Burnout Paradise was originally envisioned as a series of islands all connected to Paradise City through bridges (or potentially boats!), but something changed after the game was released that shifted Criterion's focus on DLC. Criterion figured Stunt Run and Ranked Racing would be the online modes everyone would be playing, but instead, players flocked to the Free Burn Challenges, so the developers shifted gears accordingly, scrapping the idea of multiple islands filled with different game types, including one marked up like an F1 course. Drat.

The other scrapped plans are even more interesting. They envisioned boats racing from island to island, planes and helicopters flying overhead, and cars versus motorcycles ala Road Rash. They considered a network of underground racing areas, and time portals that would temporarily warp you to the Old West. But by far the most out-of-this-world idea was Burnout on the moon.

Again, completely true. Someone on the team said that 'players want the moon on a stick when it comes to DLC' We thought that was funny and thought we'd do it. The actual surface of the real Moon was modeled and it was drive-able. Lunar Challenges would have been totally unexpected - as would have been zero gravity Takedowns and Challenges.

The idea was that we would have built a rocket pad on Big Surf. If you reached a certain Rank, or completed a number of specific challenges, you could drive there, press a button and the rocket would launch. Destination - Moon! (Now that would have beaten downloadable car liveries any day!)

Agreed! Check out the link below for more on Criterion's overly ambitious DLC plans, and imagine what might have been.

"Take A Look At What You Could Have Won..." [Criterion Games via inc gamers]

That screen shot of a character who sure doesn't look like Mr. Nukem taking aim at a beast that looks Duke universe appropriate was spotted by Shacknews earlier today, leading to speculation that yet another Duke Nukem project is in the works in some capacity and that it could one day actually be released.

Or not. The "D-Day" information offered by the official Duke Nukem Facebook presence doesn't offer any further details about what the "preview pic" is for. It could be a snap from the on-hold Duke Begins from Gearbox Software or from the purportedly still in development Duke Nukem Forever from 3D Realms.

Who wants to place some bets?

Duke Nukem [Facebook via Shacknews]

Granted these may be Mario and Luigi lookalikes, given that the robbery and beatdown took place on Halloween night at a Great Kills, NY gas station, not in some Mushroom Kingdom borough. According to police reports, the dressed up duo assaulted and robbed the 48-year-old taxi driver after an altercation inside the cab.

A third man dressed in a tuxedo, who we'll presume was Toad in formal attire, is also being sought.

Wanted in Halloween assault: Not so Super Mario and his brother Luigi in cabbie beatdown [NY Daily News - thanks, Will & Chrismoke!]

We're not trying to accuse ASEFOSAM of glomming on to Mario's highly anticipate Wii release, but to honor Mario for his contributions to the field of plumbing is bordering on suspect. But we shan't take away from the Italian one's accolades, we'll just thank Noel for the heads up... while fully investigating this suspiciously timed award!

Mario Bros, socio de honor [ElPais.com]

Or so said box, obviously in terrible shape, commanded when auctioned off on eBay last month. As spotted by Siliconera, a fierce bidding war for the unreleased game's box—again, this is just a prototype of a box, not even a real box—ultimately came down to nearly six hundred bucks American.

Unfortunately for the seller, whoever won that auction apparently didn't come through. The box has since been relisted on eBay, with two days worth of bidding to go. Right now, top bid is $51.00, something we'll be keeping an eye on.

Somewhat related, is anyone interested in a copy of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch: Make My Video for Sega CD? I'm looking to unload a few.

New Kids on the Block Prototype Sample NES Nintendo Box [eBay via Siliconera]

Bon Jovi, a band four years older than the Final Fantasy series itself, will be co-promoting Crystal Bearers for Square Enix with the song "We Weren't Born To Follow" from the group's upcoming album The Circle. That album is due to drop one day prior to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers' Japanese release on Wii.

That's what we call synergy, kids. If only for the fact that protagonist Layle and Jon Bon Jovi have near identical haircuts. The rest is simply a happy coincidence.

スクエニ、Wii「FFCC クリスタルベアラー」CMソングにボン・ジョヴィの楽曲を採用 [Game Watch via AndriaSang]

But spend $20,100 on said ultra-rare NES game someone did, snapping up the "one of a kind" item on eBay. That purchase price may not be as outrageous as you're thinking.

It does have three games on it, Super Mario Bros. 3, Pin-Bot, and Dr. Mario, helping to defray the cost. I'm fairly certain that any copy of Super Mario Bros. 3 costs about ten large anyway, so it's a steal!

The real story is that this really may be the only cartridge of its kind, created for a nationwide college video game tournament from 1991. The Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991 was allegedly supposed to be destroyed at the end of that promotion, but one employee managed to hold on to a copy.

Hit up eBay to marvel at this gorgeous little contraption of chips, PCB and plastic.

Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991 NES World Championships [eBay - thanks, Billy!]

In an featured interview with CGSociety, Feldman says that he attempted to convince Asmussen that "Kratos could have some truly badass huge weapons that rip gods to shreds," presumably in the vein of chain guns or gorgon head launchers.

"Unfortunately," Feldman says, "he didn't see the genius in the idea."

Whether Mr. Feldman offered up that nugget of trivia with a smirk we don't know, but after having played Link's Crossbow Training for the Wii, we can't write this off as a terrible idea. A bad idea? Oh, totally. Just not terrible.

Developer interview with Art Director Ken Feldman and Lead Animator Bruno Velazquez. [CGSociety via MCV & Split-Screen]

Come on, you have to have heard of Kabbage Boy...what, you're serious? Everyone who is anyone has heard of Kabbage Boy! Hell, even Tim Schafer has heard of them, and he's pretty damn old.

"Kabbage Boy is an extremely popular band that if you don't know about then you must be over 20, I'm talking OLD," said Tim Schafer, President of Double Fine Productions and avid Kabbage Boy fan. "Because everybody who is anybody who is between the ages of 11-15 knows and loves Kabbage Boy. We were very lucky to get them in Brutal Legend, and we just hope they don't sue us like they are threatening to do."

I wasn't sure about the game before, but now it's a must-buy. KABBAGE BOY FOR LIFE!

Iggy Pop's "The Passenger" will be featured in LEGO Rock Band soundtrack as will the singer himself, looking far more pear-shaped than he's ever looked. Let's all pray for Iggy's continued health until the release of LEGO Rock Band, lest things get any weirder around here.

Iggy Pop monte sur scène dans LEGO Rock Band. [JeuxVideo.fr]

According to reports citing a statement from Nigeria's Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, the African republic is up in arms over Sony's latest PS3 ad campaign. Specifically, it appears one line from one of the commercials is an "unwarranted attack on the reputation and image of the country" according to Nigeria's federal government.

That would be "You can't believe everything you read on the internet. Otherwise, I'd be a Nigerian millionaire by now." Fictional director of rumor confirmation Kevin Butler says so in this ad, which is only amusing to me because I'm not Nigerian.

Nigeria "demands an unconditional apology from Sony Corporation for this deliberate negative campaign against the country's image and reputation" according to a cited press statement.

Update: Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications at SCEA says that the company pulled the ad shortly after it first began airing in response to customer complaints. The official PlayStation web site features the following apology: "It has come to our attention that a recent TV advertisement for PlayStation may have offended some members of the Nigerian community. We never intended to create a situation that would upset anyone, and we have taken action to immediately remove the advertisement from the air. We apologize to anyone this may have offended."

Sony Corporation portrayed Nigeria as home of fraud – FG [Vanguard - thanks, Paul!]

The eight episode show will be produced by some of reality's best, as Sony Computer Entertainment has tapped 51 Minds Entertainment to steer "The Tester." They're responsible for trainwrecks like "The Surreal Life," "Flavor of Love" and "Rock of Love," which likely makes the PlayStation Network reality series the production company's least STD-ridden effort to date.

According to the announcement, the PSN show will challenge contestants' "memory, stamina, dexterity, and overall mental prowess." Whomever survives this series of challenges will secure a contract position at Sony Computer Entertainment's Quality Assurance department in San Diego. If this sounds like something you'd like to attempt, you can sign up now at the show's official site. (It's limited to U.S. residents who are 21 and over, by the way.)

Those who would prefer to simply watch the drama of "The Tester" play out can do so via the PlayStation Network this winter. For a fee. The show can be purchased episode by episode or as part of an eight-episode season pass.

Also, this is not a joke.

The Tester [PlayStation.com]

Whether GameStop has simply found itself with a few thousand squirt guns and plastic ducks unexpectedly, or its simply trying to score a post on Kotaku pointing out how batshit insane this is, these two bundles are of questionable purpose. Value, yes, as you're essentially getting a rubber ducky for free. But the Nintendo Wii Summer Fun Bundle and the far more suggestive Nintendo Wii Take a Bath with a Buddy Bundle are curious in their need to exist.

Oh, and there's another Wii bundle with a pirate tattoo sleeve. What.

Remember, there is a strict limit of two per household!

Nintendo Wii Systems [GameStop - thanks, Grant!]

ZootFly's first game will pit the mohawked one against Nazis, obviously, bustin' up the gigantic machines of the Third Reich in "South American rain forests, lost ancient cities, industrial complexes and contemporary military installations." Mr. T will joined by SimCity and Spore designer Will Wright, who's trading in his game design skills for genetic engineering skills. Unfortunately, Wright's been kidnapped by them no good Nazis and T's gotta help. Expect to pity those Nazi fools.

According to ZootFly's announcement, each and every game will feature "knuckle-whitening action-adventure, furious brawler combat, gravity-defying platforming, and environmental puzzles." That's right, Jack! Environmental puzzles, sucka!

Whatever these Mr. T games will be called and whether Wright's actually signed off on having his likeness in the T-rated games, they'll be coming to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PC. Stay in school!

The venture, according to a report from GameDaily, will see games published for the iPhone as well as through Microsoft's XNA initiative. Telling GameDaily that GamePro Labs will be "fueled by grassroots independent game developers," it sounds like the mag-turned-game label has designs on moving beyond indie development.

GamePro plans to reveal some of its games at the upcoming Game Developers Conference.

With GamePro one of the few remaining print publications still thriving as magazines and web sites go under, it's not surprising that it's looking to expand. The "Regular promotion in GamePro Magazine" perk for signing up with GamePro Labs is probably going to rub some people the wrong way, however, no matter how much disclosure the magazine's editors provide.

GamePro Reels in Ziff Sales Staff, Launching Games Publishing Label [GameDaily]

In another case of "Because it's there", some brave/misguided soul has gone to great lengths to get Windows Vista running on a PlayStation 3. How? Emulated via Linux, of course. That translates to blazing speeds, making the Microsoft OS boot in a mere 25 minutes. Notepad opens in just 12!! If you're interested in the techniques required to get Vista on your PS3, PS3HaX has a handy tutorial. Just think — you could be playing Minesweeper in just a few days, at single digit speed percentages! Impress your friends!

Vista running on PS3 & more BD-J homebrew [ via Gizmodo]

HAKUNA MATATA (Asian Japanese Version) [via Siliconera]

To answer your question, Adam, we have absolutely no idea WTF this is all about. Theories are certainly welcome.

Hygienic Panty for Female Dogs [DealExtreme, thanks adamcole!]

What the Star Tribune probably doesn't realize is that the grandparents are now hooked on Wii Sports bowling and the kids are getting their nature fix from Endless Ocean. I'm off to shun real life nature with a photo safari in Pokemon Snap. Take that, anonymous nature boy!

Editorial: Pause the Playstation and head to Wabasha [Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune]

PLAYSTATION 3 evangelist Chad Wardenn has released his latest expletive and epithet laden diatribe explaining why the PS Triple is still ballin' yet the Wii and Xbox 360 are decidedly lacking in the ballin' department. Chad's indefensible logic will illustrate why those without game, for instance that "mexican" plumber Mario, aren't foolin' Chad Wardenn (pronounced Chawawehhn now).

It may be loaded with foul language and sound more stream of consciousness than his last effort, but those of you still on the fence about what console to get may want to let Chad school you on the current systems.

WARNING: Not safe for brains. Michael McWhertor