There seems to be a Wal-Mart circular dated for the second week in October that's currently making the rounds online that apparently lists the GameCube for $99. This is exactly the kind of thing that usually turns out false, so don't get all excited yet, but I think at this point there are a lot of people (primarily third party developers and retailers) who would be much happier with the big three console makers if they would just drop those prices already. As it currently stands, you can get a GameCube for $149, a PS2 with the network adapter for $199 or without for $179, and soon the Xbox holiday pack, which includes two B-grade games for $179. A $99 drop by Nintendo would be very aggressive, and an all around good deal for consumers, and it's likely that if they did so the other two would drop down to $149. Unfortunately Nintendo is being tight-lipped as usual, and the other two ain't going to budge unless someone else does first. Barring a GameCube price drop, those are the prices we're looking at until next year, and with games like Gran Turismo 4 on the horizon, a price drop would go a long way to bringing those sliding hardware sales back up again.

	Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow Footage Ubi Soft has launched their official Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow site. The site offers both new screenshots and a gameplay trailer, the latter of which definitely has a Metroid Prime feel to it. One warning: maybe it's just me, but the transition sound between screenshots sounds an awful lot like the hideous metallic shriek from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Note that this site is either in Flash or Anark format. Update: We've got a mirror here at FileShack of the footage, sans Flash.
	Perfect Dark Zero in 2006? I'm taking this with a grain of salt given the source, but nonetheless a minor post on The Magic Box claims that during their X03 event, Microsoft confirmed that Perfect Dark Zero won't be out until 2006. With a timeframe like that, it would be better suited as an Xbox 2 launch title. Update: h0l211 points me towards this Eurogamer story which is the likely source of The Magic Box's claim, where they jokingly use a 2006 release date.
	F-Zero GX "Online" Tournament The game doesn't actually support online gameplay (or LAN, so tunneling isn't even possible), but that's not stopping Nintendo from holding an online F-Zero GX tournament! To enter you'll need to complete the Ruby Cup as quickly as possible and send your special code to Nintendo. Details are available on their web site, and you'll note the stern warning that anyone suspected of using a game-altering device will be disqualified (okay, but how are they going to know?). Thanks Planet GameCube for the tip.
	Growlanser Generations Announced Games Are Fun is reporting that Working Designs has announced Growlanser Generations, a compilation of Growlanser II and Growlanser III which they had originally planned to release individually. WD has opened up an official forum for the game, and if you're registered you can vote on the game's new logo.
	More Final Fantasy VII Lunacy An image that is almost certainly fake is up at Video Fenky tonight, showing off a PS2 remake of Final Fantasy VII with a Japanese release date of 12/25/03. Like I said, it's safe to assume this is a fake, but there's a quote from one source that says, "just one note. About 7... it seems that it's not '7-2' or any kind of sequel...I'd imagine some people will be surprised, and some people will be like 'So that's what they're doing with FF'" Don't choke on that salt.
	Nina Williams Returns As noted in this story at GameSpot that has the first details from the game, the latest issue of the Japanese magazine Famitsu reveals Nina, an action/adventure game featuring Nina Williams from Tekken. The game is roughly 30% complete, and is scheduled for release next year.
	Bond Another Day Electronic Arts announced today that 007: Everything or Nothing has been pushed into 2004. The game is now set for the first quarter of next year, and I for one hope they use that extra time to give it a new, less silly name.
	16 Player Mario Kart Re-Confirmed In case there was any doubt, Planet GameCube has re-confirmed that Mario Kart: Double Dash will indeed feature up to 16 players over a LAN. Of course that means you'd need 8 GameCube systems and 8 televisions (with two on each), although hopefully tunneling software will be released fairly quickly to allow the game to operate online with a shared connection.
	Kuon Announced Here's one more TGS mystery you can cross off that list (you are keeping track, aren't you?): From Software, the people behind Lost Kingdoms and the Kings Field series, has announced Kuon, a horror-themed action/adventure game for PS2. The title translates literally into "nine grudges."
	Morrowind GOTY Q&A Xbox Central has posted a Q&A with Bethesda's Ashley Cheng, talking about the upcoming Game of the Year re-release of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Thanks Stacey Wilkinsons for the tip.
	Pre-Order Zodiac Tapwave sends word that they have started taking pre-orders for their Palm-powered handheld system/PDA. Packages start at $299, and unfortunately no game software is available for pre-order as of yet (but of course, it plays all Palm software so there are tons of games already available, albeit ones that don't take advantage of the hardware).
	Plague of Darkness Q&A HomeLAN has conducted a Q&A with Jon Kromrey, Namco's producer on the upcoming action/adventure from Widescreen Games.
	Sony's Hip Too! No doubt feeling left out as both Microsoft and Nintendo sponsored big-name tours this summer, Sony has announced that they will be the titular sponsor of the PlayStation 2 Road to Voodoo, a traveling show that features bands like Fuel and Smile Empty Soul. The tour opens at the end of the month and rolls across the country until November.
	Lowrider Headed Stateside Break out the War, because Jaelco has announced that they are bringing the absolutely insane dancing/racing game Lowrider to North America. Not only that, but they've teamed up with Lowrider Magazine for a promotional push.
	Misc. Media/Previews GameSpot has their report from Nintendo's Gamers Day Summit 2003, which has hands-on looks at games like Mario Kart Double Dash and screens from lots of GameCube and GBA titles, along with a new preview of SSX 3 (GC, PS2, Xbox), and new shots from Conflict Desert Storm II: Back to Baghdad (PS2, Xbox), kill.switch (PS2) and SWAT: Global Strike Team (PS2, Xbox). McIGN has their own reports from Nintendo's Gamers Day at their GameCube and GBA sites and a few more items from yesterday's Sony Gamers Day at their PS2 site. Elsewhere online, Gamers.com has an update on Fable (Xbox), GameInformer has their hands-on impressions of Mario Kart: Double Dash (GC) and Sony's official SOCOM II site has been updated with new media.