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Swag Sunday: Oh, Nostalgia (DS) [update]
Update: Comments have been closed and a winner shall be emailed expediently! Check your inboxes, dearest readers. Ahhh, nostalgia. It's quite a thing, isn't it? That old familiar feeling. We were just tots 20 years ago when the first Final Fantasy was mere months from its North American release, a game that went on to influence -- be it directly or incidentally -- many of the RPGs we've played since. Like this week's Swag Sunday, the appropriately titled Nostalgia, for instance (appropriately titled for our theme, that is). Joystiq's own JC Fletcher said in his preview that, "The winsome attitude of Nostalgia makes it a nice counterpoint to the self-importance of, say, Final Fantasy games, and the no-frills combat (and ability to make a temporary save file if you need to quit and aren't near a save point) is perfect for short-session handheld play." You see that? He even names Final Fantasy! How's that for sticking with a theme! Anyway, if you'll be so kind as to leave a comment below in the next 24 hours (once only, please) telling us about a nostalgic moment you've had while gaming, you'll be entered for a chance to win a copy of the game. Get to it! Leave a comment telling us about a nostalgic moment you've had while gaming. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, mostly because of the lack of sweet Fez footage as of late). Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 7:31PM ET on Monday, January 18. At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one copy of Nostalgia for Nintendo DS ($34.99 ARV). For a list of complete rules, click here %Gallery-75764% What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Swag Saturday: Darksiders for the PS3 + loot galore! [update]
Update: We've closed the comments and will contact a winner this week. Check the email tied to your commenter name!Do you like action figures, t-shirts, and books? Good, then we've got just the thing for you. Darksiders has been keeping us occupied ever since its somewhat bizarre release date of January 5, so we'd like to pass this newfound addiction straight on to you, the reader. You can outfit yourself with a War action figure (complete with his lovely, flowing, white locks and his megasword Chaoseater), a sweet Darksiders t-shirt (size large), and a hardbound Darksiders art book that'll tell you everything you need to know about the game. Wait, what's this? You want the game, too? A toy, a garment, and some reading material won't do it for you? Fine. We'll also toss in a PS3 copy of the game, free from all of the glitchified bugs tearing up the Xbox 360 version. To enter, just tell us what you'd name your own ginormous, soul-devouring sword Leave a comment telling us what moniker you'd apply to your own giant sword. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, because of something Clint Hocking said -- at least that's what we heard). Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 11:31AM ET on Sunday, January 10. At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one copy of Darksiders for PS3 ($59.99 ARV), one Darksiders t-shirt, size large ($10 ARV), one Darksiders art book ($14.99 ARV), and one action figure featuring War from Darksiders ($19.99 ARV). For a list of complete rules, click here What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. For more info on our policy, click here.
JBO: Joystiq Box Office, January 4 - January 8, plus Joyswag!
We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week. Today we're giving away 5 copies of Moon on Blu-ray, and to enter you just need to leave us a comment telling us what you're watching. Doesn't matter if it's on your PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, iPhone, PC, Mac, or at the theaters. Recommendation of the Week: Moon ($37.95 suggested retail, lower at many retailers) I was lucky enough to see this film at Sundance last year, and it blew me away. Duncan Jones has crafted a science fiction movie without laser beams, massive explosions and space aliens that is as gripping and addicting as 2001 or Alien. Sam Rockwell plays astronaut Sam Bell, the only man on the moon harvesting a rare mineral and living a lonely existence. As always happens in sci-fi movies, something goes wrong and shakes Sam's world up completely. The film looks gorgeous, has an incredible score and a bevy of extras. For an ultimate double-feature, pair this movie with Sunshine, and you have two fantastic sci-fi movies representing orbs in our solar system. We're also giving away five copies of this, so be sure to comment to be entered in the contest. Sony may (sadly) not be backing this movie for an Oscar, but you'll love it. Read on after the break for the rest of our recommendations, and let us know what you're watching!
JBO: Joystiq Box Office New Year's Edition, plus Joyswag!
We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week. Happy New Year, and welcome to the Future! This is the last Joystiq Box Office (for now) where we're going to be giving away ... wait for it ... MOVIES! To enter, simply leave a comment below telling us what you'll be watching on your Xbox, PS3, PC, PSP, DS, OMG or whatever, and we'll pick two winners at random each week to receive a nifty prize. This week we'll be giving away one copy of The Warriors on DVD, along with a Marc Ecko Warriors shirt (size XL), and a code for the game The Warriors: Street Brawl on XBLA, and one copy of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian on Blu-ray. Read the complete rules at the end of this post, and good luck! Recommendation of the Week: 2010: The Year We Make Contact ($28.99 suggested retail, lower at many retailers) You saw this one coming, right? Besides The Hangover, this is the perfect movie for today. Even though we don't have passenger-based spaceflight, artificially intelligent megacomputers, or the continuing effects of the Cold War, this is still a quality movie. And for my two cents, it's more exciting than 2001. Don't get me wrong, the original is still a classic, but this one is more of an action movie. The slingshot maneuver, the triumphant return of HAL, the presence of Roy Scheider and Bob Balaban (John Lithgow whines too much in this movie), and a very young Helen Mirren as a Russian combine for unexpected enjoyment. Just check out Scheider's futurstic house, complete with dolphins and his very advanced Apple IIc to see how far we've come. Read on for the rest of the recommendations, and as usual, we'll see you at the popcorn sta -- well, actually, we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift. Plus, be sure to tell us what you'll be watching, or what you've seen recently that bowled you over.
Joyswag: Win 4,000 Wii Points from Stop Stress [update]
[Update: Congrats to WMcPete, the big winner.] Our friends at Abylight Studios, the makers of Stop Stress: A Day of Fury, have gotten into the holiday spirit just a few days late, offering 4,000 Wii Points to some lucky commenter. If you'd like to take a shot, you'll find a complete list of rules below. In case you didn't get enough during the holidays, we're also providing you with a grandma guilt trip: Well, no, you don't have to spend your Wii points on Stop Stress, the first-person anti-stress game, but it would be a nice way of saying thank you. Also, call your Aunt Kathy. You know how she misses you. To enter for your chance to win: Leave a comment on this post telling us how you relieve stress You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person This entry period ends at 10:00PM ET on Saturday, January 2 We'll randomly select one winner at that time to receive 4,000 Wii Points [ARV: $40] -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. %Gallery-80904% What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. For more info on our policy, click here.
JBO: Joystiq Box Office Holiday Edition, plus Joyswag!
We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week. It's Christmas! So we're going to recommend a slew of holiday movies that might peel you away from your gaming loot, or TBS' all-day Christmas Story marathon, AMC's all-day National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation programming, or even the Spike TV Bad Santa all-day extravaganza. Also, with the holidays in mind, we're going to be giving away ... wait for it ... MOVIES with each Joystiq Box Office post on Friday from today through January 1! Simply leave a comment below telling us what you'll be watching on your Xbox, PS3, PC, PSP, DS, OMG or whatever, and we'll pick two winners at random each week to receive a nifty prize. This week we'll be giving away one copy of Jim Henson's Labyrinth on Blu-ray, and one copy of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 25th Anniversary Collector's Edition Blu-ray set, complete with pizza box packaging and a beanie! Read the complete rules at the end of this post, and good luck! Recommendation of the Week: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang ($34.99 suggested retail, lower at many retailers)On paper this probably sounded a bit strange: shoddy burglar Robert Downey Jr. solving crimes with a homosexual Val Kilmer? Is that what kept people away? This ended up being one of the better films from both of these actors, and it all opens with a scene at a Christmas party. A pretty unforgettable (and realistic) Christmas party thrown in Hollywood. There aren't a slew of special features included here, except for the commentary track from writer/director Shane Black, and Downey and Kilmer. There's a gag reel thrown in as well, and both of those make this a must-buy. This is a terrific film that many people didn't get a chance to see, and it's well worth picking up. I just wish it had made enough money to spark a sequel. Read on for the rest of the recommendations, and as usual, we'll see you at the popcorn sta -- well, actually, we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift. Plus, be sure to tell us what you'll be watching, or what you've seen recently that bowled you over.
Joyswag: 1 year of Xbox Live Gold & a pile of XBLA games [update]
Update: And we have a winner! Congratulations, Brian M! Buying games is always fun -- and we've made it easy with our Holiday Buyer's Guides -- but it's even better to receive them ... in one gigantic stack! In that spirit, Microsoft has generously donated download codes for many of the Xbox Live Arcade games featured in our Marketplace Buyer's Guide, including 'Splosion Man, Bionic Commando Rearmed, Castle Crashers, N+, Geometry Wars 2 and many, many more. Plus, we're tossing in a one-year subscription code for Xbox Live Gold! To enter for your chance to win: Leave a comment on this post telling us which downloadable games -- for any and all platforms -- you hope to buy with the cash and credit your receive over the holidays You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person This entry period ends at 12:00PM ET on Thursday, December 24 We'll randomly select one winner at that time to receive redemption codes for Bionic Commando: Rearmed, Carcassonne, Geometry Wars 2, Castle Crashers, N+, 'Splosion Man, Puzzle Quest, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Alien Hominid HD, Mega Man 9, Ikaruga, Galaga Legions, Pac-Man Championship Edition, UNO Rush, A Kingdom for Keflings, Rez HD, Assault Heroes 2, TMNT 1989 and Bomberman Live for Xbox Live Arcade [Total ARV: $190] and a redemption code for a 1-year Xbox Live Gold subscription [ARV: $50] -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. Happy holidays and best of luck! What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. For more info on our policy, click here.
Joyswag: 24 games from Direct2Drive [update]
Update: Giveaway has come to a close, folks. Keep an eye on your email's inbox to see if you won! Dear PC gamer, even though we couldn't get you in on the Naughty or Nice action, we've got something you should be just as excited about. Remember when we told you about Direct2Drive's 24 Days of Christmas sale? Well, the generous folks at Direct2Drive are gifting all 24 titles (full list after the break) from the sale to one lucky Joystiq reader. Want in? Here's how to enter for your change to win: Optional: Set up a Direct2Drive account in advance (it'll save time later) Leave a comment briefly telling us how you spend the holidays You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day This entry period ends at 12:00PM ET on Monday, December 28 At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive all 24 PC titles (full list after the break) from Direct2Drive's 24 Days of Christmas sale [Total value: $398.50] For a list of complete rules, click here Happy holidays and best of luck to you!
JBO: Joystiq Box Office, December 14 - December 18, plus Joyswag!
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? With the holidays in mind, we're going to be giving away ... wait for it ... MOVIES with each Joystiq Box Office post on Friday from today through January 1! Simply leave a comment below telling us what you'll be watching on your Xbox, PS3, PC, PSP, DS, OMG or whatever (whether it be naughty or nice) and we'll pick winners at random each week to receive a nifty prize. This week we're joining the rest of Joyswag and going Naughty or Nice. Five "Nice" winners will win a copy of District 9 on Blu-ray, which includes the God of War III demo, and one "Naughty" winner will wind up with a copy of the American Godzilla on Blu-ray. [Update: The entry period has closed.] Recommendation of the Week: Inglourious Basterds (Blu-ray, $39.95 suggested retail) If you haven't already seen this film, then you owe it to yourself to check it out in high definition. This is definitely Tarantino's most mature film to date, and despite numerous trailers out there, it's not a gory, Nazi slaughter-fest. There is some violence, to be sure, but I've talked to people who avoided this in theaters because they thought it was going to be torture porn. There's an extremely good film in here, and what's really compelling is that it's nearly two movies in one. The story of the Basterds and the story of a woman who owns a theater run separate courses throughout the film until a head-on collision at the end, but they stand on their own very well. Extremely crisp and sharp in HD and filled with extras, including the bizarre but hilarious "Quentin Tarantino's Camera Angel," this is a must-see, must-own, must-covet title. Read on for the rest of the recommendations, and as usual, we'll see you at the popcorn sta -- well, actually, we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift. Plus, be sure to tell us what you'll be watching, or what you've seen recently that bowled you over.
Joyswag: Fighting Game Holiday Bundle
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? Update: The entry period has ended. Congratulations Ken B. and Jake R. To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling us if you've been "naughty" or "nice" this year. (Note: Your response will not affect your chance of winning any of the prizes in this giveaway.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day. This entry period ends at 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, December 22. We'll randomly select one grand prize winner at that time to receive Tekken 6 Limited Edition Wireless Fight Stick Bundle, Dragon Ball: Raging Blast, and The King of Fighters XII for PlayStation 3, and one King of Fighters figurine [note: actual figurine may differ from one pictured] (Total ARV: $340); and one first prize winner to receive Family Feud: 2010 Edition for Nintendo Wii (ARV: $40) -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. Fighting games are currently enjoying a bit of a renaissance, and this grand prize bundle is a nice opportunity to re-introduce yourself to the genre on PS3. Don't discount the Wii's fighting games, though -- our first-prize winner will find Family Feud features some very difficult combinations. Just you try stringing together the top five survey answers to: Name the most popular item people put in their salads. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Joyswag: Xbox 360 Music Game Holiday Bundle
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? Update: The entry period has ended. Congrats Jarrod A and Victor V. To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling us if you've been "naughty" or "nice" this year. (Note: Your response will not affect your chance of winning any of the prizes in this giveaway.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day. This entry period ends at 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, December 22. We'll randomly select one grand prize winner at that time to receive The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle, DJ Hero Bundle with Turntable, Band Hero, Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, and Lego Rock Band for Xbox 360 (Total ARV: $558); and one first prize winner to receive Lips: Number One Hits Bundle for Xbox 360 (ARV: $60) -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. Surely, there's at least one song in the grand prize collection that your band will agree to play together. As for the first prize, it's nothing but number-one hits! What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Joyswag: PSP Go Holiday Giveaway
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? Update: The entry period has ended. Congrats David G. and Soren S. To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling us if you've been "naughty" or "nice" this year. (Note: Your response will not affect your chance of winning any of the prizes in this giveaway.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day. This entry period ends at 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, December 22. We'll randomly select one grand prize winner at that time to receive "Piano Black" PSPgo (Total ARV: $250); and one first prize winner to receive Sega Genesis Firecore Classic Console (ARV: $50) -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. Two pint-sized feats of technology: Sony's PSP Go and the Firecore console -- who could have imaged the Genesis squeezed down to such proportions? Marvelous. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Joyswag: Nintendo DS Games Holiday Bundle
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? Update: The entry period has ended. Congrats Andrew C. and Tom B.! To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling us if you've been "naughty" or "nice" this year. (Note: Your response will not affect your chance of winning any of the prizes in this giveaway.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day. This entry period ends at 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, December 22. We'll randomly select one grand prize winner at that time to receive The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (with bonus treasure chest, train whistle & t-shirt), Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, and Space Invaders Extreme 2 for Nintendo DS (Total ARV: $135); and one first prize winner to receive C.O.P. The Recruit for Nintendo DS (ARV: $30) -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. What better place to store the grand prize bundle than in an actual treasure chest? And how about that first prize? We're giving the winner the perfect excuse to be a bad cop! What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Joyswag: PS3 Holiday Games Bundle
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? Update: The entry period has ended. Congratulations Blake F. and Brian W. To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling us if you've been "naughty" or "nice" this year. (Note: Your response will not affect your chance of winning any of the prizes in this giveaway.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day. This entry period ends at 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, December 22. We'll randomly select one grand prize winner at that time to receive one Uncharted 2: Among Thieves: Fortune Hunter Edition, Assassin's Creed II, Demon's Souls: Deluxe Edition, God of War Collection, Modern Warfare 2, and Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time for PlayStation 3 (Total ARV: $590); and one first prize winner to receive Tony Hawk: Ride Skateboard Bundle for PlayStation 3 (ARV: $90) -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. Here's a good question: What's more functional? The Tony Hawk: Ride board or the replica Phurba Dagger Artifact included in the extremely rare Uncharted 2: Among Thieves: Fortune Hunter Edition? What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Joyswag: Wii Games Holiday Bundle
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? Update: The entry period has ended. Congrats Antonia F. and Tom B. To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling us if you've been "naughty" or "nice" this year. (Note: Your response will not affect your chance of winning any of the prizes in this giveaway.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day. This entry period ends at 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, December 22. We'll randomly select one grand prize winner at that time to receive DJ Hero Bundle with Turntable, Dead Space Extraction, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Rabbids Go Home, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, and Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for Nintendo Wii (Total ARV: $288); and one first prize winner to receive The Price is Right: 2010 Edition for Nintendo Wii (ARV: $40) -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. With a strong dose of horror, this grand prize of third-party Wii games doesn't scream holiday cheer in the traditional sense -- but then, the Wii itself is nontraditional. As for the first prize, "free" is just right. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Joyswag: Xbox 360 Holiday Games Bundle
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? Update: The entry period has ended. Congratulations Thomas C.H. and Dennis C. To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling us if you've been "naughty" or "nice" this year. (Note: Your response will not affect your chance of winning any of the prizes in this giveaway.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day. This entry period ends at 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, December 22. We'll randomly select one grand prize winner at that time to receive one copy of Assassin's Creed II, Dragon Age: Origins, FIFA Soccer 10, Forza Motorsport 3, Halo 3: ODST, Left 4 Dead 2, and DJ Hero Bundle with Turntable, plus additional Turntable controller, all for Xbox 360, and a "Live Turns Five" wireless Xbox 360 controller (Total ARV: $568); and one first prize winner to receive Rogue Warrior for Xbox 360 (ARV: $60) -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. For the grand prize we've rounded up an eclectic mix of many of the best Xbox 360 games from 2009's fall and holiday seasons and tossed in a limited edition orange controller (from 2007 -- it's vintage!). All we'll say about the first prize is: rogue [rohg] –adjective 1. Operating outside desirable controls. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Joyswag: Wii System & Wii Fit Plus Bundles from QVC
Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice? Update: The entry period has ended. Congratulations to Kevin C. and Andrew B. To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling us if you've been "naughty" or "nice" this year. (Note: Your response will not affect your chance of winning any of the prizes in this giveaway.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day. This entry period ends at 12:00 pm ET on Tuesday, December 22. We'll randomly select two grand prize winners at that time to each receive QVC's "Nintendo Wii Gaming System w/ Accessories, Case & Games" (Item #E165361; product page), "Nintendo Wii Fit Plus & Accessory Kit w/ Mat & Balance Board" (Item #E165402), and New Super Mario Bros. Wii for Nintendo Wii (Total ARV: $597); and one first prize winner to receive Bass Pro Shops: The Strike w/ Rod and Reel Controller for Xbox 360 (ARV: $80) -- please check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. Many thanks to QVC for our featured grand prize: A custom Nintendo Wii Gaming System Bundle and custom Wii Fit Plus & Accessory Kit Bundle. Even better? Two grand prize winners each receive both bundles. Better still? We're tossing in a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii for each winner -- call it the cherry on top. Of course, the Wii isn't your only opportunity to experience compelling motion-based gameplay. One first prize winner will receive Bass Pro Shops: The Strike with an "extremely life-like" fishing rod controller for Xbox 360. (Xbox 360 system not included.) "Whether casting, jigging, setting the hook, or reeling a fish in, you'll be amazed by the sensitivity and feedback the fishing rod controller provides." What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Swag Sunday: Band Hero for everything Nintendo [update]
Update: We've closed the comments and will contact a winner this week. Check the email tied to your commenter name, folks! For this week's not-quite-the-holidays-yet giveaway, we've got a Band Hero prize pack for the Nintendo Wii and DS lined up for one lucky winner. That's right! Not just Band Hero for your silly old home console, but also for your handheld (that is, unless you have a Nintendo DSi or XXL -- sorry!). Prepare to be embraced by friends and relatives as a genuine American (or Canadian, excluding Quebec) hero while playing along to your favorite Taylor Swift song. In honor of last night's Video Game Awards (and the subsequent flood of news and trailers), we're asking you to tell us what your favorite trailer or news was from the World Premiere-stravaganza. We'll pick one winner at random this week, so as always, be sure to keep an eye on the inbox! Leave a comment telling us what your favorite trailer or news was from last night's World Premiere-stravaganza (the VGAs). You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec -- likely because of The Kids in the Hall). Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 7:31PM ET on Monday, December 13 At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one copy of Band Hero for Nintendo DS ($50 ARV) and one copy of Band Hero for Nintendo Wii ($50 ARV). For a list of complete rules, click here What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. For more info on our policy, click here.
JBO: Joystiq Box Office, December 7 - December 11, plus Joyswag!
We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week. With the holidays in mind, we're going to be giving away ... wait for it ... MOVIES with each Joystiq Box Office post on Friday from today through January 1! Simply leave a comment below telling us what you'll be watching on your Xbox, PS3, PC, PSP, DS, OMG or whatever, and we'll pick two winners at random each week to receive a nifty prize. This week we'll be giving away one copy of Disney/Pixar's amazing Up and one copy of the romantic comedy The Ugly Truth. Now before you cringe in terror over a Katherine Heigl / Gerard Butler romcom, consider this: It'll make your movie collection look sensitive. Both movies come with an additional digital copy that you can stick on your computer, your PSP, your iPod, what have you. Read the complete rules at the end of this post, and good luck! [Update: The entry period has closed.] Recommendation of the Week: The Mel Brooks Collection (Blu-ray, $139.99 suggested retail) I can't recommend this set highly enough. First of all, it includes nine Mel Brooks films: Twelve Chairs, To Be Or Not To Be, Silent Movie, History of the World: Part 1, High Anxiety, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, many of which are making their Blu-ray debut. Second, it includes a ton of extra features: just the Young Frankenstein disc alone is loaded with tons of fun stuff, including a "Blücher Button" for instant horse whinnying sounds. Third, it's packaged in a long case containing an artbook about all about Mel Brooks and his movies called "All About Mel Brooks." Fourth, it's Mel Brooks, and you need a few laughs in high definition. Amazon has this right now for $92.99, whittling it down to almost ten bucks a movie. You won't be sorry. Read on for the rest of the recommendations, and as usual, we'll see you at the popcorn sta -- well, actually, we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift. Plus, be sure to tell us what you'll be watching, or what you've seen recently that bowled you over.
Swag Saturday: Soul Calibur / Kingdom Hearts travel pack (DS/PSP)
[Image credit: mrlerone] Update: The comments have closed and the winner will be contacted shortly. Thanks to everyone for participating! If you're anything like us, you'll be spending a decent part of your holiday stuck in the seat of a train, bus, automobile, or aeroplane, heading towards wherever "home" is for the upcoming holidays. We know how nice it can be to pick up a new game or two for the travels ahead, and in the spirit of that we're giving out a DS/PSP travel pack for this week's Swag Saturday including both Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Tell us your best (gaming or non-gaming) holiday travel story (keep it clean, folks! -- no "mile high club" stories!) and we'll pick one winner at random to receive the travel pack early this week. As always, keep an eye on the email address tied to your commenting name to find out if you've won! Leave a comment telling us your best (gaming or non-gaming) holiday travel story. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec -- which may have to do with the Ubisoft Petz franchise) Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 9:31PM ET on Sunday, December 6 At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one copy of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for Nintendo DS ($35 ARV) and one copy of Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny for Sony PSP ($40 ARV). For a list of complete rules, click here
