Classic Wii Controller grows wings

Sony has its latest DualShock 3 for its PlayStation 3 and now Nintendo is following its Japanese compatriot's footstep with an enhanced Pro iteration of its Classic Wii Controller. With a design that closely resembles its predecessor's complete with wings and an overweight DualShock 3, the Classic Wii Controller Pro adds hand grips, extra shoulder buttons and wider spacing between the mini joysticks.

According to Web site Kotaku, the Classic Wii Controller Pro should be launched in this summer. We're assuming that's around July or August for the Japanese market.

Via Kotaku

Microsoft's two-prong Xbox 360 offensive

It used to be mainly console hardware and accessories that were offered discounts. But now the Redmond software giant is slashing prices for its Xbox Live online service, games and game addons in a bid to grow its market share. Dubbed Xbox Live Gold Deal of the Week and available only to its Gold members, this latest initiative offers savings ranging from 25 to 50 percent to match the September 2008 console price revision.

As an example, the company has lined up the 2D platform/puzzle game Braid in Singapore at 800 Microsoft points, which is roughly 33 percent off the usual price. This promo ties in with the one-time S$70 12-month Xbox Live subscription offer for the island-state this week. Contact your local Microsoft office for more country-specific Deal of the Week promotions.

Xbox 360-powered retro arcade machine

I swear this is definitely not the first time I am writing about such modernized retro arcade machines. The spin for this particular one from Solomods.com is a bit different, though. I guess it is pretty obvious from the image that this concoction is powered by the Microsoft console with its "loud" neon sign and Xbox 360 written all over it. To be more specific, the Xbox 360 arcade machine has a naked 60GB kit featuring a custom-installed disc drive and infrared sensor tailored for the huge cabinet.

Nevertheless, what really caught my attention is the antique 27-inch CRT monitor. While it does make the finished product authentic, we're just not convinced that this a good match for an Xbox 360 based on our past experience. There's another bigger problem. The Xbox 360 arcade machine is available only for local pickup in Ohio, US, and costs a whopping US$2,250. If it is any help, you might like to know that it's preloaded with three games, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter Turbo HD and Soul Calibur.

Via Bornrich

Game swag strikes again: Nintendo's chocolate kitchen utensils

It may not beat the frozen Skate steaks we got a couple of weeks ago, but today's daily dose of video game swag comes courtesy of Personal Trainer: Cooking, an upcoming title for the handheld Nintendo DS game console.

The game seems to be more of an interactive cookbook, leading you through 245 recipes with an onscreen guide, and using the DS' built-in mic for navigation if your hands are tied up with, you know, cooking stuff.

Packaged in a clearly Valentine-themed red cardboard box, we found a press release and a heart-shaped box--the kind typically used to hold V-Day chocolates. Inside, surprisingly, were chocolates in the shape of common kitchen utensils (or so we're told), including a spatula and a muffin tin.

Via CNET.com

An Xbox 360 should be seen and not heard

Everyone knows that the Xbox 360 is the best console in the world (flaming in comments section below please). The only problems are the deafening noise it makes when it's on and its hideous reliability problems.

It turns out that those problems are both easy to solve, as long as your name isn't Microsoft. The folks at Quiet PC have developed a solution that means your 360 can be very quiet, and much less likely to suffer red rings of death. A quiet 360 is also more useful as a media centre too, which will appeal to many people.

The trick is to rehouse the 360 in a better-ventilated case. This, combined with a large rear-mounted fan, should keep your 360 cool while you play intense games for hours on end. It's even possible to water-cool this set-up, if you're so inclined, with ports at the rear for the water intake.


Read more »

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (2187)

» Digital Cameras (964)

» Notebooks (1222)

» PC & Peripherals (1294)

» Handhelds (581)

» Printers (79)

» Home AV (1127)

» Music & Play (883)

» Gadgets (1465)

» Future Tech (384)

» Green Tech (169)

» Lifestyle (149)

» Luxury (22)

» Home Appliances (57)

» Cars (98)

» Games and Gear (244)

» Software (89)

» Web (96)

Previously...

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Hot Topics

Subscribe to
Crave

What's Hot

apple apple inc. apple iphone apple ipod asia battery camera game google inc. iphone microsoft corp. microsoft windows mobile phone photograph singapore smart phone software sony corp. video

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads