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Metal Gear Solid case free with pre-order
You're probably going to get Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops anyways, but if for some crazy reason you're still on the fence, Konami has offered one of the cooler pre-order bonuses I've seen in quite some time. Pre-order the game at Gamestop and you'll get a case for your system for free. Not just any case, though. A pretty spiffy-looking silver case with the image of Snake giving a salute. This is some classy stuff, and is sure to be as eye-catching as the $500 Signature Edition PSPs.[Via Gamespot]
And the first Wii pre-order bonus EVER is... [Update 1]
...a brand-new, impossibly soft plushie doll! Yes, of all games, Elebits is the first to offer an incentive to pre-order...to be honest, it probably needs it. The dolls will be either red or blue, and feature absolutely no way to tell until you actually open your box and the creature springs out to begin feasting on your brain. This action will, perhaps, increase the enjoyment of the game, but with any luck, maybe it won't be necessary.Nice boxart for the doll, though. Is anyone considering picking this game up at launch? With one of the strongest launch lineups in video game history, it's going to be difficult to justify spending even more on this quirky little concept...[Update 1: Okay, some stores in Australia had been giving out a whole bunch of coupons for pre-ordering the Wii itself. We refer here to the first pre-order bonus for a single game.]
Australia receives impressive pre-order bonus
Oh, the jealousy. Those lucky Wii-lovin' gamers in Australia can pick up one doozy of a pre-order bonus from none other than Toys R' Us: put down at least $50 on your future Wii console and you'll be treated to a free game. Details are still a bit scarce; it's unknown whether or not you'll get to choose the game, or what the price of said game might be, but who would turn down such a beautiful offer?One must wonder if similar deals might be arriving stateside in the coming months. Oh please please please please please.
Constantine HD DVD release (Warner's) first for special features, Bourne Supremacy out now
Other than Keanu Reeves, star of The Matrix and Bill & Ted movies (the Bill & Ted flicks are far better as a series), the HD DVD release of Constantine that we mentioned earlier will also be the first to feature bonus content exclusive to the HD DVD version. Using what they are calling In-movie Experience (IME), you can watch an interview with the director while the film is still playing.This seems to be the first disc to use any iHD features, it will be interesting to see how well received this is by buyers, not to mention what sort of special features Blu-ray discs will launch with. Until now HD DVD has only offered SD extras copied direct from their DVD cousins, hopefully this marks the end of that era.Update: VideoBusiness has more information on Universal's release of The Bourne Supremacy, which contains similar interactive features and should be on store shelves near you for $34.98. Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (thanks WiFiSpy) and Dukes of Hazzard are also slated to get the interactive treatment, no release dates yet.
Apple Store 50% Office discount ends 1/31/06
MacMerc caught that the Apple Store's "up to 50% discount on Microsoft Office" promo disappears at the end of this month. The basic rundown is:Buy a new MacBuy Office for Mac or individual apps such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint from select retailersMail in rebate (PDF link)ProfitThe rebate form states you can take advantage of this offer on up to 4 Mac Office combinations, but all eligible items need to be on the same receipt - and what a receipt that will be! One quirky thing about the rebate is that it includes a two-question survey. The first is "Prior to this offer, were you aware that Microsoft Office runs on a Mac?" while the second asks if you would still be buying Office or even a Mac if it weren't for this offer. I guess Apple is checking in on just how vital Office is to Mac users. Preparation for a new run with a (hopefully) updated iWork '06? In a mere five days we'll hopefully have an answer.
