DSi

Bing pings Facebook

In today's show, we're Binging our friends, casting spells in Kindle's library, and bracing ourselves for the return of the browser wars:

Microsoft's Bing search engine now includes Facebook integration. When you search for something on Bing, a side panel will pop up and show which of your friends might help you with your search. So for example, if you search for hotels in Chicago, Bing will point out which of your friends live in Chicago.

Microsoft is also in the news today for stirring up the browser wars again. According to Mozilla, Microsoft is preventing … Read more

Nintendo DSi and DSi XL drop to $99 and $129

It's been a tough time for handheld game systems that aren't phones or tablets. Sometimes, the only real solution is a price drop.

Nintendo is lowering the prices of the Nintendo DSi and DSi XL, the larger-screened version of the DSi, to prices that, frankly, most people probably imagined they'd be at anyway: $99 and $129, respectively. These prices take effect May 20. The Nintendo DSi currently has an MSRP of $149 while the DSi XL is $169, which seems ridiculous considering the more powerful but more battery-challenged Nintendo 3DS now costs $169.

Meanwhile, the Nintendo DS Lite … Read more

Get a pre-owned Nintendo DSi for $49.99

Whoa! Check out these fancy new digs! Don't know about you, but I'm seriously liking the CNET makeover. Hubba-hubba!

When it comes to mobile gaming, I don't know how much longer dedicated devices like the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP can survive. The average iPod Touch or smartphone can play a zillion more games, most of them priced from free to $3, with no cartridges to schlep around.

That said, the kids sure do love the DS--and I'll admit it's a pretty sweet gaming gizmo. Hence today's deal: today only, and while supplies last, … Read more

Game consoles and the death of backward-compatibility: Why we don't care

Today's news from overseas about Nintendo's slightly redesigned and price-dropped Wii isn't much of a surprise, with the Wii U around the corner. Neither is the new Wii's dropping of backward-compatible support for the GameCube and its peripherals. In fact, it nearly comes as a footnote.

Honestly, some people might be shocked that the Wii can even play GameCube games at all. Those small discs, looking like giveaways from some '90s music magazine, slot into the current Wii's disc slot (even though DVDs won't work). Even the GameCube controllers--and other peripherals--plug in via a door on the side. That's generous of Nintendo, but hardly necessary. Unless you have a large collection of GameCube discs, most memorable Nintendo games are easily gotten via Virtual Console downloads, re-issued Wii-ified versions, or improved franchise sequels.

Do we care about backward-compatibility in our game consoles? Well, maybe we used to. It's getting harder and harder to care. Here's why.… Read more

The 404 870: Where we've gone to ludicrous speed (podcast)

Nintendo just announced disappointing sales of its 3DS hand-held gaming device, and a discounted sticker price to go along with it. Is an $80 drop and 20 free games enough to build momentum for the tepid gaming device?

Check out today's show to find out, and to also hear about an AirBnB user's home getting completely thrashed, the hubris of Domino's 7x7x7 deal, and our tips for Colin Farrell in the remake of the movie "Total Recall."

The 404 Digest for Episode 870

Airbnb.com user's home gets completely trashed. Nintendo slashes 3DS price to $169.99.

Episode 870 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

ESRB to automate download-only title ratings

Note: We've been informed by the ESRB that download-only games have been getting ratings for some time, this news just changes the way these titles are assigned actual ratings. We've edited the post to reflect the correct story.

Starting today the ESRB will let publishers automate the ratings process for titles available on storefronts like Xbox Live Arcade, Nintendo Wii Shop, DSi Shop, and the PlayStation Network Store.

Publishers will be able to complete an online submission form that consists of multiple questions related to a game's content--a completely different process than traditional disc-based console games.

The … Read more

Portable gaming on a budget

Now that both Nintendo and Sony have shown their respective upcoming portable gaming hands, each company's current-generation systems are more affordable than ever.

For the gamer on the go who might not care about the absolute latest and greatest, there are plenty of deals to be had on some very successful pieces of hardware and software.

Last week Sony lowered the price on the PSP-3000 to just $130, placing it in line with Nintendo's DS Lite. Even better, many "Greatest Hits" and other titles on the platform have received heavy discounts, bringing their price to $10 … Read more

The 404 760: Where we haven't seen your pretty face in so long (podcast)

It's been so long since Natali has been on The 404 Podcast that we almost forget to call her NM instead of NDC! Fresh from her honeymoon vacation, she stays with us for the entire episode and denounces all those anti-lactivists out there! If we can eat ourselves into a studio infestation, babies should certainly have the right to do so as well.

Moving on, the city of Detroit is finally getting the RoboCop statue it deserves! The idea was spawned after residents felt they needed better representation than rapper Eminem and his ridiculous Chrysler 200 commercial.

So the city started a crowdsourced Kickstarter funding project and reached the $50,000 goal with 37 days left in the contribution window! Everyone that contributes to the fund will receive a personalized digital badge and a name placard on detroitneedsrobocop.com. "I'd fund that for a dollar!" It's the best idea we've heard in a while.

The iTunes Music Store dominates digital music sales, but Sony is taking aim at Apple with its new distribution service called Music Unlimited by Qriocity. Qriocity will feature music from all four major labels, with over 6 million tracks available to stream off Sony's music servers.… Read more

preGame 40: Killzone 3; Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (podcast)

On today's preGame it's a pair of two high-profile game demos. Join us as we play Killzone 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom 3 live in the studio!

But first, we'll take a quick look at this past weekend's announcements regarding the PSP phone, or the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play as it's officially been named. It's not exactly the PSP phone we've been clamoring for, but it does offer some impressive features.

We're also very excited to announce a new contest for preGame viewers. By commenting on today's post, you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three Nintendo DSi XL bundles that include Mario vs. Donkey Kong Mini-Land Mayhem! See below for the official rules and regulations.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OLD AND AGE OF MAJORITY IN YOUR STATE OF RESIDENCE OR OLDER AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES ENDS AT 12 PM EST ON 2/22/11. SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR DETAILS.

Want to be a part of our live taping? Make sure you head to http://cnet.com/live/pregame every Tuesday at 4 p.m. EDT.

Got an idea for preGame? E-mail us! pregame [at] cnet [dot] com.

Be sure to subscribe to the show: RSS (video) | iTunes (video)… Read more