The good news is, various reports are saying new stocks of Wii merchandise are to come in the next days. GoNintendo is reporting that some Target and Walmart stores will be putting more Wiis out on its shelves (or into customer's hands) this weekend. QJ also reports that Reggie Fils-Aime says "we're going to put more products into stores going into the weekend."

So keep a lookout and check with your local retailers as to when they are expecting their Wii shipments.

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An editor at 1up.com got his hands on a pre-order gift pack and posted some pictures of the contents here. Don't be surprised if some of these end up on the eBay auction block, but surely the hardcore Castlevania fans will hang on to them and enjoy 'em.

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Follow the directions on the link to apply for the beta. Here are a few details from Microsoft on the Shadowrun Beta Test:

"The beta is expected to begin early to mid December 2006 and run through March 2007. Currently we are in the process of gathering names of potential participants. To qualify you need:

· Either an Xbox 360 with a hard drive or a high end PC running Windows Vista. We will be publishing the minimum spec for the PC shortly.

· An Xbox Live Gold account.

· Broadband access.

· Enough time to play from home on a regular basis.

· A willingness to communicate on the beta forums.

Your completed application and registration to the forums does not guarantee your enrollment into the Shadowrun beta. Only applicants who meet the criteria will be considered for the beta. Selected testers will be notified via approval email. Only those testers who are approved for the beta will be granted access to the beta forums. If you’re not selected into the initial group of beta participants, don’t lose heart. We expect to be accepting new participants periodically throughout the beta cycle, so watch your email.."

To learn more about Shadowrun, visit this link on xbox.com.

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"Retro-arcade games are a hot market segment, especially on Xbox 360 Live Arcade, and this officially licensed Xbox 360 Arcade GameStick is the answer for anyone that values the control and finesse that only a real joystick can provide," said Darren Richardson, President and CEO of Mad Catz.

The Arcade GameStick offers three main controls. In addition to the d-pad and joystick is a 360 degree spinner control, great for games like Time Pilot. The GameStick also incorporates Immersion's rumble technology. Bundled along with the Arcade GameStick are free download codes for Frogger, Time Pilot and Astropop. The controller will also work with PCs, via its USB interface. A free trial for Xbox Live Gold is also included.

The true test of the Arcade GameStick will come when gamers have had game time with it, as old school players can recall many of the snapped joystick controllers they went through back in their gaming days.

The Mad Catz Arcade GameStick will retail for $59.99 (a $49.99 pre-order offer is currently available on Mad Catz's official web site).

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From The Kode.org: "What sets The Kode apart from other VG cover bands is their attention to detail. The songs are played at the same tempo as their original counter-parts. Arrangements and harmonies are kept intact accurately detailing every nuance. Nothing is made easier for the musician thus paying the ultimate homage to the music that we respect. The Kode goes one step farther adding solo sections & forming chronological medleys of the already tight arrangements."

Free downloadable mp3s are available on FreeIndie.com. Add The Kode's tracks to your SD card on your Wii to listen to some classic Zelda tunes or the "Mario Medley" while offroading in Excite Truck. Tear up that old school Contra track on your Xbox 360's Live Arcade Contra game by customizing the soundtrack with The Kode's rendition of Contra.

Read more about the Kode on FreeIndie.com or at The Kode's web site.

Thanks for the heads up, Mike!

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A report from a Dutch newspaper, via Gamespot, reveals some new information from game director Arjan Brussee. "The Killzone that is in stores is only the beginning. New 'chapters' will be downloadable," said Brussee. So expect to see additional "episodic" content to build on the PS3's Killzone from the Playstation Store.

The report also noted that Killzone's production cost is running at about $21 million, with 120 developers working on the project. The translation to 20 different languages is also responsible for big part of the big cost.

No word as of yet as to when Killzone is scheduled to be released on the Playstation 3.

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GameStop reported that an average of three games were sold per each Wii. Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess has sold more than 454,000 units, accounting for about 75% of Wii owners. Ubisoft's Red Steel also was a popular game purchase for Wii gamers.

"Even with sales already in excess of 600,000 units, demand continues to exceed supply, as it's clear this is one of the ‘gotta-have' products for the holiday season," says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "We've shipped retailers several times the amount of hardware the other company was able to deliver for its launch around the same time - and we still sold out. Given the inclusive nature of Wii game play, we're seeing this new form of video gaming is already a huge hit with gamers and newcomers alike. It continues to be a phenomenal launch."

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From the article on GameDaily: "We previously expected SNE to be able to still make a calendar year 2006 North American and Japan shipment number of 2MM, but those numbers are now under review," McNealy stated.

The star title on the PS3 is "Resistance: Fall of Man," which definitely shines some of the PS3's processing power. It is the only "gotta play it" exclusive game the PS3 has to offer right now. With low shipment numbers and a handful of decent (Fight Night Round 3 and Full Auto 2) PS3 titles until Christmas, there isn't much to miss until Sony gets its console shipment numbers up. Unless you are looking for a Blu-ray player, give the PS3 some time to mature before hunting or paying higher than retail prices on eBay.

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The posting also notes: "Mind you, all of the screens and level designs you see here are completely subject to change. The models, the spawns, the balance, the geometry, the very nature of time and space. It may not be like this when you get to play the game next year."

Visit the bungie.net page here for the Halo 3 high definition screens.

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Read more about the "Mad World" track here.

Check out the one minute Gears of War TV/Movie Ad video here.

And if you want to check out Megadeth's Gears of War inspired metal track, titled "Gears of War," download it from QJ.net for free and frag some Locust to it.

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