199w ago - I think this is another sign of new PS3 coming into town...

According to Kotaku (linked above), the Japanese stores have started to get a notice to discontinue selling the 80GB as of August 9th, which is about right before the new PS3 Slim is supposed to be announced.

To quote: The 20GB, 40GB and 60GB versions of the PS3 have been discontinued. According to this, it looks like the 80GB PlayStation 3 is next.

This notice is apparently from retailer 7-Eleven (7-Eleven sells video games in Japan) and stats that pre-orders for the Black, White and Silver 80GB PS3 will cease on Sunday, August 9 at 10am.

The reason listed is literally "For the manufacturer" -- or at the maker's request.

The notice also notes that all in-store displays for the 80GB model are to be taken down. If this is true, then Japan would be left with only the 160GB PlayStation... Or perhaps there is an upgrade in store.

200w ago - Role-playing-game SaGa 2: Hihou Densetsu: GODDESS OF DESTINY aka Final Fantasy Legend II is getting a Nintendo DSi remake according to Kotaku (linked above).

To quote: Know what that means? Special SaGa DSi!

The remake corresponds with the 20th anniversary of the series. If you didn't know that, just take a look at this SaGa DSi.

It says just that. And if you didn't know all the names of the SaGa games, this DSi has them written on it.

The first SaGa was released on the Game Boy back in 1989. SaGa 2 will hit the Nintendo DS this September in Japan.

200w ago - We've known since E3 in June that Sony would open up the PlayStation Network for direct video downloads over WiFi to the PSP - no PC or PS3 required.

Now it's live, in Japan anyway. At the moment, there are about 90 PSN video titles to choose from at the moment including anime episodes at ¥200 (about $2) per or animated movies for ¥500 ($5.30) in standard definition or ¥600 ($6.40) for HD.

PSP downloaded videos can be transferred to the PS3 and some content can be rented for 72-hours at a pop. No word on US or European launches but really, how much longer could it be with the PSP Go launching on October 1st.

To quote, roughly translated: PSP PlayStation Store's video rental service is now available as well. Traditionally the first drop in the PS3 from the PSP to "move" is needed to further download the PSP via WiFi directly to Memory Stick and you can play.

Once downloaded to the start of play the first 72 hours are available for viewing and using the same DRM restrictions from the PS3. Like the PSP to the PS3, PSP and download content directly to the PS3 can play and move. "Of course" I should add, PSP can only rent the SD version.

And according to today's launch for the PSP:

• "Toro travel and THE MOVIE" (SD 500 version, HD version of 600)

201w ago - August first is just around the corner, and that day is when the Black Nintendo Wii launches in Japan.

Admit it, it looks sweet (pictured below). That blue light on the face of the console amidst the solid black makes it look ultra modern.

Even the packaging looks classy.

The Black version of the Wii lands in Japan on August 1st for ¥25,000 (US$ 258).

Thanks to Hero of Legend of NeoGAF (linked above) for the news.

203w ago - Kenji Matsubara, global President and CEO of Tecmo Koei Holdings, has said that despite a difficult start in Japan, Microsoft is doing better with Xbox 360 than it did with the original console.

To quote: "Xbox 360 as a business is doing better than the old Xbox," he told Kikizo.

"They have a good opportunity for growth, but of course Sony is a Japanese company and Microsoft is known as a business software company, so brand image is one point. But Microsoft is doing well, especially considering how difficult it is these days.

"I think they have good growth potential for the future depending on the titles. We have a close relationship with Microsoft so I hope we can be a part of that."