It's been a week of HUGE news coming out of the E3 conference in LA, so let's get you a run-down of all the news!

There is a god, and his name is Miyamoto: In the biggest news of the day, gaming genius and Nintendo visionary Shigeru Miyamoto has announced the development of a new Zelda game. Can you even stand it? A moment of revered awe is totally appropriate.

Tony Hawk is hawking a skateboard-shaped controller for the XBox game RIDE. Anyone interested in shredding carpet?

The new Star Wars game, 'Old Republic,' is stuffed full of meaningful dialogue, NPCs and tons of Jedi-on-Jedi action. And by that, we mean action sequences and light-sabers. And by that, we mean Bring It On!

Fan of the LEGO games? Good news -- everyone's favorite boy-wizard is hitting the blocks from Sorcerer's Stone through Goblet of Fire. Def. one to check out.

Nintendo debuted a new Wii Fit to help get us all trim. Look for it to not be on a single self as soon as it's released. If you see it, buy it!

No more Xbox controllers??

Altair has competition in the 'ultra hot bad-boy hero' category: Fresh from Ubisoft Montreal is the next chapter in the Assassin's Creed story -- this one takes place on the maze-like streets of Venice in the 15th century.

Whoa. 'Mass Effect 2'?? I have no words except: Welcome back, Commander Shepherd -- you've been missed! This game was totally awesome in its scope. I had to actually take pages of written notes on the different planetary systems ... I'm so excited!

And, in all, who was the winner of E3? Our friends over at CNet have the titillating answer...

Labels: E3 conference, Legend of Zelda, LEGO, Nintendo DS, Tony Hawk, Wii Fit Plus, XBox

I don't like playing video games. I know, I'd be shocked, too -- but I just don't have the muscle memory or the dexterity to move a head and body separately, as is needed in first-person shooters like Halo and Call of Duty, nor do I have the patience and physical calm to deal with facing bosses or tough levels, like in the mind-bending Mario Galaxy. And, don't even get me started on timed sequences and countdowns.

But, make no mistake about it, I am a huge video-game fan and proponent. There are few things more fun that curling up on the couch with a notebook, pen and a hot cup of fair-trade coffee and being the RPG navigator while Husband and I discover the latest Zelda chapter, blast through galaxies in Mass Effect or scaring ourselves silly in the beautiful depths of Bioshock. And, in my house, I am the master of solving puzzles. I love Orange Box add-on Portal, and I am absolutely amazing at free XBox-download Hexic, a hexagonal puzzle game similar to Tetris but infinitely cooler.

Alas, every once in a while, it's nice to interact with a game on more than just the intellectual level. Enter the Nintendo Wii -- which, unless you've been living in a hole for the past 2 years, you know as the first system to truly get you up off your butt. The system is currently so popular that its makers can't even guarantee would-be fans will be able to buy a Wii this Christmas -- more than a year after its release -- due to overwhelming U.S. demand. And, now, Nintendo has upped the ante even further with the Wii Fit.

I was one of the first adopters of this completely innovative exercise program, and, though it will surely end up on lost under a couch somewhere gathering dust as it basks in the legacy of being a cool gadgety toy indicative of early 21st century technology -- much like Pong or Pacman -- it's pretty neat right now.

The floor board and a typically Nintendo-cartoony animation leads you through various 2- to 3-minute prop-free activities -- hula-hooping, ski-jumping, jogging beach-side and walking a tight-rope are examples -- made to improve your strength, flexibility, balance and stamina. And, you will break a sweat. It's great to get you or the kids off the couch, and it tracks weight shifts, BMI and goal weight using your predesigned avatar Mii. Granted it's not very good at any of these things aside form the animation and the activities -- according to my Fit, my weight shifted 17 lbs. over 24 hours then back in another 24.

A good fast walk, Sweatin' to the Oldies or a swim will always be better for exercise purposes -- and nothing will ever take the place of a quiet night at home, staying up 'til dawn and blasting aliens on the XBox -- but the Wii Fit is an interesting incarnation of video games that is worth a try if you have the extra cash.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go research the Fall '08-Spring '09 video game releases. We're coming up on the best time of year, and I'll be sure to keep you posted on the best new games as they come out.

Labels: Bioshock, Call of Duty, Halo, Hexic, Legend of Zelda, Mario Galaxy, Mass Effect, Nintendo Wii Fit, Orange Box, Portal, XBox