Summer blockbusters aren't just good for propping up the sales of crappy new movie-based games ... it turns out they're also good for pumping up the prices of crappy old games based on the same characters. For proof, look no further than the always interesting Video Game Price Charts blog, which shows a distinct and recent uptick in the selling prices for older games based on the Speed Racer, Iron Man and Indiana Jones franchises. Never mind that these games aren't directly related to the new movies, or that the games are universally awful (well, almost) -- once that old clunker of a game gets attached to a hot new movie, the asking price can get inflated by up to 170%.

We can almost see the logic behind the increased demand, from the average consumer's perspective. After all, why waste $50 on the crappy new Iron Man game that junior is begging for when you can pick up a crappy old Iron Man game for half the price (even after accounting for the recent uptick). The little punk won't know the difference anyway, and the game will get him out of your hair so you can get back to having an affair with the pool boy. It's win-win!

Blockbuster wanted us to remind you of its plans to "significantly expand its games business," including the special $500 PS3 bundle comprising a 40GB console, a PS3 Bluetooth remote, an HDMI cable, Spiderman 3 on Blu-ray, the Transformers video game (for PS3, of course), and the opportunity to rent one free PS3 game or Blu-ray movie a week for twelve consecutive weeks.

To help you remember, we're giving away a 40GB PlayStation 3 without all the other stuff. All you've got to do to win (perfect timing for Metal Gear Solid 4, eh?) is follow these five easy steps:

• To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling us where you buy your gaming gear from (we concentrate really hard and it just appears).
  
• 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 (comment more than once and you'll be disqualified, but try again tomorrow).
  
• This entry period ends at 6:00pm ET on Monday, June 16th. We'll randomly select a winner at that time (please check your email!).
• For a list of complete rules, click here.

Days after confirming plans to stock Grand Theft Auto IV alongside movies on its outer release wall, Blockbuster today announced that the recently released Wii flavor of Mario Kart will make the leap as well. The move is part of what the rental giant calls a plan to "significantly expand its game business," which includes a greater emphasis on selling retail games and hardware, as well as stocking a larger number and variety of games to rent.

Blockbuster specifically noted plans to offer a special $499.99 PS3 bundle in its corporate-owned stores, which will include a 40GB console, a copy of the movie Spiderman 3 on Blu-ray, Activision's video game adaptation of Transformers, and the opportunity to rent one free PS3 game or Blu-ray movie a week for 12 consecutive weeks. However, while we appreciate the added attention Blockbuster is giving our favorite hobby, we doubt even this will sway us into venturing out into the sunlight to rent anything.

Starting with Grand Theft Auto IV, Blockbuster Video will begin adding video games to the "sacred" outer new release wall. Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes tells Variety that the GTA IV launch is a "real springboard" for the company and it plans to use it as a centerpiece for moving games to where only the latest Hollywood releases used to tread.

Now, granted, if this were before the advent of Gamefly this news would be much more exciting -- although, we'd still have to worry about pesky late fees. Blockbuster has been hurting in recent years as if faces competition from many angles, not the least of which is Netflix. This move for video games in Blockbuster doesn't seem so much like a sign of respect for the growing games industry, but as another desperate move by a company that's struggling to survive.

Although we guarantee it'd move units faster than Covenant troops flee a grenade, the embedded video is not a hint at Master Chief's adventures moving to the PlayStation 3. However, it does feel a bit wrong to see Halo 3 footage shown on its competitor's kiosk right above its "this is living" slogan, reportedly in a Blockbuster. This is wrong. This is pretty funny. This is going to confuse the uninformed gamer who got excited for the game via its Time Magazine story and thinks he can play it on a PS3.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Another blow to HD DVD came today as BJ's Wholesale Club will bounce the format from its shelves in the fourth quarter according to VB, a Variety company. Just like yesterday's news about Target going with Blu-ray players, if Wal-Mart's Sam's Club went Blu-ray it'd be a much bigger deal, but BJ's is a large company on the East Coast (particularly the North East). BJ's will continue to sell HD DVD format products on their website.

Although Microsoft previously stated they were standing by HD DVD, they may need to review their statements from January if they don't want to "charge customers $200 extra for something that may be the next Betamax." If the domino effect continues it might be at least worth considering an affordable Blu-ray attachment to the Xbox 360 -- despite Blu-ray being a Sony format. It's pretty simple, give HDTV consumers the option of a Blu-ray attachment for their Xbox 360, or have them thinking the PS3 is a game machine and an HD movie player in one affordable package (you know, further down that 10 year line). Then again, if direct digital content gains a foothold, it may all be a moot point anyway.

According to Reuters, retail mega-chain Target announced today it will only carry Blu-ray disc players. They will begin in October and go "at least through the holiday season." This comes a month after Blockbuster, the U.S.' largest brick-and-mortar video rental chain, said they would be going Blu-ray exclusively too. Heavens to Murgatroyd, is Sony actually going to win a format war? Blu-ray shall avenge its cousins Betamax and MiniDisc if it emerges victorious against HD-DVD.

The Reuters information is currently being further explained by Universal Home Entertainment. Universal would like to clearly point out Target will continue to carry the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive and movies, they also say that Target is still currently selling HD-DVD players. Well, yes, because it's not October yet.

Universal has a right to feel defensive. Target's declaration probably shouldn't be taken too lightly -- although, when Wal-Mart declares Blu-ray, it's all over. So, even with the HD-DVD attachment price drop for your Xbox 360, plus five movies, is it worth getting? Umm, might want to put that money aside for now. It's a nice $179 dent in the cost of the PS3, which comes with Blu-ray playback built in. The holiday season is approaching and that'll be a pretty big indicator of what's to come. The last thing any consumer wants is to have an expensive machine which plays a dying format.

Update: Added Universal statement info to story.

Blu-ray is the way for mega-rental chain Blockbuster video and their 1,450 stores when they go high-def next month, though they'll continue to offer HD DVD on their online service. The move comes as more consumers choose the Blu-ray format according to Blockbuster, which added that the choice was helped by the lopsided availability in high-def titles. Currently all major studios, except for Universal, support the Blu-ray format.

It should also be noted that the Blu-ray player coming standard with the PS3 has helped move movies. Although the PS3 isn't selling fantastically, it does create a solid install base for the Blu-ray format compared to HD DVD players, which have to be purchased separately in the form of the Xbox 360 add-on or a dedicated player. We haven't really seen the inside of a Blockbuster store since 2002 (due to Netflix and GameFly) and it would be interesting to know if the online rental numbers (which would probably be more tech-forward renters) are the same as the stores. Once the online versions of Blockbuster and Netflix choose a side, then we'll have our answer to who's going to win this ridiculous format war.

[Via NextGen, Thanks Rob]

Apparently a criminal in the UK walked into a Blockbuster store and demanded a PlayStation 3 at gunpoint (they sell consoles there?!) and upon being told they didn't have any, he asked for an Xbox 360 instead. He ended up walking out with that, a few games, and some cash from the register.

What cracks us up is what must have been running through the guy's head when he heard "Sorry sir, we're out of those." He had to be thinking he couldn't just leave empty-handed. What if they'd been out of 360s, too? Would he have asked for 200 copies of The Secret?

Maybe Blockbuster should have asked him if he wanted to order his console of choice with a downpayment. After all, he had the cash.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

The European game retail space just got a little less competitive. American movie rental giant Blockbuster announced today that it is selling its British Gamestation subsidiary to European mega-retailer Game Group PLC for $150 million (approx. £74 million). The move will increase Game's British footprint by over 200 stores and leave the chain as the largest games retailer in Europe by a sizable margin.

The consolidation is reminiscent of the merger between Gamestop and EBGames a few years back that created a virtual monopoly on U.S. game retailers. There had been some speculation that GameStop would scoop up GameStation next, getting a larger toehold in the British market in the process, but that now seems to be a missed opportunity. "Instead of gaining traction in the market through an acquisition of Gamestation, GameStop allowed its key rival in the UK, Game Group, to create a greater barrier to entry in that market," analyst Michael Pachter said. "We are not optimistic that GameStop will be able to grow a grass roots presence in the UK for at least three years."

As rumored last week, Blockbuster has reached an agreement to sell Rhino Video Games to GameStop. Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter estimates that GameStop will pay less than $40 million for the small retail chain, which operates 72 locations in the southeastern United States and averages roughly $550,000 in annual sales (per store). Blockbuster has owned Rhino since May 2004, but has elected to divest this non-core asset as the company focuses on its Total Access rental service. GameStop was the obvious buyer, as the umbrella corporation already controls an estimated 98% of the US's used games market.

GameStop chairman and CEO R. Richard Fontaine explained that Rhino's integration into the GameStop network would result in "operating synergies." That's business-speak for "no more 2-for-1 trade-ins."

Update: clarified revenue averages.