Last Monday saw the American release of Nintendo’s WiiWare, a service that will bring original games available for download straight to your Wii console. It’s similar in principle and execution to both Sony’s PlayStation Store for the PS3 and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360. Like everything else on the Wii, it’s easy to use and offers a decent variety of launch titles.

Given that Nintendo already has classic and retro games covered with their Virtual Console offerings, this is a chance for either larger developers to take some risks and produce smaller, more off-beat games (such as Square-Enix’s Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King) or for smaller developers to have an inexpensive method for easily getting their games out to the public. There’s no option to demo the games first as on XBLA or PSN, but the games only range in price from $5-15, so you won’t be out too much cash if you happen to not enjoy your purchase.

With that in mind, I can say with absolute certainty that the title I downloaded, LostWinds, is worth every penny of the $10 I spent on it.

Just about anybody can strap themselves into this baby, created by the robotics firm Sarcos, Inc. to help enhance human endurance and strength. Once they do, expect to be able to do some MAJOR heavy lifting, up to 20 times that of the average human. Funded by the military (of course,) the plan is to have this baby load cargo and do repairs on larger objects. Naturally, there’s a twinkle in the Defense Department’s eye, and dreams of using it for combat someday. We shall see. For now, rejoice as Mamoru Oshii’s Patlabor comes to life in the real world.

Robotic Suit Could Usher in Super Soldier Era (via Breitbart)

By Jesse Mann

Metal Gear Solid 4, coming to a theater new you! This is one of several new trailers for the upcoming release of the beyond blockbuster PS3 title. Listen for the announcer’s voice, you’ll recognize it from about 99% of all blockbuster film trailers in recent memory. What better game to lend his voice talents to than this one? Also consider the game’s score, provided by accomplished film composer Harry Gregson-Williams. Now that the (supposedly) final entry in the game series is finished, it’s only a matter of time before that Metal Gear Solid film adaptation finally comes to fruition, hmm?

MGS4 Theatrical Trailer (via Youtube)

By Jesse Mann

So some engineers at Duke University have developed a robot capable of performing simple surgical procedures completely on its own. Obviously this an incredible creation that pushes the envelope of modern medicine, but, for me, it begs the question of even though we can use robots to perform surgeries, should we?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for using robotics to help make people’s lives easier, but there’s something about removing the human element from medicine that just seems… wrong. Yes, a robot could (in theory) be far more precise and accurate in performing the procedures, but there’s no telling how it would handle the situation should something go awry. I don’t know, maybe it’s just that any time I hear about automated medical care all I can think of is Roujin Z.

My own hyperactive imagination aside, it will be quite exciting to see what kind of advances this helps bring about.

Mad Medicine (via io9)

By Stewart Smith

The DIY modifications for classic videogame icons and consoles will probably never end, though it’s hard to think about what may top this baby. This modder turned a storage chest into a NES controller big enough for Godzilla to use, filled it with his classic game collection, and then topped it all off by making it a fully functioning controller. For the increasing number of people that grew up on video games, perhaps this will one day be the epitomy of retro chic style. If you are reading this, perhaps that day has already come for you! Check the video below to see it in action.

The Great NES Coffeetable Project (via Destructoid)

By Jesse Mann

© 2008 TOHO/NTV/J STORM/SHOGAKUKAN/YTV/CTV/YOMIURI SHINBUN/DENTSU

Shinji Higuchi’s remake of Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress (screened in LA last week) starts off with a bang. Literally. It’s a startling deviation from the original, almost as if director Higuchi was throwing down a gauntlet and defiantly stating that this was his version of the 1958 blockbuster that had inspired George Lucas’ Star Wars.