Gaming might not strike you as a big deal at CES, but this year’s show saw plenty of action for gamers to get more than a little excited about. Whether it was the promise of Project Natal or Sony’s 3D PS3 plans, the Vegas megashow had more than enough to sate our appetite for next-gen delights.
Project Natal
At last, a release date for Project Natal. This was the biggest news to emerge from Microsoft’s lengthy keynote, with the motion-sensing camera controller due to drop during ‘the holidays’ this year. Sadly, we didn’t see it on stage, but the Big M simply cannot afford to let this headine-grabber slip. Having played it at E3, we’re desperate to see it land in our front room.
W-039B Wiimote
The bonkers Shenzhen stands at CES always throw up some novel new gadgets. The pick this year was the W0039B Wiimote, made specifically with Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus on its tiny brain. See, it rocks a calorie counter, so you can see just how many you’ve burned off while you head out for a fake bike ride on Wii Fit Plus.
Sony 3D World
Sony’s 3D World campaign has gaming at its heart. The tech giant touted a string of ace games on its new Bravia 3D TVs, showing just how the PS3 could handle three dimensions without the need for you to upgrade your console. The results were spectacular. Just make sure you have enough cash for a new TV.
Alienware M11X
One of the best computers shown off at CES was also one of the hottest gaming stories. The pared down Alienware M11X, due to cost under $1,000 Stateside, has some truly stunning features. There’s NVIDIA GT335M graphics, HDMI out for playing games on the big screen and a Full HD screen of its own if you’re out and about. It’s bound to be a winner once it hits shelves later this year.
Game Room for Xbox 360
Aside from the futuristic skills of Project Natal, Microsoft also showed off the old school Game Room, accessible through Xbox Live. Like Virtual Console on the Wii, the plan is to offer up to 1,000 classic titles over the next three years. Launching in Spring, games by Atari, Konami and Activision have all been promised.
