So much stuff.

Weeks like this, the hardest part isn't finding the news, it's elevating the cool from the merely exciting.  Major announcements left and right, gargantuan displays of corporate might, spectacular screwups.

More after the break...

The PS3 had a week with many positive developments, and a few negatives as well.  Firmware patch 1.5 makes major improvements to graphics issues with games not designed for 480p (Final Fantasy XII being the worst offender) as well as fixing a sound issue with World War 2 flight game Blazing Angels.  A finalized release date and numbers for launching in Europe (March 23rd, 425 pounds/599 Euros for the 60 gig model only with a million units available and roughly 30 games between disc and download content).  And, today, a stupid low-level web designer posted a prerender image of XBOX 360 racing staple PGR3 into a Gran Turismo HD ad on the PSP's main official download site (it's since been replaced with a real GTHD image).  Also out today is word that Sony Pictures has pulled video and images of a new Ghostbusters game in development.  Expect to hear either of the games cancellation or PS3 release soon.  Finally, Ken Kutaragi is reportedly being placed in charge of a new Bandai/Sony venture to promote Cell processor development, which actually makes a bit of sense when you consider that Ken's primary problem was that he pushed Cell far better than gaming during the PS3's buildup.

Square had a media blowout, announcing major new changes to Final Fantasy XIII, new screenshots for their new portable FF games, and todays shocking announcement that they have licensed the Unreal 3 engine for unspecified use.  While I don't expect it to be used in a Final Fantasy game (at least, not any of the new ones that we know of) I am interested to see what comes out of it.  Square is well known for doing almost all of their game development in-house.

A personal favorite story mostly ignored by the major gaming blogs was the posting of three impressively detailed Super Street Fighter 2 tutorials to gamevideos.com.  With Street Fighter making a resurgance through downloadable content providers like Xbox Live, the Nintendo Virtua Console service, and the Playstation store (reportedly due soon with new sprites) it's a good idea.  You can find them here.  I think these are probably the most impressive Street Fighter-related tutorials in any format that I have ever seen, seeing as they are designed to actually show how one plays the game in a tournament setting instead of teaching a handful of combos (it does those a bit too).

News also that Gears of War is doing phenomenally well in Japan, becoming perhaps the fastest-selling 360 game in a country not known for being receptive to American games.  It's debut on the charts at number seven in sales charts along with a great score (37 out of 40) in world-famous Japanese gaming mag Famitsu could spell a turnaround for the 360 in one of it's hardest markets.  Alternatively, it's always possible that Japan celebrates April Fool's Day a week early.

Finally, I just want to mention this excellent shirt design.  We all know it's going to be your primary form of exercise for the next few months anyway, so wear it proudly.