GameStop is offering more deals on some of the products they're carrying. If you plan on making a purchase any time soon it might be in your best interest to check this out.

First up, we've got some big news for you: Halo 3 Zune. Yup you can pre-order said Zune from GameStop outlets now. And don't expect to get this from any other place as they've said that its a GameStop exclusive. They also have a new promo where you can trade in your Gameboy Advance or old DS for a brand new one. Of course, you will have to add some cash but if you feel like upgrading and think your old unit will just be taking up space then it might be worth the trade-in.

If you plan on taking advantage of their promo, you'll have to download their PDF file from their site, print it out, then cut out the coupons. For more information on the other offerings, you can go to GameStop via our read link.

The NPD group has finally released their much-awaited videogame hardware sales data that's been the subject of much speculation these days, and the results are indeed telling. We're here to sift through all the numbers and figures to give you the skinny on who's leading and who's lagging.

At the head of the pack is Nintendo's Dual Screen handheld, reaching 471,000 units sold in April. Following closely behind is yet another Ninty machine of videogame happiness, the Nintendo Wii, with 360,000 units purchased. Well, what do you know, ol' Pachter was actually right on the money!

From the leaders, we move on to the rest. Despite the prevalent next-gen fever, the Sony PlayStation 2's actually doing pretty well, with 194,000 units sold. The Playstation Portable also did quite well, with 182,000 units - just a smidge in front of Microsoft's Xbox360, who came away with 174,000 purchased.

Finally, we come to the tail-end of the race - and disappointingly, it's Sony's PlayStation 3, coming up with a mere 82,000 units going home to their new owners. It's to note that the figures for Sony's console were much, much less than all analyst estimates, and that's saying something. Come on, PS3! Catch up! We know you can!

As for software, Nintendo's still burning rubber - having released the top four best-selling releases this month with Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl for the DS, and Super Paper Mario and Wii Play for the Wii. Honorable mentions include Guitar Hero II, Spider-Man 3, and God of War II.

For your reading pleasure, here are the sales figures in full:

• Nintendo DS: 471,000
• Wii: 360,000
• PlayStation 2: 194,000
• PlayStation Portable: 183,000
• Xbox 360: 174,000
• GameBoy Advance: 84,000
• PlayStation 3: 82,000
• GameCube: 13,000

Well, what do you think? From the figures, it's obvious Sony has a lot of catching up to do. But let's not forget that these are all figures from April - who knows how things could turn out in the following months? We'll keep you posted, so keep it locked right here for any and all updates!

 

Activision has already launched Spiderman 3 in North America for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo DS, Gameboy Advance and Wii in North America. The launch was held in conjunction with Sony Entertainment and GameStop Corp at Studio 450 in New York last May 3. In addition to this, GameStop also held a midnight launch of the game on May 4 in about 300 of its outlets in conjunction with the movie release.

The different releases each offers its own spin on the much awaited film which shares the same name.The Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC versions of the game offers free-roaming with multiple movie- and comic-based storyline. City missions are said to be fully integrated into the games as well as stat upgrades which includes additional combat moves, increased agility, and improved speed.

The game is said to have a new combat system that includes suit-specific attacks and an expanded repertoire of air and ground attacks, finishing moves, and dynamic webbing. (We're not sure what dynamic webbing means but it sound cool.) You'll probably be needing all those new moves because there will be boss battles against villains from both the movie and comic versions.

The DS and Wii installments of the game includes free-roaming gameplay as well. Both versions of Spiderman 3 is said to have its own twist on the red and black suited Spiderman combat as well as two exclusive storylines with Shriek and Morbius.

The DS version incorporates the touchscreen in the gameplay for combat and maneuvering. Wireless multiplayer is also included in this version with multiple modes such as Target Practice,Brawler, Combat Challenge, and Hot Potato. The Wii game on the other hand utilizes the Wiimote and Nunchuk very well with both of them acting as webshooters in both travel and combat sequences.

Spiderman 3 for the Xbox 360 version is being sold for US$ 59.99, the Wii for US$ 49.99, the PlayStation 2 for US$ 39.99, and the Nintendo DS, Gameboy Advance, and PC versions for US$ 29.99 each. The console and PC platform versions have been given a T rating by the ESRB with the Nintendo DS and Gameboy Advance rated at E10+.

Buy: [Spider-Man 3 (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Spider-Man 3 (PS3)]
Buy: [Spider-Man 3 (Wii)]

The folks at WorthPlaying.com have a nice batch of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix screenies for you folks to ogle, just in case you're in the mood to ogle pubescent British teens. Seriously though, gushing fans will be pleased to know that the next-gen versions should allow them to play multiple characters, this means that they can run around as Dumbledore, or even as that oh-so-dreamy Sirius Black. Below are screens of the Wii version, followed by the Xbox 360 version, and then the PS2 version.

Wii
   

Xbox 360:
   

PS2
 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is set to be released for the Wii, the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo GameBoy Advance, the PC, the PlayStation Portable, the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 3. Yes, Electronic Arts has money to spend, and they're using their moolah to infest the gaming world with the taint of the ehbil lord Voldemort and the adolescent angsting of poor Mister Potter.

You'll get a lot of numbers in this post, but let's start with the ones that are related to this posts title. Let's talk about console sales. The numbers below are given by the Research firm, NPD Group.

The little dual screened juggernaut, the DS sold 918,000 units in November, bringing U.S. sales to a total of 8.1 million units. The old and yet still hot PS2 followed as the second-best with 664,000 units sold. It's sales probably boosted by Square Enix's FFXII that sold at 896,000 units and has a sales record of $49 million. Third place for systems is held by the never say die GameBoy Advance with 641,000 units.

Despite Gears of War being number one at the software sales charts having sold a million units and having earned around $61.5 million, Microsoft's Xbox 360 is at fourth this November with 511,000 units sold. However despite being fourth this November, overall the Xbox 360, has a life-to-date US sales number of 3.8 million units.

Despite having it's launch date mid November, The Wii sold 476,000 units for the month. The PSP follows the Wii, having sold around 412,000 units during November. Hopefully now that  MGS: Portable Ops is out, people will enjoy running around to check out WiFi spots. Honestly, that soldier recruitment thing that the new MGS has reminds us of the "old CD collection now has a use" effect that the PS1's Monster Rancher generated. So does this mean more PSP sales? We'll check the post holiday season numbers when the time comes.

So who needs to make shipments? The PS3 sold only 197,000 units this month, this despite Sony's promise to have 400,000 units available on launch day in the U.S.

Here's what NPD Analyst Anita Frazier has to say about the numbers: "It's just such overall good news that bodes very well for the health of this industry."

Why aren't we surprised at all? We did see this coming. And it's all good. While the past videogame incarnations of Harry Potter were forgettable, we're eager to see what the next-gen versions have to offer. We can already picture players swishing and flicking the Wiimote while uttering "Alohamora!"

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix videogame will be the first in the franchise to be developed for the next-gen consoles. EA and Warner Bros. promise an accurate representation of the events surrounding J.K. Rowlings' fifth book, which happens to be Harry Potter's fifth year at Hogwarts.

The game will allow players to explore Hogwarts and take on missions presented in the book/movie.

Playable characters include Harry Potter (of course!), Dumbledore, and Sirius Black. Too bad, Ron and Hermione are non-playable. But we're pretty sure they'll get some exposure throughout the game.

The game is slated for a July 2007 release to coincide with the film. It'll also be released for the PSP, PS2, Gameboy Advance, and Windows PC.

After dozens of Star Wars games for the PS2, Xbox, PC, cartloads of puzzles, board games, as well as a trading card game, you'd think LucasArts will finally take a break from all the Star Wars merchandise. Good thing you're dead wrong, as the said company seems to enjoy giving us various Star Wars games to keep our doldrums away. You've probably seen an article or two about the upcoming game LEGO Star Wars II:The Original Trilogy for Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advance, GameCube, PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, and Xbox (whew!).

Well, there's another Star Wars slated for various next-gen platforms, and many refer to it as Star Wars:Force Unleashed (yep, the title's still in the works).  According to the rumor mill, it will be using an uber-cool graphics engine called "Digital Molecular Matter," as well as a new A.I. system known as "Euphoria." This duo is expected to knock your socks off, so you might want to look forward to its release on 2007.

If you're thinking that 2007 is such a long wait for this game, we can hand it to you right now. Kidding! However, we can give you the next best thing, though: a sneak preview of Star Wars:Force Unleashed. So what are you waiting for? Click the download link below and get your daily dose of eye-candy with this Star Wars:Force Unleashed pre-vis.

Download: [Star Wars:Force Unleashed Pre-Vis]

May the Force build with you! And although talk like Yoda, we are tempted to... We'd spare you the agony. Besides, LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy will be out by Sept 12 across a lot of platforms, and surely by that time, you'd be bombarded by a lot of Yoda-speak from the fans.

Anyways, we have new screenshots for you. More familiar scenes from the original trilogy that we can play, build, and zap our way through in the game. That's what's fun about the game: based on Star Wars Episodes IV, V, and VI, you can do just about anything in the game: ride whatever vehicle, build and battle through various parts of the trilogy, and exchange the different parts of your LEGO characters! That's what's LEGO is all about, anyways. You get free reign, you get to do whatever you want. Endless customizability! And speaking of choice, the game will be available in Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advance, GameCube, PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, and Xbox. [insert Chewie's guttural moan of excitement]

   
  

We have already mentioned that Eragon is based on the worldwide literary phenomenon by Christopher Paolini about a boy named Eragon whose destiny is revealed with the help of a dragon. It also appeared as Fox 2006 film starring Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons and Academy Award nominee John Malkovich. This game immerses players into a world filled with dragons, destiny, adventure, magic, and power.

Eragon will be released this November for PC, ps2">ps2">PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and PSP. Gameplay for the console and PC will be different from the handheld. The PC and console version focuses on intense battles with an unparalleled combo and magic-based combat system, including stunning finishing moves, multiple grapples, and degradable blocks with unique counter attacks. The adventure is heightened with breathless dragon flight-based combat and devastating dragon summon attacks and players can opt for a 2-player co-op, featuring team attack bonuses and dragon fight/flight combo gameplay. Eragon for Nintendo DS players offer an action-filled combat-RPG with touch screen spell casting and unique dual screen attack mode.

Without further ado, we deliver you the freshest trailer of Eragon. Enjoy!

Download: [Eragon Trailer]

The next edition of EA Sports ultra popular NFL video game - Madden NFL 07, will be with us in less than 2 weeks across virtually all platforms including the Xbox, PSP, Nintendo Gamecube, PC, Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advance and mobile phones. A preview has popped up showcasing the game and its new features including the new moves and hits. More specific key features include lead blocker control, NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode, Highlight Stick, beefed up Franchise Mode and Online Play and team-specific defensive playbooks.

Dont take my word that the game looks great, form your own opinion by checking out the video below!