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Dante's Inferno: Deja vu all over again

Wed, 02/10/2010 - 03:00
Much has been made about the game's similarities to the God of War franchise, so let's see if Dante's Inferno stands out by itself.

The 404 Podcast 515: Where we look to our hands for inspiration

Wed, 02/10/2010 - 02:15

Today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast features a pink Ouija Board, the newest Facebook meme, search engine profiling, and Google's latest mapping feature that waves good-bye to your shopping privacy.

(Credit: Derrick Chen/The 404)

The infamous Ouija Board is still just as popular as it was when Hasbro first unleashed it in 1967. In fact, it even got extra publicity with a flaming cameo in last year's horror flick Paranormal Activity, but angry Christians aren't happy about Hasbro's latest idea for a Pink Ouija Board. Who knew that a pink square of cardboard and a magnifying glass could get so much controversy?

Please let this actually happen.

(Credit: Facebook)

First there was Doppelganger Week, then Urban Dictionary Week, and now we finally have a Facebook meme that The 404 Podcast can get behind: Can this pickle get more fans than Nickleback? In less than a week since its genesis, the Facebook group already has more than 100,000 members, but it still needs your help to get beat out Nickelback's 1,392,481 (and growing) fans.

This next story might make you think twice before ducking into the back room at your local video store. Google's latest "Store View" is as yet unconfirmed (but not outright denied), but the service will ideally let users check out the inside of any participating retailer through Google Maps. Imagine browsing the Web for a supermarket and then virtually inspecting the interior for the best way to route yourself through a grocery store and you can see why we don't quite understand the point of Store View.

Those stories and more on today's 404, plus a meaty Calls From the Public and more of your sticker picture submissions! Keep sending them to the404(at)cnet[dot]com and we might just feature it on the show! Much thanks to Derrick for sending us a pic of the cubicle dressing you see up top.


EPISODE 515 Listen now: Download today's podcast



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Video coming soon, check back later today!


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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

Alleged Mario pirate agrees to pay $1.3 million

Wed, 02/10/2010 - 00:35
An Australian man who allegedly copied and then uploaded to the Web the New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii has agreed to pay up. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10449937-17.html" class="origPostedBlog"The Digital Home/a/p

BioShock 2: Back to Rapture we go

Wed, 02/10/2010 - 00:00
Two and a half years later, BioShock 2 brings us back to Rapture for a new adventure.

Nvidia Optimus unveiled: Switchable laptop graphics on the fly

Tue, 02/09/2010 - 22:00
Some ideas are so obvious that when announced, one's first reaction is to ask, "Wait, weren't we already doing it that way?"

The 404 Podcast 514: Where Justin lost $1,000 in the big game

Tue, 02/09/2010 - 02:08

Send your 404 sticker pictures to the404{at}cnet[dot]com!

(Credit: George/The404)

Wilson might be the only host on The 404 who watched the entire big game Sunday, so we don't spend too much time talking about the actual game and instead stick to the commercials. Ads this year included Google's first Super Bowl ad. Also, HomeAway revitalized the Griswold family from National Lampoon's "Vacation", and Motorola aired a commercial with Megan Fox selling something...we just don't remember what it is.

We also have a story about Comcast changing its name to Xfinity. Starting next week, its cable television, telephone, and Internet services will feature the rebranded name in 11 markets. In what seems like an effort to give a sharper edge to the brand name, the change is taking heavy fire from sites like The Consumerist, which claim that the new Xfinity name has an X-rated/pornographic/stupid/energy drink connotation.

Finally, we run down a list of the 10 most needlessly perverted mainstream games. Follow along as we chat about some of the most revealing games in console history with titles like Dead or Alive, The Sims, and Bayonetta leading the scandal. Oh my. Speaking of which, we hate to be the ones to report it, but Microsoft is no longer offering online support for original Xbox games like Halo 2 and Counterstrike. Bummer!


EPISODE 514 Listen now: Download today's podcast



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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

Bungie plans 'one last hoorah' for Halo 2

Tue, 02/09/2010 - 00:16
With Halo 2 set to be expunged from Xbox Live, developer Bungie announces an April 14 gaming event to send off the title with flourish. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10448951-17.html" class="origPostedBlog"The Digital Home/a/p

Sony still losing on every PlayStation 3 it sells

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 03:19
But the company says it will cut the console's production costs by 15 percent in the next fiscal year, according to a Wall Street Journal report. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10448137-17.html" class="origPostedBlog"The Digital Home/a/p

The 404 Podcast 513: Where we did not put that sticker there

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 02:43

A More Perfect Union

(Credit: Schneids/The 404)

If you've ever petitioned Facebook to add a "Dislike" button to the site, you might get a kick out of a new antisocial networking site that lets your friends anonymously rag on you from the privacy of their homes. Failin.gs is currently in beta, but soon you'll be able to hit your friends up for anonymous comments about your mundane status updates. No, it doesn't integrate with Facebook itself (thankfully), but hopefully it'll force you to think twice about telling everyone what you had for dinner last night.

After 30 years of the same boring design, Heinz finally wised up and redesigned its ketchup packets. Fans of fast food will be treated to a new packet that opens up on BOTH ends: the top features the same tear-off perforation, but the new bottom opens to reveal a section for dunking your fries, which happens to be one of the most popular applications for the condiment! Check out this video on CBSNews.com for more details and look for the new packets coming to fast food joints near you!

Doppelganger week!

(Credit: The 404 )

Last week's viral "Post your doppelganger to Facebook" meme might violate Facebook's terms of service, but we're featuring our own celebrity photos on today's episode anyway...with a twist. Check out our cartoon doppelgangers above and let us know what you think: does Wilson really look like the Asian kid from "Up?" Does Jeff turn into a green-faced ogre at night? And should I seriously consider growing a goatee? Sound off by leaving us a voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET or send an e-mail to the404(at)cnet{dot}com.

Have a great weekend, everyone!


EPISODE 513 Listen now: Download today's podcast



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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

Best virtual ways to play your own Super Bowl

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 01:28
The NFL's last game of the season doesn't mean you can't get in on some offseason ways to fix that itching football bug in new and interesting ways.

This month in games: February 2010

Fri, 02/05/2010 - 05:18
Historically speaking, the months following the holiday season usually spell disaster for those gamers in the market for new titles. While January gave us Dark Void and Mass Effect 2, February is packed with even more high-profile releases.

The 404 Podcast 512: Where we don't sweat the small stuff

Fri, 02/05/2010 - 02:13


(Credit: Maahstud/The404)

We kick off today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast with a fun story about the Nestle Crunch Hotline number. The company's latest viral campaign offers a series of hidden menus within the prerecorded call center that lets callers choose between English, Spanish, and Pig Latin language options. You can also choose to hear prerecorded knock-knock jokes, "funner game options," and the weirdest feature of all, which lets you listen to the sound of bubble wrap. We attempt to call the number during the show, but the line is so popular that we keep getting busy signals, so call 1-800-295-0051 if you have time to waste after listening to our show.

Jeff also brings us an amazing deal from Dell for the new Alienware M11x. It won our Best of CES 2010 award and, judging by its size, it's comparable to a gaming Netbook. You get an 11.6-inch display and a 1.3GHz Pentium SU4100 processor inside as well as a battery with 2 hours of gaming play and 6.5 hours of standby time. Best of all, the gaming rig comes in at a base price of $799. No, we're not working on the Alienware payroll, but with portable gaming systems dropping in price, the appeal of PC gaming is bigger than ever and we thought our listeners would appreciate this deal. Check it out!

Lots more stories in the rundown today, including a $7,000 talking sex robot, a T-shirt that all predators will enjoy, the new Sonic the Hedgehog 4 trailer, and more!


EPISODE 512 Listen now: Download today's podcast



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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

Sega fans rejoice: Sonic 4 on the way

Fri, 02/05/2010 - 01:22
After a 16-year wait, Sega unveils a follow-up to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is coming to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii this summer. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10447420-17.html" class="origPostedBlog"The Digital Home/a/p

Updated: 25 great games you can play on a Netbook

Fri, 02/05/2010 - 01:05
Like just about everyone else on the planet, you broke down and purchased a Netbook. Somewhere along the way, the thought creeps in--maybe I can find some games that'll run on this wimpy Intel Atom processor and integrated graphics...

Top 30 iPad games we'd like to see

Thu, 02/04/2010 - 07:23
Yes, the iPad can run most iPhone games, but with more screen real estate and a faster processor, the iPad could also make many of them better. Here's a look at 30 titles we think would play well on Apple's tablet. pOriginally posted at a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-10446967-233.html" class="origPostedBlog"iPhone Atlas/a/p

WoW auction house app coming to iPhone

Thu, 02/04/2010 - 03:15
The mobile version will reportedly feature all the functionality of the "real" in-game auction house, and will allow iPhone-equipped players to continue their financial wheeling and dealing on the move.

Broken Sword for iPhone: Graphic adventures reborn?

Thu, 02/04/2010 - 01:21
If you like comic books, murder mysteries, and play-in-the-bathtub pacing, you'll love the iPhone version of this venerable adventure game. pOriginally posted at a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-10446606-233.html" class="origPostedBlog"iPhone Atlas/a/p

Is this how gamers will use Apple's iPad?

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 07:47
A piece of footage showing a gamer playing Warcraft III multitouch makes you imagine the possibilities for the iPad as a gaming device. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10446232-71.html" class="origPostedBlog"Technically Incorrect/a/p

preGAME 01: BioShock 2

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 07:37
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CNET TV's new video game show "preGAME" has just launched! Make sure you check out today's premiere pilot episode, where hosts Jeff Bakalar and Mark Licea take you through an early level in the highly anticipated game BioShock 2 an entire week before it releases!

Each week on preGAME we'll bring you the latest headlines and highlights from the world of gaming along with a special discussion topic. This episode we chat about retailer GameStop's future, as the game giant has shifted gears towards downloadable content. Does this mean brick and mortar stores will soon be a thing of the past?

Want to be a part of our live taping? Make sure you head to http://cnet.com/live/pregame every Tuesday at 4 p.m. Eastern. If you missed any of the stories we talk about on today's preGAME, make sure to check out our links below.

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250GB HDD for Xbox in the wild

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 07:15
Though the price is on the high side for a comparable hard disc drive, this add-on is the only legitimate Xbox 360 HDD enhancement that will not void the console's warrant