Previously, on Firmware Stories: hit this link for all the details.

I’m curious to see if the rumoured blu-ray to PSP portable copy features are in there as well. Some studios are mulling the idea of including a standard-def PSP/iPod version of the film on the BD that you can transfer to whichever device.

Well well well…. what have we here? A little battle royale between three games that claim to take your own music library and wrap an accurate rhythm game around it? Each make similar claims… Taking the music you own and transforming it into something you can play (a la Frequency or Rock Band).

Today we’re going to take a look at Beats for the PSP, Phase for the iPod and Audiosurf for the PC. Three different platforms three different games, but certainly one is better than the rest? So here’s the deal, going through my extensive music collection I’m going to run the same list of songs through each game and we’ll just see which one is best. To the BBPS labs!

In case you’re curious, here’s the song I selected:
Surf Wax America - Weezer
Art of Storytelling Part 2 - Outkast
If You’re Into It - Flight of the Conchords
Adrenaline - The Roots
Did You Realize - Flaming Lips
Brianstorm - Arctic Monkeys

So how did they stack up? Continue Reading »

The “games” on the ipod have been all over the map. Some like Phase are fantastic, but the lion’s share have truly sucked. This is mainly because the click wheel on the ipod is about as much a game controller as a busted mailbox is. That is to say, it’s not.

But the play and style of Peggle make it a perfect match, so it’s on little surprise that the crack-like puzzle game is out on the device. Yet another platform that can play Peggle, though this game is good enough that we’re not complaining. Looks like it came out a few weeks ago, not really sure how I missed it but it’s still worth mentioning.

It’s also one of the more affordable versions, with 55 levels and 75 master challenges for 5 bucks!

…Now it’ll run ScummVM!! Which means it’s yet another place I can play Secret of Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle (amongst other classics). This, ladies and gentleman, is awesome.

Not only because for every person that plays a LucasArts adventure game the world becomes a cooler place, but for the dedication of the ScummVM team. Hopefully one of these days LucasArts will realize what they’re missing out on and we’ll get some re-releases/updates/sequels.

Till then, to those with an iPhone… get downloading.

[Gizmodo]

Yes yes yes! While I always secretly (or maybe not so secretly) hoped to see Frequency or Amplitude released on a portable platform I never would’ve guessed it’d be the iPod. But you know what? Since Harmonix worked on it I’ll buy it. Hell I’d buy it if it came out for Game Gear if I knew Harmonix was involved.

Add into the fact that this game will take any songs on your iPod and apply the “notes”, and the cool use of the scroll wheel and you’ve got a damn good deal at $5.