Americans spent a record US$5.53 billion on video games in December, the most money ever in a single month, according to market researcher NPD Group.

But even that wasn’t enough to make up for the rest of 2009, and so the year ended with a sales decline.

It had been a rough 12 months for the industry, as the recession led people to cut back on discretionary spending and many gamers’ attention turned to cheaper – or free – online games.

Even so, there were a few notable bright spots, mainly Nintendo Co. and Activision Blizzard Inc. whose latest “Call of Duty” game set entertainment records when it hit stores in the fall.

NPD said Thursday U.S. retail sales of gaming software, hardware and accessories climbed 4 percent in December when compared with the same month a year earlier.

Much of this increase was due to sales of gaming systems, a signal that price cuts by console makers in August and September helped lure holiday shoppers into buying them as gifts.

Hardware sales jumped 16 percent to $2.19 billion.

The Nintendo Wii sold 3.8 million units, more than its rivals, the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 did, combined. It set a record for most gaming systems ever sold in a single month.

“Despite all of the dire predictions,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, Nintendo had a “historic” 2009.

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• It is the future, and the world is getting smaller by the second. As a result of the machinations of the rogue scientist Zorndyke, all land and sea level has begun to succumb to the expanding ocean tides. Billions have died, and mankind is now at war with Zorndyke’s army of water dwelling hybrids. Mankind’s last hopes lie within an international fleet of submarines and the vessel, Hayami.

Description
It is the future, and the world is getting smaller by the second. As a result of the machinations of the rogue scientist Zorndyke, all land and sea level has begun to succumb to the expanding ocean tides. Billions have died, and mankind is now at war with Zorndyke’s army of water dwelling hybrids. Mankind’s last hopes lie within an international fleet of submarines and the vessel, Hayami. Together, they and the rest of blue fleet must launch an attack on Zorndyke’s base of … More >>

Blue Submarine, No. 6: Anime Legends Complete Collection

The Pros, Cons and Current Research is available now at New ProCon.org Website
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — ProCon.org, a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity dedicated to promoting critical thinking, created the new website http://videogames.procon.org to explore the core question “Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?”

Read more on PR Newswire via Yahoo! News

Today the world is moving at a very fast pace and people often run out of time. Everyone likes to go to a theatre or may be catch up a movie at a friend’s place but most of the times people are so busy that they do not get the adequate amount of leisure time they deserve. Here the internet has played a pioneering role, with the provision of services like movie downloads the people are provided a channel where they can get access to their favorite movies and they can pass time in the best possible manner they like.

There was a time when, if you wanted to watch a movie, the only place you could go was the local cinema. Then came video, which meant that you could record your favorite movies from your television and watch them time and time again, until the tape wore out. Buying movie videos meant that you could watch many films before they came on the television, usually only a short time after they were released in the cinemas.

With the increasing response to such a medium the movie makers have taken up to this task pretty seriously as well. Today most of the movies may be regional, Hollywood, documentary, animated etc, everything is available online via movie downloads.

The extent of popularity of these movie downloads is so high that people are ready to pay a monthly subscription charge or a yearly charge and sometimes even a royalty charge to ensure that they can have access to their favorites online at anytime they like.

One very big advantage of these movie downloads is their accessibility, they can be accessed from any point in the world with the username and password they provide and hence people do not have to be dependent on some one to take them to see a movie if they are at a place that is new. They just need to have a computer and internet connection so that they can use movie downloads and see their favorite movies.

The movies are often categorized, so that it is easy to find just the right movie for your mood. Categories might include such things as romance, action, thriller or animated, or they may be categorized in a different way, for example, by title. But whatever you taste in movies, you can be sure of finding one that suits your mood, for a very reasonable cost. Once the movie is downloaded, it is often possible to copy it onto CD so that you can watch it at other times.

Movie download sites are very useful for people who travel a lot. They may end up in a city or town that they do not know, and cant find the local cinema, or they may not feel comfortable going to the cinema alone. In this case, all they need is their laptop and an Internet connection and they will have a wealth of choice of movies at their fingertips, all only a click of the mouse away.

Today these movie downloads services are available in various packages like basic, gold, premium/platinum which give different access levels to the users. The best part of these services is that they have evolved with the evolving world.

Whatever your taste in movies, there is always something available for you to download and enjoy, where-ever you are, and no matter what time it is.

There are endless advantages:

* – 100% legal and safe * – saves time & money* – life time access to millions of unlimited free movies * – all new DVD and theatre releases are available * – all movies are PERFECT quality; there are no low quality, bootleg versions * – VERY fast download rates – usually takes less than 5 minutes * – you can burn movies straight to DVD no problem * – tons of free bonuses: ant-spy ware programs, DVD copying programs, and unlimited technical support

I have done the work for you. I have tested out plenty of sites and I will lead you in right direction.

More reviews are located here => Movie Portals Review

Namco Bandai Games America Announces Ace Combat Joint Assault for the PSP
Ace Combat: Joint Assault (PSP) The premiere flight-action series returns to the PSP system with breathtaking visuals, unparalleled dogfighting and a robust multiplayer experience.

Read more on IGN PSP

Tekken 6 Online Co-Op Update Confirmed For January
Tekken 6 (PS3) Previously playable only as an offline single player mode with an AI companion, TEKKEN 6’s Scenario Campaign mode now let’s two players come together online and power their way through numerous stages. Use voice chat to work together strategically and beat down vicious opponents and their legions of minions. To keep the fires of competition in the forefront, a co-op leaderboard …

Read more on IGN PS3

I always thought this belonged on the DS.. now, it’s here!

• Spin your way through five game modes : Classic, Blitz, Challenge, Zen and the new 2-player, ad-hoc wireless
• Test your twisting skills in over 90 Challenges on 13 different planets to unlock Eclipse mode!
• Stack up your high scores on local leaderboards, earn ranks and upgrade your spaceship
• Enjoy eye-popping graphics and special effects

Product Description
Play the world’s #1 puzzle game like never before — in an all-new version for the Nintendo DS! Spin and match explosive gems for shockwaves of fun in this all-new version of the awardwinning PopCap game, exclusively on Nintendo DS. Rotate jewels to set up electrifying combos, outwit obstacles like Locks and Bombs, and create high-voltage Lightning and Flame gems. Rev up with a strategic challenge, relax in the gem-spinning zone, or take on a friend in the DS-exc… More >>

Bejeweled Twist

Music from 22 video games put together using the (gdly) Mario Paint Composer

This is epic. Don’t agree? Don’t watch.. but I had to post it up for you guys anyway :D

On the market today there is now available some crazy and zany video games that can enhance the video gaming experience for gamers. These incredible video games have the ability to cause the villains within a video game to begin dancing to disco music.
The most bizarre of these newly bizarre video games are produced by Insomniac Games, who also produced the Ratchet And Clank Future – Tools Of Destruction video game. Within this video game was the introduction of the Transformer that had the ability to turn enemies into tiny, little penguins and the Gelanator that could trap its enemies in ice cubes that were made of lime gelatin. Their whimsical look on video games has enabled the majority of their video games to become top titles on the bestseller charts by the gaming industry.
The magical and advanced technology that is used in creating special effects in many movies are the same ones that are used to create the realistic graphics and life like animation within many video games produced by Insomniac Games. Insomniac Games is one of the few independent video game developers that are still battle for their place among the big league names of Activision and Electronic Arts Incorporated. Already two top independent video game developers, Pandemic Studios and BioWare Corporation, have sold out to Electronic Arts Incorporated.
Insomniac Games is a company that has reserved the rights to keep to their roots as a goofy and informal company that can focus on creativity and fun. This company was founded in 1994 and has been going strong ever since they released their very first video game demo entitled, Disruptor. However, it only sold close to two hundred thousand copies, which is not great, but for a first time video game it is not too shabby either.
The second video game that they released was Spyro the Dragon, which featured a friendly purple dragon and it was a runaway hit. This video game was so incredible that between 1998 and 2000 there were three more video games created that were based on the Dragon Spyro. The sales of these video games reached close to twelve million copies actually being sold.
Then in 2002, they created Ratchet And Clank, which was about a furry yellow creature and his robot sidekick. This video game was such a huge hit that it sold more than twelve million copies. The major video game they released was a more mature type of video game known as, Resistance – Fall Of Man. This video game became one of the best selling video games for Sony and its Playstation 3 video game system.
Insomniac Games develops video games for only Sony, and since the Playstation 3 video gaming system has fallen way behind the sales of the Wii and Xbox-360 they have truly been affected. However, they are not considering selling out to the larger video game developing companies. In fact, they will consider developing video games for other video game system manufactures first.
They have created such fabulous video games as Spyro the Dragon in 1998, Spyro 2 – Ripto’s Rage in 1999, Spryo – Year of the Dragon in 2000, Ratchet & Clank in 2002, Ratchet & Clank – Going Commando in 2003, Ratchet & Clank – Up Your Arsenal in 2004, Ratchet Deadlocked in 2005, Ratchet & Clank Future – Tools of Destruction in 2006, and Resistance – Fall of Man in 2007.

Have you ever thought to yourself what makes a good video game? Strong visuals and good controls are essential as well as well crafted concepts. Great video games have feeling, surprise, emotion, interaction, and even addiction and the final votes are for the year are in.
When video games offer all these elements gamers know the sure enjoyment of being able to turn on their video gaming system and instantly becoming involved in one of the best video games on the market. Great video games can cause gamers to want to stay up all night no matter if they have to go to school or work the next morning. Being able to play a great video game forces gamers to experience a new way to push your reflexes and brain harder and faster. Great video games allow gamers to become a galactic warrior, fight aliens, villains, undersea explorers, or even be the hero.
Video games from last year have been voted on and the results for best video game of the year are in. The video games that has been voted best video games of the year are BioShock, Call of Duty 4 – Modern Warfare, Assassin’s Creed, Super Mario Galaxy, and Orange Box. BioShock is an adventure video game that becomes a complete experience for gamers. Gamers become immersed in the action of this video game where the environments are remarkable and the game play begins to invade your mind.
BioShock has the ability to make gamers feel like that are actually wandering through the 1960s era of a undersea utopia that is populated by a crazed zombie and crazy girls that go around carrying chemicals that will help enhance your biological superpowers. This video game goes right down to the detail with props and costumes from the 1960s period, which make such a realistic experience for gamers. The story and concept are incredible and the within the video game there are many rooms to explore, not to mention all the creepy elements that make this video game part sci-fi novel and part horror film. This video game has been rated M for mature.
Another great video game is Call of Duty 4 – Modern Warfare, which is a combination of edge of your seat warfare along with a great story line and even better visual effects. This version of Call Of Duty has been reinvented into a more modern conflict and is a perfect blend of action and realism of visual affects that are unbelievable. This video game has a well-crafted story line that is full of unexpected surprises that is sure to keep gamers pleased for hours of fun. This video game has been rated M for mature.
Assassin’s Creed is another stunning video game that has naturally fluid control capabilities and incredible missions that are set within the Middle Ages. The main character in this video game has free-run abilities that are the best of any video game this year. This video game has been rated M for mature. The Mario Brothers are back with Super Mario Galaxy. In this new video game Mario soars from planet to planet within a colorful masterpiece where controls are easily handled. This video game is a combination of puzzles and action. This video game has been rated E for everyone.
The Orange Box is a combination of five amazing video games in one and has become one of the best values in video games of the year. This video game consists of a brain busting game called Portal and a multi-player game called Team Fortress 2 that is fun and stylish. It also includes the intense story of Half Life 2 that is filled with action. This is an incredible video game that has some thing for every one and is rated teen to mature.