Destineer has announced that it is bringing some old-school racing action to Nintendo systems in the form of Indianapolis 500 Legends, a new title for both the Wii video game console and the DS handheld system.

In Indianapolis 500 Legends, players assume the roles of 30 of the sport's most daring real-life legends as they draft, dodge and slingshot through the tracks on a hand-built 1960s speed machine that hits speeds of nearly 180 mph, yet rides only 7 inches off the ground.

Players can choose to get behind the wheels of the last of the front-engine roadsters or experiment with the first turbine cars. Players can also customize their machines and strap on the earliest sets of bolt-on wings. Unlockables include Indy memorabilia, and there are also pit stop mini games that utilize the Wiimote and the DS stylus.

Indianapolis 500 Legends is slated for release this holiday season. The Wii version will be available for US$ 49.99 while its DS counterpart will have a price tag of US$ 29.99.

 

Just a gentle reminder for the guys who have been keeping tabs on Gen Con Indy, set to take off this August 16-19. Badge (entry ticket) pre-registration for this hallowed gaming convention started last February 11, and will continue until Monday, July 9, 2007. Just make sure to have your cash ready: a pre-ordered four-day badge will go for US$ 65, with a pre-ordered one-day badge going for US$ 35.

It pays to pre-register: if you wait to buy either badge at the front door, then you'll have to pay 10 bucks more for either badge.

Gen Con is one of the larger gaming conventions known in North America, and is a favorite gathering ground for RPG fans of all shapes and sizes, be it a table-top classic like Dungeons and Dragons, or perhaps something as computerized World of Warcraft.

Then there's the comic (*ahem*, graphic novel) fans, the otaku, the trading card aficionados, the cosplayers... well, you get the idea. Now, if you're one of the 25,000 yearly visitors to this major event, check out the read link to see the full details on what will be going down this August. Just make sure to sign up early - with Gen Con So Cal gone, expect a significantly higher turnout for "The Best Four Days in Gaming" happening over at the ICC in Indianapolis.

Next generation reports that the state of Michigan has been ordered to pay the game industry over US$ 180,000 in legal fees associated with a failed video game law.

If you're memory is sharp, you'll recall that way back in April when Judge Steeh struck down the law, Saying that the proposed measure was "discriminating against a disfavored 'newcomer' in the world of entertainment media."

Well, Judge George Carem Steeh has recently ruled that the state is required to pay-back the money that the game industry spent fighting a game law that was supposedly meant to ban the sale and rental of violent videogames to minors. The legislation was found unconstitutional as it infringed on First Amendment rights.

This is another notch in the ESA win belt. Illinois has been ordered to pay the industry US$ 510,000; Washington state US$ 344,000; St. Louis US$ 180,000; Indianapolis US$ 318,000; and Michigan US$ 128,000.

As much as we don't want 8 year olds to get high on GTA, and discover the joys of puberty via extreme beach volleyball, bans are far from being the only solution.

If there's something we here at QJ love (other than playing videogames), it's one good night of partying (we need to breathe fresh air from time to time). Now Nintendo has something up their sleeve that'll bring the best of both worlds into one great event - make that 35 great events.

To further fan the already burning craving for their very promising console, Nintendo have announced the schedule for their Nintendo Fusion Tour. The Live Nation-produced, cross-country tour will be fronted by the Hawthorne Heights band, along with performances from Relient K, Emery, Plain White T's and The Sleeping. The best part? The said tour will be combo'd with a presentation of the best new and upcoming Nintendo games, and a teaser peek at the much-anticipated Wii machine.

This might not be exactly meet the 'high' we get from Woodstock, but hey, it's not every day you get to watch artists perform live with a revolutionary console flanking it. Now mark your calendars to have a taste of every gamer slash party animal's heaven.

The full schedule awaits after the jump!