Still don't know what to get on Black Friday? Amazon offers a lot of gaming goodies on ridiculous discounts, and what's more, they've got an ample supply of the Wii as well. Read on to get more details and pricing information for Amazon's Black Friday deals.

 

Based on the book by Philip Pullman, Sega's upcoming game, The Golden Compass, shows us that the fantasy adventure genre has yet unmeasured depths yet to be plumbed. In an interview by PSU with Dax Berg, lead designer of the game, he gives us some in depth info about The Golden Compass.

Sticking closely to the plot of the book, the game features Lyra Belacqua and her shape-shifting daemon companion, Pantalaimon, as they travel through the frozen wastes of the North in search of their friend after being kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers.

Dax Berg tells us in detail about the unique abilities Lyra's companion has to help her on her quest:

When the player takes on the role of Lyra, they play as both Lyra and Pan - one cohesive unit. Pan can shape- shift into many different forms, all of which perform a unique set of tasks for the player. In the traversal aspect of play, using Pan’s variety of forms allows the player access to areas that Lyra could not reach without Pan’s help.

Shifting from one form to the next while moving across familiar (and unfamiliar universe environments) provides a very entertaining gameplay element. Pan can become 4 animal daemon shapes including a hawk, which allows Lyra to glide across areas that might be too far to jump. An ermine, which helps her to balance on unstable or narrow beams. A wild cat, that enables her to climb up walls. And a sloth form that, like a monkey, gives her the ability to swing from platform to platform. When a player controls Iorek gameplay shifts into a more interactive 3rd person combat game with attack combos and special action throws.

There won't be any multiplayer or online capabilities for the game, however it has been revealed that it will be utilizing the SIXAXIS wireless controller for some of Lyra's skills and some of the interactive mini-games involved.

The Golden Compass is slated for a release this December 4, three days before the actual film's release. It will be coming out on all platforms, including the PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, DS and Wii.

Buy: The Golden Compass (PS3)

Buy: The Golden Compass (360)

Buy: The Golden Compass (Wii)

Buy: The Golden Compass (PSP)

Take-Two Interactive Software's publishing label 2K has just announced that Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, a game based on the movie, is out now on multiple platforms. By multiple, we mean the Xbox 360, Playstation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, and the Nintendo DS.

So is this a game that would appeal to fans of the movie or comic book junkies? The answer may surprise you.

Justin Lambros of Marvel Entertainment Inc. said:

With Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, 2K is giving fans of the comic book series and movie franchise a great opportunity to continue the exciting Super Hero experience. Gamers can relive the best moments from the film and also play through additional storylines exclusive to the game.

The President of 2K, Christoph Hartmann, spoke about the game saying, "The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer video game capitalizes on the capabilities of next generation platforms to bring fun new features to the franchise, such as seamless four player co-op and the radically unique Fusion Attacks." That said, what exactly does this game have to offer and what the hell is a Fusion Attack?

Features:

• Take on the role of any member of the Fantastic Four team and switch characters at any time. Each member has unique special abilities that will help the team get through different situations.
• Unite and fight! Battle in four player co-op with easy pick-up-and-play ability.
• Combine super powers for devastating team attacks with the new Fusion Attack System
• Loads of unlockable features including alternate Fantastic Four costumes, historical comic covers, concept art and more!
• Face enemies from the Fantastic Four universe including Red Ghost, Terrax and Super Skrull.
• Enhance your super powers: use the Wii Remote on the Wii and the SIXAXIS controller on the PLAYSTATION 3 for mega boost attacks.

If you're planning to pick this game up for a friend or a loved one, be advised that it is rated "T" for Teen for all the consoles except the DS version which is rated "E10+" for everyone 10 or older. That said, be sure to keep checking back here for more updates on Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Ah. Right on time! Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End just docked its merry butt onto retail shelves today - that's all platforms of the game released: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PSP, and NDS. Gawsh, what a mouthful. Aside from the fact that it's being released across all major consoles and handhelds, you won't have any problems finding a copy of the game. The press release from Disney Interactive states that they've shipped over 2.8 million copies worldwide. Sheeesh.

But maybe you're wondering what's the difference between the different versions. Let's take a walk down the plank, shall we? We'll keep it simple: the PS3 gets SIXAXIS support, Achievements abound in the 360 version, the Wii makes use of the Wiimote and Nunchuk, the PSP allows you to use a different set of moves and combos, and the DS makes the most out of touchpad and stylus interaction.

Now of course, this are just the bare minimal of differences - hell, you can transplant those to other multiplatform game releases. It's natural for a publisher to make the most use out of the different platforms, and make sure to add some exclusive content and features in their games various releases.

 

Buy: [PotC: At World's End (PS3)]
Buy: [PotC: At World's End (360)]
Buy: [PotC: At World's End (Wii)]

We're always looking for great deals and here's something from GameStop EB Games that'll definitely pique your interest.

They're having In-Store Specials that are valid until May 17. The offers included are the PlayStation 3 that comes with a free SIXAXIS controller. Also, those who're planning to get Donkey Konga 2 can also get free bongos when they get the game. There's also a spot for DS trades and used GameCubes. You can also check out the video game titles that are marked down by US$ 10.

Anyway, you can check out the images above for the titles. And remember, the offers are dependent on title availability so if you see something you like, you better print out the coupons and visit a store at your earliest convenience.

Harry Potter fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming months, as this July marks the release of the seventh and final installment in the insanely popular Harry Potter series of novels. The big screen adaptation of the fifth book, The Order of the Phoenix, is also set for a theatrical release this summer, and a tie-in action game from Electronic Arts is also in the works.

Of course, in a game based on the adventures of a wizard, magic is sure to be one of the main elements. In a recent interview with GameSpot, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix executive producer Harvey Elliot gave some insight on how the game's new gesture-based magic system works for the different platforms.

Instead of button presses, magic will be executed by using each console's unique controls. "If you want to use "depulso" to push an object away from you, you press the right analog stick forward on the 360 and PS2, you push the Sixaxis controller away from you on the PS3, and, of course, you flick your "wand" away from you on the Wii," said Elliot.

Similar gestures are also used in combat situations, and Elliot said that the team behind the Order of the Phoenix video game made sure that the gestures represent the action. "To cast a knockback jinx you tap up on the analog stick, or shove them backward with the Sixaxis or Wii Remote," said Elliot. "And each spell you find is upgraded as you discover secrets in the world."

For the full interview, click on the "read" link below.

 

After much hopeful speculation, careful stabs at the dark, and an otherwise overlooked confirmation, we're finally treated to what a lot of people would call as the "Optimus" of interviews. Yep, after the long wait, the very first few details for Transformers: The Game have been revealed. The game will be developed by Traveller's Tales, under the publishing license of Activision.

IGN was able to talk to Producer Andy Burrows for the lo-down on the 2007-movie tie-in game, and as things stand, it looks like everything each and every fan ever imagined. The long and short of it:

• The game will tie closely to the movie. There is even some talk that the film's voice actors could be part of the development for the game.  As for the trademark transformation sound in the cartoon series, Burrows says we just have to wait and see.
• There'll be two campaigns to choose from: 1) the Autobots, following the story arc of the movie, and 2) the Decepticons, putting a fresh twist to the background and critical points in the movie. You'd be able to use most of the bots featured in the movie and wreak havoc on your environment during missions.
• Transformations will be "as intuitive and as useful as a punch, a run, or a jump." Fighting a boss as a raging boombox is yet to be confirmed.
• Game mechanics will be the same across all the platforms, however, given the unique features of the SIXAXIS and Wiimote, control schemes (and ultimately overall gameplay experience) will differ from this or that console/handheld.

The game is currently set to be released on the PS3, 360, Wii, PSP, PS2, PC, and NDS sometime during the third quarter of this year. Click the Read link for the rest of the interview.

Most 80s cartoons were made to help market toys and other franchise-related merchandise. We're wondering if that Saturday morning magic will work on this generation's electronic occupation.

Given, the huge buzz generated by the now in contention Ghostbusters' game (thank the gods Dan Akroyd confirmed it), it seems there are a lot of franchises from way back when that could get a great boost if it gets adapted for our gaming interests.

But how would these 80s cartoons translate into "generation now" video games? Which platforms would each game be for? How would each game play? This article will imagine what would happen if we turn 80s cartoon shows into "generation now" games.

We'll start with two 80s cartoons that share the same universe (yes 80's uber geeks, we know that Etheria and Eternia are different places, but the two series did cross multiple times) He-Man and She-Ra, and then we'll move from there.

Read the rest of the article after the Jump!

 

Talk about a giveaway! Mollusk recently updated PAlib with a bunch of new games and ports that will work with the fabled DSMotion Card.

The DSMotion Card allows any DS unit to sense motion, which makes it act a little bit like a Wiimote or the SIXAXIS, except you're playing the game on the controller itself. What makes it even more intriguing is how games can be ported to work with DSMotion, which can actually allow for a substantial library of DS homebrew games to run on it. Provided that motion sensing actually makes sense with your app, of course.

You've got some pretty strong remakes in this homebrew blowout. Of the ports, we have Carre Rouge and Circular Defense. In the Carre Rouge port, you'll now be using motion sensing to keep a red box from hitting the edges of the screen or the blue boxes that keep moving around. In Circular Defense, your job is to raise shields to keep the space station for being shot, using the DSMotion to help you pull it off.

The list of other quirky titles includes DoubleSkill, in which you have to keep two balls balanced or in the air using proper use of motion sensors, MotionDraw2, a modified version of MotionDraw that uses the DSMotion control scheme, and Mental Pong, a version of Pong in which the commands change every 10 points. In the case of Mental Pong, the game will also run using a stylus if your DS doesn't sense a motion card, though the others probably can't be switched.

Still, it brings a lot of hope that DSMotion can become an standard part of DS homebrew, especially when we can use it for fun things like these. Enjoy the download, and don't hesitate to check the source link if you want to grab the source code or ask Mollusk for help.

Download: [Carre Rouge Motion]
Download: [Circular Defense Motion]
Download: [Double Skill Motion]
Download: [Mental Pong]
Download: [Motion Draw 2]

Some people jumped the gun a few weeks ago when they reported that NPD already released their official North America sales numbers. After a few clarifications, it turns out that the said report was falsely attributed to the group. This tidbit is now the official December 2006 sales from NPD.

It turned out that the Xbox 360 sold 1.1 million units, the Wii has 604,200 units sold, and the PS3 is blessed with 490,700 sold units. But the real victor in the console arena is the aging PlayStation 2, which sold a whopping 1.4 million units last December, bringing its total sales to 37.1 million.

Another winner in the sales department is the handheld market. The Nintendo DS has the biggest sales figures with 1.6 million sold units, the PSP didn't do too bad with 953,200 units sold. Surprisingly, the Game Boy Advance is still posting good numbers as it sold 850,700 units last month.

Ah yes, the software sales. According to NPD's figures, the top-selling game for December 2006 is Gears of War (817,700 units). Guitar Hero 2 for the PS2 came in second (805,200 units), and coming in on third place is Madden NFL 07(727,100 units). The GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess posted a slightly higher sales figure (532,900) than its Wii version which sold 519,200 units.

Moving on to the accessories, the Xbox 360 wireless controller topped sales with 832,800 units, followed by the Wiimote with 646,700 sold units. The nunchuck attachment for the Wii came in third with 497,100 units, and the SIXAXIS sold 336,000 pieces.

Overall sales were up by 28% to $3.7 billion. Game sales just posted a 5% increase to $1.7 billion, while hardware sales moved forward with a 59% increase to $1.6 billion.