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  Notebook Dump: My First DSi-Only Cartridge, Gears And More

  There comes a time in the week to reflect on what got into my reporter’s notebook but didn’t turn into Kotaku blog posts. Shall we? Weird week this week for me, with reporting mixed in with new-house stuff and some exciting non-work stuff. But still there are these extra things I need to share. Gears…

  By Stephen Totilo Published October 30, 2009
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  It’s The N-d Of The Line For N-Gage

  Act fast, N-Gage users. You only have until September 2010 to snap up games for the platform, as Nokia Oyj is putting the oft-ridiculed mobile platform turned mobile games service down for good. Nokia will not publish any new games for the N-Gage platform, according to a notice published on its blog, and it will…

  By Michael McWhertor Published October 30, 2009
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  Tristan Vs. Zombies

  To: Owen From: Crecente I introduced Tristan to Plants Vs. Zombies earlier this week, installing it on his laptop. He is no completely addicted. He just sits there, before bedtime, playing the game quietly. It’s kinda creepy. Creepier still, Trish sometimes backseat plays, pointing out the suns dropping on the screen or telling him where…

  By Brian Crecente Published October 30, 2009
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  Forza 3 Makes Inroads Into Japanese Game Chart

  Forza Motorsport 3 gives the Xbox 360 a rare top ten placement on Media Create‘s weekly list of the bestselling games in Japan. It’s one of a handful of new debuts that came nowhere near unseating Pokemon as software champ. Yes, Pokemons Heart Gold and Soul Silver once again top the Media Create software chart,…

  By Michael McWhertor Published October 30, 2009
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  Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising Preview: The Darker Side Of Dawn

  The Chaos Rising expansion adds a lot of what you expect from expansions (new race, class, gear) – but it also introduces a corruption/purity element to change up both the plot and gameplay. Now the only way the good/evil thing is any fun for me is if there’s a character around to whine at me…

  By AJ Glasser Published October 30, 2009
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  God Of War III Demo Unchained Early For Some

  Hey, Kotaku readership. You may want to check your e-mail, as God of War III demos appear to be going out unsolicited to “valued PlayStation Network user[s].” We’ve heard from a handful of Kotaku readers in the United States, UK and Poland—we would never forget Poland—who have been surprised with download vouchers for the God…

  By Michael McWhertor Published October 30, 2009
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  Which Tekken Fighter Makes A Cameo In We Cheer 2?

  Oh, Panda does. That mountain of an unlockable King of Iron Fist contestant finds some time to shed layers of hibernation fat in Namco Bandai‘s latest promotional attempt for Wii game We Cheer 2. According to an announcement from Namco Bandai, Panda’s appearance in the Wii game will occur during the game’s Workout Mode, a…

  By Michael McWhertor Published October 30, 2009
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  Can Bigger Screens Save a Shrinking Market?

  News of a new, extra-large, extra-priced portable from Nintendo was met more with confusion than enthusiasm when it was unveiled this week. The DSi XL has screens that are an inch bigger than the DSi, comes with a regular sized and extra large stylus and is closer to size of a netbook than it is…

  By Brian Crecente Published October 30, 2009
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  What Are You Playing This Weekend?

  If I play anything this weekend, you can be damn sure that I’ll be playing a copy of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, earning double the virtual money. A complimentary copy of the PlayStation 3 game arrived while I was away. Away doing what? Away playing a video game for an upcoming Kotaku review, two days…

  By Michael McWhertor Published October 30, 2009
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  Halloween Greetings From Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing

  “When darkness falls and thunder drums, something speedy this way comes.” Thus begins Sega’s attempt at drumming up Halloween marketing for Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. I suppose the characters could be living in some sort of nightmare world, where traditional games are bypassed in favorite of name-driven racing games. Where Ryu from the Shenmue…

  By Mike Fahey Published October 30, 2009
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  Next Week On Rock Band: How Much Grohl Would You Like?

  It doesn’t matter if you prefer your Dave Grohl with or without Kurt Cobain, next week’s Rock Band Music Store update has you covered. Three shots of Nirvana and a four-pack of Foo Fighters grace the Rock Band Music Store next week, with Joan Jett and the Blackheart’s “Fake Friends” this week’s sole non Nirvana-related…

  By Mike Fahey Published October 30, 2009
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  Final Fantasy XIII’s Bahamut & Brynhildr Get Goofy In Gestalt

  Surely you’ve seen Final Fantasy XIII’s version of Odin, the summon that can be called to aid our heroine Lightning in battle. And surely you’ve seen Odin’s horsey “gestalt” variation, turning him into deadly four-legged transport. Get ready for more! Square Enix has updated the official Japanese Final Fantasy XIII web site, giving us a…

  By Michael McWhertor Published October 30, 2009
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  But PlayStation Home Is A Priority Now, Says SCEA Exec

  A recent report from Europe indicated that PlayStation Home was no longer a Sony priority. I checked with the U.S. office where a different tune is being sung. In the grand, Kotaku-Sony-Home tradition, let’s reprint their e-mail response in full. This is from Jack Buser, director of PlayStation Home in the U.S. in response to…

  By Stephen Totilo Published October 30, 2009
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  Capcom Bullish On More Paid Downloadable Content

  During the early part of 2009 Capcom received mixed reactions from readers of sites like this one regarding the release of downloadable content for Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter. The company is moving ahead with more. Capcom offered the following as one of its strategies for the second half of its fiscal year, which…

  By Stephen Totilo Published October 30, 2009
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  Uncharted 2 Title Update Hits, Naughty Dog Teases Spookiness

  The next time you fire up Uncharted 2: Among Thieves—if you haven’t done so already—expect to update your copy of the PlayStation 3 game, fixing various issues. You should probably update, if you want to play this weekend. Because the Danish Trophy description has finally been fixed. Wait. I mean… Because this weekend, the Naughty…

  By Michael McWhertor Published October 30, 2009
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  Storm’s Husband Gets Some Play In Ultimate Alliance 2

  T’Challa, leader of the fictional African Wakandan nation, bearer of the Black Panther mantle, and husband to the X-Men’s Storm, joins Carnage, Psylocke, and Cable as a new downloadable character for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. The Black Panther is a title held by the ruler of Wakanda and chieftain of the Wakandan Panther Clan. As…

  By Mike Fahey Published October 30, 2009
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  LEGO Rock Band Launch Trailer Looks Vaguely Familiar

  The official opening cinematic for LEGO Rock Band looks a great deal like the opening cinematic for the original Rock Band, only with a distinctive LEGO twist. Traveller’s Tales does what they do best in this cinematic launch trailer, lampooning existing properties through gratuitous use of LEGO blocks. Why simply stop at a tour bus,…

  By Mike Fahey Published October 30, 2009
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  Iwata: DSi XL Not Just For Seniors, It’s For Watching Others Play Too

  The addition of larger 4.2″ LCD screens on the Nintendo DSi XL (or DSi LL) may initially lead one to believe it’s targeted at old folk. But its larger, wider viewing angle screens give the portable platform additional appeal. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said at the company’s semi-annual financial briefing that the boost in LCD…

  By Michael McWhertor Published October 30, 2009
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  Frankenreview: Tekken 6

  The King of Iron Fist Tournament returns for another round of furious fighting action in Tekken 6, the first multi-platform game in the franchise’s history. Not only is this the first Tekken game appearing on a console that doesn’t have Sony in the front of its name, it’s also the first Tekken game to ship…

  By Mike Fahey Published October 30, 2009
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  New Super Mario Bros. Nearing 20 Million In Sales

  Shigeru Miyamoto once said that the people on Nintendo’s financial side would love to see a New Super Mario Bros. 2. His company just showed another reason today why that might be a good idea. As part of Nintendo’s release of its financial results for the first half of its current fiscal year, the company…

  By Stephen Totilo Published October 30, 2009