if you want the most realistic racing game experience than you’ve come to the right deal! With a $90 discount on this Logitech G27 racing wheel you’re now able to grab it at only $209.99! This isn’t just any racing wheel either as it sports real steel and leather controls that offer the best gaming experience. The wheel is 11-inches in diameter and wrapped in the aforementioned leather for precise gripping. It has a powerful dual-motor feedback system as well which supplies realistic feelings such as the loss of traction and the general feel of the road. It also has a 6-gear stick shifter which has some nifty and speedy shifting capabilities for a true racing experience. The Gas, break and clutch system are made of pure steel and give you that precision control you need to navigate like a pro. If you’re a big racing game fan than this is the wheel you need!

Save $90 on this racing wheel, bringing me the Net price to $209.99. 

Well that’s certainly a mouthful to say out loud, but the goal with this Headset offered for $88 off from Amazon is to provide you with an earfull! This limited edition Turtle Beach gaming headset is designed with your Call of Duty fandom in mind. It is designed around Modern Warfare 3 and is completely wireless while providing 7.1-Channel surround sound audio. It has a tough and militaristic body, while having presets for voice chat commands for MW3 as well as compatibility for both Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Dolby Digital surround sound mixed with these massive 50mm drivers give you bone shattering audio and explosions and of course plenty of clarity so you can hear all your team mates perfectly. If you want gear that is both powerful and stylish to your tastes than this limited edition deal is for you!

You can get this headset for $211.01, which is $88 off the retail price!  S&H is free

Now that we’ve hit 2012 we can expect to see some nice reduced prices on our favorite consoles. And that’s just what we found here with Best Buy’s take on the Xbox 360 with Kinect bundle which is only $349.99! This version of the xbox is the top model, including a large 250GB hard drive, the up-to-date slim black design and Kinect all included in the box. As most of you know the Kinect allows for full motion controls in pretty much all aspects including cameras and microphones. The Xbox 360 has a huge library of thousands of games, and these include the hit titles: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Gears of War 3, Portal 2 and much more with new ones coming out every day. Be sure to hit this deal up while it lasts!

This is the best deal we’ve seen for this bundle.  It’s $349.99, which is $50 off the retail price and includes Free S&H.  Tax applies in many states

The Razer Blade is the talk of the town among gamers. It’s got a similar look and feel to the MacBook Pro 17″ from Apple, plus the guts any game can love. But the recently updated MacBook Pros are no laughing matter; just put Windows on it and you have a formidable gaming machine, one that’s slick and offers some of the best battery life you can get on a laptop. So how do the two compare?

Design

Comparing any laptop to the MacBook has been trouble when discussing design. The aluminum unibody design, simple logo, light power brick…it’s simplicity at it’s finest. Razer takes a lot of those same elements and implements them into the Blade. It’s black instead of white, but otherwise could be mistaken for a MacBook closed except for the Razer logo. The Blade really is the darker, more devious brother to the MacBook Pro. In a strange twist of irony, the Blade is actually larger but thinner. Here are the dimensions of both:

MacBook Pro 17″ – 15.47″ x 10.51″ x 0.98″, 6.6lbs (2.99kg)
Razer Blade – 16.81″ x 10.9″ x 0.88″, 6.6lbs (3kg)

Based on size alone, the Blade is longer and taller, and has a bigger display, but is 0.1″ thinner and almost exactly the same weight.

Open both up and the main design difference is abundantly clear: the trackpad on the Blade is not below the keyboard. Instead, it’s based on the Razer Switchblade, a device with only LCD-backlit and completely adjustable buttons. On the Blade, users can pre-assign different functions to all ten buttons above the 3″ LCD display. That display also acts as the trackpad, so there is no chance of accidentally palming it with your other hand. And because it’s an LCD display, it can double as almost anything, from a secondary screen to watch YouTube videos to a number pad. Apple uses the extra space on the MacBook for speakers, which is nice. But for gaming, no laptop is going to be good enough.

It may seem like a tough call, because on the one hand people who like using their left hands to mouse just won’t like the Blade’s trackpad. It’ll be impossible to use. On the other hand, Razer matches the excellence in design from Apple and takes it a step further with something no one has ever done before.

Winner: Razer Blade

Ports

Ports may not seem so important, especially on a laptop, but if you’re buying a 17″ model for over $2500, you’re looking for a desktop replacement. Docks are a pain and expensive, so everything needs to be built directly into the machine.

The MacBook Pro features 3 USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire 800 port, Ethernet, audio in and out, and the new Thunderbolt port. The Blade has 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, an HDMI 1.4 port (which supports 3D, 4K resolutions, 7.1 surround out, etc.), and a single audio in/out combo port. Deciding which is better appears tough, but based on today’s technology landscape, it’s a fairly simple choice. There simply aren’t Thunderbolt devices, but USB 3.0 is the up and coming standard. Video out is also hugely important, and right now Apple owners have to buy a mini-DV adapter plugged into the Thunderbolt port.

Winner: Razer Blade

Parts (components)

Here’s a look at the spec sheet:

The two machines are very similar in components, which isn’t surprising considering the pricing on both. There are three notable differences: the GPU, battery capacity and price (we’ll get to the latter two in a bit). AMD’s 6770M is a great card, and can definitely handle any and all of your gaming needs (though  OS X can’t). However, the GT555M is, while not the top-of-the-line mobile GPU (that would be the GT 580M), it’s damn fast. However, it’s not so much about the GPU speed in this case, but the GPU RAM. The Blade’s GT 555M comes with 2GB, compared to the 6770M’s 1GB. That will make the biggest difference in gaming (and application) use. Then again, with 8GB of RAM, most users won’t actually notice that except in heavier games. Other applications won’t take advantage of it, for the most part.

Update: As many astute readers pointed out, there are two major differences between both machines that were not originally discussed. The first is the CPU. The MBP has a quad-core processor, while the Blade uses a Dual-core processor. Both are i7, though the MBP will perform better with applications that utilize more than two cores.

However, the vast majority of today’s applications, including high-end apps, do not utilize more than two cores. Most only use one core. Most people who use two cores are running multiple applications simultaneously. The question here, frankly, is whether faster performance is more important than more cores (more simultaneous processes).

For someone purchasing either computer for gaming, the Blade is the clear winner. Faster is better, and there are only a handful and a small one at that, that use even two cores. Most use just one. However, the L3 cache is the big differentiator, and the base MBP CPU has 6MB of L3 cache, compared to the upgraded 2.5GHz with 8MB. Ultimately, I’d need to test both machines out, but what is clear is that the upgraded CPU will have better overall performance (perhaps not with today’s games and applications, but definitely over time) than the Blade’s i7. The base model CPU, however, likely will not be as powerful.

The second is using 3rd party hardware. The fact is most of us don’t do that, and likely never will. There is certainly the option to upgrade the RAM or from a HDD to SSD, but once again those are expensive steps to take. They’re not Apple expensive, but it’ll cost you no matter what. The same options will be available with the Blade as well, so they weren’t even discussed.

Finally, price. For the most comparable machine, Apple fans need to put down $750 more and still get a slower processor and a lesser GPU. If the SSD is scratched on the MacBook and replaced with a 750GB 7200RPM hard disk, then it’s roughly the same price, but as we’ve found with today’s applications and operating systems there is a pretty stark difference in speed and quality between HDD and SSD. But, again, for a desktop replacement more space may be the more important thing.

Winner: Razer Blade

Battery Life

The MacBook Pro has a denser battery, one that promises to last for 7 hours per charge. Razer isn’t advertising battery life on the Blade because it isn’t that great, but at CES I was told 1.5-2 hours of heavy gaming per charge. We’ll have to wait and see how it performs for daily use, because lord knows getting a laptop like this doesn’t mean we’ll be playing games on it every second of use.

Winner: Apple MacBook Pro 17

Features

Based on the specs, Razer wins thanks to a few minor upgrades over what Apple currently offers, such as Bluetooth 3.0 (over 2.1), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (a/b/g/n can cripple networks for users if one person is connected through the “a”, so eliminating it altogether is better for everyone). Apple does include the DVD-R drive (does anyone use those anymore?) which for some gamers who don’t download all their games will be a major loss with the Blade. Then again, who buys a $2,800 gaming machine and uses discs? Apple also has a denser 1200p display, compared to Razer’s 1080p. Apple also has an option for glossy or antiglare displays, while Razer ships only with glossy screens.

The big feature, of course, is Switchblade. We’ll have to wait and see how good it is in actual use, but even if you don’t use it to it’s every capability the mouse all the way to the right may prove to be an excellent design choice, so long as you aren’t left handed.

Winner: Razer Blade

Price

Pricing is tough in this case. The MacBook Pro 17″ can be purchased anywhere from $2,500-$4,100, and there are a lot of options to change. A jump between 2.4 and 2.5GHz may not seem like much, but the L3 Cache is 2MB bigger, which is a big deal. 4GB to 8GB is a big deal. The dealbreaker is Apple’s ridiculously expensive SSD drives. The 128GB SSD is only $50 more than the 750GB 7200RPM HDD, but the 256GB SSD is $450 more expensive. Add on $1K for the 512GB. SSD pricing has always been crazy, but as always Apple raises the bar.

Then again, for a gaming machine with 8GB of RAM and at least 1GB of VRAM, an SSD will help, but not all that much. Unless gamers plan on playing while in a car (which is going to be hard on a 17″ laptop), a standard HDD would be fine. The problem is even sticking with the faster HDD keeps the MBP at $3,050. You may say, “at these prices what’s a couple hundred dollars”, except that in this case you are paying more for slower parts.

Normally we award the winner in price to the product with the most choice, but in this case the Blade is more affordable. Even though it comes in only one size, compared to the customization of the MBP, the Blade is simply more bang for your buck.

Winner: Razer Blade

Of course, if you’re looking for a gaming laptop, the Blade my not be your best bet. After all, the RAM and GPU, and even the SSD, are all fairly limited when compared to what you can get on larger machines like the Alienware M17x or Maingear’s Titan-17. On the M17x alone, for the same price I can double the RAM, get a much better GPU and a hybrid HDD/SSD, and a 3D display for 3D gaming.

However, today there is nothing that offers the build and design of a MacBook and makes it game-worthy. The Razer Blade offers to do just that, and for the gaming industry and hardcore gamers, that’s exciting. It means we don’t have to lug around giant heavy laptops to play, or be ashamed of how big and bulky they are. There is a bright future, and perhaps it’s in the Razer Blade. We’ll see when it comes out, in February.

Dell Small Biz has a new coupon you can apply to this Razer BlackWidow RZ0300390100R3U1 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard!

Here’s a new keyboard from Razer which can give you a new edge in your gaming endeavors. Well when you take away the hideous pun you’re still left with a very solid keyboard at an evil more solid discount. This board gets fired up with an innovative mechanical build for giving you the feel of a mouse click with each key you hit. Without getting into too much complicated jazz this board will feel and act very responsively to your slightest touch, and when you combine that with an impressive array of macro keys and on-the-fly recording you can definitely game like never before. As a bonus you can also turn it up to 1000Hz polling interval on the USB for blazing fast reaction times.

Use this coupon (80CWPFM0SP8R11) at checkout to save 20% on the price, cutting it $63.99.

3D monitors are still a rarity in the world of PC gaming, even though as of October 2011 over 500,000 pairs of Nvidia’s 3D Vision glasses have been sold, and with each at least one 3D display. Though the likes of Viewsonic, Acer, ASUS and Dell have all taken their go at it – some more successfully than others – this third wave of high-end 3D gaming monitors is looking very well. We’ll have a full review of ASUS’ latest display soon after CES, but at the show BenQ revealed not one, but two 3D-ready displays.

To say that they are two different monitors is almost a lie. The two are identical in all ways but one: the XL2420TX and XL2420T share all of the same specs but one: the TX model has 3D Vision built directly into the display. Both have the same 2ms grey-to-grey response time, the same 120Hz refresh rate, the same 24″ displays, the same specs entirely except for built-in Vision. If you’re confused, I was too, until I looked at the price: the TX model, with Vision, will retail for $500, while the non-Vision model currently retails for $400.

Now that may seem like a big difference for a display, but having tested and used Nvidia’s 3D Vision glasses for possibly longer than anyone outside of the company, I can state as a fact that using 3D Vision with an external IR reader to work with the glasses is a hassle. It’s far more convenient to have it built directly into the monitor for two reasons: first, the IR transmitter is near eye-level (and can be adjusted to point higher or lower), and second, because it doesn’t take up an extra USB port and contribute to your current table clutter.

Of course, anyone who already owns a 3D Vision set with the external IR transmitter can save some money for themselves and buy the display without the built in emitter. The only loss is convenience, though the BenQ representative told me that their current customers in Europe, who have had both displays available, requested a display without 3D Vision built in. And that both models have sold well.

Convenience is a surprisingly important factor, one I always say is perhaps the most important piece to the product puzzle, because it gets right into the users feelings on said product. They create an emotional attachment because hey, it feels like the phone or computer monitor was made with them in mind. The same holds true with the XL2420T models, both of which come with two (yes, everything comes in pairs) unique features available solely for the purpose of convenience. First is a glasses holder attached to the back of the display, as you can see in the image above.

Second is a mouse-like controller that magnetically attaches to the base of the display, on either side, and can be pre-programmed with three different display settings. Three numbered buttons can automatically change the display settings. It may seem silly, especially since the buttons on both XL2420T models are all touch sensitive, similar to the Dell Alienware OptX display, but even with very fluid controls and an intuitive and simply menu system having the ability to automatically change the display settings is huge. Most gaming displays today have a dedicated button to scroll through presets, which are generally defaults made by the manufacturer (and usually prior to someone actively calibrating the display altogether), but even that’s not as convenient as you can get. The button to do so is still attached to the display wherever the buttons are located. With the XL2420T, those preset buttons can be literally wherever you want. They can be magnetically attached to the base on the left or right side, or above your keyboard, by the mouse, or wherever the hell the cable will reach.

Simply put, it’s ingenious. I know for myself that I always change the presets on my display. I have a preset for standard computing (ie typing up articles like this), watching video, playing games, and for editing pictures. Being able to swap between even three of these presets at anytime with a simple extendable control that can at anytime be docked is…it solves a longtime problem that most people didn’t even know existed.

I’ll need some more face time with the XL2420T and XL2420TX to know how good they actually are and the video quality reproduction, but there was one impressive note I made during my hands-on. For 3D gameplay, the image doesn’t move. That means that if you weave and bob your head, in any way, the image won’t move with you. This typically happens on 3D displays (and most people see something similar occur when watching 3D movies), and it’s annoying. I walked around with my 3D glasses on and didn’t see any change, even at weird and extreme angles. I’ll need to test it more in the field, but thus far I haven’t found anywhere that the image moves with the glasses.

The XL2420T is currently available now in the US, for purchase directly from BenQ and some retailers, for $399. The XL2420TX will be available shortly in the US for $499, and is available for pre-order now from BenQ directly.

It may be one of the most important tablet computers shown at CES this year, not because of a unique build and design, but because it’s made to play full-fledged PC games. Project Fiona isn’t your everyday tablet; in fact, its about as far as you can get from an iPad or Android tablet. And that, along with some high-end and completely secret hardware, is the secret sauce that may make Fiona worth forgetting about any other tablet coming out this year.

After all, don’t you want to have a full-PC running in a tablet?

Razer, the gaming peripheral company that has recently grown to manufacturing a high-end gaming laptop (the Razer Blade), is working on a 11″ gaming tablet that functions just like any other tablet – full touchscreen, built-in battery, etc. – except that it currently has Windows 7 Touch Edition and will eventually ship with Windows 8. Besides for that it’s a gaming laptop sans keyboard, with built-in gamepad controllers on both sides of the tablet. The design is a little clunky now, but it’s not set in stone exactly how it will end up.

In speaking with Razer, I asked about possible designs where the controllers are separate and/or attachable, and it’s currently something that the company is researching. The tablet itself is pretty thick at a full inch and fairly heavy too. It runs an Intel i7 CPU, full-power (not the ultrabook low-powered models), so it can be anything from 2.4-3GHz, though likely dual core. It will also have a high-end GPU, though it’s unclear which model it will have, likely an Nvidia 600 model, but without knowing what Nvidia is planning in the future for their GPU line it’s impossible to tell.

However, the plan is to release the tablet with Windows 8 for under $1,000, thereby making it a perfect gaming tablet that can potentially replace gaming laptops. Ironically enough, it would in a sense compete with Razer’s Blade laptop.

I played Space Marine at 720p (the screen display was actually 1280×800, which is strange because it looks like a widescreen display (16:9), but has a standard PC 16:10 resolution. The game ran smoothly, but the control setup was a bit strange. Like joysticks on the Playstation Move Navigation Controller or Razer’s own Hydra controller. Holding the entire device is…well, it’s big. Razer reps assured me that the battery will last at least 1.5 hours, which means that more basic functions like email and web-browsing should last much longer, especially if Windows 8 has significantly better power management functions as expected.

The game quality was great, and though I’d love to know what the settings were, that info wasn’t shared. Once again neither were the specs. Project Fiona is expected to fully release, likely under a new name, in Q3 or Q4 this year. But it’s also all experimental, so we’ll have to wait and see. Because if suddenly people can play on the go, and it’s under $1,000, there will be a line around the block to pick one up.

Amazon is rocking a slick discount on this nice Turtle Beach Ear Force X12 Gaming Headset!

If you’re looking to give yourself that extra edge in the game than Amazon has you covered with these Turtle Beach Headphones! This headset combines cool style with epic sound performance for that crystal clear sound stage you need to hear people sneaking up on you from a distance. Connect with your Xbox 360 or even your PC and deliver information or commands to your squad or team with it’s clear and noise-isolated microphone. Don’t forget about the bass either, for when you want to feel every explosion around you and with Variable bass boost you have that control all around. In-line audio controls also makes volume and mic adjustment a snap and since we’re talking about quality it connects via USB and all sound is processed onboard. Don’t miss this slick sale!

Amazon slashes the price on this gaming headset from $59.95 to $39.99 and free S&H

I’ve been gaming nearly my entire life, though the PC has almost always taken a backseat to consoles. Still, with the advent of Steam and a lot of great games being released almost weekly, I could no longer ignore the computer I decked out with parts for gaming as an excuse to spend more for a high-end rig yet never gamed with. Now that I’m up to my neck in fantastic PC games to rival the best my consoles have to offer, I needed something a little extra to give me more control and really solidify a solid gaming experience.

Enter the Razer DeathAdder Gaming Mouse and Razer Vespula Dual-Sided Gaming Mouse Mat. Separate, each of them would have been a massive step up from the generic mouse I was using and the (don’t laugh) cutting board I had on my desk as a makeshift mouse pad. In tandem, the two work fantastically. After installing the drivers and getting access to a full profile of customizable settings including sensitivity, scrolling speed, DPI, and polling rate, I was good to go in probably ten minutes or less.

The DeathAdder features a lot of clever features that become apparent once the drivers are up and running, including the ability to program macros to any of the mouse’s five buttons, change between five profiles using a button located under the mouse, or even map a button to change the mouse’s sensitivity without backing out to the device’s settings – A fantastic idea for anyone running to a vantage point with a sidearm, setting up camp, and beginning a long-lived sniping mission. The mouse feels great in my hand, and Razer even makes a flipped model for lefties, moves smoothly across all surfaces, and is extremely responsive.

As for the Vespula mat, there isn’t a whole lot to say, but all of it is positive. Using a very traditional mouse pad material, the Vespula doesn’t slide around the desk at all. On top of the soft, floppy material, a hard plastic plate rests comfortably, wrapping around the built in wrist rest, giving a wide effective surface to move the mouse around. The plastic plate doesn’t bend or shift while using it, offering stability and an ideal space to move around on. With two sides, the plate can be flipped to the user’s liking. One side offers a slick surface ideal for quick, violent movements that need to be made in a split second, while the other offers a slightly larger amount of resistance for more controlled movements.

The difference, believe it or not, is noticeable almost immediately. Whether it’s flipping between the sides of the Vespula mat, changing mouse sensitivity on the fly, or the step up from standard mouse and odd kitchen equipment to professional-grade gaming peripherals, once you’re mid-game with the Razer in your hand, the transition is seamless. Everything you want to be doing with your mouse happens without snags, without having to pick up the mouse and continue moving in the same direction. Even on my dual-monitor display, I have all the space I need to navigate my full desktop smoothly. The change might be something you think of as being a massive upgrade, but the feeling of solid control is unmistakably there.

Editor’s Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Bottom Line: The Razer DeathAdder offers a simple yet effective entryway into getting your computer rigged for optimum gaming. The product itself has no real shortcomings whatsoever, the only potential turnoff is that if you are the kind of person with more macros than actual commands, the DeathAdder only features five mouse buttons like a standard gaming mouse. It does, however, have a profile changing button located on the bottom to help you switch out settings as you like through progammed settings. For the price, and for the features, the Razer DeathAdder, especially combined with the effective, large surface of the Razer Vespula are going to be ideal fits for all but the most specialized of gamers.

Pros:

• Smooth movement ensures no hiccups whether you’re charging headfirst into a battle or carefully sniping your opponents
• The dual surfaces of the Vespula mat provide slightly different textures, offering a preference on how the mouse moves and how your hand feels on the surface
• Completely adjustable sensitivity, even on-the-fly, means that you can adapt to any situation without having to tab out of your window to make changes

Cons:

• Not many mappable buttons can be a downside for gamers used to intensely customizable mice
• A decent amount of desk space needs to be dedicated to fit the Vespula down
• Some of the settings like polling rate require a reboot to take effect, not a massive downside, but something to consider when fine-tuning the mouse before gaming rather than during

The Razer DeathAdder Gaming Mouse is available from Amazon for $45.23. The Razer Vespula Dual-Sided Gaming Mouse Mat is available from Amazon for $27.93.

The Dingoo A320 Pocket Retro Game Emulator comes out of the box ready to play games from such classic systems as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and classic arcade games from companies like Capcom, from Final Fight all the way to Marvel Vs. Capcom. With a directional pad, six face buttons and two shoulder buttons, the A320 is ready to go for all of the original control schemes, sacrificing nothing in terms of feel. Many of the emulators run perfectly, with perfect graphics and sound, and extra features like the ability to save your progress anywhere, so you can put down a game of The Legend of Zelda or Final Fantasy as easily as you might Galaga.

There are some things that would propel the Dingoo A320 into must-have status, but would require some extra horsepower and no doubt drive up the cost. Being able to link up with another Dingoo via USB for 2-player gaming would be fantastic: as it is unless the game supports hot-seat multiplayer, you’re stuck playing alone. Volume controls are all handled internally for each piece of software. In some ways, it’s a nice adjustable touch, but the default tends to be either whisper quiet or screechingly loud. Having to pause the action just to hear what someone else is saying is a bit of a disappointment. A little more processing power would go a long way into making these emulations more authentic, but again, an increased price point would need to be considered.

Like emulation itself, the ultimate goal of the A320 Pocket Retro Game Emulator is to be as close as possible to the real thing while adding some modern day comforts such as, in this case, portability. When the A320 gets it right, it’s absolutely fantastic. Playing any NES game I tested it on worked exactly as I expected, sounded like I remembered, and I had no complaints. Trying some Super Nintendo games, I noticed a fluctuating, inaccurate running speed and some missing sound effects. I tried a non-proprietary emulator which was as easy as transferring the file to the A320 and running it, and the speed and sound were better, but there were graphics missing. I considered going so far as rooting the device and overclocking it to get it to run at 100%, and while it is a possibility, it certainly ups the difficulty factor of using the device.

But for the casual retro gamer, or even someone who just needs a jack-of-all-trades personal media player, the Dingoo A320 Pocket Retro Game Emulator does a whole heck of a lot more than you would think just buying the device to play old games. It’s not going to beat a smartphone out when it comes to playing music or watching videos, but the fact that it’s extremely compatible, easy to update, and that it can do these things for as much as it costs is enough to take into consideration. It’s an ambitious little device, one that can do an awful lot, just not as well as its more expensive, specialized competiton.

Editor’s Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars

Very Good

Bottom Line: If you’re just looking for something to play Super Mario Bros. or Tetris on that feels more organic than a smartphone, the Dingoo A320 is a fairly ideal gaming portable. But the shortcomings become apparent the more familiar you are with most of the systems the A320 can emulate. It makes up for a lot of this lost ground with its other features, functioning just fine as an MP3 player, video player, e-book reader, even FM radio. It has a fantastic battery life, but can freeze from time to time if it’s jiggled around in a pocket during a bike ride, something that led to me making sure I always had a paper clip in my wallet to activate its recessed reset button.

Pros:

• Instant functionality with a wide variety of consoles, file formats, and applications makes the Dingoo more than just an emulator out of the box
• Packed-in cables that allow the device to output through a TV were an extremely unexpected bonus, and a great extra feature
• Standardized d-pad and button placement should make controls feel right at home for anyone familiar with portable gaming

Cons:

• Has a tendency to freeze when jarred even slightly, making it a poor choice to listen to music during a workout, for example
• Some of the built-in consoles the A320 advertises in emulating do not run at the correct specifications, leading to slow down, inaccurate sound emulation, and more
• Cables to connect to TV are almost painfully short. Without an extension composite cable, you’ll be sitting so close to the screen your mother would yell at you if she knew

The Dingoo A320 Pocket Retro Game Emulator is available from ThinkGeek for $99.99.

For a limited time iTunes is offering this iGun Zombie Game for iPhone for FREE!

In the mood to shoot things? Than iTunes has you covered and for a limited time you can download the iGun Zombie game straight from their stores for free. iGun Zombie of course features the gameplay you would expect from reading off that title, so don’t worry about complicated storylines or dealing with cute and fuzzy animals. Just sit bad and shoot things, and in this very case things that should already be dead. The more zombies you splatter about the more opportunity you have for upgrading your armory of weapons thereby allowing more methods to splatter them about. Over 150 missions are available here and every gun is customizable to suit your style. It’s free for now and the developers are promising an update very soon so grab it while it’s still available!

Nothing beats free!

iTunes is offering free access to the game Duel: Blade & Magic Pro for iPhone!

From iTunes you can now grab a free copy of this very popular Role-Playing-Game for iPhone called Duel: Blades & Magic. As the name implies this game is all about battling with monsters and even your friends. It has over 10,000 concurrent users making it one of the most popular RPGs available on this platform. You can choose between being a traditional warrior or also a spellcaster (ie. Witch) and learn many different skills which will help you in your quest to trounce the enemy forces and advance through quests. There’s also a variety of pets which will help you along the way (30 to be exact) and since this utilizes the features of IOS4 you will be treated with some great visuals and fluid animations which definitely aid in this game’s reputation.

This app usually retails for $9, but you can get it for free for a limited time.

iTunes is offering its users this C.H.A.O.S. HD Game for iPhone for FREE!

If you’re looking for an action-packed gaming experience on the go then check out this C.H.A.O.S. App for FREE from iTunes! That’s right for a limited time you can grab this nea and updated game designed to take full advantage of the guts of your iPhone 4S or iPad 2. In this game you can pilot some of those most hardcore helicopters in the world as you fight and destroy enemies of terror. Enjoy awesome upgrades and plenty of ways to rank up and adjust your bullet and rocket spewing chopper to ravage all enemies that come in your path. In C.H.A.O.S. it’s all up to you to save the entire world so it’s about time to get to the choppah!

For a limited time you can download this App for free off iTunes!

Now when you grab an Xbox Kinect 4G console from the microsoft store you also get $75 off your next purchase!

For a limited time you can get an extra benefit from purchasing a new Xbox 360 Kinect system for the holidays. Now at a super low price but now you can get $75 off your next purchase, making this console effectively only $125! As you all know by now the Xbox 360 is Microsoft’s big hit gaming console which gives you access to thousands of great titles including the likes of Call of Duty, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Battlefield 3 and many many more. As mentioned this model includes the Kinect which gives you the ability to jump into the game with full body tracking and feel the burn throughout many stages of play. The kit also comes with 4GBs of internal memory which can be upgraded if you choose in the future. A perfect gift opportunity!

You can get this Xbox 360 for $199.99 with a $75 credit go towards future purchases.  S&H is free

You may have heard. Gaming is one of today’s most expensive hobbies. Games for major platforms like the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 cost $60 each, while Wii and PC games are generally $50 a pop. Mobile games are cheaper, but for big, cinematic experiences, players need to be sitting at their couch or at their computer, facing down hordes of demons, zombies or whatever else comes their way.

So what games can you get for your significant other, for your kids or parents, or for friends? We’ve got a great list of titles you should pick up, but just make sure they don’t already have it!

Xbox 360 Exclusive Games

Gears of War 3

It promised to be one of the biggest action titles of the year, and developer Epic Games pulled through on that promise. Gears of War 3 is an amicable conclusion to the Xbox 360 sci-fi saga, one that includes a fun, sordid campaign and several excellent multiplayer modes that continue to excite even months later. You don’t want to pass on this.

Forza Motorsport 4

Forza Motorsport 3 was huge, with over 400 cars and a disc just to install a ton of content. Forza 4 does all of that and more, with better photorealistic graphics, more cars and tracks, Kinect functionality, and the same great racing. If there’s a racing game to get this holiday, it’s Forza 4.

Dance Central 2

The original Dance Central was revolutionary; it took the dancing games we all wanted to enjoy on the Wii and made dancing in front of a TV fun. Whether it’s to work out, to learn some dance moves, or to make a fool of yourself at a party, Dance Central 2 ups the ante with two-players dancing side-by-side and a slew of new songs to get jiggy with. I wouldn’t call it kid-friendly; most of the tracks are fairly explicit (no bad words, but there is plenty of questionable content), though you’re likely to hear them on the radio nonetheless. Games like Dance Central are the reason to own a Kinect.

Halo: Anniversary

The game that brought the Xbox into the limelight returns, completely revamped with new HD graphics, online coop, and new game modes available in last year’s Halo: Reach. It may not look quite right to play the old classic with such updated graphics (I myself just love the old-school blocky textures), and the game isn’t an exact duplicate. Grizzled ancients will have new secrets to hunt and unlock while younger gamers who missed the original can give the game that started it all a serious go. For $40 it’s a great buy, even if you own the original Halo: Combat Evolved like I do because of the improved resolution and the chance to play it over Xbox Live.

Playstation 3 Exclusive Games

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

If there’s one definitive franchise for the Playstation 3, it’s Uncharted. The first title, Drake’s Fortune, was great, but had a lot of room to grow. The second, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, quickly became a fan favorite, and the third, Drake’s Deception, is a stunning cinematic experience. A stunning single-player campaign, a fabulously fun cooperative play mode and a different yet still bombastic multiplayer make Drake’s Deception a must-buy, for the few who don’t have it already. Because if you don’t, you are surely missing out. It’s one of the few games where you can actually enjoy watching someone else play, and never picking up a controller yourself.

Infamous 2

There are few games that inspire the feeling of “I wish I could do that in real life” more than Infamous 2, at least for me every time I see a power line. While the original was a strong game, Infamous 2 picks action up a notch and gives players not only several different massive cities to explore, but the ability to take on player-created missions, and even make their own. That, along with some very fun DLC, makes Infamous 2 a must-have.

The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection

Both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are incredible games, both ahead of their time and timeless. I sadly missed both when they released back for the PS2, but caught up and am so glad I did. Both of these games are just incredible, the kind that make you gape in wonder, that make you constantly feel astounded. Your kids may hate you because both games feel slow, with limited action going on at any given point of time, but few games ever manage to reach the level of sophistication and artistry these two do. Bundling them together with improved graphics is just a side bonus.

Great Multi-Console Games

Batman: Arkham City

The return of the Dark Knight this decade has just been astounding. First two (and soon a third) film, then an amazing game, and now a kickass sequel. Batman: Arkham City is not just a romp around a fine prison; it’s a full-scale town to silently stalk through. Arkham City is a definite best-buy for any player, not only because the game is just so fun, but because many gamers missed it in the flood of holiday games. Don’t let this one pass you by.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

It’s big. Everyone wants it. It’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. In fact, if you don’t already have it, the only question is why not? We loved it, all your friends are playing it, and unless you’re stuck in Skyrim (see below), there’s no reason Modern Warfare 3 shouldn’t be in your game collection.

Rage

As good and bad as some games are, few are as jam-packed with excellent content and top-of-the-line features as Rage. It’s got a lot of holes to plug, and a lot of minor gripes that will annoy. But I guarantee that it‘s not only an excellent first person shooter, but that it really pushes the bounds of what it means to be a shooter. Rage may not be the greatest game to come out this year, but it will certainly open your eyes to the possibilities of future games, and be exciting the whole while. Just don’t forget to save often.

Portal 2

The best puzzle game this year, period. It’s bigger, smarter, and has a deeper story than the original, plus room for two players with double the portal action. Coop alone makes Portal 2 a great buy. Free future updates only guarantee that you’ll want to keep it.

Battlefield 3

Modern Warfare 3 may own the multiplayer Rambo-style of gaming, but Battlefield 3 is for the team-players, the ones who will grab their friends for an hour-long bout against an equally intelligent group for serious, vehicle-filled combat. Battlefield is for console strategists. Feel free to run and gun, but unless that’s your specialty, your team can definitely use another great member of the crew. Be it.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

As a sleeper hit, Human Revolution isn’t quite the game that the original Deus Ex was, but that doesn’t take away from the game any. It pits players in the same neo-techno future, with body augmentations, incredible combat maneuvers, and multiple ways to play the game, including stealth, engineering, and soldier. It’s one game that’s easy to miss, but don’t. There is so much to do in the big city, it’s like a miniature RPG.

Rayman: Origins

Rayman: Origins is one of those really great games that everyone in the family can enjoy. The simple platforming is complex enough to remain entertaining for hours on end, yet with instant cooperative play with up to four players on a home console, it’s always a fun time with everyone racing and slapping each other all the way to the finish. If there’s one way to spend the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Christmas, or any family time together when you’re snowed/rained in, Rayman: Origins is it.

Dark Souls

Beware: this is for masochists only! Dark Souls, the sequel to Demons Souls, is an RPG with a difficulty curve that will either make you break your controller in frustration or feel right at home with the sheer insanity of this unforgiving game. If that sounds like the perfect gift for someone, either because they’d love it or end up breaking their game console in frustration, then this is a must-buy.

Saint’s Row: The Third

Saint’s Row: The Third is not what you’d expect from a massive sandbox game in the vein of Grand Theft Auto. It’s goofy, over the top in every way, and rombunctiously fun. So much so that I had to make up a word to describe it, because this game is insane in just about every way. That’s not to say you won’t love it…just keep it out of reach from the kids.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations

Assassin’s Creed is one of the few game franchises where every game may feel oh-so-similar to the last, but even then the games are still so damn fun it’s impossible to put down. All of the Assassin’s Creed titles have just been incredible, even though Shawn and I may disagree on just how good. But there’s one thing we both agree on: these games are a blast to play. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations doesn’t quite take the franchise to the next level, still following Ezio Auditore from Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, but it further unfolds the tale, both past and present, of the everlong struggle between the Assassin’s and Knights Templar. A blockbuster hit you won’t want to miss.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim is the one game you’ve probably seen not only a handful of ads in larger cities, but new internet meme’s popping up daily about. In fact, you don’t have to go far to learn what Skyrim is, which is one of the biggest, most incredible RPGs to come out this year. Our own Shawn Kline loved it. A definite must have, but be warned: you probably won’t be seeing much of whomever you give it to. That may make it a great, or terrible, gift idea.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection

There are few games that stand the test of time. Metal Gear Solid isn’t just one game, but an entire series that does exactly that. That’s why the game’s creator Hideo Kojima keeps making new ones even after consistently saying he’s done. That’s why years later people talk about the incredible experience they had in Snake Eater, or how they once ate Alligator meat in the game. Sure, it’s zany and over the top, but putting the Metal Gear Solid 2, 3, and Peace Walker in one bundle, in  HD, is just another reason to play it, or to buy it for the new generation that didn’t grow up with METAL GEEEEEEAR!

Amazon is offering some huge savings a copy of Borderlands for the PC!

If you’ve been missing out on this title in the past now’s your chance to get it real cheap! Borderlands is a hit first person shooter coop experience from Gearbox Interactive which develops itself into a combination of many different genres. You have a full FPS lineup of weapons and other implements of death and destruction but the experience and looting system normally found in RPGS or MMOs. You can play with up to 4 players online, whether it be friends or new team mates in up to 4 different and unique classes of character which all specialize in different gameplay tactics. The game world is expanse and diverse, and you are able to seek out and find literally hundreds of different weapons. At this price it’s definitely worth a look!

This game sells for $5.99.  Add $19 to your cart for free shipping, otherwise expect to pay about $5-6.

With plenty of sales over the last week it’s very clear how just about anyone could take advantage of the savings. Everything from Cameras to video game peripherals and Bluetooth Headsets have been graced with low prices, some of which the lowest we’ve ever seen. Here’s some of the best that are still around:

10. Nikon Coolpix S9100 12MP Digital Camera – $230

This dynamo of a camera was released earlier this year at a fair price of $350, but now thanks to some clever savings from Abe’s of Maine you can get this Nikon Coolpix S9100 for much cheaper. Just use the coupon code LOYALTY10 to bring the price down to this level and you can start snapping high quality 12MP photos with ease and get the perfect close-ups with its intense 18x Optical Zoom capabilities. Can’t go wrong here.

9. Bose Bluetooth Headset – $88

You remember eBays offering on this one? Yep it’s still around, and you can still grab this Bluetooth Headset from Bose at the lowest price on the net. This one is designed to be your swiss army knife for calls on the go, mainly in part to its noise cancellation technology on both ends to keep voices crystal clear even in very loud circumstances. The earphone portion is based on the powerful Triport technology Bose employs in their portable headphones, so sound quality is a definite plus here. This definitely won’t last much longer so grab it while its still alive.

8. TomTom VIA 1505T 5.0-Inch GPS – $120

Crutchfield still has some special savings you can grab on this brand new TomTom Via 1505T. It’s not very often we see discounts on the 5.0-Inch models, but this one pulls all the stops and supplies you with perfect voiced navigation and free lifetime traffic support to avoid the jams before you arrive at them. 3A825 is the coupon code you need to type in at the credit page to get this price, and it’s definitely worth it.

7. HP Photosmart All-in-One Printer w/ 1 Year of Ink – $119

Believe it or not you can still save on this HP Photosmart Printer. Just use coupon code SAVE30HP to cut down the price and experience the thrill of full color photo prints with ease. This one can also copy and scan at a high DPI for picture perfect quality and print at up to 33 pages per minute for blazing fast prints altogether. For a limited time you can also get a years supply of ink for free with your order, and when it comes to saving you money there is no better way than that.

6. Sony Blu-Ray Remote for Playstation 3 – $13

Best Buy has gone and lowered the price on this Remote for the PS3 to the lowest we’ve seen! It’s quite a simple peripheral but definitely necessary for taking advantage of one of the most popular features of the PS3; full support for Blu-Ray discs and movies. This remote has all the buttons and controls you need for a full home theater movie experience but manages to tag on Bluetooth connectivity for plenty of range and easy control no matter what direction you face. Tax and shipping may apply to this one, or you can save more and pick it up in a Best Buy near you.

5. Samsung PN43D490 43-Inch Plasma TV w/ Free 19-Inch TV – $550

If you were looking for a great sized TV for a great home theater experience then this combo is for you. Still alive and kicking you can grab this 43-Inch Samsung Plasma TV and receive a free 19-Inch Samsung to go along with it. This one has a 720p HD resolution which may not be the best around but it also sports 3D support and a 600Hz SubField drive to smooth out the picture like never before. It also includes 3 HDMI 1.4 inputs for HD/3D connectivity all around.

4. Samsung Stratosphere 4G For Verizon – FREE

We like things that are free, and when you grab a contract with this brand new Samsung Stratosphere 4G you get just that. This powerful smartphone comes with Android and a 1Ghz Hypertasking processor. It includes a large 4.0-Inch AMOLED display for HD viewing all around and a full QWERTY keyboard which slides out for underneath and makes typing quickly a breeze. You can also share its 4G connection with mobile hotspot over 8 other devices so nothing has to go without.

3. Asus U36SD-A1 13.3-Inch Netbook – $709

After a small shipping fee of $9 you still manage to save $300 on this powerful Asus U36SD Notebook. Not only does it come with a compact 13.3-Inch High Definition display but also a powerful Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3Ghz processor paired up with 4GBs of DDR3 RAM. Graphics are provided from NVIDIA’s 520M discrete solution for easy viewing of HD videos and gaming on the go. Top that off with a 640GB hard drive, gigabit Ethernet with Wireless N and Bluetooth and a massive 9 hours of battery life and you have yourself the perfect notebook to take anywhere.

2. NOOK – The Simple Touch Reader – $79

Unbelievably, you can still save big via eBay on this refurbished NOOK Touch Reader. This popular solution for eBook reading provides you with everything you need to take all your favorite novels and stories with you anywhere. It includes a 6.0-Inch E-Ink display which won’t hurt your eyes during extended reading sessions. It also runs on the Android Operating System and therefore provides the ability to fully browse the Web on the go. 2GBs of memory is included with SD support for even more. Thousands of books are at your fingertips at a price you can afford.

1. Battlefield 3 – Limited Edition Pre-Order

Battlefield 3 is out tomorrow, so you still have the ability to take advantage of these pre-order savings! Amazon has you covered on all platforms here, giving you a bonus offer of Dog Tags and the Back to Karkland expansion pack free with any version. The PC downloadable version is discounted to $49 but the console versions for PS3 and Xbox 360 maintain the traditional price but offer $20 in Amazon Credit to go along with it and that can be spent anywhere on the site. The latest and greatest installment to the series will shortly be here, so grab these extras while you can!

Amazon is offering the best savings so far with this Battlefield 3 Limited Edition with $20 Amazon Credit!

Thanks to this new offer Amazon officially has every platform covered in some way to benefit your Pre-Order of Battlefield 3 even more! When you set up your order for this intense multiplayer action game now you will not only receive the Back to Karkland Expansion pack free of charge but you will also receive limited edition Dog Tags and $20 free credit which can be used anywhere on Amazon. As most of you know already Battlefield 3 is this years’ highly anticipated First Person Shooter which gives you the air of open combat and the ability to not only jump into tanks and jeeps but to even pilot helicopters and Jets as you dominate the Battlefield. The release date is coming very soon, and these offers will only last until then so don’t miss out!

This is a special preorder that won’t last – the game comes out soon.  It costs $59.95, but Amazon will give you a $20 credit o spend on anything on their website.  You’ll also score the Dog Tag Pack as well as the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack for free.

Amazon is offering a special discount on a Pre-Order of the Limited Edition version of Battlefield 3 on PC!

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to jump into the mayhem of battle then here it is! Set for release just a few days from now on the 25th Battlefield 3 will explode onto PCs everywhere offering up the latest and greatest graphics that DICE has to offer. The newest rendition of this classic title goes back to its roots and applies all the things we’ve always loved in multiplayer FPS past including massive 64-Player battles and a plethora of vehicles to operate including jets and helicopters. Now you can save some extra cash on this one, get your hands on some exclusive content and even net the Back to Karkland expansion pack for free upon this pre-order!

Almost $10 off the retail price makes this game just $49.98.  It includes free shipping and exclusive Dog Tag Pack for multiplayer use as well as the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack for free, but only if you preorder it.

Amazon is offering a bonus $10 Credit to your purchase of Batman Arkham City for Xbox 360!

It’s finally here! The sequel to the hit Batman Arkham Asylum is here and that’s Arkham City! Now you can once again become the Dark Knight and face a genuinely authentic Batman experience as you struggle against the twisted super villain encounters and deal with glimpses of Batman’s own twisted past. In this title you are also able to play as Catwoman who has her own story arc interwoven seamlessly with the story which expands past its predecessor. There are new gadgets available this time, along with some new fighting techniques to defeat many villains from Batman’s past including Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Joker, The Riddler and many more. When you order now you will also receive $10 in bonus credit applicable to any other items on Amazon including more games!

Get a $10 credit good towards Amazon products when you preorder this game which ships tomorrow, October 18th!  S&H is included in the $59.99 price