“For the computer games museum Berlin, a whole scaffold was branded. Using only a few printed canvas covers, it was turned into a levelscreen of Donkey Kong”

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[ScaryIdeas]

According to a Belgian retailer, Sony Computer Entertainment is set to release a PlayStation 3 / Motorstorm bundle package. Although no formal announcement has been made, Smart-Toys is now taking pre-orders on the upcoming European only bundle that is priced at €619.99 ($834 USD - just up from the console sans-game for ‚¬599.99).

The rumour is fueled by Sony’s recently announced PlayStation 3 / Hot Shots Golf bundle, which is available exclusively in Japan. 

It makes sense considering Motorstorm has been a popular title overseas, where other than football - racing is a favorite genre. The bundle scenario is the most likely reaction to public outcry for a price drop of the PlayStation 3.

The original Xbox would regularly bundle first-party or exclusive third-party titles with their system to add to the overall value. Considering the PlayStation 3 has been available since March in the majority of Europe, Motorstorm has probably hit the climax of it’s overall sales figures - making it the perfect bundled game.

Smart move if it’s in the works. What about North America you ask?

We’re calling it now, PlayStation 3 bundled with Gengi: Game of the Year Edition - now with 20% more real-time weapon switching!

[Via Siliconera]

Not since 1997’s Carmageddon has a game been banned from being sold in the UK. Well now we can add another to the list, Rockstar’s Manhunt 2. It would seem the game has been deemed to violent and depraved to be saved by cuts or changes and would really be a blight on society if released. To me, I prefer to let grown adults make a decision for themselves about whether or not they’d like to purchase and play the game, but I guess that’s me.

Kotaku thinks this momentum will carry over to bans in Germany and Austrailia as well, and I have to say I agree. Germany has already skittish of violent games (Dead Rising) and this decision in the UK could have ripple effects everywhere. I’m quite sure there’s some people here in the States that are downright eurphoric this morning with all the new ammunition they just got in their anti-games crusade.

The British Board of Film Classification’s director David Cooke released a statement explaining the decision, and while I wholly disagree with the banning of anything, I give them credit for playing the game throughly and even reading the script before making a decision. Quite a difference than the people so eager who just want to see games be made illegal. Full statement after the jump. Continue Reading »

A few hours ago I ran a little story about Microsoft buying a crapload of beer for CVG in Aussieland as a little joke. I claimed it to be the best PR stunt I’ve ever seen. I hereby take those words back.

I dunno a funny or witty way to write this out, so I’ll just spill it. Today was the UK launch of the PS3. As a suprise move to everyone waiting, people who waitied in line at the Virgin flagship store in Oxford got themselves their PS3’s AND a 46-inch HD TV for free. EVERYONE. Plus a free cab ride home. The giveaway amounted to £250,000 worth of televisons to more than 100 gamers. The 1st guy in line waited about 36 hours.

As a quick comparison, people in the states waited days, (maybe) got a free coffee, and (maybe) got shot at. Plus all the games worth playing are coming out now. Not to mention that we got Talledega Nights, and the UK gets Casino Royale.

That’s it, the Brits are never allowed to complain about having to wait ever again

Touche’ Sony, touche’.

[BBC]

Look like owners of the Wii in the UK have a little extra something for them waiting in the Virtual Console. Reports are starting to surface that there’s a “secret” area that will house facts and trivia about all things Nintendo. Starting with a look back at Kirby.

Seems there’s a little smiley face on the VC menu page, and if you click it, you get this message:

“Welcome to the Warp Zone! … Congratulations, you’ve discovered the Virtual Console’s hidden area. This is your secret doorway into another dimension; a portal into the past, if you will.”

If you live in the EU, and you own a Wii, give this a try and tell us what you find!

[CVG]

Gradius is now available in Europe on the Virtual Console for 500 Wii Points. Besides that, we’ve got three games for the Genesis(called the Mega Drive here for some strange reason); Comix Zone, Bonanza Bros. and Gain Ground, which will go for 800 points. Well, that’s a good excuse to head down to the shops to get some Wii points, don’t you think? If you live on the east side of the Atlantic, that is.

Now, this has been asked before, but what games do you want to see on the VC? They have to be games that have a chance of appearing, so sorry Dan, please don’t mention Tengen Tetris.