The Best XBOX 360 Games For This Holiday Season

Woo wee. There is definitely one hell of an xbox 360 video game line up this year and no gamer can say otherwise. The XBOX 360 may have shown us what it is capable of in the last few years, but this year is a whole new game in a whole new ball park; and from the looks of things, the 360 has already hit a few grand slams.

Although there will likely be the usual amount of cheap xbox 360 games this holiday season, there will also be double the amount of great games and 360 exclusives. In the past 3 months, gamers have witnessed some truly revolutionary video games and it only promises to get better in the upcoming weeks. 360 owners are truly jumping for joy this year, as it is unmistakably clear that they picked the winning "next-gen" console and are being greatly rewarded for their decision. Don't believe it? Well then, just take a look at some of the best xbox 360 games that will be available this holiday season. And remember, this is just a small taste of what is to come...


BioShock (XBOX 360 EXCLUSIVE)- Right when the game is turned on, the player is thrown into a sci-fi world that is unlike any other. In a city under the sea, a madman has developed new technology that turns ordinary people into monsters with only one thing in mind, the collection of ADAM. From the moment you enter the city of rapture, you're breathless from the all too stunning scenery and mystified at what seems to be a garden of eden turned into a level of hell. Gameplay, action, and graphics galore; when you play this game, you'll scream for more! Gamespot: 9/10 -- GameSpy: 5/5 -- IGN: 9.7/10


Halo 3 (xbox360 EXCLUSIVE)- The final installment in a masterful, widely renown, and ever so popular video game trilogy. Every “true” gamer knows of Halo and how epic the story and action of this franchise is. From beginning to end, it's an action packed adventure that leaves the player hanging on the edge of his seat. Whether it be from the single player campaign or the intense multiplayer combat, this game never ceases to amaze and it never ceases to be fun. This is a must have game for any & every XBOX 360 owner. Gamespot: 9.5/10 -- GameSpy: 5/5 -- IGN: 9.5/10


Assassins Creed- A tried & true assassins video game for the ages. No guns, no disguises, no money, just pure action and fun. Assassins Creed takes place in a time long, long ago, where the leaders of the world are waring against each other. To stop this war and restore some level of peace, Altair, a master assassin stripped of his rank, must eliminate these influential leaders if he ever intends to get back his honor and his ranking. Assassins Creed is one of the best XBOX 360 games to date, and it is one that dazzles the player with outstanding gameplay and even better graphics. Plenty of story depth and plenty of interesting twists and turns. This is definitely a game worth owning. Gamespot: 9/10 -- GT: 9/10


Mass Effect (XBOX-360 EXCLUSIVE)- A game that is selling XBOX360 consoles all on it's own. Mass Effect is one of the best XBOX 360 RPG games that gamers have seen in a long, long time. If it wasn't for the other great titles out this holiday season, Mass Effect would be getting all the attention and all the praise.

Mass Effect, a game of epic RPG proportions, launches the player into a futuristic world where human beings live side-by-side with other aliens species. The relationship may not be entirely friendly, but it is relatively peaceful to say the least. However, it isn't long before that peace is broken and things start coming undone. A rogue “Turian” agent has aligned himself with a robotic species and has begun attacking colonies throughout citadel space. His real motive is unknown, but it isn't long before the big picture materializes, revealing that it isn't a few space colonies that are at risk, it's every living thing in the universe! Gamespot: 8.5/10 -- GameSpy: 5/5 -- IGN: 9.4/10


These are only 4 of the best xbox 360 games that have been released; there are many, many more. And as if there already wasn't enough to go around, in the upcoming months gamers will have "Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom," "Devil May Cry 4" (you heard correct, Devil May Cry is coming to the XBOX 360), "Turok," "Frontlines: Fuel of War," "Condemned 2: Bloodshot," "Dark Sector," "Grand Theft Auto IV," and countless other spectacular titles.

The holiday season of 2007 is the best possible time to be a gamer, period. When you mix the best xbox 360 games with barrels of holiday cheer & family fun, how can you go wrong?

Would You Like To Test Games Like These For a Living? Of Course You Would, You'd Be Crazy Not To! To Find Out How To Test Games For Money, Click Here!

Video Game Tester Jobs- A Simple Way to Get Paid to Pay Video Games from Home

Remember when you were a little kid and people would criticize you for playing too many video games. Well, now it's time to laugh in their face. With years of being a dedicated gamer, you have, in retrospect, grown your gaming skill level to epic proportions. Because of this, you are now very good at playing many different types of video game, which thereby means you're a perfect candidate for a video game tester job.

Here's basically how a video game tester gets paid to play video games at home. First, the company that hired him will send a video game with an attached assignment to it in the mail. Also included is a form the gamer must fill out after they complete their assignment. Second, they test the game thoroughly and according to given instructions. Third, they make their bug/glitch report and then mail it back to the company. 4th, they wait patiently and receive their video game tester check 1-2 weeks later. Generally speaking, thats how the process works from start to finish.

Game testers may be paid by the hour or by the project, depending on the developer whom hired them. They go to work on the game with a keen eye for the details. Their primary objective is to find out if everything is working like it's supposed to be. They might notice something that is out of place; such as a wall is missing in a room. They will take note of this on the form and accurately detail what they saw, or in this case "didn't see". A quick and accurate description may be something similar to this: "wall missing on level 3 in Chapter 5. First room to the right when entering the area (the room that the 3 guards come from)"

After they finish their assignment and complete the bug/glitch report form, they will send it to the video game company. The video game companies will read this report and be able to quickly find the glitches or bugs that were found. Once they do, they will update the game and fix those problems immediately. In these later stages of game developments, most glitches are minor and typically missed by programmers; which is why developers bring on video game testers to get the job done. But then again, occasionally they're major problems that the programmers just missed. For instance, every time your character jumps, the game freezes instantly. How catastrophic do you think that would be for a company if they were to release a game like that? A single glitch like this could turn a game from "outstanding" to "what a piece of junk!" in the blink of an eye. Game developers simply can't put all their hopes into programmers; they NEED professional video game testers.

When a game tester has completed his assignment, the game company will send him a check in the mail. After that, he'll just wait for the next assignment to come in and repeat the process.

How much can you make playing video games from home? Well, It depends on a few things. For instance, the longer you've been a game tester, the more money you can make and the more video game tester jobs you can get. With time, comes experience; and with experience, comes a greater demand fro your testing abilities. Not to mention, your determination will play a large part in how much money you ultimately make. If you sit around and do nothing, you'll get nothing. If you put forth an honest and hardworking effort, then your video game testing career will pay off big time, guaranteed.

If You'd Like To Start Landing High Paying Video Game Tester Jobs, You Should Click Here

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Video Game Testing- Can You Make It as a Video Game Tester?

A lot of people fantasize about starting a video game tester career. They might have seen some over-hyped advertisement on the Internet saying they can make $300 an hour of playing video games in your underwear. But is this true? Why would companies pay people to play video games?

In this article, I will tell you exactly why game developers pay good money to video game testers, which should show you the true possibilities of a video game tester career.

First, let's consider the facts -- the gaming industry makes a lot of money every year, $50 billion to be exact. That's a lot of money at stake. Now that you know that, I want you to imagine what would happen if you released a video game that generated $2 million in income for your esteemed company. However, only a week after releasing the game, there was a serious flaw found in the game, which no one spotted before the game's release. As a result, many gamers were angered and wanted an immediate refund.

The outcome? You lose all kinds of sales and investors will not be as confident in your company as they once were; plus, many of the companies employees will begin losing their jobs at an alarming rate. That's not all; it gets worse. If you were the gamer, would you willingly buy from a company again, knowing that games they released in the past crashed and were unplayable? Or, are you more likely to tell your friends and family how horrible the game, and the company that made it, is?

Basically, the point is, one single glitch can end up costing a company millions & millions of dollars. If the company was depending on the success of the game, everything will be a downward spiral from then on, generally speaking of course. Budget cuts, investors pulling out, mass employee layoffs, and possibly an entire company shutdown if nothing changes. And to think, all of this from a single glitch in a single video game.

Luckily though, this can all be avoided by sending the game out to multiple video game testers; as this will ensure that there are virtually no bugs in the game before it is released to the public. Because of this fact, it is very possible to earn a high-paying career as a video game tester. Think about it, the above scenario would happen to every game company if there were no reliable video game testers.

Another reason that video game tester careers are available is because companies want accurate feedback on their games. Let's say you designed an online game that had all these great features and offered all sorts of advantages that your competitors didn't. The only problem, though, it's too complicated and confusing for the player to get into. You can fix this problem by sending it out to reputable video game testers, taking their feedback, and tweaking the interface until it is both easy to use and still holds all those great features.

The fact in the matter is that the basic programmer has so many things they have to keep track of that they can NOT catch all, or even half, of the glitches in the video game. Remember, they approach games from a programming standpoint, not from a gamers point of view.

With all these facts in mind, isn't it time you pursued a career as a video game tester? If you're a serious gamer, you should, at the very least, investigate video game testing jobs further. After all, you could be just what the gaming companies are looking for.

Do You Think You Can Make It As A Video Game Tester? If You Do, Click Here To Find Out

How To Become a Professional Video Game Tester in 5 Simple Steps

Step One: Be Proactive!
You won't land any video game tester jobs if you just sit around and wait for a "Game Testers Wanted" ad to appear in the newspaper. It won't happen. So instead of sitting back and waiting for a miracle to occur, just get out there and find the perfect video game testing job for you.

Head straight to the game companies and developers and apply for testing jobs. Since they aren't looking for you, the only logical step is to actively search for them. Once you find them (which shouldn't take too long), apply for a game tester position with them and then repeat the process for as many different companies as humanly possible.

On your application/resume, brag about all of your video game achievements, such as the consoles you own, the games you've played, the games you own, the MMORPGs you are apart of, and anything else that shows how much experience you have with video games. And if you want to help your cause even further, create a website/blog that talks about video games, gives reviews, previews, cheats, hints, tips, etc.

You have to remember that experience and professionalism count for a lot in this industry. Therefore, the more experience you have and the more professional you are, the better your chances are for getting a video game tester job.

Step Two: Step Out of Fairy Tale Land and Into Reality
You have to realize that video game testing is a job. Yes, it's a really fun job, but it is still a job nonetheless. This means that you have to treat it as such and take every part of it seriously. Don't merely sit down and play the game to have a good time. Sit down and play the game so that you can collect a paycheck when you're through.

Many "wanna-be" testers believe that being a professional video game tester is a "no work, all play" type of career. Honestly, they couldn't be more wrong. Although there aren't huge amounts of work that a game tester must wade through, there are still a few things that he/she has to complete. For instance, filling out reports. Surprised? Well, most aspiring young testers are when they hear that there is actual work involved with video game testing.

Contrary to what you may have thought, you won't be simply playing games and giving your opinion on whether they are good or not. You will actually be testing them. You will play through a game, find any bugs or glitches, and then fill out reports on any problems that you come across. This is to help the developers and programmers locate and fix those problems. You don't have to be an English professor or a college graduate to write bug reports, but you will have to have basic writing skills. Aside from the reports, you will also be required to fill out numerous questionnaires; which are typically opinion based.

As soon as you accept the fact that you'll be doing actual work as a video game tester, you will have much more success finding testing jobs.


Part 2 Of This Article Can Be Found Below, Or By Clicking Here


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5 Steps To Become a Professional Video Game Tester

If You Haven't Read Steps 1-2, You Can Find Them By Clicking Here


Step 3: Practice Makes Perfect!
The best way to become a better video game tester is to practice. You've heard it before, "practice makes perfect". Well, that usually is the case for being a game tester.

You're probably thinking "how can I practice-test video games?" Honestly, the same way you would practice doing anything else; you just do it. While you are in between jobs, do what you always do, play video games. Except this time, play it like you are testing the game instead of simply having fun with it.

Just like with actual testing jobs, go over every game you play with a fine tooth comb and look for any bugs or glitches while you are playing. Obviously, there aren't going to be a significant amount of bugs/glitches due to the fact that the game has already been tested, fixed, & released. However, nobody is perfect and something was bound to be missed.

Will you find anything? Maybe, maybe not. The point is that you are looking, and in doing so you are testing the game as though you were being paid to. This type of mentality & practice will get you prepared for testing jobs. Not only that, but it will sharpen your awareness skills and allow you to spot bugs and glitches much more easily.

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If you are having trouble finding a way to practice, try using one of The Exercises Outlined in the "Beginner's Guide To Video Game Testing". Don't have a copy? Well, then grab a free one by entering your First Name and E-mail Address in the sidebar. -------------------->
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Should you practice 24 Hours a day, 7 Days a Week? Of course not. You should still take time out of your day to just play games and enjoy them with no strings attached. After all, if you just test & test & test, you might find yourself hating video games after awhile. With that being said, it's okay to test the games you play, but don't be afraid to take some time out and genuinely enjoy them.


Step 4: Make Contacts!
Networking is a vital part of any video game testers career. It's possible to be successful without a network of reliable contacts, but it's definitely not as easy. Therefore, you should try to get acquainted with as many people in the gaming industry as possible; testers, developers, programmers, graphics designers, artists, sound/audio specialists, and anyone else who is around games daily.

Your network of contacts can help your career drastically and allow you to land testing jobs a whole lot easier. Whether it be just putting in a good word for you or letting you know when new testing jobs have opened up, a network of contacts is something no game tester should be without.


Step 5: Never Give Up!
No matter what happens, don't give up on your dream of becoming a professional video game tester. You need to keep in mind that things will not always go your way. The job you were absolutely sure you'd get might go to someone else, and the check that you thought was going to be huge might not actually be so big.

There will be times when you have a lucky streak and get testing job after testing job. Then again, there will also be times when you hit a dry spell and get nothing-zippo-nadda for a couple of weeks. But still, no matter how big or small the speed bump happens to be, just do your best to get over it and keep on going.

Don't stress over not landing your first testing job either. The first one is always the hardest to bag. Some people get lucky and get one in their first week, others can go months before getting that first "You're Hired" notification. All in All, you just have to go with the flow and keep working on your video game tester career.


In conclusion, always remember that a professional video game tester has the blessing of having a genuinely fun job. Most people aren't excited about going to work and working a boring 9-5 shift. You, on the other hand, get to do what you love and get paid for it. So, have fun with your career and enjoy the video games you are testing. After all, it really doesn't get much better than being paid to play video games!

Become A Game Tester Now & Make $120 Per Hour. Click Here!

XBOX 360 Hardware Failure: RED RING OF DEATH- Preventing the Inevitable?

The "Red Ring Of Death" is not a topic that people talk about cheerfully. The XBOX 360 is a remarkable piece of gaming machinery, which makes the "Red Ring Of Death" even more saddening as it literally stops the XBOX 360 in it's tracks and causes it to stop functioning. But the thing is, if no one talks about this issue (cheerful or not), how can we prevent it? Or, the better question is, can it even be prevented?

Some would have you believe that the "Red Ring Of Death" is inevitable and that every current XBOX 360 owner will go through this nightmare. Why? Because the heat is so great that it slowly damages the system's delicate parts overtime, thereby making the console unplayable. Since it's not a question of if, but when, why should players even worry about it? Why not just cross that bridge when they get to it? Well, because there are other opinions out there. Some people feel that the "Red Ring Of Death" is actually preventable with the right precautions. They say that by taking the right measures, you can possibly avoid or, at the very least, prolong your X-BOX 360's life.

So, what are the precautions you can take to avoid seeing the "Red Ring Of Death"? As far as the experts can tell, proper ventilation and a much lower internal temperature will do the trick. Obviously, you can't alter the design of the XBOX 360 itself; so adding more air holes or another cooling unit (heat sink) is out of the question. However, you don't have to approach the problem internally, you can approach it externally.

Give the XBOX 360 a cooler and more open environment and you should be able to control it's aggressive heat increases. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the XBOX 360 is still going to run hot; but by taking the temperature down a few degrees and providing a more adequate supply of air, the system should run more smoothly and allow it to slowly leave the "danger zone". The big question, though, is "how can this be done?"

Honestly, it's really not that hard to do. All you need is some (stationary) house fans and an air conditioner. Keep the AC temperature cool and the fans pointed at the system when you are playing. 2 fans, one on either side of the XBOX 360, is ideal. Obviously, you don't want to be freezing your butt off while you're play; therefore, a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit should work just fine. However, if you can manage it, 65 degrees is even better and more effective. The fans should keep a nice air flow going through the system and the room temperature (which is cooled by the AC) should help bring down & maintain the 360's internal temperature. Also, be sure to keep your XBOX-360 as close to your AC vents as possible; and in winter move it away from the vents.


Suffering from the "Red Ring Of Death"? Then Click Here To Find Out What You Can Do to Fix the problem.

Repairing Your XBOX 360: Recovering From A Hardware Failure

If the "Red Ring of Death" has plagued your XBOX 360, then you are undoubtedly in a lot of emotional pain; especially if you don't happen to know how to resolve the situation. Well, you are in luck. Contrary to what you might think, you're 360 is not destined for the trash. As a matter of fact, the problem can now be fixed free of charge and with very little hassle.

In the past, the "Red Ring of Death" was covered only under the standard warranty. Once the warranty was up (one year manufacturer’s warranty), the person would have to pay for any repairs that were needed out of his/her own pocket. However, since the "Red Ring of Death" has befallen so many XBOX 360 owners, Microsoft has decided to revamp it's warranty conditions. The revamp applies only to hardware failures, which is known as the "Red Ring of Death".

In the event that your XBOX 360 console becomes victim to a hardware failure, which is indicated by 3 flashing red lights, you will be able to have your system repaired free of charge. Not only that, but if you had your XBOX360 repaired in the past due to the "Red Ring of Death", you will also be reimbursed for all of the repair fees.

Aside from the reimbursements and free console repairs, current and future XBOX 360 owners will be upgraded to a 3 year warranty instead of just a one year warranty. That means you will have quite a long time to enjoy your 360 without having to worry about renewing it's warranty or spending money on costly repairs. It really doesn't get any better than that.

Once you have received your XBOX 360, it is vital that you take care of it and place it in a more suitable surrounding in order to help prevent future hardware failures. Although Microsoft won't specify the exact cause of the "Red Ring of Death", most gamers & experts agree that it is because of overheating. Therefore, keep the area it's in well ventilated and cool. For more Information, Click Here (Link to this article: The Red Ring Of Death- Preventing the Inevitable)

If You Have Any Questions or Concerns about XBOX 360 Repairs, call 1-800-4-MY-XBOX.

XBOX 360 Warranty Update
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http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/resources/warrantyupdate.htm?WT.svl=nav

XBOX 360 Warranty FAQ
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http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/resources/warrantyfaq.htm

Hardware Failure- The Red Ring Of Death and What It means for Your X-BOX 360

If you're like most gamers out there, you can't stand to be away from your XBOX 360 system for too long. As a matter of fact, you probably count the minutes until you can return home, pop in your favorite game, and play for hours in front of your big screen TV. Sounds like heaven, right? Of course it does. Well, it is about to sound a whole lot worse. Why is that? Because of the "RED RING OF DEATH!"

If you don't know what that is, you should consider yourself fortunate up to this point, as you have not yet had to deal with this horrible situation. The "Red Ring Of Death" is basically a hardware malfunction that "breaks" your X-BOX 360; indicated by 3 flashing red lights. Breaks= No Longer working, Must be repaired by a profession. How serious is this problem? Well, it's so serious that it has affected thousands of xbox360 owners and continues to affect more each and every day.

"AM I GOING TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW XBOX 360!?!?" Luckily, no. Although every case is different, the problem is very fixable and the warranty will still cover the damages. On the other hand, if your warranty has run out, the repairs will not likely be free. You won't have to shell out $300-$400 mind you, but you may wind up paying around $100-150 to get your console fixed.

What causes the XBOX-360 malfunction? Overheating. The professionals at Microsoft won't give any specific data about the true cause of the "Red Ring", but most experts quickly agree that the console just runs too hot. This is mainly due to the design of the 360, as everything seems to be smashed together in that sleek white box. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but it is in this case because there just isn't a sufficient amount of air traveling through the innards of the console to keep it cool.

The appearance of the XBOX 360 is very sleek and very sexy, but was it worth the trade for long term functionality? We may actually find out soon enough. Generally speaking, things would have worked out much better if the design included more air holes in more effective places; like the front of the 360 for instance.

Aside from the fact that it is horribly inconvenient and may cost a bit of money, the "Red Ring Of Death" is really more of a nuisance than it is a crisis (for individuals). Sure, you won't get to play your XBOX 360 for awhile, but things could be much worse. Just be glad that the problem can be fixed and that you will be able to play again within a few weeks (usually less than one week). The bad news, though, lies with Microsoft as they are going to lose a bundle for this foul up.



Suffering from the "Red Ring Of Death"? Well Click Here To Find Out What You Can Do to Fix the problem.

What's So Great about Gamefly?

When you take into account all of the different factors that come with renting games from places like BlockBuster or Hollywood Video, you will realize that renting video games from home is so much more convenient. You don't have to deal with lines, moody clerks, shortages, or out standing late fees. Plus, you will never have to walk farther than your mailbox to get your rented games!

The Things That Make Gamefly Great:

* No late fees; you keep the games as long as you like.

* Offers four distinct rental plans, ranging from a very low $15.95 per month to a slightly higher $36.95 per month.

* Huge selection Of Video Games From All Consoles & Handhelds Systems. 5000+ Titles.

* Gamefly pays all shipping fees and they provide pre-paid envelopes for all game rentals & purchases.

* If you like the game you rented, keep it and pay only a fraction of the retail cost! (Example: A new $60 Game would be Marked Down to $44)

How Gamefly Rentals Work:

Traditional renting stores work by allowing you to pick out your games, pay the renting fee, and then bring the game(s) back 5 days later. After those 5 days, you bring the game(s) back and repeat the process. If you are a day late, you usually wind up paying for another 5 days, even if you don't plan on playing the game ever again.

On the other hand, Gamefly works completely different and gives the renter much more flexibility. Here's how it works:

1. You begin by choosing up to 50 games that you would like to rent. These games are then placed in your "Game Q", which is your personal game renting list.

2. When a Game becomes Available, Gamefly sends it out to you immediately, depending on your current subscription plan of course; 1, 2, 3, or 4 Games out at a time

3. When you are finished with a game, you'll put it into the provided pre-paid envelope and then ship it back to them. After it has been sent back, Gamefly then sends out the next available game in your Game Q. Due to Gamefly's speedily service known as "Fast Return", the next game in your list will usually ship out within 1 day.

Gamefly's Different Subscription Plans:

1. One game out- $15.95 per month.

2. Two games out- $22.95 per month.

3. Three games out- $29.95 per month.

4. Four games out- $36.95 per month.

GameFly Review: The Weigh-in
Among all the online rental services, Gamefly is definitely the king. It's not just the king because it is the most widely known or because of it's convenience. It's the king because of its enormous selection of game titles as well as its above average turnaround time.

Their Game Selection: Without a Doubt, Gamefly has the best video game selection of any renting retailer, offline or online. Aside from carrying games for all of the major Console Systems (XBOX 360, PS3, Wii, Xbox, PS2, Gamecube), they also carry games for all of the popular handheld devices as well. The moment a game releases, Gamefly carries it and ships it out to it's subscribers. It truly has the greatest video game section.

Their Turn-Around Time: If a online renting service doesn't have a decent turn-around time, they won't likely be around for long. With that being said, Gamefly has been around a very long time, which is, in no small part, due to it's excellent turn-around time. The argument of many is that online renting services are much more expensive than local renting stores. This is simply untrue. As a matter of fact, it is usually the exact opposite.

On average, it takes about 5 days to ship back and receive a new game from gamefly. Let's say you are on the 2-plan subscription; if you were to keep each game for 5 days before sending it back, you would end up renting about 6 games during the month and you would only pay $22.95. Compare that to a local retail store, which would probably charge you $40 or more for those same rentals, and you end up with a large amount of monthly savings.

Plus, if you rent a crappy game from a local store, you can't take it back and exchange it for another; you are stuck with it for those 5 days. On the flip side, if you happen to like the game and want to keep it longer, you would have to pay the rental fee again. With Gamefly, whether you want to return the game instantly or keep it for a full week, it is the same flat fee every month and you can rent as many games as you want.

The Final Analysis
If you're a true gamer at heart, then Gamefly is definitely something you should try out. Gamefly lets us try games before we buy them; which allows us to tinker with the "ok, but not great" games that we normally wouldn't take the time to toy with if we had to purchase or rent them at a higher price. The online system is so simple to use that you'll quickly find yourself becoming a more seasoned gamer just because of the fun you have while browsing through each consoles game selection.

Honestly, who wouldn't love to find small presents in their mailbox 5-6 times a month?

Sign-Up For Gameflys Free Trial And Start Renting Games From Home

Gamers should also keep in mind that Gamefly is an excellent place to get up-to-date video game information. If you visit the website, you will find Pics, Videos, Critic Reviews, User Reviews, Hints, Cheats, Walkthroughs, and so much more on all the latest titles. Gamely is a goldmine of video game information.

Start Getting Video Games Delivered Right To Your Door!

A Dream Come True: The XBOX 360 Price Drop

The XBOX 360 is a remarkable piece of gaming machinery that happens to come at a remarkable price of $399. $399 dollars for a video game system sounds a bit expensive, doesn't it? Well, lots of people still think so, which is exactly what is keeping them from enjoying the gaming power house that is an X-box 360. But that has now changed (hopefully) with the announcement of an XBOX 360 Price Drop.

In light of the Playstation 3 price, a whooping $499 (recently reduced from $599), the XBOX 360 does seem to be slightly more obtainable. However, that doesn't change the fact that it is still expensive and some people just can't afford it. Therefore, in an effort to make it more affordable and spread the XBOX 360 joy this holiday season, Microsoft has reduced 360 prices by $50. Here's the Break Down of the Price Reductions, which went into effect August 8th:


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Premium Package (20-gig hard drive, component video cables, and a wireless controller) went from $399 to $349. $50 Savings
The Elite (120-gig hard drive, black casing and HDMI output) went from $479 to $449. A slightly Smaller $30 savings.
The Core system (no hard drive, wired controller) went from $299 to $279. Smallest Savings of $20.
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This price drop was basically an answer to Sony's PS3 price drop, which lowered it's premium PS3 package from $599 to $499. Aside from that obvious motive, the 360 price drop also coincides with the release of "Madden NFL 2008", which starts the line up of the 2007 holiday season. This is no ordinary video game line up either. The XBOX 360 line up of '07 is, supposedly, going to be the best in video game history; and that's not a giant ego talking, that's the complete truth.

Don't believe it? Then take a moment and look up the games that are coming out in the next few months; from August on. See any 360 titles that you want to get your hands on? How many of them make your wallet ache; simply because you know you're going to buy them right when they come out? Well, if you didn't see at least 5 great xbox360 titles, then you are looking in the wrong place.


Here are just a Few of the Sure-Fire Hits Being Released In the Upcoming Months.
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BioShock- 8/20

Blue Dragon- 8/28

Stranglehold- 9/7

Halo 3- 9/25

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock- 10/23

Conan- 10/25

Jericho- 10/25

Blacksite: Area 51- 11/7

Call of Duty 4- 11/7

Assassin's Creed- 11/15

Army of Two- 11/15

Mass Effect- 11/30

And So Many More!!
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Did you see all the titles in that list? Now you should understand why Microsoft is confident with their price drop. The price drop alone is enough to get people interested in buying the XBOX 360. However, if you combine that with the best gaming line up in video game history, you'll have yourself one hell of a profit explosion. The people over at Microsoft clearly know what they're doing.

An Award Winning Line Up for the XBOX 360

As you know, the XBOX 360 and the PS3 are going head to head for the gaming gold. You could even say that the Wii has a strong foothold in the fight and could wind up passing both of them in the long run. But whatever your opinion might be, one fact remains: The XBOX 360 has got one hell of a line up for the remaining months of 2007.

Here are just a few of the awesome titles that are coming out or have already been released:


BioShock (Released in August)
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A FPS Shooter truly Like no other. BioShock breaks the mold and throws out the whole running & gunning FPS concept. Instead of following the crowd, the people at "Take Two" have brought gamers a story like no other, gameplay that will blow you away, action too intense for the wannabe gamer, and graphics that even give "Gears of War" a run for it's money. Just take a look at some of the critics ratings and see for yourself!


Mass Effect (Due To Release In November)
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This RPG is going to raise the bar for all future RPGs. Bioware, the creators of KOTOR (Knights of the Old Republic), are at it again. This time it is with Mass Effect, a sci-fi action RPG that combines real-time combat with classic RPG elements. If you are not a fan of RPGs or games that are filled with hours upon hours of extra gameplay, amazing action at every turn, choices that effect in-game events, and fantastic graphics, then this game might not be for you. This has “Game of the Year” written all over it.


Assassin's Creed (Due To Release In November)
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Gamers have been waiting for a true assassins game for a very long time, and now, they are going to get one. Instead of changing your clothes & identity, using pistols & machines guns, and hiding in dark corners, players will now walk freely in the streets and wield an arsenal of “concealed” medieval weapons. This is called "Crowd Stealth" and plays completely different than the standard "hide & seek" maneuvers. And in this case, different = A LOT BETTER! Not only that, but players will also be able to free roam on a massive scale and do things they never thought possible in a video game. If it weren't for the already outstanding fall/winter line up that the XBOX360 has, this game would be a shoo-in for game of the Year.


StrangleHold (Released in September)
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This is an Action Packed third person shooter that follows up on the movie "Hard Boiled", by John Woo. This game has you sliding over counter-tops, gliding around on rolling carts, jumping off walls, sliding down railings, leaping through rooms, and running up dinosaur exhibits, all while firing barrages of bullets at your enemies in an attempt to kill them all before they kill you. Everything (EVERYTHING!) is destructible and Ammo is in no short supply. Combine all that with Tequila Time (slo-mo) special moves and awesome graphics and you have one hell of a great action game for the XBOX 360.


Blue Dragon (Released in August)
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There are two sides to the RPG spectrum: serious RPG games and cartoon-y anime based ones. If Mass Effect is the serious RPG of 07, then Blue Dragon is definitely the anime one. But luckily, it's cartoon-y anime style does not subtract from it's fun. If anything, it actually adds that "x" factor to the game and makes it even more enjoyable.

Blue Dragon is truly a massive game (3 discs) that lets the player do whatever he/she wants. Unlike Mass Effect, this game is a classic RPG with the combat being turn based instead of real-time; and that is actually what gives Blue Dragon it's appeal. It's not hard to see that this is Microsoft's answer to Final Fantasy; so it's guaranteed to turn a few heads.

Create your own combat styles, make your own choices (which will effect the world around you), and take part in your very own adventure with "Blue Dragon", an Xbox-360 Exclusive.


Skate (Released in September)
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We've all heard of Tony Hawk and his skateboarding video games, as they have been appearing on our consoles for more then 7 years now. However, Skate is not even remotely similar to the Tony Hawk franchise. Instead of being a mindless button smashing, highest score whore, like the Tony Hawk franchise, "Skate" brings a new level of skill to the skateboarding game genre. Each move that is completed gives the player a sense of accomplishment and each move that is failed forces the player to consider what he did wrong; as opposed to how many times he did or did not hit a specific button.

You've undoubtedly seen good graphics & physics from skateboarding games before, but these will blow you away. "Skate" could very likely raise the bar for all future skateboarding games.

And of Course....The Champion of Champions....


Halo 3 (Released in September)
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If you're a gamer and you don't know what Halo is, well, then you're really not a gamer. Halo 3 needs no introductions, nor does it need any relentless fan boasting. Quite Honestly, the game can easily sell itself. The past 2 Halo games have been awesome hits and the third one is guaranteed to be an even bigger success. Why? Because it has more story, more weapons, more vehicles, more enemies, more features, more multiplayer matches, more explosions, more, more, more, more, more! Halo 3 Just Has More!


This year will definitely belong to the XBOX 360. Why? Simply because many of those game releases are 360 exclusives; which basically means that the PS3 has been left high and dry for the year of 2007. The past two years of XBOX-360 goodness have been nothing to complain about, but this is the year when the 360 rips the gaming world a new one and shows us all what it can really do!

XBOX 360- Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

Real-time strategy games are usually more suitable for personal computers, but that didn't stop Microsoft and other game developers from giving it a shot on the XBOX 360. "Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth II" proved that real-time strategy games can be just as fun on console systems as they are on the PC. Well, due to the overwhelming popularity of that game, another RTS game has been released for the 360 and it promises to be even better. That game is "Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars".

The story, as well as the way it is presented, behind C&C 3 is one of the reasons for its popularity. Just as in previous titles ("Command & Conquer" and the expansion-pack, "Tiberian Sun"), the GDI and Brotherhood of Nod will be fighting for supremacy over the planet. The big difference this time is an alien race, known as the Scrin, has joined the battle. It is not completely clear why they have arrived, but many suspect that it is due to the increase of tiberium infestation all around the world. So not only does the GDI have Nod to deal with, but they must defend against this new alien threat as well. Overall, the plot is excellent, and the addition of the new alien race just makes it even more intriguing.

One of the most unique features in this game is live-action video. Most RTS games will have cutscenes with computer generated characters rather than real actors. Those cutscenes are typically much more visually appealing than the actual in-game graphics. "Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars", like its predecessors, use real life actors to tell the story and relay your missions objectives. Michael Ironside (Starship Troopers; voice of Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), and Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars- Lando Calrissian) are just a few of the faces you will see in C&C 3. The experience is certainly different from what most gamers are used to, but that's not at all a bad thing.

Now on to what really matters, the combat. The combat in Command & Conquer 3 is extremely fast paced, as units can be created and deployed within seconds. Obviously, there will be some of the classic RTS features, such as collecting resources and upgrading through the tech tree, but constant action is really what this game is all about. It's not uncommon to be fully immersed in combat even if you are only 2-3 minutes into the mission. Most enemies, on most missions, will be extremely aggressive and they won't usually give you too much "rest" time. In order to stand a chance, you must constantly be churning out units to replace those that you have lost. It's important to remember that each unit has certain strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, if you concentrate on building a single unit type, you will likely be decimated by it's anti version.

Players have always had two different forces to control in C&C; the Global Defense Initiative, which relies on brute force and strength in numbers, and Nod, which is more tactical and strategic. During a campaign, a player would be just going up against the other side. With only one enemy type, you basically knew what you were up against and could effectively prepare defenses. But, since the Scrin have joined the war, missions will undoubtedly get a bit more dangerous as well as complicated. The Scrin are a great addition to the game because they are so unlike the other two forces, both in appearance and in management. All three "military" forces will have their share of strengths and weaknesses. All you have to do is enhance those strengths and exploit those weaknesses.

Although the fast action and even faster troop creation are key factors, players shouldn't ignore upgrades and the tech tree. During the first few minutes of a mission, things will be pretty simple. Your newly created units versus the enemy's. However, as time passes, the enemy will begin upgrading his units and developing his base. Hence, you should be doing the same. Part of the tech tree is the powers tab. Powers are obtained by building various structures throughout your base. Powers will come in handy during a large battle, as they can tip the scales in your favor tremendously. Climbing the tech tree and acquiring upgrades is not free though. Usually, it'll cost quite a lot of resources. The best thing to do is start slow and upgrade when you can spare the money. After all, a "fully upgraded" base with no units to defend it will quickly become a "completely destroyed" base.

When you have had enough of the campaigns and want to some "real" action, you can take your skills online and go up against some real competition. That's not to say the AI (during the campaigns) was dull and ineffective. It's just that actual players tend to act more randomly than a preprogrammed enemy; thereby making the action even more intense & exciting. There are numerous match types players can create or join in on; versus, capture the flag, and king of the hill are just a few of them. The game also makes use of the XBOX live vision camera during online matches. Players may talk to both their allies and their enemies whenever they want. A small box with the video feed (just like in the campaigns) will appear and the player will be able to see your off-screen actions. The only conceivable advantage is the ability to distract your enemy with the video feed, rush in all your units, and then deliver the killing blow. Other than that, it is just a pleasant and fun social feature.

Controls are crucial to a RTS game, especially one that is so involving as "Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars". The PC version is obviously much easier to use with the help of the keyboard and mouse. Unfortunately, the XBOX 360 does not have that advantage and the game controls must be compounded into the controller. But just like Battle for Middle-Earth II, the controls are easy to figure out and even less of a hassle to use. Most actions will be done with the A button, such as creating, selecting, moving, and attacking with the troops. The other actions you perform will usually be done with the triggers, bumpers, and the D-pad. Holding the right trigger will activate the sidebar; from there you can use the D-pad to select different powers, organize troops, create buildings, place buildings, etc. The biggest annoyance that players will notice relates to selecting and moving units. In general, the system works just fine. The problem is that the cursor tends to snap to any close units or buildings. Even though it seems to be a minor issue, you'd be surprised at how frustrating it can get; especially when things start getting chaotic. If it weren't for the easy to use controls, this game would have failed miserably. Luckily, the control scheme came out on top, which ultimately turned this game into a sure-fire hit.

Aside from the very original live-action videos, this game has a pretty strong graphics presentation. Each individual unit has a very creative and incredibly detailed design. Explosions and laser fire have very impressive effects, but that tends to get overshadowed when the screen gets overcrowded with units. For the most part, visuals are pretty smooth, having very few noticeable glitches. The frame rate will occasionally slow down when the screen gets cluttered with enemies, but thats not unheard of for a real-time strategy game.

"Command & Conquer" has always been a popular franchise for PC users. By extending its reach to the XBOX 360, it only stands to gain even more popularity. To put it bluntly, "Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars" is a great game, and you would be crazy not to pick up a copy and experience it's greatness for yourself.

XBOX 360- Spiderman 3

The web-slinging, villain catching, wall climbing, web-head is back and is better than ever. "Spiderman 3" has been a long awaited game and now that it has finally arrived, fans could not be more excited. With it being on a next-gen console, like the XBOX 360, the Spiderman experience is sure to be better than ever. Surprisingly, many critics and game magazines gave this game about a 6 or 7 out of 10. However, many gamers agree that this game is definitely worthy of an 8 or 9 because of some of the new features and the awesome amount of fun the series still contains.

As you probably already know, "Spiderman 3" the video game is based on the movie, but in no way is that a bad thing. Obviously, the game will not explain the entire story and there will be bits and pieces of information missing, but thats not uncommon for a movie based game. Just like in the movie, you'll be able to play as "Black Spidey", go up against Venom, Sandman, as well as the New green goblin. And, just like in "Spiderman 2", you will face numerous villains that have no connection with the movie, which adds to the game's appeal. The story can get confusing at times, as you might not know where you stand with the story's unfolding events. Truth be told, Spiderman games were never much for deep plots, just lots of action. It might help if you think of it this way; the story was left up to the movie, while the action has been left up to the game. So if you want to understand more of the plot while playing, go see the movie.

Missions are aplenty in "Spiderman 3", making it hard not to find something to do. Fortunately, story missions and sides missions are completely separate; which is great for someone who just wants to speed through the game and just complete the main story. Then again, if you do like completing side missions and building up your skills, theres nothing stopping you from doing so. The side missions are great for when you get bored with the plot and want to do something different. Of course, just swinging around the city and performing those insanely awesome acrobatics will alleviate the boredom too.

One of the best things about "Spiderman 3" has got to be the sandbox feature, which allows players to go anywhere and pretty much do anything. Swinging through the city is just as fun in previous games as it is in this one. New aerial moves have been added, which makes each jump exciting to do and even more fun to watch. The city is simply huge and has plenty of places for players to explore. Exploration has its bonuses too, which you will come across while playing. While swinging from one place to the next, you will often be alerted to criminal activity in the area. You can stop what you are doing and help resolve the situation or you can just go about your business; its up to you. Some of the random crimes you will undoubtedly recognize, while others are new additions to spice up the gameplay. Exploring the city, climbing buildings, stopping criminals, and having fun is what this game is all about. So be sure to take time some time to enjoy the game, rather than just "beating" it.

The combat system in "Spiderman 3" is almost identical to "Spiderman 2". It's familiar, but it doesn't really bring anything new to the table. Obviously, there will be different combos and web slinging skills, but for the most part it's still button-mashing mayhem. During big fights, you'll constantly be pounding on the punch and kick buttons to take out thugs with your semi-powerful combos. Thugs won't be much of a hassle one on one, but when there numbers start increasing, things can get a bit rough. Throwing in some of your web abilities helps out during the bigger fights; plus, they're all fun to use. Use your web to swing an enemy around your head and then release him violently into a building. Use a web blast for a powerful "ranged" punch that will send an enemy flying back into the air. Use webbing as a rope and quickly pull enemies to you, then send them flying with a powerful kick or punch. One of the coolest things to do in combat has got to be tying up a thug and then hanging him from a street lamp, all the while you continue to beat up his accomplices. There are many useful, not to mention powerful, combos you can pull off with your web abilities and hand-to-hand maneuvers, so don't be afraid to try out new button combinations.

The newest feature in combat is the new spider-sense system, which slows down time and allows the player to dodge most attacks and deal out crazy amounts of damage. It isn't that much of a help during small thug fights because thugs are already no match for your abilities. But during boss fights, it's not a luxury, it's a necessity. Many boss fights will force the player to activate spider sense if he/she wants to stand any type of chance. If spider-sense was less required and more "optional", it may have come off with a better feel. The whole aspect feels like it is forced upon the player. The combat system as a whole isn't anything revolutionary, but it isn't boring either. Once you get used to the new spider-sense and get down some of the basic attack combos, the game starts getting much more enjoyable.

One of the biggest boasts about this game is the ability to play as the black-costumed Spiderman. By the time you do finally get to use the alter ego, you will have "almost" completely forgotten about him. But when the time comes, it is pretty sweet none the less. You'll get an assortment of new moves and combat attacks that the red Spidey does not have access too. Not only that, but the black Spiderman has enhanced agility, strength, and endurance. The black Spidey is definitely fun to play as, but like always, all good things come to an end. Be sure to treasure playing him for as long as you can.

From a pure gamers perspective, judging on only the games mechanics, appearance, and combat system, it isn't hard to see why critics gave this game a 6 or 7 out of 10. Truth be told, it does have numerous faults that can't be ignored. The graphics as a whole, although decent, seem to lack in terms of next-gen capability. Most of the buildings are nicely detailed and look quite good; however, practically everything else looks somewhat lacking. Spiderman himself actually has great details and a good overall appearance, but everyone else looks kind of, for lack of a better word, crappy. Enemies will sometimes be knocked through walls, yet the walls don't break. They simply sail through the corner of a building as if it wasn't there. Enemies will also get routinely stuck behind invisible barriers that stop them from moving altogether. Those are just a few of the graphical flaws and glitches that players will cross paths with.

Another noticeable problem is the camera. Controlling the camera while you swing around the city should be an easy task, but generally speaking, it's not. You will often find yourself frustrated as you try to position the camera (while moving) so you can get a clear view of the environment and everyone in it. It will get extremely irritating during timed missions, as every single second counts. Ultimately, the camera will be the cause for quite a few "mission restarts". It may take some time to get over the "camera angle anger", but once you do, the game will be much better.

Those are some of the main problems found while playing, and in any other game those would be colossal issues which could not be overlooked. The thing is, players are willing to overlook all of the games faults as long as they get to play as Spiderman and websling from building to building in search of action & adventure. Because Spiderman games don't come along all that often, players tend to cut it a lot of slack when the game finally releases. As long as there is some action, some adventure, and some good Spiderman "mythology" thrown into the mix, players will flock to it like bees to honey.

Overall, "Spiderman 3", for the XBOX 360, is a pretty good game. Even with its obvious flaws, it still ends up being a fun gaming experience that everyone can enjoy. If you thought "Spiderman 2" was fun, wait until you get a hold of this one!

TMNT- XBOX 360 Game Review

Its not hard to figure out which XBOX 360 games took time and patience and which ones did not. One XBOX 360 title that had a lot of potential was "TMNT", which is of course "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". The amphibian brothers, that so many have loved for so long, have not had a video game appearance in quite some time, let alone a big-screen appearance. However, that has changed with the release of "TMNT". Unfortunately, there is some bad news. The game only seems to have been created because of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie, which is also titled "TMNT". Why is this unfortunate? Well, that's because "movie games" don't really give a good gaming experience. So does "TMNT" fit into that category? Honestly, it's a coin toss. There are some good aspects and some bad ones. You'll just have to see if the good outweighs the bad.

The storyline for "TMNT" seems to follow the movie pretty well. Bits and pieces are added here and there, but you'll see how it syncs together with the movie. If you're not familiar with the movies plot, heres the deal...

.....The turtles (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael) are beginning to drift apart after the defeat of Shredder, their long time nemesis. It isn't long before each of the turtles is out on his own, doing things solo. During this "family separation", strange events begin unfolded in the city, which ultimately reunites the 4 brothers. Max Winters, an immortal tech-industrialist, has awakened ancient monsters known as the "Stone Generals". With their help, and the help of a few others (namely the foot clan, which has come under new leadership), he seeks to conquer the world....

"TMNT" can be seen as a toned down version of "Prince of Persia". Instead of focusing on action and fighting (which is what the Ninja Turtles are all about), the game focuses mainly on platforming. There will be plenty of double jumping, wall running, ledge hanging, gap leaping, pole swinging, back flipping, and climbing. As a matter of fact, platforming makes up at least 2/3 of the game.

Each turtle has special talents that will be used during platforming. If you come across a large gap, use Michelangelo's nunchuku helicopter maneuver in order to hover across. Have to climb a wall to get past the area? No problem. Use Raphael and his sai to scale the wall within seconds. Most of the games levels are actually designed for you to use specific turtles, but you may switch between them whenever you feel like it. The platforming doesn't seem to be as intricate as "Prince of Persia"; yet, it's not always a walk in the park either. Sometimes it'll be just a simple jump, while other times it will be a string of different jumps and maneuvers that you will have to pull off simultaneously. Even with the obviously flaws (such as the camera angle), the platforming in "TMNT" is a lot of fun.

It would be great if the combat portion of the game measured up to the platforming, but sadly it doesn't. Combat seems to have taken a backseat to other aspects of the game, which definitely has hurt it's overall appeal. Each turtle has his own type of attacks and his very own unique combo: 4 turtles, 4 combos. Therefore, if you get get tired of using one combo over and over, switch to a different turtle and use him for awhile; otherwise, combat will get boring way too fast. Besides the combos & basic button smashing attacks, you will also be able to use "team moves". When you use these "tag-team moves", another turtle will enter the area and perform a devastating attack with your help, which will usually take out numerous enemies. The tag team special is definitely the highlight of fighting in TMNT.

The combat wouldn't be that bad if the enemies were a bit smarter or tougher. To dispatch enemies, all you have to do is keep hitting the attack button. Most enemies are stupid, as they will run right into your flurry of attacks without a second thought. There will be moments when the turtles shine and the fighting stops being so ridiculously repetitive, but those moments are few and far between. Luckily, due to the frequent platforming, you won't be bombarded with an insane amount of combat at any one time.

The graphics and visuals in "TMNT", for XBOX 360, seem to be on par with todays standards. If they weren't, this game would have been even more of a let down. Although each version is good in its own way, it's the XBOX 360 version that rains supreme yet again. It has better detail, more textures, a crisper image, and dramatically better lighting. The detail & look of the turtles is nearly identical to that of the movie, which is definitely a good thing. Overall, the details and animations are simply excellent, especially when you see the turtles performing their awesome acrobatics. The graphics department undoubtedly made a big save for "TMNT".

It's obvious that this game was not created for the sake of gamers and their consoles, which would have made things turn out for the better (for the game at least). Instead, it was mainly created as a cash cow for the new CG movie. This cash cow may not have failed miserably like other "movie games", but in the eyes of many, it didn't succeed either. Dropping $50 on "TMNT" is completely up to you and your expectations for this game. But either way, it is still worthy of a 5 day rental; even if its only for the sake of playing “The New Ninja Turtles Game"!