The Rhythm (12)

While it may have been a long and slow week for some of us, the rest of the world keeps spinning. This week's Rhythm is a bit light thanks to certain upgrades that are being worked on and hopefully be in place sometime in the coming week. For now, check out how gamers can support Japan, what the economy is doing to hurt geeks, and an early review for the 3DS. Plus, rumors about NGP pricing.

The Rhythm: following Nathan Fillion on Twitter since 1971.

The Mill: Size Matters Edition

As far as rumors go about system pricing, I'm not sure how trustworthy this one may be. According to Ubisoft, Sony's NGP, which you may know as the PSP2, is apparently getting a price window of $250-$350. More specifically, NGP's that come with 3G and Wifi, much like iPads, will require you to empty your pockets of $350. However, those that are only Wifi enabled would allow you to keep $100 of that, coming in at $250, a price rivaling Nintendo's 3DS. This is all from Ubisoft, so nothing is confirmed at all, but expect to see the price and release date released during this year's E3 in June.

[Kotaku]

Go blue for Japan

If you're a fan of the world's fastest blue hedgehog named Sonic and have an iPod or iPhone, and you haven't gotten around to buying any of the downloadable games yet, now would be a good time. Until March 20th (which I realize is only in a few hours), 100% of the proceeds from all Sonic iOS games, from Sonic the Hedgehog to Sonic the Hedgehog 4, and even Sonic Spinball, plus Street Fighter 4 will be donated to the relief efforts in Japan. Play games, help others. Sounds like a win win to me.

[Touch Arcade]

Mutha effin downgrade

In case you were unaware, the economy sucks, so what's a government to do? Well, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has put cuts in place for the military that will save over $13 billion in the next five years (he hopes). This involves downgrading and eliminating generals and admirals throughout the military, about 140 of them, and taking stars away from generals in Europe. Furthermore, contractors will be cut to save almost a quarter of a billion dollars, also over five years. Also, the IT geeks over at Darpa (they were the guys behind the first internet) are seeing budget cus too. Let's not forget that NASA has also had budget cuts in the past few years and those apparently intend to continue. You're probably saying, "So what?" Well, for the average person, you probably won't notice a thing, but for some of us who look for research money, these cuts are more like gashes. Science is important, even if you slept through your chemistry, biology, and physics classes. This stuff can be helpful to all of the human race and help us create new technologies to advance us. Okay, I'm off my scientific high horse for now. As you were.

[Wired]

(American) 3DS reviewed

3DS's have landed on the US shores in the hands of those lucky few video game reviewing companies, but for the rest of us, we'll have to wait another week before we can get our hands on Nintendo's new 3D device. I actually got to demo one early yesterday and I have to say the 3D is pretty awesome. I was playing Pilotwings Resort and I was flying around the island and I could really see the depth of my plane and the objects coming into view. When I switched the 3D off the depth of field went away, and it felt like I was playing any other DS game. I will say that you do have to get your eyes just right to get the 3D effects to work perfectly. I only played for about 15 minutes, but it wasn't too bad. However, this is not my official review of the system. Head over to IGN to hear how the Nintendo team over there is dealing with the new handheld and their review of it. To give you a taste: "the 3DS is truly a remarkable device...but it is far from perfect". Check out the entire review at the link below.

[IGN]

Dream on.

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