holidaze-2009
Latest
Hub World: Holiday Gift Guides
Scared to warp? It's painless. Click on a pipe above to be transported to the corresponding gift guide. Each guide provides hardware, software and accessory shopping ideas for one of the major video game platforms. The guides are especially useful for designing the perfect holiday gift bundle for new console owners, or use the import guide to track down many truly unique gems. Bonus Warp: Check out our Holiday Joyswag giveaways!
Webcomic Holiday Postcard Fundraiser returns for 2009
The internet has become the de facto way to send send half-hearted holiday greetings, but why not class it up this year? Why not buy some cards from the Webcomic Holiday Postcard Fundraiser, the perfect way to say "I acknowledge you have not yet died, but I'm certainly not going to buy you anything." Not only will the money go to help Child's Play, but most of the cards (illustrated by webcomic artists like Scott Ramsoomair of VGCats fame) are so pretty the recipient may feel like they've gotten a gift and will, in turn, feel obligated to get you something. And that, friends, is what Christmas is all about.
Dante's Inferno demo on PSN Dec. 10, XBLM Dec. 24
There are plenty of beloved Christmas Eve traditions observed across the globe. Whether it's roasting chestnuts or watching the Christmas Story marathon, everyone's got a different way of marking the arrival of St. Nick. EA's hoping that the 360 owners among you will start a brand new, equally-sentimental tradition as it releases a demo of Dante's Inferno for XBLM on Dec. 24. The sample includes the entire first level of Dante's demonic journey into hell and goes great with eggnog. Those preferring PSN will get the demo on Dec. 10, a date which has the dual benefit of (1) being two weeks earlier and (2) not making the baby Jesus cry.
Get MGS 4, LittleBigPlanet, DJ Hero cheaper with Cyber Monday deals
Imagine how embarrassed we were when we found out what Cyber Monday actually referred to! Luckily, we learned our lesson in time to cruise the internet for savings, rather than ill-advised virtua-trysts. Amazon's probably your first, best stop, with Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 for $30, Metal Gear Solid 4 for $15 and more on the way. Amazon's also offering $20 in PSN credit with the purchase of qualifying PS3 games. Gamestop's putting out a good spread too, with $20 off LittleBigPlanet and $25 gift cards on plenty of games including Tony Hawk Ride and DJ Hero. The Guitar Hero Store has slashed prices on a ton of bundles. Quite a few retailers have discounts you can use for video games (or anything else you're buying) through Google Checkout as well. Spot any good sales? Let us know in the comments. [Update 1: GamersGate has posted its deals.] [Via CheapAssGamer]
All the great Rock Bands started at Old Navy
We can't tell you the number of times we've been packed into the mall during holiday season like angry, sweater-draped sardines and thought "This is great, but what if four people could swing plastic instruments around and warble an off-key version of 'Thunderstruck' just a few feet from us?" Finally, a retailer has stepped up to cater to our needs as Old Navy has announced it'll be putting Rock Band kiosks in 700 of its stores beginning on Black Friday. Also, on Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, those who spend more than $25 at the store will get a free Rock Band track to take home, though we can't imagine why you'd want to play Rock Band at home when you could be playing in Old Navy. .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
Black Friday Video Game Deals Hub
.nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Update: The 2010 Edition is here! We wish it didn't have to be like this. But it is. Gorged, bloated and possessed by the lure of unbeatable savings, you will scratch and claw your way through masses of equally frenzied shoppers. There, in the dim light of dawn, you will forsake all that was sacred of the Thanksgiving, and take what's yours -- for an awfully good price. So then, let us be your guide. We've scoured the Black Friday circulars of nationwide retailers and singled out the video game deals in the guides below. Just click on a retailer to view: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart Head past the break for additional tips!
GameStop 'Buy 2, Get 1 Free' used game sale starts tomorrow
You've probably got a ton of brand new games you want to purchase, but with Christmas just around the corner, the available funds to buy things for yourself are likely dwindling. Tomorrow through Sunday, GameStop's got a helpful solution: A Buy 2, Get 1 Free sale on all used games. The sale is both in-store and online, though you'll need to use code B2G1FREE, along with SAVER to get free shipping on $25-plus orders. Just so there's no confusion, we're not suggesting that you buy used games for yourself to save money, far from it. We just can't help but think how much extra cash you'd have left for Assassin's Creed 2 if you got everyone on your list a second-hand copy of Wheelman. [Via CheapCollegeGamers] .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
Flower, Comet Crash & other PSN titles half-price this week
It seems the PlayStation Store got a little jealous of the brick-and-mortar retailers who were offering discounts during this week of Black Friday Thanksgiving. Beginning with today's specially-dated Tuesday PSN update, a handful of downloadable PS3 titles will be offered for half-price until December 2. Here's a list of the encheapened games, and their temporarily slimmed-down prices: Bomberman Ultra – $4.99 Comet Crash – $4.99 Flower – $4.99 Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao – $7.49 The Last Guy – $4.99 Prince of Persia Classic – $4.99 Smash Cars – $7.49 .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
Amazon pre-Black Friday 'lightning deals' begin today [update 2]
Update 2: And now the second round for 12PM PST/3PM EST has been added as well. Update 1: We've added the 9AM PST/12PM EST games below. Get 'em while they're hot, folks! Everyone's favorite Amazonian retailer (after leafcladmailorderbrides.com, of course) has revealed a handful of hints for its pre-Black Friday selection of "Lightning Deals." Starting today at 9AM PST, Amazon will be offering games ranging from ... well, we don't really know, now do we? CheapAssGamer believes the first hint to indicate New Play Control Pikmin. Check out the hints for yourself below and feel free to speculate away in the comment section, you big speculator you. We'll update the deals as the day goes on. 9AM PST/12PM EST – All titles 50% off New Play Control Pikmin – $14.98 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Game of the Year edition for PlayStation 3 – $25.00 Rock Band 2: Special Edition for Xbox 360 – $70.00 Rock Band 2: Special Edition for PlayStation 3 – $70.00 Big Beach Sports – $10.00 UFC: Undisputed for Xbox 360 – $25.00 12PM PST/3PM EST Call of Duty: World at War for Nintendo Wii – $27.00 (46% off) Black & Crimson Nintendo DS Lite – $97.98 (25% off) .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
Nintendo launching Limited Edition DSi bundles featuring Mario, 'brain teaser' DSiWare packs
This Black Friday, November 27, Nintendo will release DSi bundles containing pre-installed software to the value of $20. The metallic blue DSi bundle (a new color for the States) will feature Mario-themed DSiWare, while the white is for those with "a passion for brain teasers." Blue version: Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, Dr. Mario Express, WarioWare: Snapped!, Mario Calculator and Mario Clock. White version: Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics, Photo Clock. There is no altered price to go with the announcement of these bundles, so we're guessing the units will retail at the normal $170 price. Of course, it is Black Friday, so check various retailers for the best deals. .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
Toys R Us announces pre-Black Friday game deals
In a refreshing move, Toys R Us revealed some November video game deals for Sunday, November 22 through Thursday, November 26, available both in-store and online. Therefore, they won't require you to stand outside in the middle of the night or battle other deal-seekers for possession of a "doorbuster" (which Toys R Us is also reportedly doing). Even better, Toys R Us is the only retailer we know of handing out Cold Stone gift cards with purchases. Starting on Sunday: all DS and PSP games will be buy one, get one half off. Wii and Xbox 360 Arcade hardware purchases will be bundled with (seriously) a $15 gift card for Wendy's, Subway, or Cold Stone Creamery -- deal available in-store only "Select video games" will be bundled with a $25 iTunes gift card -- deal available in-store only The Beatles: Rock Band standalone software will be $49.99. The Beatles: Rock Band "Special Value Edition" will be $134.99. "Select video game storage units" will be $34.99. From Friday, November 20 through Sunday, November 22, both TRU stores and Toysrus.com will offer a "Ready to Play DS Lite Pack" for $157.95, containing a DS Lite, a case, various accessories, and two DS games from an "edited assortment." TRU says that, when purchased as part of this set, the DS comes out to $64.99. .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
Rumor: Toys R Us Black Friday deals leaked
Don't want to grow up or pay full price for video games? A list of purported Black Friday game deals for Toys R Us has shown up online, with a few temporary price drops that may justify a late night or early morning trip to TRU on November 27. Most of the great deals are "5AM Doorbusters," which means that if you have yet to pick up Halo 3: ODST, Need for Speed Shift, or Forza 3, they'll all be $34.99 ... at 5AM. Good luck! Also marked down at that obscenely early hour: Dead Space Extraction, which most of you have yet to pick up. It'll be just $24.99. Whether any of that is worth getting up at ridiculous o'clock to fight each other over is your call. See the full list of deals here. [Thanks Pete!] .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
Rumor: Best Buy's 2009 Black Friday deals
According to Gear Live, Best Buy's Black Friday 2009 ad circular has been leaked, and all the deals have been revealed. Gamers have quite a bit to look forward to, specifically some decent hardware bundles and heavily discounted games. The console deals include a PS3 with Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time and LittleBigPlanet Game of the Year Edition for $299, as well as a 120GB Xbox 360 Elite bundle with four (thus far unidentified) games for $299. Also up for grabs will be Brain Age or Mario DSi bundles for $169.99 with a free $20 gift card. Several recent Xbox 360 and PS3 releases will be on sale for $34.99, including Brütal Legend, Left 4 Dead 2, Dragon Age. Many older titles will be $20 or less. Meanwhile, several Wii titles will be reduced to $14.99, while certain DS titles will drop to $9.99 or less. Hit the source link for the full (and still rumored) set of deals. We've contacted Best Buy to verify the ad. Update: Best Buy has responded to Joystiq about the ad, saying, "As a matter of company policy, Best Buy does not comment on rumor and speculation and so we are unable to confirm if our Black Friday insert has leaked." .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
Black Friday deals for Kmart and Sears revealed
And there it is. The first shot across the bow. The first salvo of sweet – yet brief! – holiday sales offers. The first indication that, yes, the day after Thanksgiving is going to be Hell for retailers once more. Behold: The video game-related Black Friday sales selections of Kmart and Sears, which we've posted after the jump. Please avoid trampling one another as you make your way down there. Here's a few big ticket items: Kmart's offering a free copy of Halo 3: ODST with the purchase of every Xbox 360 Elite, and both stores are cutting prices on a ton of big-ticket games (L4D2, Dragon Age, Brutal Legend) by $20. November 27 is going to be a long, long day, friends. [Via GamerDeals] .nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below: Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart & Sears | Target | Toys"R"Us | Walmart For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales, And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com
WoW Moviewatch: A very Northrend christmas: Out in the cold
The holiday season is behind us, and we're pretty much done with the holiday movie extravaganza. However, I wanted to take one last moment and enjoy a beautiful piece by Legs, titled "A very northrend christmas: Out in the cold." I'm not sure how we missed it before now, but I didn't want to let it be ignored this year. The music is gorgeous, of course. Compared to the more hard rock Christmas videos, Legs's piece really brings out the beauty and elegance of the holiday season. I like the way the young Orc child stares around with wonder, and the serenity displayed by the Blood Elf angel. The music is suitably haunting and harmonious, synching very well with the crystalline imagery of the video. This is the last of the holiday videos for this season. But, like I said, I wanted to make sure Legs got her due, considering the beauty of this piece. Click here to see it yourself! [Via Machinima.com, thanks to Lindi for the tip!] If you have any suggestions for WoW Moviewatch, you can mail them to us at machinima AT wowinsider DOT com. Previously on Moviewatch ...
Wii Warm Up: The gift of gaming
With the holiday season fast approaching, our minds have wandered to the joy of receiving gifts and, more importantly, giving them. We then thought about the gaming gifts we've bestowed upon friends and family in the past. What about you all? Have you given (or plan to give away) any gaming gifts recently? Are most of your friends and families hip to gaming, whether it be Wii or some other form, or do you do your part through charities like Child's Play? Let's all share some stories!
Wii Warm Up: Holiday plans
So, with the holidays creeping up, and statements about expected stock, we thought it might be a good time to ask who you know that might be looking for a console this holiday season, and also, what your general predictions are about Wii sales this year. Now that it's been out for a while, will the holiday demand be quite so crazy? Particularly with the economy doing, uh, a little poorly, it seems sales might not be quite so robust this year, but stranger things have happened, particularly when it comes to the gaming industry.
UK shoppers try to hunt down Wii Fit for this holiday
Online analyst Hitwise is reporting that folks in the UK who're searching online for the perfect gift are searching for Wii Fit. With Reggie saying there won't be that many on store shelves, we can't blame them for heading online to try and track one down for the holidays. As you can see, the second item that UK shoppers seek is the Wii. Two years in and it's still going strong. We're expecting North Americans are searching for the same two items right about now.Are any of you trying to pick up Wii Fit or the Wii this holiday? Is it a gift for a friend, loved one, family member, or yourself?%Gallery-4745%[Via CVG]
