Looks like we are into another version of ScummVM DS today as Neil Millstone - a.k.a. AgentQ - has released beta 6 of ScummVM DS v0.9.1. This homebrew game, which is a port of the PC application of the ScummVM, allows DS users to play all LucasArts old point-and-click games, Simon the Sorcerer 2, etc. here's the changelog:

• Fixed held keys not being detected on startup
• Fixed SCSD driver
• Fixed broken icon

Be reminded that this is still on its sixth beta version, so we can still expect more improvements until the final version is released. Basing from the six versions that has already been released, this homebrew looks very promising and we can't wait to see what the next version has to offer. For the meantime, download the newest version and check it out. Comments and suggestions are welcomed here. For more updates of ScummVM DS, stay tuned here at QJ!

Download: [ScummVM DS v0.9.1 Beta 6]

Here are new captures for Square-Enix' Dragon Quest Monster Joker for the DS. As much as we want to think that this is exactly a different game, we can't deny that it reminds us of Pokemon and that the little boy looks like one of the characters from the Dragon Ball franchise. It shouldn't be a surprise though as the artist for the game is Akira Toriyama, the same man behind the well-known series. It also shares some similarities with Pokemon 'cause in this game you'll be training monsters and will be engaging them into a battle with another trainer's monsters.

Too bad, the game will only be released in the Japanese market and there's no word if Square-Enix will decide to release it on U.S. and European markets as well. A guy from GameStop has already tried the game but then the Japanese texts only gave him a hard time figuring it out. Anyway, check out these new screens which features more of the monsters:

  
 

Superman was further immortalized as a superhero after Electronic Arts announced that a videogame based from this year's box office hit film Superman Returns. The game is already being developed by EA Tiburon for Xbox 360, PSP and Nintendo DS. Featuring a virtual Metropolis, this single player game allows its players to have a first-hand experience of Superman's kyptonian abilities. Players must need to master these superhuman skills in order to combat an array of enemies like Metallo, Mongul and Bizarro, and save the lives of Metropolis' citizens.

Players are free to roam the 80 square miles expanse of Metropolis, with over 10,000 buildings. Having a large area for gameplay, players won't run out of missions to accomplish as changes in the city also affect Superman's progress in the game. The game is slated to be released November 20 this year so while waiting, check out these cool artworks for Superman Returns:

  
 

Who says pink are just for girls? Even the Japanese fell in love with it - a pink DS Lite, that is. After conquering the U.S. shores, Nintendo has confirmed that the beloved pink DS Lite will again try to charm Australians, November 2 this year. Yep, it will be available for the SRP of $199.95. Nintendogs fans will also be delighted to know that the pink DS will be bundled with a new Nintendog game called Nintendogs Dalmatian and Friends.

According to Rose Lappin, Director of Sales and Marketing, "A Pink Nintendo DS and a new Dalmatian version of Nintendogs is a powerful combination in the lead-up to Christmas". Hmmm, let's see if our spotted friends debuting in a pink DS will do wonders for Nintendo in the Australian market.

Buy: [Nintendogs Labrador Retriever and Friends]
Buy: [Nintendogs Daschund and Friends]
Buy: [Nintendogs Chihuahua and Friends]
Buy: [Nintendogs Dalmatian and Friends]

We here at QJ are always happy to see the creativity and craftsmanship that you, our dear readers, always share to us. Take for example dpad. He sent us these images of his cool Xbox 360 controller, hand-painted with character images from Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, known to many as simply G.R.A.W.

This idea of painting your controllers is one great way to personalize them. Come to think of it, we might try this some time in the future. Maybe an airbrushed rendering of Alucard from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night which we really loved. Yes we know it's from the PlayStation One but we think its a cool way to pay tribute to Koji Igarashi's and his beloved Castlevania series. Just imagine playing your favorite game with a controller that bears the images of your favorite character from the game. You can even show it off to your friends and your personalized controller be the object of their envy.

   

Bubble Bobble Revolution, Codemasters' remake of the arcade classic where you get to control a cute little dinosaur that can jump and spit bubbles to defeat enemies, has been making quite a stir because of all the reported bugs in it. A brave soul by the name of Jumpman64 got himself a copy of the said title and finally took the courage to get in touch with the developer to address the issue. In response, Codemasters admitted that copies of the game to North America are faulty. They said they are already in the process of correcting the faulty version, but a replacement of the copies will take eight to ten weeks due to the re-manufacturing process.

One of the bugs that were reported in the DS version of the game is in level 30, where no enemies are spawned and the boss is nowhere in sight. For some players, they will suddenly be whisked off to the next level, while others remain stuck in it. The latter is particularly frustrating because, obviously, you need to get past the big boss before you can advance to the next level. But then again, the boss is missing in action, so basically, you've got nowhere to go.

Other glitches include popping enemies as if you shot them already, when in fact, you haven't. Since Codemasters has already addressed the buggy remake of this arcade classic, we sure hope to see improvements on Bubble Bobble Revolution in the future.

Here is a video that shows some of the glitches mentioned:

After NPD Group released a survey that granted Nintendo the title of "the powerhouse of U.S. video game industry", the market research company revealed another interesting information - video games saw a robust increase in sales in the month of September this year. And this is only the beginning!

According to NPD Group, a whopping $ 777 million of total video games sales were accounted for in the month of September. This could support another study of NPD saying that videogames are becoming more entrenched in kids' lives today; their Video Gamer Segmentation Report even addressed the hard fact that 45% of video gamers are in the six to 17 year old bracket.

This may be a little disturbing to some but then, there are always two sides in a story. The rise in sales may be a good news for the industry but we can't also deny the possible rise in videogame-related problems like gaming addiction, right? Anyway, we are just voicing out their concerns.

On the other hand, hardware and software industries also garnered a big jump in sales in the month of September. Hardware sales rose from three million of last year, to $ 244 million this year. Nintendo DS led the charts with a U.S. total of 6.3 million units sold. Wow! That's a big number. Whereas software sales surged from $ 347 million last year to $ 446 million this year, with accessories sales of $ 73 million.

If NPD Group asserted that this is only the beginning of the sales boost in the gaming industry, then we can't wait what the PS3 and Wii can do to stir the sales upon their release!

A game to improve your common sense. That's exactly what Common Sense DS Adult Training is about. Although it targets the Japanese market, that doesn't stop us from being curious at just what the game has to offer. Just our luck, Nintendo has finally opened the official site - which is in Japanese - for Common Sense DS Adult Training and we swooped there to take a peek.

The Common Sense DS Adult Training site offers screenshots. Also in there are info on the game, labelled "Diagnosis", "Training Menu", "Everyone", and "WiFi". We're sure more will be added into the site to cater to all the fans. So whether you've been itching to get this game or you're still thinking whether it's worth your bucks, head over to the site (link below) and get your fill of this DS game.

Gooooooaal! FIFA 07 remains a winner as it sits comfortably on top of the UK Charts for a second week. Electronic Art's football simulator is the top-selling title in the UK in all formats. Meanwhile, LucasArts' Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy has managed to oust Eidos' Just Cause to grab the second place. Another EA title remains at number three, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07. Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts II and THQ's Company of Heroes are non-movers, clinging to the fifth and seventh spot, respectively.

THQ's Cars is also doing great on the charts, rising from its previous spot at number eight to number six for the second week.  Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training also rose from being number 10 to number eight, while Microsoft's Project Gotham Racing 3 sits at number ten. Codemasters' LMA Manager 2007 lost its place to Cars and dropped to number nine.

As London Games Festival kicked off, one of the most anticipated event in this week-long celebration is the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Video Games Awards. For all of you who are not aware, BAFTA is a British organization that has been hosting annual awards shows for film, television, children's film and television, and interactive media since it was founded in 1947. And video games is a category which was first presented in 2003. It aims to highlight the development of the contemporary art form of video games.

For this year, BAFTA Video Games Awards will host yet another memorable event for the gaming world, which is studded with famous faces and character - both from the real and virtual world. Vernon Kay will host the event. Personalities from television, music and media like Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran, John Culshaw, Andy Serkis, Angelica Bell, and Alexander Armstrong, to name a few, will be the attendees and presenters. In addition, the real-life model of famous video games like Lara Croft of Tomb Raider, Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, and the Star Wars storm troopers will join the celebration.

BAFTA Video Games Awards will commence in red carpet this October 5 at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH. Check out the list of nominees here.