Walmart.com will be featuring the upcoming Wii Fit this weekend. A pre-order offer is reported to be coming on the homepage of Walmart.com. Watch Walmart.com for the pre-order offer, which includes a $10 online Walmart.com gift card. The deal will be good until Mother's Day, May 11, 2008.
From Reuters: "Through May 11, shoppers who "pre-order" the $89.74 game, or pay in advance to guarantee delivery when the game launches, will also get a $10 online gift card to use for a future order at Walmart.com."
Wii Fit's release date is May 19, 2008 in the US, so Mom will have to wait an extra week if it's for her. Or you can put that gift card to use on May 11.
Today, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ) has announced the "PLAYSTATION 3 METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS WELCOME BOX with DUALSHOCK 3" bundle. Colors to select from include "Clear Black”, “Ceramic White” and “Satin Silver.” Odd thing is both a SIXAXIS controller and a DUALSHOCK 3 controller are included.
The PLAYSTATION 3 MGS4 "Welcome Box" includes:
- 40GB PLAYSTATION 3 (CECHH00 Series)
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for PS3
- DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller
- SIXAXIS wireless controller
The bundles will be available in Japan on June 12th, for 49,800 Yen (including tax).
If you've passed by your local Blockbuster store recently, you've probably seen posters for games such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros. Brawl alongside new movie release posters. Some Blockbuster stores have a "new game releases" shelf when you first enter the store. PLAYSTATION 3 kiosks are featured at the center of the store. It's clear that Blockbuster sees the game industry growing to that of its movie features, so videogame rentals and sales offerings will be expanding.
Blockbuster previously offered a $599 PLAYSTATION 3 80 GB bundle. A new $499 PLAYSTATION 3 40 GB bundle will be offered exclusively at several Blockbuster locations. Included in the $499 PLAYSTATION 3 bundle:
- 40 GB PLAYSTATION 3 console
- PLAYSTATION 3 Blu-ray Remote
- HDMI Cable
- "Spiderman 3" Blu-ray disc
- "Transformers" PLAYSTATION 3 Game
- BLOCKBUSTER 12-week PLAYSTATION 3/Blu-ray rental card (one free rental a week for 12 consecutive weeks)
Blockbuster is also planning on offering more game titles for rent, including Nintendo DS games. Hardware and accessories for the DS will also be available later in 2008.
Blockbuster's "Games" page can be seen here. There's not much online currently, but keep a lookout for updates.
Konami and Kojima Productions have released a teaser video for Metal Gear Solid. The video (see it below) clearly involves the original Metal Gear Solid game. Later, it shows graphics similar to those found in Metal Gear Solid 4, but as a younger Snake. The level shown is the "Heliport" level, from MGS1 (see a video from the original version here). With all the emphasis on "RE" throughout the video, could this mean a current generation RE-release? As it says in the video,"This Year MGS revived!?" Or is this some part of Metal Gear Solid 4? Would you play a remade version of Metal Gear Solid on the PLAYSTATION 3 or Xbox 360?
Features of the tactical role-playing game, as described by Square Enix: - Explore the fantastic world of Ivalice and join forces with famous heroes from FINAL FANTASY® XII – Vaan, Penelo and Al-Cid.
- All-new content and enhancements, including polished game mechanics, new jobs, new classes, and a new clan system that enrich the Ivalice experience for fans and newcomers alike.
- The North American release will allow players to command characters in battle and navigate through menus all with a tap of the stylus.
- Witness vibrant and colorful visuals in dual-screen presentation, made possible by Nintendo DS.
- Increased replay value with up to 400 available quests, allowing players to immerse themselves in a multi-faceted storyline.
A Square Enix blogger says that he/she has dedicated 110+ hours to the game, which will be available in the US on June 24, 2008.
Keep a lookout for more on the official website.
The PlayStation Store has just been updated with new downloadable content (man, is my hard drive space running dangerously low). echochrome is now available for $10, for both the PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP. Give Dark Sector a try with a playable demo. New Rock Band and Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore tracks are now available. If you haven't seen the Dead Space trailers, watch them now on your TV!
Here are the May 1, 2008 PLAYSTATION Store releases:
New Downloadable Game:
- echochrome ($9.99)
Game Demos:
- Dark Sector
Game Content:
Rock Band songs:
“Zero” - Smashing Pumpkins ($1.99)
“Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear” - The Mother Hips ($1.99)
“Red Tandy” - The Mother Hips ($1.99)
Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore downloadable songs ($1.49 each)
Game Videos: - echochrome Trailer
- Battlefield Bad Company Redford Blog
- Kung Fu Panda Trailer
- Dead Space Announcement Trailer
- Dead Space Ship Date Trailer
- Turok - “Kane” Gameplay Trailer
- Turok “Bring It” Trailer
- NBA Ballers: Chosen One TV Spot
- Wyclef’s “Fast Car” Music Video
Themes & Wallpaper:
- echochrome Wallpapers (x4)
- Kung Fu Panda Wallpapers (x3)
PSP
PLAYSTATION Store for PC downloadable content:
Downloadable Games:
- echochrome ($9.99) (also downloadable via PS3)
Game Videos (free): - echochrome Trailer
- Wyclef’s “Fast Car” Music Video
Nintendo today announced that it is partnering with Westin Hotels & Resorts to bring a unique Wii system as part of the WestinWORKOUT program. What's unique about this Wii system? It will operate without the need of inserting discs. The initial offering will be limited to 10 of the hotels in the US, two of which debut today at The Westin Times Square in New York City and The Westin Bellevue in Washington state.
More of the specially designed Wii systems will be available in May at:
The Westin Hilton Head
The Westin Crown Center, Kansas City
The Westin Harbor Castle, Toronto
The Westin Diplomat, Hollywood
The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco
The Westin St. Louis
The Westin Galleria, Houston
The Westin Savannah Harbor
From the announcement: "Using the innovative motion-sensitive Wii Remote controller, WestinWORKOUT users can get both body and brain moving with a variety of interactive games, including Wii Sports (featuring tennis, golf, baseball, bowling and boxing activities), Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree and Wii Play and others, all played with natural, intuitive movements of the Wii Remote. The special Wii system will be updated automatically with hot new Wii games as they become available and includes features to simplify system management for the hotel property. A simple new game menu makes it easy to jump in and play without inserting game discs, and each property can manage what games are offered and how game data is stored."
Of course, Wii Fit will be part of the program starting in May. The Wii system may show up in more Westin Hotels based on guest's feedback. Nintendo Wii consoles are also found aboard Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ships.
Nintendo has announced the first worldwide tournament for Mario Kart Wii. The tournament begins today on the Mario Circuit, where players will compete for the fastest time.
Nintendo says: "Look closely though – something may be different. Players can attempt the challenge as often as they like during the duration of the tournament. Their best time will be recorded and added to the worldwide rankings, allowing players to see how they stack up against the best racers from around the world."
More competitions, with various conditions, will follow in the weeks ahead. Participate in the Mario Kart Channel.
The first of likely many sales records for Grand Theft Auto IV comes from the UK. Day one sales in the UK were estimated at 609,000 units. The previous record of 501,000 units sold in one day was set by Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2) in October 29, 2004.
As for a breakdown by system for day one sales in the UK, the Xbox 360 version just edges out PLAYSTATION 3 sales:
Xbox 360 GTA IV: 335K units
PLAYSTATION 3 GTA IV: 274K units
To put that into perspective, Halo 3 (Xbox 360) sold 266K units on day one (UK) and Gran Turismo 5: Prologue (PS3) sold 80K units (UK).
The announcement comes from the Entertainment Leisure Software Publishers’ Association (ELSPA) .
Live in San Rafael, California? You may be able to get in on a playtest for the upcoming Wii/PC game Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. Telltale Games is looking for playtesters of SBCG4AP, which is scheduled for release on WiiWare by June 2008.
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People is based on Matt and Mike Chapman's online animated series, from Homestarrunner.com. Check out more of the game at the official website.
. It's a different art direction from the more cartoon/illustrated style seen in the Game Boy's 
