Clearly, Sony has been looking to bootstrap the PS3 to Grand Theft Auto IV's launch, even if this is the first time that title hasn't released exclusively on its platform first. A news release sent Thursday by Sony's agency pointed out that GTA IV's launch provided "a vigorous lift in PS3 console sales" (according to an exec with Sony channel partner Gamestop, in the kind of comment that was clearly written and approved by no one actually connected to it).

In the same release, an analyst points out that the three previous titles, launching exclusively on Playstation first, has helped build up an installation base of loyal GTA Playstation gamers. That brings up a nagging question: If Sony and Playstation can claim (and I certainly think they can) such a strong connection to the GTA franchise, how does the inexplicable lock-up problem, which seems to disproportionately affect the PS3, affect consumers considering a purchase of that console?

Is it — I'll go ahead and put it out there — at all equivalent to Xbox's Red Ring of Death PR nightmare?

Show Of Hands: Wii Online

Along with many of you, I've been playing quite a bit of Super Smash Bros. Brawl since it's been released. All in all, I'm impressed by the update more than I thought I would be. And the stiff platforming elements sorta grew on me.

But wow. Online play. That's not working too well, is it? Last night, I finally decided to give online a spin. I gave up after trying to join several games and waiting 5 to 10 minutes a pop for other players that never showed. Later, attacking with more resolve, I finally I got into one match—felt like a lottery winner—only to find that lag makes the hyperactive game completely unplayable. So I just wanted to run a quick poll to catch reader impressions of Wii's online services and see if I'm the only one having issues:

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Topping Death Match Final: Fondant Versus Ganache

It's time for the final round of our cake coating death match! Only two confectionery contenders remain standing from our initial field of thirty cake toppings: fan-favorite fondant, which gives a cake that smooth, professional look, and the surprise challenger, ganache. Who'd have thought that plucky ganache, the chocolate cream creation from the mid 1800's would have toppled the more versatile butter cream? Well topple it did, and now it all comes down to this...the icing on the cake, as it were. Make your vote be heard, faithful Kaketaku readers!

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Which Controller Do You Brawl With?

The SNES Was The Best Console EVAR

CNET just published a story by Don Reisinger claiming that the Super Nintendo was the greatest console of all time. He argues that the console was the ultimate successor, "a follow-up that was worthy of the 'Super' moniker and gave developers the license they needed to create the legendary titles that we still play today." Personally, I'd agree with his casually argued logic—there's a reason I'm anxious to port Super Mario World to every device on the planet but bored by the thought of playing PSOne games on the PSP. Of course, this is all just one man's opinion and many of you won't agree. So go ahead and vote below before elaborating in the comments.

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Could You Handle Shaky, Cloverfield-Style Gaming?

The Live Outage Poll

Conflicting reports of Xbox Live outages continue to roll in to Kotaku Tower and now that Larry Hryb has been officially and legally muzzled there's no way to tell what's going on or how the fix is coming. Which is odd, you'd think they could at least update their subscribers about the issues without legal ramifications. Then again, I'm no lawyer. In lieu of official comment, the next best thing is to go to the users of Live to see if they too are still experiencing issues.

Hit the jump to vote on our very unofficial poll.

Do You Believe That MGS4 Will Be On Xbox 360

You had yesterday to vote on your favorite games by platform, now's your chance to vote on which favored platform game should get the overall Reader's Choice Game of the Year. Hit the jump to vote in the poll. On Monday I'll publish the results for all of the polls.

Reader's Choice XBLA GOTY

Yesterday we published our goaties for each platform and the overall game of the year. Today's your chance to vote for the best game in each platform. Hit the jump to vote for the XBLA's Game of the Year. We'll be publishing polls for the rest of the categories throughout the day. On Monday we'll tabulate the totals and use that to put up a poll for the Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year.

Reader's Choice PSN GOTY

Yesterday we published our goaties for each platform and the overall game of the year. Today's your chance to vote for the best game in each platform. Hit the jump to vote for the PSN's Game of the Year. We'll be publishing polls for the rest of the categories throughout the day. On Monday we'll tabulate the totals and use that to put up a poll for the Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year.

Reader's Choice Xbox 360 GOTY

Yesterday we published our goaties for each platform and the overall game of the year. Today's your chance to vote for the best game in each platform. Hit the jump to vote for the Xbox 360's Game of the Year. We'll be publishing polls for the rest of the categories throughout the day. On Monday we'll tabulate the totals and use that to put up a poll for the Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year.

Reader's Choice Wii GOTY

Yesterday we published our goaties for each platform and the overall game of the year. Today's your chance to vote for the best game in each platform. Hit the jump to vote for the Wii's Game of the Year. We'll be publishing polls for the rest of the categories throughout the day. On Monday we'll tabulate the totals and use that to put up a poll for the Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year.

Reader's Choice PSP GOTY

Yesterday we published our goaties for each platform and the overall game of the year. Today's your chance to vote for the best game in each platform. Hit the jump to vote for the PSP's Game of the Year. We'll be publishing polls for the rest of the categories throughout the day. On Monday we'll tabulate the totals and use that to put up a poll for the Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year.

Reader's Choice PS3 GOTY

Yesterday we published our goaties for each platform and the overall game of the year. Today's your chance to vote for the best game in each platform. Hit the jump to vote for the PS3's Game of the Year. We'll be publishing polls for the rest of the categories throughout the day. On Monday we'll tabulate the totals and use that to put up a poll for the Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year.

Reader's Choice PS2 GOTY

Yesterday we published our goaties for each platform and the overall game of the year. Today's your chance to vote for the best game in each platform. Hit the jump to vote for the PS2's Game of the Year. We'll be publishing polls for the rest of the categories throughout the day. On Monday we'll tabulate the totals and use that to put up a poll for the Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year.

Reader's Choice PC GOTY

Yesterday we published our goaties for each platform and the overall game of the year. Today's your chance to vote for the best game in each platform. Hit the jump to vote for the PC's Game of the Year. We'll be publishing polls for the rest of the categories throughout the day. On Monday we'll tabulate the totals and use that to put up a poll for the Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year.