Yes, it must be. Playing Sign of the Cross, Holy Water-sprinkling, Collection-taking and Holy Communion-offering mini-games may sound like the content one would find in the average Wii mini-game comp, but the most obvious sign that this is a parody is the core premise. Mass: We Pray pitched as a "revolutionary videogame that allows families to go to church every day" is a clear giveaway.

Go to church every day? No one does that! Certainly not for fun!

If we did have faith that Mass: We Pray was an actual product—like the more believable Bible Navigator X—and was releasing Easter 2010, we'd definitely want to learn more at the official web site. Instead, we're just trying to figure out who's responsible for this.

Mass: We Pray

I was a big fan of the original Press Start, a direct-to-DVD affair that had a shoestring budget, ridiculous characters, and a great deal of heart. It was essentially a group of fans lampooning classic video game conventions, riffing on turn-based RPG's ("Why'd you let him hit you?" "It was his turn!"), random switch mechanisms (the main character has to push his bookcase over a switch to open his bathroom door,) and just about everything else.

Producer/director Ed Glaser explains, "The great thing about making these movies is that everyone involved loves the games we're spoofing. From the actors to the set designer to the composer, we all live this stuff on and off camera."

The new film reunites the heroes Zack, Sam, and Lin-Ku, and if that teaser poster is any indication, Count Nefarious Vile might be back to exact his revenge on the world that spurned him, or something.

You can follow the production of the second film at the Dark Maze Productions blog. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. Can they top the original? Most likely!

At which point you face even more stupid-ridiculous odds, and the game becomes either a snide commentary on the JRPG formula, or a subtle hint that it's really all about resource allocation.

I made it to the level with three Cthulhu blobs and the Blobby Builder before saying the hell with it. Anyone else get further?

Turn Based Battle [Armor Games]

While I am a little disappointed at the lack of pointy-ear options indicated by this Star Trek send-up, I was rather ticked by the red shirts dying horrible deaths, so it pretty much balances itself out. This is exactly the sort of thing that makes me rush out to purchase The Sims 3 at launch, only to realize after a few minutes of tinkering that there is no way I will ever have the time or talent to create anything this good.

Sure, you can't play Gears of War on your Wii, but you'll soon be able to go a few rounds in Gun Cogs, one of the eleven handheld LCD tributes to today's hottest titles coming to WiiWare as part of Alten8's Squibs Arcade. What is Squibs Arcade?

SQUIBS ARCADE takes inspiration from the current generation of AAA titles, distilling the game play to its most fundamental form, and re-imagining them with the style and passion of the classic LCD games.

As you can see in the gallery below, Alten8 has most of their bases covered. Assassin's Creed becomes Crowd Wader, Metal Gear Solid is channeled through Cardboard Axel Much, Wii Fit morphs into We're Fat, and Grand Theft Auto becomes Jack A Motor.

Other titles included in Squibs Arcade include Clown, Button Basher, Fantasy Turn Base, Call of Honour, Lots of Levelling, and Regret the Fist, most of which carry their inspirations in their names.

I absolutely love this idea. Companies often talk of distilling gameplay down to its purest form. It doesn't get much more pure than a handheld LCD game.

The Onion's "In The Know" program touches on this extremely topical debate, questioning whether our violent video game-playing youth are going to enter a post-apocalyptic world with the necessary preparedness to dispatch zombies as well as Chris Redfield or fend off cybernetic mutant attacks as easily in the virtual world. Sure, they may know how to swallow a vial of pills to protect themselves from falling victim to the undead in a simulation, but in the inevitable armageddon?

Good points all around here, including some good insight into basic survival needs missing from many current games. Food for thought. Concerned parents should definitely pay attention.

Are Violent Video Games Adequately Preparing Children For The Apocalypse? [The Onion - thanks, Stan!]

And a damn good one too. So good, I'm amazed and embarrassed that it took me this long to see it. This brilliantly D-quality take on Konami's classic everyway-scrolling shooter was an original production created by Black20 and IGN, not by Mr. Boll himself. And I totally slept on it. Sincere apologies.

Now get Contra'd!

Thanks, Fran and Scott!

Uwe Boll's Contra [Black 20]

It's pretty damn funny, and touches on a lot of the current issues without being pedantic. Here's 'CliffyB's' advice on streamlined writing:

4.) Treat Words Like Lovers, Be Picky: If you don’t choose your words carefully you will piss off readers and they will leave unproductive comments like “U R MR GAY.” Even if you are Mr. Gay, which is totally fine, you want a discussion in the comments, not aggressive statements.

For example, say a journo writes, “I think CliffyB’s friggin neat and he does neat stuff.” In reality, the journo knows I’m fan-friggin-tastic, I have perfect hair, and I make for a solid best friend. Now, don’t be verbose, but try to express yourself entirely and concisely with charm and wit. And if you’re lucky, your readers will want to be your friggin best friend too.

Welcome back, guys at Hardcasual — this piece is definitely good for a read, as are several of their more recent pieces.

The Cliffster’s Badass Plan to Fix New Games Journo [Hardcasual]

We're really hoping that someone out there is smart enough to give Gwar its own headlining release. Don't think about the retail shelf space, Harmonix and Activision, just do it.

Rejected Guitar Heroes [Maxim]

The film, which was screened at the New York Asian Film Festival this summer is being promoted with a series of parody ads. This particular ad is a send up of Nintendo's Wii, featuring a game known as Remote Contorol Exterminate [sic] in which players essentially slice up hapless victims for fun. Check out that sweet butcher knife controller accessory! Ick! It's obviously not safe for work or for the squeamish and is therefore after the break.

Last chance to avert your eyes before you see skulls split in half!

Eek! Thanks to J.A. for the heads up and for Twitch for the clip.

The Resident Evil Activity Book For Kids [The -Minus World]

Though it doesn't affect the game at all, your character is severely afraid of spiders

You have the choice to stay in Liberty City or drive to the suburbs of New Jersey, where you can earn a degree or learn a trade

Grand Theft Auto IV Hits Stores [The Onion via TBBPS]

A key part of the development process, I am told, is pitching your game ideas to studios and publishers. After some practice, I believe I am starting to get good at this. For instance, I know that if you want to be taken seriously as a professional, you need to use something called "Powerpoint". In fact, I have been writing all my game proposals in Powerpoint and I am starting to see a marked improvement in the quality of my ideas.

It's funny (I laughed — a lot) and worth a couple of minutes of your time.

The Pitch [Hit Self-Destruct via GameSetWatch]

Snake is instantly recognizable for a few simple features, his signature eye patch, the 80's glam rock head band and probably most importantly his manhood, that's right, his Moustache. But call me a heathen, when I hear the word moustache only one name springs to mind and that is Magnum P.I a.k.a Tom Selleck. Driving a Ferrari, courting beautiful women, for Gods sake he made Hawaiian Shirts cool. I pay him homage with a game cover should he ever decide to cash in on his mo.

So does Gibson's 1990's filing entitle them to a a piece of the Guitar Hero pie? No clue. Luckily we have the Onion who ran some "man on the street" responses to the difficult situation. Our favorite was from Bruce LaSaard, Elevator Installer. "Excuse me, but after last week's championship game at Ray's Creekside Tavern, I believe it is I who owns Guitar Hero."

Well said, fictitious man-on-the-street. Well said, indeed.

Gibson Sues Over Guitar Hero [The Onion] Thanks MrPants!

The town of Maycomb, Alabama found itself the center of controversy in 1930's and now you can be a part of it with this ground breaking massively multiplayer online role playing game. Finally players will have a chance to experience social injustice any way they want. Help Atticus Finch win the trial of his life and help Boo Radley start his life anew all while avoiding rabid dogs and the Klan. The open world design of this sleepy small town provide hours of game play.

Classic Literature Video Games [FunBox, thanks Will!]

Sure, comparing EA to the Galactic Empire has lost its shine, but seeing a Photoshopped John Riccitiello donning a Darth Vader helmet? That's gold, Jerry. Gold! The guest appearance from "Chatty" Mike Pachter makes it worth your page load.

EatTake2.com [via NeoGAF]

"I just figured, why waste all that time? Why make everyone sit through an insufferable halftime show again?" said Petty, who is very excited about the game between the Giants and Patriots. "Instead, I'm just going to bitch DragonForce on 'expert,' which should be enough show for everyone."

Petty to just play Guitar Hero III for Super Bowl halftime [Serious Sports News Network]

We also wouldn't mind the DualShock 3 being renamed "we lied, you do care" or Nintendo's friend codes going by something more catchy like "we want you to play with buddies IN PERSON, get it through your f'ing head already."

You say one thing, but you mean your mother. (VideoGame Box Art Edits 2) [via digg]