blockbuster

Some Politicians Can Have Fun With Video Games

5:00AM Owen Good | Sometimes it seems the job description of a politician includes not having fun with things the kids like, because, well, think of the dignity of the office or something. P’shaw. Dallas’ mayor must have been thinking of the coolness of the office when he kicked off a 24-hour Guitar Hero III fund-raising marathon on Friday. Mayor Tom Leppert, 53, made sweet sweet love to his main axe with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” craning the guitar neck up and grimacing dramatically. Sure he handed it off to his 11-year-old “personal Guitar Hero coach” Aaron Blackmon mid-song. But Leppert got it back to drop to his knees for the big finish. More »

Blockbuster Not The Best Game Store So Far

11:00AM Mike Fahey | So I ran out today to pick up Iron Man the video game, exciteable little fanboy that I am, and decided to purchase it at my local Blockbuster Video, to see how they were doing with the new retail push. They had one copy for the PlayStation 3 and one copy for the Xbox 360 available, and on a whim I chose the PS3 version, seeing as my poor system hadn’t been getting much attention since Hot Shots Golf last month. Upon getting the game home I hastily unwrapped it, only to discover that my PS3, which I have long considered the best of the three current consoles when it comes to reliability, would no longer accept any Blu-ray media. PS2 games work fine, and DVD’s, but PS3 games and blu-ray movies were a no go. I was completely crushed, and jonesin’ for some Iron Man, so I took the game back to Blockbuster, hoping they would show pity on me for buying a game I couldn’t play. They swapped out versions for free and I lived happily ever after! Unfortunately I’m lying. More »

The Incredible, Super, Magnificent, Blockbuster Exclusive GTA IV Preorder Picture Frame

4:20AM Mark Wilson | Those who preordered their copy of Grand Theft Auto IV at Blockbuster received a more…domestic celebration of the world’s most controversial game—a picture frame. We’d call it a GTA IV picture frame, but the only thing GTA IV about it is the print placed inside. The frame’s exterior is a very standard, black-painted wooden design you’d see at any department store. Oh, it’s super lame today. But in a few more months, that frame will make a sweet, sweet regift. Thanks to Gizmodo’s Jason Chen for sending this in! More »

Blockbuster Brings Video Games To Sacred New Release Area

5:20AM Mark Wilson | Score one for games. With the release of GTA IV, Blockbuster will begin to feature video games in “new release” retail space formerly reserved exclusively for movies. I know, it doesn’t sound like a big deal to rearrange some stuff on the shelf. But trust us, these retail guys get sweaty in the crotch just thinking about signage. As Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes explains: More »

Blockbuster Aiming At Game Preorder Exclusives

12:00PM Mike Fahey | I got into a long conversation with the manager of a Blockbuster Video store I’ve frequented since before the DVD era began today, regarding the company’s increased focus on gaming. You see, Blockbuster Video isn’t doing so well in this age of Netflix and video downloads, so they are trying to modify the business to stay competitive…it’s just the competitor’s have changed. Said manager claimed that Blockbuster Video would soon begin getting preorder exclusives…games that cannot be preordered anywhere but Blockbuster. You’ll still be able to buy them at other stores on release day, mind you…you just won’t be able to reserve a copy anywhere but BB. The news was delivered via an alleged ex-GameStop executive at a managers’ meeting, where it was explained to them that GS was actually having to cancel some preorders as they could no longer guarantee copies on release. The horror! More »

Blockbuster Renting GH Guitar

12:40AM Mike Fahey | This is certainly something new for my local Blockbuster Video store, though your results may vary. The Blockbuster my roommate works at is renting the Guitar Hero controller for the Xbox 360 starting today. The controller rents separately of the game itself at $US 7.99 before tax, so, for the total package, you’ll have to shell out $16 of your hard-earned monies. I cannot remember another time in the history of major retail game rentals that they’ve had a separate rental—or rental at all, for that matter—of a gaming peripheral. It’s a testament to the popularity of the Guitar Hero franchise, I suppose. Keep in mind that Blockbuster tends to have its head up its arse when it comes to ordering games at their non Game Rush stores, so call ahead before rushing out to have your heart broken. More »