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Will the Nintendo Network...work?

During an investor assembly this week, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata announced the Nintendo Network, marking the first time the company has attempted to streamline its online gaming effort in a way that promises a consistent and reliable experience across all platforms, all while delivering the content and features that gamers have grown to expect.

It's no secret that Nintendo has struggled with its online presence and follow-through since the launch of the Wii and DSi, attempting to navigate the fragile balance of a younger-skewing demographic and the inherent dangers of online gaming and interaction.

Unfortunately these real-world issues mean nothing to the average gamer, who has had to deal with 16-digit friend codes, access limitations, and shoddy presentation, not to mention several name iterations that include almost every combination of the words "Wii," "DSi," "Shop," "Store," and "Channel."… Read more

Nintendo to rename Wii U?

Nintendo might change the name of its Wii U game console to something less like its predecessor, U.K. video game magazine Computer and Video Games reports, citing unnamed sources.

The Japanese game maker is under pressure to rebound from a disappointing Nintendo 3DS launch and heavy annual losses.

Clearly, Nintendo must avoid doing anything that might confuse consumers and prevent them from buying the successor to the Wii console when it arrives in time for the holidays. CVG says it believes the naming scheme and introduction of the Nintendo 3DS wasn't clear enough to consumers, citing an example … Read more

The 404 980: Where it breaks my heart to see her eat those nuggets (podcast)

McDonald's posted impressive quarterly earnings two days ago, but a scoop from the UK Sun newspaper today exposes the astonishing truth behind McDonald's Chicken McNuggets: you shouldn't eat them everyday for 15 years straight.

The show title today is ripped from a quote from the mother of 17-year-old UK factory worker Stacey Irvine, who's eaten nothing but McDonald's Chicken McNuggets since she was 2 years old. Shockingly, doctors maintain that her diet may have been a factor in her sudden anemia and swollen tongue veins that caused her to collapse yesterday.

Speaking of things getting ripped off, we'll also talk about the Australian Transport Minister that just got caught copying Michael Douglas' speech from the movie "The American President," and the NFL installing computers on the sidelines of the Pro Bowl for players to tweet fans during the game!… Read more

Nintendo's huge losses continue; when will the bleeding stop?

Nintendo's troubles are deepening, and unfortunately for the venerable game company, there doesn't appear to be an end in sight.

The game company today announced (PDF) sales of 556.2 billion yen ($7.2 billion) during the nine months ended December 31, down nearly 32 percent compared to the same period in 2010. It also posted a 48.4 billion yen (about $625 million) net loss. During the same period in 2010, Nintendo generated a profit of nearly 50 billion yen.

In its earnings release, Nintendo acknowledged that times are tough, saying that its financials were brought down … Read more

Apple to unveil next chapter of iBooks

Smartphones sold like holiday hotcakes, you might be reading books and magazines on your next Wii U game console, and Apple has something up its iBooks sleeves.

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Apple may unveil new iBook features Wii U may be your next eReader Report: 1.2 billion apps downloaded last week Nintendo sells 4 million 3DS units Google Plus traffic rises Google Election Hub Romney leads in Facebook fans Subscribe: iTunes (MP3) | iTunes (320x180) | iTunes (HD) | RSS (MP3) | RSS (320x180) | RSS HD

Price cut saves 3DS: 4 million sold in U.S. in 2011

After getting off to an inauspicious start, the Nintendo 3DS reversed its fortune by the end of 2011.

Nintendo announced today that it sold 4 million 3DS units in the U.S. last year, helping it to edge out total sales of the regular DS family of devices, which hit 3.4 million during the period. According to Nintendo, the handset, which launched in the U.S. in March, outpaced Wii sales during its first nine months on American store shelves.

Just months ago, there was no telling how the 3DS would survive an inordinately difficult U.S. market. In … Read more

CNET Labscast 13: Onward to CES 2012, but first... (podcast)

We discuss our personal tech hits and misses of 2011; what we loved, hated and was overrated. Also, Scott and Ty weigh in on what will most likely be going on at CES 2012; the who, the what, and the why.

The 30 most-anticipated games of 2012

With my best and worst games of 2011 behind us, it's time to look to the future at what 2012 will hold.

In an effort to avoid inaccuracies, I've compiled the chronological list based on the best release date information possible. Any game scheduled for a 2013 release (see Rainbow 6: Patriots) has been deliberately left off the list.

To see the games, click here or on one of the images below to go straight to the slideshow.… Read more

What will CES 2012 have in store for gaming?

CES isn't exactly gaming's biggest stage, but it seems each year its presence increases. At CES 2012, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will all be at the big show. While it doesn't appear that Microsoft will have any new hardware on display, both Sony and Nintendo have lots to show off.

Sony is sure to be pushing the Vita, and I'm hoping to get a better idea of how the device will interact with its big cousin, the PlayStation 3. Sony has also told CNET there will be some new Vita games on the show floor for … Read more

The 10 worst games of 2011

Oh, dear. As much as I love presenting my picks for the 10 best games of the year, there's also a certain morbid joy in divulging the year's worst games and trends.

Just like the film industry, a lot of titles get released in a single calendar year. There's a few winners, a whole lot of stuff that falls somewhere in the middle, and a select few that stand out as the worst of the worst.

So sit back, relax, and be proud you didn't buy any of these truly awful games. And if you did, well, I'm sorry. … Read more

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