Sample chips have already been distributed to NVIDIA and ATi. Samsung are expecting that at least 50% of high end PC’s will be using these new chips by 2010.

[Source: Engadget]

GeForce 9 series will include the D9E — a “high-end product that adopts 65-nanometer manufacturing,” supports DirectX 10.1 and Shader Model 4.1 — and the mid-range D9P, which will supposedly adopt 55-nanometer processing.

Although the D9P will not be released until later in the year around June.

This is however, not confirmed yet and I would still be waiting for an official word from NVIDIA as to when it will be released. I would not be surprised if it is not even called the 9 series as it could be confused with Radeon 9800 cards etc.

[Source: Engadget]

The Nyko Perfect Shot really does resemble an�actual pistol, especially when compared with the “Wii Zapper” from Nintendo. It even boasts a rear slot so you can use your nunchuck or classic controller.

It�is�far�more�”gun�like”�than�the�first�third�party�Wii�Zapper�was, and looks to be far better built than it.

Amazon have it listed alreay for $12.99.

[Source:Nintendo�Wii�Fanboy]

And it packs a punch performing anywhere between 10-15% better than the previous king of cards the 8800GTX.

Keep your out for it in 12 days (May 15th) for the 768mb 8800Ultra.

[Via ThatPCBlog]

I personally think that the VC is a really smart thing that Nintendo have incorporated into the Wii, letting them sell their old games to us again. Great marketing strategy.

However this review is not about the VC (although it is very much related) but rather the classic controller. I honestly don’t like it! The first time I picked it up I thought wow this is really uncomfortable and not ergonomic at all. I would of expected Nintendo to of put some effort into making the controller ergonomic and comfortable to hold for extended periods of play. It seems however that they are not worrying about it.

Another thing, I think that they could have had the cable that connects it to the Wii remote come out of the top of the controller and not the bottom, then it could flow from the top of the classic controller into the bottom of the Wii remote, this is only a minor let down.

Nintendo could of put more effort into the design of the controller after all it will keep us playing on it for longer. Another thing that is rather poor about the Classic Controller is, how it can sometimes get the neutral positions messed up during loadings. (Usually happens if you are accidentally leaning on the controller or moving the thumb pads whilst loading). At least there is a way to fix this, all you have to do is hold the + button,- button, a button and b button at the same time for three seconds. This will then reset the controller to be neutral.

Put this out of your mind and the Classic controller does exactly what it is suppose to do, let you play the old school retro games that you can download via the VC. The controls on the thumb pad seem to be very accurate and smooth to use in all the games I have played.

Another neat thing about the Classic Controller is you can use it instead of the Wii remote to navigate the channels, which is really great if you are laying down playing Wii or don’t feel like flailing your arms around all the time.

Final thoughts on the Classic Controller:

• I think Nintendo could of put more effort into the design of the controller, making it more ergonomic and comfortable to hold
• Being able to play games on your Wii (VC games) without having to swing your arms all over the place is fantastic
• The ability to use the Classic Controller to browse the Wii menu and channels is a really great thing no need to use the Wii remote for everything

More controller news today!

Nintendo have been beaten to releasing a Wii gun peripheral. Piranha a third party controller manufacture, have released a Wii gun expansion controller. I wish I could read what ever language it is written in. Using my power of deduction and looking at the picture you simply slide the Wii remote into the slot in the controller, and I presume that it fits well so that pushing the trigger causes the B button to be moved via some mechanical operation.

[Via CVG Pic from Piranha]

I am all for a Wii keyboard as it will increase the speed at which I can do things on the Wii net browser. Although most things are still better to be done on a PC.

[Via Engadget]

I think the Wii is in need of a piece of equipment that lets you play FPS games in the manner that you would if you were shooting a real gun. We may as well take advantage of the controls the Wii has.

I got my brother to make a Lego Wii gun a few weeks back I should take some pics of it and post later. Thats if anyone is interested.

The picture of the ‘Wii Zapper” above is from Joystiq when they were at E3, at the time of this the Wii Zapper was still a work in progress, so who knows how far it has gotten along now.

[Via Joystiq pic from Joystiq]

It was always assumed that a newer model of the Wii would come out in the near future with DVD play back capabilities, now we know that it is true and will certainly be taking place. Thanks to an e-mail GoNintendo received from Nintendo.

Also, as you know, Nintendo and Sonic Solutions have made an agreement to allow Nintendo the use of Sonic Solutions� DVD technology in a future version of the Wii console.

Details were not confirmed as to when it would launch, however the e-mail did state that information pertaining to the launch will be released later this year. DVD capabilities will not be released for current Wii’s as an add-on and the Wii with DVD playback will be considerably more expensive than the current Wii.

To be honest I don’t see much point in upgrading to a Wii with DVD playback capabilities as a cheap DVD player will work fine. I do not see myself getting a new Wii just for DVD playback.

[Read the rest of the e-mail Via GoNintendo]