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Video game industry roars in December

Video game industry sales grew 9 percent, year-over-year, in December, and were up 19 percent for the year, according to the latest figures from analyst firm, the NPD Group.

Overall, the industry saw sales of $5.29 billion in December, the first time it had ever cleared the $5 billion mark in a single month, according to NPD analyst Anita Frazier.

And once again, the video game industry far outpaced general retail sales, which were down 2.7 percent from November. By contrast, video games were up 81.8 percent over November's $2.91 billion.

Leading the way again … Read more

YouTube launches TV-friendly site for consoles

Don't have an Apple TV or a TiVo box, and have been lusting after watching YouTube videos from your couch? If you've got a Nintendo Wii or a Sony PlayStation 3 video game console, the Google property has just released an overhauled version of its living room-friendly console interface that puts it about on par with those two offerings.

By visiting Youtube.com/TV in your Opera or PS3 browser, you get a new layout that lets you browse and search through videos. Additionally, videos can be set to go full-screen by default, including large, remote control-friendly buttons … Read more

'Guitar Hero' for Xbox or PS3, $39.99 shipped

Sorry about the bankruptcy, Circuit City, but thanks for the excellent deals while you're reorganizing.

The latest: Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Special Edition Wireless Bundle for Xbox 360, normally $69.99, is now $39.99 shipped. Got a PlayStation 3? No worries: same bundle, same price.

But wait, there's more: Circuit City also has Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock with Guitar for PlayStation 2. Once again: $39.99 shipped.

I'll admit that I never got bitten by the Guitar Hero bug (perhaps because I'm past the age of 23--kidding!), but for $40, I might just splurge. … Read more

Next big PS3 price cut set for April?

This rumor's pretty dubious, but several blogs are reporting that Sony plans to cut the PlayStation 3's price tag by $100 in April. That would put the 80GB PS3 at $300. The source: an analyst at Wedbush Morgan who's also saying that Microsoft will chop $50 off the Xbox 360 Pro around E3 2009 (in June), putting that system at $250.

When it comes to gaming systems, price drops are the equivalent of an economic stimulus plan, and breaking $300 would obviously make the PS3 attractive to a whole new batch of consumers, regardless of poor economic … Read more

Fancy using your PS3 controller for PC gaming?

Here's a quick backgrounder. A Japanese software programmer has released Microsoft Windows XP/Vista drivers for PlayStation 3's SixAxis and DualShock3 controllers.

Unlike Microsoft, Sony has never released the relevant software to enable its controllers for PC gaming. These unofficial drivers are a stopgap that also unlocks the force feedback function, though compatibility is limited to wired USB operation at the moment.

You can download the drivers here with instructions courtesy of the nice folks from the DCemu UK forum. We've test-driven them on our Lab's SixAxis controller but to no avail, though there are some … Read more

Mad Catz 'Street Fighter IV' branded FightPads and FightSticks

To celebrate the release of Street Fighter IV, Mad Catz has teamed up with Capcom in order to roll out a collection of branded FightPads and FightSticks emblazoned with various Street Fighter characters.

The FightPad and FightStick will be available for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms in addition to the Tournament Edition FightStick, which features the exact hardware found in arcade cabinets.

Look for these licensed items to go on sale next month and be sure to check out our slide show of the entire line of Street Fighter IV accessories.

Saitek brings air combat control to home consoles

Home console flight simulator and air combat games just got a bit easier to control. Just in time for upcoming titles like Tom Clancy's HAWX, Saitek is introducing the Aviator, a flight stick fully tested to work Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games. That said, Saitek claims the Aviator will also perform well with the Blazing Angels series of games released earlier on.

Available for both platforms, each Aviator will also have the ability to work with PC games as well, doubling the compatibility. The Xbox 360 version (pictured) not only has the familiar silver Xbox guide button, it … Read more

Audiovox, PlayStation 2 roll out

The immortal PlayStation 2 undergoes yet another transformation, this time courtesy of Audiovox. This almost 9-year-old system is now officially going on the road. You may have seen a PlayStation 2 in a car before, but not like this.

The premier model is an all-in-one overhead unit that appears to look like an in-car DVD system but with the inner working of a PS2. Additional features include accessories such as a 16-channel wireless FM modulator, full color 16:9 wide screen, 10.2-inch display, two wireless game controllers, two fold-flat wireless IR headphones, and a wireless DVD remote control.

Audiovox … Read more

Amazon has Prince of Persia for $40 shipped.

Fans of Prince of Persia franchise now have chance to sink their teeth into the latest game in the franchise. Prince of Persia is usually $60, but for today's deal, Amazon is offering the game for $40 with free shipping. GameSpot even gave the game an 8.0, which isn't bad at all. Act fast, this deal expires today.

Click here for Xbox 360

Click here for PS3

-Till next deal, JT