Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Day of deals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/wii-warm-up-day-of-deals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/wii-warm-up-day-of-deals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/wii-warm-up-day-of-deals/#commentsFiled under:

If you're in the U.S., it's Black Friday, and by the time you get around to reading this, all the best deals are already gone. Isn't that crazy? It's not if you ended up with a pile of games, gifts, or both! So did you brave the crowds (or the clicks) at the crack of dawn this morning, or did you stay home, snuggled in bed, sleeping off the after-effects of tryptophan? If you snagged some deals, please share 'em with us, so that we may salivate with jealously.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Day of deals originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidashholidaze-2008savingsFri, 28 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Introducing Joystiq's awesome Black Friday guide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/introducing-joystiqs-awesome-black-friday-guide/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/introducing-joystiqs-awesome-black-friday-guide/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/introducing-joystiqs-awesome-black-friday-guide/#commentsFiled under: ,


Joystiq has tirelessly compiled a list of some of the great deals you can expect this Black Friday, as most of the U.S. wakes at the crack of dawn to rush out and get all of the deals they possibly can. Joystiq's guide covers all of the major retailers and includes all of the deals you can expect this Friday. So, stop wasting time and check it out!

JoystiqIntroducing Joystiq's awesome Black Friday guide originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-fridayholidashholidaysholidaze-2008Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Introducing Joystiq's awesome Black Friday guide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/introducing-joystiqs-awesome-black-friday-guide/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/introducing-joystiqs-awesome-black-friday-guide/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/introducing-joystiqs-awesome-black-friday-guide/#commentsFiled under: ,


Joystiq has tirelessly compiled a list of some of the great deals you can expect this Black Friday, as most of the U.S. wakes at the crack of dawn to rush out and get all of the deals they possibly can. Joystiq's guide covers all of the major retailers and even includes some good Wii deals. So, stop wasting time and check it out!

JoystiqIntroducing Joystiq's awesome Black Friday guide originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-fridayholidashholidaysholidaze-2008Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[UK shoppers try to hunt down Wii Fit for this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/uk-shoppers-try-to-hunt-down-wii-fit-for-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/uk-shoppers-try-to-hunt-down-wii-fit-for-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/uk-shoppers-try-to-hunt-down-wii-fit-for-this-holiday/#commentsFiled under:


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?


[Via CVG]

JoystiqUK shoppers try to hunt down Wii Fit for this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidashholidayholidazeholidaze-2009nintendo-wiishoppingukwiiwii-fitThu, 13 Nov 2008 12:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Sam's Club Wii bundle almost worth the Black Friday fight [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/sams-club-wii-bundle-almost-worth-the-black-friday-fight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/sams-club-wii-bundle-almost-worth-the-black-friday-fight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/sams-club-wii-bundle-almost-worth-the-black-friday-fight/#commentsFiled under:


[Update: the Black Friday Deals page now says the thing costs $425, and the price has been removed from the image. Thanks, Happy Steve, for pointing this out!]

Black Friday is almost upon us -- that shopping riot that takes place the day after Thanksgiving, and which retailers now encourage, despite all the trouble thousands of sleep-deprived, desperate, nervous shoppers can cause. If you have a Sam's Club membership, but no Wii, it may be worth your time to brave the crowds for this bundle, because it is very, very cheap.

For $224, you get a Wii, three remotes, three Nunchuks, and copies of Wii Sports (obviously), Mario Super Sluggers, and King of Clubs, the last of which was probably slipped in more to get rid of extra stock than to add value.

If you want to try for one of these things, we advise you to a) not get your hopes up, and b) arrive at Sam's well in advance of the 5AM opening hour.

[Thanks, Steve!]

JoystiqSam's Club Wii bundle almost worth the Black Friday fight [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-fridaybundleholidashsams-clubWed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Welcome to 2008 from Wii Fanboy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/welcome-to-2008-from-wii-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/welcome-to-2008-from-wii-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/welcome-to-2008-from-wii-fanboy/#comments
Welcome to 2008! It's the beginning of a new year and 2007 was arguably the best year for gaming yet, so we're hoping 2008 is even better for you and for us. May it bring you nothing but the best of times and the most fun games you could want. We're getting some great Wii games this year, so we can't wait to see what you all have to say.

And, as always, we want to thank you for stopping by our little corner of the internet. We try hard to make sure this is the best place to go for Wii news and fun stuff involving the console and Nintendo. We really love the Nintendo community and thank each and every one of you for your input. You're all great and have helped us grow into a pretty awesome blog over the years. So, here's to 2008 and an even better year for Nintendo's console.

JoystiqWelcome to 2008 from Wii Fanboy originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidashholidaysTue, 01 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Friday Video: To the floor with you!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/friday-video-to-the-floor-with-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/friday-video-to-the-floor-with-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/friday-video-to-the-floor-with-you/#commentsFiled under:


This kid is undeniably excited about receiving a DS and games for Christmas -- you can tell by the frantic gyrations and leaping about -- which is why we can't understand why they are all flung to the floor after a moment of celebration. We can only guess that's what happens when you give a child a "senior edition" DS Lite. Oh well. The mysterious dichotomy of excitement and flinging makes for a fun moment in our weekly video spotlight.

[Update: Aww, the video has been removed. What a way to spoil our fun!]

JoystiqFriday Video: To the floor with you! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidashnooooooFri, 28 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: 2007 ends with a fizzle edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/wrup-2007-ends-with-a-fizzle-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/wrup-2007-ends-with-a-fizzle-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/wrup-2007-ends-with-a-fizzle-edition/#commentsFiled under:


Not that it wasn't a great year, don't get us wrong, but as far as new games go, the year is ending without a single new release available. This means that we're forced to look to any holiday gifts we may have received or, well, something far worse: no games at all. This is the last weekend of 2007, how are we supposed to end the year without any new games to play?

Enough about us, how will you be sending out 2007? What will you be playing? Any new Wii owners ecstatic to have their first weekend with their console?

JoystiqWRUP: 2007 ends with a fizzle edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidashholidaysFri, 28 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Say goodbye to 2007 edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/wrup-say-goodbye-to-2007-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/wrup-say-goodbye-to-2007-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/wrup-say-goodbye-to-2007-edition/#commentsFiled under:


Well, this is the last weekend of 2007 and the last WRUP for this year, as well. And, sure enough, there isn't a single new release to discuss for the final WRUP of 2007. So, that means you'll have to resort to your gifts from the holiday to get you through this weekend, that is unless you have already gone through all of them. Knowing our readers and their enthusiasm, that is entirely likely. But, no need to fear, a few of you will be getting a truckload of new games to enjoy soon enough.

So, what will you be playing during the last weekend of 2007?

JoystiqWRUP: Say goodbye to 2007 edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidashholidaysFri, 28 Dec 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Holiday with Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/holiday-with-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/holiday-with-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/holiday-with-wii/#commentsFiled under:


Consoles and games are always a popular gift during the holidays, and as we saw yesterday at DS Fanboy, the reactions are often as good as -- or even better! -- than the gifts themselves. Well, if people got so excited about getting a DS, how must they have felt about the highly elusive, often-unavailable Wii? Thanks to a number of videos uploaded to YouTube this week, we can share in the holiday joy of several lucky new Wii owners.

Continue reading Holiday with Wii

JoystiqHoliday with Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>excitementgiftsholidashholidaysThu, 27 Dec 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The DS Life: Unwrapping]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/the-ds-life-unwrapping/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/the-ds-life-unwrapping/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/the-ds-life-unwrapping/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The DS Life is a weekly feature in which we scour the known world for narrative images of Nintendo's handhelds and handheld gamers. If you have a photo and a story to match it with, send both to thedslife at dsfanboy dot com.

Provided they were on Santa's "Nice" list, hundreds of thousands of children (and adults, of course) woke up to find a dual-screened handheld under their tree yesterday. We like to imagine that these new DS owners held the system box high over their heads while The Legend of Zelda's "item fanfare" music played. We also like to picture them running to their computers shortly afterwards to load up and bookmark DSFanboy.com, as well.

Rather than spend too much time dwelling over what their reactions might have been like, why don't we take a look past the break for photos from ten different post-unwrapping scenes?

Continue reading The DS Life: Unwrapping

JoystiqThe DS Life: Unwrapping originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasgiftholidashjoystiqfeaturespresentunwrappingWed, 26 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii helps Amazon reign supreme this holiday season]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/wii-helps-amazon-reign-surpreme-this-holiday-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/wii-helps-amazon-reign-surpreme-this-holiday-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/wii-helps-amazon-reign-surpreme-this-holiday-season/#commentsFiled under:


Nintendo did some good things for popular online retailer Amazon.com this holiday season, as its Wii console sold at a rate of 17 consoles per second. Of course, this only pertains to when the console was actually available for purchase, which wasn't all that often. This all contributed to a very lucrative holiday season for the retailer, which experienced its strongest sales on December 10th. Then, it sold 5.4 million items, which comes to about 62.5 items per second.

JoystiqWii helps Amazon reign supreme this holiday season originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonchristmasholidashholidaysxmasWed, 26 Dec 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero rocks Christmas decorations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/guitar-hero-rocks-christmas-decorations/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/guitar-hero-rocks-christmas-decorations/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/guitar-hero-rocks-christmas-decorations/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It may not be the Wii version of Guitar Hero, but it's certainly something worth recognizing, regardless. Turns out, some savvy folk decided to sync a loose collection of colored Christmas lights to the colored fret buttons in Guitar Hero, allowing for quite the display. It reminds us of those other Christmas lights.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqGuitar Hero rocks Christmas decorations originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasguitar-heroguitarheroholidashholidaysWed, 26 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A very Mario Christmas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/a-very-mario-christmas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/a-very-mario-christmas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/26/a-very-mario-christmas/#commentsFiled under: ,


How sad we are to see the holiday come to an end. No more Christmas tunes and hot cocoa just doesn't taste the same to us anymore. If only we had a giant mural like the one above to visit for an instant jolt of that Christmas feeling. It's a HUGE mural, if we may say so, and came out looking fabulous.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqA very Mario Christmas originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artchristmasholidashholidaysmariomuralyoshiWed, 26 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo of Australia makes one little girl's Christmas extra-special]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/nintendo-of-australia-makes-one-little-girls-christmas-extra-special/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/nintendo-of-australia-makes-one-little-girls-christmas-extra-special/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/nintendo-of-australia-makes-one-little-girls-christmas-extra-special/#commentsFiled under:

Everyone likes an uplifting story during the holidays, don't they? Heck, we like to read or hear about them any chance we get. And this story is no different, as one little girl in Australia suffering from arthrogryposis, a degenerative muscle disease, recently got a wonderful gift from Nintendo.

After trying a family friend's console and having a great time, that same wonderful friend wrote to Nintendo directly and got little Taylor a console sent to her, free of charge. As you might imagine, she was absolutely thrilled to receive something that can keep her active without pushing her so hard, but also something that brings a smile to her face and is quite fun. Merry Christmas, little Taylor!

[Via The Tanooki]

JoystiqNintendo of Australia makes one little girl's Christmas extra-special originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiadonationholidashholidaysozTue, 25 Dec 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy Holidays from Wii Fanboy!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/happy-holidays-from-wii-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/happy-holidays-from-wii-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/happy-holidays-from-wii-fanboy/#comments
For a lot of you out there, today is Christmas. It's a big holiday here in the United States, where Wii Fanboy HQ is located. Many strive for the Norman Rockwell holiday, with family and food and fun all around. As we spend much of our day with our families, we're going to take a more relaxing schedule today regarding the site, so you won't see the full onslaught of Wii news from us. So, check us out as much as you can today, but also give your family the attention they deserve.

From all of us here at Wii Fanboy, we wish you a happy and safe holiday. Thanks for reading and taking the time to be a part of the community we have tried to build here. We appreciate everything you bring to the site each and every day.

JoystiqHappy Holidays from Wii Fanboy! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidashholidaysTue, 25 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii looks like it isn't the violence-inciting gift of the holiday season]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/wii-looks-like-it-isnt-the-violence-inciting-gift-of-the-holida/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/wii-looks-like-it-isnt-the-violence-inciting-gift-of-the-holida/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/wii-looks-like-it-isnt-the-violence-inciting-gift-of-the-holida/#commentsFiled under:


We're always happy to hear about someone getting in on the Wii experience for the first time. New adopters who might have been turned away from gaming at one point in the past or are in on the activity for the first time warm our heart, because it shows the impressive power of the console. But, what was that we said about hunting one down?

Columnist Mark Morford works for the the San Francisco Gate and recently did something he's never done before: got up at the crack of dawn to track down a Wii. He got in line at his local Best Buy to get a system and, sure enough, he got one. It wasn't just for him, but for his little sister. Such a selfless act can only make us appreciate the fellow more.

What was great about this particular story is that despite it being so close to Christmas, and the Wii's unavailability still, the line was full of friendly and calm people. There wasn't any of the crazy Black Friday stampeding or selfish shoving in line, but people who had come to experience something wonderful. Playing is believing, sure, but these stories make us believe in something else: humanity.

Have any of your experiences in hunting down a Wii been different?

JoystiqWii looks like it isn't the violence-inciting gift of the holiday season originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buyblack-fridaychristmasholidashholidaysFri, 21 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Taking it with you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/ds-daily-taking-it-with-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/ds-daily-taking-it-with-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/ds-daily-taking-it-with-you/#commentsFiled under:

... or, more specifically, taking it with you to family gatherings over the holidays. As in, will you be carrying your DS around? For holiday travel, it's a real boon; the DS can help with the monotony of long plane trips or drives (so long as you're not actually driving), or help deal with jet lag or insomnia from changing time zones. It can also be fun to share the joy and wonder of the world's best handheld with the uneducated masses. Did you do that last winter? If so, you may not be the only one sporting a DS at this year's holiday gatherings. Hey, maybe you'll be able to get some download play in!

JoystiqDS Daily: Taking it with you originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidashholidaystravelFri, 21 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanswag: Celebrate the season of giving with a VC pack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/fanswag-celebrate-the-season-of-giving-with-a-vc-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/fanswag-celebrate-the-season-of-giving-with-a-vc-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/fanswag-celebrate-the-season-of-giving-with-a-vc-pack/#commentsFiled under:

Now that the Virtual Console gift feature is alive and kicking, it just seems fitting that we celebrate with a few gifts of our own. Each member of the Wii Fanboy staff has carefully chosen one game currently available on the U.S. Virtual Console, and we're ready to show our appreciation by gifting the lot to one lucky reader. But guys! What if I already have the game in question? Well, dear reader, we've also each chosen back-up titles, just in case. If the winner has one, we'll move onto the next. If you have all of them? Maybe you should hang back and let someone else win! 'Tis the season of giving, after all.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling us what you'd be most likely to give away, if you were so inclined. You may enter once per day, and we must receive your comments between now and December 20. The giveaway closes shop that night at 11:59 PM EST, so get to work! We'll announce the winner December 21. As usual, entries are limited to legal U.S. residents age 18 and older. Please check the official rules for any other questions.

Wii Fanboy's Virtual Console Gift Pack
  • Devil's Crush -- TurboGrafx-16, 600 points (JC)
  • Dragon's Curse -- TurboGrafx-16, 600 points (Candace)
  • Excitebike -- NES, 500 points (Chris)
  • Gunstar Heroes -- Sega Genesis, 800 points (Eric)
  • The Legend of the Mystical Ninja -- SNES, 800 points (Dave)
  • The Legend of Zelda -- NES, 500 points (Alisha)

JoystiqFanswag: Celebrate the season of giving with a VC pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>devil's-crushdragon's-curseexcitebikefanswaggiftgunstar-heroesholidashlegend-of-the-mystical-ninjanessega-genesissnesturbografx-16zeldaThu, 13 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: The worst gaming gifts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/ds-daily-the-worst-gaming-gifts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/ds-daily-the-worst-gaming-gifts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/ds-daily-the-worst-gaming-gifts/#commentsFiled under:

Sure, it's sweet when your great aunt tries to buy you a video game, because she knows you like that Nintenstation, but it's sometimes hard to feign pleasure when you open up a budget Sudoku title or a Shrek game. C'mon, tell us your horror stories. Over the years of gaming, what are some of the worst gaming gifts you've received?

JoystiqDS Daily: The worst gaming gifts originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-gamesholidashworst-giftsThu, 13 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cheap stylus gifts that aren't really styli]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/cheap-stylus-gifts-that-arent-really-styli/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/cheap-stylus-gifts-that-arent-really-styli/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/cheap-stylus-gifts-that-arent-really-styli/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our gift guide will help you find the best gifts in categories the other sites won't cover -- because we just made them up.

My secret addiction -- the one that has me wearing only long-sleeved shirts and brushing my teeth before coming home, all to hide its telling signs -- is stylus collecting. I can't get enough of these pen-shaped bits of plastic; I'm cuckoo for them, you could say. Every time I make a Play Asia purchase or collect a preorder bonus, I feel like I've lost another part of me, another vital fragment I'll never have again. I don't know what it feels like to be alive anymore.

I've long moved on from conventional styli, using anything I can get my anxious, shaking hands on, the crazier the better. How else do you think I managed to put together this gift guide for alternative styli? Thumb styli, extendable styli, styli with colorful mascots on them -- you name it, I've tried every single one of them, and they don't do a damn thing for me anymore. Forget about those nonsense accessories and read on for my NSFW roundup of styli presents that will change your life ... for the worse. Joys be thine, suckas.

Continue reading Cheap stylus gifts that aren't really styli

JoystiqCheap stylus gifts that aren't really styli originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-guidecatdildogolf-teeholidashjackhammer-jesusjoystiqfeatureskonamimonster-in-my-pocketq-tipsstylistylusWed, 12 Dec 2007 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Five gifts that PAL gamers should import this Christmas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/five-gifts-that-pal-gamers-should-import-this-christmas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/five-gifts-that-pal-gamers-should-import-this-christmas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/five-gifts-that-pal-gamers-should-import-this-christmas/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our gift guide will help you find the best gifts in categories the other sites won't cover -- because we just made them up.

Nintendo's indifference towards PAL regions is infamous, but there's arguably less room for complaining when it comes to the DS. See, the DS is (and we do not use this phrase lightly) an importer's dream. It doesn't faff around with region-specific software, there's a huge library of diverse and interesting NTSC-only titles, and the games themselves are cheap. As in, cheaper than they'll be when they arrive in the UK/Europe/Australia six months from now. Frankly, we can't think of a good reason for you not to import.

Which brings us to our latest anti-guide, featuring the five DS-related gifts that PAL regions won't be seeing until 2008 at the earliest -- if ever. All deserve to be imported without hesitation, so read on fellow PAL folk, and prep that credit card!

Continue reading Five gifts that PAL gamers should import this Christmas

JoystiqFive gifts that PAL gamers should import this Christmas originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-guideaustraliacontra-4contra4dementiumeuropeffxiifpsgamecockgeometry-wars-galaxiesholidashjoystiqfeatureskonamikuju-entertainmentlimited-editionnintendogspalpikachupokemonrenegade-kidrevenant-wingsrpgrtssequelshootersierrasquare-enixstrategysurvival-horrorthe-wardukwayforwardzeldaWed, 12 Dec 2007 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Fanswag: End of the Year Blowout!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/ds-fanswag-end-of-the-year-blowout/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/ds-fanswag-end-of-the-year-blowout/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/ds-fanswag-end-of-the-year-blowout/#commentsFiled under:


It's been a good year, but sadly, like all those other years, it must come to an end. Before we roll out the red carpet for 2008, however, we wanted to give 2007 the send-off it deserves -- and what better way to do that than by offering up huge prize packs for our loyal readers? All you have to do is leave a comment on this very post telling us which DS model(s) you own, between now and December 26. The giveaway closes that night at 11:59 p.m. EST, and we'll announce the winners, chosen in a random drawing, on December 27. You may only enter once per day, and as usual, entries are limited to legal U.S. residents age 18 and older. Please check the official rules for any other questions.

But enough of the details -- let's get to the prize packages!

DS Fanboy's End of Year Fanswag Blowout
Grand Prize
  • Limited Edition Gold DS Lite + The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (bundle) ($149.99)
  • Nintendo DS headset ($9.99)
  • Custom Robo ($29.99)
  • Dementium ($29.99)
  • Drawn to Life ($29.99)
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game ($19.99)
  • John Deere: Harvest in the Heartland ($29.99)
  • Mega Man ZX ($29.99)
  • Pokémon Diamond ($34.99)
  • The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night (GBA) ($19.99)
  • Geometry Wars: Galaxies swag
  • Dementium skin
  • Pokémon Diamond stylus
Cruise on past the break to see the rest of the prizes!

Continue reading DS Fanswag: End of the Year Blowout!

JoystiqDS Fanswag: End of the Year Blowout! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestcontra-4dementiumdiamonddragladeduck-amuckeoyffxiifullmetal-alchemistgeometry-wars-galaxiesgiveawayhannah-montanaholidashjoystiqfeaturesmy-french-coachmy-word-coachpearlpokemonrevenant-wingsspyrotouch-detectiveWed, 12 Dec 2007 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock out with your block out: i am 8-bit guitar straps]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/rock-out-with-your-block-out-i-am-8-bit-guitar-straps/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/rock-out-with-your-block-out-i-am-8-bit-guitar-straps/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/rock-out-with-your-block-out-i-am-8-bit-guitar-straps/#commentsFiled under:


You're a rebel. You don't listen intently for thoughtful gift ideas before hitting the mall months ahead of the holiday shopping season. No, you march to your own tune - a tune, which we should add, is more than likely generated by clicking brightly colored plastic buttons on a plastic guitar - and you wait until the last minute to get your gift ideas from a blog, a video game blog, of all places.

Relax, you're amongst peers. Which is why we just had to show you these vinyl guitar straps with that i am 8-bit aesthetic we know you're so crazy about. Yeah, it's really a Christmas present for yourself, but you've been good this year, right? We thought so.

[Thanks, Kevin]

JoystiqRock out with your block out: i am 8-bit guitar straps originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GH3Guitar-Hero-3Guitar-Hero-IIIGuitarHero3GuitarHeroIIIholidashi-am-8-bitRock-BandRockBandTue, 11 Dec 2007 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cases shaped like things that aren't cases at all]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/cases-shaped-like-things-that-arent-cases-at-all/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/cases-shaped-like-things-that-arent-cases-at-all/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/cases-shaped-like-things-that-arent-cases-at-all/#commentsFiled under: ,


Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our gift guide will help you find the best gifts in categories the other sites won't cover -- because we just made them up.

If you have a DS of any sort, you probably also look for something to carry it around in. Sure, you could drop it into a purse or pocket, but what if -- gasp -- it gets damaged? The best way to avoid that nightmare scenario is with a case, and during the holiday season, a time for giving, you can give the gift of security to a friend or loved one. And if you're going to do that, why go with something bland and boring? Take the extra step and give 'em something unique.

Most of the cases we'll be featuring here are the more creative sort ... which also means you may have to break out a crochet hook, a sewing needle, or raw brain power to put one together yourself. But we have faith in you, dear reader. We're certain that you're creative and handy as well as brilliant, attractive, and totally cool. You're here, right? Yeah. High fives all around.

Continue reading Cases shaped like things that aren't cases at all

JoystiqCases shaped like things that aren't cases at all originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-guidecasecraftsholidashjoystiqfeaturesTue, 11 Dec 2007 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Five gifts that are Contra 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/five-gifts-that-are-contra-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/five-gifts-that-are-contra-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/five-gifts-that-are-contra-4/#commentsFiled under:

Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our gift guide will help you find the best gifts in categories the other sites won't cover -- because we just made them up.

All year, we held out vain hope that the American-developed DS Contra sequel wouldn't be terrible. We tried to put our memories of Appaloosa Interactive's two PlayStation failures out of our minds and have faith in WayForward. We did our best to believe that a new 2D Contra had the potential not to be a crushing disappointment.

We were rewarded with one of the best games on the DS, and possibly the best game in the Contra series. It's hard to think of a better DS game than Konami's mind-blowingly manly Contra 4. So we didn't try. We've put together this guide to five of the best gifts you can give this holiday season, all of which are Contra 4. While it would most certainly be enough to list Contra 4 five times, we thought we would break it up by listing five different ways to package the gift of Contra.

Continue reading Five gifts that are Contra 4

JoystiqFive gifts that are Contra 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionanti-guideContraContra-4holidashjoystiqfeatureskonamiRun-and-GunshootingwayforwardWayForward-TechnologiesTue, 11 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Five games to buy for people you hate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/five-games-to-buy-for-people-you-hate/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/five-games-to-buy-for-people-you-hate/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/five-games-to-buy-for-people-you-hate/#commentsFiled under:

Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our gift guide will help you find the best gifts in categories the other sites won't cover -- because we just made them up.

Do you just love handing out the most horrific holiday gifts? If you're the kind of person who actually tucks sticks and coal into the stocking of a loved one on Christmas Eve, then this list is for you. It's all about the worst of the worst, the bottom of the barrel -- the games you would shudder to find on your own shelf, or worse, tainting your DS.

Before you ask -- yes, we do love to see you cringe and suffer at the horrors we spring on you. Aren't we sweet?

Continue reading Five games to buy for people you hate

JoystiqFive games to buy for people you hate originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-guidebaby-palscatzdogzelf-bowlinggodzilla-unleashedhannah-montanaholidashhorsezimagine-babyzjoystiqfeaturesmusic-jampetzMon, 10 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Everyone has a price, even Santa]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/everyone-has-a-price-even-santa/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/everyone-has-a-price-even-santa/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/everyone-has-a-price-even-santa/#commentsFiled under:


Even Santa has mouths to feed. So, he's offering up his unique services, along with 2007's most-desired item, the Nintendo Wii, to the highest bidder. We guess milk and cookies just aren't enough for old Saint Nick anymore.

Via an eBay listing, the fat man has agreed to personally arrive at the household, completely in uniform, and hand deliver the console to the lucky recipient anywhere in the continental United States, making their Christmas one "he/she will never forget." The auction has a ridiculous Buy It Now price of $9,995, but bids are starting at $3,995. Of course, we don't have to tell you how ridiculous this whole thing is, as we're laughing thinking that someone would actually shell out the money for this.

[Thanks, Derek!; via GameRush]

JoystiqEveryone has a price, even Santa originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayholidashholidayssantaThu, 06 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gifts for us (or people like us)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/gifts-for-us-or-people-like-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/gifts-for-us-or-people-like-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/gifts-for-us-or-people-like-us/#commentsFiled under:



Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our gift guide will help you find the best gifts in categories the other sites won't cover -- because we just made them up.

Of course we recommend buying DS games and accessories for everyone on your shopping list -- whether they want them or not. But, ironically, the hardest people to give the gift of DS are the people who love the DS the most -- people who live the DS. In a word, us. Game bloggers. Well, not us specifically, but people like us who are far too enthusiastic about the Nintendo DS.

We're so nuts about the DS that we devote most of our lives to talking about it. We know pretty much everything out there, and we spend entirely too much time building our collections. We're emblematic of exactly the kind of brutally insane people for whom it's nearly impossible to shop. That's why we've put together this handy guide to the kind of stuff we would love, but wouldn't necessarily think to buy ourselves. Not because we want you to buy gifts for us, although we certainly won't stop you if you think we deserve a little token of appreciation.

See what we did there? We've given you the gift of an obvious opening through which to insult us! 'Tis the season!

Continue reading Gifts for us (or people like us)

JoystiqGifts for us (or people like us) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionanti-guideContraContra-4contra4dokidokimajoshinpangame-center-cxhardcoreholidashjoystiqfeaturesKonamiRun-and-GunshockspyroWayForward-TechnologieszeldaThu, 06 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Angelic child gives his Wii to charity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/angelic-child-gives-his-wii-to-charity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/angelic-child-gives-his-wii-to-charity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/angelic-child-gives-his-wii-to-charity/#commentsFiled under:

'Tis the season for giving and so forth, so here's a cockle-warming story regarding one child's altruism.

Upon discovering his father was helping to assemble a toy collection for foster children, nine-year-old Brandyn Waterford decided to make his own contribution. However, rather than donating the usual motley collection of tattered cuddly toys, dog-eared comics, and crappy, half-baked games, Brandyn honorably surrendered his Wii, a birthday gift from his parents, to Agape Villages Foster Family Services.

"I decided to give away something I really like so another kid could have a really good Christmas," said the young benefactor. Awww, bless. Group hug, everyone!

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqAngelic child gives his Wii to charity originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitychristmasholidashholidaysWed, 05 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 Fanboy Holiday Buyer's Guide 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/ps3-fanboy-holiday-buyers-guide-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/ps3-fanboy-holiday-buyers-guide-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/ps3-fanboy-holiday-buyers-guide-2007/#commentsFiled under:

December has finally begun. You know what that means: only 25 days left until Christmas. Whether you're a newcomer, or a long time fan, PS3 has a lot to offer this holiday season. Read up on what's hot and what's not, and make sure you get the best stocking stuffer for the PS3 fan.

Hardware


PS3 40GB Spider-man 3 Movie Pack - $399.99
If you're looking to get a new PS3 system, there's one clear choice: the PS3 40GB Spider-man 3 Movie Pack. You'll lose backwards compatibility with PS2 games, but there should more than enough PS3 content to keep you busy in the coming months. At under $400, it's one of the cheapest Blu-ray players around, which is great for the movie buff. With built-in wireless and free access to the PSN, the price-reduced 40GB PS3 has features that some of the competing gaming systems still don't have.

Continue reading PS3 Fanboy Holiday Buyer's Guide 2007

JoystiqPS3 Fanboy Holiday Buyer's Guide 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidashholidayjoystiqfeaturesSat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP Fanboy Holiday Buyer's Guide 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/psp-fanboy-holiday-buyers-guide-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/psp-fanboy-holiday-buyers-guide-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/psp-fanboy-holiday-buyers-guide-2007/#commentsFiled under:

December has finally begun. You know what that means: only 25 days left until Christmas. Whether you're a newcomer, or a long time fan, PSP has a lot to offer this holiday season. Read up on what's hot and what's not, and make sure you get the best stocking stuffer for the PSP fan.

Hardware


PSP Daxter Entertainment Pack - $199.99
If you're looking to get a new PSP system, there's one clear choice: the PSP Daxter Entertainment Pack is the best deal of the bunch, giving you almost everything you need for the ultimate PSP experience. Daxter is an accessible game for all ages, and is one of the system's best. Add a great Family Guy UMD movie, a 1GB Memory Stick, and a sleek looking silver PSP, and you have a great gaming value. For $30 less, you'll get a standard black machine which doesn't include all of these goodies.

Continue reading PSP Fanboy Holiday Buyer's Guide 2007

JoystiqPSP Fanboy Holiday Buyer's Guide 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidashholidayjoystiqfeaturesSat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band and turkey: A Thanksgiving family test, part 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rock-band-and-turkey-a-thanksgiving-family-test-part-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rock-band-and-turkey-a-thanksgiving-family-test-part-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rock-band-and-turkey-a-thanksgiving-family-test-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Add the Sterns to the great family bands of popular culture. Put us on a flashing marquee like the Osmonds, Jacksons, and von Trapps that came before. With a rotating lineup of three generations, a band dog who curls up next to the drummer, and enough hijinks for a Monkees plot, we've toured across the country from San Francisco to Boston. It doesn't matter to us if our fame is virtual and our fans digital; Rock Band was a hit at our annual Thanksgiving gathering.

Before I left the West Coast, I loaded up a dedicated carry-on with an Xbox 360, Wii, and the full complement of power supplies, video cables, and controllers. I made it through airport security without any problems. (And on the flight home, I wondered how many Rock Band kits the TSA had been screening.)

Like last year, the Wii was still popular. But we mostly stuck with Wii Sports. Even casual gamers have a glut of titles to wade through; we never opened Zack and Wiki and only briefly tried EA Playground and Rayman Rabbids 2.

Instead, Rock Band filled most of our game time. While I thought it'd be fun to try with my family, I never expected it to be "this year's Wii" as my sister said. Disguised as a rhythm game, Rock Band is a sleeper family hit. Every day, we joked about "getting the band back together" before assembling that evening's players.

Continue reading Rock Band and turkey: A Thanksgiving family test, part 2

JoystiqRock Band and turkey: A Thanksgiving family test, part 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drumseaelectronic-artsguitarharmonixholidashjoystiqfeaturesmtvmtv-gamesPS3rock-bandthanksgivingturkeyWiiXbox-360Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band and turkey: a Thanksgiving family test]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/rock-band-and-turkey-a-thanksgiving-family-test/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/rock-band-and-turkey-a-thanksgiving-family-test/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/rock-band-and-turkey-a-thanksgiving-family-test/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"Did you bring that Mario game? Your father really wants to try it ... what is that?"

"A plastic drum set, mom," I reply. "We're going to pretend to be rock and roll stars as a family and then I'm going to write about it for work." She stares intrigued for two, maybe three nanoseconds before uttering, "Cool ... How about Wii Bowling? Can we play that?"

Inspired by last year's Nintendo Wii family tests (and just hopeful to get more playtime in), I decided to pack up my copy of Rock Band for Xbox 360 (a daunting task, rest assured) and take it to my parent's house for Thanksgiving.

Continue reading Rock Band and turkey: a Thanksgiving family test

JoystiqRock Band and turkey: a Thanksgiving family test originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsharmonixholidashjoystiqfeaturesmtvmtv-gamesmtvgamesrock-bandrockbandthanksgivingturkeyXbox-360Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Holidaze: Gaming Hots and Nots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/joystiq-holidaze-gaming-hots-and-nots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/joystiq-holidaze-gaming-hots-and-nots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/joystiq-holidaze-gaming-hots-and-nots/#commentsFiled under:

On The O.C. the characters celebrated Chrismukkah. Virgin Mobile dubbed it Christmahanakwanzakah. We here at the 'stiq, because of our extreme desire to be politically correct, and at the same time share our pessimism, know it as the "Holidaze." That's right, with Black Friday (a holiday in its own right to certain groups) officially here, and soccer moms, Boy Scouts, and career shoppers getting ready to fall back on their most basic animal instincts -- fighting over doorbuster deals as if it was Prostitute v. Prostitute for custody of a baby as presided over by King Solomon -- we can't help feeling that we needed to do something. And here we are -- Joystiq's Holidaze: Gaming Hots and Nots 2007.

By no means do we consider this guide a definitive source for your holiday shopping. Some people still need boxers, pencils, dress shirts, and notepads this holiday. This guide, unfortunately for those individuals, focuses solely on the games we think, after some heated discussions in our email thread, should make even the Ebenezers on your list as giddy as Tiny Tim. Well, what are you waiting for, friends? Hit the break, and know our list better, man! (And woman.)

Continue reading Joystiq Holidaze: Gaming Hots and Nots

JoystiqJoystiq Holidaze: Gaming Hots and Nots originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidashholidazeFri, 23 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Holidaze: explaining the PS3 SKUs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/joystiq-holidaze-explaining-the-ps3-skus/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/joystiq-holidaze-explaining-the-ps3-skus/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/joystiq-holidaze-explaining-the-ps3-skus/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We'd love to say picking up PlayStation 3 is as easy as going to the store and grabbing the first box with the console's name on it. For better and worse, this generation of consoles gives consumers many choices at the (potential) expense of causing confusion at the store.

So it's with this in mind that we present you this handy guide for discerning the difference between the various PlayStation 3 versions (aka SKUs) out there. Please note that the red and green coloring is not only festive decor for the holiday season but also a subjective highlight of what each version excels in (or subsequently lacks).
80GB 60GB 40GB 20GB
Hardware
Model #
 CECHE01 CECHA01 CECHG01 CECHB01
Price $499.99 $499.99* $399.99 $499.99*
Chrome trim Yes Yes Yes No
USB 2.0 slots 4 4 2 4
802.11 b/g Yes Yes Yes No
Flash card
reader		 Yes Yes No No
Bundled Accessories
Ethernet cable Yes Yes Yes Yes
Video cables Composite Composite Composite Composite
Backwards Compatibility
PlayStation 2 Software** Yes (NTSC),
Software**
(PAL)		 No Yes
PS One Yes Yes Yes Yes

Notes:

* This model is discontinued. The price on the chart represents the listed price before Sony axed it.
** See explanation in F.A.Q. below.

Alright, Joystiq, time to answer your own questions.

Let's do this.

Continue reading Joystiq Holidaze: explaining the PS3 SKUs

JoystiqJoystiq Holidaze: explaining the PS3 SKUs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidashholidayholidazeplaystationplaystation-3ps2ps3sceasceesonySony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericaSony-Computer-Entertainment-EuropeThu, 22 Nov 2007 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Holidaze: explaining the Xbox 360 SKUs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/joystiq-holidaze-explaining-the-xbox-360-skus/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/joystiq-holidaze-explaining-the-xbox-360-skus/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/joystiq-holidaze-explaining-the-xbox-360-skus/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We'd love to say picking up Xbox 360 is as easy as going to the store and grabbing the first box with the console's name on it. For better and worse, this generation of consoles gives consumers many choices at the (potential) expense of causing confusion at the store.

So it's with this in mind that we present you this handy guide for discerning the difference between the various Xbox 360 versions (aka SKUs) out there. Please note that the red and green coloring is not only festive decor for the holiday season but also a subjective highlight of what each version excels in (or subsequently lacks).

Elite Halo
Edition		 Pro Arcade Core
Hardware
Price $449.99 $399.99 $349.99 $279.99 $199.99*
Storage 120GB HDD 20GB HDD 20GB HDD 256MB
memory card		 none
Color Black Green/Orange White White White
HDMI port Yes Yes Certain models** Yes Certain models**
Bundled Accessories
Ethernet cable Yes Yes Yes No No
Headset Wired Wired Wired No No
Play &
Charge Kit		 No Yes No No No
Video cables HDMI 1.2,
Component,
Composite		 Component,
Composite		 Component,
Composite		 Composite Composite
Controller Wireless Wireless Wireless Wireless Wired
Other
Xbox Live Silver,
1 Month Gold		 Silver,
1 Month Gold		 Silver,
1 Month Gold		 Silver,
1 Month Gold		 Silver
Backwards
Compatibility		 Yes Yes Yes No*** No***

Notes:

* The Core model has been discontinued. The $199.99 price tag is based on the GameStop refurbished price.
** See explanation below
*** Hard Drive required

And just in case you still have questions, we've gone ahead and written up a F.A.Q. after the break.

Continue reading Joystiq Holidaze: explaining the Xbox 360 SKUs

JoystiqJoystiq Holidaze: explaining the Xbox 360 SKUs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadechristmascoreelitehalohalo-3holidashholidazemicrosoftpremiumproshoppingskuxbox-360xbox360xmasThu, 22 Nov 2007 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Holidaze: The $500 budget]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-the-500-budget/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-the-500-budget/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-the-500-budget/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Derived from the French word, "budgette," the term "budget" rose out of the stale and hardened bread loaves used to beat errant children over the head whenever they begged for money to spend at the candy store. Indeed, the adherence to a budget often feels like a sudden blow when surrounded by the objects of your desire, and it is this article's duty to keep you in check when finances are less than fortuitous. When it comes to purchasing a new console, let us hover the bread over your head.

In other, less interesting words, this is how we think you should spend your precious $500 (pre-tax for simplicity's sake) on the trio of current consoles. You know, the ones that are still expensive. In conjunction with our Black Friday deal round-up, you might just be left with some change.

Continue reading Joystiq Holidaze: The $500 budget

JoystiqJoystiq Holidaze: The $500 budget originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HolidashHolidazePS3WiiXbox-360Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Holidaze: the guitar compatibility guide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-the-guitar-compatibility-guide/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-the-guitar-compatibility-guide/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-the-guitar-compatibility-guide/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

'Tis the season for shredding plastic guitar controllers in a virtual environment for screaming, adoring virtual fans - do you know if your plastic axe can rock with your game? Through playtests and corroboration via other sources, we have combined three handy charts (one for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and now Wii) to let you know what guitar controllers work with what games.

First, the Xbox 360:


Rock Band Stratocaster		 Yes No* No**

Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul		 Yes Yes Yes

Guitar Hero 2 Xplorer		 Yes Yes Yes

Notes:
* Can navigate menus, but during the songs the green button is stuck down, orange is red, and everything else is dead
** Interestingly, the drums are recognized, so you can actually navigate menus using them, but playing songs is a no go.


The PlayStation 3, however, has a much "easier" choice (after the break).

Continue reading Joystiq Holidaze: the guitar compatibility guide

JoystiqJoystiq Holidaze: the guitar compatibility guide originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionchristmaseaElectronic-Artsguitar-heroguitar-hero-2guitar-hero-3guitarheroharmonixHolidashholidazemtvmtv-gamesneversoftPS3rock-bandXbox-360Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Holidaze: best of Black Friday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-best-of-black-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-best-of-black-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/joystiq-holidaze-best-of-black-friday/#commentsFiled under:

dead rising
Stuffed full of poultry, pork, potatoes, pie and gravy you rise from your food coma dazed, angry, and ready to shop. It's still dark outside. Welcome to Black Friday.

We've trimmed the fat and cut the crap, bringing you the gaming highlights from the retail world's annual sale. Remember, the best shopper is an armed a prepared shopper. Use this guide to target the needs of your whiny loved ones, while avoiding bold-lettered traps (Joytip: It's no bargain price if you're cleaning out retail garbage). This year's sales favor Xbox 360 products, though there are valuable savings in the PlayStation 3 department. As for PSP? Not so much (actually, none at all). And only a few Nintendo-brand listings pop out (Joytip: Unless you're camping on the concrete, ignore Wii bundle listings; the console will be as scarce as ever).

This Joystiq guide focuses on brick and mortar retailers (Amazon's Black Friday listings are here) and only includes our recommendations. (Joytip: Each image is linked to additional information about the corresponding product). Please use the comments section to share additional deals you've discovered!

Continue reading Joystiq Holidaze: best of Black Friday

JoystiqJoystiq Holidaze: best of Black Friday originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-fridayholidashholidazeWed, 21 Nov 2007 14:58:00 EST