Get Mario to Beg for Your Gifts This Holiday

If you doubt Mario's ability to persuade people to buy stuff, then look up every game that he's been in and add up total sales... Done? Now imagine Mario pitching your wishlist to your mom, dad, uncle, or whoever you're expecting a gift from this coming holiday season. A definite WIN!!
Nintendo is offering two ways to send your DS wishlist, first by creating said wishlist via a flash interface on this site. After picking games and DS color, a recording using Mario's voice will be sent to your loved one's phone or email.

The second option is an E-card, which you can compose here. Same mechanic, same goodies.

Now get to those sites and send em like craaaazy!!

Happy 4th Bday, Nintendo DS!!

Last November 21 marked the fourth year of the Nintendo DS in US soil. Who would've thought that this handheld console made for "casual" gamers will last this long and will make a huge impact in the way games are played today? Not me for sure.

Anyway, speaking of birthdays, have gone through all of the DS' launch titles yet? To be honest, I'm still not done with Super Mario 64 DS. And I still can't get enough of Feel the Magic: XY/XX.

Crisis Core Bags Best Handheld of the Year

On the recently concluded MTV Germany's 2008 Game Awards, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII for the PSP was awarded as the best handheld game of the year, or more suitably, "The Whole World in Your Pocket" Award. The prequel to the PlayStation hit, Final Fantasy VII, edged against tough competition such as The Legend of Zelda: Phantom of the Hourglass, Guitar Hero: On Tour, and the much adored Patapon.

There is much to be said about Crisis Core and Square Enix really did a fantastic job. Big ups and keep them games coming!

PSP 3000 Hacked: Lite Blue Tool

Speaking of pirates, after the long wait, a solution to downgrade your PSP 3000 is now available - meet Datel's Lite Blue Tool.

The Lite Blue Tool is a battery peripheral that when used, it will boot your PSP into service mode, where you can then downgrade to a cracked firmware of your choice.

Priced at $29.99, the Lite Blue will surely find a special spot on PSP "homebrewers" hearts.

[source]

Chrono Trigger DS Anti-Piracy Measures Cracked by Pirates

Square Enix is becoming popular (and innovative) in its attempts to block pirates from playing their awesome games. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates for the Nintendo DS had one, but was quickly checked by pirates.

When ROMs of the latest Chrono Trigger DS appeared on websites a couple of days ago, pirates were greeted yet again by another set of copyright protection. But as with other anti-piracy measures before it, it was beaten just hours after release.