Yes there will definitely be backwards compatibility in the next Xbox for two simple reasons: Not to piss off existing Xbox 360 owners, and to generate revenue from selling "classic" old games as downloads just like Sony has done with its PSN.

I am really torn between these two upcoming DJ games. On one hand, Activision has a lot of experience making the successful Guitar Hero franchise, and you just know the song list for DJ hero is going to be immense. But on the other hand, many people are saying that because of its controller, Scratch will be better.

What do you guys think? Go with the underdog, or the established franchise?

Thanks to the GameInformer article, we now know that Assassin's Creed 2 will be set in Venice around the year 1476. I found a great article that explains a lot about what life was like in Italy during that time. Sounds like there will be LOTS to do for a potential assassin:

Source: The Historical Setting of Assassin's Creed 2

"Being an assassin would have been a viable career option in 15th century Tuscany. Powerful families of merchants like the Medici clan in Florence battled others for supremacy in commercial and political life. Italy was divided into relatively small city states, so these families enjoyed a disproportionate amount of power compared to traditional authorities.

Lorenzo de Medici, who evidently plays an important role in Assassin's Creed 2, was a young member of the Medici family who became the ruler of Florence at the age of only 20 years old, when his father died in 1469. Lorenzo was no businessman like his banker father, but he was adept at politics. He ruled the republic of Florence through bribery, corruption and strategic marriages. Other families tried to capitalize on Lorenzo's relative inexperience and youth, eventually leading to an assassination attempt which failed in 1478. In return, the wounded Lorenzo had the entire rival Pazzi family put to death. That's just how princes were expected to roll in the 15th century"

Thanks to the GameInformer article, we now know that Assassin's Creed 2 will be set in Venice around the year 1476. I found a great article that explains a lot about what life was like in Italy during that time. Sounds like there will be LOTS to do for a potential assassin:

http://www.ps3informer.com/playstation-3/games/the-historical-venice-of-assassins-creed-2-010183.php

"Being an assassin would have been a viable career option in 15th century Tuscany. Powerful families of merchants like the Medici clan in Florence battled others for supremacy in commercial and political life. Italy was divided into relatively small city states, so these families enjoyed a disproportionate amount of power compared to traditional authorities.

Lorenzo de Medici, who evidently plays an important role in Assassin's Creed 2, was a young member of the Medici family who became the ruler of Florence at the age of only 20 years old, when his father died in 1469. Lorenzo was no businessman like his banker father, but he was adept at politics. He ruled the republic of Florence through bribery, corruption and strategic marriages. Other families tried to capitalize on Lorenzo's relative inexperience and youth, eventually leading to an assassination attempt which failed in 1478. In return, the wounded Lorenzo had the entire rival Pazzi family put to death. That's just how princes were expected to roll in the 15th century"

Some previewers got an early look at Bionic Commando for the Xbox 360 the other day in San Francisco. So far the game looks awesome in terms of graphics but some people are complaining about the swinging mechanic and camera:

"Usually, I found myself loosing sight of the next grapple point mid-swing -- thanks no less to the wonky camera that I had to baby constantly to search for grapple points -- and falling more often than my thinning patience would care to enjoy. Out of 5 focus test participants, 4 of us voiced concerns over the swinging mechanic and camera."

SOURCE

I really hope Capcom puts extra time in to polish this game, because I badly want it to be good.

Kuju Entertainment had a game in development for the Sony PS3 called Redwood Falls, which looked awesome. So awesome in fact, that last week some gaming sites mistook early test footage for brand new Alan Wake gameplay.

The game did have a real Alan Wake/ Silent Hill vibe going for it, plus creepy forest atmosphere. Unfortunately it got cancelled last year, but they should definitely bring back this game if they can.

Have a look at the early test video of Redwood Falls here and tell me that the game doesn't have a chance of being amazing.

Avenger, that's exactly my point. If after 2 years I wasn't going to pay 10 bucks for a game, then what makes them think I will pay 10 bucks for it now? It's a win-win for both the consumer and microsoft.UT_Wrestler

This is interesting news:

Accessory manufacturer Datel is being sued by SCEE because of an unauthorized battery they were planning on selling. Good for Sony, hopefully they can keep the PSP free from piracy and actually make a profit on software!

http://portablevideogamer.com/2009/01/datel-faces-legal-trouble-over-lite-blue-tool/

Try

http://portablevideogamer.com

Has good PSP and DS coverage for an independent blog.

I didn't even know you could find the original DS anywhere these days. Just get the Lite, it's better in almost every way!