This has been a big week for pieces of gaming hardware getting explodified -- this time around, the subject of dissection is the turntable peripheral for Activision's upcoming Mix Master Mike sim, DJ Hero. However, the disassembly wasn't committed by a tech-savvy hacker, or even a DIY site. Instead, the operation was performed by the Federal Communications Commission. Yes, your tax dollars are being applied to the destruction of video game peripherals.Though most of the depictions of the turntable controller have been glamorous but somewhat non-revealing, the FCC completely exposes the controller in it's most vulnerable state. We'd say the FCC is kind of like the Hustler of gaming hardware snapshots -- but we would never actually say that because that would be an awfully creepy thing to say on a video game blog.[Thanks, Caleb]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

click to Rapstar-size
We've seen nearly nothing of Def Jam Rapstar since we got a chance to check it out at E3 this year, though today 4mm passed along a handful of new screens. Here's the thing: It's more of the same stuff we've already seen. A couple screens do offer a glimpse at the community features and user video upload features, but the majority just give us more shots of menus or points screens.We like hip hop, we even like some rap -- with that in mind, we're left wondering what Def Jam and 4mm are thinking by showing off Young Jeezy and T.I. instead of Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Hypnotize' or even Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "T.R.O.Y." (both of which were playable at E3), two songs that actually highlight major rap stars. While we wait for more info on the game, we'll remain hopeful that Def Jam Rapstar will become something more than SingStar Mostly Pop Rap.
Permalink | Email this | Comments

Okay, so we made up the title, but the news is true: Ubisoft has announced Jam Sessions 2, a sequel to its musical DS title from 2007. Ubisoft promises the Plato-developed sequel will add more to the first game's formula when it releases this fall, along with a slew of new bands, including REM, Heart, The Ramones, The Clash, Doobie Brothers, Plain White-T's, The Black Crowes and The Pixies.According to the game's official site, some of the DSi's sound distortion capabilities will come into play and "enhance sound effects while playing." The sequel's included song creation utilities sound most interesting, allowing users to share their creations, made with the game's multi-track recording software, with each other. Just remember, kids: Friends don't let friends share remixes of Europe's "Final Countdown." We can ill afford further acoustic tragedies.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

If you're looking to add a dash of '80s flair to your Tony Hawk Ride experience, you can either glue the skateboard peripheral onto one of those longboards, or you could just pre-order the game at GameStop. Those who choose the latter will gain access to the 80s Quicksilver Level, which is said to include a "Vert Ramp challenge sandwiched between two 747's on the runway of the Frankfurt Airport decked out in Quiksilver 80's theme including Tony Hawk himself." We guess Germany loves two things, then: David Hasselhoff and '80s-themed skateboard challenges. [Via Go Nintendo]
[image credit]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments