Nintendo has given its next generation console a name. Wii.

After some flash animation, the following text appears on the page.

Introducing…Wii.
As in “we.”
While the code-name “Revolution” expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer.
Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else.
Wii will put people more in touch with their games…and each other. But you’re
probably asking: What does the name mean?
Wii sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone.
Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what langauge they
speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the
image of people gathering to play.
And Wii, as a name nad a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video
games that sets it apart from the crowd.
So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you.
Because, its really not about you or me.
It’s about Wii.
And together, Wii will change everything.

Gateworld bring us news that Sci-Fi has announced a spin-off to the popular Battlestar Galactica series named Caprica. The series will take place 50 years before the mini-series of Galactica and follow the Adama family and the creation of the Cylons.
From the announcement:

The people of the Twelve Colonies are at peace and living in a society not unlike our own, but where high-technology has changed the lives of virtually everyone for the better. But a startling breakthrough in robotics is about to occur, one that will bring to life the age-old dream of marrying artificial intelligence with a mechanical body to create the first living robot — a Cylon. Following the lives of two families, the Graystones and the Adamas (the family of William Adama, who will one day become the commander of the Battlestar Galactica) Caprica weaves corporate intrigue, techno-action and sexual politics into television’s first science fiction family saga.

Ron Moore and David Eick are said to be producing.

BigBadToyStore.com has posted a picture of an upcoming ‘wall statue’ of Soundwave. It also has Lazerbeak, Rumble, and Ravage. All four characters are jumping out of the space bridge.

This statue is just really, really cool, a nonlinear contribution, a weird spiral design incorporating a handful of the Decepticon Gen 1 essentials. Soundwave: One of the most memorable Decepticons ever, overtly servile, emotionless, logic-driven but with underlying avarice and ambition. He monitors and records everything, even to the extent that he interprets brain waves, which makes him unpopular among his Decepticon cohorts. Despite his loyalty to Megatron, in Transformers: The Movie, once Megatron was out of the picture, Soundwave promptly volunteered to shoulder the burden of new leadership.

The rest of the description just describes the cassette characters, but you get the idea.

I don’t know nothing about Naruto, but if last weekend at NoBrandCon was any indication, its a really popular anime. Kotaku has screens from the lastest Naruto fighting game to be imported.
What a shameless way to increase traffic on my part.

While its future in games and movies is still in limbo with no official announcements, Marvel has disclosed some news about the Halo Graphic Novel.

A 16-page, full-color Halo Preview comic will arrive in stores May 31st available for only $.99. A full color Halo poster showcasing the Phil Hale cover of the graphic novel will be in stores 6/28.

Nice!
The 128 page hardcover book will hit comic shops on July 12, 2006.
In other news, Halo 2 matchmaking has been updated.

Thankfully this isn’t some crap console or PC title. Instead, it looks like it’ll be some kind of online web thing gathering clues from the show with the reward being more information about the show. Given how I still don’t know why there’s a polar bear on the island, any information about the show is a good enough reward for me.
Hit series “Lost” inspires a global online game

In Soul Calibur II, Cassandra had an unlockable third costume, remembered for its winged helmet. General opinon was that it looked goofy, though not unlikable. The outfit returned in Soul Calibur III as individually-purchased articles of clothing. In my browsing of tiny anime girl figurines, I’ve found multiple sculpts of this odd secret costume and wondered why. When I saw that it was back again in merchandise for Namco X Capcom, I got suspicious. After some research, I found Valkyrie. I love an obscure cameo, and this one ranks in with the Ice Climbers. 

The Transformers collectors club has announced their first club exclusive figure, Astrotrain. Astrotrain will be the redeco of Armada Jetfire that surfaced in images online but never came to retail. He will feature an all new head sculpt designed by Dan Khanna.

From the TCC site:

04/26/06 – The Hasbro Transformers Collectors’ Club is proud to present their first Club Exclusive figure: Astrotrain!

From the far reaches of space comes a deadly new foe on the side of evil. Loyal to no one but himself, this insidious bounty hunter has joined the Decepticons to further his own power. Armed with a vast array of weaponry including his powerful Ionic Pulse Blaster, he and his loyal following tear through space as he transports Decepticons and Mini-Cons on their galactic hunt for the mythical Cyber Planet Keys. As a force to be reckoned with, no Autobot is safe as long as this Decepticon warrior is loose!

Featuring a stunning new head sculpt from original designs by Dan Khanna, Hasbro’s Transformers Collectors’ Club is proud to present the first club exclusive figure reborn from a Hasbro design that never came to fruition. This fall, make Astrotrain part of your Decepticon army, only from the Hasbro Transformers Collectors’ Club!

Pictured here is Hasbro’s original design concept along with sketches of the new head. Watch transformersclub.com for updates this summer on the new deco and ordering information. Pricing has not been determined at this time.

Also, club members, we want your input on part of the deco for this character. Login to the member’s only forum and look in the General Discussion topic area.