Nintendo offered a strange promotional deal for Donkey Kong Country Returns at UK video game stores recently. All fans were asked to do is bring in real bananas; the first 20 who did would get a copy of Retro Studios' brilliantly tough platformer. And, sure enough, it worked -- fans handing over bananas got a copy of the game, as well as a photo opportunity with ... the store employees.

The promotion worked so well, according to Nintendo, that the company is planning some similar giveaways in the future. Soon, by bringing in real-life psychadelic mushrooms, you'll be able to get a copy of the trippy Super Mario Galaxy 2. A fully knitted sweater will net you a copy of Kirby's Epic Yarn and 20 lucky game store shoppers will be able to get a copy of Metroid: Other M by bringing in a real extraterrestrial being. Good luck with that one.