HAWT Wired

PlayStation Vita Deals: Amazon Buy 2, Get 1 FREE Game Bonus Live (2/22)

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:54:00 GMT

Cheap PlayStation Vita Video Game Deals

Amazon just matched the Buy 2, Get 1 Free on PlayStation Vita games offered by the likes of GameStop and Target this week!

For a limited time, buy two select PlayStation Vita games and get a third select PS Vita game free.

To receive the promotion, add three qualifying games from the list below to your cart. Discount will be reflected on the lowest priced game. Shipping fees and taxes may apply. Offer good while supplies last. Void where prohibited. Valid only on qualifying games sold and shipped by Amazon.com. Amazon.com reserves the right to terminate or modify this promotion at any time. Offer expires 02/25/2012.

Good news is the selection is VERY good!

Check it out: Amazon Buy 2, Get 1 Free Promo

About PlayStation Vita:

PlayStation Vita is designed to blur the lines between interactive entertainment and reality in a variety of ways. Reaching beyond the capabilities of every handheld gaming console that has come before it, in this model of Vita players have access to a vast amount of content via improved Wi-Fi, allowing for maximum connectivity wherever you go. (An additional Vita model allows for Wi-Fi and always-on 3G connectivity**) Its 5-inch OLED front multi-touch display brings brilliant images to life and allows for a new touch driven navigational system, while the additional multi-touch pad on its back surface will allow users to interact with games and characters that they encounter within them with a simple movement of their fingertips. The real world and the game world are seamlessly merged with front and rear camera enabled augmented reality. Additionally, services created specifically for Vita will be available on PlayStation Network. These services are designed help users take their gameplay, as well as interaction with other gamers, to new levels.

Additional features include: dual analog stick controls, a 4 core CPU, system-specific flash card media support for game and media saves, mobile PlayStation trophy support, built-in three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer and functionality.

Mass Effect 3 Pre-order Bonus Deals, Midnight Release Launch Party List 2/22 Update (Xbox 360 PS3 PC)!

Patrick Wright — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:25:00 GMT

Mass Effect 3 Pre-order Bonus Deals!

The highly anticipated release date of Mass Effect 3 is Tuesday (March 6, 2012) on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC in the US!

Mass Effect 3 is the third game in the popular Mass Effect series, and is rumored to be the final installment. In it players continue the adventures of Commander Shepard utilizing extreme character customization which is the hallmark feature of the series.

If you have been procrastinating getting your pre-order in, you still have time to take advantage of the many retail special promotions and coupon codes!

Check out the full run down of current Mass Effect 3 deals, coupons, codes/freebies and midnight launch details:

Amazon has the game available for $59.99 on Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and PC Download.

Current LIVE bonuses:

$10 Credit (Xbox 360, PS3, PC, PC Download)

Bonus DLC: M55 Argus Assault Rifle

Free super saver shipping is available as well as $0.99 Release Day Delivery... No taxes in most states saves you around $5 (varies).

Steps:

Click here:

Amazon - Mass Effect 3 (Xbox 360)

Amazon - Mass Effect 3 (PS3)

Amazon - Mass Effect 3 (PC)

Buy.com is currently offering Mass Effect 3 for $56.99 (PC/PS3/Xbox 360) with free shipping.

No taxes in most states saves you around $5 (varies).

Steps:

Click here: Buy.com - Mass Effect 3

BestBuy is offering Mass Effect 3 for retail at $59.99 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

All pre-orders receive the M55 Argus Assault Rifle DLC.

If you are a Reward Zone Gamers Club Member, (free to sign up) simply enter your member number during check out to receive a $10 e-Gift Card. If you sign up for the $14.99/year Reward Zone Gamers Club Unlocked membership, you will receive a $20 e-Gift Card during checkout.

Order online, and select In-store pickup to get the game on release day.

Steps:

Click here: BestBuy.com - Mass Effect 3

Select 'In-Store Pickup'

Midnight Store Openings:

BestBuy has not yet announced midnight store openings in support of the Mass Effect 3 release. We will update once notified...

The EA Store (Origin) has Mass Effect 3 available on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC Download for $59.99 with Free Shipping (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)!

Free shipping on all orders.

In addition, all pre-orders receive the M55 Argus Assault Rifle and Origin Exclusive AT12 Raider Shotgun.

Steps:

Click here: Origin - Mass Effect 3 Promo

GameStop is offering Mass Effect 3 for $59.99.

Pre-order bonuses:

N7 Valkyrie Assault Rifle & Defender Armor

Order online, and select In-store pickup to get the game on release day.

Steps:

Click here: GameStop - Mass Effect 3

Select 'In-store' pickup to secure the deal and save on shipping

Midnight Openings:

Gamestop is likely having Midnight Launch Events for Mass Effect 3! We will update with the list of stores as soon as GameStop notifies us...

If you happen to run across other deals, by all means send us a deal tip!

About Mass Effect 3:

Mass Effect 3 is a Role-playing Game (RPG) / Third-Person Shooter hybrid set in a Science Fiction universe. Mass Effect 3 is the third game in the popular Mass Effect series, and is rumored to be the final installment. In it players continue the adventures of Commander Shepard utilizing extreme character customization which is the hallmark feature of the series. Additional features include: the ability to import decisions from both of the previous games into the new game, ownership/play of previous games not required, customizable weapons, improved mobility and melee combat, many returning characters (if they were not killed off in previous imported games), an improved cover system that allows for more action, compatibility with the Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360 and more.

Not everyone will survive. An ancient alien race, known only as "Reapers," has launched an all-out invasion leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake. Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you are the only one who can stop them. The price of failure is extinction. You are Commander Shepard, a character that you can forge in your own image. You determine how events will play out, which planets to explore, and whom to form alliances with as you rally a force to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all. How you wage this war is completely up to you: go into combat with guns blazing or use cover to plan a more tactical assault. Utilize your squad to full effect or take a lone wolf approach. Rain death from a distance or go toe-to-toe with enemies using devastating melee attacks. Mass Effect 3 will react to each decision you make as you play through a truly unique experience of your own creation.

PS Vita Deals: Amazon Offers Free 4GB Memory Card, Buy 2 Get 1 Free!

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:12:00 GMT

PS Vita Pre-order Bonus Deals!

Pre-order both the PlayStation Vita WiFi and get a 4GB Memory Card ($19.99 Value) Free at Amazon!

Also, make sure to check out the Buy 2, Get 1 Free PS Vita games promo as well!

Steps:

Add both the PlayStation Vita - WiFi and 4GB PlayStation Vita Memory Card to your cart
-$19.99 discount will show up during check out

About PlayStation Vita:

New Video Game Releases (2/20) on Xbox 360, PS3, Playstation Vita, Nintendo Wii, PSP, DS, PC

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:35:00 GMT

Welcome to the New Video Game Releases List for the Week!

The video game release highlights on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation Vita, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and PC/Mac include the PlayStation Vita 3G and Wi-Fi handheld, The Syndicate, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus, Touch My Katamari, plus a few more gems...

Current Amazon Pre-order Deals:

PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle - $60 in Bonus Content (8GB Memory + More!)
Syndicate - $20 Credit
Asura's Wrath - Bonus DLC
Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D - $10 Credit

Our recommended new release of the week will go to:

PlayStation Vita is designed to blur the lines between interactive entertainment and reality in a variety of ways. Reaching beyond the capabilities of every handheld gaming console that has come before it, in this model of Vita players have access to both Wi-Fi and 3G functionality, allowing for maximum connectivity wherever you go. (An additional Vita model allows for Wi-Fi access only) Its 5-inch OLED front multi-touch display brings brilliant images to life and allows for a new touch driven navigational system, while the additional multi-touch pad on its back surface will allow users to interact with games and characters that they encounter within them with a simple movement of their fingertips. The real world and the game world are seamlessly merged with front and rear camera enabled augmented reality. Additionally, services created specifically for Vita will be available on PlayStation Network. These services are designed help users take their gameplay, as well as interaction with other gamers, to new levels.

Check out the full list of new video game releases (USA) for the week of February 20, 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, and PC! As always, release dates are subject to change, slip, slide, and be fairly unpredictable.

Syndicate

Asura's Wrath

Syndicate

Asura's Wrath

No new releases

PlayStation Vita - WiFi

PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle

Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus

Touch My Katamari

Dynasty Warriors NEXT

Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen

Army Corps of Hell

Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D

Zuma's Revenge!

Syndicate

Hide & Secret: Bonus Edition 4 Pack

EA Origin Store Pulls Buy Mass Effect 3, Get Battlefield 3 Free Pre-order Bonus

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:26:00 GMT

When a video game deal is too good to be true, click first then ask questions later...

Due to overwhelming demand, The Origin EA Store has notified us that they have pulled their Buy Mass Effect 3 get Battlefield 3 pre-order bonus.

While all Mass Effect pre-orders going forward will still receive the M55 Argus Assault Rifle and Origin Exclusive AT12 Raider Shotgun, the Free Battlefield PCDD offer is now as dead as disco...

Alternative pre-order offers still available include:

Amazon - $10 Amazon.com Credit + M55 Argus Assault Rifle + $0.99 Release Day Delivery
BestBuy.com - $10 or $20 Credit for Reward Members
GameStop - N7 Valkarie Rifle + Armor

Mass Effect 3 is set to release on March 6, 2012.

About Mass Effect 3:

Mass Effect 3 plunges you into an all-out galactic war to take Earth back from a nearly unstoppable foe - and how you fight that war is entirely up to you. Groundbreaking interactive storytelling drives the heart-pounding action in which each decision you make could have devastating and deadly consequences. You are Commander Shepard, the only one who can save Earth from annihilation. But you are not alone. At your side is a team of elite, battle-hardened soldiers ready for your command. Flank enemies with your squad or take them down lone wolf. Use cover or go in guns blazing. Unleash tactical assaults from a distance or go toe-to-toe with enemies using devastating melee assaults and the deadly omniblade. On March 6th, 2012 the war for Earth begins on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Mass Effect 3 Pre-order Bonus: Buy Mass Effect 3 (Xbox 360 PS3 PC) Get Battlefield 3 FREE!

Patrick Wright — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:44:00 GMT

Mass Effect 3 Pre-order Bonus!

The Origin EA Store just announced a sweet Mass Effect 3 pre-order bonus!

Pre-order Mass Effect 3 on Xbox 360, PS3, or PC and get Battlefield 3 (PC Download) Free!

Free shipping on all orders. Battlefield 3 free download code will be emailed on Mass Effect 3 release. In addition, all pre-orders receive the M55 Argus Assault Rifle and Origin Exclusive AT12 Raider Shotgun.

Mass Effect 3 is set to release on March 6, 2012.

Check it out: Origin - Mass Effect 3 Promo

About Mass Effect 3:

New Video Game Releases (2/13) on Xbox 360, PS3, Playstation Vita, Nintendo Wii, PSP, DS, PC

Patrick Wright — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:42:00 GMT

Welcome to the New Video Game Releases List for the Week!

The video game release highlights on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and PC/Mac include Twisted Metal, the Playstation Vita First Edition Bundle, UFC Undisputed 3 plus a few more gems...

Current Amazon Pre-order Deals:

UFC Undisputed 3 - $10 Credit + Exclusive DLC
Grand Slam Tennis 2 - $10 Credit + Exclusive DLC
Twisted Metal - Free Twisted Metal Black Game + DLC

Our recommended new release of the week will go to:

Twisted Metal is an over-the-top, vehicular combat game exclusively for play on PlayStation 3. Gameplay revolves around demolition derby style action set across multiple maps in which last contestant alive receives virtually whatever they desire. The game contains both an engrossing single player campaign story mode, as well as multiplayer modes which support co-op and 4-player action locally, as well as 16-player support online. Additional features include: returning characters from earlier releases in the game franchise, 17 vehicles that can be customized with a wide variety of weapons, destructible game environments and more.

Check out the full list of new video game releases (USA) for the week of February 13, 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, and PC! As always, release dates are subject to change, slip, slide, and be fairly unpredictable.

UFC Undisputed 3

Grand Slam Tennis 2

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND Limited Edition

Twisted Metal

UFC Undisputed 3

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND Limited Edition

Grand Slam Tennis 2

Rhythm Heaven Fever

PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle

Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational

wipEout 2048

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3

ModNation Racers: Road Trip

EA Sports FIFA Soccer

Lumines: Electronic Symphony

Rayman Origins

Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom Limited Edition

Dungeon Hunter Alliance

Little Deviants

Asphalt: Injection

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND

Tales of the Abyss

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympics

Tekken 3D Prime Edition

The Sims 3: Hidden Springs

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action

PlayStation Vita Pre-order Bonus Deals and Midnight Launch Release Party Details

Patrick Wright — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:16:00 GMT

The PlayStation Vita is set to launch next week with the first edition bundle...

With that being said, here is a quick summary of the current Playstation Vita handheld options, pre-order bonus offers and deals that are available for this launch!

PlayStation Vita Bundle/Handheld options:

PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle

Starting out with the handheld itself, as we mentioned the first edition bundle is still available for pre-order and is set to ship on February 15, 2012. The Playstation Vita First Edition bundle retails for $349.99 comes with the following:

PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi system

4GB memory card

limited edition case

Little Deviants

Delivery one week early

Amazon still has $0.99 Release Day Delivery available on this bundle set to arrive on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

Check it out: Amazon - PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle

PlayStation Vita 3G Launch Bundle

The next best option if you have a bit more patience and don't necessarily want to shell out $350 for the First Edition Bundle, is the 3G Launch Bundle. This limited pre-order bundle retails for $299.99 and comes with $55 in bonus content including:

PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi System

8GB Memory Card (Bonus)

AT&T DataConnect Session Pass

Free PSN Game

Amazon still has $0.99 Release Day Delivery available on this bundle set to arrive on Wednesday, February 22, 2012.

Check it out: Amazon - PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle

PlayStation Vita WiFi

Finally, the cheapest PlayStation Vita handheld option available is the $249.99. This version is strictly WiFi only and thus doesn't require a data plan.

Similar to the 3G option, Amazon still has $0.99 Release Day Delivery available on this with an arrival of Wednesday, February 22, 2012.

Check it out: Amazon - PlayStation Vita - WiFi

PlayStation Vita Games and Accessories:

PlayStation Vita Memory Cards

The Playstation Vita comes with the following memory card options:

4GB - $19.99

8GB - $29.99

16GB - $59.99

32GB - $99.99 (Best value per GB)

Check it out: Amazon - Playstation Vita Memory Cards

PlayStation Vita Protective Film

Like all expensive gadgets with nice screens, it makes sense to protect it with a solid protective film. We recommend the official film availble from Sony. They currently have the 2-pack retailing for $9.99.

Check it out: Amazon - PlayStation Vita Protective Film - Two Pack

PlayStation Vita Games

It appears one of the must have titles for the PlayStation Vita launch is the highly anticipated Uncharted: Golden Abyss. Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a single player Adventure game that brings the trademark active gameplay of the Uncharted series to the small screen like never before. The most prominent of the launch title for the Sony PlayStation Vita handheld Golden Abyss features an all-new story revolving around the adventures of treasure hunter Nathan Drake, as well as controls optimized for play on the PS Vita. Features include: a combination of touch pad and motion-sensing controls, as well as Adventure and Puzzle-solving gameplay.

As far as some of the current pre-order bonus and deals for the launch, both Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational and wipEout 2048 are discounted to $29.99 (Reg. $39.99) at Amazon. In addition, Lumines: Electronic Symphony currently has pre-order bonus of 3 exclusive MP3 downloads of in-game music composed by Q Entertainment.

Check it out:

Amazon - Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Day 1 Game)

Amazon - Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational - $29.99 (Save $10)

Amazon - WipEout 2048 - $29.99 (Save $10)

Amazon - Lumines: Electronic Symphony - Pre-order Bonus

As the launch nears, we will update with the known midnight release launch parties and additional pre-order bonus offers!

New Video Game Releases and Pre-order Bonus (2/6) on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PSP, DS, PC

Patrick Wright — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:30:00 GMT

Welcome to the New Video Game Releases List for the Week!

The video game release highlights on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and PC/Mac include Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, The Darkness II, Jak and Daxter Collection plus a few more gems...

Current Amazon Pre-order Deals:

The Darkness II - $10 Credit + Exclusive DLC
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - Treasure Hunter Pack + Exclusive DLC

Our recommended new release of the week will go to:

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a single player Action Role-playing Game (RPG) set in the brand-new game fantasy universe of Amalur. The game features an expansive Open World game environment, the unique "Destinies" system that limits character development only by the combination of equipped spells and items carried, intuitive yet challenging combat, a robust crafting system and a range of special attacks. Additional features include: the written and design talents of R.A. Salvatore, Todd McFarlane and Ken Rolston; dramatic special and metered attacks; as well as multiple in-game races.

Check out the full list of new video game releases (USA) for the week of February 6, 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, and PC! As always, release dates are subject to change, slip, slide, and be fairly unpredictable.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

The Darkness II

Zumba Fitness Rush

Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition

Remingtons Super Slam Hunting Ultimate Sportsman Challenge

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

The Darkness II

Jak & Daxter Collection

Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition

Remingtons Super Slam Hunting Ultimate Sportsman Challenge

Remingtons Super Slam Hunting Ultimate Sportsman Challenge

No new releases

Resident Evil: Revelations

Jewel Link Chronicles: Mountains of Madness

Myst

thinkSMART Chess for Kids

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

The Darkness II

Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition

Remingtons Super Slam Hunting Ultimate Sportsman Challenge

Jagged Alliance - Back in Action

Shank 2

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Pre-order Bonus: Amazon Offers $20 Credit Today!

Patrick Wright — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:51:00 GMT

Price:

$59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Pre-order Bonus!

Today, Amazon upgraded to a $20 credit on all pre-orders of the highly anticipated Final Fantasy XIII-2 on Xbox 360 and PS3!

$20 Credit and Order Bonus
Order the standard edition of Final Fantasy XIII-2 and get a $20 promotional credit toward the purchase of items shipped and sold by Amazon.com (certain exclusions apply, including but not limited to Kindle books, Gift Cards, and Amazon Appstore for Android apps) as well as a digital Final Fantasy XIII-2 mini strategy guide. We will send you the promotional code and the link to the mini strategy guide via email within two days after your qualifying order ships. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Limit one per household. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is set to release on January 31, 2012.

Check it out: Amazon - Final Fantasy XIII-2

About Final Fantasy XIII-2:

FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 is the follow-up to the 2010 hit title FINAL FANTASY XIII, and the latest installment in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series, which has shipped over 100 million units worldwide. The all-star production staff returns to create a true sequel that offers a more immersive experience than its predecessor, with extraordinary level design that encourages exploration, a more strategic paradigm-based Active Time Battle system, the ability to tame monsters and have them fight in your party, and a multi-path, player-driven experience that offers significant replay value.

Three years after Lightning and the others saved Cocoon, some survivors decided to start over by rebuilding on Gran Pulse. Lightning, however, is nowhere to be found and thought dead by many, but Serah believes otherwise. When her town is suddenly overrun by monsters, a mysterious man named Noel appears to save her. Together, the two set off on a journey that transcends time and space, hoping to find Lightning.

Video Game Deals: Amazon Slashes Cheap Xbox 360 LIVE Gold 12 Month Card!

Patrick Wright — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:12:00 GMT

List Price:	~~$59.99~~
Price:	$35.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Deal Price:
You Save:	$24.00 (40%)

Cheap Xbox 360 Video Game Deals & Sales!

While Microsoft will be happy to have you auto-renew your Xbox LIVE Gold membership for $59.99 this year, you really should take it on yourself to save a bit by purchasing a gold card or code at a good discount...

This morning, Amazon dropped the price of 12 Month Xbox LIVE Gold membership cards $20! Grab a 12 Month Xbox LIVE Gold Card for $39.99 (Save $20) with Free shipping at Amazon!

These cards/codes can be used to create a new account or extend an existing membership! You can even purchase multiple cards and extend your membership a couple years out at this discounted price.

Check it out: Amazon - Xbox LIVE 12 Month Gold Membership

(make sure to check for Amazon as the seller ('More buying choices' on the right))

About Xbox LIVE:

With an Xbox LIVE Gold membership, take your Xbox 360 online to play Kinect and controller games with friends wherever they are. Instantly watch HD movies, TV shows and sports, and with Kinect, your voice is the remote control. Plus, friends and family are never far away when you can video chat face-to-face on the biggest screen in the house. And enjoy unlimited access to your favorite music with Zune Music Pass.

Coming this Holiday to Xbox LIVE! Look for a new Xbox experience, which includes a redesigned menu that makes it more open, inviting and intuitive to navigate through entertainment on your Xbox. Voice search for Xbox will allow you to search across all of your favorite content and transform the way people enjoy entertainment...You say it, Xbox finds it! And there will be more entertainment than ever before - Xbox is working with partners like UFC and YouTube to deliver the best home entertainment experiences with a comprehensive selection of TV, movies, sports, music and games.

New Video Game Releases and Pre-order Bonus (1/30) on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PSP, DS, PC

Patrick Wright — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:50:00 GMT

Welcome to the New Video Game Releases List for the Week!

The video game release highlights on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and PC/Mac include Final Fantasy XIII-2, Soul Calibur V, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, plus a few more gems...

Current Amazon Pre-order Deals:

Final Fantasy XIII-2 - $10 Credit + Exclusive DLC
Soul Calibur V - - $10 Credit
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - Treasure Hunter Pack + Exclusive DLC

Our recommended new release of the week will go to:

FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 is the follow-up to the 2010 hit title FINAL FANTASY XIII, and the latest installment in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series, which has shipped over 100 million units worldwide. The all-star production staff returns to create a true sequel that offers a more immersive experience than its predecessor, with extraordinary level design that encourages exploration, a more strategic paradigm-based Active Time Battle system, the ability to tame monsters and have them fight in your party, and a multi-path, player-driven experience that offers significant replay value.

Check out the full list of new video game releases (USA) for the week of January 30, 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, and PC! As always, release dates are subject to change, slip, slide, and be fairly unpredictable.

Final Fantasy XIII-2

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Collector's Edition

Soul Calibur V

SoulCalibur V Collector's Edition

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

NeverDead

Final Fantasy XIII-2

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Collector's Edition

Soul Calibur V

SoulCalibur V Collector's Edition

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

NeverDead

No new releases

No new releases

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

House of 1,000 Doors: Family Secrets - Collector's Edition

PlayStation Vita Pre-order Bonus: Amazon Offers 8GB Memory Plus More!

Patrick Wright — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:33:00 GMT

PlayStation Vita Pre-order Bonus!

Amazon just announced a nice bonus for those pre-ordering the PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi version for $299.99 will score $55 in bonus items including an 8GB memory card!

PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle

Pre-order the PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle to receive over $55 in bonus content. It comes with an 8GB Memory Card, DataConnect Session Pass, and PlayStation Network Game. All existing PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi pre-orders will be upgraded to the PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com, while supplies last. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time. Please read the PlayStation Network terms of use.

The PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle is scheduled to release on February 22, 2012.

For those wanting to get in on their PlayStation Vita one week early, check out the PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle.

Check it out:

About Playstation Vita:

Amazon Video Game Pre-order Bonus List (1/25 Update)!

Patrick Wright — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:59:00 GMT

PS3, Nintendo Wii, DS, PSP, Xbox 360 Pre-order Bonus!

Amazon has recently added a number of upcoming titles to their $10-$20 video game credit promo.

In addition, they are offering Release Day Delivery for only $0.99 on most of these titles! Some of the video game pre-order bonus highlights include a $20 credit on The Syndicate, in addition to $10 credit's on the upcoming release of Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Soul Calibur V on Xbox 360 and PS3.

Here is the updated $10-$20 Amazon Credit list:

PS3:

Final Fantasy XIII-2 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit +Bonus Omega Boss Battle
Soul Calibur V - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Soul Calibur V Collector's Edition - $79.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
SSX - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Mass Effect 3 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition - $79.99 + M55 Argus Assault Rifle
UFC Undisputed 3 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Syndicate - $59.99 + $20 Amazon Credit
The Darkness II - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Borderlands 2 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Silent Hill Downpour - $59.96 + $10 Amazon Credit
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13: The Master's Collection - $69.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Grand Slam Tennis 2 - $49.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Inversion - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Spec Ops: The Line - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Final Fantasy XIV - $49.99 + $10 Credit

Xbox 360:

Final Fantasy XIII-2 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit + Bonus Omega Boss Battle
Mass Effect 3 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit + M55 Argus Assault Rifle
Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition - $79.99 + M55 Argus Assault Rifle
Borderlands 2 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Soul Calibur V - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
SSX - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit + Pre-order Bonus DLC
Syndicate - $59.99 + $20 Amazon Credit + Executive Package
UFC Undisputed 3 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
The Darkness II - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
The Darkness II - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13: The Master's Collection - $69.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Grand Slam Tennis 2 - $49.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Inversion - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit
Spec Ops: The Line - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit

Nintendo Wii:

No pre-order bonus offers currently...

PC/Mac:

Mass Effect 3 - $59.99 + $10 Amazon Credit

Nintendo DS & 3DS:

No pre-order bonus offers currently...

Sony PSP:

No pre-order bonus offers currently...

About Mass Effect 3:

About FINAL FANTASY XIII-2:

Amazon All Video Game Deals Gold Box LIVE, Features Dead Island for $25! (Xbox 360 PS3 Wii DS)

Patrick Wright — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:52:00 GMT

Amazon is back again with another All Video Games Gold Box Event Today (PS3 / Xbox 360 / Wii / DS)!

The Gold Box Events kicks off today, Tuesday, January 24, 2012 and features one deal of the day, in addition to lightning deals on PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, and DS games every few hours...

It looks like the selection will be very good based on the lightning deal clues below, but be quick with the mouse as the good ones can go quick (especially as the word spreads)!

Check it out: Amazon All Day Gold Box Event

Deal of the Day:

Dead Island (Xbox 360/PS3) - $25 (Reg. $59.99) Still in Stock!

Hourly Lightning Deals:

9:00 AM EST: Bring your eyepatch and sword for this exciting DS adventure

11:00 AM EST: A multiplayer Dance-Fitness game for Wii that gives players a great full body workout in a fun dance class environment

2:00 PM EST: Enjoy the biggest game release of all time

6:00 PM EST: Enjoy this Wii fitness game with your entire family!

9:00 PM EST: Rock out with your own guitar

11:00 PM EST: "I Gotta Feeling"... this game will make you move

Check it out: Amazon All Day Gold Box Event

Demons in the Basement? Send Your Kids to "Hellboy Camp"

Nick McDonald — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:11:00 GMT

Here's an exciting little announcement that crossed my inbox this morning: our friends at Dark Horse Comics have partnered up with Trackers PDX to put together...wait for it... B.P.R.D. Camp, a.k.a. "Hellboy Camp".

"Hellboy Camp" is a week long youth summer camp for 9 to 17-year olds (I know, I'm depressed to be too old, too) that promises to teach potential recruits to the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense such handy skills for defeating supernatural and paranormal threats as environmental survival, self-defense, and forensic investigation. Campers will also spend time exploring Portland, Oregon, and investigating the legend of regional homesteader Adolph Ascoff.

B.P.R.D. Camp takes place July 16-20, from 7:30 am to as late a 6:00 pm (sorry, PDX non-locals, it's a day-camp experience only), and offers a 10% discount for campers who register before February 22nd. Dark Horse Comics and Hellboy/B.P.R.D. creator Mike Mignola fully back the project, and if hunting ghosts and torching Frogs isn't your thing, Trackers offers several other unique classes for youths and adults (including themes such as pirates, ninjas, and fantasy settings) in both Portland, OR and California's Bay Area.

Anonymous Attacks Several Websites in Megaupload Retaliation

Nick McDonald — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:06:00 GMT

According to Neowin.net, Anonymous has been launching a full-on assault against several government and media company websites in response to the Justice Department and FBI's shutdown of popular file-sharing site MegaUpload.

Infamous hacker group Anonymous has already claimed credit for crashing the website for The Department of Justice, Universal Music Group, RIAA, and MPAA. Other as yet unclaimed attacks have knocked off Copyright.gov, BMI.com, and the personal website of MPAA Chief Chris Dodd. Anonymous also has launced a drop of the Utah Chiefs of Police's database.

Anonymous communications over Twitter have been chattering over attacking FBI.gov and WhiteHouse.gov, but as of this writing that haven't been taken down yet.

This isn't going to end well. The Internet Blackout Protest yesterday won a ton of support against the SOPA/PIPA bills, but I have a hard time believing that support is going to stay in place when spin doctors start associating Anonymous's actions with the bill backlash.

Editor's Choice 2011: Portal 2 (360, PS3, PC)

Nick McDonald — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:30:00 GMT

Portal 2 is an exceedingly well-made game. The graphics are flawless, the voice acting is Pixar caliber, and the gameplay is solid and intriguing. And we're talking about a puzzle game here, a title that shares a genre with Yoshi's Cookie and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. Portal 2 deserves a serious glance for anyone's "Editor's Choice" or "Game of the Year" lists, but if you'll indulge me, I'd like to tell you what the real tipping point in this title was for me.

The book was always better than the movie--that's pretty much a universal truth that everyone but forum trolls and dedicated contrarians have come to accept, but outside of small get-togethers featuring small-numbered morning hours and fueled by several bottles of wine and/or pots of coffee, its not something that people analyze regularly. Everyone has their own opinion on this phenomenon, I'm sure, but for me the short-fall of film has always been the lack of personal experience.

Read this sentence:

The dog played in the sunny meadow.

Now, think about what images that stirs up from the recesses of your imagination.

For me, I see a basset hound hopping the lower rung of a rustic wooden fence prancing about in an alpine field, bright-colored wildflowers here and there, with large evergreen conifers in surrounding the meadow's boundary. Most likely, that's not what you saw, and even if it was, there would be discrepancies. Heck, even when I break down the details and tell you what I visualize there's discrepancies between the image in your head and the image I envisioned: whether the dog is in a hurry or lazily taking his time, the construction of the fence, the quantity and colors of the wildflowers, etc.

Those mental images are personal to us; no one else on the planet shares them, and whether we realize it or not, that makes us personally invested in the story. The image in your mind is perfect, because it was made by you, for you, and expert writers know how to tap into that power of self-involvement.

Movies, on the other hand, have lost the art of self-involvement. Compare the original 1963 The Haunting with the 1999 remake. The remake involves scary cherub statues coming to life and people getting their heads knocked off on-screen. Those are scary images, because we imagine ourselves being in the position of the movie's heroes and being confronted with these events, but our imagination ends at the boundaries the director and his visual effects department establish for us. Maybe cherub statues are disturbing, but after you take a moment to collect yourself, you realize that it's a foot tall and made of delicate porcelain, two traits which generally don't fall into the category of "threat" for us.

Compare that to the 1963 original version of The Haunting, a movie largely regarded by fans and critics as terrifying because you never see the monster. Period. Ever. You see the results of the creature's actions (the house shakes, chandeliers swing, walls and doors bow and buckle) but you never see the creature itself, which means you're stuck having to imagine what it is yourself. Your brain has been given a sentence to read:

There is a supernatural creature on the other side of the door that can bend walls and shake houses, and it sounds like it is angry at you.

Whatever it is on the other side of the door, it is perfect for you, which means that it is personal, which means that you are invested in it.

This theory of course applies to the world of games, as well. Veteran gamers have a soft spot for blocky, retro, ugly, poor-controlling games of yesteryear largely in part of the internal stories they made up within the game they were playing. Game stories in early generations were as vague and lacking in detail as the graphics were, and players would often mentally piece together their own explanations for the things they saw on-screen. Even as recently as GTA: San Andreas, the legend of a ghost car that will appear in the woods and try to run you down is actually nothing more than a glitch that spawns a car in the forest environment, but people's minds and imaginations created a story to explain an occurrence that didn't make sense to them. It's like a self-contained universe whose inhabitants have developed their own mythology,
which creates a whole new layer of philosophical thinking that I'm going to actively avoid since I've already unintentionally turned this game recommendation into an essay on game theory.

Back to the topic at hand: Portal 2 hits the magical sweetspot between shoving a story in your face and asking you to fill in the gaps, in a way that few developers apart from Valve are able to do. From a story telling perspective, they hit all the strides and hit them well: in-world characters give you necessary exposition without making it feel like you're being narrated to, the environments are expertly crafted to convey not just the story you're playing but also the story that happened before you got there, and a skillful lack of cutscenes not only keeps you in the story the whole time, it also keeps the story in you.

Throughout their catalog, Valve has garnered a niche in the gaming universe that is strenuously hard to work yourself into, and impossible to obtain by accident: they want you to try to break their game. Hidden areas abound in Valve games, Portal 2 being no exception, usually stuffed with extra tidbits of story and winks and nudges to long time fans, and the key to finding them is a healthy mental mantra of "I wonder if I can..." permeating your play style.

A rare joy of gaming is when you have to opportunity to watch a friend play through a game you've already experienced and observe the difference in choices they make. Portal 2 stood out during a round of back-seat playing in the way that I would watch another player skip over Easter eggs that I had discovered only to find new ones that I had missed, and always because he was thinking "I wonder if I can...", but in a slightly different way than I did.

It may seem obvious to say that the entire game builds up to the finish, but Portal 2 is so expertly crafted that it takes on a whole new meaning. As a player you've been subtly manipulated to finish the game exactly as is scripted, but you don't realize it until it's over. You make the decision to finish the game the way it ends, even though technically you never had another choice, but it feels genuinely like your choice. It feels like you were trying to break the game, like you were playing a round of "I wonder if I can...".

It's a thing of sublime beauty. No one can ever take the ending of Portal 2 away from you. It doesn't matter that from a software perspective that there is no other option, or that from a storytelling perspective it's the obviously poetic and heroic ending. For a split-second, it was you that made the decision--it wasn't Chell, it wasn't the game designer, it was you and your imagination. Just for a moment it it was all you.

It's the goal of every game designer, every film director, every author, to create that experience where, if for even just a moment, the audience has that perfect moment of being part of the story. Portal 2 nails it. There's a word for creative works that are so complete, and that word is 'masterpiece'. Its involvement of the self is absolute, and unlikely to be matched again for some time. You are invested in it, it is personal, and it is perfect.

Gamefly Most Queued List for the Week Ending 1/2/2012!

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:27:00 GMT

GameFly Most Queued List!

Below find the GameFly Top 10 Most Popular lists for the week ending 1/2/12.

This week, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim continues at the top of the list, while Saints Row: The Third and Batman Arkham City pick up the next two spots...

The weekly GameFly Top 10 Most Popular is the leading source of online video game rental data and the only Top 10 list that features what gamers actually want to play. The GameFly Top 10 Most Popular list reflects gamers' requests from more than 8,000 titles for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PSP, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance consoles and handhelds.

Most Popular Games Cross-Platform:

Rank	Title	Platform(s)	Category	Publisher
1	Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim	PS3, Xbox 360	RPG	Bethesda
2	Saints Row: The Third	PS3, Xbox 360	Action Adventure	THQ
3	Batman: Arkham City	PS3, Xbox 360	Action Adventure	WB Games
4	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	PS3, Xbox 360, Wii	Shooter	Activision
5	Battlefield 3	PS3, Xbox 360	Shooter	Electronic Arts
6	Assassin's Creed Revelations	PS3, Xbox 360	Action Adventure	Ubisoft
7	Need for Speed The Run	PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS	Racing	Electronic Arts
8	NBA 2K12	PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP Games, PS2	Sports	Take Two
9	Dead Island	PS3, Xbox 360	Shooter	Square Enix
10	Madden NFL 12	PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP Games, PS2	Sports	Electronic Arts

Xbox 360 Most Popular Games:

Rank	Title	Category	Publisher	Release Month
1	Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim	RPG	Bethesda	Nov-2011
2	Saints Row: The Third	Action Adventure	THQ	Nov-2011
3	Batman: Arkham City	Action Adventure	WB Games	Oct-2011
4	Battlefield 3	Shooter	Electronic Arts	Oct-2011
5	Assassin's Creed Revelations	Action Adventure	Ubisoft	Nov-2011
6	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	Shooter	Activision	Nov-2011
7	Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary	Shooter	Microsoft	Nov-2011
8	Need for Speed The Run	Racing	Electronic Arts	Nov-2011
9	Gears of War 3	Shooter	Microsoft	Sep-2011
10	Dead Island	Shooter	Square Enix	Sep-2011

PlayStation 3 Most Popular Games:

Rank	Title	Category	Publisher	Release Month
1	Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception	Action Adventure	Sony Computer Entertainment	Oct-2011
2	Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim	RPG	Bethesda	Nov-2011
3	Saints Row: The Third	Action Adventure	THQ	Nov-2011
4	Batman: Arkham City	Action Adventure	WB Games	Oct-2011
5	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	Shooter	Activision	Nov-2011
6	Battlefield 3	Shooter	Electronic Arts	Oct-2011
7	Assassin's Creed Revelations	Action Adventure	Ubisoft	Nov-2011
8	Need for Speed The Run	Racing	Electronic Arts	Nov-2011
9	NBA 2K12	Sports	Take Two	Oct-2011
10	Dead Island	Shooter	Square Enix	Sep-2011

Nintendo Wii Most Popular Games:

Rank	Title	Category	Publisher	Release Month
1	Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword	Action Adventure	Nintendo	Nov-2011
2	Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games	Sports	Sega	Nov-2011
3	Donkey Kong Country Returns	Action Adventure	Nintendo	Nov-2010
4	Just Dance 3	Music/Dance	Ubisoft	Oct-2011
5	Fortune Street	Family/Party	Nintendo	Dec-2011
6	Kirby's Return to Dreamland	Action Adventure	Nintendo	Oct-2011
7	Super Mario Galaxy 2	Action Adventure	Nintendo	May-2010
8	New Super Mario Bros. Wii	Action Adventure	Nintendo	Nov-2009
9	Zumba Fitness 2	Music/Dance	Majesco	Nov-2011
10	Mario Kart Wii	Racing	Nintendo	Apr-2008

Online New Years Video Game 2012 Deals: 50% Off Sales (1/5 Update)!

Patrick Wright — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:18:00 GMT

Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS, DS, PC, Mac and PSP online Year EndS specials, promotions & deals continue today (Thursday, 1/5/2012) with Free shipping!

The Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS, DS, PC, Mac and PSP After Christamas New Year's deals week sales on video games continues this week with some new offers from Amazon.com!

For the Xbox 360 console, grab the Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Console Bundle with Kinect for $399.99 and score a bonus $75 Amazon credit. This Xbox 360 console bundle comes with 2 games: Halo Reach and Fable III. This is a limited time promotion and will be pulled at any time. If still available, grab one while available...

The Kinect Sensor with Kinect Adventures and Gunstringer Token Code is available for $104.99 (save $45) at Amazon. This also comes with Fruit Ninja Kinect for a total of 3 games and is the top deal from the Black Friday - Cyber Monday deals events. Make sure to select Amazon as the seller (under more buying choices on the right).

The Playstation 3D Display is discounted to $399.99 (Reg. $499.99). This 24" Edge LED display comes bundled with a pair of PlayStation Active Shutter 3D glasses, a HDMI cable, and a copy of MotorStorm: Apocalypse.

Amazon has a huge selection of Xbox 360, Nintendo DSi, 3DS, Wii, PS3, PSP, PC and Mac video games and accessories discounted over 33% Off as part of their New Year, New You Promotion. Highlights from this sale include Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 (Xbox 360 Kinect) for $29.99, Just Dance 3 for $29.99, Zumba Fitness 2 for $29, the Playstation Move Motion Controller for a low $29.99, plus more!

Check it out:

Amazon Best Sellers in Video Games
New Year, New You Promotion - Save Up to 33% On Games & Accessories
Product Promos:

Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Console Bundle with Kinect - $399.99 ($75 Amazon Credit)
Kinect Sensor with Kinect Adventures and Gunstringer Token Code - $104.99 (Save $45)
Playstation 3D Display - $399.99 (Save $100)

About Amazon After Christmas New Year's Deals Week:

Shop outlet deals, after-Christmas sales, and clearance prices on electronics, toys, clothing, and more

Year-End Deals Are Here

If you love outlet deals, Christmas sales, after-Christmas sales, and all that fun bargain shopping, you've come to the right place. Our Year-End Deals event is happening right now, every day through December 31. Shop outlet prices on markdowns, clearance items, and more.

Free Shipping Friday: PS3 and Xbox 360 Console Deals!

Patrick Wright — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:08:00 GMT

Cheap Xbox 360 and PS3 Console online Holiday Christmas specials, promotions & deals (extended Cyber Week, Cyber Monday, Black Friday) continue today (Free Shipping Friday, 12/16/2011) with Free shipping!

The Xbox 360, and PS3 Holiday console online deals week sales continues this week with some new offers with free shipping in time for Christmas from Amazon.com!

First off, lets take a look at the console deals available. The in demand Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect is offered for $299.99 with a bonus $80 Amazon Credit currently. This is a limited time offer and may be pulled at any time. This console bundle comes with the new Xbox 360 S console, a Kinect Sensor with Kinect Adventures, and one Xbox 360 wireless controller.

Check it out:

Amazon - Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect Promo - $299.99 (+ Bonus $80 Amazon Credit)

The Kinect Sensor with Kinect Adventures and Gunstringer Token Code is available for $99.99 (save $50) at Amazon. This also comes with Fruit Ninja Kinect for a total of 3 games and is the top deal from the Black Friday - Cyber Monday deals events.

Check it out: Amazon - Kinect Sensor with 3 Games - $99 (Save $50)

On the PlayStation 3 console front, you can grab the PS3 160GB with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 Blu-ray Disc Bundle for $249.99 with a bonus $50 Amazon Credit + free shipping. This is the same price as the core 160GB PS3 Bundle, but comes with the bonus Blu-ray movie. If you missed out on the $199 PS3 Black Friday bundle frenzy, this offer will help redeem you in the eyes of the deal gods...

Check it out:

PS3 160GB Harry Potter Bundle Promo + Bonus $50 Amazon Credit

Finally, the recently released PlayStation 3D Display is discounted to $399.99 (Reg. $499.99)

The PlayStation 3D display is a 24 inch Edge LED display that comes bundled with a pair of Playstation Active Shutter 3D glasses, a HDMI cable, and a copy of Motorstorm Apocalypse.

Check it out: Amazon Playstation 3D Display

About PlayStation 3D Display:

The PlayStation 3D display is specifically designed for superior 3D gaming and other digital media consumption right out of the box. The 24" Edge LED display comes bundled with a pair of PlayStation Active Shutter 3D glasses, a HDMI cable, and a copy of MotorStorm: Apocalypse for play on PlayStation 3 (console not included). When combined these items create a superior 3D gaming bundle tailor-made for PlayStation 3 players who want access to the best in 3D quality entertainment that is suitable for any sized gaming space. Additional features include: SimulView technology which delivers individual full HD screen visuals* to each player in two-player mode, built-in speakers and subwoofer, compatibility with cable TV boxes, and PCs, a 240 Hz refresh rate, full HD 1080p resolution, and two HDMI inputs and one component HD input.

About the Playstation 3:

The fourth generation of hardware released for the PlayStation 3 entertainment platform, the PlayStation 3 160GB system is the next stage in the evolution of Sony's console gaming powerhouse. Loaded with a mix of multimedia features and functions available on earlier PlayStation 3 models, as well as a series of new advancements and refinements, the PlayStation 3 160GB system is destined to push the envelope in the realm of Next-Generation entertainment.

About the Xbox 360 with Kinect:

The Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect. Kinect brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways – no controller required. Easy to use and instantly fun, Kinect gets everyone off the couch moving, laughing and cheering. See a ball? Kick it. Control an HD movie with a wave of the hand. Want to join a friend in the fun? Simply jump in. Wi-Fi is built-in for easier connection to the world of entertainment on Xbox LIVE, where HD movies and TV stream in an instant. Xbox 360 is more games, entertainment and fun.

New Apps Added to Xbox 360 Today!

Patrick Wright — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:39:00 GMT

A slew of new apps are now available for most via the Xbox 360 dashboard today!

For those in the US, the highlights include YouTube, iHeartRadio and TMZ... Didn't know there was a TMZ app, but hey get your daily dose of Lindsay Lohan's latest mishaps...

Here is the full list of new apps:

linkbox (UK): blinkbox gives access to a wide range of movies online. With more than 10,000 movies titles movie fans can watch their favorite films immediately with no additional subscription required.
iHeartRadio (U.S.): Listen to more than 800 of the nation's most popular live broadcast radio stations from 150 U.S. cities with iHeartRadio.
MSN Video (Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico and UK): MSN brings you the latest breaking news, sports, celebrity gossip and more from around the globe.
MSNBC.com (U.S.): MSNBC.com bring you the best of NBC News, MSNBC, Fox Sports, Access Hollywood, original programming and more, on-demand and up-to-date 24/7/365.
MUZU.TV (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and UK): MUZU.TV the music video site, offers nearly 80,000 music videos at your command. Brand new releases from the world's biggest artists, great music videos from every decade, up and coming bands and the latest music news and interviews.
Rogers On Demand (Canada): Rogers On Demand provides select TV shows and movies to everyone for FREE. Rogers customers can also catch up on their favorite premium programming anytime, from anywhere in Canada.
SBS ON DEMAND (Australia): SBS ON DEMAND is a catch up TV service that lets you watch full episodes, of your favorite SBS television programs.
TMZ (Canada, U.S.): Your all-access pass to the latest TMZ entertainment stories and breaking news videos everyone is talking about!
RTVE (Spain): Complete episodes from series, news programs, documentaries and the best Spanish audiovisual content from RTVE.
Verizon FiOS TV (U.S.): Get Verizon FiOS TV with 26 live channels like MTV, Spike, Food Network, Comedy Central, HBO, CNN and Nickelodeon – with more to come. Plus with Kinect, change channels with your voice.
YouTube (Available in 24 countries globally**): From your favorite web original video to gaming tips, a universe of compelling content is available through YouTube on Xbox LIVE.

Amazon Gold Box Features Video Game Lightning Deals Today!

Patrick Wright — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:14:00 GMT

Amazon is back again with another All Video Games Gold Box Event Today!

Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS, DS, PC, Mac and PSP online Holiday Christmas specials, promotions & deals (extended Cyber Week, Cyber Monday, Black Friday) continue today with Free shipping!

The Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS, DS, PC, Mac and PSP Holiday online deals week sales on video games continues this week with some new offers from Amazon.com!

The Gold Box Events kicks off today, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 and features one deal of the day, in addition to lightning deals every few hours...

It looks like the selection will be very good based on the lightning deal clues below, but be quick with the mouse as the good ones can go quick (especially as the word spreads)!

Check it out: Amazon - All Video Games Gold Box Event

Deal of the Day:

Assassin's Creed Revelations (Xbox 360/PS3) - $35.99 (Reg. $59.99) Still in Stock!

Hourly Lightning Deals:

9:00 AM EST: This is a Nintendo DS game that simulates life, or at least it would if your life was about being trapped on a sinking ship and forced to complete a series of incomprehensible puzzles before your practically inevitable doom.

10:00 AM EST: Bigger, funnier, and more tactical than ever before, the grandfather of the strategy RPG genre returns with its best HD entry yet!

11:00 AM EST: Step onto the pitch with your favorite soccer players!

1:00 PM EST: This headset is the ultimate "secret weapon" for serious gamers seeking unmatched audio quality and immersion, sonic control and a competitive advantage.

3:00 PM EST: This Nintendo DS game is the next evolution of virtual pets!

5:00 PM EST: Harness the controller-free magic of Kinect for Xbox 360 to explore Disneyland park, enjoy immersive adventures based on popular attractions, engage in challenging quests

6:00 PM EST: Enter a dark world filled with despair and threaded by hope where your ability to creatively strategize, learn and overcome unpredictable and unique challenges determines your fate.

7:00 PM EST: Bring the NFL straight to your video game console!

9:00 PM EST: A Nintendo DS action adventure game that brings the Pirates of teh Caribbean world and all its colorful characters to life in LEGO Brick form.

11:00 PM EST: Raise your fists and get ready to fight to the finish!

Check it out: Amazon All Video Game Gold Box Event

About Assassin's Creed Revelations:

When a man has won all of his battles and defeated all of his enemies; what is left for him to achieve? Ezio Auditore must leave his life behind in search of answers, in search of the truth. In Assassin's Creed® Revelations, master assassin Ezio Auditore walks in the footsteps of the legendary mentor Altaïr, on a journey of discovery and revelation. It is a perilous path — one that will take Ezio to Constantinople, the heart of the Ottoman Empire, where a growing army of Templars threatens to destabilize the region.

In addition to the culmination of Ezio's award-winning story, a refined and expanded online multiplayer experience returns with new and additional modes, maps, and characters, allowing you to test your slaying skills against others from around the world.

GameFly Most Queued List for the Week Ending 12/12!

Patrick Wright — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:03:00 GMT

GameFly Most Queued List!

Below find the GameFly Top 10 Most Popular lists for the week ending 12/12/11.

This week, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim continues at the top of the list, while Saints Row: The Third and Assassin's Creed Revelations pick up the next two spots...

Most Popular Games Cross-Platform:

Rank	Title	Platform(s)	Category	Publisher
1	Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim	PS3, Xbox 360	RPG	Bethesda
2	Saints Row: The Third	PS3, Xbox 360	Action Adventure	THQ
3	Assassin's Creed Revelations	PS3, Xbox 360	Action Adventure	Ubisoft
4	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	PS3, Xbox 360, Wii	Shooter	Activision
5	Batman: Arkham City	PS3, Xbox 360	Action Adventure	WB Games
6	Need for Speed The Run	PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS	Racing	Electronic Arts
7	Battlefield 3	PS3, Xbox 360	Shooter	Electronic Arts
8	WWE 12	PS3, Xbox 360, Wii	Fighting	THQ
9	GoldenEye Reloaded	PS3, Xbox 360	Shooter	Activision
10	Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception	PS3	Action Adventure	Sony Computer Entertainment

Xbox 360 Most Popular Games:

Rank	Title	Category	Publisher	Release Month
1	Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim	RPG	Bethesda	Nov-2011
2	Saints Row: The Third	Action Adventure	THQ	Nov-2011
3	Assassin's Creed Revelations	Action Adventure	Ubisoft	Nov-2011
4	Batman: Arkham City	Action Adventure	WB Games	Oct-2011
5	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	Shooter	Activision	Nov-2011
6	Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary	Shooter	Microsoft	Nov-2011
7	Battlefield 3	Shooter	Electronic Arts	Oct-2011
8	Need for Speed The Run	Racing	Electronic Arts	Nov-2011
9	WWE 12	Fighting	THQ	Nov-2011
10	Dead Island	Shooter	Square Enix	Sep-2011

PlayStation 3 Most Popular Games:

Rank	Title	Category	Publisher	Release Month
1	Saints Row: The Third	Action Adventure	THQ	Nov-2011
2	Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim	RPG	Bethesda	Nov-2011
3	Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception	Action Adventure	Sony Computer Entertainment	Oct-2011
4	Batman: Arkham City	Action Adventure	WB Games	Oct-2011
5	Assassin's Creed Revelations	Action Adventure	Ubisoft	Nov-2011
6	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	Shooter	Activision	Nov-2011
7	Need for Speed The Run	Racing	Electronic Arts	Nov-2011
8	Battlefield 3	Shooter	Electronic Arts	Oct-2011
9	GoldenEye Reloaded	Shooter	Activision	Nov-2011
10	WWE 12	Fighting	THQ	Nov-2011

Nintendo Wii Most Popular Games:

Rank	Title	Category	Publisher	Release Month
1	Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword	Action Adventure	Nintendo	Nov-2011
2	Fortune Street	Family/Party	Nintendo	Dec-2011
3	Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games	Sports	Sega	Nov-2011
4	Kirby's Return to Dreamland	Action Adventure	Nintendo	Oct-2011
5	Just Dance 3	Music/Dance	Ubisoft	Oct-2011
6	Donkey Kong Country Returns	Action Adventure	Nintendo	Nov-2010
7	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	Shooter	Activision	Nov-2011
8	Disney Universe	Action Adventure	Disney Interactive	Oct-2011
9	Zumba Fitness 2	Music/Dance	Majesco	Nov-2011
10	Super Mario Galaxy 2	Action Adventure	Nintendo	May-2010

Green Monday Video Game Deals: 40% Off EA Store (Xbox 360 PS3 Wii DS)

Patrick Wright — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:38:00 GMT

Save 40% Off All Video Games today at the EA Origin Store!

Discounts apply to all platforms including Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, and DS!

Free shipping on all orders over $39.99 as well!

Highlights:

Battlefield 3 - $35.99
Need For Speed: The Run - $35.99
Dead Space 2 - $17.99
Mass Effect 2 - $11.99
Portal 2 - $23.99
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 - $23.99
NCAA Football 12 - $35.99
Madden NFL 12 - $35.99
NBA Jam - $11.99
FIFA Soccer 12 - $35.99
Plus more...

Check it out:

About Battlefield 3:

In Battlefield 3 players take command of a team of elite US Marines as they experience heart-pounding misson-based gameplay ranging across diverse locations from around the globe including Paris, Tehran and New York. Along with ground combat, vehicular combat plays a major role with vehicles available including tanks as well as air support, featuring infrared and satellite imaging. The game contains both single player missions and competitive and co-op multiplayer actions supporting up to 24 players online, and set in diverse locations from around the globe including Paris, Tehran and New York.

About Madden NFL 12:

The #1 most requested feature by fans in recent years, allows you to build the ultimate game plan by modifying an existing playbook or creating your own by selecting up to 400 offensive or defensive plays from 75 different playbooks. Integrate your custom playbook into a game plan for use with the improved GameFlow system, which executes an authentic, situational game plan for you.