The other day, based on a suggestion from a Shacker who I cannot recall, I picked up Steven Kent's The Ultimate History of Video Games and ever since I started reading it, I've found it quite difficult to put down. I'm about a fifth way into it (it's over 600 pages) and what makes this book come alive for me are the quotes from the people who were at ground zero at that particular moment in history. For instance, the book focuses heavily on Atari and their entire rise to prominence. Every page, there's a quote from someone: Nolan Bushnell, Al Alcorn, Ralph Baer, Steve Wozniak, etc. You're getting the information straight from the horse's mouth and it's wonderfully addictive. In any case, if you enjoyed Masters of DOOM or Dean Takahashi's superbly excellent Opening the Xbox, I recommend looking at Kent's book next time you're at Barnes & Noble. I'll definitely let you guys know how I liked/disliked it when I finish.

	New Online Madden 2005 Details New features and details concerning the online component of Madden NFL 2005 were revealed today by Electronic Arts. The biggest addition to the online component will be a reputation rating system. Similar to the feedback system on Xbox Live, players will be able to warn and identify the sore/gracious losers/winners. If you have a high enough rep, you will gain access to elite lobbies and other rewards. Your reputation carries over with you to every EA game. Other features are the ability to create tournaments on a web-based interface and you can send text messages to someone's cellular phone.
	Miyamoto Talks Metroid Prime: Hunters GamerFeed reports that in a recent magazine interview of Shigeru Miyamoto, the Nintendo legend commented that Metroid Prime: Hunters will have multiple control schemes, including one that doesn't make use of the touch screen or stylus. Apparently, users found it cumbersome to have to hold both the DS and touch the screen at the same time. Personally, at E3, I found it pointless to incorporate the stylus so I like this move. Also mentioned in the article by Miyamoto is that cleaning the screen is rather easy; just use a cotton swab.
	Free Gift with Pokemon Pre-order Nintendo has announced that when gamers pre-order the upcoming Pokemon FireRed or GreenLeaf, they'll be treated to a free Pokemon Pocket Trainer's Guide. The guide contains a plethora of information on different Pokemon and details the various characters within the game. Both versions are set for a September 7th release and at $39.99, they come bundled with a wireless link cable.
	PSP vs. DS A recent article in Famitsu Weekly compiled a large survey of their readers about what they thought of the upcoming portables from Sony and Nintendo and the results are a bit interesting. Most notably, Japanese gamers believe that the Nintendo DS will provide for more interesting and fresh software and hope that in the end, it is the victor of this handheld war. On the flip side, the design of the PSP and the yearning to have it with you on the train trumps the DS. In the end, the DS wins more categories and appears to be the front-runner in the Japanese market.
	Misc. Q&As/Interviews HomeLAN Fed was able to sit down and speak with the writer of the new Metal Gear Solid comic book, Kris Oprisko. Games Domain interviews Stewart Waterson of BAM! Entertainment about the progress of State of Emergency 2.
	Misc. Media/Previews
	GameSpot follows-up last night's IGN preview with one of their own for King of Fighters: Maximum Impact. There is also tons of PS2 footage at GameSpot, looking at these titles: Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, Yoshinoya, and Shadow Hearts: Covenant. Impressions of Yoshinoya can also be found there. At CVG this evening, there are screens of Silent Hill 4: The Room.
	Game Informer outlines and analyzes every aspect of the PSP handheld. GameSpot goes Mario Golf: Advance Tour crazy with tons of footage. IGN has a few screens of Mega Man EXE 4.5.
	1up takes a look at LucasArts' Mercenaries (PS2, Xbox). GameSpot has a first look at Robotech: Invasion (PS2, Xbox) this evening. They also have some footage of NCAA Football 2005 (PS2, Xbox, GCN). A preview of X-Men Legends is up at Games Daily (GamerFeed has one as well). TeamXbox previews The Dukes of Hazard: Return of the General Lee (PS2, Xbox) and goes hands-on with Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes The Neighborhood (PS2, Xbox). GamePro has a first look at Street Fighter Anniversary Collection (PS2, Xbox). IGN has a hands-on impression and some videos of Trigger Man (PS2, Xbox). They keep it rolling with images for MLB SlugFest: Loaded (PS2, Xbox). GameSpy takes their own look at EA's NCAA Football 2005.