Most popular videogame list for week of Oct. 5

Gotten emails recently from readers who wanted to know which games were most popular. Weekly, GameFly.com -- think of its as the Blockbuster or Netflix of online game renting -- puts out lists of popular choices from its rental fleet of more than 7,000 titles.

Here is this week's list:

Most Popular Games Cross-Platform:

1 Halo 3: ODSTXbox 360ShooterMicrosoft
2 Uncharted 2: Among ThievesPS3Action AdventureSony Computer Entertainment
3 Brutal LegendPS3, Xbox 360Action AdventureElectronic Arts
4 Need for Speed: ShiftPS3, Xbox 360, PSP GamesRacingElectronic Arts
5 BorderlandsPS3, Xbox 360ShooterTake Two
6 WetPS3, Xbox 360Action AdventureBethesda
7 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP Games, PS2RPGActivision
8 Batman: Arkham AsylumPS3, Xbox 360Action AdventureEidos
9 Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2PS3Action AdventureTecmo
10 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2PS3, Xbox 360ShooterActivision

Xbox 360 Most Popular Games:

1 Halo 3: ODSTShooterMicrosoft
2 Brutal LegendAction AdventureElectronic Arts
3 Need for Speed: ShiftRacingElectronic Arts
4 BorderlandsShooterTake Two
5 WetAction AdventureBethesda
6 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2RPGActivision
7 Batman: Arkham AsylumAction AdventureEidos
8 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2ShooterActivision
9 Left 4 Dead 2ShooterElectronic Arts
10 Operation Flashpoint: Dragon RisingShooterCodemasters

PlayStation 3 Most Popular Games:

1 Uncharted 2: Among ThievesAction AdventureSony Computer Entertainment
2 Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2Action AdventureTecmo
3 Need for Speed: ShiftRacingElectronic Arts
4 BorderlandsShooterTake Two
5 Batman: Arkham AsylumAction AdventureEidos
6 Demon's SoulsRPGAtlus
7 WetAction AdventureBethesda
8 Brutal LegendAction AdventureElectronic Arts
9 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2RPGActivision
10 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2ShooterActivision

Nintendo Wii Most Popular Games:

1 Dead Space ExtractionShooterElectronic Arts
2 New Super Mario Bros. WiiAction AdventureNintendo
3 Wii Sports ResortSportsNintendo
4 Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic GamesSportsSega
5 MySims AgentsAction AdventureElectronic Arts
6 Family Feud 2010 EditionKids/FamilyUbisoft
7 Wii Fit PlusStrategy/SimNintendo
8 A Boy and His BlobAction AdventureMajesco
9 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-UpAction AdventureUbisoft
10 Punch-Out!!FightingNintendo

PlayStation 2 Most Popular Games:

1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-UpFightingUbisoft
2 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2RPGActivision
3 Kingdom Hearts: Re-Chain of MemoriesRPGSquare Enix
4 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
5 Kingdom Hearts IIRPGSquare Enix
6 Scooby-Doo! First FrightsKids/FamilyWB Games
7 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010FightingTHQ
8 God of War IIAction AdventureSony Computer Entertainment
9 Kingdom HeartsRPGSquare Enix
10 Guitar Hero 5Arcade/PuzzleActivision

Nintendo DS Most Popular Games:

1 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysRPGSquare Enix
2 Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside StoryAction AdventureNintendo
3 ScribblenautsArcade/PuzzleWB Games
4 Professor Layton & the Diabolical BoxAction AdventureNintendo
5 MySims AgentsAction AdventureElectronic Arts
6 Battle of Giants - DragonsAction AdventureUbisoft
7 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of SkyStrategy/SimNintendo
8 The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick RoadRPGXseed Games
9 Where's Waldo: The Fantastic JourneyKids/FamilyUbisoft
10 Mario & Luigi: Partners in TimeRPGNintendo

PlayStation Portable Most Popular Games:

1 Gran TurismoRacingSony Computer Entertainment
2 Dissidia: Final FantasyRPGSquare Enix
3 Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown WarsAction AdventureTake Two
4 Soulcalibur: Broken DestinyFightingNamco
5 Assassin's Creed: BloodlinesAction AdventureUbisoft
6 PersonaRPGAtlus
7 Undead KnightsAction AdventureTecmo
8 Need for Speed: ShiftRacingElectronic Arts
9 Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki RisingFightingNamco
10 MotorStorm Arctic EdgeRacingSony Computer Entertainment

Xbox Most Popular Games:

1 Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith LordsRPGLucasArts
2 Halo 2ShooterMicrosoft
3 Star Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicAction AdventureLucasArts
4 HaloShooterMicrosoft
5 Star Wars: Republic CommandoShooterLucasArts
6 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - 2nd EditionAction AdventureTake Two
7 Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi AcademyAction AdventureLucasArts
8 Star Wars: Battlefront IIAction AdventureLucasArts
9 FableRPGMicrosoft
10 Family Guy - Video Game!Action AdventureTake Two

GameCube Most Popular Games:

1 Super Mario SunshineAction AdventureNintendo
2 Mario Kart: Double DashRacingNintendo
3 Luigi's MansionAction AdventureNintendo
4 Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeRPGNintendo
5 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight PrincessAction AdventureNintendo
6 Mario Party 7Kids/FamilyNintendo
7 Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerAction AdventureNintendo
8 Legend of Zelda: Collector's EditionRPGNintendo
9 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year DoorAction AdventureNintendo
10 Pokemon XD: Gale of DarknessAction AdventureNintendo

Game Boy Advance Most Popular Games:

1 Kingdom Hearts: Chain of MemoriesRPGSquare Enix
2 Pokemon Fire RedStrategy/SimNintendo
3 Pokemon EmeraldAction AdventureNintendo
4 Super Mario Advance 4Action AdventureNintendo
5 Final Fantasy VI AdvanceRPGNintendo
6 Pokemon: SapphireRPGNintendo
7 Pokemon Leaf GreenStrategy/SimNintendo
8 Legend of Zelda: Minish CapRPGNintendo
9 Pokemon: RubyRPGNintendo
10 Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3Action AdventureNintendo

Most Popular "E" Rated Games - Cross-Platform:

1 Need for Speed: ShiftPS3, Xbox 360, PSP GamesRacingElectronic Arts
2 NBA 2K10PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP Games, PS2SportsTake Two
3 Madden NFL 10PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP Games, PS2SportsElectronic Arts
4 Forza Motorsport 3Xbox 360RacingMicrosoft
5 NBA Live 10PS3, Xbox 360, PSP GamesSportsElectronic Arts
6 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysDSRPGSquare Enix
7 New Super Mario Bros. WiiWiiAction AdventureNintendo
8 NHL 10PS3, Xbox 360SportsElectronic Arts
9 Wii Sports ResortWiiSportsNintendo
10 Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic GamesWii, DSSportsSega

Xbox 360 - Most Popular "E" Rated Games:

1 Need for Speed: ShiftRacingElectronic Arts
2 NBA 2K10SportsTake Two
3 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
4 Forza Motorsport 3RacingMicrosoft
5 NBA Live 10SportsElectronic Arts
6 NHL 10SportsElectronic Arts
7 Mini NinjasAction AdventureEidos
8 FIFA Soccer 10SportsElectronic Arts
9 NCAA Football 10SportsElectronic Arts
10 Cloudy with a Chance of MeatballsKids/FamilyUbisoft

PlayStation 3 - Most Popular "E" Rated Games:

1 Need for Speed: ShiftRacingElectronic Arts
2 Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in TimeAction AdventureSony Computer Entertainment
3 NBA 2K10SportsTake Two
4 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
5 NBA Live 10SportsElectronic Arts
6 Little Big PlanetAction AdventureSony Computer Entertainment
7 NHL 10SportsElectronic Arts
8 FIFA Soccer 10SportsElectronic Arts
9 Mini NinjasAction AdventureEidos
10 Katamari ForeverArcade/PuzzleNamco

Nintendo Wii - Most Popular "E" Rated Games:

1 New Super Mario Bros. WiiAction AdventureNintendo
2 Wii Sports ResortSportsNintendo
3 Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic GamesSportsSega
4 MySims AgentsAction AdventureElectronic Arts
5 Family Feud 2010 EditionKids/FamilyUbisoft
6 Wii Fit PlusStrategy/SimNintendo
7 A Boy and His BlobAction AdventureMajesco
8 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-UpAction AdventureUbisoft
9 Punch-Out!!FightingNintendo
10 Toy Story Mania!Kids/FamilyDisney Interactive

PlayStation 2 - Most Popular "E" Rated Games:

1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-UpFightingUbisoft
2 Kingdom Hearts: Re-Chain of MemoriesRPGSquare Enix
3 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
4 Kingdom Hearts IIRPGSquare Enix
5 Scooby-Doo! First FrightsKids/FamilyWB Games
6 Kingdom HeartsRPGSquare Enix
7 NCAA Football 10SportsElectronic Arts
8 NBA 2K10SportsTake Two
9 Marvel Super Hero SquadAction AdventureTHQ
10 BakuganAction AdventureActivision

Nintendo DS - Most Popular "E" Rated Games:

1 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysRPGSquare Enix
2 Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside StoryAction AdventureNintendo
3 ScribblenautsArcade/PuzzleWB Games
4 Professor Layton & the Diabolical BoxAction AdventureNintendo
5 MySims AgentsAction AdventureElectronic Arts
6 Battle of Giants - DragonsAction AdventureUbisoft
7 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of SkyStrategy/SimNintendo
8 The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick RoadRPGXseed Games
9 Where's Waldo: The Fantastic JourneyKids/FamilyUbisoft
10 Mario & Luigi: Partners in TimeRPGNintendo

PlayStation Portable - Most Popular "E" Rated Games:

1 Gran TurismoRacingSony Computer Entertainment
2 Need for Speed: ShiftRacingElectronic Arts
3 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
4 BeateratorStrategy/SimTake Two
5 NBA Live 10SportsElectronic Arts
6 Little Big PlanetAction AdventureSony Computer Entertainment
7 Dirt 2RacingCodemasters
8 Final FantasyRPGSquare Enix
9 Half-Minute HeroRPGXseed Games
10 Cloudy with a Chance of MeatballsKids/FamilyUbisoft

Xbox - Most "E" Rated Popular Games:

1 Scooby Doo: UnmaskedKids/FamilyTHQ
2 Need for Speed: Underground 2RacingElectronic Arts
3 Madden NFL 09SportsElectronic Arts
4 SpongeBob SquarePants: The MovieAction AdventureTHQ
5 Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2RacingElectronic Arts
6 Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of CortexAction AdventureVivendi Universal
7 Star Wars Starfighter: Special EditionAction AdventureLucasArts
8 BionicleAction AdventureElectronic Arts
9 Fuzion FrenzySportsMicrosoft
10 Sonic HeroesAction AdventureSega

Gamecube - Most Popular "E" Rated Games:

1 Super Mario SunshineAction AdventureNintendo
2 Mario Kart: Double DashRacingNintendo
3 Luigi's MansionAction AdventureNintendo
4 Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeRPGNintendo
5 Mario Party 7Kids/FamilyNintendo
6 Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerAction AdventureNintendo
7 Legend of Zelda: Collector's EditionRPGNintendo
8 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year DoorAction AdventureNintendo
9 Pokemon XD: Gale of DarknessAction AdventureNintendo
10 Sonic Adventure 2: BattleAction AdventureSega

Gameboy Advance - Most Popular "E" Rated Games:

1 Kingdom Hearts: Chain of MemoriesRPGSquare Enix
2 Pokemon Fire RedStrategy/SimNintendo
3 Pokemon EmeraldAction AdventureNintendo
4 Super Mario Advance 4Action AdventureNintendo
5 Final Fantasy VI AdvanceRPGNintendo
6 Pokemon: SapphireRPGNintendo
7 Pokemon Leaf GreenStrategy/SimNintendo
8 Legend of Zelda: Minish CapRPGNintendo
9 Pokemon: RubyRPGNintendo
10 Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3Action AdventureNintendo

Most Popular Sports Games Cross-Platform:

1 NBA 2K10PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP Games, PS2Take Two
2 Madden NFL 10PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP Games, PS2Electronic Arts
3 NBA Live 10PS3, Xbox 360, PSP GamesElectronic Arts
4 NHL 10PS3, Xbox 360Electronic Arts
5 Wii Sports ResortWiiNintendo
6 Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic GamesWii, DSSega
7 FIFA Soccer 10PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP Games, PS2Electronic Arts
8 NCAA Football 10PS3, Xbox 360, PSP Games, PS2Electronic Arts
9 Skate 2PS3, Xbox 360Electronic Arts
10 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP Games, PS2Electronic Arts

Xbox 360 Most Popular Sports Games:

1 NBA 2K10SportsTake Two
2 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
3 NBA Live 10SportsElectronic Arts
4 NHL 10SportsElectronic Arts
5 FIFA Soccer 10SportsElectronic Arts
6 NCAA Football 10SportsElectronic Arts
7 Skate 2SportsElectronic Arts
8 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10SportsElectronic Arts
9 The Bigs 2SportsTake Two
10 NHL 2K10SportsTake Two

PlayStation 3 Most Popular Sports Games:

1 NBA 2K10SportsTake Two
2 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
3 NBA Live 10SportsElectronic Arts
4 NHL 10SportsElectronic Arts
5 FIFA Soccer 10SportsElectronic Arts
6 NCAA Football 10SportsElectronic Arts
7 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10SportsElectronic Arts
8 Skate 2SportsElectronic Arts
9 MLB '09: The ShowSportsSony Computer Entertainment
10 The Bigs 2SportsTake Two

Nintendo Wii Most Popular Sports Games:

1 Wii Sports ResortSportsNintendo
2 Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic GamesSportsSega
3 Deca Sports 2SportsKonami
4 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10SportsElectronic Arts
5 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
6 Wacky World of SportsSportsSega
7 Family Fun FootballSportsTecmo
8 Mario Super SluggersSportsNintendo
9 NHL 2K10SportsTake Two
10 EA Sports: Grand Slam TennisSportsElectronic Arts

PlayStation 2 Most Popular Sports Games:

1 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
2 NCAA Football 10SportsElectronic Arts
3 NBA 2K10SportsTake Two
4 NHL 2K10SportsTake Two
5 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10SportsElectronic Arts
6 The Bigs 2SportsTake Two
7 FIFA Soccer 10SportsElectronic Arts
8 MLB '09: The ShowSportsSony Computer Entertainment
9 Backyard Football 2010SportsAtari
10 Madden NFL 09SportsElectronic Arts

Nintendo DS Most Popular Sports Games:

1 Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic GamesSportsSega
2 Mario Hoops 3 on 3SportsNintendo
3 Madden NFL 09SportsElectronic Arts
4 Skate ItSportsElectronic Arts
5 Tony Hawk's Downhill JamSportsActivision
6 The Bigs 2SportsTake Two
7 FIFA Soccer 06SportsElectronic Arts
8 Tecmo Bowl KickoffSportsTecmo
9 Diva Girls: Divas on IceSports505 Games
10 Elf Bowling 1 & 2SportsIgnition Entertainment

PlayStation Portable Most Popular Sports Games:

1 Madden NFL 10SportsElectronic Arts
2 NBA Live 10SportsElectronic Arts
3 NBA 2K10SportsTake Two
4 NCAA Football 10SportsElectronic Arts
5 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10SportsElectronic Arts
6 NBA '10SportsSony Computer Entertainment
7 MLB '09: The ShowSportsSony Computer Entertainment
8 FIFA Soccer 10SportsElectronic Arts
9 The Bigs 2SportsTake Two
10 Tony Hawk's Project 8SportsActivision

Xbox Most Popular Sports Games:

1 Madden NFL 09SportsElectronic Arts
2 Fuzion FrenzySportsMicrosoft
3 BMX XXXSportsAcclaim
4 Disney's Extreme Skate AdventureSportsActivision
5 ESPN NFL 2K5SportsSega
6 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4SportsActivision
7 Kelly Slater's Pro SurferSportsActivision
8 Tony Hawk's Underground (THUG)SportsActivision
9 SSX 3: Out of BoundsSportsElectronic Arts
10 Tony Hawk's Underground 2SportsActivision

Gamecube Most Popular Sports Games:

1 Mario Superstar BaseballSportsNintendo
2 Super Mario StrikersSportsNintendo
3 NBA Street Vol. 3SportsElectronic Arts
4 NFL Street 2SportsElectronic Arts
5 NBA Street Vol. 2SportsElectronic Arts
6 Mario Golf: Toadstool TourSportsNintendo
7 Mario Power TennisSportsNintendo
8 Tony Hawk's American WastelandSportsActivision
9 Madden NFL 08SportsElectronic Arts
10 NFL Blitz ProSportsMidway

Gameboy Advance Most Popular Sports Games:

1 Mario Tennis: Power TourSportsNintendo
2 Backyard Sports: Baseball 2007SportsAtari
3 Madden NFL 2005SportsElectronic Arts
4 Backyard Baseball 2006SportsAtari
5 Mario Golf: Advance TourSportsNintendo
6 Major League Baseball 2K7SportsTake Two
7 Madden NFL 07SportsElectronic Arts
8 Madden NFL 06SportsElectronic Arts
9 ESPN Final Round Golf 2002SportsKonami
10 Madden NFL 2004SportsElectronic Arts

GameFly Coming Soon

1 Wii Fit PlusWiiStrategy/SimNintendo
2 Spore HeroWiiStrategy/SimElectronic Arts
3 Disney Sing It: Pop HitsWiiArcade/PuzzleDisney Interactive
4 Chicken BlasterWiiArcade/PuzzleZoo Games
5 Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic HeroesNintendo DSAction AdventureLucasArts
6 Spore Hero ArenaNintendo DSStrategy/SimElectronic Arts
7 Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic HeroesPSPAction AdventureLucasArts
8 NBA Live 10PSPSportsElectronic Arts
9 Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic HeroesXbox 360Action AdventureLucasArts
10 NBA Live 10Xbox 360SportsElectronic Arts
11 Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic HeroesPlayStation 3Action AdventureLucasArts
12 Disney Sing It: Pop HitsPlayStation 3Arcade/PuzzleDisney Interactive
13 NBA Live 10PlayStation 3SportsElectronic Arts
14 Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic HeroesWiiAction AdventureLucasArts
15 NBA 2K10PlayStation 3SportsTake Two
16 SAWPlayStation 3Action AdventureKonami
17 AfrikaPlayStation 3Action AdventureNatsume
18 BCFX - The Doug Williams EditionXbox 360SportsAspyr
19 NBA 2K10Xbox 360SportsTake Two
20 SAWXbox 360Action AdventureKonami
21 Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki RisingPSPFightingNamco
22 NBA 2K10PSPSportsTake Two
23 NBA '10PSPSportsSony Computer Entertainment
24 Biggest LoserNintendo DSStrategy/SimTHQ
25 Dreamer: Top ModelNintendo DSStrategy/SimDreamcatcher
26 Obscure: The AftermathPSPAction AdventurePlaylogic
27 NBA 2K10PlayStation 2SportsTake Two
28 Disney Sing It: Pop HitsPlayStation 2Arcade/PuzzleDisney Interactive
29 Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010WiiKids/FamilyMajesco
30 Biggest LoserWiiStrategy/SimTHQ
31 Game Party 3WiiArcade/PuzzleWB Games
32 Pet Pals: New Leash on LifeNintendo DSStrategy/SimLegacy Interactive
33 Animal Paradise 2: WildNintendo DSStrategy/SimZoo Games
34 Operation Flashpoint: Dragon RisingXbox 360ShooterCodemasters
35 A Witch's TaleNintendo DSRPGKoei
36 Demon's SoulsPlayStation 3RPGAtlus
37 Operation Flashpoint: Dragon RisingPlayStation 3ShooterCodemasters
38 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of SkyNintendo DSStrategy/SimNintendo
39 Brutal LegendXbox 360Action AdventureElectronic Arts
40 Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic GamesNintendo DSSportsSega
41 Where the Wild Things ArePlayStation 3Kids/FamilyWB Games
42 A Boy and His BlobWiiAction AdventureMajesco
43 Uncharted 2: Among ThievesPlayStation 3Action AdventureSony Computer Entertainment
44 Brutal LegendPlayStation 3Action AdventureElectronic Arts
45 Where the Wild Things AreXbox 360Kids/FamilyWB Games
46 Where the Wild Things AreNintendo DSKids/FamilyWB Games
47 Petz: Pony Beauty PageantNintendo DSKids/FamilyUbisoft
48 Where the Wild Things AreWiiKids/FamilyWB Games
49 Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic GamesWiiSportsSega
50 Cars Race-O-RamaPSPKids/FamilyTHQ
51 Cars Race-O-RamaWiiKids/FamilyTHQ
52 Cars Race-O-RamaXbox 360Kids/FamilyTHQ
53 Cars Race-O-RamaNintendo DSKids/FamilyTHQ
54 Cars Race-O-RamaPlayStation 3Kids/FamilyTHQ
55 Cars Race-O-RamaPlayStation 2Kids/FamilyTHQ
56 DreamkillerXbox 360Action AdventureAspyr
57 Half-Minute HeroPSPRPGXseed Games
58 Sushi AcademyNintendo DSStrategy/SimCity Interactive
59 Cake Mania 3Nintendo DSStrategy/SimMajesco
60 Ju-on: The GrudgeWiiAction AdventureXseed Games
61 Laevatein TacticsNintendo DSRPGAksys
62 Way of the Samurai 3PlayStation 3Action AdventureAgetec
63 Way of the Samurai 3Xbox 360Action AdventureUFO Interactive
64 MagnaCarta IIXbox 360RPGNamco
65 Sudoku Ball DetectiveWiiArcade/PuzzlePlaylogic
66 Medieval GamesWiiArcade/PuzzleBethesda
67 Littlest Pet Shop: FriendsWiiKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
68 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010WiiFightingTHQ
69 Charm Girls Club: Pajama PartyWiiKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
70 Safari AdventuresWiiAction AdventureConspiracy
71 Dr. Fizzwhizzle's Animal RescueWiiAction AdventureConspiracy
72 BakuganWiiAction AdventureActivision
73 Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th SunWiiAction AdventureD3P
74 AstroboyWiiAction AdventureD3P
75 Marvel Super Hero SquadWiiAction AdventureTHQ
76 Shimano Xtreme FishingWiiSportsMastiff
77 Horse Life AdventuresWiiStrategy/SimValcon Games
78 FIFA Soccer 10WiiSportsElectronic Arts
79 AstroboyPSPAction AdventureD3P
80 BorderlandsXbox 360ShooterTake Two
81 FIFA Soccer 10Xbox 360SportsElectronic Arts
82 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010Xbox 360FightingTHQ
83 BakuganXbox 360Action AdventureActivision
84 Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010Nintendo DSKids/FamilyMajesco
85 Imagine: Fashion Designer World TourNintendo DSKids/FamilyUbisoft
86 Charm Girls Club: My Fashion ShowNintendo DSKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
87 Charm Girls Club: My Perfect PromNintendo DSKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
88 Charm Girls Club: My Fashion MallNintendo DSKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
89 Littlest Pet Shop: City FriendsNintendo DSKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
90 Littlest Pet Shop: Beach FriendsNintendo DSKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
91 Littlest Pet Shop: Country FriendsNintendo DSKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
92 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010Nintendo DSFightingTHQ
93 BakuganPlayStation 3Action AdventureActivision
94 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010PlayStation 3FightingTHQ
95 BorderlandsPlayStation 3ShooterTake Two
96 FIFA Soccer 10PlayStation 3SportsElectronic Arts
97 Cooking Mama 3: Shop & ChopNintendo DSStrategy/SimMajesco
98 Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown WarsPSPAction AdventureTake Two
99 Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th SunPSPAction AdventureD3P
100 Marvel Super Hero SquadPSPAction AdventureTHQ
101 FIFA Soccer 10PSPSportsElectronic Arts
102 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010PSPFightingTHQ
103 WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010PlayStation 2FightingTHQ
104 BakuganPlayStation 2Action AdventureActivision
105 Marvel Super Hero SquadPlayStation 2Action AdventureTHQ
106 Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th SunPlayStation 2Action AdventureD3P
107 AstroboyPlayStation 2Action AdventureD3P
108 Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th SunNintendo DSAction AdventureD3P
109 AstroboyNintendo DSAction AdventureD3P
110 Jam Sessions 2Nintendo DSArcade/PuzzleUbisoft
111 FIFA Soccer 10PlayStation 2SportsElectronic Arts
112 BakuganNintendo DSAction AdventureActivision
113 Marvel Super Hero SquadNintendo DSAction AdventureTHQ
114 FIFA Soccer 10Nintendo DSSportsElectronic Arts
115 NBA 2K10WiiSportsTake Two
116 Backyard Football 2010WiiSportsAtari
117 Buck FeverWiiShooterDestineer
118 Walk it OutWiiStrategy/SimKonami
119 Army RescueWiiAction AdventureUFO Interactive
120 Dragonball: Revenge of King PiccoloWiiAction AdventureNamco
121 DDR Disney GroovesWiiArcade/PuzzleKonami
122 We Wish You a Merry ChristmasWiiArcade/PuzzleDestineer
123 Pop'N MusicWiiArcade/PuzzleKonami
124 Jakers! Let's ExploreWiiKids/FamilyGraffiti Entertainment
125 DDR Hottest Party 2WiiKids/FamilyKonami
126 Geon CubeWiiArcade/PuzzleUFO Interactive
127 DDR Hottest PartyWiiArcade/PuzzleKonami
128 Balloon PopNintendo DSArcade/PuzzleUFO Interactive
129 Space Invaders Extreme 2Nintendo DSArcade/PuzzleSquare Enix
130 Reversal ChallengeNintendo DSArcade/PuzzleUFO Interactive
131 Montessori MusicNintendo DSArcade/PuzzleSouth Peak Interactive
132 MotorStorm Arctic EdgePlayStation 2RacingSony Computer Entertainment
133 Backyard Football 2010PlayStation 2SportsAtari
134 SideswipedNintendo DSRacingMajesco
135 Mytran WarsPSPStrategy/SimDeep Silver
136 Backyard Football 2010Xbox 360SportsAtari
137 Alien Monster Bowling LeagueWiiSportsDestineer
138 SpongeBob's Truth or SquareWiiKids/FamilyTHQ
139 SpongeBob's Truth or SquarePSPKids/FamilyTHQ
140 SpongeBob's Truth or SquareNintendo DSKids/FamilyTHQ
141 SpongeBob's Truth or SquareXbox 360Action AdventureTHQ
142 SimAnimals AfricaNintendo DSStrategy/SimElectronic Arts
143 CSI: Deadly Intent - The Hidden CasesNintendo DSAction AdventureUbisoft
144 Drawn to Life: The Next ChapterNintendo DSAction AdventureTHQ
145 Press Your Luck 2010 EditionNintendo DSArcade/PuzzleUbisoft
146 100 All-Time FavoritesNintendo DSArcade/PuzzleUbisoft
147 Madagascar KartzNintendo DSRacingActivision
148 Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost TreasureNintendo DSKids/FamilyDisney Interactive
149 Petz: Dolphinz EncounterNintendo DSKids/FamilyUbisoft
150 ICarlyNintendo DSKids/FamilyActivision
151 CSI: Deadly IntentXbox 360Action AdventureUbisoft
152 Tekken 6Xbox 360FightingNamco
153 Madagascar KartzXbox 360RacingActivision
154 Forza Motorsport 3Xbox 360RacingMicrosoft
155 Petz: Saddle ClubPSPStrategy/SimUbisoft
156 NostalgiaNintendo DSRPGIgnition Entertainment
157 Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in TimePlayStation 3Action AdventureSony Computer Entertainment
158 Tekken 6PlayStation 3FightingNamco
159 Madagascar KartzPlayStation 3RacingActivision
160 Petz: Dogz FamilyPSPKids/FamilyUbisoft
161 Petz: Hamsterz BunchPSPKids/FamilyUbisoft
162 SimAnimals AfricaWiiStrategy/SimElectronic Arts
163 Monster 4X4 Stunt RacerWiiRacingUbisoft
164 Ski-Doo: Snowmobile ChallengeWiiRacingValcon Games
165 Madagascar KartzWiiRacingActivision
166 All Star Cheer Squad 2WiiKids/FamilyTHQ
167 Water SportsWiiSportsActivision
168 Mountain SportsWiiSportsActivision
169 ICarlyWiiKids/FamilyActivision
170 Drawn to Life: The Next ChapterWiiAction AdventureTHQ
171 Press Your Luck 2010 EditionWiiArcade/PuzzleUbisoft
172 CSI: Deadly IntentWiiAction AdventureUbisoft
173 Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Super Game DayWiiKids/FamilyTake Two
174 Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? Game TimeWiiKids/FamilyTHQ
175 World of ZooWiiKids/FamilyTHQ
176 Hasbro Family Game Night 2WiiKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
177 Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? Game TimeXbox 360Kids/FamilyTHQ
178 BackyardigansNintendo DSKids/FamilyTake Two
179 Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? Game TimeNintendo DSKids/FamilyTHQ
180 World of ZooNintendo DSKids/FamilyTHQ
181 Hasbro Family Game NightNintendo DSKids/FamilyElectronic Arts
182 Fighting FantasyNintendo DSAction AdventureAspyr
183 Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Super Game DayPlayStation 2Kids/FamilyTake Two
184 Ben 10 Alien Force Vilgax AttacksPlayStation 2Action AdventureD3P
185 Ben 10 Alien Force Vilgax AttacksNintendo DSAction AdventureD3P
186 Touchmaster 3Nintendo DSArcade/PuzzleWB Games
187 Diner Dash 3: Flo on the GoNintendo DSArcade/PuzzleZoo Games
188 Ben 10 Alien Force Vilgax AttacksPSPAction AdventureD3P
189 Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty CityXbox 360Action AdventureTake Two
190 Ben 10 Alien Force Vilgax AttacksXbox 360Action AdventureD3P
191 Ben 10 Alien Force Vilgax AttacksWiiAction AdventureD3P
192 Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera IslandNintendo DSRPGKoei
193 Reader Rabbit KindergartenNintendo DSKids/FamilyGraffiti Entertainment
194 101-in-1 Party MegamixWiiArcade/PuzzleAtlus
195 Remington North American Bird HuntWiiShooterMastiff
196 Bass Pro Shops: The StrikeWiiStrategy/SimPsyclone
197 Fairytale FightsPlayStation 3Action AdventurePlaylogic
198 Bass Pro Shops: The StrikeXbox 360Strategy/SimPsyclone
199 Fairytale FightsXbox 360Action AdventurePlaylogic
200 Wedding DashNintendo DSStrategy/SimZoo Games
201 Agatha Christie: ABC MurdersNintendo DSAction AdventureDreamcatcher
202 Chronicles of Mystery: Curse of the Ancient TempleNintendo DSAction AdventureCity Interactive
203 Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's QuestPlayStation 2Action AdventureWB Games
204 Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's QuestPSPAction AdventureWB Games
205 Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's QuestWiiAction AdventureWB Games
206 Rabbids Go HomeNintendo DSAction AdventureUbisoft
207 Rabbids Go HomeWiiAction AdventureUbisoft

NHL videogame battle: EA vs 2KSports

The 2009-10 NHL season kicked off recently, so now is the perfect time to look at the two big new pro hockey games.

NHL 2K10

***1/2

When 2K Sports lost its NFL license a few years back, it was a blow to gamers - after all, the company really knows how to make a sports simulation. Need proof? Look no further than the latest installment of its hockey franchise.

This year, 2K Sports has made the game easier to play (thankfully) with an entirely new artificial intelligence. There are new animations, and you get more control on defense. There are new introductions for each arena. There are better - and longer - goal celebrations, plus a much deeper franchise mode. There's a new contract/free agency system, and in the Wii version, some neat mini-games that anybody can pick up and play easily.

But more than all that, "NHL 2K10" just looks and feels like you would want a hockey game to look and play like. The players are bigger and more realistic than before. The speed is just right. San Jose Sharks announcer Randy Hahn adds to the realistic experience with his excited and varied commentary. There's a complete online suite of features to track individual performances and join leagues.

Not much to dislike here.

NHL 10

***

EA Sports has tried to emphasize little things: Bigger players can easily hold off smaller ones. You'll see fans banging on the glass. Your players will get noticeably fatigued. You can bank passes off the wall. In fights, you can pull your opponent's jersey over his head to try to give yourself an advantage.

And I loved how, once you reach the playoffs, arenas are louder, fans more passionate.

EA Sports' new hockey game also has added a neat feature that allows you to easily toggle your game experience from a pick-up-and-play casual mode with lots of big hits (but soft defense) to a hardcore mode that gives you complete control over passes (and is much harder than I anticipated). It's like driving a car without power steering.

It doesn't look or play quite as well as the stellar "NHL 2K10," but it's still a winner.

L

Multi-Media Messaging arrives for iPhone

AT&T activated multi-media messaging on iPhone 3G and 3GS devices today. It's a long awaited update that will allow users to include multimedia options with text messages.

Click here for a how-to from Apple.

DirecTV's DoublePlay: live DVR features for 2 programs at once

DirecTV has brought back a popular feature not seen since it was partnered with TiVo years ago: the ability to control two programs at the same time with full DVR functionality.

DirecTV is calling it "DoublePlay."

When the company used to feature TiVo-branded DVRs, customers could set the device to two shows on two different channels, flip back and forth between them, while also being able to rewind or fast forward (up to the live feed) either show. When the companies split and DirecTV introduced its own DVRs, that functionality was not included, and longtime customers complained mightily.

Now the company has brought it back. So NFL Sunday Ticket customers can, for instance, flip back and forth between Panthers-Falcons and Jets-Patriots, rewind to see plays they missed and then catch up to the live feed before returning to the other game.

It's a smart feature to bring back.

Janet Jackson releases new track, Make Me, via website

One night after a tribute performance to her brother Michael, Janet Jackson has released a new single called "Make Me." You can get the song, which borrows from Michael's iconic "Don't' Stop Til You Get Enough," by signing up on her website

On Sunday night, Jackson performed a duet she had recorded with Michael, "Scream," at the MTV Music Video Awards.

After the video for the song showed Michael singing a verse on screen, Janet burst through a mirror and sang her verse before performing the dance sequence from the song. The crowd stood throughout the performance, giving Jackson a rousing ovation.

Now comes the new track, an up-tempo number that has one of those beats that is hard to sit down and listen to, plus a memorable hook. It should be a club hit. Jackson has made solid music with her previous three albums, but the efforts weren't well-received at radio and her sales suffered after strong starts.

"Make Me" is another strong effort, and with radio support it could be a No. 1 single. The industry Web site All Access lists a new album from Jackson, called "#1s" due Nov. 17. That sounds like a greatest hits album of her No. 1 singles.

Beatles game one of the best of season

The band games are coming! The band games are coming!

Today, “Guitar Hero 5” – the latest title in a billion-dollar franchise that has sold more than 35 million games – launches tie-ins with instrument, equipment and footwear brands. What this means: Your rock avatar can now play with Ibanez guitars and EMG guitar pickups while wearing Converse sneakers. The game's set list includes everything from the Rolling Stones to Stevie Wonder.

But there's only one place to get the Beatles.

One of the most highly anticipated games of the year debuts Wednesday. “The Beatles: Rock Band” will come in two versions. There's the standalone software, compatible with previous “Rock Band” instrument controllers and most “Guitar Hero” hardware ($59.99 for Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360). There's also a “Limited Edition Premium Bundle” with equipment ($249.99). A line of Beatles-specific instruments will go for $99.99 each.

The game will allow fans to play 45 of the Fab Four's greatest hits (more songs coming soon). It is done in the mold of previous “Rock Band” games: Three players can use instruments (guitar, bass and drums), while another can sing – although this time, up to three friends can hit the mic to try harmonies.

There's a story mode that involves taking the Beatles from their early days to an infamous performance on a rooftop in London (originally performed in 1969). Another mode, called “Dreamscapes,” has the band in psychedelic fashions and features wild colors and flowers blooming while the music plays. Players can unlock special content, including previously unreleased audio from recording sessions. And of course, there's online play and a no-fail mode that keeps you from getting booed off the stage.

It's interesting to note that this is the first time that Beatles tracks have been legally available digitally (though gamers can only stream or download on the game console). The band has previously rejected attempts to make its 24-album catalog accessible online via retailers such as the iTunes Music Store.

Original band members Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Pete Best helped develop the game along with the wives of deceased members John Lennon and George Harrison (Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison).

According to nmoney.com article, this involvement resulted in great attention to detail. Ono was concerned with how the digitally recreated Lennon's eyes were moving on-screen. McCartney himself made sure that even the most minute visual details were correct.

Anyway, I got an early look at the game recently. My verdict? Graphically, the game is spot-on. That attention to detail is evident. And the actual gameplay experience is terrific.

Without question, “The Beatles: Rock Band” is one of the best games of the year.

Meet Megan Fox online today

Actress Megan Fox, star of the “Transformers” movies and one of Hollywood's current “It” girls, will be on Xbox Live today at 6 p.m. to challenge owners of the “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” video game to multiplayer matches.

To play, you'll need to be an Xbox Live Gold member; be online by 5:30 p.m. and send a request to Fox's gamertag: “Megan Fox 2009.”

You can get more info at xbox.com/gwfme ganfox .

During the day, new downloadable content – including an additional difficulty level – will be made available.

Nintendo Wii Sports Van Stops At Concord Mills

Nintendo's "Wii Sports Resort" interactive tour is stopping at Concord Mills today through Sunday. It will allow visitors a free, hand s-on experience with the game, which has sold more than one million copies less than a month since its launch July 26.

Sports Resort is a collection of easy-to-play sports games, such as basketball and table tennis. They take advantage of the Wii's remote, which you can use as if you're swinging a bat or racket, or make a throwing motion to t oss a ball.

The mobile tour will be set up in the Concord Mills' Food Court from noon to 9 p.m. today through Saturday. On Sunday, it will be live from noon to 7 p.m.

-- Join me at twitter.com/langstonwertzjr and facebook.com/langstonwertzjr

NBC to broadcast NFL games online

NBC will offer its 17-game Sunday Night football schedule online at nbcsports.com and nfl.com

The live coverage will come from NBC's over-the-air broadcast plus four additional cameras for the online audience that will include new camera angles and interactive features. The online feed will be in HD quality and have a DVR-like function to allow viewers to pause, rewind and look at plays in slow motion.


-- Langston Wertz Jr.
lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
twitter.com/langstonwertzjr
facebook.com/langstonwertzjr

Microsoft's new webcam delivers widescreen video

MIcrosoft's new LifeCam Cinema is what the company calls the first consumer webcam to offer widescreen video. This is you talking to Mom and Dad from college in near HD. The camera comes with a native 720 pixel sensor.

Microsoft says the LifeCam will deliver clearer images than a standard webcam and capture a much wider view. It says the camera will perform better in low light conditions as well.

Users will be to take their videos to Windows Live and use Windows Live Movie Maker, which now has HD support, and edit photos and videos shot with the webcam and send them to YouTube with one click (rather Apple-like).

LifeCam Cinema will be available in September for the estimated retail price of $79.95.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.
lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
twitter.com/langstonwertzjr
facebook.com/langstonwertzjr
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Sega's Napolean War hitting stores soon

SEGA's Napoleon: Total War is coming soon.

In the game, aspiring generals have the opportunity to play as the legendary French general Napoleon Bonaparte or as opposing forces. Battling through Napoleon’s three biggest military campaigns, the game will take you through Italy and Egypt, while the third campaign will tell the story of his fateful drive towards Moscow and, ultimately, his showdown with the Duke of Wellington at one of the most famous battles of all – The Battle of Waterloo.

Napoleon: Total War hits shelves in first quarter 2010.

Solving PGA golf broadcast problems on DTV

There is some problem with DirecTV's feed of the PGA Championship on WBTV Channel 3. There was a black bar covering half the screen.

DirecTV viewers can see multiple feeds from the tournament including the network feed at channel 702. You can follow Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh, shot for shot, at channel 703 and see action at the Par 3s on Channel 704.

Madden 2010 game the best yet

Of all the more recent generations of the popular Madden football videogame, the 2010 version, which releases today, (Aug. 14) is easily the most hyped and most anticipated.
Game-maker EA Sports said it was listening to its many gaming critics and promised to make Madden play and look more realistic. For the most part, I think the game hit its marks.


I tried the Wii version and was a little underwhelmed. Madden seemed a little too slow on the Wii and making a motion akin to rolling a bowling ball didn’t exactly make me feel like I was kicking anything. The graphics weren’t very sharp and were very cartoonish-looking.

Even my 9-year-old put it down after only a few minutes. I did enjoy playing in the unlockable Super Bowl and Pro Bowl stadiums, though.

It was a different story on Xbox 360.

Madden has never looked better. A new online mode got my attention quickly. You pick one team in the league and play with up to 32 other users and compete head-to-head for 10 seasons.

I had a little trouble with slow upload times, but got the jist of it. Once you join a league, the game tracks everything that happens in your league down to trades, stats and injuries. You’ll find you want to know who’s hurt on Atlanta if you play the Falcons next.



You’ll also find you will want to horde your draft picks. This is a feature that will keep gamers going for months, and given that improvements to actual gameplay are getting incrementally slower each year, which you would expect after so many iterations, EA Sports could offer simple roster updates online every year and probably make a fortune for users who preferred to keep their old game. And Madden 10 is one I think you could stay with for a few years.

Other things I liked: 

--  Slower, more realistic game play.
-- The game plays more like real football.
--
 There’s a new Madden app for iPhone and iPod touch coming next week that will allow you to manage your team remotely. 
 
-- Playing up to 30 seasons against the computer.
--  The Co-op mode where you and an online friend can control two players on the same team. 

-- A new postgame show (very good) and halftime show (OK)
--
 And I loved all the new graphics.



You can literally send the fans home with great play and watch them leave. You can gang-tackle players and announcers Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond are awful chatty -- and that’s a good thing.

Now if it sounds like I’m going to rate this well, you’re right. Madden gets 3.5 stars out of 4. But I asked a reader, a devoted football gamer, Keith Quick, for his opinions.

Keith is a loyal NFL 2K5 player, five years later, and makes it point every year to call and tell me why the new Madden still isn’t as good as “his old game.”

Keith actually gives Madden an 8 out of 10, but complains about the challenge play system. He wants to be able to challenge any play and he wants a route-based passing system. Then he saw some bugs, like a defensive back running the same route his receiver was running and animations where the coaches would get up in a star’s face and let him have it.

“That doesn’t happen in the NFL,” he said. “Maybe high school or college.”


Keith thinks EA Sports needs to rebuild the game engine from the ground up, like it did for the excellent FIFA soccer.

I think EA Sports has another hit on its hands with Madden 10, the best version of the game we’ve ever tried.

Langston Wertz Jr.: 704-358-5133; lwertz@charlotteobserver.com; twitter.com/langstonwertzjr; facebook.com/langstonwertzjr

Prison Break: the game on the way

Deep Silver Inc., a publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced the signing of a license agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing) regarding the world-wide publication rights to a video game based on the award-winning TV series "Prison Break." "Prison Break", developed by Zootfly, will be released by Deep Silver for next gen consoles and PC.

The protagonist of the "Prison Break" game is Company agent Tom Paxton. He is sent to the Fox River State Penitentiary to find out why Michael Scofield (the hero of the TV series), a man without a previous criminal record, became a bank robber. The storyline runs parallel to the first season of "Prison Break": Paxton encounters several characters from the series and experiences key events from his own perspective.

Netgear releases new wire-free home networking kit

Netgear has released a new version of its Powerline home networking devices. They help turn electrical power outlets into high-speed Internet and home network connections.

As a 2009 CES Innovations Award winner, NETGEAR's Home Theater Internet Connection Kit (XAVB1004) makes it possible to connect multiple Ethernet-enabled entertainment devices - such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, HDTVs and media streaming set-top boxes - to the Internet and the home network simultaneously. Previously you needed an outboard box to split the main signal from the NETGEAR into multiple lines for use in multiple devices.

Through a high-speed powerline connection of up to 200 Mbps, this powerline kit enables high-performance applications such as HD video streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP), Internet gaming and large file transfers to networked devices in the home theater.

The kit, which goes for $179.99, contains one Powerline AV Adapter with 4-port Ethernet Switch (XAV1004) and one Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter (XAV101). This "no new wires" powerline technology enables customers to carry high-speed data network traffic on their existing electrical wiring - using affordable, simple to install adapters. Additionally, advanced energy management capabilities provide automatic port- and device-level sleep modes and wake-on-activity functionality to reduce overall energy usage. The kit also incorporates several ease-of-use features: port-based Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure that the highest priority applications are allocated more bandwidth; Push-N-Secure to secure the Powerline AV network with the push of a button; and Pick-a-Plug, a multi-color LED to determine the strength of the powerline connection without having to look at a computer.

New headphones for the Xbox 360

Turtle Beach, which specializes in premium XBOX 360 headsets, today announced a new addition the Ear Force X31. It includes digital RF wireless CD-quality stereo sound plus XBOX LIVE chat.

The X31 also includes the Chat Boost, which automatically increases the volume of XBOX LIVE chat as the game gets louder, microphone monitoring so you can hear what you’re saying even though the headset is covering your ears and bass boost to enhance the deep bass from explosions and other sounds. For superior sound fidelity, the X31 ear cups incorporate improved 40 mm speakers based on the same design as the high-fidelity X41 speakers.

Enhancements in the X31 over the original X3 model include:

The X3 analog infrared wireless signal has been replaced with digital 2.4 GHz RF wireless technology, for low-latency, uncompressed, CD-quality sound with no background hiss, no interference from plasma TV screens and no line of sight restrictions between the transmitter and headset.

The headset includes a Digital Signal Processor for bass boost and stereo expander effects. An audible beep indicates which effect is turned on as you press the Effects button on the headset.

The X31 transmitter is powered by a USB port on the XBOX or nearby PC, Mac or laptop, so gamers will have one less power adapter to worry about. This is especially convenient when using it overseas, since it eliminates the need for special power adapter plugs.

A new “battery booster” circuit in the headset extends battery life for up to 25 hours and assures that the sound quality will stay crisp and clear until the batteries are completely drained. Optional rechargeable batteries can be used in place of alkaline batteries.

The X31 headset comfort has been improved by increasing the size of the ear cups so they sit around your ears rather than on top of them. In addition, the X3 vinyl ear cushions have been replaced with soft, fabric mesh ear cushions that let your ears breathe, for added comfort during long gaming sessions.

Although primarily designed for XBOX 360 gaming, the Ear Force X31 is compatible with other gaming consoles (note that the integrated microphone works only with the 360) and can also be used as a home-theater accessory for enjoying DVD movies, watching TV or listening to music.

The Ear Force X31 headset has an MSRP of $99.95 and will be available at Best Buy, GameStop and other major US and Canadian retailers in September, and from the Turtle Beach web site www.turtlebeach.com. Turtle Beach Ear Force headsets are distributed in Europe by Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ www.madcatz.com.)

NEW DOLBY DIGITAL VERSION OUT TOO

Turtle Beach's Ear Force X41 includes wireless Dolby Digital sound.

A digital optical input on the X41 transmitter connects to the XBOX 360 for pure-digital, high-quality audio. A digital optical output connects to a home theater system for simultaneously using the X41 headset and home theater speakers. Analog stereo inputs let you use the headset for listening to MP3 players, TV audio or other analog sources.

Enhancements in the X41 over the original X4 model include:

The X4 analog infrared wireless signal has been replaced with digital 2.4 GHz RF wireless technology, for low-latency, uncompressed, CD-quality sound with no background hiss, no interference from plasma TV screens and no line of sight restrictions between the transmitter and headset.

The X41 uses the latest version of Dolby technology to support game sound in 7.1 channels instead of 5.1 channels, for improved surround sound accuracy.

Dolby Pro Logic has been upgraded to Dolby Pro Logic® IIx.

The X41 transmitter includes a headphone jack and volume control for an additional wired headset, so a second player can hear the same Dolby surround sound that’s being transmitted to the X41 wireless headset.

The X41 transmitter is powered by a USB port on the XBOX or nearby PC, Mac or laptop, so gamers will have one less power adapter to worry about. This is especially convenient when using it overseas, since it eliminates the need for special power adapter plugs.

A new “battery booster” circuit in the headset extends battery life for up to 25 hours and assures that the sound quality will stay crisp and clear until the batteries are completely drained. Optional rechargeable batteries can be used in place of alkaline batteries.

The velvet ear cushions used on the X4 have been replaced with rich, soft, fabric mesh cushions that let your ears breathe, for added comfort during long gaming sessions.

Although primarily designed for XBOX 360 gaming, the Ear Force X41 is compatible with other gaming consoles (note that the integrated microphone works only with the 360) and can also be used as a home-theater accessory for enjoying DVDs in Dolby surround sound, watching TV or listening to music.

The Ear Force X41 headset has an MSRP of $199.95 and will be available at Best Buy and other major US retailers in September, and from the Turtle Beach web site www.turtlebeach.com. Turtle Beach Ear Force headsets are distributed in Europe by Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ www.madcatz.com.)

"Players Only" videogame show returns for new season

Digital Trends has announced the debut of season two of its popular PC and video game show "Players Only with Scott Steinberg."

New episodes of the documentary series, which offers viewers an inside look at the $22 billion interactive entertainment business, will be available starting today and every Monday from August 17th-September 28th at the company's website.

The action kicks off immediately with a special two-part season opener, as the biggest names in gaming cast aside the industry's "recession-proof" image and reveal whether or not video games are ultimately destined for extinction.

In addition to regular episodes, which are free to distribute via all electronic forms, Players Only with Scott Steinberg's 2009 run will also feature the premiere of multiple extended Director's Cut editions, available exclusively at DigitalTrends.com. Topics covered this season will range from the changing face of game design and journalism to the rise of indie games, social networks and devices like the iPhone and Microsoft's motion-sensing Project Natal control system, which are quickly reshaping the future of play. Hosted by noted PC and video game expert Scott Steinberg (http://www.thevideogameexpert.com), the show will also feature guest appearances by game industry stars such as David Perry, Cliff Bleszinski, Chris Taylor, Ted Price, Ian Livingstone, John Romero, Lorne Lanning and Brad Wardell.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.
lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
twitter.com/langstonwertzjr
facebook.com/langstonwertzjr

Fossil fighters coming to Nintendo DS and DSi

Want to play with some Dinos on your Nintendo portable? You've got your wish.

Today, NIntendo dropped the Fossil Fighters video game, which takes you to a world in which fearsome creatures are hidden as fossils for players to collect, using the unique touch-screen controls of Nintendo DS. Players can clean, collect and battle their discoveries.

The game features more than 100 dinosaur-like creatures called Vivosaurs, each of which can be revived and deployed in strategic turn-based battles. With fun tactical elements, vast environments to explore and a lighthearted storyline and characters, Fossil Fighters allows players to control and customize a team of Vivosaurs as they battle their way through the mysterious Vivosaur Island. Players can also connect over local wireless with friends to battle customized teams of Vivosaurs or trade their fossils.

“Dinosaurs are a source of endless fascination for the young and the young at heart,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Combining customization and social play, Fossil Fighters brings together the best elements of hand-held gaming for players of all ages.”

Using the Nintendo DS stylus and touch screen, players can chip and drill away at each fossil they find. They can even blow into the Nintendo DS microphone to clear away dust. Once a fossil head is cleaned, the Vivosaur can be revived and used in battle. Other fossilized body parts can also be found and cleaned to imbue each Vivosaur with special powers. Players can create custom teams of three Vivosaurs, strategically selecting the best trio for each encounter.

AT&T offers the iPhone for $49. Seriously

Remember when the iPhone cost a mortgage payment?

AT&T has recently started selling a refurbished iPhone 3G for $49. You have to get the two-year contract and you must keep the $30 per month data plan on the phone for life (something I would definitely try to talk my way out of).

The new 8-gig 3G costs $99 new without the data stipulation but it's still something to think about, an iPhone for under 50 bucks.

Now if only AT&T could offer a $99 everything plan like Sprint has for the excellent Palm Pre.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.
lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
twitter.com/langstonwertzjr
facebook.com/langstonwertzjr

New 'Sports Resort' is a place you'll visit more than once

Nintendo's new "Sports Resort" for the Wii is another impossibly simple batch of sports-themed minigames that are easy to play and enjoyable enough to make you come back for more.

There are 12 sports games here. All require the new Wii MotionPlus accessory, which allows more precise movements with the Wii-Mote. The game comes with one, and the level of control is markedly better.

Games include basketball, swordfighting, archery, table tennis, bowling, Frisbee and more.

This is a must-own.

EA Sports nearly knocks "NCAA 10" out of the park

While we're waiting on the new (and supposedly improved) “Madden NFL 10,” due Friday, it's a good time to take a look at EA Sports' “other” football game: “NCAA 10.”

Upon putting in the PlayStation 3 version, it's readily apparent that EA Sports has stepped up the details. There are a lot of new animations, which add to the realistic feel – and when you create a player with a tough-to-pronounce name, the announcers tend to get it right. Amazing.

“NCAA” has a high level of difficulty, but there are a couple of gadgets that help you keep pace.

The new “setup” control allows you to bait the defense into coming closer to the line of scrimmage. So, for example, if you call several run plays in a row, the opposing line will creep up – allowing you to run a play-action pass play, get your receiver behind the defense, and try to throw to him for a big play.

On defense, you can hold down the “win” button and magically watch as your cornerback turns into Deion Sanders or as your linebacker becomes Mike Singletary. It's almost foolproof.

A couple of other new features add an incredible amount of depth.

You can create your own team using a free Web site on your PC, customizing everything there and then transferring it to your console. (I saw people had created a few area high school teams in exquisite detail online.)

And the new “season showdown” mode is a true innovation. During the season, you play the same schedule as the real-life team of your choice – against a computer or online opponent – and you can follow your standings online or in game.

You can earn points, via online play or against the computer, during the four-month regular season that begins Aug. 31. The only way to lose points is for sportsmanship, so no running up the score. The season ends with a championship round. EA Sports will post weekly podcasts with updates. It's a wonderful addition, and I hope it's in “Madden” as well.

There are some bugs in “NCAA 10” – players running in circles for no reason, cheerleaders wearing shorts in snowstorms. But all in all, this is another strong game.

And Madden says: Panthers in playoffs in 2010

EA Sports annual simulation of the NFL season predicts Carolina as a wild card entry into the playoffs, which would mean a little team history with back-to-back postseason appearances.

The simulation also revealed these factoids:

-- After missing nearly the entire 2008 season due to an injured left knee, Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to the best overall record (14-2) as he compiled over 4,500 yards and threw for 47 touchdowns – also being named the season MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.

The rest of the AFC played out similar to last season, as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and San Diego Chargers won their divisions, while the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens secured the AFC Wild Card spots. The biggest surprise was the performance of New York Jets rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez, who took home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. It was not enough, however, as the Jets once again failed to make the playoffs.

-- In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles returned to prominence, winning the toughest division (NFC East), thanks to a 12-4 record. Andy Reid was awarded Coach of the Year. The Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons prove that last year wasn’t a fluke as they took home their division crowns. The Jay Cutler-led Chicago Bears will also rebound in a big way, taking the NFC North division. The New York Giants and Carolina Panthers grabbed the NFC Wild Card spots.

NFL 2009 Season Awards (as simulated by Madden NFL 10):

* NFL MVP – Tom Brady, New England Patriots
* Offensive Player of the Year – Tom Brady, New England Patriots
* Defensive Player of the Year – Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
* Offensive Rookie of the Year – Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
* Defensive Rookie of the Year – Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins
* Coach of the Year – Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles.



NFL 2009 All-Pro Team:



* Quarterback – Tom Brady, New England Patriots
* Running Back
o Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
o Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
* Wide Receiver
o Randy Moss, New England Patriots
o Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
* Tight End – Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
* Offensive Line
o Matt Light, New England Patriots
o Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia Eagles
o Chris Snee, New York Giants
o Logan Mankins, New England Patriots
o Michael Roos, Tennessee Titans
* Defensive Line
o Trevor Pryce, Baltimore Ravens
o Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens
o Kris Jenkins, New York Jets
o Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants
* Linebacker
o Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
o Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins
o James Farrior, Pittsburgh Steelers
* Defense Back
o Brandon Meriweather, New England Patriots
o Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders
o Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens
o Donte Whitner, Buffalo Bills
* Kicker – Josh Scobee, Jacksonville Jaguars
* Punter – Brad Maynard, Chicago Bears
* Kick Returner – Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
* Punt Returner – Josh Cribbs, Cleveland Browns

Buick to release plug-in hybrid SUV next year

I've said this before, I think Buick is going to be GM's best brand moving forward.

The company's new designs are eye-catching and if the 2010 LaCrosse sedan delivers anywhere near what it looks like Buick will have a hit on its hands.

Now, the company is announcing that GM's plug-in hybrid technology will be introduced in a new Buick crossover vehicle in 2011. The nameless car, for now, will launch late next year with what the company calls "a family of fuel-efficient direct-injected gasoline engines, followed in 2011 by the plug-in hybrid model."

The new five-passenger crossover will build on the success of the Buick Enclave, offering the brand's finely crafted execution and premium driving experience in a fuel-efficient package.

The Buick crossover will be powered by an Ecotec 2.4L direct-injected four-cylinder engine with an optional 3.0L direct-injected V-6, and is expected to deliver 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway.

The Buick plug-in hybrid version is expected to be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid SUV produced by a major automaker.

GM claims that the Buick plug-in hybrid has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs on short trips. It will use same battery cells as the upcoming Chevy Volt. The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. By recharging rather than refueling, the Buick plug-in hybrid significantly improves fuel economy and reduces petroleum use. In early testing, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds.

On the road, GM's 2-Mode plug-in hybrid system can use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power to move the vehicle, depending on the driving conditions. This differs from GM's Voltec technology, which provides the Volt with up to 40 miles of emissions- and petroleum-free electric-only propulsion, and an overall range of more than 300 miles with its flex-fuel engine-generator.

In addition to the lithium-ion battery pack, the Buick plug-in hybrid's powertrain features two powerful electric motors, sophisticated electronic controls and battery management systems and an efficient direct-injected 3.6L V-6 flex-fuel engine.

New ATM scam to be on guard for

A reader sent me this link and I thought I should share. This is not the kind of gadget you want to fall prey to:

Madden 10 Xbox 360 download available and....

The new Madden is much slower than previous versions. And this is a good thing. Being in the pocket actually feels like being in the pocket.

PS3 users have to wait until Friday. But download the demo and let me know what you think.

Harding sports standout now videogame star

Harding High boys basketball coach Walt Aikens Sr. is a little lonely these days. His best friend, son Walt Jr., is up at Illinois getting ready for football season.

"It was like somebody died around here when he left," Aikens Sr. said. "When I was cutting grass in the front yard. He was doing the back. When I was in the garage working out, I'd call him to come with me. We were always together."

Last year, "Little Walt" was a three-sport star at Harding who enjoyed one of the best seasons in Mecklenburg County sports history. He was named conference player of the year in football, basketball and track. He had Division I college offers in each sport, ultimately choosing football and Illinois.

"Little Walt," who won the state track long jump with a leap of nearly 24 feet, reports he's already seven pounds heavier than his prep playing weight of 195 pounds. Little Walt is 6-2 with 4.4 second speed. He also called home last week to report that he's been digitized into the new EA Sports NCAA Football 10 game.

Aikens is seen as No. 23 for Illinois. "He made sure to call me," Aikens Sr. said. "But several other people beat him to it. They called and said, 'We're playing with your son now.' I didn't even play the game before. Guess I have to go get one now."

Joe Jackson to Larry King: "I don't know where Michael's body is""

Interesting interview. What do you think?

GM/Chevy on the right track with new Equinox SUV

So, GM is not making cars people want to drive, right?

Well that's changing. The General's current model lineup looks like the best in its history, and the new Chevrolet mini-SUV, the Equinox, fits right in.

I got to drive the redesigned 2010 model this week in not quite fully decked out trim. The test model was black with black leather interior. Walking up to it, I thought it was an Acura MDX, and driving it, I noticed people couldn't stop staring (an impression a friend told me he had while driving Ford's new 2010 Taurus).

Inside, the truck had all the gadgets to make it feel right at home in this blog: Bluetooth, GM's excellent OnStar system, full iPod intergration (why can't Honda and Toyota do this on all cars; stinks to buy the tech-happy new Accord and not have it control the iPod), a solid stereo system with a built-in hard drive, XM radio; basically, the works.

Inside, what really impressed me was the build quality. There was an odd piece of plastic in a storage bin at the top of the dash, but everywhere else the car felt pretty well put together, at least as good as most foreign brands I drive. Rear seat room is good. The truck is a tad narrow, so you lose some width in the trunk, but of course the rear seats fold down enough to put just about anything behind you.

But what I was curious about was how she'd drive.

The previous Equinox drove too soft. If you just nudged the steering wheel in any direction, the car made a much stronger response to move that way.

Basically, the power steering was overdone. This one is much better, though, it could still be tuned a little better. The car still drives a little soft and it's a touch bouncy, but what SUV do you know that's bigger than a RAV-4 and a CRV that can get 32 miles per gallon on the highway and 22 in the city? GM doesn't stand for Gas Monger any more.

GM's new 2.4 liter inline four cylinder fooled me until I really tried to push it. It was much more quiet than you'd expect -- especially if you have driven previous GM 4 bangers -- and delivered power smoothly. You could pass and get up to speed reasonably well. If you like, you can equip your 'Nox with a 6-cylinder engine, give up about 5 MPG, but gain some horsepower. The 4 banger is 182; the 6 is 264.

Shocked as I am to say this, I'd skip the 6 cylinder and use the extra $1,500 on some options, like a sunroof. Any truck this nice needs one.

Toyota to offer Prius to GM?

According to a Bloomberg article, Toyota is in apparent talks with GM to offer a version of its Prius hybrid car to the American automaker.

The report quotes anonymous sources who report that Toyota President Akio Toyoda and GM’s Fritz Henderson will meet in Michigan in August. A GM version of Prius could be built in California where GM is ending assembly of the Pontiac Vibe as part of its bankruptcy filing.

Toyota is considering the California plant as a Prius production site after shelving plans to make the gasoline-electric car in Mississippi, two people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg earlier this month.

IMAX Theater at Stonecrest, "Transformers II" are hits

Critics have universally panned "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," taking issue with the script, the acting and some have questioned the need for pair of racially insensitive robots -- and all of the sexual innuendo.

I think the critics have it mostly wrong. Apparently, you do, too.

After five days, the movie has raked in more than $200 million domestically and is well on its way to the $400 million club, the kind of U.S. business only eight films in history have done.

And the thing is, this movie isn't directed at the critics. It's directed at the pre-teens and teens who will enjoy all the shots of Megan Fox bent over motorcycles or in white jeans that appear painted on; kids who will enjoy the Animal House humor and the reefer jokes. They're not for those of us with 401Ks and a need to check the dependent box on our 1040s every spring.

Taken in that context, I'd say the movie hits its mark -- with a bullseye.

Tuesday afternoon, I took my son and his friend to see the film. The kids are both nine. I actually thought all the sex talk and sex play -- and there was a lot of it -- might be a little much. Then I thought maybe all the violence -- and there was an awful lot of it -- might be a little much. Many, many people die, and die spectacularly. The special effects in this one, particularly a huge U.S. warship going down after being slapped by a bad robot, are eye-dropping.

Both kids loved it. My son told me he's not sure if he loved (the critically praised) "Star Trek" or Transformers II more. But one thing he did like better: seeing the robots in IMAX. We saw Star Trek at Phillips Place, on a regular surround sound screen.

I'm not sure how Transformers plays in normal theaters, but in the IMAX at the Stonecrest Theater on Rea Road, it is spectacular. You walk in the theater and there's hardly any room for that brown curtain to cover part of the screen. The screen runs wall to wall and nearly floor to ceiling. You have to sit back a little to take it all in.

You remember the first time you saw a really good HDTV picture, when everyone had square TVs? That's kind of like the feeling you get walking into the IMAX for the first time. Everything is sharper, bigger.

The experience isn't as mind-blowing as at Discovery Place, where you're laid back and the IMAX screen nearly wraps around you, but it's close. The sound is amazing. And loud. The images are crystal clear and huge.

The only part I really hated was paying $37 to get in. That's $15 for adults and $11 for children. At the 12:20 matinee.

So after I bought the kids two Cookie Dough candy boxes for $8 total -- and those little things are devilishly good -- I was set back darn near a car payment.

At that point, I probably would've enjoyed "Fried Green Tomatoes." But Transformers was what I expected. A light, if somewhat predictable story with great special effects and a few loud out loud funny moments.

I could've done without the two jive talking robots, who claimed they couldn't read (a little too stereotypical). I was surprised this movie got past all the screeners and nobody ever said, "Hey, you think we might be upsetting folks for no reason here?"

Thankfully, those bots don't dominate the screen time, and thankfully this movie wasn't as bad as I was led to believe.

Critics “forget what the goal of the movie was. The goal of the movie is to entertain and have fun,” Rob Moore, vice chairman of Paramount told the Associated Press. “What the audience tells us is, ‘We couldn't be more entertained and having more fun.'”

According to Paramount's exit polls, 91 percent of the audience thought the sequel was as good as or better than the first “Transformers,” which got far better reviews.

All I know is on Imax, Transformers II, for me, was mindless fun, a nice getaway on a hot Tuesday afternoon: exactly what I wanted it to be.

Rockers R.E.M. releases live digital EP

R.E.M. will release a live digital EP, entitled Reckoning Songs From The Olympia, through iTunes and all digital service providers on July 7th, 2009.

The EP features live versions of four songs from the band's beloved second album Reckoning that were recorded during R.E.M.'s "working rehearsals" at Dublin's Olympia Theatre in July 2007. The track-listing is "Harborcoat," "Letter Never Sent," "Second Guessing," and "Pretty Persuasion." In its five-star live review, Q magazine said: " Eleven new songs are played each night, while the remainder are a changing complement of oldies that pointedly contextualize the virgin material." ( http://remhq.com/news_story.php?id=585).

The EP will give fans a preview of what's to come when the band release R.E.M. Live At The Olympia as a two-CD set this fall. R.E.M., which is singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, and bassist Mike Mills, performed a special five-night residency — dubbed "working rehearsals" — at the fabled Irish venue to test out new songs for their 2008 studio album Accelerate, which was produced by Grammy-Award winning producer Jacknife Lee and topped multiple charts its first week of release.

Reckoning Songs From The Olympia comes on the heels of the 25th anniversary of Reckoning, which was released on April 9th, 1984. On June 23rd, the band released a deluxe edition of the album, featuring a bonus disc with eight of its 10 songs recorded live in Chicago in 1984, to celebrate the occasion.

Will Buick's new ads help change brand perception, sell cars?

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Buick's new sports sedan, the eye-catching LaCrosse. I think it's a car that could really turn GM's fortunes.

Buick has long appealed only to old folks, right? Well, here's a car that goes straight after the Lexus/Acura-driving crowd and, to my 42-year-old eyes, it's the best looking design on the market right now.

The car is set to hit showrooms in the next two weeks -- full of techno gadgets like bluetooth and an available mile-per-hour meter that registers in the windshield so you don't have to look down to see how fast you're going (we've got to include that, right, because this is a blog about games and gadgets).

I have read some places where people questioned the opening ads (as seen above) for the LaCrosse and Buick's excellent Enclave crossover, which I think is the best-looking SUV/crossover on the market right now along with Toyota's Venza. I liked the new message in the spot of having a hip young movie director, however quirkly, really falling in love with Buick, the old man's brand.

"You've changed," he says as the appropriately titled "Here Comes The Hotstepper" plays in the background.

I think that's a great message to put out now. Buick's reliability ratings are up and the new LaCrosse has gotten plenty of positive press for almost everything except its smallish 13 cubic foot trunk. As I said before, I think this is a car that can help save GM, along with the upcoming Chevy Cruze hybrid and the electric Volt. The LaCrosse is the kind of car, if it drives and maintains as well as it looks, that will attract foreign car buyers and younger buyers to the brand (especially if there are some incentives attached).

One of these days, I'm going to trade the old Honda, and for the first time in my life, I think I might consider the old man's brand. It's like guy in the commerical says, Buick has changed.

Apple sells one million new iPhones over the weekend

Even in a down economy, people still appear to like Apple's iPhone.

The company's new iPhone 3GS model debuted last weekend, for $199 or $299, and Apple reports it sold one million of them in the first three days. It also said that six million customers downloaded the new iPhone 3.0 software for older iPhones in the first five days of its release.

The Palm Pre, in comparison, sold about 100,000 in its first weekend.

Click here for a speed comparison between the iPhone 3G and 3GS.

Glass Joe is back and Wii Punch Out rocks

“Punch Out” ( ***1/2): Glass Joe is back. This was one of my favorite games on the old 8-bit Nintendo machine, and playing this boxing title with the Wiimote is realistic and fun. The premise is simple: You see your guy's hands and some big lug in front of you, and you trade blows. If you have a Wii Balance Board, you can also incorporate your feet into the gameplay; very cool. The new “3-D look” didn't really do much for me – it still pretty much looks like it used to. But that's fine. It's still one of my favorite titles of the year.

“The Legendary Starfy” ( **): This big Japanese hero is another Mario-like character, albeit one shaped like a star, who swims, jumps and bounces through a maze-like world defeating enemies. Starfy can morph into a dragon, a seal, a ghost or a chicken. It's well-done, but I just didn't really get it.

“Let's Tap” Nintendo Wii ( ***): Place your Wiimote on a flat, stable surface and simply tap it to make onscreen characters sprint, play songs, swim or paint. It's another one of those simple collections of minigames that will hook you quickly. Great family fun.

Cool, a live game show that you play on Xbox 360

Microsoft recently launched on Xbox Live a beta version of a massively multiplayer online game, “1 vs 100,” based on the TV game show of the same name. It's a bold new move for video-gaming, offering a live game show played on the console that engages the entire family.

Selected players receive entries to win prizes like a 52-inch plasma TV, $3,000 cash and Microsoft Zune music players.

Each episode is a two-hour game show that features real-time play between players. A host conducts the action. There's a featured player called The One who tries to win the game outright by eliminating all 100 members of The Mob by answering questions correctly.

When you sign in to play, you are assigned to The Mob, or to be The One. (Your Xbox Live avatar appears on screen when you're selected, which is cool.) If you're picked as neither, you can play as The Crowd.

The game tracks your answers, and the more correct ones you get, the better your chances of being selected to “come on down!” – to coin a different game-show's phrase. But if you get a question wrong, you're no longer a member of the Mob (or The One), and are sent into The Crowd. Don't worry, though, you can still play – and win stuff – from there.

Live games are going on each day; you can check www.xbox.com for the schedule.

I think Microsoft has a big hit on its hands with this, and I can't wait to see what other types of live community-based games might be coming next.

iPhone 3GS in action (videos)

Here's one showing the new iPhone 3GS against the older 3G.



This video is made from the new iPhone's video camera (not bad).

Here's what the Panthers look like on Madden 10

EA Sports sent me some screen shots of several Panther players from the upcoming Madden 10. What do you think?

Overall the Panthers are rated an 83 overall as a team, which leads the NFC South.

Next gen screen shots:




Here are some shots from the Nintendo Wii version

Demo for NCAA Football out today

EA Sports NCAA Football 10 drops July 14, but the company put out a free demo on Xbox Live and the PlayStation store today. The demo shows off new features like:

§ Defensive Keys—Prior to the snap during the pre-play, hold the left trigger while pressing the analog stick in the direction you think will stop the run. If you think the offense will pass the ball, press upward. Or, you can press the icon associated with a receiver (X, Y, A, B, LB, RB) to spotlight that individual. This will focus the defense on making sure that the chosen offensive player does not make a play.

§ Defensive Player Assist—By holding A (on 360) or X (on PS3) on defense your player will be put under CPU control so you have time to read a play and decide the best course of action.

§ Enhanced Defensive Lineman Moves—With new animations, take control of your defensive linemen using the right stick to fight pass blocks and put pressure on the quarterback.

§ Gameplanning—There are six defensive and five offensive individual game planning options, or you can globally set your offense and defense. Each option changes the way your team will perform. For example, be aggressive and try and strip the ball every time and you run the risk of getting more facemask penalties.

§ Player Lock—Player lock allows you to lock on to a specific player in order to control that position during the play. When you lock on you'll get a whole new camera angle that puts you closer to the action.

§ Set Up Plays—Set up plays allows you to run one play in order to set up another. When picking a play, you will notice that some plays have a chain link between them, which indicates that one play can set up the other. Every time you use one particular play throughout the game, you are setting up for the play that is chain linked to it. Once the play is 100% set up (as shown in your playbook), the defense is at its highest likelihood to fall for that play action.

§ 1000 new animations like throw out of a sack, new shotgun snaps/hand-offs, WR/DB interactions, tackles, double team run blocks, catches, broken tackles, and slipping in bad weather.

You can also log into teambuilder.easports.com to create custom teams that can be shared and used in-game when the full product launches on July 14th. TeamBuilder is an all-new, online create-a-school feature that gives gamers the capability to upload logos and numerous customization options for uniforms, fields and rosters.

DirecTV offers bonus U.S. Open golf coverage

Golf fans who have DirecTV are in for a treat. The satellite company is offering free bonus coverage Thursday-Sunday.

There will be three additional channels (702-705) in addition to the national feeds on ESPN and NBC.

DirecTV offered this type of bonus coverage from the Masters and will also offer it during the British Open and the PGA Championship, covering all of golf's four major championships.

This weekend, a "Mix Channel" will show the network feed and all three bonus channels on one screen. The first bonus channel will follow a group of golfers around the course (Hello Tiger!). Another channel will focus on a particular area of the course. A third will provide live updates, highlights and interviews.

Each of the extra channels will be offered in both standard- and high-definition and are fully produced with their own production crew and announcers. Customers with interactive receivers can view all four channels in the Mix and use their remote to listen to any channel’s audio or tune directly to the full-screen channel. The Mix also features a real-time leader board to keep tabs on all the action.

The interactive services, available by pressing the red button on the remote, include a look at the top five leaders; the full leader board, with the ability to select any golfer for in-depth, hole-by-hole stats; a five-question, daily trivia contest on the history of the event; and a “Tune To” menu item that allows the viewer to tune directly to the Mix Channel (701) and any one of the four channels (702-705), including the main network feed.

A dilemma for iPhoners, or those that want to be

The new iPhone 3.0 software is out for existing users and it is good. The internet moves faster. You can cut and paste. You can turn the phone sideways to type email (finally) and there's a neat voice recorder now included that allows you to leave a tape recorder at home. It all works seamlessly, like many Apple products, and all of a sudden I'm not hearing so much about the Palm Pre anymore.

The new software, combined with a Mobile Me account from Apple, allows you to track where your phone is at any time. You can even have it display a message and/or beep to help you find it.

If need be, you can even wipe its data remotely, removing all your emails and sensitive information.

This was a brilliant addition.

But here's the thing, there's a new iPhone coming this week and it does everything better.

The battery lasts longer. The camera is sharper and autofocuses. It also takes video, which the current phone does not. AT&T is making it harder on current users by widening the window for available plan discounts to get the new phone for as low as $199 (16 gig version) if they re-up for two years.

Now, users whose contracts won't expire for three more months are eligible.

If you're thinking of jumping and getting a new iPhone, the new version is $199 or $299 (32 gigs). The current iPhone is now $99, and with the new software, it does everything better than any other smart phone out there -- except the new iPhone 3GS.

And one of the biggest bugaboos about the current model is battery strength. It ain't good. The new model improves on that -- greatly.

So what are you guys going to do? Stand pat, enjoy the new software and wait on the next iPhone revision, which would probably be more of a quantum leap than this; or go grab a 3G-S now?

New iPhone software due today (6/17)

While many wait for the iPhone 3G-S this weekend, other current iPhone user are going to get some features they've waited a long time for with the release of new software today.

iPhone users can get it via iTunes.

The 3.0 software includes new search features that will search your entire iPhone, peer to peer gaming and the ability to cut and paste or buy and view movies and TV shows from the handset. The new software will also allow users to turn the handset sideways to make typing emails and texts a little easier. Other features include a voice memo recorder, better internet browsing and Bluetooth support.

For those that grab it, would love to hear your experiences.

More fitness games drop for the Wii (and they're good, too)

Wii Fit – a truly revolutionary Nintendo add-on that provides users with a personal trainer and workouts – has led to the development of many exercise games.

Nintendo recently released “Personal Trainer Walking,” which comes with a small device you can put in your pocket or clip on your belt. The DS title comes with an “activity meter” that records how many steps you take during the day and can send the data wirelessly (or via synching) to your handheld console.

The game then converts this information into interesting facts about your activity level and invites you to increase it. Ultimately, the unit can track up to five years of performance/progress.

I hooked it up to a friend's dog for a day and found that even though he mostly lays around in the yard, he was more active than me.

“EA Sports Active” for the Wii is another “game” that takes you through traditional exercises that target different muscle groups – and has one heckuva cardio routine.

To get started, you slip the Wii nunchuk controller into a special leg strap and follow the lead of your on-screen trainer. You run, do lunges, box, and dance as your trainer – Bob Greene from “The Oprah Winfrey Show” – keeps you motivated.

Overall, the workouts on “EA Sports Active” are a little more intense than the Wii Fit's software. It definitely had me sweating.

Wii-Mote competition from Sony, Microsoft on the way

I was surprised it took Microsoft and Sony – which both recently announced motion-based controllers – so long to respond to industry-leading Nintendo's Wiimote.

Nintendo's motion-sensitive controller has become so popular that nongamers are buying Wiis and Wii Fits for the novelty and for the fitness benefits.

But competition is on the horizon:

Microsoft plans to deliver a hands-free controller system called “Project Natal.” It allows gamers to use their hands and body to control Xbox 360 games and movies without touching a controller, a definite one-up to Nintendo's Wiimote.

With the Wiimote, if you want to throw a ball, for instance, you hold the controller and make a throwing motion. With Microsoft's new system, you can do the same thing just by making the motion.

If this works, it'll be the biggest video-game breakthrough since the original Sony PlayStation introduced us to realistic-looking graphics. The release date is up in the air, but expect the system to cost about $100.

Sony's new motion controller is a lot more traditional. It's a handheld device that resembles a wand with a ball at the end. It will use the PlayStation EyeToy to track the ball to capture motion as you play. Sony says gamers will be able to write or draw using the wand, due to increased sensitivity. It's due early next year.

Will "Backbreaker" challenge Madden for football supremacy?

A new video football game, Backbreaker, is due this fall. These highlights looks pretty good. Is it the Madder-killer some gamers hope it will be?

No real teams or players is hard. At best, it'll be a Madden alternative. What do you think?

Video Games | BackBreaker | E3 09: Trailer HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

New software helps Chinese block internet porn

Chinese parents won't have to worry about their kids accessing adult web sites.

China is requiring all domestically sold PCs to carry software called "Green Dam--Youth Escort." GDYE prevents computers from accessing web sites with adult photos or language, Zhang Chenmin, general manager of Jinhul Computer System Engineering Company told the Associated Press. Chenmin's company is compiling a list of sites to block.

Zhang said his company signed a $3 million contract with the Chinese government to develop the software last May. China has more than 250 million Internet users and the country launched a crackdown on adult web sites, which are banned in China.

Parents will be allowed to add to the blacklisted sites and the software could be used to block any type of web site, depending on keywords. The Chinese government, according to AP, routinely blocks political sites, like those that challenge the ruling of the Communist Party.

"If a father doesn't want his son to be exposed to content related to basketball or drugs, he can block all web sites related to those things," Zhang told the AP.

Zhang said users could also unblock web sites, but they will not be able to see the full database. He said the software does not monitor or send IP addresses to third parties.

Prototype launches today

Activision announced today that Radical Entertainment’s "Prototype" has shipped to retailers.

In the game, you play as genetically mutated Alex Mercer -- a man without memory, armed with amazing shape-shifting abilities, hunting to discover what created him, and determined to make those responsible pay.

As Alex, gamers tear through a densely populated contemporary New York City, moving with free-roaming Parkour-style fluidity, consuming anybody that gets in his way … assuming their physical form, memories and abilities.

New software helps Chinese block internet porn

Chinese parents won't have to worry about their kids accessing adult web sites.

China is requiring all domestically sold PCs to carry software called "Green Dam--Youth Escort." GDYE prevents computers from accessing web sites with adult photos or language, Zhang Chenmin, general manager of Jinhul Computer System Engineering Company told the Associated Press. Chenmin's company is compiling a list of sites to block.

Zhang said his company signed a $3 million contract with the Chinese government to develop the software last May. China has more than 250 million Internet users and the country launched a crackdown on adult web sites, which are banned in China.

Parents will be allowed to add to the blacklisted sites and the software could be used to block any type of web site, depending on keywords. The Chinese government, according to AP, routinely blocks political sites, like those that challenge the ruling of the Communist Party.

"If a father doesn't want his son to be exposed to content related to basketball or drugs, he can block all web sites related to those things," Zhang told the AP.

Zhang said users could also unblock web sites, but they will not be able to see the full database. He said the software does not monitor or send IP addresses to third parties.

Wolverine PS3 version claws its way to the top

Every big superhero movie needs a big video-game franchise to go with it, right? So Activision released this game to coincide with the Hugh Jackman movie of the same name.

I tried it on Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PlayStation 3, and I enjoyed the PS3 version most – in large part because of the superior graphics (very cool to see all the detail as Wolverine uses his famous powers of regeneration to come back after some particularly lethal attacks).

The game follows the movie pretty closely, tracing the origins of Wolverine. It's intense all the way, with fight after fight after fight. And the combos weren't as difficult to use as they are in other superhero games I've played.

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is also bloody – I wouldn't allow anyone under 16 near it – but it should be a big hit for Activision.

Zune HD coming in fall

In case you missed the recent big news, Microsoft is finally releasing a long-rumored HD version of its Zune handheld device this fall.

The Zune HD will be able to support up to 720 lines of resolution – although that power isn't unleashed unless you connect it to an HDTV using a special docking station on an HDMI cable. When you watch high-definition video on the Zune HD's otherwise beautiful touch screen display, the picture will be converted to 480 lines of resolution.

The Zune HD also comes with a Web browser, HD Radio and Wi-Fi compatibility. Users will be able to access TV and video content via Xbox Live.

Speaking of Xbox… no word on whether we'll be able to play games on the Zune HD. It should, since other handheld game systems – including the iPod Touch and Nintendo's new Dsi – are really touting their gaming features these days.

Is Palm Pre an iPhone killer? We find out now

The Smart Phone wars are about to kick into high gear with Sprint's introduction of its "iPhone killer," the Palm Pre.

The Pre is exclusive for Sprint and goes on sale Saturday (6/6) for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement. You can buy the Pre at any Sprint store as well as Best Buy, Radio Shack and select Wal-Marts.

Several media reports claim that Apple's response will come Monday when it is expected to announce either a $149 or $99 iPhone, down from the current $199 8-gigabyte model.

Apple is also expected to release a new iPhone this summer as well as a new iPhone operating system that will work with existing phones.

Most smart phone companies may be playing a little catch up with the Pre.

The Pre runs on the new Palm webOS mobile operating system and features a drop-down QWERTY keyboard, unlike the totally touch screen iPhone.

Sprint also promises to deliver a phone that is equally at home handling your business or your casual conversations and usage needs.

“The argument that you need one phone for work and another phone for play, or that you have to make compromises between business and lifestyle productivity, is over,” said Dan Hesse, president and CEO of Sprint. “With Pre, compromises of the past are history.”

I can't say if that's true, but what is true is how you can save nearly $1,500 annually over two years with Sprint's simply everything plan at $99.99 per month versus plans costing nearly $50 more from AT&T and Verizon for smart phones.

The good news for consumers is that AT&T, which exclusively sells iPhone, and Verizon, which has the best network in the country, may lower prices to compete with the new product, which packs a big technological punch.

"The Pre's dynamic 'activity cards' approach to handling and navigating multiple applications is a great advance, but the core breakthrough is the integration of information across multiple applications on and off the phone," said Andy Castonguay, director of Mobile & Access Devices Research, Yankee Group. "With social networking and messaging being so important to consumers, the device’s new ‘Palm Synergy’ functionality – which gives Pre the ability to automatically pull friends' contact details, messaging addresses and personal calendars from different applications online and on the phone – will greatly simplify people's ability to communicate with their friends and colleagues the way they want."

A key feature of the Pre is "Palm Synergy," a feature that brings together your personal and professional calendar, contacts and e-mail into one centralized view, making transitions between work and personal life smooth and easy to manage.

For example, if you have the same contact listed in your Outlook, Google and Facebook accounts, Synergy recognizes that they’re the same person and links the information, presenting it to you as one listing.

Layered calendars allows you to view work and personal calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view. Combined messaging lets you see all your conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, even if it started in IM and you want to reply with text messaging. You can also see who’s active in a buddy list right from contacts or e-mail, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

Cover boy Kobe Bryant loves to play games

Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers, star will be the cover athlete for 2K Sports' NBA 2K10.

After leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a remarkable 65-17 regular season record and a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals, Bryant has established himself as one of the best players in the game.

“I’ve been playing sports video games for as long as I can remember and honestly, I’ve never seen one come so close to replicating real basketball," Bryant said. "What 2K Sports has done is truly incredible. (They are) constantly improving and adding something new to their game every year that makes them better and better, and that’s exactly what I try to do each season with my game. It’s as if 2K Sports has been on a sports video game championship run for several years now, and I’m not even sure there’s a word for that kind of dominance.”

To support this announcement, 2K Sports brought on legendary, award-winning film director and die-hard New York Knicks fan, Spike Lee, to produce an exclusive TV spot that aired Wednesday night to reveal Kobe Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10. Lee, who recently directed the highly publicized documentary on Kobe Bryant, Kobe Doin’ Work (ESPN Films), is famously known for his intense love and passion for the game of basketball.

“It's quite obvious why 2K Sports put Kobe Bryant on the cover of NBA 2K10, which is the best NBA video game,” said Lee, whose recent documentary on Bryant has earned high praise. “One day Kobe and I will go 1 on 1 playing NBA 2K10.”

In conjunction with the reveal of Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10, 2K Sports will invite fans to vote on their choice for the official box cover. A dedicated voting site will offer fans a selection of NBA 2K10 box covers to choose from, and the voting period is open now through June 15. The box cover that receives the most votes at the end of the voting period will be unveiled as the cover of NBA 2K10 on June 16th. More information on voting can be found at the official NBA 2K10 voting site, www.2ksports.com/vote.

Sony adds new motion controller

Following Microsoft's Project Natal announcement for totally hands free gaming, Sony has announced its own motion controller.

Sony's is a hand held device that resembles a wand with a ball at the end. It will use the PlayStation EyeToy to track the ball to capture motion as you play. It's due early next year. Sony says gamers will be able to write or draw using the wand, due to increased sensitivity.

You can easily imagine its application with things like baseball or sword-fighting games. Some publications who saw a live demo at E3 weren't too impressed with this early beta saying it was buggy and wasn't as seamless as Microsoft.

The guess here is that PlayStation will start marching onto Wii territory with its new toy and Microsoft may take gaming to new places and become the must-have unit. Talk about a comeback.

Who will be on NBA2K10? Kobe? LeBron?

2K Sports will reveal the cover athlete for its much anticipated basketball simulation game, NBA 2K10, Thursday night during a 30-second spot that will run during the pre-game show for the NBA Finals (9 p.m., ABC).

Playing videogames with no controller? Revolutionary.

The biggest videogame news in a long time came out Monday when Microsoft announced a new totally hands-free controller system called "Project Natal" (See video below).

Announced during Microsoft's annual E3 press conference, Project Natal allows gamers to use their hands to control Xbox 360 games and movies without touching a controller, a definite one-up to Nintendo's Wii-mote, which you hold in your hand to mimic real life motions.

Nintendo's motion-sensative controller has become so popular that non-gamers are buying Wiis and using them as Yoga stations and other types of workout machines as well as gaming systems. The controller is key. Want to throw a ball? Hold the controller and make a throwing motion.

In Microsoft's new world you can do the same thing, but without holding the controller. If this works, it'll be the biggest videogame breakthrough since the original PlayStation introduced us to realistic looking graphics.

No one is sure when Natal will be available and what games it will work with. Microsoft officials did say the new motion-control system would work with every Xbox 360, but didn't commit backwads compatibility (which I doubt we'll see). You can expect to see costs in the $100 range.

I'm very anxious to see where this goes. The demo video below shows the system talking to you using voice recognition software and people turning off the system using their voice.

This is very exciting, don't you think?

D-Link Network Adapter wins Choice Award

If you have been reading this spot for long, you know we consistently praise the D-Link PowerLine HD Adapters, which allow you to create fast and easy wired network solutions in your home by plugging these devices into two or more outlets.

Today, the PowerLine Network Starter Kit won the Computer Shopper Editors' Choice Award and the PC World Best Buy Award.

In product reviews from both publications, the unit received top editorial recognition for features such as fast transmission speeds, easy installation, simplified management, push-button security and affordability.

Computer Shopper said: "Ease of use and speedy performance are two good reasons to choose the D-Link PowerLine HD Network Starter Kit DHP-303 if you're thinking of using your existing electrical wiring to provide Ethernet connectivity throughout your home. In our tests, installation was a breeze. We plugged one adapter into a wall socket close to our router and connected it with one of the included Ethernet cables, then plugged the second adapter into a wall socket in a room located on the other side of the house. Next, we connected our Lenovo ThinkPad notebook to the second adapter. Within seconds, the notebook was assigned an IP address from the router, and we were up and running.

The unit was also named "Top Pick" in the PC World Best Buy Awards. Editor Becky Waring noted: "its throughput was more than 30 percent higher than the competition's, and it carries a lower price tag."

This is one piece of technology that just works.

First Metal Gear Solid for Xbox 360 due soon

If you've been waiting for a Metal Gear Solid title for Xbox 360, your wait is over.

On Monday, Konami Digital Entertainment announced today that Metal Gear Solid: Rising is currently in development for the Xbox 360.

Raiden, one of the most popular characters in the Metal Gear Solid universe, will star in the all-new title. Raiden first debuted in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty as a playable character (PS2 version) and appeared as a non-playable cyborg in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the PS3

No firm release date was given.

Ice Age actors lend voices to "Dinasours" game

The talent from Twentieth Century Fox’s upcoming Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs feature film will reprise their roles in the upcoming video game from Activision). The game, like the movie, features the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah and Josh Peck as members of an unlikely herd of prehistoric pals on a rescue mission across the tundra and beyond as they meet new friends and discover a mysterious world teeming with lush vegetation and fierce dinosaurs.

For the first time in an Ice Age game, players take on the roles of multiple characters such as big-hearted Manny the mammoth (Romano), the earnest but goofy Sid the sloth (Leguizamo), Diego the saber-toothed tiger, fan favorite Scrat and more. Gamers also get gameplay tips from the wacky possum duo, Crash and Eddie (Peck), and Ellie the mammoth (Latifah). Each character features its own strengths and abilities, resulting in a wide variety of gameplay experiences as players work through more than 15 action-packed levels. Players can also team up with friends and family in eight competitive multiplayer mini-games, another first for the game franchise.

The Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs video game is being developed by Eurocom for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii console systems. A Nintendo DS handheld version is also in development.

Meet Buick's new LaCrosse, the car that will save GM

Well at least I think it could help out the struggling automaker.

GM is aiming for the Lexus ES350/Acura TL buying audience with its smartest looking sedan in years. Buick's Enclave started the change. The Enclave was a beautiful sports ute that did everything right, including the thing that had been escaping Ford and GM in recent years - fit and finish.

This new GM was introduced at the January car shows and looks like a winner. It should be in showrooms next month with a price tag starting in the high 20s and topping out in the high 30s if you opt for an All Wheel Drive 280 horsepower version. I think the stock motor, at 255 horses, will be plenty.

The car will have every bell and whistle, every gadget, you could imagine, from Bluetooth support, in-dash navigation, an electronic head-up display in the windshield to track speed and even a system to warn you when objects are in your blind spot.

The LaCrosse will also offer internet connectivity, DVD headrests in the rear, and GM's industry-best On-Star system. Ambient lighting in the cabin just looks cool and hand stitching on the dashboard screams luxury.

This may be a game-changer for Buick, which used to be your father's brand.



LaCrosse Specs

Exterior
Length: 196.9 in. Width: 73.1 in.
Height: 59.2 in. Wheel Base: 111.7 in.
Curb Weight: 4019 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38 in. Front Hip Room: 55.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 57.4 in. Rear Head Room: 37.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 56 in. Rear Hip Room: 53.9 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.7 in. Rear Leg Room: 40.5 in.
Luggage Capacity: 13.3 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 13 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 255 hp
Max Horsepower: 6900 rpm Torque: 217 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 5100 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 1000 lbs.
Drive Type: FWD Turning Circle: 38.7 ft.
Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.4 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: 17 mpg / 28 mpg
Range in Miles:
Automatic: 312.8 mi. / 515.2 mi. / mi.

Microsoft's Zune HD could be a game changer

Microsoft has announced plans for its Xbox Live online network to support the Zune, positioning it as a PSP of sorts for the Xbox. The Zune itself will go head to head with the iPod touch.

Here's a sneak peek video.

Zune HD Video Hands On from Gizmodo on Vimeo.