Christmas is only days away, so if you have any last minute gifts to grab, you better do it ASAP! For those that have Star Wars fans on their gift list, we’ve compiled some of the geekiest gifts for those that can’t get enough the sci-fi saga. From small stocking stuffers to LEGO Star Wars sets for diehard collectors, we’ve got something for Star Wars fans of all ages!

25. Star Wars Wampa Rug

Fight your own Wampa just like how Luke Skywalker did (in the mountain caves of Hoth) with this unique Wampa Rug. Great for any bachelor pad or collector’s room!

24. Han Solo Star Wars Bobblehead

A true Star Wars fan will appreciate any gift relating to the sci-fi saga and this Han Solo Star Wars Bobblehead would make for a great stocking stuffer!

23. Star Wars Han Solo Carbonite Chocolate

Give any Star Wars fanatic (or sweets lover) a rich and chocolate Han Solo Carbonite Chocolate mold. The officially licensed Star Wars edible delight is a great stocking stuffer or zany gift to give this holiday season.

22. Star Wars In Your Pocket Talking Keychain

Because being a Star Wars fan means taking the force everywhere you go, this Star Wars In Your Pocket Talking Keychain is a must for any diehard fan! With six classic Star Wars sound bites from an array of characters, fans of all ages will appreciate such an awesome stocking stuffer come Christmas day!

21. Star Wars Vader’s Dark Side Roast Coffee

There’s nothing like waking up in the morning and having a great cup of Joe that’s (unofficially) endorsed by Darth Vader. A pack of Star Wars Vader’s Dark Side Roast Coffee will brighten any caffeine junky who is in tune with the force’s day.

20. Star Wars Cookbook

Learn to cook Star Wars style with this cookbook of 25 recipes inspired by the Star Wars movies…great for that Star Wars chef you know!

19. Star Wars Limited Edition Moleskins Notebooks

The world’s best notebooks have met the force! Each Star Wars Limited Edition Moleskins Notebooks comes with a mini poster reproduction of the OG movie poster, making this gift a two-for-oner!

18. Kotobukiya Star Wars: Darth Vader “Final Battle” ArtFX Statue

Based on the finale of Return of the Jedi, this Kotobukiya Star Wars: Darth Vader “Final Battle” ArtFX Statue recreates Vader’s armor, costume and lightsaber to the “T!” It also features multiple light up parts like LEDs in his chest, waist and lightsaber!

17. Fathead Death Star Wall Cling

Not sure what to give that Star Wars collector in your life? Well fret no more by gifting them with this super big Fathead Death Star Wall Cling that they can place anywhere they’d like.

16. Star Wars Lightsaber Pen

Even thought it’s just a set of pens, the fact that they’re Star Wars Lightsaber Pens will make them a keepsake they will hold on to for as long there’s ink! The pens are available in green, blue and red and come in a collector’s box.

15. Custom R2-D2 Xbox 360 by Major League Mods

What Star Wars gamer wouldn’t love a custom R2-D2 Xbox 360 by Major League Mods?! This baby will be an ultimate gift for any diehard gamer!

14. Star Wars Mimobot Thumb Drives

Any Star Wars fan will rejoice unwrapping the cutest storage devices in the galaxy with these Mimobot Thumb Drives that feature various character favorites from the movies. The 4GB thumb drives are compatible with any OS and you can choose from a variety of characters like Darth Vader, Yoda, Boba Fett and more!

13. Star Wars Rebel Pilot Headphones

Designed to look like real Rebel Pilot headgear, these Rebel Pilot Headphones feature the exact colors and insignias from those in the movie. The lightweight headphones are compatible with most MP3 players, iPods, and portable and console games with their standard 3.5mm audio jack.

12 LEGO Star Wars Motorized Walking AT-AT

The All-terrain Armored Transport from the Star Wars movies can now walk back and forth into battle thanks to a new Power Functions Systems, making it the perfect gift for collectors!

11. LEGO Star Wars Mini Alarm Clock

The digital clocks with posable arms and legs will be truly appreciated when opened on Christmas morning for any enthusiast. The adorable LEGO Star Wars Mini Alarm Clocks come in Darth Vader, Boba Fett and a Stormtrooper.

10. Darth Vader USB Hub

The 4-port Darth Vader USB bust will help connect your gadgets to the Dark Side and make a wonderful gift for that Star Wars geek in your life.

9. Darth Vader Bread Imprinting Toaster

Make Star Wars part of your breakfast with the Darth Vader Bread Imprinting Toaster! Features include adjustable toast temperature setting, standard two slot pop-up action and a Darth Vader impression on your toast!

8. Custom AT-AT Walker Bag

The chick messenger AT-AT Walker Bag would be a great gift for that Star Wars fan who is in desperate need to carry around their computer in something as cool as this bag.

7. Star Wars Surround System Mod with Death Star Subwoofer by Major League Mods

Another from the creative minds at Major League Mods for the ultimate Star Wars fan who wants to have the coolest audio equipment in the galaxy comes their Star Wars Surround System Mod with Death Star Subwoofer. The custom set’s coolest part has to be the Death Star subwoofer. The pair of Tie-fighters each has mid-range and dome tweeters and the Darth Vader iPod holder is a must!

6. Star Wars Wii Darth Vader Sensor Bar Holder

Trying to place that Wii sensor bar can by tricky, but for a Star Wars fan it’s easy with this Star Wars Wii Darth Vader Sensor Bar Holder. Darth Vader’s lightsaber gently holds up the sensor bar while maintaining its full range.

5. Star Wars Force FX Lightsabers

No Star Wars fan should go without their own lightsaber and these authentic ones that are licensed by LucasFilm will do mighty fine!

4. Star Wars Science Death Star Planetarium

The table top Death Star Planetarium opens up to become a planetary projector that displays the cosmos on the ceiling, with many viewing options that include Earth’s own night sky or the many world that make up the Star Wars galaxy.

3. LEGO Star Wars Millennium Flacon

This LEGO set is a must have for any collector and is based on the Death Star escape scene of Episode IV: A New Hope.

2. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Platinum Edition for PlayStation 3

Every Star Wars gamer should have this Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Platinum Edition for PlayStation 3 wrapped under the tree. The Collector’s Edition has a few extra goodies, including a collectible steelbook, 3 exclusive challenge mode levels, exclusive Ralph McQuarrie concept “Deak Starkiller” skin, exclusive lightsaber crystal, Starkiller 2GB flash drive designed by Mimobot and digital art book.

1. LEGO Star Wars Death Star

This LEGO Death Star is an ultimate piece for any collection and features 3,803 pieces, making for hours of LEGO fun! It’s one ultimate gift for collectors of all ages.

This week has left us with savings on many different fronts. From TVs to digital cameras and even smartphones and speaker equipment there is something there for everyone. Here’s some of the ones that are still alive and stood out in the pack:

10. Altec Lansing M812 WIreless Speaker Dock for iPod – $97

The price on this very handy device has been dropping since we’ve first seen it, and has hit rock bottom at this level. That makes this the perfect time to grab this very handy iPod Dock and Wireless Speaker set from Altec Lansing and get the most out of your iPod. It’s a very handy dock which allows you to not only make your music heard but to allow you to play it anywhere in your home without fumbling with wires and connections.

9. Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Console Bundle – $135

Amazon certainly rolled in the savings for this game system which is still popular and going strong. Whether you were just starting, upgrading or even purchasing as a gift you definitely can’t go wrong for this price. With the console you get a copy of Mario Kart Wii along with the Steering wheel controller add-on and you can even choose if you want the white or black version as they are both the same price.

8. IOmega 34650 ScreenPlay Director 1TB Media Players – $90

Still going strong in the discount zone, don’t forget to grab this feature packed media player from iOmega so you can enjoy all sorts of content from your network, storage devices or even from the Internet all on your home theater system. It of course has full support for HD and plenty of in/outputs for connectivity to any of your equipment without issue. A good media player can definitely make a difference in a home theater setup!

7. AOC Razor E2043FK 20-Inch LED Monitor – Now $80

Yep that’s right, Tiger went and lowered the price once again on this AOC LED monitor. Now you can either begin with or expand your computer display capabilities with a 1600 by 900 HD resolution for plenty of multi-tasking glory. Other features include a 50,000,000:1 intense dynamic contrast ratio and 250 nit brightness level. It is also a very energy efficient model which takes away any future price issues away from your energy bill.

6. Star Wars: The Complete Sage on Blu-Ray – $80

Yes Amazon had to do it, now you can grab the entire Star Wars saga in glorious 1080p! Still relatively new and popular as ever but Amazon holds with their very low price and that works for us. It includes all 6 movies of course along with plenty of bonus features, commentary tracks and deleted scenes to keep any fan veteran or otherwise happy. We imagine the price will raise soon so grab it while it’s still crazy!

5. Asus Eee PC 12.1-Inch Netbook – $308

TigerDirect certainly knows how to throw a bargain. This deal is still alive and kicking and that means you can grab this stylish and sleek netbook PC at the lowest price we’ve seen. It includes a 12.1-Inch display along with AMD Fusion E-350 Processing and 2GBs of DDR3 Memory. It also boasts a very impressive battery life which peaks out at about 8 hours for very easy use no matter where you go, and at a price like this you definitely can’t go wrong!

4. Motorola Droid Bionic With $50 Gift Card – $150

Amazon has stunned us literally with the savings they have on offer for new smartphones, but what really sticks out is their take on the Droid Bionic for Verizon Wireless. This phone is still brand new and offers up very intense features including 4G LTE connectivity, Dual-Core 1Ghz processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread and more. Other notable details include it’s front-facing VGA camera and high resolution rear camera, 10.8 hours of talk time and plenty of connectivity to laptops and other devices.

3. Logitech G930 Wireless Gaming Headset – $95

We’re very surprised to see that this awesome deal is still around! From ebay you can grab this feature packed Logitech headset at a huge discount. It doesn’t look like many are left as they’ve been selling very fast so assure you get yours as soon as possible. This headset includes many interesting features beyond the super sound quality and that includes the G keys on the side which can be assigned to macros and the microphone which automatically shuts off when pivoted up.

2. Samsung PN51D450 51-Inch Plasma TV with $100 Gift Card – $629

Now here’s a bargain we all should pay attention to. Not only are you able to get this 51-Inch plasma TV from Samsung at the lowest price we’ve seen but you also get a free $100 gift card useable with any other purchase at Dell. To make it even sweeter this TV features a super fast 0.001 ms response time and 600Hz sub-field drive which overall provides crystal clear imagery with no motion blur. Definitely a deal not to miss!

1. Blackberry Playbook 7-Inch Tablet – $364

Here’s the deal that just keeps on giving! Every time we’ve spotted this 7-Inch Blackberry tablet we have seen the price steadily drop, and considering this is a no holds barred tablet providing every feature you need for an ideal portable computing experience that is definitely a bargain. The Playbook is fully capable of playing flash 10.1 content along with HTML 5 and that means a full Internet browsing experience which is charged by the dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM included. Keep your eyes on this one!

Amazon is offering a special offer for this Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Console Bundle with Steering Wheel!

Killer Deal Alert! Still looking to get your hands on a Wii? Then check out this exciting offer and get some extra swag to go along with it. This bundle includes the Wii console itself along with the Wii-Remote controller, Nunchuk and Wii Steering wheel along with a copy of Mario Kart Wii. As you all know the Wii offers up premiere motion control gameplay tied along with the plethora of first party titles and popular games everyone will love. Did we mention that this is the black edition Wii which comes with the Motion Plus remote for even more precision to your gameplay? To make this deal even sweeter for a limited time Amazon is offering $20 of bonus credit with your order, which is plenty to either get some more games or accessories for your Wii.

This price of this video game system continues to drop off.  It’s now $134.96 with free S&H included.

Buy.Com via eBay if offering the lowest price on the net for this Wii Fit Plus (With Balance Board)!

Get ready to workout like a pro on your own home game console! With the Wii Fit Plus package you can move through a large body of exercises and customized workout routines to really get fit, as the title implies. The plus package includes a set of 15 new balance games along with 6 strength training exercises and yoga activities for a large variety to play around with. You can customize your own workout schedules by time of day, or choose 20-40 minute workouts based on how much time you have available. Don’t forget that this is on a game console, and real results have occurred from it so it’s definitely worth a shot! This package includes the Wii Fit Plus as well as the balance board but thanks to this combo you’re getting it for a fraction of the normal price!

This is a superb deal for this gaming setup.  Amazon sells it for almost $90, but for a limited time you can scoop it from Buy.com, via Ebay for $59.99.  S&H is included

“Glee” is hitting the big screen with the release of Glee the 3D Concert Movie, and for all the “Gleeks” out there, we’ve prepared some cool stuff to inspire your musical talents and get you moving and grooving like some of your favorite “Glee” characters.

Sing-A-Long Tongs

Bust out a note and pretend you’re on “Glee” while you cook with these cool Sing-A-Long Tongs that feature a locking handle that this faux mic in place as you get ready for dinner and a show!

iDuck Wireless Waterproof Speaker

We’re sure many of you Gleeks like to sing in the shower, which is where the iDuck Wireless Water Proof Speaker comes in handy! Not only is it the perfect bath companion, but the duck is fully waterproof with a built-in speaker so that you can listen to your favorite tunes and sing along (also great for drowning out the sound of your bathroom performance if you prefer no one to hear).

iPod Toilet Paper Holder

Here’s another great way to practice your Glee-inspired singing in the bathroom, this time while you’re “handling business” with the iPod Toilet Paper Holder. It’s both a speaker set for you iPod and a fully functional bath tissue holder!

iKaraoke Microphone for iPod

Practice your favorite “Glee” moments as you bust some karaoke using the iKaraoke Microphone that’s designed to interface between iPods (with dock connectors) and your home stereo system. It’s great for parties or right after you watch “Glee” when you’re most inspired! The iKaraoke mic also features cool built-in reverb effects, so that you can transform your voice like a pro!

Shazam Encore LyricPlay

Not sure of some lyrics? Don’t fret because Shazam Encore LyricPlay lets you sing along to every song! It’s a new update for Shazam’s Encore app ((Encore is the premium version of Shazam where you have to pay $3.99/year or a one-time fee of $5.99), that will definitely come in handy when you need to rehearsal that song you just heard on “Glee” and don’t know the words to. It’s available for Android, iPhone, iPad, iPo, Nokia and BlackBerry devices.

Just Dance 3

Learn to move and groove to all the latest songs that are often performed on “Glee” on your favorite gaming station with the game Just Dance 3! Made for all platforms, including Wii, Kinect for Xbox 360 and Playstation Move, the game will have busting new moves in no time.

Amazon has a very special offer available on this Wii Console Bundle with Mario Kart!

Whether you are looking to get your hands on a Wii or even grabbing Christmas presents early this price is definitely not something to overlook! For less than the Wii formally way you can not only get the Wii console itself with its accessories but also a copy of Mario Cart Wii and the steering wheel accessory (Matching the color choice of the Wii) Of course the Wii is the current generation console by Nintendo and offers an exciting motion control experience that will turn heads. We’re sure this deal won’t last long so grab one while their still in stock!

Save even more than the price drop! This Wii is discounted to only $141.88! Add about $4 for shipping.

Amazon has the lowest price around for this Wii SANYO Inductive Charging System which comes to only $39.99 – $11 Instant Discount + Free Shipping = $28.99 for a limited time!

We all know how annoying it is to constantly switch out the batteries in your Wii Remotes, so for a super low price this Sanyo Charger can alleviate your battery woes once and for all! Don’t miss out on this discount for a must-have product for you Wii, the Sanyo Inductive Charging System for your Wii Controllers is the only charger which is officially licensed by Nintendo and is compatible with MotionPlus. The system itself comes with two batteries which can be recharged hundreds of times and at the same time and utilizes a safe system which automatically stops electrical flow if metal comes between the contacts. It is also powered only by USB which means you can plug it right into your Wii or any other USB port around, no wall outlets are needed!

The Veer 4G is launching on May 15th.  That same day Nintendo will officially slash the price of their Wii Bundle from $200 to $150 according to retail sources.  They say they’ll replace Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports, which is currently included with the console, with Mario Kart Wii and include a plastic steering wheel.  Both colors will continue to be offered.

It’s worth noting a few things.  One, the Wii 2 will be announced at this year’s E3, which takes place in the beginning of June.  So from a business standpoint it’s only logical that Nintendo would slash the price of their current gen console to help move units.  Second, we’ve seen the Wii sold at this price at Amazon a few times before, so if you stick it out, you should be able to find the Wii, after the price cut, for even cheaper.  Lastly, we heard in March that the Xbox 360 would receive a price cut and Sony and Nintendo would follow.  It seems that we had the timing wrong, but the question remains, when will Microsoft and Sony cut the price of their consoles?  Will the Wii’s price cut be a call to action for the two other major players?

Nintendo will also kick out a handful of budget games called “Nintendo Selects”.  It includes less expensive versions of Mario Super Sluggers, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.  We’re not sure what will be lacking, if anything in these games, but they’ll only cost $19.99.

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goHastings via Amazon is offering a very special price on this Nintendo Wii Black Console w/ Sports Resort Bundle which is only $199.99 – $50.01 Instant Discount + $3.99 Shipping = $153.97!

If you’re looking to get your hands on Nintendo’s latest console in Black for the lowest price ever then now’s the time! The Nintendo Wii is renowned for it’s slim size and innovative built-in Motion controls provided by the Wii-Mote and this version is better than ever. The brand new Wii is packed with a Motion Plus remote which gives you finer control then ever before without the bulk of an addon attached, and all of it comes in a smooth black finish which looks better than ever. It comes with the super popular Wii Sports game as well, and as a bonus also Wii Sports Resort to give this whole deal more bang for the buck. Prices like this don’t last long, so don’t wait much longer!

Three days ago a new rumor emerged that Nintendo was feverishly working behind closed doors on the next gen Wii video game console.  At the time of the posting we had no official info to back up the claim.  But now Nintendo has made an official statement that they are in fact working on the Wii 2 and that they’ll show off a playable model at the E3 Expo, which launches June 7th in Los Angeles.

Nintendo also went on to say that the original Wii has sold 86.1 million units since its launch in 2006.  Bananas.

To whom it may concern:

Re: Wii’s Successor System

Nintendo Co., Ltd. has decided to launch in 2012 a system to succeed Wii, which the company has sold 86.01 million units on a consolidated shipment basis between its launch in 2006 and the end of March 2011.

We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Sales of this new system have not been included in the financial forecasts announced today for the fiscal term ending March 2012.

It’s been a few weeks, probably more than a month, since we’ve heard anything about the next generation Wii, the Wii 2.  It’s supposedly code named Project Café and includes a new fangled controller that sports a 6.2-inch touchscreen, two analog sticks, camera and 8 buttons.  However, this might not be the primary controller and may serve as some sort of secondary operator.  The rumor also states that the current gen Wii controllers may continue to work with the system, but no one really knows.

So yes, much of it is conjecture and rumor at this point.  The screened controller sounds reminiscent of the Dreamcast, a failed Sega console.  The memory cards featured a small screen and buttons embedded into them and gamers could call plays for football as well as play smaller, low rez monochrome games.

While there is no official word on the Nintendo Wii 2, it seems inevitable that Nintendo will announce it at this year’s E3, provided of course it actually exists.

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Amazon has a discount for this FlingSmash with Wii Remote Plus for just $49.99 – $20 Instant Off + Free Shipping = $29.99!

Upgrade your Wii with the new Motion Plus which also includes FlingSmash for a super low price! Flingsmash takes full advantage of the Wii Motion Plus technology and offers new and innovative side scrolling action that will test your motion skills. Fling and Smash your way through 8 large levels which each culminate into epic boss battles and deal with each situation as it happens with full motion controls. With the Motion Plus you can precisely control Zip in a game which requires the accuracy of Tennis with the instant gratification of pinball. The Controller is black and features the new Motion Plus combined design.

Will Nintendo announce a Wii 2 at this year’s E3?  Unfortunately, that’s anyone’s guess.  However, it would seem that Nintendo is working on a second iteration of their Wii console, that is assuming you’re willing to believe inferences made by EA Games label head Frank Gibeau during an interview with Industry Gamers.

When you look at Nintendo, for a while there, it was all about the Wii being the biggest entertainment platform ever and capturing the mass market, and it faded away. Now, they’re coming back with a second act. I think they know that. They’re very self-aware as an organization and a very powerful brand.

Toss into the mix that Gibeau lumped the Wii into the same category as the PS2, which is regarded as a legacy console, and it’s probably a safe bet, or at least an assumption that Nintendo will be striking back with a Wii 2.

While the video game maker is about to launch the 3DS here in the US, they’ve experienced declining sales in the last year large in part to the PS3 and Xbox 360, which provide HD graphics and recently introduced their own version of Wii like gaming, the Sony Move and Microsoft Kinect.

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Racing seats are more than warranted if that’s your primary mode of gaming.  But if you plan on spending $1,300 you better be acquiring the whole kit and kaboodle.  And hence the problem with Playseat’s F1 Red Bull seat.  It’s devoid of the necessary gaming hardware, such as pedals and a steering wheel. Instead, you’ll be buying a glorified chair that is compatible with a wide vareity of aftermarket racing sim parts.  However, it is said to provide a true F1 car like experience thanks to the position of the pedals and steering wheel.    And let’s not forget the Red Bull branding, that’s gotta be worth something, right?

Via: Besportier

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This kind of goes without saying, but according to an analyst at US investment house Wedbush, named Michael Pachter, we can expect to see the price of all the major video game consoles drop by $50 come this summer.  He predicts that this news will officially arrive at E3, which is held in Los Angeles, CA and features the latest and greatest in video games.  He says that Xbox 360 will lead the pact and announce a price cut first in the hopes of maintaining the sales inertia they’ve gained around their Kinect system.

Image courtesy of GameGuru

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Again, a Razer product I’ve seen twice in the past year that may yet come to fruition. The Hydra, previously known as Sixense by it’s development team of the same name, is a motion-gaming controller that instead of using accelerometers (like the Nintendo Wii) or a camera (like the Sony Playstation Move), uses a magnetic field that, according to Razer and Sixense, is far more accurate than the technology behind the gaming giant’s controllers.

Why? Because using a magnetic field, the base can read the controllers in perfect 1:1 motion within at least a 20 foot radius. It requires no cameras, no accelerometers, and no expensive hardware or software. And from what I’ve seen, for the third time now, it still works great.

But as I found out, the Sixense guys are actually bastards. They’ve been playing Portal 2 for months now, testing their controller out with the game. What the hell, I want to play Portal 2! No, they’re great guys, and Valve has seemingly given them free reign on the PC version to make the game exciting to play with the Hydra. Nobody was allowed to play Portal 2 at CES except for Sixense employees showing off the controllers, but I did get my hands on the Hydra.

The Original Sixense Controllers, as seen at CES 2010

The controllers themselves are wildly different from what they were a year back. As you can see above, they no longer follow the original rounded design, and rid of the glossy surface to give a more striking, sharper aesthetic. The looks please, though the feel is…light. The Hydra is expected to release – at some point – in two models, wired and wireless. Only the wired ones were available on the show floor, and they were far too light, just a tad heavier than the Wii Nunchuk controllers. The wire sticking out of the back gave some finger support, but it was just weird to feel a cable sticking out the back of the controller. That’s not how gamepads are supposed to work.

Thankfully the current model is still in development, so this is by no means a finalized product. And while these controls are pretty unique, I can’t really think of a way that they’ll succeed considering not the competition, but the consumer. Unless they go for a low price, maybe $60 at the most, I can’t see PC gamers picking up a controller like this. Valve doesn’t put out enough games to warrant it, and no other developers have been announced to be interested or working with Razer or Sixense. At the same time, the reason motion controls don’t work on a PC is because PC gaming is a sitting down, bent-over-the-keyboard endeavor, not a get-up-and-move activity.

Assuming the price is right, and Razer actually releases the Hydra sometime soon (since Portal 2 will release in April), the Hydra could be promising. Or it could be a dud and blow up in Razer’s face. Or, like so many new technologies today, it could have a slow start and build on a community of freelance developers who like the technology and create new applications for it. We’ll just have to wait and see.

I’m the only person I know who liked the original Xbox controllers. Known comically as the Duke, Microsoft’s original design was one I thought, and in some ways still believe to be the best controller in terms of size. It just happened to be the most comfortable controller for me. And, as I recall first discovering after being pulled over with my brother at the wheel and two uniforms taking their time with our hands on the dashboard, I don’t have big hands.

So why the hell would small controllers be good?

It’s an interesting phenomenon, one I’m finding to be a small but common theme here at CES. Mini controllers are making a comeback, after appearing gimmicky and childish a few years back. Power-A and Madcatz both have mini controllers – gamepads similar to current models from the respective companies or 1st parties – and I was surprisingly fond of every one. Power-A introduced the Mini Pro line, which includes a wired controller for both the 360 and PS3, as well as a wireless PS3 model. And, of course, an update from the Pro Pack Mini for the Wii, now named the Pro Pack Wii Plus, with built-in MotionPlus.

The mostly unknown company to gamers, Power A is doing quite well for itself (and we’re reviewing two of their products, but a pesky convention postponed it), has built some pretty decent hardware. I played around with the Mini line of controllers, specifically the PS3 models, and I was shocked.

I’ve always liked giant controllers, but here…I raced exceptionally well in Gran Turismo 5, and shot with the utmost precision in Call of Duty: Black Ops. The controllers I played with weren’t even finalized, but they felt great in the hand, and I played darned well with them. None of the controllers felt small…they felt more precise, and comfortable because I could wrap my hands around them. I’ll need to do more testing once they become available.

Mad Catz is likewise adding to their controller lineup (and doing absurdly well), with four Reactor models: two standard-sized controllers, and two mini, one of each with MotionPlus built-in. Each share a design that is unique to Wii controllers, one that’s vastly different from what we’ve seen in the past, but not so much that Wii owners could be left dumbfounded. The button shapes and placement has changed from Nintendo’s very geometric design to one that’s more ergonomic and realistic. The 1 & 2 buttons, for instance, go diagonally against the main build, which gives players more leverage when pressing them.

The age of Mini Me may be coming back, if the controllers are good enough. So far, these two companies are making it look easy. Mad Catz has already been in the mini controller business, which it stopped four years ago, and they’re surprised at the comeback. As long as it works, and adults and kids can use the controllers without respite, who the hell cares. Just give us the best damn controllers, and we will play.

The GoldenEye story comes to life once again with an updated single player storyline featuring Daniel Craig as Bond and written by Bruce Feirstein, the screenwriter for the original movie. Surprise enemies covertly or engage in a full on firefight and use Bond’s latest gadget to uncover intel in augmented reality as you relive all the classic GoldenEye movie moments. Infiltrate the dam and destroy the facility; chase Ourumov in the tank through the streets of St. Petersburgh; and investigate the secret jungle base.