The Tokyo Game Show is known as the world's largest game and entertainment event. Taking place once in a year, the TGS 2006 is currently held under the theme "New Excitement. New Sensations. A New Generation.", apparently an allusion to the next generation game console hardware (Wii™ and PS3™).

A total of 143 exhibitors in 1,710 exhibit spaces (compared to 131 in 1,433 booths from last year) are making this tenth anniversary event the largest TGS ever. Game software companies from all around the world (including USA, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and of course Japan) are showing new titles for all existing and shortly upcoming gaming platforms as well as for the (Japanese) mobile phone market.

Just like the last 3 years, we have once again attended today's first press & business day of the show and have taken the effort to compile a quick newssheet directly from our hotel room. As there's plenty of excellent coverage available on most of anyone's favorite video gaming news site, we are dedicating our news post to a very few topics only, combined with a number of videos and of course lots of pictures.

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PlayStation3™ 20GB model price update, HDMI clarification, official videos & classic game download

Sony has announced a price drop of the Japanese 20GB model from JPY 59,800 (approx. USD 513 / EUR 400) to JPY 49,800 (approx. USD 429 / EUR 335). The 60GB model price remains as an open price model, targeted at JPY 62,790 (approx. USD 539 / EUR 421). Further, Sony has clarified that both PS3™ hardware models will be equipped with HDMI as standard.

Sony Press Release (Japanese)

At the same time, Sony also announced a download service for Mega Drive and PC-Engine classics, similar to Nintendo's Virtual Game concept available for Wii™. Pricing as well as lineup is yet to be confirmed. Next to PlayStation™ game download, Sony also plans to offer PlayStation2™ software for download at a later time.

Official video downloads of some upcoming PlayStation3™ releases:

Genji

Resistance: Fall of Man

Gran Turismo HD

Heavenly Sword

Monster Kingdom Unknown Realms

Lair

Warhawk

Everybody's Golf 5 / Minna no Golf 5

Afrika

White Knight Story / Shirokishi]

Metal Gear Solid 4

Virtua Fighter 5

Armored Core 4

Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou Sega Golf Club

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TGS without Nintendo (as usual) & a few new Wii™ video downloads

Just like in previous years, Nintendo has also not been present on the TGS this year, consequently there were not many Nintendo™ Wii related news to report. Nintendo's new console was not playable by visitors on any booth we have seen.

Some new official video downloads by Sega have however been made public:

Sonic and the Secret Rings

Sonic and the Secret Rings Interview

Super Monkey Ball: Uki Uki Party Daishuugou

Super Monkey Ball: Uki Uki Party Daishuugou Interview

Bleach

Bleach Interview

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New Naruto game coming for Nintendo™ DS and Nintendo™ Wii

Two new interesting Naruto games have been displayed on TakaraTomy's booth. Firstly, there's finally going to be a cel-shaded Naruto fighting game for Nintendo™ DS, reminding us a bit about the extremely popular Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen (Naruto: Clash of Ninja in the US) GameCube™ series and secondly Naruto will make its debut on the upcoming Nintendo™ Wii.

Unfortunately, neither of the two new titles was playable at TGS, but we have taken a couple of shots from the booth itself, giving all Naruto fans out there a very first small impression.

Click on each thumbnail for enlarged shot.

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Gallery 1 - 222 pictures from the Tokyo Game Show 2006

Our first gallery contains 222 pictures from the Tokyo Game Show 2006. Dominant has been the PlayStation3™ coverage on this year's show.

The full gallery with a total of 222 pictures can be accessed here.

An excerpt of some highlights:

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Gallery 2 - 135 booth babe pictures

Last but not least, not to be missed on any Tokyo Game Show are pictures of the astonishing booth babes.

Check out the full gallery with a total of 135 booth babes here.

Some of the hottest babes:

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If you want to check out more about the TGS2006, head over to their official website. The exhibition will still last for another 2 days. In case you are residing in Japan, you still have the chance for a visit.