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  In 2010, Japan Went Mad For Game Addiction, Dog Politics and Outer Space

  Publisher Jiyu Kokuminsha (via Pink Tentacle) revealed its annual list of the sixty most important Japanese words or phrases of 2010 that sum up the year’s trends and events. From this list, the top ten will be selected and made public early next month. Here is a sampling: リア充 (ria-juu) This means “reality-filled” and is…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published November 17, 2010
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  Why The Hell Does The PS3 Need Another Movie Service?

  In North America, the PlayStation 3 currently plays host to Netflix, Hulu and Sony’s own Video Marketplace. Now, Sony has decided to offer another video delivery service, bringing VUDU to American PS3s. VUDU is a video marketplace that lets PS3 owners rent or purchase movies by streaming them. And while it may seem farcical to…

  By Luke Plunkett Published November 17, 2010
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  Korean Kid Murders Mother Then Kills Himself Over “Internet Games”

  A sad reminder tonight that video games don’t always end up in good times: a 15 year-old boy from South Korea has murdered his mother then killed himself following “a fight over Internet games”. The boy, from Busan in Korea’s south-east, got into an argument on Monday night with his mother when she “scolded” him…

  By Luke Plunkett Published November 17, 2010
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  Are You Good Enough At Gran Turismo To Race A Real Car?

  Having previously been restricted to Europe and Australasia, the Gran Turismo Academy is now open to North Americans as well. What this means is that the best GT5 players can now compete for a spot on a real race team. Sounds bananas, but that’s exactly how it works, and has worked in PAL territories for…

  By Luke Plunkett Published November 17, 2010
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  Under The Weather

  Hey, Kotaku. You want to engage in a little off-topic conversation to close out the night? Sadly, I won’t be joining you. I’m calling in sick. I’ve been feverish and achy all day—and not just from strenuous sessions with PlayStation Move game The Fight: Lights Out—and it’s time for me to check out. I’m going…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  The Coolest Way To Play A Game Boy Game Is With A Samurai Sword

  It may not be the most efficient way, but this demonstration of how to play the Game Boy Advance version of Rhythm Heaven with a laser and a Japanese sword is definitely the most impressive. Originally uploaded to Japanese video site Nico Nico Douga earlier this year, this video of a man playing mini-game “Samurai…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  Super Meat Boy For Steam Tastes Like Headcrab

  The Steam version of brutal platformer Super Meat Boy has been infested with Half-Life Headcrabs, the latest addition to the list of playable cameos in Team Meat’s guest star-rich video game. The alien spawn that makes men into zombies in Valve’s Half-Life series replaces Gish as the first unlockable character in the Steam version of…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  You Could Own The Worst King Koopa Costume Ever

  Super Mario Bros. The Movie may be one of the worst video game film adaptations of all time, but for those who love to revel in its awfulness, perhaps this King Koopa costume should be part of your collection. Movie memorabilia auction house Julien’s Live is offering bidders the chance to take home this, one…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  Strike Ewoks Down With All Of Your Hatred In The Force Unleashed II Add-on

  Good. Goooood. I can feel three decades worth of your Ewok anger. Take your copy of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II and electrocute those Endor teddy bears and your journey towards the dark side will be complete! LucasArts may be making up for the so-so Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II by sending series…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  PlayStation Store Update: Crazy Taxis & Sands of Time

  Could this be one of the best weeks ever for the PlayStation Store? I mean, it does have a fresh serving of Peggle in it, so it starts with that advantage. What else have we got? As the headline suggests, PSN ports of Dreamcast game Crazy Taxi and PlayStation 2 game Prince of Persia: The…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  Gift Guides

  To: Ash From: Crecente Reviews! Gift guides! I don’t have a second to breath. What you missed Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 Spreads the Love In February Review: Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Is The Best Assassin’s Creed Which Call of Duty: Black Ops Accessories Are Worth Buying? Bizarre Devs Took a Chance, May Get Closed Are The…

  By Brian Crecente Published November 16, 2010
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  The Tester 2: Episode 3: “Can You Hear Me Now?” Liveblog: Communication Is Key

  Can SCEA Santa Monica Studio Producer Deborah Mars keep Big Fazeek from eating the other competitors like some sort of cereal? Let’s watch The Tester 2 episode three and find out! Things heated up on The Tester 2 during last week’s episode. Tensions flared, the word douchebag was thrown about more than once, and a…

  By Mike Fahey Published November 16, 2010
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  The New Yars’ Revenge Looks More Like Zone of the Enders

  Atari is reviving the Atari 2600 space shooter Yars’ Revenge as a downloadable game next year which, so far, seems devoid of giant chromed flies and filled with anime-inspired mech girls. According to Big Download, the new Yars’ Revenge will release on the original game’s 29th anniversary, telling the tale of a “nameless Yar who…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  LEGO Universe MMO Log Three: A Dark Hero Rises

  This week’s installment of our four-part LEGO Universe MMO Log begins with the death of RumbleWarpWhistle and the birth of Fahey, Agent of Paradox. Kotaku’s MMO reviews are a multi-part process. Rather than deliver day one reviews based on beta gameplay, we play the game for four weeks before issuing our final verdict. Once a…

  By Mike Fahey Published November 16, 2010
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  Should You Buy an iPad for Gaming?

  The iPad is a magical device, at least according to Apple, but is it a device worth buying to play games on? [UPDATED for the holidays.] This is our best advice — updated regularly — about whether or not you should buy an iPad for gaming, what games to get for it and what to…

  Team Kotaku Published November 16, 2010
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  Ex LucasArts, Budcat Staffers To Also Have A Lousy Christmas [Update]

  Bizarre Creations isn’t the only video game developer dealing with hard times right now. Two more developers appear to have been affected by holiday layoffs, including Star Wars game dev LucasArts and Guitar Hero studio Budcat Creations. Sources close to LucasArts say the studio has gone through another round of layoffs today, but numbers were…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  Kotaku’s 2010 iPad Gift Guide

  The holidays are coming, and that means it’s time for you to start thinking about what sorts of gifts you want to give and get this year. Yesterday I walked you through a mix of some of the best games to hit the iPhone this year. Today it’s all about the iPad. Here’s our take…

  By Brian Crecente Published November 16, 2010
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  My Cat’s Impressions Of Kinectimals

  My cat has co-starred in a number of stories I’ve posted about Microsoft’s Kinect in the past couple of weeks, mostly by accident. She likes prowling through our house, making cameo appearances in videos I shoot. Not with Kinectimals, though. She is fascinated with Microsoft’s virtual cat game, which I discovered while I was reviewing…

  By Stephen Totilo Published November 16, 2010
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  The Console War Fought Final Fantasy Style

  If the video game console wars were fought not with billions of dollars spent on marketing and exclusives, but with Power Bombs, Biggoron, and Spark Shocks—and an Evil Wall with Bill Gates’ face—it might look something like this. “Firewall” is the latest creation from Doctor Octoroc, the talent behind Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog: The…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2010
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  Final Fantasy XIV’s Skips Another Subscription Period

  Expecting extensive game-fixing changes in the months to come, Square Enix steps up to the plate once again, offering Final Fantasy XIV players another free 30 days of game time while renovations are underway. Square Enix has big plans for troubled MMO Final Fantasy XIV, but those changes will amount to nothing if the player…

  By Mike Fahey Published November 16, 2010