Here's a light update from the ongoing GDC 08. Funny as it may sound but it seems that the console wars will continue within Electronic Arts' Spore. Consoles such as the Nintedo's Wii, Sony's PS3, and Microsoft's Xbox 360 were rebuilt in-game.

Check out how they turned out after the jump!

The Media Create Japan hardware sales are in and it looks like another victory for Nintendo's dynamic duo: The Wii and DS. However, don't count out yet Sony's consoles and Microsoft's because they had a pretty solid showing for their platforms as well.

Want to know more? Check out the full article which lists the exact number of each consoles sold.

Aside from Mario, Nintendo wouldn't be the gaming giant it is today without hype from its other famous characters.

Case in point, Link from The Legend of Zelda series. Eiji Aonuma, long-time producer of the Zelda series describes how the newest incarnation of Link's adventure on the Nintendo DS, The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass, is akin to the original Legend of Zelda game that first came out on the NES.

Aonuma reminisces on the aspects that first drew gamers into the series in making The Phantom Hourglass. Also, he relates how the game setting itself became an unintentional sequel to the story of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker game on the Nintendo GameCube.

However, The Phantom Hourglass still has many unique aspects that make it different from the others in its series. Aside from the inherent stylus control, the game also incorporates a head-to-head multiplayer mode which pits one player Link against another who controls three Phantoms in a sort of "capture the flag" game.

Aonuma ends this interview saying that he aspires to create his own series aside from the Zelda projects. Seeing his already impressive credentials, it would be interesting to see what kind of games Aonuma would make if he were given free rein.

Anyway, take a look at the video interview of Eiji Aonuma as he talks about his latest Zelda platformer on the Nintendo DS.

Check out the video interview of Eiji Aonuma right after the jump!

We've heard it so many times from the big three: today's consoles and handhelds are more than just gaming devices. Many of us realize this, but more are simply unaware of what their machines can do outside playing games. Research group NPD found "significant gaps between owners aware of functional features extending beyond video game play and those who are unaware of these features."

Online play is almost where the premiere experience of some games are at, but other features of consoles are left untouched. There are plenty of PS3 users that avail of downloadable content, but most owners and those planning to be have no idea that the machine offers DLC.

A good number of PS3 owners and likely purchasers - 71% of them - are hungry for backwards compatibility. The funny thing is, only 37% from the same group know that previous PlayStation console games are playable on Sony's latest.

It's almost impossible not to know about Wii's motion sensing capabilities (people buy it for that, after all), but some features of Ninty's magic wand are still alien to most users. A lot want their Wii online, but have no idea it's possible. Same can be said for playing GameCube games.

We all love the PSP, but some people don't know its magic aside from games. Among those that currently own Sony's handheld and those planning to get one, only 52% know that it can be used for playing movies and videos. Some 49% are aware that they can play music, and 43% know they can view photos.

The Stylus screams "touch screen," but only 57% of owners and likely buyers know about the DS's nifty function. Only 53% know of the dual-screens, while 49% will be surprised if you told them about poking Ninty's handheld with the Stylus.

Other features of modern day systems are yet to be uncovered by some, such as connectivity of handhelds to consoles or playing online. More DS owners actually use WiFi than PSP owners, and more 360s are online than PS3s. Quoting NPD analyst Anita Frazier, "manufacturers still need to be primarily concerned with the quality and entertainment value of the games themselves."

We've got our hands on another gameplay video of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates and this time it features platforming action in one of the game's dungeons. Have a look at this cute Nintendo DS sequel to the GameCube original.

Apparently, a lot of the elements present in the GameCube's Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles will be present in the DS sequel. Most of the gameplay will take place in the top screen but that doesn't mean we won't get a dose of touch screen-tapping fun. Platforming has always been a strong sell in Nintendo machines and Ring of Fates is fitting right in with the other titles in the mix.

Special attacks which will give us eye-catching flair and big damage to enemies have been confirmed and we'll be ready to see some of that in the future. Controls will be similar to its predecessor to allow veterans of the first game to pick up easily from where they left off. Get ready to be captivated by Square Enix's magic once again.

More Final Fantasy goodness that's deliciously bite-sized but still has that epic flavor in this screenshot update of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates for the Nintendo DS. We get you the sneak peek into the facet of Final Fantasy that captured the hearts of all RPG fans with its first GameCube appearance.

Looking at the screenshots, it's safe to say that the graphics of this upcoming Final Fantasy title is definitely the best-looking out from all the portable versions released before it. The colors are vibrant and lively, the facial features easily distinguishable and full with emotion, the models clearly very detailed and has that Final Fantasy feel to them.

Combat looks pretty solid, too, with a lot of action and spellcasting involved. The environments are lush and vivid, the magic effects enchanting. It's certainly clear that Squeenix put a lot of work in this title to make it look as good at it does now - hopefully it plays just as well.

More updates as we get them, in the meantime enjoy the screenshots!

The other screenshots after the jump!

This is an update of an article posted earlier today about Tales for the Wii and DS.

Tales of Symphonia fans rejoice - the series is confirmed to make its way into the next generation, with titles announced for the Nintendo Wii and DS, namely Namco Bandai's Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk for the Wii and Tales of Symphonia: Innocence for the DS.

It seems that Tales of Symphonia: Knights of Ratatosk for the Nintendo Wii is going to be a faithful continuation of the beloved RPG on the GameCube, while Tales of Symphonia: Innocence for the DS is going to be a new game entirely.

While we don't have any information yet as who in the original cast could be making their return in the Wii title, or what new characters will be featured in the DS entry, the highly-relevant scan from NeoGAF to the right of this article might just give us a clue.

In any case, updates about this latest development involving the Tales series as we get them. Enjoy the scan!

Earlier today, Nintendo left Panasonic maker Matsushita in the dust as the company driven by its dual-screen handheld and waving sticks closed the gap against competitor Sony.

Ninty increased its market capitalisation to ¥6.30 trillion, running past Matsushita's 6.23 trillion and nearing Sony's 6.64 trillion. These world leaders in electronics have sales eight times bigger than Nintendo, but the Wii and DS are obviously enough to stay on track.

During the last couple of years, the folks responsible for the PS3 earned 72% increase in shares. It fades in comparison to Nintendo, which experienced shares growth four-fold during the same period.

KBC Securities analyst Hiroshi Kamide comments:

Nintendo is a market leader in everything it does now, which is basically the handheld as well as console gaming market. We haven't seen Nintendo being a market leader in both products for over a decade. It shows what a fantastic market position Nintendo has at the moment in its industry.

Sounds good, considering that the GameCube failed hard last consoles race. Not saying that Sony is having a hard time, but let's hope everyone learns from Ninty's model which appears to be very effective. Affordable and fun games for everyone? We're in!

If you've been keeping tabs on the highly-anticipated title for the Dual Screen, Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, then here's a scoop for you: two new scans full of Zelda-flavored goodness courtesy of Famitsu.

While we can't tell you what those information-rich blocks of Japanese characters say about the game,we CAN tell you that there's going to be a lot of things you can do when it comes to the aquatic voyage part of the game (a feature largely decried as a boring section in the GameCube title The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker).

Some of these diversions, or sidequests, appear to be fishing and deep-sea treasure-hunting, as well as an in-depth ship customization feature. And that's not counting the naval battles you'll be undertaking with your vessel's cannon!

Besides the sea-based hijinks you'll be busy with, the scans also show some of the more colorful characters you'll be meeting (or even fighting) in your handheld journey around the world of Hyrule. There's the black armored knight that looks quite dangerous, the lightly-dressed natives - and is that a Gerudo female on the upper right corner of the second scan? Well, regardless, it's a safe bet that you'll be rubbing elbows with an interesting lot.

A clean, charming visual style, a variety of supporting characters, a whole lot of things to do BEYOND the main game of hacking and slashing - Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is shaping up to be a solid title for the Nintendo DS indeed. Keep it locked right here for any and all developments concerning the next title in the Zelda series!

For those who have been out fo the gaming loop, here's the story for the past few months. The Nintendo DS has been selling like hot cakes, the Wii has always been pulling second place, and Nintendo's shoveling greenbacks off their lawn. Media Create's sales charts from May 21 to 27 show exactly the same scenario.

The DS Lite's sales are up by 14.61% raking in an amazing 127,467 units sold. The Wii is also up by a good 12.36% selling 58,644 units. The PSP is pulling in at a decent 26,097 despite sales being down by 5.12% since the last check. Things to note include the PS2 outselling the PS3 with both of the sales climbing for each of them.

Console Sales in Japan 21-27:

• DS Lite: 127,461
• Wii: 58,644
• PSP: 26,097
• PS2: 11,311
• PS3: 9,627
• Xbox 360: 2,044
• Game Boy Micro: 407
• GBA SP: 288
• Gamecube: 256
• DS Phat: 81
• GBA: 17

Most of the previous charts have shown this to be the trend. How long it will last is still unsure, still Nintendo doesn't look like it's going to be slowing down any time soon. Be sure to keep checking back for more industry news updates here on QJ.