Put the pitchforks down, fanboys.
Sony refuted claims they’ll lock out pre-owned games back in November 2005. Which really should’ve been the end of it.
Then, Games Radar hopped along a couple days ago a re-reported this old rumor, giving all sorts of gullible fans (and bloggers) something to cry about.
Now, as expected, Sony is making a fresh statement today dispelling this horrendously stupid claim.
I feel like I’m the only person saying this is a totally untrue rumour [1,2] over the past few days, and it feels good to be right. Now, stop jumping to conclusions.

The most dangerous man in gaming has been put in charge of Nintendo of America after just 3 years with the company. He came out swinging at E3 in 2004 claiming to kick ass and take names, and after this year’s E3, it looks like he’s making good on the promise.
Job 1: Making the Wii launch a success.

Botcon.com has revealed the first exclusive for this year’s convention. Since this is the 10th Anniversary of Beast Wars, the story is going to focus on the characters from the series, but in Cybertronian alt modes. The first figure revealed is Optimus Primal, a Cybertron Crumplezone repaint with a new head sculpt. The Cyber Power Key is being called the Golden Disk.

  
In related news, a prototype of a repainted Cybertron Ransack has shown up. This is believed to be the Botcon Exclusive Rattrap (even though he looks far more like a Classics Wheelie). This is reinforced by the presence of the same Cyber Power Key as shown with Optimus Primal.

The Transformers Collectors Club has posted images supplied by Hasbro to give a sneak-peek at a number of the figures in the upcoming Transformers Classics Line. These images are available exclusively to members of the club. The images include robot and alternate forms of Optimus Prime, Starscream, Hot Rod, and Astrotrain (shuttle mode, not train mode). Also included are sillouettes for a previously unannounced figure whose picture will be made available in the next issue of the Newsletter. It does not appear as though this mystery figure is actually Megatron, so it should be new. It sort of looks like a mini-van with a spoiler. So if you have a membership, go check out these pictures.

The picture used in this post is the previously seen proto of Astrotrain in shuttle mode. The pictures available through the club are fully painted.

“I bet you wish you were a member of the club now, don’t you?” – Sam

[Update – Crazy: I was looking through some prior posts and noticed we had a possible case assortment for the first wave. If this is true, then the mystery figure lends itself to be Bumblebee, as he is the only figure we have not seen yet.]

Climate Crisis is running a drive encouraging moviegoers to see the new film An Inconvenient Truth on opening weekend to raise awareness about global warming.

Click here to find when it’s opening in your area.

We’ve seen sketches and speculation, but a scan from a Japanese toy magazine gives us the first look of an actual Starscream prototype.
He’s uncolored, but looks every bit as detailed as Optimus Prime. A dead-on likeness for the animation and comics. One question: Where is his smirk?
Link: TFW2005
UPDATE!
Here’s a new picture from “Figure Oh!” magazine via Fan2Fan
Some translated text also gives us some new details. The figure will retail for 10290 yen (roughly $91 US) and will be 22cm tall in robot mode and 32cm long in plane mode. This make Starscream a bit shorter than Optimus Prime, but still a good deal taller than any Alternator figure. The base shown holding the plane will be included as well, and though its slated for a September release, the designs we see are not final.

Still no official word from Hasbro about a US release, but with the summer convention season and the unveling of Transformers Classics and the movie line still to come, they’ll have plenty of oppurtunities to announce it.

The premeire film for Super Mario Bros 3 (this was before we had E3 reports and internets), The Wizard, will be coming to DVD on August 29th. And just like the Wii, it’ll be in widescreen and 480p. Pretty swell, huh?
I’m going to resist the urge to make a powerglove joke here, but its strange how much Lucas’ control over Rad Racer mirrors Nintendo’s demo of ExciteTruck just 2 weeks ago.
Suggested retail price is $14.98, but you know you’ll pay less than that and it will be worth much more.

Nicholas Cage stars as Ghost Rider in a movie directed by Mark Stephen Johnson (“Daredevil”) and written by Johnson and David Goyer (“Blade,” “Batman Begins”).
Get the teaser and international trailer here.