More awesomeness comes to the now cheaper Nintendo DS this fall with the release of Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. Launching on November 29, players will finally revisit the Golden Sun series after a seven year absence, with Dark Dawn said to offer a ‘planet-sized world of adventure to explore and conquer.”

That sounds pretty epic to me, and I for one can’t wait to start leveling up as I wait on hectic holiday shopping lines – thanks Nintendo!

Check out the official Press Release below, then grind down to the comment section and tell us your level of anticipation for Golden Sun: Dark Dawn.

August 30, 2010

The dawn of a new entry in the renowned Golden Sun™ video game series has nearly arrived in North America. Nintendo has announced that Golden Sun: Dark Dawn for the top-selling Nintendo DS™ family of portable game systems will launch on Nov. 29.

Offering a planet-sized world of adventure to explore and conquer,Golden Sun: Dark Dawn puts the raw power of the elements in players’ hands. Each of the game’s playable characters is capable of carrying Djinn, spirits that imbue their owner with unique and powerful abilities. Players can collect more than 70 unique Djinn, granting them the ability to summon mighty deities who unleash devastating attacks that fill both Nintendo DS screens. Djinn powers can also be used to navigate puzzling dungeons and overworld environments that will have players flinging fireballs to burn away obstacles, freezing water to raise platforms, or summoning whirlwinds to create bridges out of floating objects.

Taking place 30 years after the events of Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age for the Game Boy™ Advance system, Golden Sun: Dark Dawn introduces a new generation of heroes that are struggling to survive in a radically changed world. What begins as a simple journey to rescue a lost friend turns into a dramatic quest to save the land from catastrophe as players are drawn into a world full of magical energy.

Nintendo has announced that it is dropping the suggested retail price of its Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL. Effective Sept. 12, the new suggested retail price of the Nintendo DSi system will be $149.99, while the new suggested retail price for the Nintendo DSi XL system will be $169.99. The Nintendo DS Lite model will remain at $129.99. .

“We know shoppers want to get the maximum value out of every dollar they spend,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Our new Nintendo DSi prices make it easier than ever for consumers to access the tremendous variety of games, applications and social tools on the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems.”

So, will you be picking one of these DS models up on the cheap or holding out for the 3DS? DS-cuss in the comments below.

Source

Target and Best Buy both announced expanded used game trade-in services this week, just in time for major developers to start making a profit off pre-owned games with online codes and subscription models. But I’m sure that’s just a coincidence.

Best Buy will officially launch used game trade-ins in 600 stores this week, with the promise of more to follow soon. Games can be traded for Best Buy gift cards, which can be used instantly in the store. There is no mention of a cash trade-in option – it looks like Best Buy is following in the footsteps of great aristocrats worldwide and keeping it in the family.

Target’s new Electronics Trade-In service packages cell phone and iPod trades with video games, and should be in over 850 stores nationwide by 2011. Trade-ins receive Target credit of up to $200, but that amount would probably only be for a 4G iPhone at this point.

Best Buy will sell back used games “soon,” while Target does not specifically mention direct sale of any used games.

Both stores will offer online options for trade-ins, Target through a partnership with electronics recycling site NextWorth, and Best Buy through their own online system that will appraise games, accept them through the mail and send out gift cards 7-14 days later.

What does the mainstream trade-in service mean for our used game consumer future, or that of gaming in general? Leave us your thoughts in the comments!

If the mighty stylus is your instrument of choice for melting the faces of many with your hammer-ons and tweedly-dees, you’ll be happy to hear that the Nintendo DS version of Rock Band 3 finally has a complete setlist. While not in the same league as it’s console brethren number wise, these tracks are one’s that should have you playing for hours and hours.

• Ida Maria, “Oh My God”
• Metric, “Combat Baby”
• Paramore, “Misery Business”
• Phoenix, “Lasso”
• Rilo Kiley, “Portions for Foxes”
• Tokio Hotel, “Humanoid”
• The Vines, “Get Free”
• The White Stripes, “The Hardest Button to Button”
• Faith No More, “Midlife Crisis”
• Jane’s Addiction, “Been Caught Stealing”
• Smash Mouth, “Walkin’ On The Sun”
• The Cure, “Just Like Heaven”
• INXS, “Need You Tonight”
• Joan Jett, “I Love Rock N’ Roll”
• Night Ranger, “Sister Christian”
• Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train”
• Roxette, “The Look”
• Whitesnake, “Here I Go Again”
• The B-52’s, “Rock Lobster”
• Doobie Brothers, “China Grove”
• Foreigner, “Cold As Ice”
• Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
• Yes, “Roundabout”
• The Doors, “Break on Through (To the Other Side)
• James Brown, “I Got You” (I Feel Good) – Alternate Studio Version
• The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Crosstown Traffic”

After first reveal, it was noted that James Brown will not be included in the DS setlist. However, does this pint-sized roster intrigue you enough to pick up Rock Band 3 for the DS? Head to the mosh pit, er, comments section below and give us your feedback!

Source

PRESS RELEASE

Rules are made to be broken – or at least bent a little, right? This week, the latest downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSi systems offer some fun ways to defy convention. The award-winning And Yet It Moves for the WiiWare service invites players to mess with the laws of physics and turn their worlds upside-down. In the imported NES classic UFROURIA: THE SAGA, you’ll need to switch between characters and do whatever it takes to complete a challenging quest. On the Nintendo DSiWare service, Ryik lets you create your own musical compositions, while G.G Series NINJA KARAKURI DEN lets you play by your own rules as a stealthy ninja.

You can check out the full listing of virtual offerings this week after the jump courtesy of Nintendo
Read the rest of this entry…

Nintendo has issued a catch-all press release that spills the beans on several key Q4 release dates while also officially announcing BIT. TRIP FATE for the Wii this Fall. While we don’t have an exact release date on that game, we did learn of the following rock-solid launch dates to circle on your calendar:

Wii Party – October 3
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – October 17
PokePark Wii – November 1
FlingSmash - November 7
Donkey Kong Country Returns - November 21

In addition, vague “holiday” release windows were confirmed for both Super Meat Boy and Shantae: Risky’s Revenge.

“Everyone wants fun, engaging experiences, and they want great value,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Nintendo games give you both. And no matter what your taste, you’ll find exclusive experiences that just aren’t available anywhere else.”

So, which Nintendo titles do you plan on picking up later this year?

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Greetings Axeheads, DK here kicking off your Saturday with some savings courtesy of GoGamer.com. If you missed last week’s post, then you should know that we’ve teamed up with GoGamer to inform you about the retailer’s “48-Hour Madness” sales which, as one might suspect, tend to be a bit insane.

This week it’s all about picking up games you missed out on for SUPER CHEAP. Titles like Splinter Cell: Conviction and Alan Wake can be snagged for under $30 while games such as Prototype, CoD: World at War, Army of Two: The 40th Day, and Age of Conan are on sale for under $20. Plus, some nifty titles that you might have missed like Hidden & Dangerous 2, Company of Heroes, End War, and Civilization IV are all under FIVE BUCKS this weekend. Hell, there are a few games going for even less than A DOLLAR so you ought to check it out.

Before you go though, you should know that exclusive to EpicBattleAxe is the chance to get $30 off a Naos 5000 gaming mouse! Already discounted from $99 to $89.90, Axeheads that use the coupon code ‘EPICDEAL‘ will get this rather sweet peripheral for only $59.90. If you’ve been wanting a tricked out mouse, now is the time to save some cash and pick this bad-boy up! You can get the full specs and even view a review of said mouse right here.

Alright, you can check out all of this week’s 48-Hour Madness sales and pre-order pricing specials right here and see if there’s anything that floats your boat!

Happy shopping!

Around here at the ‘Axe we enjoy cleaving the fat from the gaming news of the day and we also enjoy cleaving some cost from your gaming budget when the opportunity arises. Well, we’ve teamed up with GoGamer.com to ensure you’re “in the know” about some serious deals taking place during the online retailers “48-Hour Madness” sales. What is “48-Hour Madness” you ask? Well, aside from the phrase often used to describe my wedding, it’s a two day period where gamers logging on to GoGamer.com can score some serious savings on existing or forthcoming games.

This week, folks looking forward to Mafia II can pre-order the game on the PS3 for $49.90 while those that missed out on Alan Wake can snag the Xbox 360 thriller for only $29 bucks. Also, PC gamers can pick up BioWare’s Mass Effect 2 for the ridiculous low price of $16.90 while wanna-be spies can sneak into the world of Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell: Conviction for $27.90. Lastly, Madden fans will soon get their chance to square off on the virtual gridiron and GoGamer.com’s punching your sideline seat for Madden NFL 11 with about a $7 savings off the regular retails price.

So, check out all of this week’s 48-Hour Madness sales and pre-order pricing specials right here and see if there’s anything you like.

Happy shopping!

Between the hordes of salivating nerds and squealing fangirls packed into the exhibition hall at San Diego Comic Con, a few truckloads of plasma HD TVs and shiny consoles revealed delectable tidbits of information about upcoming games to anyone coherent enough who passed by.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions took full advantage of its target market’s burning pockets by teasing the crowd with Spider-Man trivia and prizes, gameplay scenes with never-before-announced villains, free t-shirts for on-site pre-orders, and the revelation of the game’s fourth and final dimension–Ultimate Spider-Man.

Marvel confirmed the black symbiote suit of Ultimate Spider-Man for the fourth world with in-game fight scenes against two previously unannounced bosses, Carnage and Deadpool. Ultimate Spider-Man uses the tentacle-rope extensions of its symbiote suit to grab and hit enemies in a more brutal fashion than the Amazing web.

Marvel demonstrated gameplay from all four dimensions, highlighting the classic comic book style of the Amazing universe, the gritty sneak-attacks of Noir, 2099’s neon battles between high-rise rows of airborne traffic, and the fun technicolor of the Ultimate dimension.

Along with Ultimate’s Carnage and Deadpool, Marvel revealed the Juggernaut as a boss for Amazing Spider-Man, Vulture for Noir, and Hobgoblin and Scorpion for 2099.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions will be released September this year for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS.

Shattered Dimensions translates well to a HD screen, with each universe offering a unique take on the classic hero, both stylistically and strategically. Which world are you most looking forward to in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions? State your opinion in the comments!

Rock Band 3 will begin its North American tour on October 26, but first Harmonix and MTV Games are generating some hype with a list of retailer-specific pre-order bonuses.

According to the press release:

GameStop Pre-order* Opportunity:

GameStop shoppers who reserve Rock Band 3 for PlayStation 3 system or Xbox 360 in advance receive three downloadable Rock Band songs at launch:

• Burning Down the House by Talking Heads
• My Own Summer by Deftones
• Blue Monday by New Order

Amazon Pre-order* Opportunity:

Amazon shoppers who reserve Rock Band 3 for PlayStation 3 system, Xbox 360 and Wii in advance will receive access to an exclusive in-game guitar. Additionally, for a limited time only, PlayStation 3 system and Xbox 360 owners who pre-order Rock Band 3 in advance on Amazon will receive $10 off a future videogame purchase.

Wal-Mart Pre-order* Opportunity:

Walmart.com shoppers who reserve Rock Band 3 for PlayStation 3 system, Xbox 360 and Wii in advance will receive a $10 eGift card for a limited time.

*Conditions and restrictions apply. Please see retailer for details.

Rock Band will release on October 26 for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and DS.

It looks like you can either get three awesome, exclusive tracks; a virtual guitar and $10 gift card; or just a $10 gift card. It’s kind of like watching evolution in reverse.

Which pre-order perk pack are will you be ordering? Sing it loud in the comments!

Via Gamasutra.