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Unlock skins with Aliens vs. Predator pre-order at GameStop

by David Hinkle { Nov 18th 2009 at 9:30PM }

Click image for full-size action pose

Aliens vs. Predator is kind of a misleading title. Aside from the titular extra-terrestrials, mankind's future badasses, the Colonial Marines, will also be able to get some in Rebellion's upcoming FPS romp. And for some of your pre-sale cash at GameStop, you'll be able to use one of the more badasserer (we're still working on that one) humans around: Sgt. Kaneko. This dude "wrote the book on small-scale Xeno containment," which is great because we hear there's a lot of Xeno in the game that needs, uh, containing.

Joining Kaneko are Number Six -- the blue thing on the left that looks like it's from The Darkness -- and Alien Head Predator, the "most successful Xenomorph Hunter of all time." That's how he ~~she~~ it got that neat Cylon mask! Both are very adept at being super scary-looking and can be yours if you pre-order at GameStop. Unless you live in Germany, in which case you get nothing.

GameStop adds '80s-themed level to Tony Hawk Ride pre-orders

by David Hinkle { Aug 27th 2009 at 4:30PM }

If you're looking to add a dash of '80s flair to your Tony Hawk Ride experience, you can either glue the skateboard peripheral onto one of those longboards, or you could just pre-order the game at GameStop. Those who choose the latter will gain access to the 80s Quicksilver Level, which is said to include a "Vert Ramp challenge sandwiched between two 747's on the runway of the Frankfurt Airport decked out in Quiksilver 80's theme including Tony Hawk himself." We guess Germany loves two things, then: David Hasselhoff and '80s-themed skateboard challenges.

[Via Go Nintendo]

[image credit]

Preorder A Boy and His Blob, get a blob

by Randy Nelson { Aug 24th 2009 at 5:15PM }

Now here's a novel idea: Preorder A Boy and His Blob at GameStop and receive ... a blob. Well, at least something that looks like the blob from the game's title. In actuality, it's one of those foam rubber stress-relief balls. Only shaped like a the blob -- and far more cute.

Note that -- thankfully -- the bonus is just the blob and does not include a boy, foam rubber or otherwise. Girls who preorder the game also get the blob, but are able to claim they're "a girl and her blob," which would probably make a good title for the sequel.

A Boy and His Blob is out on October 13 and looks gorgeous.

Wolfenstein pre-order goodies revealed

by David Hinkle { Aug 7th 2009 at 6:00PM }

If you're a diehard B.J. Blazkowicz fan looking to pre-order id's recently delayed WWII FPS, Wolfenstein, then know a few outlets are offering exclusive pre-order bonuses. According to the game's official site, four different retailers will provide extra incentive to pre-purchase:

GameStop: 2,000 in-game gold pieces for multiplayer (also listed for PC)
Best Buy: Early access to the Flammenwerfer weapon
Game Crazy: Limited edition collector's medal
Amazon: Free copy of Wolfenstein 3D for PSN or Xbox Live

Personally, we think Amazon has the best bonus, but we know full well the appeal of limited edition collector's medals.

[Via VG247]

2 million people pre-ordered Dragon Quest IX

by David Hinkle { Jul 9th 2009 at 9:00PM }

Square Enix is set to unload Dragon Quest IX onto the Japanese populace this week and it's apparently a big deal over there. A report (via Inside Games) shows the title has over two million pre-orders across various retailers in the country. It just blows our minds, because Japan has never been that fond of the Dragon Quest franchise.

So, for those of you keeping score on your Craz-o-meters, this is basically Gary Busey-level stuff we're talking about here. It's like running around in the street with no pants on, screaming that you're the person responsible for velcro technology and the Aurora Borealis.

[Via Kotaku]

Muramasa: the GameStop preorder bonus

by JC Fletcher { Jun 29th 2009 at 1:25PM }

Click to Marvelous-sizeWe didn't dare think it could happen, but when we saw the pre-order bonus for Japanese copies of Muramasa: The Demon Blade, we secretly wished for Ignition (well, XSEED at the time) to bring something half as awesome to us here. The bonus is a five-foot-long scroll featuring a series of amazing pieces of character art from the game.

GameStop has just revealed the North American pre-order bonus, and it's exactly that! We couldn't be more thrilled. Well, we could be more thrilled if two things happened:

We confirmed that the back of the scroll had the same enemy and stage artwork as the Japanese version
We found out that GameStop's September 1 release date (a Tuesday!) was the real release date for the game.

We've contacted Ignition about those two points. In the meantime, we can all enjoy the prospect of getting a really nice-looking free thing by buying another thing.

Gallery: Muramasa: Demon Blade

Pre-order Metroid Prime Trilogy at GameStop, get surprisingly nice t-shirt

by JC Fletcher { Jun 25th 2009 at 7:15PM }

The Wii release of Metroid Prime Trilogy just keeps getting better. Yesterday, we learned that it would include a lovely tin and an artbook, and now GameStop has just revealed that copies pre-ordered from the retailer will also come with a free t-shirt! It also comes with video games!

In our opinion, the shirt looks pretty great (we're assuming it's not all dithered in real life like it is in the picture), even with the logo on the side, and even with the added baggage of identifying you as a GameStop shopper. The offer is valid for both in-store and online pre-orders.

Gallery: Metroid Prime Trilogy box

Pick Forza 3's pre-order Audi's look, potentially drive the real thing

by Randy Nelson { Jun 22nd 2009 at 5:00PM }

Xbox.com is hosting a bit of a contest / user feedback survey involving the Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro which those who pre-order Forza 3 will receive as bonus DLC. Five potential paint jobs for the seriously slick ride are posted on the contest page, which instructs vistors to cast their votes via an incresingly popular means: downloading a correspnding (free) Gamer Picture from the Marketplace.

The design that has its gamerpic downloaded the most will be the one pre-order holders receive. Speaking of receiving, one contest entrant will be chosen at random to hit the track at the Infineon Raceway in a real Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro (lucky!) as part of the "Audi Sportscar Experience." (Yes, if you win, you actually get to drive the car -- we checked.)

Forza 3 limited edition is loaded with mostly virtual bonuses

by JC Fletcher { Jun 19th 2009 at 10:08AM }

GameStop has detailed the bonus items bundled with the Gamestop-exclusive Limited Edition of Forza Motorsport 3, letting buyers know what their extra twenty bucks will get them. These bonuses shouldn't require the box to be any bigger than the normal version, because with two exceptions, nothing in the pack is physical.

The Limited Edition comes with an exclusive car pack, featuring "5 cars that have been hand tuned and hand painted by the developers at Turn 10 to fly the Forza Motorsport colors," a Dashboard theme, and a "VIP Membership" that entitles the user to "special treatment within the online Auction House, Community Storefront and on the Forzamotorsport.net forums." The tangible items in the pack: a 2GB USB drive and a keychain, both emblazoned with Forza 3 logos. In addition, reserving the game provides access to the "community designed and chosen, Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro."

Gallery: Forza Motorsport 3

Pick your poison with Guitar Hero: Smash Hits pre-order bonuses

by David Hinkle { May 27th 2009 at 2:40PM }

Several big retailers are offering their own individual incentives to pre-order any console version of Activision's Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, which comes as no surprise to everyone on this big, blue spinning rock. The Guitar Hero franchise is big business, and when you cull the cream of the crop from each game and put that into a new game, well, then you have a recipe for success.

We've listed the pre-order incentives for GameStop, Best Buy, Amazon, and GameCrazy past the break, so click through to check them out.

Gallery: Guitar Hero: Smash Hits (360/PS3)

Continued →

New Target preorder program offers gift cards upon purchase

by JC Fletcher { Apr 16th 2009 at 9:50AM }

Target has been taking pre-orders on games for a while, but the retailer's updated program may just lure customers in with the promise of free money. In Target, the store pays you! Stores will offer these $1 "Reservation Cards" for popular titles. When you return with the card to buy the game (as long as it's within seven days of the game's release) you'll get not only the reserved item, but a $5 Target gift card.

The list of reservable games includes Punch-Out!!, EA Sports Active, Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings, and UFC 2009 Undisputed. Is the prospect of one of these games buying you free salsa (or duct tape, or Diet Coke Plus, or whatever) enough to get you into Target's electronics section?

DSi preorders available at Amazon and GameStop

by JC Fletcher { Feb 18th 2009 at 2:00PM }

Anxious to secure a Nintendo DSi without having to wait in some crazy line? Online retailers have begun taking pre-orders of the North American version of the system, so you can buy now and not have to worry about stalking Wal-Mart late April 4 to be first in line on April 5 (You are free, as usual, to stalk Wal-Mart for other purposes). You can order your DSi for $169.99 at Amazon or GameStop (in black or blue). If you want extra stuff, you can order a bundle from GameStop (again in black or blue) that contains the system and a "Folio Starter Kit" consisting of a case, screen protectors, a game case, earbuds, and a car adapter.

For a better look at the system that you might be buying, check MTV Multiplayer's first-ever images of the English-language DSi menu. As expected, it looks exactly like the menu from the Japanese version with the crucial addition of comprehensible text. It features the same photo manipulation, photo arranging, and sound altering functions from the original suite of DSi software, along with upgradeable firmware and, of course, the DSi Shop.

Gallery: Nintendo DSi

Don't worry if you haven't been following the DSi for the last few months -- your crazy friends at Joystiq Nintendo have been all over it. Check out our unboxing of a Japanese system for a hands-on rundown of features, and have a look at the awesome DSiWare downloads that have come to Japan. Then torture yourself with the limited-edition FFCC: Echoes of Time DSi that probably won't make it here!

Pokemon Platinum pre-order gives trainers limited Giratina Origin Form figure

by David Hinkle { Feb 11th 2009 at 12:28PM }

Trainers anxious to beef up their Pokedex will get a chance when North America finally gets its hands on Pokemon Platinum on March 22. For those that drop some money on the game early, Nintendo is set to gift them with a limited edition Giratina Origin Form figure.

The figure is crafted by Kaiyodo, an international figure-making company, and is about 2.75 inches tall. The press release mentions no exact retailers participating in this event, so it's advised you call ahead before pre-ordering the game somewhere. Still, safe bet is on Gamestop, at least, and maybe the bigger retailers like Best Buy.

A fitting legacy for your Legacy of Ys preorder

by Chris Greenhough { Dec 31st 2008 at 12:30PM }

Preorder perk ahoy! For the February 10 launch of Legacy of Ys Books I & II, Atlus will be offering jammy U.S. and Canada-based gamers a sweet preorder bonus: a limited edition soundtrack CD, featuring tracks from both Ys I and Ys II. As far as we know, this will be available at Amazon and GameStop.

The revised translation for this DS remake had already roped us in, but now we're counting down the ~~days~~ ~~hours~~ minutes. As the press release we received notes, the Ys series is renowned for having wonderful music. If you're new to the series, you can head to this part of Atlus' website to listen to a few samples for yourself.

Gallery: Legacy of Ys: Books I & II

[Via press release]

Gamestop GTA pre-order provides in-game rewards

by David Hinkle { Dec 17th 2008 at 4:41PM }

For those of you that decide to go the way of Gamestop for your copy of GTA: Chinatown Wars, know that a pre-order will net you some perks starting out in the game. For one, you're gifted with $10,000 in cash. That'll come in handy, too, because you'll also be starting the game with every weapon unlocked. No better way to spend that 10K than towards an AK, right?

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars releases to North America on March 17th, 2009.