All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

Never before has crashing been so fun.

These Earthbound stickers actually play into the release of the Earthbound figurine sets that we showed you the other day. Turns out you can only get a chance at winning these stickers if you buy a figurine set. You can register a code through email after purchasing a figurine set, and hope that [...]

The Monster Hunter Calendar 2011 - 594

Whether you call it an homage or a rip-off, an ad produced by New Zealand's TV3 bears a striking similarity to one of Sony's US PlayStation 3 ads starring faux executive Kevin Butler. As noted by Buttonmasher, the two commercials include nearly the same dialogue, setting, reaction shots and ... well, everything except the same actors.

When ad agency Deutsch won the $150 million Sony account back in 2007, it had an uphill battle to change Sony's image following its, err, avant-garde advertisements under TBWA. The new agency succeeded with Butler, who has gone on to become a sensation -- and that's where this copy gets unique.

"It's rare to see a carbon copy of a U.S. commercial or campaign created by smaller players overseas," explains Tim Nudd, editor of AdFreak.com. "I think there's a healthy fear of getting caught and sued by the big guys. More common is the reverse -- a big U.S. marketer/agency ripping off unknown work from smaller players."

Potential examples of the reverse situation include companies like Apple, 3M and, funny enough, Sony itself with its Japanese "Gameface" ad. See for yourself how similar the two ads are, right after the break.

The fast-paced adventure MMO will feature charming characters in intense battles set in an ancient mythological fantasy world.

It's not just a planet anymore.

Just a couple of months until the next DS Kingdom Hearts. But when will we get our copy?

Full-featured Facebook game plans to increase rnvironmental action and awareness.

#kinect Microsoft's Kinect add-on for the Xbox 360 will be $150 and come with a copy of Kinect Adventures when the motion controller hits stores in November, the company said today. Kinect games will sell for $50 each. More »

A portion of a RunDLC review… What’s Hot Over the top arcade fun, cool power-ups, impressive looking dunks, small but sweet variety of teams and courts. What’s Not Only one control scheme, high learning curve when it comes to long-range shots, not enough modes, unfair A.I.

The question of Kinect pricing is over ... insomuch as there was any question. As was widely assumed - and widely listed on retailers, from GameStop to Microsoft itself - the Xbox's newfangled motion-sensing camera will retail for $149.99 this fall.

There's also an answer regarding the pricing of Kinect retail software. While most stores have been listing Kinect software for the usual $60 Xbox asking price, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "All of our Kinect retail games, from a first-party standpoint - Kinectimals, Kinect Sports, Kinect Joy Ride - will all be retailing for $49." Microsoft later followed up, letting us know that Dance Central, Harmonix's Kinect-powered rhythm game (and arguably the most well-received title in Microsoft's Kinect launch lineup) will also match the $50 first-party pricing.

That $149.99 hardware price also comes with a copy of Kinect Adventures, the casual title from Microsoft's Good Science Studio, formerly known as SpawnPoint Studios. Microsoft promises that those who pre-order Kinect or the Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle "today" will "receive a token to download three exclusive game levels for Kinect Adventures." Before you get to that, why not let us know where you stand in our highly scientific poll?
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In addition to Kinect retail pricing, Microsoft announced a brand-new Xbox console: a 4GB Xbox 360 "slim" meant to replace the Xbox 360 Arcade SKU. "It will go on sale August 3rd in North America," Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "and later in the month of August around the world." This $200 console will sport the same new look as the Xbox 360 slim, "except it will have a matte finish," Greenberg said. Though there are currently no Xbox 360 hard drives on the market that support the new "slim" form factor, Greenberg told us that this 4GB unit "absolutely does have that expansion bay that we have the opportunity to use in the future." Between 16GB USB thumb drives and 4GB of internal storage, the entry-level Xbox is more attractive than ever.

Microsoft also detailed a Kinect bundle, featuring the aforementioned 4GB Xbox 360 along with the Kinect sensor and Kinect Adventures for $300. "We think this is really a tremendous value," Greenberg said. "We believe the launch of this product is going to be driving a whole new series of new consumers into the Xbox 360 family."

Hoping for another game besides Kinect Adventures in your bundle? Greenberg noted that Kinect Adventures is it for bundles. "We feel like that's really the perfect title to include [...] It's got the great jump-in, jump-out multiplayer gameplay as well." The $300 Xbox 360 Kinect bundle will be available alongside standalone $150 Kinect sensors at retailers on November 4th.

Dive: The Medes Islands Secret is due out in Europe on July 30th, 2010 for 1,000 Nintendo Points.

Third-party games may follow suit.

Microsoft simultaneously offers clarification and dodges the question.

The speculation ends now.

#38studios Previously known simply as Project Mercury, Curt Schilling's 38 Studios and EA finally give the Todd McFarlane, R.A. Salvatore, and Ken Rolston powered role-playing game a name, promising open world exploration and fast-paced action combat in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. More »

New ways to gamble coming your way.

#blizzard Did the original StarCraft come out so long ago that you can't remember what happened in the game, perhaps because you weren't alive then? Or do you just need a refresher? Here's how to catch up on the lore... fast. More »

As if the promise of real (in-game) superpowers didn't provide enough incentive to get in on DC Universe Online, Sony Online Entertainment revealed several pre-order bonuses for the game from different retailers.

For example, pre-ordering from Amazon will earn you a two-on-two arena battle in which you play as Batman, and an exclusive in-game item, the Amazonian Gauntlets (get it?). Walmart pre-orders come with the Batman arena mode and Joker's Trick Pistol. There are unique DC Comics-inspired armaments available from eight different retailers in all.

In addition, pre-ordering the collector's edition will also entitle you to a Batman figurine and two more weapons. You can browse all the available options at SOE's pre-order site. And if you can't wait for your pre-ordered copy to arrive, sign up for the open beta now.

We’re hearing that another legendary reveal is in the works for Pokemon Black/White. We’ve already seen the reveal of two legendary Pokemon thus far, and this weekend could bring in the third. We’re also hearing that it’s going to be a ‘mirage’ Pokemon, and that’s all the information that we have. I [...]

Super hero MMO getting royal treatment from Sony.

Square-Enix is doing their best to promote the hell out of Dragon Quest Monsters Battle Road Victory. Their latest approach comes in the form of an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch app that lets you view the intro movie to the game. You can also get card data for 6 different cards from the app, and [...]