Nintendo’s online store has been updated to include refurbished 3DS and DSi XL hardware. The products come with a one-year warranty and “are guaranteed to be fully functional, but may have minor cosmetic blemishes.” A refurbed 3DS costs $129.99, while DSi XL units are available for $99.99. On Amazon.com, a new 3DS can be had for as low as $165, while a new DSi XL runs for $143. Refurbished hardware bundles packaged with a game are also available.

What do you guys and gals think of Nintendo’s refurb deals? Are … more

As Polygon reported yesterday, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said that the company will not have a traditional press conference at the E3 2013 trade show. Instead, the company will focus on smaller events. Whether this is a sound strategy or not remains to be seen. What’s certain is that is creates a perception problem for Nintendo. Its major competitors, Microsoft and Sony, are going large with events to promote upcoming console hardware. By not having a competing presser, many pundits believe that the company looks weak, whether that’s a … more

Sega’s Aliens: Colonial Marines is this week’s big videogame release. People love space shooters. People love Aliens. Ergo, this game has a lot of people amped. In other Sega news, Sonic and pals drive through multiple console systems in Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed. The cover of the game has Sonic in a race car. I’m pretty sure he can run faster than a car, so I don’t know why he’s in it, but the kids seem to love it.

So, any of you picking up new games … more

I was surprised and thrilled to see that The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia topped The NY Times best-seller list for “hardcover advice & misc.” The book is a collaboration between Nintendo and Dark Horse Books. It tells the history of The Legend of Zelda franchise, outlines the official canon, and is illustrated by tons of fantastic concept art. Hyrule Historia features contributions from Shigeru Miyamoto, Eiji Aonuma, and Akira Himekawa. Here’s the Amazon.com description:

Dark Horse Books and Nintendo team up to bring you The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule

… more

There are a bunch of videogame goodies available for your consumption this week. Sly Cooper makes his long-awaited return in Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. As a mark for the series and the character, I’m really looking forward to that one. Dead Space 3 has some fans excited, though others are concerned about the latest installment being more about action than survival-horror. 3DS fans looking for a good RPG should be pleased as punch with Fire Emblem Awakening. Last, but not least, is a game that’s perfect for … more

After 12 months of heated battle, the results are in! Here are the 10 best-selling videogames according to the NPD Group. This list counts for console games sold at retail in the United States.

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
2. Madden NFL 13
3. Halo 4
4. Assassin’s Creed III
5. Just Dance 4
6. NBA 2K13
7. Borderlands 2
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
9. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
10. FIFA Soccer 13

There are several fascinating takeaways here. First, it’s awfully impressive that there are two Call of Duty games on … more

Artist Casey Edwards is selling prints of Super Mario Bros. characters decked out like X-Men. The complete set runs $30 and consists of four prints that feature two characters each. Here’s the lineup:

• Mario as Wolverine
• Princess Peach as Phoenix
• Luigi as Cyclops
• Yoshi as Rogue
• Donkey Kong as Colossus
• Diddy Kong as Nightcrawler
• Blue Toad as Angel
• Yellow Toad as Jubilee

The art is…more

2012 was a rough year for the console gaming business. A lot of people believe that mobile devices and the vast improvement in the quality of mobile games are the key reasons for the decline in console game sales. Others believe that the current generation is simply long in the tooth and new hardware is needed to kickstart the console business. Some believe that the three major console companies haven’t done enough with digital distribution and relying on the boxed-disc model has hurt sales. Whatever the reason, sales figures are … more