Joystiq

This is madness: GameStop God of War: Ascension pre-order perk is '300' DLC

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:15:00 EST

Gamestop's God of War: Ascension pre-order bonus is an exclusive multiplayer costume taken from Zack Snyder's 2007 movie 300, because nothing says "brand-new video game based on Greek pseudo-mythology" like a random costume from a five-year-old movie based on Greek pseudo-history.

Specifically, the costume replicates King Leonidas' red cape, helmet and "armor," which we assume is what they're calling his tiny little baby man-shorts. The costume also includes a spear that provides new moves and abilities, as well as a double-sided God of War: Ascension poster. It does not, however, include a pit for disposing of foreign dignitaries or a bottle of chest grease.

This is madness: GameStop God of War: Ascension pre-order perk is '300' DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Halo 4 pre-order goods plant their flag in select retailers

David Hinkle — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST

In the old days, we used to just toss our cash upward into the wind, wait 3-5 business days, then find a game waiting on our doorstep. Today, retailers compete for your gaming dollars with pre-order incentives, and Halo 4 is the latest to play into that retail shuffle.

Depending on the retailer you hitch your Warthog to, you'll snag some very different things: Amazon will offer a golden "web" skin for use in multiplayer and a pair of exclusive emblems, while GameStop will offer the customizable "forest" skin for multiplayer. UK retailer GAME is tossing in the blue circuit armor skin, an arctic weapon skin and six specializations - these are further cosmetic tweaks to help you stand out from the rest of the cybernetic crowd.

Other specific UK retailers have their pre-order items listed past the break, like Blockbuster (you guys still have those over there?). And if you're really looking to buy everything with Halo 4 printed on it, the soundtrack and special editions are also tempting offers.

Halo 4 launches on November 6 worldwide, exclusively for the Xbox 360.

Continue reading Halo 4 pre-order goods plant their flag in select retailers

Halo 4 pre-order goods plant their flag in select retailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 receiving 'over 100 swimsuits' as pre-order bonus

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST

Bikini downloads in fighting games must be the "in" thing to do these days, because Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will be following in SoulCalibur 5 and Dead or Alive 5's footsteps, offering "over 100 swimsuits" in a "big bikini bundle," according to this "Tekken Bad Girls" trailer.

While the trailer frames the costumes as a pre-order bonus, Tekken godfather Katsuhiro Harada spoke of them as DLC during SDCC (according to Andriasang), which indicates that they may be made available to people who don't pre-order at some point in the future. Surprisingly, the bundle includes swimsuits for every character in the game, not just the ladies. And yes, that includes the animals.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 receiving 'over 100 swimsuits' as pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Last Story finally comes to North America on Aug. 14

JC Fletcher — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST

XSEED has announced an August 14 release date for Mistwalker's anticipated, petitioned-for Wii role-playing game, The Last Story.

All launch copies will include an art book; in addition to that, XSEED revealed the above soundtrack disc as a pre-order bonus from Amazon, GameStop and EB Canada. That's some deluxe treatment for what is sure to be one of the last big Wii games, and it seems to deserve the attention.

The Last Story finally comes to North America on Aug. 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

UK's New Super Mario Bros. 2 pre-order bonus is a rad Mario coin case

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:45:00 EST

New Super Mario Bros. 2 has more gold coins in it than the United States Bullion Depository and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York combined, but the only way to extract real, honest, actually completely fake gold from the game is to pre-order it from either GAME or Gamestation in the UK.

The "gold" coin seen above is actually a small case for storing a single 3DS cartridge and is only available as a pre-order bonus from the aforementioned English retailers. By being so pretty and yet so impractical, the coin case satisfies the two most important bling requirements: Flashiness, and superfluousness.

UK's New Super Mario Bros. 2 pre-order bonus is a rad Mario coin case originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Play as Stan Lee, Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man pre-order perks

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:15:00 EST

These two pre-order bonuses for The Amazing Spider-Man couldn't be more different: One has players rampage through Manhattan as Rhino, the hulking, horned villain, and the other has players run around as an old man as he tries to collect some papers he's misplaced, yapping non-stop about "kids these days" and Liza Minelli's golden era.

GameStop's pre-order bonus is The Rhino Challenge, a timed destruction event where players suit up as Rhino and break as much stuff as possible. Amazon's bonus is "Play as Stan Lee for the First Time Ever," and has players travel through Manhattan as the Marvel mastermind himself. He uses special abilities borrowed from Spider-Man to collect pages from his latest script, punctuated by "witty banter." A "special surprise" is revealed at the end of the Stan Lee mission, tied into Spider-Man's 50th anniversary this year.

Play as Stan Lee, Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man pre-order perks originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pre-order Black Ops 2 at GameStop, receive poster, Prestige token, future goodies

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EST

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has officially existed for barely over a day, and as the internet hype machine slowly begins to whirl up to speed, so too does the uproarious clamor from our nation's retailers, hell-bent on claiming custody over your Call of Duty consumer commitment.

Predictably, Gamestop is the first out of the gate with enticements to earn your dollars, with pre-order bonuses that come in waves - four to be precise - the first of which is active now. Securing your future purchase of Black Ops 2 during the first wave will net you an "exclusive, limited edition two-sided poster," as well as a Prestige token for Modern Warfare 3 and all of the subsequent pre-order bonuses offered during waves two, three and four.

Continue reading Pre-order Black Ops 2 at GameStop, receive poster, Prestige token, future goodies

Pre-order Black Ops 2 at GameStop, receive poster, Prestige token, future goodies originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Darksiders 2 pre-orders upgraded to 'Limited Edition,' Collector's Edition detailed

Jordan Mallory — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST

Don't be fooled by the fancy-dancy nomenclature, when THQ says "Limited Edition," what it's actually saying is "pre-order bonus." All existing and future pre-orders for Darksiders 2 will be automatically upgraded to the Limited Edition version, which is just the standard version and a packed in DLC voucher.

THQ's press release describes the DLC in question, "Argul's Tomb," as "the game's first single-player downloadable content pack." It also states that the Limited Edition voucher can be used "once [the DLC] becomes available," implying that it may not be released on day-one.

Furthermore, a $99 pre-order-only Collector's Edition of the game has also been announced, which includes a DLC voucher, life-sized Death Mask with stand, exclusive in-game armor and scythe set with "enhanced stats," a "digital version" of the soundtrack, and a hardcover art book. We can't wait; this is exactly what we need to finish our Casey Jones costume.

Continue reading Darksiders 2 pre-orders upgraded to 'Limited Edition,' Collector's Edition detailed

Darksiders 2 pre-orders upgraded to 'Limited Edition,' Collector's Edition detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Europeans get their own transforming weapon for Final Fantasy XIII-2 pre-order

David Hinkle — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:02:00 EST

What is it with Square Enix and transforming weaponry? Gun swords and bow swords and now a spear sword? What's next, a gun that shoots swords? Actually, that doesn't sound half bad, but we digress.

Not to be mistaken with GameStop's PowerUp Rewards member-exclusive transforming Genji Bow, the above weapon will be available to those who pre-order Final Fantasy XIII-2 from select European retailers, Square Enix reveals. It's the Muramasa, a combination dual-blade and spear weapon for Noel that increases chain bonuses in battle.

Europeans get their own transforming weapon for Final Fantasy XIII-2 pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Valve offers Heavy outfit for Saints Row: The Third pre-order

David Hinkle — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:45:00 EST

To be a generic character in Team Fortress 2 nowadays is a constant humiliation, we're sure. But if you're a Heavy kinda guy -- er, rather, you like to play as the Heavy in Team Fortress 2 -- then you may wish to know about the gear that sparkly chap above is rocking.

Valve's skills of synergy have culminated in a new Saints Row-themed Heavy outfit. If one were to, say, pre-order Saints Row: The Third on Steam, then, say, their Heavy could wear a diamond-encrusted Luchador mask and wield giant, diamond-encrusted boxing gloves in Team Fortress 2. Actually, that's exactly what Valve is saying. That's the deal. That's exactly how this works.

Oh, we forgot to mention the tasteful sweater vest, too. You know, in case all of those diamonds didn't properly convey the classiness of this ensemble.

Valve offers Heavy outfit for Saints Row: The Third pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pre-order Dungeon Defenders on Steam, get a Portal gun and tiny TF2 guys

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST

Valve loves itself so much that it puts its own games into other studios' work on Steam -- we don't want to call it incestuous, but, well. It's kind of incestuous. Dungeon Defenders is the latest ~~victim~~ game to have a healthy Valve infusion, with pre-orders getting The Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device for the Huntress class and four Team Fortress 2 familiars, Heavy, Medic, Engineer and Pyro. Check out how these goodies work above and pre-order Dungeon Defenders on Steam, if you're into that sort of thing.

Pre-order Dungeon Defenders on Steam, get a Portal gun and tiny TF2 guys originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Final Fantasy XIII-2 has a boss pre-order bonus

JC Fletcher — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST

Well, only Amazon's is literally boss, but other retailers have stuff too. If you pre-order Final Fantasy XIII-2 from Amazon.com, you'll get the "Omega Boss Battle," an exclusive "coliseum battle" that adds Omega to your party after completion.

Best Buy is bundling a hardcover book with pre-orders, containing "Final Fantasy XIII -Episode i-," a novella connecting the stories of FFXIII and XIII-2. And GameStop offers ... a new costume for Serah! That last one is maybe a bit less impressive in comparison with the new playable content and the hardcover book. Final Fantasy XIII-2 will be released in North America on January 31.

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIII-2 has a boss pre-order bonus

Final Fantasy XIII-2 has a boss pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gamestop bundling Resistance 3 with PlayStation 3DTV anyway (if you preorder)

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST

In an effort to prove that Sony ain't the boss o' them, Gamestop will be bundling Resistance 3 with each pre-order for the now-MotorStorm-infused PlayStation-branded 3DTV, launching this November. It's also possible that Gamestop is simply honoring its existing pre-orders while sweetening the pot to attract new buyers, but where's the fun in that?

As weird as pre-ordering a television set is, having two 3D-capable games certainly adds a little extra something to deal, and when you're spending $500 on anything it's important to get your money's worth. It will be interesting to see if other retailers follow suit, but considering the fact that this is a 24-inch 3DTV, we doubt potential buyers will have room for anything larger than another disc.

[Thanks, MLC!]

Gamestop bundling Resistance 3 with PlayStation 3DTV anyway (if you preorder) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

From Dust PC gets Ubisoft DRM, Steam pre-purchase bonus

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST

For being such wildly different games, From Dust and Driver: San Francisco sure have a lot in common. They were both recently delayed, for example, and now news has hit that From Dust will follow Driver's lead by making use of Ubisoft's ubiquitous "Ubisoft Online Service" digital rights management platform.

Unlike Driver, however, no announcement was made regarding From Dust's DRMyness; Steam's now-live pre-purchase page unceremoniously broke the news to the PC gaming community. The controversial DRM platform requires a permanent internet connection in order to play any game it governs, and while the company has loosened restrictions on high-profile games in the past, it's unclear whether or not history will repeat itself. For now, take solace in knowing that your pre-purchase will net you a "Mask of the Shaman" item for Team Fortress 2.

From Dust PC gets Ubisoft DRM, Steam pre-purchase bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pre-order Shadows of the Damned and get the Damned soundtrack

JC Fletcher — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:30:00 EST

Shadows of the Damned is, among other things, a delivery system for new Akira Yamaoka music. Pre-ordering the game, according to a new announcement, will get you the soundtrack, featuring some new Yamaoka tunes and English punk band The Damned, in an even more convenient format.

Pre-orders of Shadows of the Damned from the EA Store, GameStop and Amazon will come with a free download of the 12-track soundtrack. Amazon specifies that the incentive applies to existing pre-orders, too, so if you've already put money down on the Suda-Mikami grindhouse epic, you're already getting a musical bonus!

You can hear a bit of the soundtrack under the funny voice-overs in this dev diary.

Continue reading Pre-order Shadows of the Damned and get the Damned soundtrack

Pre-order Shadows of the Damned and get the Damned soundtrack originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dark Souls Collector's Edition offered as pre-order bonus

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:00:00 EST

For those intrigued by From Software's Dark Souls, the decision to pre-order looks like it will be considerably less difficult than the actual game. Rather than selling a collector's edition of the game at a premium price, publisher Namco Bandai is instead offering one as the pre-order bonus -- meaning it's priced at the standard $60.

The Dark Souls Collector's Edition will come in a metal case and will include an art book, mini strategy guide, behind-the-scenes development videos and a download of the game soundtrack. It will be available this October for PS3 and Xbox 360.

Gallery: Dark Souls (5/11/11)

Continue reading Dark Souls Collector's Edition offered as pre-order bonus

Dark Souls Collector's Edition offered as pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Transformers: Dark of the Moon pre-orders include virtual and actual Transformers

JC Fletcher — Fri, 06 May 2011 23:04:00 EST

For those of you who need a bribe in order to be pushed into a purchase of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Activision has prepared its cornucopia of goodies, divided up by retailer and by console.

GameStop pre-orders for Xbox 360 and PS3 will get you a code to unlock Sideswipe, while Amazon pre-orders get you Ratchet (and a $10 credit). But the Wii and DS games, pre-ordered anywhere, get you actual toys -- Bumblebee with the Autobots game, and Lockdown with the Decepticons version.

Other bonuses announced by Activision include an in-game Bumblebee skin for the 3DS version at Toys R Us, in-game "Deco" character skins for the Wii and DS games at Target, and a, "original, limited edition Transformers: Dark of the Moon comic book" at Kmart and Sears, seemingly not tied to any particular version.

Or you could pre-order from Best Buy and get a "free movie ticket upgrade to 3D." Thrilling.

Gallery: Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Pre-order bonuses)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon pre-orders include virtual and actual Transformers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 May 2011 23:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Red Faction: Armageddon pre-order bonuses get trailered

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:15:00 EST

If you've got Volition and THQ's upcoming, underground shooter Red Faction: Armageddon on reserve at Best Buy or GameStop, you've got one of two bonus equipment packs coming your way. Check out the trailers and galleries below to see what's included in the Recon and Commando bundles!

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon pre-order bonuses get trailered

Red Faction: Armageddon pre-order bonuses get trailered originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Red Dead Redemption pre-order bonuses to be offered as DLC, LA Noire bonuses coming 'sooner'

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST

Chances are you didn't reserve and purchase Red Dead Redemption at several different retail locations when it launched last year, because that is something a crazy person would do. If you're missing out on the bonus in-game items offered as pre-order incentives, Rockstar's offering you a chance to complete your collection next week. The Assassin Outfit (which doubles Dead Eye regeneration), Golden Guns Weapon Pack (which increases Fame earned) and War Horse (which is a war horse) are coming to XBLA and PSN next week for 80 Microsoft Points ($.99) a piece.

Rockstar apologized on its blog for the time it took to bring these items to market, citing "unanticipated technical delays" as the cause of the hold-up. It seems they've got the kinks worked out -- the same blog post promises LA Noire's pre-order bonuses "should become available as DLC much, much sooner."

Red Dead Redemption pre-order bonuses to be offered as DLC, LA Noire bonuses coming 'sooner' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA Noire trailer opens investigation into 'The Naked City' DLC

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST

Rockstar's L.A. Noire will be released with a plethora of retailer-specific pre-order bonuses. GameStop, however, may be offering the most compelling one of them all: "The Naked City" DLC has you investigating the apparent suicide of a fashion model, but in typical noir fashion, nothing is as it seems.

While initially a GameStop pre-order exclusive, The Naked City bonus "vice case" will be available for digital purchase after the game's release. "All of the L.A. Noire pre-order content will be made available for purchase as DLC at some point after the game comes out," a Rockstar representative confirmed. "We have long planned to do this for all digital pre-order items."

Check out The Naked City trailer after the break.

Continue reading LA Noire trailer opens investigation into 'The Naked City' DLC

LA Noire trailer opens investigation into 'The Naked City' DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

inFamous 2 saves the day on June 7, Hero Edition confirmed

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:28:00 EST

The identity of the gaming industry's first big 2011 summer blockbuster has been revealed: Sony Computer Entertainment and Sucker Punch Productions have announced that the follow-up to 2009's ionically-charged sandbox title, inFamous, will hit U.S. store shelves on June 7. The publisher also confirmed that the inFamous 2 Hero Edition is a real thing you'll be able to buy for $99.99, which nets you the game, an 8.5-inch statue of Cole, a replica messenger bag, a mini-comic, the game's soundtrack and a bevy of vouchers for downloadable content.

If you want to snag said content without springing for the deluxe edition, it's been broken down piecemeal as pre-order bonuses from various retailers:

Folks who reserve the game on Amazon will get the 24K Gold version of Cole's "Amp" weapon.
Shoppers at Best Buy can grab a character skin modeled after inFamous' antagonist, Kessler.
Pre-orders at GameStop net you the telekinetic "Lightning Hook" power.
Walmart is offering pre-orderers the radical-sounding "Electrocution Grenade" ability.

Personally, we think it's totally awesome that they chose to release the game on the first day of E3, ensuring that we'll have to go the better part of a week after its release without playing it. We hope you guys don't mind showing a little solidarity by holding off your enjoyment until we get back. (Or, at the very least, just don't Tweet about it. Please?) Check out all the pre-order bonuses and pack shots you can handle in the gallery below!

Gallery: inFamous 2 - Bonuses and Box Art

Continue reading inFamous 2 saves the day on June 7, Hero Edition confirmed

inFamous 2 saves the day on June 7, Hero Edition confirmed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dreamcast Collection gets dreamy pre-order bonus vinyl Down Under

Randy Nelson — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST

Though we still lament the all-too-early demise of the late, great Sega Dreamcast, its maker lets us know from time to time that our unending loyalty does not go unrequited. Case in point: the pre-order bonus item for Dreamcast Collection in Australia. It's a silver record (an ancient audio storage media made of vinyl) containing songs from Sonic Adventure, Space Channel 5: Part 2 and Crazy Taxi in a sleeve that looks like a Dreamcast. Pretty cool, right?

Pretty collectible, too, no doubt. The Sega Europe Blog has a bunch and intends to give them away in an upcoming contest. Hopefully, foreign fans will get a shot at them -- hey, we can dream, right?

Dreamcast Collection gets dreamy pre-order bonus vinyl Down Under originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Total Demo: Shogun 2 on Steam Feb. 22, pre-order bonuses announced

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:30:00 EST

By all that is bushido, a demo for the name-reversing Total War: Shogun 2 will be available on Steam beginning February 22, 2011, Sega has announced.

Additionally, the publisher has teased some pre-order bonuses available from your local GameStop or BestBuy. Honorable GameStop samurai will receive (online or in-store) the historic Battle of Kawagoe, while those who partake in the Best Buy bounty will unlock 1,000 Koku, the in-game currency used to purchase new buildings, train new units and upgrade towns.

Shogun 2 is still scheduled to wage total war on PC this March 15.

Gallery: Shogun 2: Total War (art)

Continue reading Total Demo: Shogun 2 on Steam Feb. 22, pre-order bonuses announced

Total Demo: Shogun 2 on Steam Feb. 22, pre-order bonuses announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

F.E.A.R. 3 set to terrorize March 22, pre-order items detailed

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:50:00 EST

In an effort to appease all of its retail partners while simultaneously inconveniencing fans, Warner Bros. this morning detailed F.E.A.R. 3's pre-order bonuses -- different and exclusive to three separate retailers -- alongside announcing the game's official release date: March 22, 2011. Best Buy and GameStop pre-orders will pack the Shredder and the Hammer weapons, respectively, while Amazon pre-orders get a 12-page Fear-based comic book.

The Shredder is described as "a sidearm specially developed by Armacham Technologies for their elite guard as an effective way to stop experimental super soldiers that have gone rouge," while the Hammer is said to be "Fettel's original sidearm which was lost when he was killed by his brother, Point Man." And though the new trailer after the break doesn't feature either weapon in action, it does feature a creepy, backwards walking humanoid thing just in time for Halloween.

Continue reading F.E.A.R. 3 set to terrorize March 22, pre-order items detailed

F.E.A.R. 3 set to terrorize March 22, pre-order items detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

DJ Hero 2 pre-order bonuses offer your choice of turntable totes

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Activision has outlined the different incentives which retailers are offering to shore up DJ Hero 2 pre-orders -- however, the variation between these bonuses is about as wide as we've ever seen for a video game.

Continue reading DJ Hero 2 pre-order bonuses offer your choice of turntable totes

DJ Hero 2 pre-order bonuses offer your choice of turntable totes originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Donkey Kong Country Returns pre-order bonus is a-peel-ing

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

So, here's the problem: We're big fans of the recently revealed pre-order bonus for Donkey Kong Country Returns, but we don't really know what to call it. Everything we've come up with so far has been way, way too suggestive: Banana dock? Banana holder? Banana sheath? The official GameStop announcement refers to it as a "banana pouch," but even that hits the ear in a manner which causes our inner eight-year-old to flare up with tittering.

Until we can settle on an appropriate name, we'll simply have to refer to it as a Tropical Fruited Wii Remote Cover. The T.F.W.R.C. can be yours by dropping a five-spot on a reservation for Donkey Kong Country Returns at GameStop, either online or in your nearest brick-and-mortar locale.

Now, how do we feel about "banana holster?"

Donkey Kong Country Returns pre-order bonus is a-peel-ing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

God of War: Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonuses announced

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

If the recently announced God of War: Ghost of Sparta hardware bundle just isn't enough Kratos to satisfy your obsession, Sony's keen to remind you that you can deepen your devotion by pre-ordering the game. Your commitment will net you a bonus pack of extras; each of which will be individually highlighted on the PlayStation Blog over the following weeks.

While only the Kratos PSN Avatar has been fully revealed, it's probably not too much of a stretch for God of War devotees to imagine what the other bonuses entail. Also included with a Ghost of Sparta pre-order: the original soundtrack, the "God of War Live" creative directors documentary, a Legionnaire character skin, and both a PS3 Dynamic and PSP theme.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonuses announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Top Spin 4 announced, with vintage Agassi pre-order bonus

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

2K Sports today announced that Top Spin 4 is coming to Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii in 2011. The next iteration in the tennis sim franchise will feature 25 top pros and legends, headlined by a young Andre Agassi -- the one with the rad hairpiece. Vintage Agassi will be offered as a pre-order bonus for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game purchased from GameStop.

While neither Move nor Kinect support was confirmed in the announcement, the "exhilarating" Top Spin 4 is said to feature "an uncanny level of realism" and "all-new innovative controls," according to 2K Games' president of product development Greg Thomas. Who knows -- maybe that means they just swapped the slice and lob buttons?

Gallery: Top Spin 4 (first screens)

Top Spin 4 announced, with vintage Agassi pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumor: Dead Space 2 to feature 'Soldier vs. Necromorphs' multiplayer

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST

According to reports coming out of a recent GameStop conference in Texas, Dead Space 2 will be getting a multiplayer mode in which players will control either Necromorphs or "soldiers" (presumably not welders, then?). GamerNode claims that the mode will consist of "deathmatch-style combat" and will be just one of several multiplayer game modes included when the game launches in early 2011.

Additionally, the source claims that pre-orders of the game at any outlet would net purchasers a free download of Dead Space: Ignition. If you pre-order it at GameStop, you'll allegedly get another bonus: a rivet gun.

Update: EA could only confirm the inclusion of multiplayer in Dead Space 2 to Joystiq, saying, "Dead Space 2 will feature multiplayer where you'll be able to strategically dismember your friends for the first time." Hopefully we'll hear more soon.

Rumor: Dead Space 2 to feature 'Soldier vs. Necromorphs' multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Listen to Super Scribblenauts in style with GameStop's pre-order bonus

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:15:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

They're "fuzzy." They're "camouflage" -- or "polka-dot" or "grey," depending on which you happen to pick up. According to WB, they're "chic," "colorful" and "plush." We would argue that they are "loud" in two different ways. And they're also "free." Appropriately, there are plenty of adjectives to describe the Super Scribblenauts pre-order bonus, the Adjectivized Headphones.

Unless you pre-order your copy of the game from GameStop, they're also "inaccessible." The headphones will be handed out (in the three aforementioned color schemes, randomly selected) with pre-orders of the game on its October 12 release date. And they'll totally look "awesome" worn over a Rooster Hat.

Listen to Super Scribblenauts in style with GameStop's pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

God of War: Ghost of Sparta coming Nov. 2 alongside PSP hardware bundle

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:06:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Your next chance to brutally eviscerate mythological beasts without eliciting the concern of your peers will come on November 2, when Ready at Dawn's second handheld Kratosian adventure, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, hits U.S. store shelves. The PlayStation.Blog mentions the game's arrival as "just in time for the holidays" -- we assume they're talking about Thanksgiving, which, much like God of War's ashy protagonist, places a heavy emphasis on carving.

Also announced were the game's pre-order bonuses, which include PSP and PS3 Themes and Avatars, the game's soundtrack, an in-game "Legionnaire Skin" and a video roundtable of the game's creative directors. In addition, a Ghost of Sparta PSP bundle will launch alongside the game, which comes with a red and black PSP-3000, a copy of the game, a download voucher for Chains of Olympus, Kick-Ass on UMD and a 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. It is, quite possibly, the most violent thing upon which you could ever spend $199.99.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta coming Nov. 2 alongside PSP hardware bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Stick Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep into and onto your PSP

Randy Nelson — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Square Enix's pre-order bonus for Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep might not be extravagant, but it is ... adhesive. Putting money down at Amazon, GameStop or Best Buy will net you the system-bestickering decals shown, in light and dark variants so as to stand out on any color scheme.

Stick Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep into and onto your PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Valkyria Chronicles 2 pre-order bonuses revealed for Europe, North America

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sega is bundling downloadable missions with pre-orders of PSP's Valkyria Chronicles 2 in North America (at GameStop) and Europe. The DLC revolves around exercises against other classes in the Gallian Military Academy.

The two bonus missions are:

Exercise vs. Class E - "A clean-up war exercise against rival class E, which will take place in all of the areas of Leanbluff forest."
Exercise vs. Class F - Break through Class F's stonewalling defense and take over their encampment to win.

If you were a fan of the original cult darling, it appears you'll be in store for a similarly epic saga with the sequel. Prepare to protect Gallia again when Valkyria Chronicles 2 releases online and on UMD this August 31 and September 3 in North America and Europe, respectively.

Valkyria Chronicles 2 pre-order bonuses revealed for Europe, North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bag a nice pre-order bonus with DJ Hero 2 at Gamestop

JC Fletcher — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Copies of the DJ Hero 2 turntable bundle or "Party Bundle" from Gamestop will include the Puma turntable bag seen above. As far as pre-order bonuses go, this is basically a win-win for Activision, Gamestop, and you (probably Puma as well).

Continue reading Bag a nice pre-order bonus with DJ Hero 2 at Gamestop

Bag a nice pre-order bonus with DJ Hero 2 at Gamestop originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Iron Spider-Man is Amazon 'Shattered Dimensions' bonus ... unlock

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

What If... Cosmic Spider-Man and Iron Spider-Man were pitted against each other as opposing retailer pre-order bonus characters? Further complicating the continuity of a not-so-tidy superhero storyline, Amazon is offering to manipulate the appearance of the Iron Spider-Man costume in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions' 2099 dimension for your pre-order purchase of the game. In other words, "you'll receive a code to unlock Iron Spidey early," explains HeroHQ, Activion's Marvel games web base. Amazon will also ship you an art book.

Sulking there in the background, the previously revealed GameStop pre-order bonus, Cosmic Spider-Man, is playable in all four of the game's dimensions (of which still only three have been revealed). Cosmic Spidey will actually have a unique look in each dimension and is being advertised as a true "exclusive" for GameStop pre-order purchases (but is not listed as a bonus for the Wii version of the game).

Not such a thrilling "What If" scenario, after all. Now, if we add Spider-Ham to the equation ...

Gallery: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (Iron Spider-Man costume)

Iron Spider-Man is Amazon 'Shattered Dimensions' bonus ... unlock originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Enslaved pre-order bonuses and DLC are bound to retailers

JC Fletcher — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

North American gamers face a tough choice regarding Enslaved: Odyssey to the West: when you make your own fateful journey to a store to pre-order the game, your choice of store will determine which alternate character costume, with stat bonuses, you will be able to unlock:

GameStop (EB Games in Canada) pre-orders will include "Ninja Monkey," who has unlimited use of the "stun" and "plasma" blast for his staff.
Walmart purchases add "Classic Monkey," with a costume inspired by the game's source, the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West, and twice the melee attack power -- and it also makes Monkey look even more like Dragon Ball's Goku (who's inspired by the same source text).
Best Buy-ers will receive ... "Sexy Robot Trip," who reveals a specific fetish on the part of someone at Namco Bandai by making Trip simultaneously sexier and more robotic. Using this costume doubles the duration (and sexiness) of stun moves.

Additionally, Namco Bandai has announced retailer-exclusive bundles containing more tangible bonuses. Amazon bundles will include "exclusive access" to the game's soundtrack, while Target (and Future Shop in Canada) will offer a bundle with an Enslaved comic book published by Marvel. The source press release is posted after the break.

Gallery: Enslaved Pre-Order DLC costumes

Continue reading Enslaved pre-order bonuses and DLC are bound to retailers

Enslaved pre-order bonuses and DLC are bound to retailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Two Worlds 2 pre-order bonus includes unique sword and bonus area

Justin McElroy — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:00:00 EST

You, like ourselves, may have noticed a gnawing curiosity in Two Worlds 2 growing over the past few months. The sequel does, after all, let you freeze people with lightning bolts. If you're dead set on sating your curiosity, SouthPeak has let us in on a pair of bonuses you would receive if you pre-ordered Two Worlds 2 from GameStop:

First is the Luciendar, which you probably already know is "the fabled weapon used to defeat the mighty desert dragon Tang'Raoul." Basically, it's a giant, super-powerful, two-handed sword that you'll be able to access once your character reaches level 15. Second is "the Labyrinth," an exclusive bonus area with its own set of quests that publisher SouthPeak has detailed to a hyper-nerdy extent after the break.

Gallery: Two Worlds 2: The Luciendar

Continue reading Two Worlds 2 pre-order bonus includes unique sword and bonus area

Two Worlds 2 pre-order bonus includes unique sword and bonus area originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 May 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Persona 3 Portable pre-order includes Junpei hat

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:15:00 EST

Don't you wish you were as cool as Junpei, one of the playable characters of the upcoming Persona 3 Portable? Well, you'll be able to inch closer with a real-life replica of his hat, included with retail copies of the upcoming PSP RPG. According to a press release, the hat is "only available as a pre-order bonus ... while supplies last." If you want to add the cap to your cosplay wardrobe, you'll have to order the game from either Amazon or GameStop stores in the US or Canada.

To get a look at what the hat looks like in real life, click past the break.

Continue reading Persona 3 Portable pre-order includes Junpei hat

Persona 3 Portable pre-order includes Junpei hat originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sackboy joins the ModNation Racers

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:45:00 EST

It seems United Front Games is taking more than just inspiration from Media Molecule for their upcoming "Play, Create, Share" racer. In fact, it seems to have actually kidnapped the star of LittleBigPlanet and made him bonus DLC for the PS3 version of ModNation Racers.

According to the PlayStation.Blog, early copies of the game (marked with a special sticker) will include a code that unlocks Sackboy as a playable racer. Both pre-ordered copies and first-run copies purchased at retail will feature the bonus.

Sony seems very eager to encourage pre-orders for the upcoming racer, as Sackboy is just the latest addition to an extensive pre-order bonus campaign. Has the tactic worked, or are you still on the fence? Check out a new trailer (featuring Sackboy!) after the break.

Continue reading Sackboy joins the ModNation Racers

Sackboy joins the ModNation Racers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pair of Lost Planet 2 multiplayer maps to be GameStop pre-order bonus

Randy Nelson — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST

Click to enlarge

During its Captivate 2010 media event last week, Capcom revealed two additional multiplayer maps for Lost Planet 2. On top of the 10 maps included on the game disc, this pair of DLC maps will be used as a pre-order incentive (apparently exclusive to GameStop) and will also be made available for all owners of the game to purchase at an unspecified point in time after the game's release.

The maps, "Helix" (pictured above) and "Back to the Island," are (according to G4) said to feature the ability to swim (well, tread water, at least) with the former taking place underwater at the NEVEC ocean research facility. The latter, a remake of a map from the original game, sounds like it starts off on the beach of Island 902, carries on into the jungle, and then eventually winds up underground after players open a mysterious hatch. It's a lost planet, after all.

Gallery: Lost Planet 2 (Captivate 2010)

Pair of Lost Planet 2 multiplayer maps to be GameStop pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments