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A preliminary song list for Guitar Hero: On Tour, the DS adaptation for the franchise due out in the United States on June 22, has been released. In addition, over the last several weeks, more details have been released about how the guitar mechanism will function. An adapter plugs into the GBA slot of the DS and it is held vertically like a book, with the GBA slot to the right side. Strumming the guitar will be performed via the touchscreen. Additionally, there will be microphone functionality, including activating your star power and blowing flames out on the guitar during battle mode.

The functionality of the game sounds extremely fun, with the buttons on the side of the system and strumming with the touchscreen. The songlist, however, leaves me with a little to be desired. Of the 15 songs announced, I am prematurely excited for just three of them. Fortunately, there will be at least ten more songs yet to come, and as another bonus, nearly all of the tracks will be master tracks so we don't have to deal with terrible covers, as we did in GH2. There has been local wireless play announced, but I would be much more interested in seeing some DS Wifi play as well. All-in-all, they're discovering new ways to bring out more function in the already-amazing DS.

Also it's going to retail at $50. Yoaaurgh.

Those links again:
GH DS preliminary song list
GH DS Details

When the Castlevania series hit the PlayStation 2, a divergence occurred. Konami struggled to get 3D vampire killing just right on the consoles, but continued the beloved Symphony of the Night style on Nintendo's handheld machines. Fans of the castleroid style of Castlevania games will not be disappointed. A third DS Castlevania title has been announced and rated by the ESRB.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia has been registered as a trademark in the United States, and a rating of T for Teen now appears on the ESRB website. Furthermore, the name has been registered in such a way as to imply that there will be an online component--hardly surprising, given the nature of the DS and online capabilities employed in the past for DS Castlevania games.

We don't have a date, an official comment, or much else (though I believe Lasz had some maybe screenshots several months ago), but we DO have a reason to rejoice.

Now, tell me that Alucard is returning as the hero, and I'll die happy.

Source: GameSpot

This coming June, American gamers will be able to pick up an 80-gig Sony PlayStation 3, a single DualShock 3 controller, and a copy of the hotly-anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4 at a price point of $499.99 US. If anyone was already planning on eventually picking up a PS3 and MGS4, then it just got a little cheaper.

Source: IGN

Yes, you read that headline correctly. It's probably safe to say that this will bring new fans to the series.

While the inclusion of the unlockable characters of Link, Spawn, and Heihachi in Soul Calibur II was a very popular move, the Namco series of fighting games has hit a low point recently with the critically reviled Soul Calibur Legends for the Nintendo Wii. Hopefully SC IV retains the high production values and tight gameplay of it's more popular predecessors while keeping the cast of characters diverse and entertaining.

Source: 1UP

The Sony PlayStation 3 is changing up the gigs and dollars on each of its units again, with the recently-announced 40-gig PS3 retailing for $399 US and the 80-gig PS3 retailing for $499 US. Both models at these prices will be available in the United States on November 2nd.

The 40-gig model was actually revealed a few weeks ago, but until now there was no confirmation as to whether it would ever make it outside Japan, Europe, and Australia. The new price point for the 40-gig version marks the first time that a PS3 is available for under $400 US.

Source: Gamespot

Yesterday Nintendo announced a special new accessory, the "Wii Remote Jacket," to be used in conjunction with the Wii Remote. These new covers will reportedly both serve as a protection for your Wii Remote and also provide a firmer grip to prevent from slipping out. These new protective sleeves will be bundled with all new Wii systems, but current Wii orders can receive one for free from Wii.com or nintendo.com if they can provide their Wii's serial number over the phone.

Hopefully, this should reduce the number of Wii accidents that were so widely reported following the release of the system. Nintendo claims that these new sleeves will "supplement, not replace, the basic game-play instructions: keep a firm grip, don't let go of the controller, use the wrist strap and make sure your play area is free of people or objects."

Source: Nintendo's Press Website