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  Study: Children Desire Mature-Rated Games

  A study published in the U.S. Pediatrics journal this month finds that giving a video game a mature rating makes it “unspeakably desirable” to children. The study, conducted jointly by Brad Bushman of the University of Michigan and Elly Konijn of VU University Amsterdam, had 310 Dutch schoolchildren aged 7-17 read fictitious game descriptions, rating…

  By Mike Fahey Published March 2, 2009
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  Weekly Wii Update: Family Parties And Ogre Battles

  Two new downloadable games grace the Nintendo Wii this Monday morning, as ogres battle and families party, demonstrating the fundamental differences between the two groups. Gammick Entertainment’s Family & Friends Party is this week’s sole WiiWare release, delivering 1,000 Wii points worth of interactive board gaming fun. Teams of families and friends (no strangers allowed…

  By Mike Fahey Published March 2, 2009
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  UK Getting PSP Double Packs From Konami

  Starting March 27 Konami will be start selling a collection of double packs for the Playstation Portable in the UK. The two-pack of games will keep their original packaging but will sell in a special slip case for £19.99. The first two double packs will be Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops and Silent Hill Origins,…

  By Brian Crecente Published March 2, 2009
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  Wedding Anniversary

  To: Crecente From: Bashcraft …I totally forgot. Mrs. Bashcraft didn’t! And she did a good job of reminding me of that. I spent the weekend minding my Ps and Qs. Wife was kind enough to forgive me (very grateful about that!), but promises to bring it up for the rest of our lives (doh). We…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published March 2, 2009
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  Want To Own This Amazing Street Fighter IV Cabinet?

  Well, you can. It’s up for sale/auction on eBay right now, looks amazing and best of all, all proceeds go to charity. If you were at the Street Fighter IV launch party in LA a few weeks back, you will have seen this cabinet – designed by the creative hivemind at Meat Bun – looking…

  By Luke Plunkett Published March 2, 2009
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  EA Brings Back “Controversial” Command & Conquer Level

  When Command & Conquer Generals was released six years ago, it was released minus one of the game’s original levels. This level was deemed too “controversial”, and has only just now been released. Called “Black Sheep”, the mission tasks you with driving one of the Global Liberation Army (ie the terrorist faction) chemical weapons vehicles…

  By Luke Plunkett Published March 2, 2009
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  British Rating Board: Resident Evil 5 Is Not Racist

  When the Resident Evil 5 trailer was first shown, it raised some eyebrows. Some were critical, saying the set-in-Africa game used racist imagery. Later builds of the game showed a variety of races as the zombies, but several website reported that some of questionable imagery remained. Both Eurogamer and Kikizo described a scene depicting “a…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published March 2, 2009
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  So What Do Critics Think Of The Street Fighter Movie?

  Ashcraft has seen the new Street Fighter movie, The Legend of Chun-Li. Didn’t like it much. But what do film critics think of the flick, starring Kristin Kreuk, Chris Klein & Michael Clarke Duncan? They are, unsurprisingly, not fans. The film currently has a Metacritic rating of 21 (out of a possible 100), while even…

  By Luke Plunkett Published March 2, 2009
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  These Are The Best Scary Masks

  Kotakuland has spoken and voted for the masks it liked best in our F.E.A.R. 2 contest. Let’s see who won. Above is Alymew’s entry, which came in at first place, making it the grand prize winner. She will receive a copy of the game as well as F.E.A.R. 2 and Monolith goodies. The entries (below)…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published March 2, 2009
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  New Metal Gear Figure As Expensive As It Is Orange

  Behold, Medicom’s “Naked Snake – Cold War Version”. He costs $190, stands 12″ tall, comes with a ton of accessories and will be out towards Christmas. And yes, that really says $190.

  By Luke Plunkett Published March 2, 2009
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  Court Injunction Or Not, R4 Devices Still On Sale In Akihabara

  The Tokyo District Court ruled an injunction against the Chinese R4 makers for “violation under Japan’s laws”. You’d think that would mean one couldn’t walk into a game shop and buy one. You’d think. In late 2008, Nintendo (and 53 other companies) took legal action against the makers of the R4 cart, a device which…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published March 2, 2009
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  Sony Europe PSP Campaign Gets An F For Effort

  This clip is part of Sony Europe’s new PSP advertising campaign, tagged "Your Whole World". It’s supposed to be from a user/fan. It’s obviously not, nor are many of the other “entries” in this “competition” aimed at showcasing everything the PSP can do. If you’re short on laughs as you start the working week, and…

  By Luke Plunkett Published March 2, 2009
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  Billy Bob and Dennis Hopper Talk Deadly Creatures

  Hollywood actors Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Hopper, voice talent for Wii game Deadly Creatures, talk creepy-crawlies. Thornton tells a story about when he let a snake crawl in his hair while he was stuck in traffic. We’re not sure what the hell Dennis Hopper is talking about. Then again, who is! Oh! Apparently, Hopper’s…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published March 2, 2009
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  Dead Rising 360 vs Dead Rising Wii

  .html?type=mov No, it’s not what you think! While we’re not the biggest fans of Capcom’s decision to port Dead Rising to the Wii, this isn’t us dwelling on it, like some shooting-fish-in-a-barrel thing. We’re only sort of dwelling on it. See, while this clip – highlighting the differences between the two versions of the game…

  By Luke Plunkett Published March 2, 2009
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  Capcom Announces *Another* Phoenix Wright Musical

  The all-female Phoenix Wright musical debuted this month in Japan. Capcom and the Takarazuka Revue are once again collaborating for another Phoenix Wright song-and-dance. “The decision to produce a sequel was based on the positive feedback from fans of the original,” Capcom stated. “The combination of Capcom’s story about a passionate young attorney who must…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published March 2, 2009
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  Midway Looking to Offload Mortal Kombat, Screwing Former Employees

  Midway, publishers of the Mortal Kombat franchise, are in trouble. And how are they looking at getting out of trouble? By giving key Midway employees bonuses! Oh, and by possibly selling off Mortal Kombat. Court documents surrounding the company’s fight for survival have shown that Midway executives have set aside $3,755,000 in bonuses, which is…

  By Luke Plunkett Published March 2, 2009
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  Super Mario Land Explained In A Second Language With Yelps And Bad Words

  We’re not exactly sure what’s going on here. There’s Game Boy title Super Mario Land, the English language, and a whole lotta what-the-fuck. This clip from “Steve” appeared on Japanese video site Nico Nico Douga. Steve says he’s from Portugal. It’s apparently a Japanese gamer attempting to explain Super Mario Land in English. Also, alcohol…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published March 2, 2009
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  The Biggest Selling Game In Japan Last Month Was…

  February is over. Games were sold in Japan last month, and Famitsu publisher Enterbrain has a list of which games sold the most. Was Nintendo able to outsell everyone with the newest entry in its popular Mario & Luigi RPG series? Or was there a dark horse that dominated the month? (Hint: It wasn’t a…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published March 2, 2009
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  Cleaning Up

  To: Luke From: Owen Re: TGS09 That’s my cat’s new tag. Bear is going to live with a friend and former neighbor back in San Jose, so I got her a tag that reflects her new address and phone number. See, I haven’t been an unreconstructed S.O.B. to everyone who’s lived near me. Which is…

  By Owen Good Published March 1, 2009
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  Week in Games; FPS to RTS

  Halo Wars deploys this week. Also, MLB: The Show and the MLB 2K updates roll out. The roster: five DS, PS2, PS3, and Wii, four for the 360, three for PC, two for PSP. Monday (March 2) Monster Band (DS) Tuesday (March 3) Brain Challenge Deluxe (PS3) Empire: Total War (PS3) Halo Wars (360) Littlest…

  By Owen Good Published March 1, 2009