Section: News, Features, Gift Guide, Consoles, PS3, Ads & Media, Print, Web, Advertisements, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers

If you’re still holding out to buy a PS3, Wal-Mart has a good offer to get you into the door.

Starting at 8 a.m., Saturday, November 8, 2008, Wal-Mart will be selling the 80GB PS3 for $399 with a $100 gift card as an added bonus. Wal-Mart can’t sell every PS3 at this price but it will have a minimum of 4 units per store. If you’re in an area that has been consumed by multiple Wal-Mart stores you’re chances will be slightly better.

This 80GB model is part of the generation that doesn’t include backwards compatibility with PS2 games or flash card readers. You could use that gift card to buy a good third-party attachment that could give you flash card readers and extra USB ports if that helps any.

This is also a great time to buy some amazing games including Fallout 3, Resistance 2 or LittleBigPlanet to name a few. Or you could bone up on some of the classics through the PS3 Greatest Hits collection. That gift card card could purchase 3 of those titles. Either way you have to get up super early to come away with this hot commodity.

Via [Wal-Mart] Read [PS3 Daily]

Full Story » | Written by Jeremy Hill for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: News, Consoles, Xbox-360, Genres, 3D, FPS

Sad news is coming out of Canada today (November 6, 2008) – specifically, the town of Barrie, in Ontario. Brandon Crisp was discovered by two deer hunters today a little over a mile away from where his bike was found on October 20, 2008. Brandon originally ran away on October 13, 2008, after a dispute with his parents over video games.

Brandon’s parents, Steve and Angelika Crisp, had felt that the amount of time he spent playing games, specifically Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, was excessive, and they had decided it was time to take away the fifteen year old’s Xbox 360 for good. Brandon rebelled at the news, and decided to run away. His parents thought this threat was idle, and so didn’t stop him – his father even helped Brandon with his preparations before he left.

Video games weren’t a new issue in the Crisp household. TheStar.com reports that Brandon’s parents had suspended his Xbox 360 privileges over 20 times before, due to the amount of the time he spent playing Call of Duty 4 online. His father, Steve Crisp, had purchased the Xbox Live subscription for his son, and Brandon had purchased Call of Duty 4 with his own money.

Our heartfelt consolations go out the the Crisp family in this terrible time. We all hoped that this story would turn out for the best, with Brandon just hiding away at a friend’s home. It is a tragedy that something like this happened to someone so young.

Read [TheStar.com] Also Read [The Star Phoenix] Also Read [TheStar.com] Via [Xbox Fanboy] Also Read [Macleans.ca] Also Read [TheSpec.com]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: News, Consoles, Xbox-360, Updates, Xbox-Live

With the New Xbox Experience (NXE) just over two weeks away from a worldwide launch on November 19, 2008, Microsoft has prepared a selection of Developer Diaries to bring you to up to speed on what you can expect to find tucked away in the mandatory system update.

New developer diaries focused on certain features of the NXE will be released each week, with a selection of six already accessible on Xbox.com. Current topics include the new Avatar system developed by Rare, Netflix support, Themes 2.0 integration and the upgraded Marketplace.

The most recent update is focused on the Avatar system, which will allow users to create custom avatars, similar to the Nintendo Wii’s Miis, that can be used to represent the player on their Dashboard as well as within certain compatible titles, such as the recently released Scene It? Box Office Smash (October 28, 2008).

Major Nelson (aka Larry Hryb) recently spoke with Stacey Law and Scott Brodie from the Avatar development team to discuss what users can expect from the system at launch and in the future. You can watch the full interview below, with additional details available over at the Gamerscore Blog.

Read [Major Nelson] Site [Xbox.com] Also Read [Gamerscore Blog]

Full Story » | Written by Karn Bianco for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: News, Handhelds, DS, Gear, Audio, Genres, Music

Forget about Guitar Hero and Rock Band and even Wii Music. If you really want to make music – real music, not any MIDI-crap or just following along a note chart, then you need to get on top of KORG DS-10 for the DS. The music creation software – which is a fully featured synthesizer – shipped today, November 4, 2008. You can find the game at Amazon, Game Crazy, EB Games, and several smaller electronics chains.

Seriously, this is one of the coolest pieces of software that has ever (and probably will ever) come out for the DS. It’s totally worth looking into if you have any interest at all in making music and supporting independent electronic music in general, check this out.

Read [KORG DS-10]

Full Story » | Written by Danielle Riendeau for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Reviews, Exclusives, Originals, PCs, Windows, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, Casual, Educational

Title: Brain Training for Dummies

Price: $19.99

System(s): PC

Release Date: October 21, 2008

Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts (Electronic Arts)

ESRB Rating: “Everyone”

Pros: Educational, 15 different exercises, can chart progress, informative and easy to navigate and play.

Cons: Not much fun and you have to read directions for some games.

Overall Score: Two thumbs sideways, 70/100, C-, ** out of 5

EA’s latest line of somewhat-casual games in the For Dummies series are designed to be educational, informative, lighthearted and most importantly fun. The only thing is, Brain Training for Dummies doesn’t quite hit all the points. It is a handy title, and has well designed exercises with simple controls to help build certain skills in players, but it isn’t really fun.

That doesn’t mean its bad. It just may not be for everyone. People accustomed to Nintendo’s Brain Age line may not be as crazy about Brain Training for Dummies because it doesn’t have the same zeal and appeal when it comes to the title’s presentation and tests.
Read More

Section: News, Features, Lists

Haven’t caught all of the Gamertell news this week?  Here’s your chance to catch up on this week’s top 10 articles!

• Man hacks Chrono Trigger to propose to girlfriend
  “ Guys using videogames to propose to their girlfriends is nothing new but this story officially raises the bar for nerdy romantics everywhere. 1UP is reporting that a man on YouTube, who goes by the username “TheRealPfhreak,”…” MORE »
• Rock out with your tongue out with the Gene Simmons Axe Guitar
  “We were officially blown away when Logitech unveiled its $250 super guitar controller for Guitar Hero World Tour with all its realistic body features. That was before we knew about the Gene Simmons Axe Guitar…” MORE »
• Enough with the patches
  “ I would like to touch on a topic that seems to be popping up constantly. I’m talking about game developers patching up games like there’s no tomorrow. Most recently, games such as LittleBigPlanet, MORE »
• Fable 2 patches coming soon, missing Limited Edition codes in the mail
  “Kotaku got in touch with Lionhead Community Manager, Sam Van Tilburgh, to see how things were coming along in regards to both a patch that is supposed to fix the “Abbot Glitch,” a few other…” MORE »
• Say “buh bye” to the E for All Expo
  “The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) recently announced that E3 2009 will be expanding into something that more closely resembles the massive spectacle the event used to be known for, as opposed to the smaller E3 Media…” MORE »
• Free-to-play MMO Halloween 2008 event review
  “If you’ve ever dabbled in one of the many free-to-play massive multiplayer online games, you’ll know that each one celebrates real world holidays in their own way. Halloween is no exception, with many different games from Nexon,…” MORE »
• Gamertell Review: Tornado for DS
  “ Title: Tornado Price: $19.99 System(s): Nintendo DS Release Date: October 21, 2008 Publisher (Developer): Ignition Entertainment (Success) ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for Comic Mischief Pros: Cute story…” MORE »
• Wii Virtual Console/WiiWare update for October 27 – November 2, 2008
  “ It’s another fine week on Wii’s downloadable services – with classic 16-bit platformer Earthworm Jim and the latest from Strong Bad. There’s also an Art Style game (which look kind of cool, actually), but let’s be honest – 90%…” MORE »
• Explore The Far Wilds’ beta
  “ Code Collective has just released the first beta of the massive multiplayer online strategic card game, The Far Wilds. Both a 3D, downloadable PC version, and a PC and Mac flash version of The Far Wilds can now be…” MORE »
• No Fallout 3 for India, mutant cows might be to blame
  “ While gamers await the highly anticipated launch of Fallout 3 in their home territory later this month – October 28, 2008, in North America, October 30, 2008, in Europe and Australia, and October 31, 2008, in the UK -…” MORE »

Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Reviews, Features, Opinions, Consoles, Wii, Genres, Adventure

Sam and Max: Season One: Sam and Max: Season One
Price: $29.95
System(s): Wii
Release Date: October 27, 2008
Publisher (Developer): Telltale Games (Adventure Company)
ESRB Rating: “Teen” for Cartoon Violence, and Mild Language
Pros: Very funny, entertaining story lines, six games in one.
Cons: No mini-games, very dialog heavy and no tutorial for car chase scenes.
Overall Score: Two thumbs up; 97/100; A; * * * * 1/2 out of five.

Telltale’s Sam and Max: Season One for the Wii is finally out and ready to be vandalized played.

Though originally an episodic adventure game available for download only for the PC (like most of Telltale’s games), this great six-episode set is now out for the Wii, revamped and ready to go.

Sam and Max (a dog and a bunny, respectively) are two freelance cops who end up taking on the most bizarre cases imaginable. When your freelance you can’t afford to be picky.

In episode one, which is the episode I will be reviewing, a convenience store clerk calls you to his store to report a case of reverse shoplifting. A former child star by the name of Wizzer is trying to give away free video tapes of a new exercise video “Eye-bo.” Sam and Max investigate and find out that “Eye-bo” is run by a strange man who is hypnotizing people with his videos and getting them to do his bidding, like giving away free video tapes.

Play it Again Sam

Let me start by saying I loved the original Sam and Max: Hit the Road, game for the PC that came out many years ago. I found this game to be equally as entertaining and funny as Hit the Road. There is a great cast of characters, great point-and-click action and I guarantee you will laugh so hard it hurts.

Max is a witty, sarcastic and possibly sadistic bunny rabbit, while Sam is a much more sober and peaceful dog who is his partner in the crime… fighting. Max has a witty (or dumb) comment on everything, which makes some of the more boring yet necessary dialogue a lot more bearable. Also, you can get Max to do just about anything, so keep that in mind when you are trying to solve a puzzle.

When you interrogate people, you get to play “good cop bad cop.” Sam’s answers are usually, “Lets talk this over. Can I get you a soda?” type answers and Max’s are more “talk or I’ll dangle you out the window and tickle you with a buzz saw!” style responses. Obviously, the latter are more effective.

You can also drive around and give tickets to people, which you need to do in order to raise money in the game, which you will need to plenty of to buy various weapons and gadgets from the convenience store clerk who doubles as an inventor.

Not So Fast, Buddy!

You have to talk to people throughout the game, to get their story and such. The only problem is there is way too much dialogue. When you click on a character, you can ask many different questions but only a couple are actually relevant, the rest are just to be funny. The worst part was, I didn’t realize until around the forth person I talked to that you don’t have to ask every single question, so I wasted a lot of time doing that.

The car chases were very confusing and I had no idea what I was doing (they don’t give you a tutorial). You are basically in a car chase scene where you can shoot other cars and pull them over with your bullhorn. I keep driving around and around looking for someone who was committing a crime. Finally I realized that I had to make them commit a crime by shooting out their taillight or some other action.

There are also no mini-games of any kind, which doesn’t give the episodes much of a replay value.

It’s Not Easy Being Freelance

So basically the worst part of the game was the long dialogue and, once I realized that I don’t have to ask every single question (although you might if you wanna hear all the hilarious answers), the game became much more fun.

The humor is unbeatable and the storyline is so ridiculous that you can’t help but stay intrigued. Though I only played the first episode, I’m sure the other five are very similar in game play and humor and I can’t wait to play them. This is definitely a game you should pick up at your local game store.

Heck, the game is worth playing just to see Sam kick Max across the room every time he walks by him.

Site [Telltale Games] Read [1Up]

Full Story » | Written by Jessica Moen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: News, Consoles, PS3, Xbox-360, PCs, Windows

In the face of months, if not years, worth of anticipation from fans for Fallout 3, developer Bethesda Softworks is understandably “anxious” about the first wave of reviews for the game. Will the game live up to the hype fans have created for it, or will it fall flat?

A Bethesda PR spokesperson told Edge that the company is never really sure how reviewers will respond to its games, ensuring that developers are always anxious during the launch period. He goes on to say that the first few reviews had been reassuring, including the 10 out of 10 score issued by the Official Xbox Magazine in the U.S.

The Xbox 360 version of Fallout 3 currently has a 93 out of 100 “Universal Acclaim” rating on Metacritic and a 90% overall rating on Game Rankings. And yet, while the spokesperson notes that Bethesda is thankful that critics are enjoying the game, he says the game’s developers really want to gauge the general consumer response as well.

The spokesperson then goes on to tell a harrowing tale of dedicated fans boldly waiting in line for the game at a retail store in Minnesota on a particularly freezing cold night. He explains that it’s these people that Bethesda really hopes can enjoy the game because they’re so clearly excited about its potential.

Perhaps you can help Bethesda out. If you have already picked up your copy of the game, why not let us know what you think of it so far in the comments section below? Residents of Europe and Australia can join in after the game launches tomorrow (October 30, 2008) and those in the UK can do the same as of Halloween (October 31, 2008).

Read [Edge]

Full Story » | Written by Karn Bianco for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »