka Minaduki, and Mamiko Noto (Jigoku Shoujo's Ai Enma, Negima!?'s Nodoka) as Aoi Kannaduki.

Source: Moon Phase
taken from : http://www.theotaku.com/news/view/i_wanna_be_a_twin_angel!/2710/

More Yaoi Coming to Japanese TV

by Gia

First a live-action drama about a yaoi fan, then the Words of Devotion movie...lately it seems like Japan's entertainment industry has been going nuts over yaoi fans. And it's not over yet: YaoiSuki spotted word that a TV anime of BLU's Junjo Romantica is in the works. The series follows a shy teenager who falls for his brother's friend-- an amorous writer of romance novels.

Source: YaoiSuki
taken from : http://www.theotaku.com/news/view/more_yaoi_coming_to_japanese_tv/2722/

ARIA to Sing Again, Ghost Hunt to Reprise?

by Gia

Chatter on the AnimeSuki forums tells of a third season of the futuristic slice-of-life comedy ARIA, which has been confirmed by Moon Phase. Gossipers also note that a second season of Ghost Hunt-- whose first season ended on the arc immediately BEFORE all the really interesting stuff happens in the manga --may be pending.

Source: AnimeSuki Forums

taken from : http://www.theotaku.com/news/view/aria_to_sing_again,_ghost_hunt_to_reprise?/2724/