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  Critic: Rock Band, Guitar Hero Glorify Parents’ Overrated Rock

  A music critic at a classy publication recently subjected himself to several dozen hours playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band and now recognizes the insidious influence they might have on the youth of America. After opening his article for The New Republic with a reference to how he and his fellow “smug old children of…

  By Stephen Totilo Published November 16, 2009
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  “Look Out, He’s Got A Piece!” — Half-Life 2 Mods Mario, Castlevania

  From all-new video games to fabulous cakes, the Super Mario Bros. and Castlevania games get lots of makeovers from fans and developers alike. Here are two more machinima renditions to add to the list. First up is the disorienting and somewhat upsetting Half-Life Super Mario Bros. I guess in a 2D world, a gray haze…

  By AJ Glasser Published November 16, 2009
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  Peggle, Peggle Nights Pegged For PlayStation Store Posthaste

  PlayStation 3 owners are in for a double shot of Peggle this Thursday. The North American PlayStation Store adds both Peggle and the expansion Peggle Nights, PopCap Games announced today. We expect that Peggle and the darker, no-more-dangerous Peggle Nights for PSN will feature match the PC and Xbox Live Arcade versions, with Challenges, Adventure…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2009
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  Twisted Metal, Heavenly Sword Action Figures Ship A Little Late

  Next year, DC Comics‘ collectible arm DC Direct will ship action figures based on Sony’s Sweet Tooth and Nariko, precisely at the peak of Twisted Metal and Heavenly Sword hype. Alright, alright, so maybe Heavenly Sword will be a nearly three-year-old PlayStation 3 game by the time this Nariko action figure ships next July. But…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2009
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  Wicked

  To: Luke From: Crecente Your late Christmas post was a real eye-opener. I’m going to have to really concentrate on my game play this month if I want to be prepped for the slew of games coming early next year. No work for the wicked I guess. And check out these kudos from Cnet. Oh,…

  By Brian Crecente Published November 16, 2009
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  Super Mario Galaxy 2 To Be “Really Challenging,” Could Warrant Super Guide

  Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto says that, like the recently released New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the Wii sequel to Super Mario Galaxy will be “a really challenging game.” Does that warrant a little Super Guide-style help? Miyamoto tells the Official Nintendo Magazine of the UK that he “cannot tell” whether the Super Guide’s hand-holding assist…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2009
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  Mario Vs. Bowser, Waged Through Chess

  One last visual for everyone to see from my visit to the New Super Mario Bros. launch event at the Nintendo World Store this past Saturday. In addition to the museum, and the Marios I shot, I saw some chess.

  By Stephen Totilo Published November 16, 2009
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  Europe Didn’t Like America’s Mass Effect 2 Box Art Either

  When we posted the North American box art for upcoming sci-fi role-playing game Mass Effect 2, it was given a beating for its visual awfulness by the Kotaku readership. Apparently Europe agrees, choosing a different Mass Effect 2 cover option. Gone is Shepard’s blank stare at the consumer. Retained is ample bosom. Replaced is Shepard’s…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2009
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  Sega Kicks Out Bayonetta Demo Early Access Codes

  Did you take Sega up on its offer for early access to the Xbox 360 version of the Bayonetta demo? Then you may want to check whatever e-mail alias you gave the publisher. Early access is on. For those of you who may not have gotten one of the reported 40,000 demo slots, take comfort.…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2009
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  In College, the Party Never Stops — for LAN

  Last week, more than a million users flooded Xbox Live to play Modern Warfare 2. Here’s something just as impressive: In January, nearly 300 gamers will meet in person to play a game released in 2000. Though one is obviously dwarfed by the comparison, both figures are impressive in their own right. And both speak…

  By Owen Good Published November 16, 2009
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  Gyromancer, Diner Dash Spin To XBLA This Week

  Square Enix brings Gyromancer to Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday, a Puzzle Quest-like puzzle role-playing game that’s built upon the gameplay backbone of PopCap’s Bejeweled Twist. The single-player PRPG will set Xbox Live subscribers back 1200 Microsoft Points, should they care to invest in Gyromancer. If not, your their other option is the ultra-popular Diner…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2009
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  Mr. T Returns To World Of Warcraft – With Grenades

  Think Mr. T’s original World of Warcraft ad was just a fluke? The Night Elf Mohawk is back, and he’s proving his worth – with Mohawk grenades. Yes, Mohawk grenades. Available today in North America and later this month in Europe and Korea, find a Night Elf Mohawk NPC in your favorite World of Warcraft…

  By Mike Fahey Published November 16, 2009
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  Reggie: Wii 2 Theories Miss Key Point

  As it seems to do these days, discussion with Nintendo of America’s president turned to the possibility of a new Wii capable of rendering high-definition graphics. It’s a common question, but one that Kotaku was told, misses something. During my recent interview with Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president, we got to talking about a…

  By Stephen Totilo Published November 16, 2009
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  Band Hero Offers New Ways To Torment Kurt Cobain

  Maybe Kurt Cobain and Johnny Cash’s respective wills demanded that their spirits live on in the form of a digital Village People cover band, meaning the option to export Band Hero songs into Guitar Hero 5 isn’t totally bad. On the other hand, seeing Cobain, Cash and Muse frontman Matt Bellamy performing “YMCA” or, say,…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2009
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  Vader Senses Much Movement In Your Wii Remote

  The only reason to think that Power A’s officially licensed Star Wars Darth Vader Wii Sensor Bar holder is a stupid idea is that you didn’t think of it yourself. Or maybe the price. We’ve mentioned it before, but now it’s finally hitting store shelves, and we’ve got packaging images. While we still haven’t received…

  By Mike Fahey Published November 16, 2009
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  Kotaku Game Club: Modern Warfare 2 Discussion Resumes.. NOW (Levels 7-9)

  Now is when being a part of the Game Club gets tough. We’ve had the exciting first meeting. We’ve had the second one that covered the most hotly-disputed level in the game. But what can we say about middle levels? Today we’re talking about Modern Warfare 2’s middle levels: -The Hornet’s Next -Exodus -The Only…

  By Stephen Totilo Published November 16, 2009
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  Frankenreview: New Super Mario Bros. Wii

  It’s-a-him, Mario, back with three friends on another quest to save Princess Peach from the vile clutches of Bowser. Is the New Super Mario Bros. Wii new enough? Old-school charm can only get you so far, or can it? New Super Mario Bros. Wii puts that notion to the test, upgrading classic Mario gameplay with…

  By Mike Fahey Published November 16, 2009
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  Tim Schafer Takes Your Calls During This Week’s Podcast

  We have a special treat in store for you this week during our weekly live call-in podcast. Special guest Tim Schafer will be joining us to take your calls. To those of you new to Kotaku Talk Radio, every Wednesday at 1 p.m. Eastern we stream a live video game talk show through the tubes…

  By Brian Crecente Published November 16, 2009
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  Call of Duty: World At War Zombies Attack iPhone

  Thanks to the iPhone and iPod Touch you need never be away from the mass re-killing of hordes of shuffling, reanimated Nazi soldiers. Call of Duty: World At War: Zombies has been released via the iTunes App Store today. Call of Duty: World At War: Zombies consists, according to the official description, entirely of the…

  By Michael McWhertor Published November 16, 2009
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  International Game Developers Association Now Offers Healthcare

  Now is a better time than any to join the International Game Developers Association, as the industry advocacy group adds eligibility for the IGDA Healthcare Program to its list of membership benefits. Healthcare is a hot-button issue in the U.S. right now, and with the way the winds of change are blowing, you might not…

  By Mike Fahey Published November 16, 2009