VideoGames

Nintendo just announced that starting on Sunday, Sept. 27th, they are dropping the price of the Wii console by $50 to $199.99. It has been rumored that Nintendo would lower the price, considering the recent price drops of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and finally they have. And just in time too…with the holiday season approaching and two hot, new releases hitting the marketplace in the coming months – the Wii Fit Plus (Oct. 4), and the first multiplayer Mario title, New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nov. 15).

"Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience."

For more information about Wii visit Wii.com.

Starting today, you can get an Xbox 360 Elite for $250. That is, if you can deal with mailing in the $50 rebate form and waiting for your check to arrive. Of course, one way to look at it is you'll surely have the check in time for holiday shopping. Right? And you have to admit…getting an Xbox 360 Elite for $250 is a pretty amazing deal, considering not too long ago it sold for $399.

But, you better act fast! As the Microsoft Xbox website says, "You can get a $50 rebate on the purchase of a new Xbox 360 Elite Console from September 22 to October 5, 2009."

It happens all the time. You're playing Madden NFL 10 (after all, it IS football season) and hunger strikes. You don't want to stop playing the game, wander over to the kitchen, try to find something to eat, and then have to cook it, do you?

From now until September 27, 2009, you won't have to. Sony and Papa John's have teamed up for a promotional event where you can order Papa John's pizza right from your PS3. Just go to the PS3 browser's main startup page, check out the special offers and place your order. A credit card isn't even needed. How's that for convenient?

Papa John's and Sony are running this promotion through September 27, 2009 at all Papa John's restaurants in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the UK.

The new Blu-Link Universal Remote Control for PlayStation 3 is what SMK-Link calls an "advanced-learning" remote control for the PlayStation 3. Not only does it control your PS3, it can control your home entertainment system. Blu-Link offers easy setup using pre-programmed device codes as well as remote-to-remote button learning.

Blu-Link is the first universal remote with both infrared and Bluetooth wireless built-in to simultaneously control the PS3 and other home entertainment devices. It supports more than 400 brands of televisions, 150 VCR brands, 200 satellite receiver models, 100 cable TV receiver brands, 50 DVR models and 200 home theater surround sound systems. And, with non-volatile memory storage, the Blu-Link remote retains all button assignments even when the batteries are removed.

The Blu-Link Universal Remote Control for PlayStation 3 is available now at retail stores as well as www.blu-link.com for $49.95.

Nintendo's new Wii Fit Plus game will hit U.S. stores on October 4, the company just announced. They also revealed new colors for its DSi system and for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers as well as the Wii MotionPlus accessory.

The Wii Fit Plus has new features, new exercises, yoga activities and balance games. Workouts can also be customized to target specific areas of the body, or set to last a certain amount of time. Wii Fit Plus will replace the current Wii Fit, and will be bundled with the Wii Balance Board for $99.99. For current Wii Fit owners, the Wii Fit Plus disc will also be available on its own for $19.99.

Beginning Sept. 13, the Nintendo DSi will be available in white and pink, (blue and black versions will remain available). All models of the DSi have two cameras and interactive options to let users create and manipulate pictures or sound. The DSi sells for $169.99.

Also, Nintendo is releasing a new black version of the Wii Remote bundled with a black version of the Wii MotionPlus accessory. A black version of the Nunchuk controller also will be available in time for the holidays. My question is this: Why? The Wii doesn't even come in black! Perhaps one is on the way?

Kurt Cobain will make his video game debut this September when Guitar Hero 5 hits stores shelves. The former lead singer and guitarist of Nirvana will be a playable character and perform two of the band's hit singles from Nevermind: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and a previously unreleased live recording of "Lithium."

Sure to have something to please everyone, other artists featured in Guitar Hero 5 are Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres.

New features of Guitar Hero 5 are:

• Party Play: players can jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly
• RockFest: a competitive experience with five new head-to-head
• The ability to play the entire set-list from the first time the game is turned on

Guitar Hero 5 will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii on September 1, 2009. For more information on the game, visit www.GH5.GuitarHero.com.

Gamers take notice! TRITTON Technologies just announced that two of their headsets will be available exclusively at Best Buy stores beginning September 1, 2009.

Both the AX 720 and AX 180 gaming headsets are optimized for computer gaming and have a USB connection for both PC and Mac. Adding value to these headsets is their breakaway cables that allow you to connect them to your MP3 player or iPhone.

The AX 180 headset gives you outstanding stereo sound through its performance balanced speakers. This headset also has independent game and chat volume controls. Not only does this headset give you excellent audio from the Xbox360, PS3 and PC, it works with the Wii, thanks to its analog connectivity. Best of all, the AX 180 is a high performance universal stereo headset priced at just $69.99.

For those wanting even more out of their gaming headset, the AX 720 headset takes advantage of the Dolby 5.1 audio found on Xbox360, PS3 and PC games. It replicates individual audio details, so you hear sounds as they were meant to be heard. And the included Dolby Digital decoder gives you an impressive 3D audio environment. You can chat online with your teammates on the XBox, PS3, or PC using the detachable microphone. Its inline audio controller also has independent voice and volume controls. The TRITTON AX 720 sells for $129.99.

The TRITTON AX 180 and AX 720 will be available at Best Buy retail stores and at www.bestbuy.com beginning September 1st.