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'Guitar Hero III' Rocks Out to $115 Million Launch

'Guitar Hero III' Rocks Out to $115 Million Launch

At this year's Electronics Entertainment Expo, the annual gathering where the global gaming media checks out the hottest games in the pipeline, there was a lot of talk about 'Rock Band' versus 'Guitar Hero III.' Some speculated that the alternative 'Rock Band' would send the aging 'Guitar Hero' franchise back to the club scene. But, after receiving great reviews rocking in $115 million in sales over its first week, it seems 'Guitar Hero' can still hold its own compared to the young guns.

'Rock Band' is developed by former 'Guitar Hero' developers Harmonix, while 'Guitar Hero III' is the first in the series developed by Activision -- this what set up the rivalry. 'Rock Band' adds the ability to jam on the guitar or play drums or sing, which means players can form a full virtual band with friends. This multiplayer aspect is leading many to give it it the nod for winning sim-guitar game this holiday. Meanwhile, others just don't think people are ready to pay $170 for the bundle containing a guitar, drums, and microphone.

We actually think there's room for both games on store shelves, since the same guitars will work in both games.And it's quite possible that most people will prefer the richer graphics and deeper campaign of 'Guitar Hero III' once they get used to it.

Also, when people find out just how uncoordinated they are on the drums, they'll discover there's a reason why there are a lot more guitar players in the world than there are drummers.

From Joystiq

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Dough-Nu Matic Makes a Dozen Donuts in Less Than Six Minutes

Mmm... Automated Donut
We're ordering one for the Switched offices. That's all there is to it. AOL will just have to foot the bill for our out of control cholesterol levels. The Dough-Nu-Matic forms, fries and dispenses mini donuts automatically.

This might the greatest invention since the wheel. Think about it. No more runs to Dunkin' Donuts to get your fill of deep fried sugary goodness. You can sit around and get fat with out the help of a drive-through window.

This symbol of American ingenuity (or gluttony) can be had for $130 through the most appropriate of retailers, SkyMall.

From Boing Boing

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Is 'Manhunt 2' the Most Violent Video Game Ever?



Rockstar, maker of the ever popular 'Grand Theft Auto' series, got in on the Halloween action yesterday and released its new ultra violent and extremely controversial title 'Manhunt 2.' After being banned in Britain, twice, a greatly toned down version of the game is seeing the light of day in the US.

In the game you play a patient in a mental institution with some, um... violent tendencies. Some are in fact claiming that 'Manhunt 2' is the most violent video game ever. The Wii version might be the most disturbing, requiring you to pantomime the deadly acts with the motion sensing controller.

Feel a need to rip out a skull with a sickle? Beat a cop to death with a his own night stick? Or perhaps caving in a person's head with a fire extinguisher is more your style. If any of these three things sounds exciting to you, then you are a sick person.

The title is rated 'M' for mature audiences, meaning that no one under the age of 17 can purchase it. However, these rules are easy to circumvent and rarely enforced. We normally don't buy into the dangers of video games mumbo-jumbo, but the idea of small children physically acting out acts of such brutal violence is a little shiver-inducing. Parents may want to be extra vigilant and keep their young away from this title.

What do you think? Is this just over-hyped hysteria about what is essentially a fictional game? Or do you think 'Manhunt 2' has gone too far?

From CBS.



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USB Alarm Clock Blends Balls and Plays Game Show Themes

70s Throwback USB Blender / Alarm Clock
In case you were wondering how to make sure we cover your product, here's the secret recipe: USB + sharp blades. Oh, and it doesn't hurt if it plays music. That's why you get to read about the USB Blender Alarm Clock. This little toy from Brando is powered via your USB port or by batteries (though the product page doesn't say how many or what kind). When it's time for the alarm to sound, the blades spin up tossing the carafe full of tiny balls flying while it plays '70s game show themes.

You know what, on second thought, this thing sounds terribly irritating, something that belongs in the junkyard of the world's dumbest USB gadgets. We never liked 'The Price Is Right,' so why would we want to wake up to it? And the sound of balls being whacked around a blender carafe might look good on paper, but we think it might traumatize us after a couple of mornings. If you find yourself feeling that masochistic, you can head on over Usb.Brando.com.hk and get yourself one for $25.

From Engadget

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HD-DVD Players Drop to Sub-$200 Price Tag


While next-gen disc format Blu-ray languishes in the overpriced gadget ghetto, competing format HD-DVD and the players that play it are breaking free by dropping in price to a popular holiday gift level. ar. Hot on the heels of the release of the Toshiba HD-A3 HD-DVD player, retailers across the country are dropping the price of the previous-generation HD-A2 below the all important $200 mark.

At $198 in Wal-Mart and $197.99 in Circuit City, the HD-A2 is the first high-definition video player to approach commodity pricing. The only down side of the HD-A2 is that it falls short of "full HD" resolution or 1080p, topping out at 1080i, but it's the kind of thing that no one notices when sitting more than a seven or eight feet away from a TV set, or on any screen 42-inches or smaller.

Your turn Sony/Blu-ray camp.

From Ars Technica

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