The kids from Mega 64 take their trademark recipe of famous game scenarios, a couple of video cameras and nerds with huge balls, put them in a pot then serve up the humor piping hot on the internet. Their latest project? Dead Rising, which basically consists of photographing mall zombies and getting into trouble with wage-slave security forces. Michael McWhertor

By: Michael McWhertor

I'd been to three E3s, but this was my first Consumer Electronics Show and my third time in Las Vegas. Having grown up regarding CES as the game show, I'd always been awestruck reading the write ups on the far off games Nintendo and Sega were showcasing at the CES. It seemed like a gaming orgy on a scale my pre-teen brain simply could not comprehend.

But after having stalked the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center for my trio of E3 adventures, CES in its heyday paled by comparison. E3 was the end-all, be-all gaming event.

With E3 transformed from media freakshow, stuffed to capacity with millions of blinding lights, thousands of pimply-faced "industry professionals" and subwoofers blasting at molar loosening levels, to a series of meetings, I was hoping CES would fill the missing gap. Sure, we'll have PAX and E for All Expo, but CES brings in every consumer electronics company in the world, meaning at least a strong showing from Sony and Microsoft. And it's in Vegas, where freakshows are the norm.

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What's so bizarre about this Farmer-manufactured Universal Media Disc Vertical Stand? Not that implication that one could possibly have the 24 UMDs required to fill every slot, but the fact that it lights up. For what reason? Maybe it's for power failures, those stormy times when one finds themselves with no electricity and nothing to do.

It doesn't just cure boredom, it gives your room a soothing cool glow. Probably makes for great mood lighting, too, when you invite a young lady back to your bachelor pad to show off that deep PSP library. (Obviously, this has never happened, so consider that situation hypothetical.)

At $18 American, with such a wide array of functions (holding, illuminating, standing upright), who doesn't want one? Michael McWhertor

Universal Media Disc Vertical Stand [National Console Support]

Lost Planet players looking to add some international flavor to their online matches and some Japanese-language smacktalk to their repertoire, should make their way to Brian Dunn's helpful guide on speaking with your trans-Pacific Xboxers.

From niceties like "ganbarimasho!" to sassback like "zama miro" to the very useful "wakarimasen", with the Capcom translator's guide, you'll be blocked by Japanese hardcore gamers in no time. There's even a handy pronunciation guide so you'll sound less like a hayseed gaijin gamer. Michael McWhertor

Communication Breakdown? Communication Breakdancin', Baby! [Lost Planet Community]

According to Reuters and their unnamed sources, Microsoft is looking to start selling the Xbox 360 to the Chinese within "the next few months." Maybe even as early as February, according to some Shanghai retailers.

While it may seem like they're a little late to the game, it should be noted that the PlayStation 2 was released in the country as recently as three years ago.

Microsoft has planned to penetrate China since 2005, but has had to meet with approval from Chinese governmental regulators to begin shilling their chill white console onto the masses. When it does happen, it'll go a long way in helping Microsoft reaching their goal of "touching" 1 billion people with their machine. Michael McWhertor

Microsoft to launch Xbox 360 in China soon: sources [Reuters]

Just before the World of Warcraft expansion launch (that's tonight, by the way, in case you missed it), the kids at Pro-G spoke with Blizzard designer Jonathan LeCraft to discuss the future of WoW and their stable of franchises. On WoW for consoles:

You really do need a keyboard to play WoW. I've seen some mods where people have hooked up WoW to their Wii. When I saw that I was like, well, that's got to be pretty easy to PVP against, honestly. It's not something we're looking at right now.

That's non-committal enough, I suppose. But when discussing the next Blizzard franchise to get the MMO-treatment, LeCraft is typically even more vague. When asked about the other hot Blizzard properties, he said: "I think we have the capacity for another [MMO]."

I know they're licenses to print money, but can we please just get another Starcraft, sans monthly fee? And please, no more attempts at console stealth games, k? Much appreciated. Michael McWhertor

World of Warcraft unlikely for consoles [Pro-G]

It still doesn't beat out the most amazing Line Rider clip ever, but since the "web toy" is coming to the Nintendo DS and the Wii, here's one more (final?) demo of what you can strive for with the commercial release. Stick around for the sad ending. Michael McWhertor

While North Americans get Wario Ware Smooth Moves this week, the Japanese are gearing up for the greedy one's next DS outing, Kaitou Wario the Seven. Coming to the states as Wario: Master of Disguise, the game features traditional Wario-style platforming, but with sexy DS gimmickry. Wario must overcome obstacles using one of seven disguises, including Thief Wario, Bat Wario, Torpedo-riding-pirate Wario and Cosmic Wario. Use the stylus to draw shapes and icons for a quick change.

The official Japanese site has clips of each required stylus technique to put Wario in different outfits, showcasing each costume's powers. You can even watch the rare Nintendo DS non-non-game's commercial here.

The localized version ships in March, so put your pre-orders in now. Is my Wario fanboyism showing yet? Michael McWhertor

Finally a new Xbox Live Arcade game that isn't almost 20 years old. This Wednesday sees the release of Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank, a game McWhertor called "absurdly easy to the point of boredom." Not exactly a stellar endorsement, but perhaps he just has superhuman skills neither you nor I could hope to comprehend. The game is a side-scrolling shooter where you, the titular Atomic Tank, shoot down planes, helicopters, missiles, and zeppelins while friendly forces drop you powerups.

From what I have read so far the game doesn't seem that interesting, but its colorful I'm a sucker for zeppelin shooting so I'll reserve my opinion until I've blown 800 MS points on it come Wednesday. Check the press release below for more details. Michael Fahey

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The original NES might not have been able to play a game without being blown on, but over the years it has proven to have millions of household uses beyond simple TV entertainment. You can use it to tell time, play music, watch DVDs, or even run Mac software.

Now, thanks to the glory of yanking out innards and adding hinges, it can even double as a purse.
This stylish console accessory was created by eBayer bikemike13dog, and features a modded NES controller as a handle. It utilizes the unused connector port on the bottom of the system as a lighter holder, and the cartridge slot can either fit a cellphone or his own custom created NES cart cigarette holder (sold separately). The auction ends tomorrow, and the bidding is only $28!

Ever since I bought a Yobo to help curb my girlfriend's Yoshi Cookie addiction my original NES has done nothing but collect dust. Think how much more dust I could collect if it were a purse! The mind boggles. Michael Fahey

Nintendo Purse [eBay via The Last Boss]

In an interview with Edge, MotorStorm developer Evolution Studios said they might introduce split-screen mode to their upcoming over-the-top driver if there is enough demand for it.

Does Evolution have any plans (even at this late stage) to implement any split-screen options in the US/PAL versions of MotorStorm? [From: Anthony N Putson]

MS: Rally Evolved dropped split-screen and we'll probably leave it that way for MotorStorm unless we get an overwhelming demand. Splitting all that high-def detail into two is a performance nightmare. However, the beauty of online consoles is that the game can change in the future and we can sit down with SCEE and say, 'Let's offer this for download - the fans want it'.

SK: Split-screen racing requires compromised visual/aural fidelity to accommodate multiple simultaneous views of the environment. For our PlayStation 3 debut, we elected to spend our entire processing/rendering budget on a single view, relying on the more compelling online experience to provide multiplayer thrills...

So if current PS3 games only use half the power of the console this shouldn't be an issue. I really hope fans (yes, I'm among them) can drum up enough support to get the studio to release an add-on that would let us shred through the tracks with a friend on the same TV. Brian Crecente

You interview... Evolution Studios: the Q&A; [Edge]

Stray Bullet Games, a game development studio founded by key developers from Shadowbane creators Wolfpack Studios, has announced that they are working on a brand new massively multiplayer online game. They will be using an undisclosed 3rd party game engine to create the as-of-yet unnamed game, which will feature a completely original setting and theme.

Mike Madden, the Creative Director, had more to say about the design process for the new project. "We have two guiding principles: Rely upon the familiar and Be bold . . . In setting, systems and game play, we want to build on a firm foundation of features that are familiar and comfortable to MMO players, making the game as inviting and accessible as possible. We see no need to innovate in areas MMOs already do well."

Taking Aim at the Future! [Stray Bullet Games via Eurogamer]

Title says it all. Japanese game maker Taito is giving Mama from Cooking Mama and an alien from Space Invaders make cameo appearances in Densha de Go! for the Wii. Sure hope that a bullet train doesn't run over Mama! Brian Ashcraft

Earlier this week Missouri sheriff's deputies found 13-year-old William Ownby, who had been allegedly kidnapped while getting off of his school bus.

When police searched the home of alleged kidnapper Michael Devlin, 41, of suburban St. Louis, they found both Ben and Shawn Hornbeck, 15, who had disappeared four years ago while riding his bike.

On Sunday, GamerTagRadio and GamerTagPics broke the news that Devlin appears to have an Xbox Live Gamertag and that he had created a profile on GamerTagPics which appears to feature a photo of Hornbeck standing in front of Devlin's apartment.

When contacted Monday by Kotaku, a St. Louis Post-Disptach reporter confirmed that the photo of Hornbeck used for the profile did appear to have been taken in front of Devlin's apartment.

According to the stats of gamertag DevilDevlin, the account has been used to play two dozen games and the last game played was Saints Row, which was accessed on Jan. 12, the day the two children were rescued. On Jan. 11, DevilDevlin played Samurai Warriors 2 and some Final Fantasy XI.

Messages to the account have not been returned, nor have emails to Microsoft to see if the Xbox Live team has been contacted by law enforcement about the account activity. Brian Crecente

Kidnapper's Connection to Xbox Live Community [GamerTagRadio]

See Also: Odd internet trail points back to MO boy, alleged abductor [Boing Boing]

Yet another industry insider tosses in his 2 cents about the next-gen console wars as Gabe Newell, Marketing Director for Valve, gives his opinion of the PlayStation 3 and offers some helpful suggestions for the faltering Sony system.

"The PS3 is a total disaster on so many levels, I think It's really clear that Sony lost track of what customers and what developers wanted," said Newell. "I'd say, even at this late date, they should just cancel it and do a 'do over'. Just say, 'This was a horrible disaster and we're sorry and we're going to stop selling this and stop trying to convince people to develop for it.'"

The quote is from an interview with Game Informer magazine, in which he also goes on to praise the Wii and predict a larger install base than the 360 by next Christmas. To proactively quote some of our more opinionated commentors, "Obviously a Nintendo fanboy." Michael Fahey

Valve boss blows a gasket over PS3 [MCV via Voodoo Extreme]

1998: SNK of America sues Atlus over (patent infringement?) of their photo stickers. How could we ever explain such a concept to a thawed caveman? He'd be like, "I survived the ice age for this shit?"

2003: EA releases Sim City 4 for PC in the US. I have a feeling that if The Sims never existed, we'd be on Sim City 25 by now. (Instead we are on The Sims 25: Rabid Pets And Children, Who Are Dating And Making Magic And By Magic We Mean Doing It With The Good Stuff Blurred Out). Mark Wilson

Have gaming history, trivia, or famous birthdays you'd like to see in TDIG? Drop us a line at tdig@kotaku.com

The thing about most mods is that they're pure show-off. Not this. It's not only neat, but functional as well. A guy (with dirty fingernails) over at Acid Mods apparently figured out how to dock his NES controller with an iPod so he can play Doom. If it's real, color us impressed! Brian Ashcraft

NES Controller iPod Hack [Hack A Day]

Gamasutra reports that in terms of revenue, Electronic Arts' titles dominated the UK sales charts last year.

In fact the publisher's games made up nearly one-fifth of all game sales in the UK. Here's the full chart:

Pos. Publisher Percentage
1 Electronic Arts 19.8%
2 THQ 7.9%
3 Ubisoft 6.9%
4 Nintendo 6.8%
5 Microsoft 6.5%
6 Sony 5.7%
7 Take-Two 5.4%
8 Activision 5.0%
9 Sega 4.1%
10 Eidos 3.7%

Talk about dominance, you would have to add the top three (which includes Nintendo) to better Electronic Arts' percentages. Brian Crecente

EA UK's Top Publisher [Gamasutra]