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    Toys R Us rolls out national game trade-in program, classic games accepted [update]

    September 10, 2009 - 11:15am


    Toys R Us is rolling out its video game trade-in program nationwide today, allowing customers to sell games from as far back as the (OMG!) Intellivision. Those who use the program will receive gift cards for the value of their trade-in, which can be used for any product at Toys R Us, Babies R Us or online at Toysrus.com.

    Exchanging games works by going to the "guest services desk" with the merchandise, it'll be scanned and, if the value is acceptable, the customer will receive a gift card. We're honestly shocked at Toys R Us accepting trade-ins that go all the way back to systems like the Atari 2600. We're following up for some more details and will update as soon as we hear back.

    Update: Toys R Us is not getting into the used games resale business, it is merely accepting the used merchandise. A representative for the company tells us the games "are taken by a third party company that refurbishes them for resale." We're still following up to find out what company that would be. We'll update again when we find out.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Assassin's Creed DS sequel discovered on iPhone

    September 9, 2009 - 9:45pm

    Finally, some footage of Assassin's Creed 2: Discovery, the still-unannounced DS sequel to Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles, has been revealed, and the game announced officially for the first time. At Apple's iPod event. The last Gameloft-developed Assassin's Creed DS game was eventually ported to the iPhone/iPod Touch platform, well after the DS release. This time, it's the iPhone version of the game that was shown first, to be released at the same time as the console games, November 17.The new side-scroller features the ability to capture your face with the iPhone camera for use in wanted posters. That sounds like one of those optional DSi features that are being included in DS games now by companies like ... Ubisoft.[Via Engadget]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Toys R Us writes in $15 launch day savings on Scribblenauts

    September 9, 2009 - 7:29pm

    If you missed out on GameStop's rooster hat offer, or you decided against filling your home with pre-order novelties, you should consider Toys R Us for all your Scribblenauts needs. This Tuesday (and only Tuesday), according to CAG's NeoStrider, in-store purchases of Scribblenauts will be rewarded instantly with $15 gift cards, effectively dropping the price of one of the most promising video games of 2009 to $14.99.There you go. If you live near a TRU and you've been on the fence (for some reason) about this game, consider your decision made.[Via GoNintendo]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Lost Magic sequel finds a home on cell phones

    September 9, 2009 - 4:30pm

    Taito's Lost Magic was an early standout on the DS, released in the Dark Ages before the system became ubiquitous. A Wii sequel of sorts was released in Japan this May, called Takt of Magic. Then, this summer, another Lost Magic-related trademark appeared for Lost Magic: Concerto of the Fallen. Taito has just revealed that game as a new Lost Magic for mobile phones. The good news: it's free! The bad news: Japanese mobile games are basically inaccessible unless Taito decides to pull a Square Enix (its parent company!) and port the thing to WiiWare or something.In the absence of touch or motion controls, Concerto of the Fallen uses a new system for drawing runes, called "buttons."Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    The Beatles: Rock Band DLC to include original dreamscapes

    September 9, 2009 - 4:16pm


    If you plow halfway through The Beatles: Rock Band today, you'll notice that all the songs taking place in a studio setting (as opposed to The Ed Sullivan Show or Shea Stadium, for example) feature really lovely animations, which Harmonix calls "dreamscapes," inspired by the song they accompany. The developer tells us that the DLC albums arriving in the coming months will receive similar treatment. "DLC songs which don't end up in historical venues will have custom dreamscapes, yes," said Dare Matheson Lead Artist on the game at Harmonix. "There will be visual themes and elements that will stretch from the on-disc dreamscapes into the DLC dreamscapes, but everyone is custom, unique, and fully-crafted for the song it will accompany. It's a bargain!" At the same $2-per-song price as regular 'ol Rock Band DLC, we can't help but agree.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Logitech's high-end Guitar Hero controllers headed to Wii

    September 9, 2009 - 2:30pm

    If you want to spend way too much money on game instruments, but don't want to buy the fancy Beatles: Rock Band box, Logitech has you covered. Following the launch of the Wireless Guitar Controller for PS3/PS2 and Xbox 360, Logitech is bringing the $199 peripheral to Wii in North America and Europe this October. The controller, which was black in its PS3 incarnation and orange for 360, will have a white body (with room to attach a Wiimote), and the same "maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and metal frets" that help justify the price of the other versions.Logitech is also introducing a Wii version of its $229 Wireless Drum Controller, which is designed to fold up easily, and features both drum pads and kick pedals that are improved over the basic Guitar Hero drums -- which, at that price, they'd better be.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    PAX 2009 interview: The Beatles: Rock Band lead designer Chris Foster

    September 9, 2009 - 1:44pm


    The Beatles: Rock Band drops today, along with the band's remastered albums availability on iTunes (?) and a flood of Beatles: Rock Band news. Fans will be wailing on plastic instruments all day in an effort to travel back in time and live out their fantasies of becoming musical legends. We caught up with lead designer Chris Foster at PAX, who gave up some secrets about the game (including the scrapped "forever" mode). Read on for the full interview.

    Continue reading PAX 2009 interview: The Beatles: Rock Band lead designer Chris Foster

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    Style Savvy makes its Fashion Week debut

    September 9, 2009 - 1:30pm

    This week, Nintendo will hold one of the most sensible non-gamer-focused promotions in recent memory (much more sensible than dumping a bunch of sand on Times Square). Nintendo will bring its fashion boutique game Style Savvy to the afterparty of a real Charlotte Ronson fashion show this Friday, hoping to temporarily distract the attendees from their cocaine long enough to try the game out.For the rest of us (those few of us who won't be at the Charlotte Ronson afterparty), Nintendo also announced another shockingly smart decision with this game: clothes from Ronson's fall line will be available in-game as downloads. We may not be the target audience for Style Savvy, but we know that sounds like a good idea.
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    Rumor: A new Tatsunoko vs Capcom challenger appears

    September 9, 2009 - 12:30pm


    You know how Capcom said that the North American and European releases of Tatsunoko vs Capcom would have some new faces not seen in the original Japanese release? Well, you could be looking at one of them from the Tatsunoko side as reader Vincent tipped us on the above scan. Vinny says the dude is Tekkaman Blade, who originally appeared in what is known as an anime. We're not sure what this anime is or what it does exactly, but as soon as we crack that code, we'll be sure to let you all know. While we do that, be sure to keep those fingers crossed for our pal Phoenix Wright.[Thanks, Vincent!]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Introducing Rabbids Go Home's The Verminators

    September 9, 2009 - 11:30am

    No, the alter ego of Kelly Bundy hasn't found her way into Ubisoft's Rabbids Go Home, but a team of rubber-suited rabbid haters called The Verminators have. Utilizing unique skill sets such as belly flops and headbutts, these guys aim to keep the world safe for shoppers everywhere by eliminating the furry hoarders. Get acquainted with them through the introductory video above, then head past the break to see some Verminator-based gameplay. Waaaah!

    Continue reading Introducing Rabbids Go Home's The Verminators

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