New MS and Sony hardware; Mii's take over Guitar Hero IV

Sony and MS at Leipzig
So the German gaming event has come, and it has shed new light on some new Microsoft and Sony hardware.

On the Sony side, they're introducting yet another PSP model. It may have much of the same stuff as last year's update (PSP-2000 or the PSP Slim), but it promises something new in the form of a microphone. Sony states that it will let users get rid of the headset so they can now directly talk when using Skype or Go!Messenger.
Frankly, I'm not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, I think it's cool that they're giving future PSP owners the convenience and value for money, but on the other hand, I don't see how this won't make the person seem crazy to other people. Just imagine yourself in a Wi-Fi hotspot talking to your PSP... It's like shouting at your DS to say "Objection!".

And this makes me want to ask the question: What next, Sony? A touch screen?

Anyway, it comes in either the Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack and a new PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack. The Core Pack will follow eventually.

Moving on, the PS3's also getting a new pack- the 160GB pack to be precise. And it'll include the game Uncharted: Drake's Fortune as well as a download voucher for a game called PAIN in the free online service PlayStation Network. And frankly, I'm finding more and more reason to get a PS3 now, especially since this bundle costs 499 dollars- which is actually of much value than you think.

Plus, Sony also announced a Bluetooth-powered keypad that you can attach on your Dualshock 3. And judging from the size of those buttons, I don't think it looks comfortable. It will arrive this November.
Going to the Microsoft side, it's a bit less significant- especially for the 360 owners- and that's because the new hardware being announced are for the PC- and I mean it.

And why is that? Well, those accessories are just a keyboard and a mouse that are the newest addition to the SideWinder line-up.

The keyboard especially looks butt-ugly though but the numerical pad can be detached, and it has been reported that the LCD screen on the mouse has been removed- probably to cut costs.
Mii's take over Guitar Hero World Tour...
On freestyle mode, that is.

Vicarious Vicions, developer for the fourth installment, did not give Wii owners empty promises after all, especially since it utilizes the Mii's in the game's freestyle mode. What is it, you ask? Well, it's basically a mode where you can do anything you want with an instrument using the Wiimote. So even though the real drums come with the package, you can still use the Wiimote to make "air drums". Kinda like Wii Music- only less.

However, another reason for Wii owners to get excited about the Wii version of this new installment of the famous franchise is the fact that they finally, finally get some real DLC- that's downloadable content for the uninitiated.

What is it for? Well, it's for extending the replay value- basically adding more songs to master in the game. And that alone, finally gives me reason to actually care about the results of Vicarious Vision's attack to Rock Band 2.