It's also running a free-shipping promo that isn't all that glamorous, but is worth a mention: Free shipping on The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the DS, and free shipping on all pre-ordered games.

You can check out the deals here. Alert reader bjorked noticed in yesterday's Weekend Coupons that the sale was announced in this weekend's Toys 'R Us circular.

Toys 'R Us: Video Games [site]

The sale will last the entire week. It doesn't sound like it coves pre-orders, but I could be wrong. It also looks like it covers accessories, priced up to $100, and so points cards are covered by that too. But that probably means you have to buy two accessories and get a third free, not mix-and-match games and accessories. Definitely ask your local Toys R Us when planning your strategy.

f you're hanging on what third title to pick, some good advice is to just get a second copy of a brand-new game for free and use it as tradebait for store credit later or flip it on half.com. Either way, they're giving away games. Don't waste the pick.

Toys R Us Buy 2 Get 1 Free Game Sale (10/11 to 10/17) [Cheap Ass Gamer, registration required]

This deal is in-store only, unfortunately, so those with no TRU are SOL on ODST. The retailer ran a similar promotion with Batman: Arkham Asylum last month, so who knows, maybe it's getting much more aggressive as the fall sales season bleeds into winter.

$20 Gift Card Plus Halo ODST Rookie Action Figure When You Buy Xbox 360 Halo 3 ODST Game [Toys 'R' Us via 1Up]

While the Walmart listing we saw didn't put a price tag on the Wii—currently still at its launch price of $249 USD—the Toys R Us version does, pegging the new MSRP at $199. And that's with Wii Sports included, not a stripped down package. The ad is purportedly from the end of September, due to hit the week of the 27th according to the tipster that forwarded a shot our way.

That's a week earlier than we were expecting based on the Walmart tip we received, but still not official in any capacity.

If accurate, that would mean a price drop announcement from Nintendo sometime within the next two weeks, possibly during the Tokyo Game Show. Nintendo won't be exhibiting officially at the yearly game show, but will be present at the Kyoto Cross Media Experience 2009.

We contacted Nintendo to get clarification, but were told "Nintendo does not comment on rumors and speculation." And they don't comment on blurry shots of Toys R Us circulars either!

Yes, the Toys R Us trade-in program differs from many of their competition in that there is no cut-off point when a game is too old to be traded in. As long as the customer supplies the original game in the original packaging, they can exchange their games for store credit good at Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores, along with the corresponding online outlets.

"The video game trade-in program is another way we're providing customers with additional value when they visit our stores," said Bill Lee, Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Toys"R"Us, U.S. "This program is designed to make the exchange process completely hassle-free for customers by accepting games from even the oldest systems, including the original Atari 2600 and 32-bit Sega Genesis."

Outside of the odd vintage video game shop and online outlets like eBay, there really aren't many places you can take your old Intellivision, NES, or Sega Genesis games for store credit. Depending on the reaction to the program, this could make the Toys R Us used video game section a very interesting place to shop, with games we've not seen in ages popping up on store shelves.

As if I needed more of an excuse to visit Toys R Us.

Update: Just got a message from a Toys R Us representative explaining that the games will not be going up for resell in Toys R Us stores. "The games will be collected by a third party that will then resell the games to retailers across the country."

That's a missed opportunity right there.

"We are testing out a program at a couple of our stores in the New York area," said Bob Friedland, senior public relations manager for Toys R Us. "We are selling used games in the stores participating in the test."

He declined to say when or if the program would be rolled out nationwide or extended to other locations. He also declined to say how unusual it was for Toys R Us to be testing out such a program.

Word of the used game buy back program first hit CheapAssGamer earlier today when reader phear3d posted an image of a sign that reads "Sell back your used video games and receive store credit."

According to the sign, which was located in Nanuet, New York's store number 6325, only games in original case with case artwork and manual would be accepted. Game discs can't be cracked and the store wouldn't accept any games rated A.

I'm assuming that means no Adults Only, or AO games are eligible.

Phear3d reports on his blog that there were already a number of used games that had been resealed at his local store. The original Rock Band for the 360 was selling for $30, while Puzzle Quest was selling for $18.

The Toys R Us here in the Denver area told me that they were familiar with the program but that they weren't participating. They did tell me to check back in a couple of weeks to see if the program had been expanded to their area.

Sounds like GameStop may soon have some competition in the lucrative used game sales business.

Toys R Us starts cashing in on the Used Games market

To get the free critter you just need to bring your DS and a copy of Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl to your local Toys R Us anytime from March 8 through March 21.

Make sure you have the Pokedex in your game and you don't have more than two Wonder Cards.

This is, I assume, the first of many Pokemon giveaways that Toys R Us will be hosting as part of their new support of the game in their stores nationwide.

A reader - an employee of Toys 'R' Us - sends us this pic, snapped from his store's database. If it's correct, it reveals that the console is in fact an Elite, being priced at $399 (and, well, it says "Elite" up the top). As for the rest of the supposed bundle, or the release date, who knows, the extras might be a pack-in at TRU not in the system, they might only be available at other retails. We'll find all that out in good time.

The Toys R Us Times Square Pokemon boutique opens in April and will remain open until the end of the year. Other stores around the country will create dedicated areas at the entrance of their video game R Zone departments to showcase Pokemon games, toys, knick-knacks, but no paddy whacks.

The stores will also host Pokemon events throughout the year.

"Our partnership with Toys"R"Us speaks volumes about the unwavering popularity of the Pokémon franchise," said Caryl Liebmann, director, retail development and promotions, Pokémon USA, Inc. "We're excited that Toys"R"Us is offering our fans this first-class retail destination."

So that's two Nintendo-related boutiques in Toys R Us Times Square. Why don't they just get it over with and turn it into Nintendo World Headquarters. Oh wait, they already have one of those.

Doorbusters:

* FREE Play Station 2 Deal – 6 FREE Games, FREE “21” DVD and FREE Play Station 2 DVD Remote with the purchase of the Play Station 2 System
* FREE Nintendo® DS™ accessory with the purchase of Nintendo® DS™ Brain Age Bundle or Nintendo® DS™ Super Mario Bros. Bundle
* More than 80% off Xbox 360 Wired Guitar Hero Game Controller
* Up to 50% off Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle for Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360

Toys 'R' Us Leaks Black Friday Deals [Gizmodo]

Dragonite is described as 'very unique' (grr..) and is a buffed-up level 50 Dragon that can perform Outrage, Dragon Dance, Thunderbolt and Draco Meteor attacks and can halve the strength of Ice attacks used against it.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl gamers can pick up their Dragonite's between 12pm and 4pm on Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of November at Toys-R-Us stores. Just bring your DS and a copy of one of the games and get downloading.

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime confirmed today what we first broke earlier this week, Best Buy and six other national retailers will be stocking Wii this weekend. And by stocking I mean they will be advertising the console in their weekly circulars (except Wal-Mart) and then throwing the consoles up on the shelves come the weekend and then running away.

Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Kmart, Toys R Us and Circuit City are all stocking the Wii this weekend for those still on the hunt. We had several tips after our rumor story ran about the stock issue.

According to Best Buy tipsters it sounds like all stores will have at least 21 of the consoles with some carrying as many as 100. I've also heard that Best Buy is expecting a second shipment next week which is supposed to go straight to shelves. Most stores will get them sometimes before noon. The bad news is that rumor has it that that will be the last pre-Christmas shipment for Best Buy, though they expect more in early January.

Target, another tipster tells me, has a big stockpile as well, some stores have more than 100. So this weekend sounds like your best chance to pick up a Wii, unless you don't mind buying a raincheck.

[via: CheapAssGamer]

NPD Defends Integrity of its Video Game Data [GameDaily]

[via GoNintendo]

[Thanks, sailorcancer2002]

If only he'd saved his hate for anonymously posting into the comments on an internet blog site thus starting a massive flame war like an adult.

Boy Arrested For Writing PS3 Sucks On Video Game Cases [Fun Tech Talk]

Walmart & Toys R Us Ads Confirm $50 Xbox 360 Price Cut [CheapAssGamer]