Man, going through the airport security process is such a hassle these days. Remove all the metal from your pockets ... take off your shoes ... present your game consoles for inspection. Wait, what was that last one?

Yes, as of Saturday new TSA rules require travelers carrying "full-size electronics," including game consoles, to remove them from carry-on bags for a separate X-ray screening. Portable game systems and other small electronics can stay inside your luggage.

TSA spokesperson Jennifer Peppin told The Seattle Times that consoles were being given the same treatment as laptops and video cameras because "these types of devices can resemble components that could be used in explosives." What, and smaller electronics can't? Peppin also told ShackNews that the consoles would not be subject to explosive swab testing or other security measures besides the separate X-ray screening. So don't worry about the residue from that firecracker tying up your flight plans, we suppose.

[Via Gamespot]

We've got nothing to say to you, violet green. Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
How to make a Zoidberg Mii. Hooray!
Japanese hardware sales, May 21 - May 27: Mega Management edition
Off the Grid reviews Give me the Brain!
The Political Game: Dear ESA n00b

News
World Series of Video Games to air on CBS
Zelda II coming to Virtual Console Monday
Mercenaries 2 to have no competitive multiplayer
Wiimote has unused 'voice translator'
Inafune worried about recouping next-gen Mega Man cost
Gears of War novelization coming, Steven Kent at the helm
11 vs. 11 possible for EA's FIFA 2010
Get Folklore demo from Japan's PlayStation Stor
Ken's looking good for new HD Street Fighter II
Lost Planet CE bonus map coming to XBLM on June 7 for free
Mortal Kombat's Wiimote-enabled fatalities
Negative forecast for Take-Two earnings call
Is Perplex City over? Writing staff leaves Mind Candy
The Darkness 'Black Hole' video sucks
HMV says PS3 sales doing as expected
Prince of Persia film to feature Parkour, says early script review
New Manhunt 2 trailer adds more chills

Rumors & Speculation
Pachter: Halo 3 could cause GTA IV delay

Culture & Community
Game developers debate Xbox achievements

Wired's Game|Life passes along word from the Yomiuri Shimbun that "Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport plans to ban local wireless gaming from flights," because the Wi-Fi signal could allegedly interfere with airplane instruments. That's odd, because Lufthansa has been offering in-plane Wi-Fi service to its fliers since early 2003, and we don't remember hearing about any navigational problems or horrific plane crashes being caused by the system. The FAA agrees that in-air Wi-Fi is safe -- they approved a United Airlines plan to offer a similar service back in mid-2005.

We suppose it's better to be safe than sorry when dealing with potentially plane-crashing communications interference, but we'd still like to see some definitive evidence of the harm caused by our little portable systems before giving up our in-air wireless multiplayer.

Electronic Arts is working with Pogo.com -- purveyor of casual internet games -- and in-flight entertainment company DTI Software to expand its dominance into the air. Even on flights, the jabbering tone of Simlish will pull you away from loved ones, sleep, and work.

DTI expects The Sims 2 and a handful of Pogo's games will be added to its in-flight service by Q3 2007. Specific rollout will relate to individual airlines, but DTI tells us that it expects the games to be offered on portable media players throughout the cabins. These games are often free, but pricing will also be determined by carriers.

Most of all, we want to play our DS Wi-Fi in the air, but Boing's Boeing's Connexion has recently been shelved. While other WiFi options might fill that market, we like seeing these casual games offered to people who don't travel with handhelds. Anything that gets gaming exposed to non-gamers seems good.

I took a 9:30 a.m. EST flight out of Atlanta this morning, en route to Los Angeles, and on the way to gate A17 I happened upon the latest in vending machine technology: the Zoom Shop. Using the touch screen to the right, one can purchase (with an accepted credit card) any number of little gadgets to enjoy on the flight: all styles of iPod and associated accessories, along with some gaming goodies care of a Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP ($79.99) and Sony PSP ($249.99). A convenience for sure, but there weren't any games to buy -- what a tease!