The lights were dimmed when I walked into what Tuesday will be transformed into the main gaming hall for E3. I almost expected to hear the gentle sounds of of life support equipment, the woosh of oxygen, the beep of an EKG monitor.

Instead there was the clank of the very tiny booths being assembled, the murmur of conversation and, perhaps only in my imagination, a gentle weeping.

Hey at least there will be the games right? The games are what matter, not the booths... right? Right?

First 4 Figures have done very good things with the Metroid license, from the classic Varia Suit to the sexy Zero Suit Samus, but their latest creation leaves their previous efforts in the dark. Phazon Suit Samus. Being infected with a glowing mutagen has never looked so good!

The statue is crafted entirely in transparent resin, with over 25 LED lights incorporated to give it the unhealthy Phazon glow, and the who thing is mounted on a mirror base that ties the whole effect together. Standing at 11 inches tall, Phazon Suit Samus is very pretty, but also pretty rare at only 1,500 pieces worldwide, and pretty expensive at $224.99. If you've got the funds and are so inclined, hit up the order page immediately to make sure you get yours when they are released in early 2009. Hit the jump for two more pictures of this spectacular piece.

So I seem to be the only person who thinks that calling a game Call of Duty: World At War, a clear mash-up of two major brand names, is an Activision-Blizzard merger joke.

Well how about today's news? It's no joke: Starting June 26, PS3 and Xbox 360 Guitar Hero III owners can download — for free — "I am Murloc," a thrash metal song created by WoW developer Blizzard's very own in-house band, Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain.

Remember when people were worried that the crossovers between Activision and Blizzard were going the other way? I bet this will go down more smoothly.

The only question is if this was one of Blizzard president/ Level 70 bassist Mike Morhaime's conditions for the merger.

World of Warcraft joins Portal, Halo and God of War as games that have had songs into today's major rhythm games.

Full release after the jump. [PIC]

Well it's over, ladies and gentlemen. European World of Warcraft guild SK Gaming has downed the final boss of the Sunwell Plateau update, Kil'Jaeden, bringing to a close the events that led to the Dark Portal opening in the first place. Everyone is now instructed to head on home and keep an ear out just in case they discover some long-lost continent to the North of the two main Azerothian continents.

In all seriousness, congratulations to SK Gaming for their accomplishment, which unfortunately only goes to punctuate the awkward balance of story and gameplay in MMOspace. Were this a novel or a movie, this would be considered the greatest of victories. Feasts would be held, Ewoks would sing nub-nub all night long, etc,.

In MMOspace, we just get in queue and kill him again, until we decide to kill somebody else. Woot.

Kil'Jaeden DOWN World First [SK Gaming via Eurogamer]

NCAA Football '09: Now With Online Dynasties

First 4 Figures, creators of some of the most amazing Zelda, Metroid, and Transformers collectible statues you're likely to find, have just announced an agreement with Jetix Consumer Products to produce viynl figures and statues based off of the 'classic version' of Sonic the Hedgehog. The first series of 4 to 5 inch figures is slated for July 2008 release, with the lineup - as pictured above - featuring Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Depending on where they draw the line with 'classic' Sonic, there might not be all that many more in the pipe. I mean, what's left? Robotnik? Maybe some mechanical animals? As far as I am concerned, vinyl Sonic figures are a dime a dozen anyway. I'm holding out to see what they do in the statue department.

Sonic The Hedgehog-05-FEB-2008 [First 4 Figures]

TN Games Brings Real Head Trauma Fun To PC Shooters

First Ever Hands On Impressions of Rez HD

Wii Snatches Hardware Lead From Xbox 360

The battle for first place in the current generation hardware war has been taken by Nintendo, reports the Financial Times. Citing sales data from Enterbrain of Japan, the NPD Group and German market research institute GfK, the publication shows the Xbox 360 now lagging behind the Wii's estimated 9 million-strong install base. The PLAYSTATION 3 waves from third with a distant 3.7 million sold. Yes, PS3, we see you!

An unnamed analyst chalks that victory up to Nintendo's intercontinental domination and Microsoft's non-presence in Japan. Of course, this was obviously written before Microsoft announced the availability of Rez HD for the Xbox 360, a game sure to turn around its fortunes. Just kidding. It's more likely that Wii Fit boards will soon be manufactured from discarded 360 cases.

Nintendo's Wii takes console lead [Financial Times]

She's Beaten Halo 3 and You Haven't

Games Radar has posted an interesting interview with Editor-in-Chief of Official Xbox Magazine, Francesca Reyes who apparently has gone to Bungie and played through and beaten the entire of Halo 3. When asked about the experience, Reyes who lives in San Francisco, had this to say:

...I thought to myself: Wow. I can't believe I just did something that hundreds of thousands of people have been waiting years to do. I can't believe I just did something that I'VE been waiting years to do. It was one of those epiphany moments when I got really, really happy and realized how much I loved my job.

Reyes is under embargo and can't talk about the game of course, but all will be revealed when her massive ten page review comes out in OXM later this month. I must admit that I don't have any real burning desire to play Halo 3 given my infamous inability to play FPSs, but reading this little interview made me just a tinge green with envy. I can only imagine how it will make a true Halo 3 die hard feel...

Meet the first person to play, finish and review Bungie's trilogy capping epic [GamesRadar]

First Look At EA's Marvel Fighter Tonight On Game Head

Smash! Boom! Plat! It's another huge Game Head World Exclusive! Tonight, EA Chicago pulls back the curtains on its new Marvel Fighting Game for the first time anywhere. See Juggernaut versus Captain America and so much more! And watch as EA puts Game Head host Geoff Keighley right in the middle of the action. From the team behind the Def Jam and Fight Night titles, EA Chicago brings massive destruction and whole hearted fun to the next generation.

First Impressions

Single, Adorable, New Guitar Hero III Track Revealed

Activision revealed just one new track for its upcoming Guitar Hero sequel but it's a big one. The Stone Roses' "She Bangs The Drums" from their 1989 self-titled smash will be featured (sadly as a cover) on Guitar Hero III's already kick-ass line up. Shown exclusively at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival, the Stone Roses jam adds some pleasantly moody Manchester-rock to the hard rock heavy tracklist.

While The Stone Roses may not be for everyone—there are those simply genetically incapable of decent taste—I think we can all agree on one thing, better them than more My Chemical Romance. Press release, with currently revealed setlist, right after the jump.

Bioshock Interview

The Raving Rabbids Birthday Cake

Second Life Getting Sky Upgrade

PSP Gets Exclusive Star Wars Battlefront