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  Real Bird Attacks Fake Chocobo

  Watch, as some guy’s pet bird spots a Chocobo on a can of FFXIII “elixir” and goes straight for the eyes. [via Boing Boing]

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 1, 2010
• Reviews

  0 Day: Attack on Earth Micro-Review: Where’s Will Smith When You Need Him?

  Square Enix unleashes an Earth-swallowing alien invasion over Xbox Live Arcade, guaranteeing twitch-addicted gamers begin the new year with a thumb-numbing workout. This top-down, dual-stick shooter retains the arcadey appeal of the genre, while supporting its frenzied action with sharp visuals and impressive effects. Solo pilots are in for an alien-annihilating blast, but co-op world-savers…

  matt cabral Published January 1, 2010
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  The 2009 eBay Holiday Video Game Grey Market Report

  While game publishers look to retail sales figures to gauge the success of the holiday season, let’s take a look at how our favorite games and consoles performed in the shady back-alleys of eBay’s 2009 holiday grey market. It’s that time of year again. Time to take a data dive into the heart of eBay…

  By Mike Fahey Published January 1, 2010
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  Autotune the Video Games with Kotaku

  It has been a wonderful, wonderful ride, the double Os. After all, they saw the birth of Kotaku. They also saw the inception of our now annual holiday card. Two years ago Mark Wilson suggested that we should try and put together something a little special for our readers: A delightful thank you to all…

  By Brian Crecente Published January 1, 2010
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  Talk Amongst Yourselves ’10

  We interrupt this New Year’s Day to bring you a new Talk Amongst Yourselves. Thank you, reader Cave_Man, for nominating this month’s classic, 1851’s Washington Crossing the Delaware, by Emanuel Leutze. Do as Washington did, readers, and discuss video games. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ.

  By Stephen Totilo Published January 1, 2010
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  The Ten Most Influential Women In Games Of The Past Decade

  Gaming Angel’s founder Trina Schwimmer’s list of women in games includes ten people who have helped change the game industry from the inside. While it’s not all inclusive, it is a very sound list. This is the time of the year where most sites are doing their top ten lists about different subjects. Personally, I…

  Trina Schwimmer Published January 1, 2010
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  Kotaku’s Most Popular Posts Of 2009

  When 2009 is said and done, the Kotaku readership will have viewed the site more than 600 million times this year, an impressive mountain of clicks, comments and—based on this year’s most read posts—lecherous gallery ogling. Of the top ten most voraciously “read” posts, two feature Zoey from Left 4 Dead in various states of…

  By Michael McWhertor Published December 31, 2009
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  Happy Happy

  To: Ash From: Crecente Re: Tim Rogers Is Everyone’s Friend Today the year ends. I will spend the last moments with my wife and son watching a movie probably, eating great mounds of popcorn and drinking champagne. The eating and drinking are things I practiced daily while on vacation, but in the month I was…

  By Brian Crecente Published December 31, 2009
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  NCAA Football — Where My High School’s Name is in the Game

  At my high school – among the smallest in North Carolina – we aren’t known as the “Rams” or the “Cardinals.” We’re “The Buckin’ Elks.” And Brad Nessler says that name – all of it – in NCAA Football 10. I know of no other institution of learning, NCAA FBS, FCS, Division II, III or…

  By Owen Good Published December 31, 2009
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  The Legend of Zelda: The Wedding: The Video

  Kotaku reader Kyle was nice enough to share the private, nerdier moments of his recent The Legend of Zelda themed nuptials with the rest of us, showing off the amazing Zelda cartridge cufflinks conceptualized by his bride. Now there’s video. The special “Kotaku Cut” of Kyle and Ashley’s day at the altar gives a closer…

  By Michael McWhertor Published December 31, 2009
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  New Year’s Marathoning: Video Games or TV?

  The last and first day of the year for me has always meant spending way too much time in front of the TV. Be it playing video games until I pass out or watching televised marathons, I consider it a guilt-free over-indulgence. This year will be no different. I’ve got a sizable backlog of games…

  By Brian Crecente Published December 31, 2009
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  So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

  After nearly a year and half of being Kotaku’s San Francisco Correspondent and default token girl*, it’s time for me to say goodbye. GamePro is whisking me away to that fabled land of print journalism I’ve heard so much about. I can easily say that my time here has been well spent. Kotaku taught me…

  By AJ Glasser Published December 31, 2009
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  These Shadow of the Colossus Tans Might Be A Lil’ NSFW

  Crossing one more game off the Things To Be Moe-fied list is this doujin tribute to Team ICO’s PlayStation 2 classic Shadow of the Colossus, a sixteen strong collection of less furry, far cuter colossi that’s borderline maximum risky. That’s Valus the Minotaur and Dirge the Sandworm, just with a lot more flesh, the stuff…

  By Michael McWhertor Published December 31, 2009
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  Iraqi Kidnap Victim Subjected To PlayStation

  British hostage Peter Moore will soon be returning to the UK from Iraq, after spending the last six months of his two-and-a-half year period of captivity with only satellite television, a laptop, and a PlayStation to keep him occupied. Peter Moore and his four bodyguards were kidnapped in May of 2007 by what is understood…

  By Mike Fahey Published December 31, 2009
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  Mario, Zelda Strike Down Final Fantasy XIII In Japan

  After a debut week as impressive as an Odin summon, Final Fantasy XIII’s second week on the market in Japan shows that Lightning’s sales legs that aren’t quite as impressive as Mario’s. Nintendo’s New Super Mario Bros. Wii returns to software sales chart dominance after a week off, moving another half-million copies in Japan. The…

  By Michael McWhertor Published December 31, 2009
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  Win An Autographed copy of Zelda: Spirit Tracks and More

  It’s the last day of 2009 and of the Double Os as well (unless you’re pedantic), but more importantly it’s the last day you can enter to win a spectacular Zelda prize pack. How spectacular you ask? The grand prize is a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, a Spirit Tracks t-shirt, a…

  By Brian Crecente Published December 31, 2009
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  What Are You Playing This Holiday Weekend?

  Having picked up a pair of copies of PlatinumGames and Sega’s Bayonetta last night, you can probably guess what I’ll be doing with my extended holiday weekend. As of last night, I’m only about 90 minutes into the game, which has been a familiar first 90 minutes. Much of what I’ve seen in demos, in…

  By Michael McWhertor Published December 31, 2009
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  You Decide Who Wins The Level Of The Year Sackademy Award

  Media Molecule has whittled through more than 1.5 million LittleBigPlanet levels to select 10 nominees for the 2009 Level of the Year Sackie award. The rest is up to you. Media Molecule has been passing out the Sackademy Awards left and right this month, with the winners for Best Machinima Video, Best Visuals and Use…

  By Mike Fahey Published December 31, 2009
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  Dragon Age Retail Expansion Coming In March

  Product listings from retailers in New Zealand suggest a full retail expansion for Dragon Age: Origins is heading to the PC in March. Eurogamer’s Czech Republic site has posted an article detailing a new expansion for Dragon Age titled Dragon Age: Awakening. Apparently culled from product listings from unnamed websites in New Zealand, the land…

  By Mike Fahey Published December 31, 2009
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  Hori’s DSi Play Stand + Stylus: Why?

  Hori’s Play Stand + Stylus is a well-built stand for your DSi, I’m just not sure what the point is. The stand holds your DSi horizontally or vertically and can be adjusted to whatever viewing angle best suits you, but besides using it with maybe the Nintendo Cooking Guide, I don’t see getting a lot…

  By Brian Crecente Published December 31, 2009