You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
I’ve been keeping an eye on the price of the Wii because I want to play Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story. Datel’s soon-to-be-released adapter could prove handy for a longtime PlayStation gamer like me, because it allows one to use a PS2 DualShock controller with the Wii and the new Wii U.
I’m not sure why, but instead of connecting to the console itself, the adapter connects the PS2 controller via the expansion port of the Wii remote control. It also has a button that lets you activate an auto-fire mode, although I don’t know how you’ll select which button to auto-fire or if it will put all buttons on auto-fire when activated. You can pre-order the controller adapter from Amazon Japan for ￥1,781 (~$22 USD).
[via Gamer.ne via Destructoid]
The first four models of the PS3 were backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 games. For reasons unknown, but most likely not related to its customer’s best interests, Sony later removed this feature. Now, the inevitable has occurred: tinkerers have brought the feature back via a software hack.
While there have been gray market USB dongles that gave jailbroken PS3s this ability, this hack only requires software. This method supposedly works with all models of the PS3 (although it hasn’t been tested with all PS2 games), the sources below did mention that it requires users to replace some of the console’s system files.
Seems to me that this hack implies two things: a) this could very well ruin your console, and b) it would be easy for Sony to bring backwards compatibility back. It would also be nice if everyone had pet unicorns, but we don’t. So that’s that.
[via PS3 Developer Wiki via PSX Scene via QuickJump]
Image by Evan Amos via Wikipedia
Most gamer who want to play with more than one or two vintage console platforms often turn to software-based emulators that may or may not be above-board. How about stuffing all of the authentic hardware into one controller and one base unit? Modders at Bacteria's forums have developed Project Unity, an attempt to natively address 20 consoles across 17 actual platforms folded into a single device. The gamepad, arguably the centerpiece, includes two each of analog sticks and directional pads, along with multiple shoulder buttons and a central button grid that can either be used to steer an Intellivision or fill in for otherwise missing controls. Stuffing the unique controller hardware into one gamepad obviously presents problems with board sizes and the laws of physics, so much of the relevant circuitry sits in modified NES cartridges. Our only dismays are the lack of original Xbox support and the slightly imposing challenge of aggregating and modifying that much classic gaming componentry in one place -- if you're more concerned about convenience in your retro gaming than preserving the original feel of that Sega Master System or SNK NeoGeo, though, you've just found Utopia.
Project Unity stuffs 20 classic consoles into one: if you can't play it, it's probably too new (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Project Unity (Bacteria's Forum) | Email this | Comments A much-loved feature that was taken away from the PlayStation 3 could be making a comeback, but not through emulation. There’s a rumor among rumor-having places that Sony will be partnering with cloud gaming service Gaikai to stream PS One and PlayStation 2 games to “PlayStation hardware.” Uhm… Yay?
In case you’re not familiar with Gaikai, it’s a cloud gaming service much like OnLive, but unlike OnLive its concentrated on partnering with publishers and distributors rather than directly with customers. Gaikai’s software allows users to stream games instead of downloading them.
Streaming a game means you’ll be able to play Crysis 300 on a calculator as long as your Internet connection is up to the task. Okay I admit that was a bit hyperbolic. Your Internet connection is clearly not up to the task. Seriously though Gaikai says a connection of at least 5mbps is good enough to use their service.
If this rumor is true, instead of downloading PS One or PS 2 games from the PSN store, gamers will simply have to log in to Gaikai’s network and play Battle Arena Toshinden the way we log on YouTube to watch videos. Here’s Gaikai at it’s best: instant play of Hawken, a game that hasn’t even been released yet.
Online streaming does have a lot of advantages, but I think it’s also way ahead of its time for its own good and can only be enjoyed by a select few. Aside from the obvious always online shackle, I’m also wondering how users will be able to access PS One and PS 2 games. Will they be for sale? Will they be for rent? Will they be available via a catch-all monthly subscription? Is the PSP included in the umbrella term “PlayStation hardware?” No? Why not? Please? I guess E3 is the perfect time to announce a service like this, so hopefully we’ll have answers soon.
[via GamesIndustry via Geek via Slash Gear]
Welcome to Growing Up Geek, an ongoing feature where we take a look back at our youth and tell stories of growing up to be the nerds that we are. Today, we have our new editor, Jon Fingas.
You might say I started early. Some of my first memories of technology -- or of anything, really -- were of mashing the keyboards on Compaq PC clones at my dad's workplace when I was three. Little did I know that I'd started on a path towards technology that would lead me towards mashing the keyboards for a career that would land me here at Engadget.
Continue reading Growing Up Geek: Jon Fingas
Growing Up Geek: Jon Fingas originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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