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A great example of the sterling behavior on Xbox Live
We'll admit it -- we spend a lot of time on Xbox Live. Between the weekly teabag quota we're tied to and practicing heavy breathing into microphones, we're required to jump on the service rather often and let all those anonymous folks out there know the truth. Lucky for us, CheapAssGamer podcast host Wombat has recorded a smattering of vitriol-filled messages from our favorite online locale -- messages he received from people he didn't know after being the "featured gamer" on Xbox.com.We'd love to drop a few excerpts from the CAGcast clip into this post, but we couldn't do so without being wildly offensive (to even ourselves!). Hit the break and check out the full 10 minute example of why civility is merely a facade we parade around in our mask-filled society.
Target and Amazon offer Xbox 360 specials this week
Target -- or Targét, for those in the know -- has Xbox 360 software at "buy one, get one 50% off" this week. That means purchasing one game at normal price and getting another of equal or lesser value at 50 percent off. There are also $50 gift cards included with 60GB Xbox 360 consoles and $10 gift cards included with Xbox 360 controllers.Meanwhile, Amazon is having a special on Xbox 360 Elites. Those who purchase the Kung Fu Panda/Lego Indy bundle receive a $70 gift card, while the Halo 3/Fable 2 bundle comes with a $50 gift card. All the deals mentioned above end this Saturday, July 25, 2009, when the moon will be waxing crescent.Source -- TargetSource -- Xbox 360 Elite Bundles with/$50 or $70 Gift Cards at Amazon [CheapAssGamer]
Wal-Mart wants your copy of NFL 2K1: Now accepting trade-ins
Adding to the already robust list of big box retailers offering game trade-ins, Wal-Mart is apparently entering the fray with a variety of less than fantastically functioning trade-in kiosks (read as: robots). Some photos were snapped by the folks at NeoCrisis and, according to the writer's experience, GameStop probably shouldn't be too worried, as no games were actually able to be traded in.Gamasutra spoke with Wal-Mart and has found out that the kiosks belong to E-Play, a company that specializes in game rental and trade-in kiosks that are hosted in a variety of locations. The current set of machines are part of a now running pilot program, found in only 0.02 percent of Wal-Mart's 3,656 US outlets. Good news, though! The machines are said to accept games from the Xbox and PlayStation 2 era as well, so you can finally get rid of that copy of Blinx you were really hoping would become rare some day!Source 1 - CheapAssGamerSource 2 - NeoCrisisSource 3 - Gamasutra
Toys 'R' Us B2G1 sale begins Sunday
CheapAssGamer lights the way to one of the most glorious annual (semi-annual?) events starting this Sunday: Toys "R" Us' Buy 2 get 1 free sale. For thrifty shoppers who like their games new -- not gutted "new" -- it's the event of the year.Per standard ops., the rules work that you pick three games either online or in the store and get the least expensive one for free. CAG has a full FAQ on the gritty details, with some slick ways of making the system work for you if you want a game coming out later this year. CAG also notes that Sunday and Monday there's a 30% off deal on Wii accessories. Wiimotes and nunchuks don't count, but Wii Point cards do. Happy shopping.[Thanks Tim]
GameStop's Game Day list revealed, sales start June 2
GameStop's Game Days sales start next week, and the thrifty shoppers at Cheapass Gamer (free registration required) have compiled the list of games expected to be on sale. The games are up to 50% off, and an extra 10% off coupon that is available at CAG.Highlights include Monster Hunter 2 (PSP) for $20, Condemned 2 for $30, House of the Dead 1 & 2 (Wii) for $20 and the original PS2 Katamari Damacy for $10. Game Days sales run from June 2 through June 30. Hit up CAG for the full list. [Via PS3 Fanboy]
Toys R Us and GameFly deals before the holiday flood
CheapAssGamer points the way this week to two retailers that have consistently brought on the great gaming deals: Toys R Us and GameFly. Toys R Us apparently took their famous "Buy 2 get the 3rd game free" deal underground this week. It's going on right now without a flyer being produced for last Sunday's papers -- a first as far as we're aware. Maybe they're testing to see if the web does the work for them? The deal is both online and in the stores. We're just completely baffled why TRU said nothing about the event we're consistently excited for whenever it happens. Some are even rumoring that this could be a two-week deal and that it'll actually be advertised this Sunday, so get in now before the general populace finds out. They are also doing a "buy one, get one accessory 50% off deal." No word yet if you could work the Circuit City MS point angle on that.If you don't know about GameFly's store, well let us inform you about another hidden gem of value on these intertubes. According to CAG, this week GameFly is offering free shipping to non-subscribers who purchase select used games. GameFly subscribers always get free shipping. The purchased used games are sent with the original case and manual practically untouched. Save as much money as you can while feeding the need for gaming. The storm is coming.[Thanks Anonymous]
CheapyD makes 'motion to quash' Circuit City subpoena
OK, just ignore how much you'll never shop at Circuit City again for about two minutes. CheapyD, also known over a couple pints as David Abrams, was recently subpoenaed for his information regarding Speedy1961, a forum poster on Abrams' CheapAssGamer site. Speedy1961 is probably best known to the general audience as the guy who pretty much breaks or verifies major sales information early -- like the Circuit City price break for the PS3 seen above. CheapyD's lawyer has now filed a 'Motion to Quash" Circuit City's original subpoena citing procedural errors and stating, "CAG reserves the right to further challenge the Subpoena on its merits after the procedural deficiencies noted above have been addressed by this Court." That's legal talk for burning time.CheapyD discusses the situation in the latest podcast. From a basic public relations standpoint, this really seems like a silly move. Circuit City has gotten tons of free publicity and advertising from these leaks. Well, the saga will continue and we're sure CheapyD will keep us informed.
CAG's Madden '08 buyer deals
Is paying full price for Madden '08 just not going to cut it? Need a little bit more incentive? Well, CheapAssGamer found the best deals to go with your Madden purchase if you're looking for a little bit more. Toys R Us takes the cake with their deal that when you buy Madden '08, you get a second game of equal or lesser value at half off. This applies to all systems, despite the sporadic placement of the deal on their website. Toys R Us really does find ways to treat gamers well.The other deals are the Blockbuster $10 off coupon and, if you still don't have an Xbox 360, you can get the premium system with an extra controller and Madden for $410 at CompUSA (that's about $50 off). If you know of any other Madden deals, drop them below in the comments. GameFly subscribers, if you've rented Madden, let us know the "Keep It" price.
Cheap Ass Gamer subpoenaed by Circuit City
If you're a regular listener of the CAG Cast (and you know we are) you may have already heard the news on this week's show that Cheap Ass Gamer has been subpoenaed by Circuit City. The retailer is attempting to get personal information on forum member Speedy1961, as part of legal action they're taking against him for posting info from Circuit City ads. The subpoena specifically mentions a forum posting that revealed the PS3 price drop before it was formally announced.As Cheapy D says, the only personal information the site takes from users is an email address and an IP address. He's not rolling over though, saying he will "do what is right and legal." We just hope Cheapy wasn't being a tightwad when he hired his lawyer, we doubt Lionel Hutz will be much help here.
Podcast Rodeo for May 27: From ear to eternity
So, if you're traveling this weekend, you've probably already left. But if not, we've got some audio to make the time go by a little quicker. Or, if you're listening to the smooth, mellow, honey-dipped tones of the Joystiq Podcast -- a little sexier.CAG Cast: For the first time, Cheapy D and Wombat are totally live on their newest podcast, where they play Name that Videogame Tune and even take a few calls. Well, they're not live when you listen to it, but they were live when they recorded it. That's not to say they're not still alive, because we're pretty sure they are. But, we guess it's possible that they're not. So, you know, listen while you can.
The $1 GameCube and other yard sale steals
Yard sales are one of the few places where you'll find items people hate so much that they'd trade them to you for a quarter. But they can also, as Cheap Ass Gamer reminds us, be a place to find some video game steals. Now, as spring has sprung in the U.S. and yard sales dot suburban streets, CAG has left a pan of hot, freshly-baked yard sale finds on their digital windowsill for you to drool over. Most tantalizing: The above cluster of 10 mint NES games like Castlevania II: Simon's Quest and Bayou Billy for the low, low price of $8, less than two NES games on the Virtual Console. Then again, you don't have to wake up at 7am to buy games on the VC, so it's really a matter of priorities. If you weren't aware that "Early bird gets the worm" is the only axiom yard sale nuts hold dearer than "I'm not going to pay more than two dollars for this Monopoly game," you're probably going to need CAG's helpful yard sale tip wiki as well. Happy hunting!
Joystiq Podcast 004 - Or IV, if you prefer edition (feat. CheapyD)
Another edition of the weekly Joystiq Podcast has arrived, surprisingly within a week of the last one! This fourth edition finds our Cheap Ass Gamer friend, CheapyD, taking a break from his CAGcast endeavors and joining us for what's likely to be one of the longest hours in his life. Thank heavens he's arrived to give us some pointers -- the multimillion dollar production that is the Joystiq Podcast was starting to spiral dangerously out of control. Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3) [RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Hosts: Christopher Grant and Ludwig Kietzmann Music: "Ted E. Bear's Mafia-Free Playland and Casino" from the Sam & Max Season 1 Soundtrack Program: 0:00:40 - The Xbox 360 Elite! ("I've pre-ordered six or seven of them.") 0:03:24 - Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer ("That's why they need to put KITT in Grand Theft Auto.") 0:14:27 - Roooock Baaand! ("People realize those aren't real instruments, right?") 0:21:29 - Guitar Hero effects pedal ("It's something you step on, like the floor! The floor is free, why shouldn't the pedal be free?") 0:23:08 - Red Octane denies controller recall ("Seems like a pretty stupid computer.") 0:26:12 - PSP price drop ("Lots of memory... if you live in 1998.") 0:28:45 - Latest PSP firmware update ("I meant gaming heroin.") 0:31:19 - Dude, get your own ("All I want for Christmas is a decent ad campaign.") 0:32:52 - NiGHTS 2 confirmed -- again ("I've never played NiGHTS.") 0:34:04 - Time to reinvent Sonic, eh? ("I'll just Google a random butt and send it to you.") 0:38:11 - Resident Wiivil 4 ("Mii zombies?") 0:41:13 - What's up with the Wii? ("The basic rule is you can't criticize the Wii.") 0:51:12 - Continued Wii shortages ("^_^") 0:54:18 - The deal with stacker machines ("It's got mechanical pincers.") 0:55:28 - MAKE IT STOP ("I'm gonna edit one of those out just to screw you over.")
Deal of the Day: $2 games at Best Buy
Your local Best Buy is trying to get rid of its old games, and it's doing so in a big way: they're having a clearance sale, and games can be found for as low as $2. This deal's been making its way through the Internets, so your local store may have been pillaged already. Regardless, you may want to make an attempt at grabbing what you can: at $2, even a not-so-great game like Death Jr starts looking pretty sweet.[Via CAG]
Today's most held in place video: Hori Play Stand DS Lite video review
CheapyD over at CheapAssGamer.com has put together a really nice little video review about the Play Stand DS Lite from Hori. We were dubious at first, but after watching this review, we've ordered one ourselves from Play-Asia, to the tune of fifteen bucks.This little sucker will make playing games with one hand a snap, and it also looks swanky as well. Cradle your DS Lite in some goodness, and wait patiently for the SimCity DS game to come out. It has the ability to hold the DS Lite horizontally and vertically, so basically any of your games will look sweet in its plastic and foam goodness.Nice work, CheapyD. Now we'll wait patiently for this to arrive so we can pimp out Animal Crossing: Wide World as it was meant to be seen.
Wii mod moves those Gamecube ports to the front
Those of you with cramped entertainment centers have no doubt been bothered by the Wii's inconvenient placement of the GameCube ports when you just need to use a wired gamepad. Cheap Ass Gamer hollowfreak's handy mod transplants those errant GameCube ports from the side to the front of the Wii. His hack uses some of that cubic volume Nintendo so thoughtlessly left out, creating a completely detachable unit that leaves no unsightly blemishes on your pristine Wii. And Gamecube afficionados, there's another benefit to this mod: it closer resembles the dimensions of the beloved 'Cube. Now you're playing with power!
Cheap Ass Gamer and Play-Asia team up for Child's Play
Lest you think we're the only game (site) in town supporting the Child's Play charity, we want to direct your attention (and your bulging wallets) to our good friend CheapyD's efforts at Cheap Ass Gamer. This year, he's partnered with Play-Asia to give away $1000 in credit to the popular import gameshop ... but that's not all! His legion of "cheap ass" gamers have stood up to pitch in prizes for the runners-up (our favorite: the random box. It's "basically, a ton of older games + accessories, some sealed, some not...NES/SNES/N64/PS1/PS2/Gamecube included.")$5 buys your raffle ticket but you'd better hurry. You've only got until December 19 at 12:01AM EST to throw your hat into this virtual ring of giving (the hat does not guarantee you a place in the raffle). Check out CheapyD's post for all the rules and regulations and consider spreading your raffle love around this holiday.
Black Friday deals: get a PSP for only $150! [Update 1]
Cheapassgamer has rounded up the deals you can get today on Black Friday. So, get off the bed, ignore the tryptophan, and start shopping, like a true American. Here are some of the PSP deals:AmazonPSP system only $170. With free shipping.Circuit CityGrand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for only $30. That's $20 less than MSRP!Free Pelican kit with purchase of PSP.ATV Offroad, Ape Escape, Infected and Hot Shots Golf are all $10 each.Pirates of the Caribbean 2 is only $17.Wal-MartGrand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for only $15.PSP system only $170. That's $30 less than MSRP!MeijerPSP system only $150. That's $50 less than MSRP!
Deal of the Day: Bust-A-Move Deluxe $10 at Circuit City
I've had a soft spot for the Bust-A-Move series ever since I fell in love with it on the Sega Saturn, so it really made my day when I saw that Circuit City is selling Bust-A-Move Deluxe for only $10.The deal is good in-store or at Circuitcity.com, however, it's currently showing out of stock on the website.Deluxe has a 73 percent Gamerankings score and includes new characters, a new Ghost mode and has more than 1,000 puzzles. I haven't had a chance to play it, but with this amazing deal, it's just too good to pass up.[Via Cheapassgamer - Registration required]
Deal of the Day: Gradius Collection $15 at Best Buy
If you're like me and have recently been bitten by the old-school gaming bug on the PSP, you'll be happy to hear of a nice deal at Best Buy. You can currently snag Gradius Collection for only $15 by using Best Buy's Gamer Gift Card.You see, the Gamer Gift Card gives you $5 off a $20 or higher game. All you do is buy the gift card, put a few bucks on it and use it to slash a quarter of the price off any $20 game. Pretty easy, huh?And with the recent news of Konami releasing more classic shooters, picking Gradius up will just get you all the more ready.[Via Cheapassgamer - Registration required]
Deal of the Day: 1GB Memory Stick for $10 at Buy.com
Okay, this deal may take a little bit more work than previous Deals of the Day. However, I'm sure you've heard the old adage - good things come to those who work ... err or is to those who wait? Bah, it doesn't matter.Anyway, here's a step-by-step process to get your hands on a SanDisk 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo for only $10 at Buy.com. Create a Google Checkout account; Add the Memory Stick to your Buy.com shopping cart ($35); Make sure to use Google Checkout as your payment method to use the $10 off a $30 order ($25); Fill out the mail-in rebate for $15 off ($10); and You're done! Be sure to hurry up because the rebate expires Oct. 15.[Via Cheapassgamer - Registration required]
