It's an "adults only" 360 fest, and it looks like admission is free for Xbox Live Gold members (by the way, that is Austin Powers freaky: "adults only" and "Gold member" in the same sentence).

Too bad it's in Japan.

Here's the line-up:

• Gears of War
• Vampire Rain
• The Godfather
• Riot Act
• Dead Rising
• The people ~ which succeeds the older sister sword battle X vorteX (hooray for web-based translation - that's Oneechanbara VorteX, by the way)

If our web-translation is right, the event will be on Januray 12. And they're serious about it being for adults only - despite the Google Translate beta giggles:

Exhibition title Z (only 18 years old or more the object) is divided CERO (computer entertainment rating mechanism) in the rating which is stipulated. As for direction under 18 years old because it cannot enter, beforehand acknowledgment. At acceptance of the meeting place, we request the presentation of the status proof which can do age verification.

And it really is too bad that Japan is so far away. This is the kind of event all of us could appreciate - even if we don't speak a word of Japanese. Any videos, demos, and fun to be had during the event would transcend language barriers anyway, right?

And so, straight from the Major's mouth, we would like to relay the news that in an effort to spread the holiday cheer, Electronic Arts has just released a free theme from The Godfather. A little late and all, but then again it's there at the Marketplace and there's still New Year's Day anyway.

Along with this free holiday theme pack would be "a never before seen logo from The Godfather The Game", whatever that may be. In the meantime, the said theme will be available in all regions, so better start downloading.

Despite the many complaints that EA has decided to release this theme a little late... well, better late than never, we suppose.

This was supposed to be a news article, but what the heck, let's go crazy like a "First Post WOOT!" posting spree. We've said once before that Electronic Arts is embracing the Xbox Live Marketplace by offering downloadable content, but you have to agree that there's a difference between embracing and putting something in a stranglehold.

The first time people had some kind of an issue with this was with Madden NFL 07. That's mostly because they were selling tutorial videos for the game on XBLM. Look at the leap, however, from Madden to their Xbox 360 version of The Godfather. While most games wouldn't mind having hidden cheat codes or hidden missions to unlock special freebies, EA has used XBLM to offer the option of uber-izing yourself for twice the price.

How? Before you can buy one of their special items, such as the ultimate versions of the in-game guns, you have to purchase the RIGHT to buy those guns. Now that you have the right to do so, you also have to cough up 750,000 in game money to actually buy their super Tommy gun. If you don't have the cash, what do you do? Simple, pay EA even more real-life currency to get in-game moolah.

Sure, the prices for all these things aren't that prohibitive, with a 100-150 point cost and a one-time offer to prevent excessive buying, but come on. Multiply those miniscule figures by the number of gamers who want to get everything the game has to offer, and you realize that EA is milking people for something they should have put in the game to begin with. Can I get an "Amen" from all the outraged folks out on the internet? It's serious business.

What's hot and what's sizzling hot! That's what these charts from Amazon.com is all about. The list is updated every hour but this is how the charts looked at post time.

PC Games
The still to be released World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade is already smoking at the top of the PC games charts with pre-orders so we guess its one of those guaranteed hits just waiting to happen. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft is entrenched at No.4.

1. World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade (pre-order)—Vivendi Games
2. Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe (pre-order)—Microsoft
3. The Sims 2: Pets exp. (pre-order)—EA
4. World of Warcraft—Vivendi Games
5. Battlefield 2142 (pre-order)—EA
6. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Dark Crusade exp.—THQ
7. Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave (pre-order)—Her Interactive
8. Neverwinter Nights 2 Limited Ed. (pre-order)—Atari
9. The Sims 2—EA
10. Warcraft III Battle Chest—Vivendi Games

The top ten PSP and Xbox 360 games on Amazon.com after the jump.

A whole bunch of picture packs and themes have hit the Marketplace today for NHL 07, Just Cause and The Godfather for those that like to put another face on their 360. The NHL 07 picture packs include Atlantic Division Picture Pack, Northeast Division Picture Pack, Southeast Division Picture Pack, Central Division Picture Pack, Northwest Division Picture Pack and Pacific Division Picture Pack with each costing 100 Microsoft Points. The themes for NHL 07 include all of the professional hockey teams in each of those leagues and will set you back at the usual 150 Microsoft Points each.

Just Cause has one new picture pack which requires 100 Microsoft Points as well as two new themes that are once again 150 Microsoft Points each. The Godfather has five new themes available as the Mobster Theme, Streets of NY Theme, The Don Theme, Hand Guns Theme and the Weapons Theme at 150 Microsoft Points each.

The picture packs for the Godfather on the other hand vary in price probably because the amount of pictures included in each pack are The Family Picture Pack at 160 Microsoft Points, Godfather Weapons Picture Pack at 220 Microsoft Points, and The Don Picture Pack at 180 Microsoft Points. So if you want to pick up a new theme or gamer picture, be sure to check out the new downloads on the Marketplace.

Folks, in the interest of keeping your virgin eyes from harm, we beg you to keep away if you're a minor, or if you have children moving about. This preview is very gory, very graphic, and rather disturbing.

Are they gone? Good.

Dude, this video is sick. While we can chalk up a lot of stuff to the content that you're supposed to see in a movie of this scope, it's seeing weird stuff like this on the game screen that makes gaming as stress relief so worthwhile. You have people getting hit by burning pieces of wood and catching fire, guys who are gunned down in daylight, and someone shot in the head at point-blank with a Tommy gun. It's sick, but if you can stomach it, it's also an intense experience.

The only sad thing about this Electronic Arts' new trailer for The Godfather: there's a lot less gameplay than you'd hope for in this sort of trailer, so its hard to tell what you can actually do and what's simply for show on cutscenes. In any case, expect someone to call the censors as soon as this comes out. For now, just enjoy the Xbox 360 trailer of the game while you still can.

Download: [The Godfather - Xbox 360 Trailer]

A game's popularity will always reflect on its shelf status. And it's almost a cliche that as soon as a new console is coming, the games that can be played in such platform disappear magically from the rental stores. GameFly, a popular rental company in the US, has given us a reflection of such interest on the next-gen titles.

After LEGO Star Wars 2 reportedly stole the limelight from other games by selling more than a million titles in a week's time, Xbox 360's The Godfather now surfaces as the the most requested title across all platforms for the week. Okami placed second while LEGO Star Wars 2 was demoted to third.

The see-saw of game title ranking has made us giddy. The Godfather reigned on all the platforms, including Xbox 360. It outranked LEGO Star Wars 2 once again, while THQ's Saints Row followed on the top three spot. Former number one Test Drive Unlimited crashed to number seven.

Other upcoming next-gen platforms reflected the same boom on the sales and rentals at GameFly. Most notable of them are Sony's Heavenly Sword and Ubisoft's Red Steel. Expect that these game titles will continue to outrank one another at GameFly and other U.S. stores, so keep a close watch for the updates.

This gameplay clip titled by GameTrailers as "Citywide Menace" falls only in under three categories - everything you're not supposed to do outside of the game, only The Sopranos can do on TV and things only late mob boss John Gotti can get away with.

Extreme violence and complete disregard for the law is shown in this clip as you take on the role of a new recruit to the Corleone who's trying to prove himself and make his way to the top of the ranks.

You're next hit is to download the video just below this article. The Godfather has already been released, hopefully, this video could help you decide if you'll buy it or not.

Download: [Citywide Menace Gameplay Video]
Buy: [The Godfather (Xbox 360)]

...to your Xbox 360 and PSP today.

In the Xbox 360, the ruling "party" never stops. Ever wanted to rule the streets of New York, but don't have enough manpower, guns, and guts to do so? Well, with The Godfather you can do that and more. In this game you'll be joining the family and carry out various tasks to earn respect and eventually rise through the ranks of the Corleon Family. The ultimate objective though is more than just being the Don of the Family, but rather to be 'Don of New York'. In order to do that you'll have to accomplish more missions, do some venue take overs, contract hits on the big heads of the other Families, and earn the respect of everyone involved.

Mobs and the PSP do mix! The Godfather Mob Wars for the PSP also comes to videstores today. In this game, players are expected to hone their mob skills and rise to be the Don of the Family. Expect to fight in turf wars to take over enemy territory. Take NYC apart piece by piece and then place it back together, The Godfather style.

Essentially, the most impressive statement in this game is the voice acting. Great Actors such as James Caan, Robert Duvall, Abe Vigoda, and the late great Marlon Brando lends their voices to the game. It was said that this was one of the final jobs Marlon Brando took before he died. However, noticeably absent was Al Pacino. Yet the game was able to stand on its own merits.

Two Godfather games out on the same date; Don Corleon would've been proud. Well, are you ready to take over New York?

Buy: [The Godfather (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [The Godfather Mob Wars (PSP)]

If you want to somehow immerse yourself in the world of the Mafia, then you might want to check out EA's upcoming title, The Godfather for the Xbox360. Based on the popular novel written by American author Mario Puzo, this game allows users to fight their way, mafia-style, to the top of the ranks to become the most powerful Don of the Big Apple.

Your primary weapon is the gun, but you can use your wits, your fists, or whatever weapon you can lay your hands on to prove your worth as a new member of the Corleone. Use your cunning ability to cover the tracks of your crimes, negotiate your way through million-dollar deals and kill if you must if anyone stands in your way. This gameplay video shows that not even the power and authority of a cop can stop you.

The Godfather is slated to be released by September 22 this year.

Download: [The Godfather: Taking Out The Cop, Part2]