Late Night Consoling

The NPD Group released their 2004 sales report and announced that sales of console and portable hardware, software, and accessories were over $9.9 billion. Believe it or not, it's down less than 1 percent from 2003, which hit $10 billion. A new record was set with portable software sales as it topped $1 billion for the first time ever. The report also named the top 10 titles of the year, with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas topping Halo 2, 5.1 million to 4.2 million. The original Halo, which was released alongside the Xbox over three years ago, made the list at #9 with 1.1 million units sold.

Over the last week, an update to the PSP's firmware hit the web. It promised to add new features to the handheld, such as a word processor, calculator, mail program, and a web browser. However, it was a leaked version of an update in very early development at SCEI and installing it can actually render the PSP inoperable. Sometime in the near future, Sony will offer the ability to send it in for repair, but it will not be for free as it was not an official release.

EBgames updated their site today with a new listing: Jade Empire Limited Edition. They didn't offer many details, just that the LE version will come with a new character, fighting style, and packaged in a foil outer wrap. It's priced at $49.99, the same cost as the standard version. It also has it listed as shipping on April 26; could it be possible the game has been delayed again?

Fans of the series have just been dealt a crushing blow. The event and scenario writer for Xenosaga Episode II, Soraya Saga, has left the series. She revealed this rather plainly on her website and did not comment any further. Her and her husband are credited for the massive plot that consumes the series, dating all the way back to the original, Xenogears. The game is set for release in the states next month.

Microsoft has announced the finalized roster of cars that will be featured in its upcoming Forza Motorsport. In all, there are roughly 230 cars from 40 of the world's car manufacturers. Players are able to customize, upgrade, and race each and every one. Forza Motorsport is on target for a release in April.

Sony's soccer series will receive its annual update with World Tour Soccer 2006, planned for release sometime in the spring. It'll feature 935 authentic teams and over 19,000 real players. New to the series will be the Digimask technology which allows gamers to use their EyeToy to stick their own face onto a player model.

The Magic Box is reporting that Sonic Team will have two new Sonic The Hedgehog games released in 2005. One is the already announced Sonic DS title whereas the other will be an entirely new game for the GameCube.

A new date has been added to the Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy U.S. tour. It's March 7 in San Francisco, which is the first day of the Game Developers Conference. Ticket prices range from $45 to $125 and will available to GDC attendees first.

FileFront talks with Steve Gray, who looks back on The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. GameSpot talks with Ben Brinkman, associate producer of MVP Baseball 2005.