Nintendo Wii

Can’t get enough of speed? Of course, the average person (READ: you and I) may never get to experience what the boys at the Singapore GP experienced over the last weekend, but good thing we have the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, and PC to provide vicarious gaming experiences. Come the 26th of October, we are going to be treated to something that just might whet our virtual appetites – Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, from Electronic Arts and Criterion Studios.

Not that the game is anything like the F1 races, but it has been touted as THE game that will bring back some life into the Need for Speed Franchise, which has seen a decline in the recent years. The question is: will this new release really make the franchise more interesting to players?

Here’s one video (of several) which will show you what is in store for us in the next month:

You have to admit – that is pretty impressive. I also have read that the game will not be too focused on the storyline, but instead highlight the fact that cops and players have to perform as best they can to level up. I like how simple that is, without the complication of plots that seem to be a tad too put on. Maybe it’s just me, but when storylines are not excellently crafted, it’s better not to have much of one at all?

In any case, for those in Europe, the game will be released a little later – November 19. In the meantime, enjoy the video and get ready to satisfy (and increase) your need for speed!

No one can deny just how much Nintendo has changed the face of the gaming landscape, thanks to the Wii. It was only a matter of time before other manufacturers developed something similar, and lo and behold, we are about to see Sony’s answer: the PlayStation Move. News about this game controller platform started circulating mid last year, but now, we have something more concrete.

This time next week, PlayStation Move will be released. Testers have already tried out the platform, and it seems that Sony just might beat Nintendo in terms of hardware. This is hardly surprising, as hardcore gamers have always looked down on the capabilities of the Nintendo Wii. The big drawback to PlayStation Move, however, is the lack of games that will entice people to line up for it on the first day of its arrival.

Hardware-wise, PlayStation Move is very responsive and easy to use. It makes use of the PlayStation Eye, which will serve as the sensor to detect your motions when you use the controller, which is eerily similar to the Wii-mote. For gamers who complain that you can excel in Wii Sports without much difficulty, you might enjoy the need for accuracy when playing Sports Champions on PlayStation Move. Based on reports, even a slight flick of your wrist will make a difference in the outcome of the game! (Needless to say, Sports Champions is much like Wii Sports – no surprise there.)

There isn’t much by way of other game titles as of now, but if anything, we know that Sony’s game consoles tend to start out as slow as a turtle. My bet is that Move will soon catch up. Who knows? It might even replace the Wii!

Photo credit: Product Reviews