With the holidays over, it is time for gamers to begin writing their new wishlists for 2011. On the plate for tonights meal we have some info about bundles, a Russian doll game, and the chance to snag some new Pokemon. We also have some left-over holiday spirit from Child's Play and info about the 20th birthday of a certain beloved blue hedgehog.
To start off today's news we've got something which will make you feel really good to be a gamer. Child's Play, the charity created by Gabe and Tycho (of Penny Arcade fame) has announced their total fundraising total for 2010. During those 365 days, the charity raised $2,294,317 million for children all across the world. This not only demolishes 2009's total of $1.78 million, but it brings the total donated so far to almost $9 million dollars.
Now if that doesn't start the day right, I don't know what will.
Are you ready to feel old? If so, Sonic turns 20 this year. After you've let that sink in, time for the news. Today SEGA Japan announced that they are working on a number of "projects" to celebrate the little blue hedgehog turning the big two-zero. What those projects are is unclear, but we hope they can finally give us a good Sonic game in 3D.
Also launched was a Japanese teaser site which my limited language skills prevent me from reading.
Source: Andriasang
Gears of War 3 may be way out on the horizon, but it turns out that won't be the only Gears release this year. Over the holiday week IGN spotted a bundle at Gamestop called the Gears Of War Ultimate Edition, which was slated for a February 15th release at $29.99. Although it has since been taken down, Microsoft confirmed that they will be releasing "a forthcoming bundle SKU involving the Gears franchise, though [Gears Of War Ultimate Edition] may not be the final SKU name".
In the statement, Microsoft also stated that the upcoming bundle won't involve Gears 3 or the beta. However, if you are looking to get into the beta early there's always the Bulletstorm Epic Edition.
[Gears Of War Bundle]-$TBA
Source IGN
Today through February 6, 2011, Pokémon addicts can get their Pokéball-throwing hands on three new Shiny Pokémon. These Pokémon include Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. Each one will be availabe by visiting Gamestop stores (US and Canada) with either Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver during the periods defined below. Players must have aquired the Pokédex in game, and they cannot have more than two Wonder Cards in their possession.
Periods of availability:
Shiny Raikou-January 3 through January 9, 2011
Shiny Entei-January 17 through January 23, 2011
Shiny Suicune-January 31 through February 6, 2011
By snagging even one of these Pokémon, players will able to go after the new Zoroark in Pokémon Black/White. Trading over one of these Pokémon into the new games will allow for the opportunity to encounter the mysterious new creature. Pokémon Black and White will be available in North America by Spring 2011.
[Pokemon – White Version
[Pokemon – Black Version
Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network, bringing news stories to players in-game, will be going offline on January 24th, 2011. That day marks the one year anniversary of the Cerberus Network and will begin a break of the sometimes humorous new stories brought to players.
The Cerberus Network stated that it will only have three weeks of posts in 2011 in which, "a week of posts will precede a downloadable content release, and two more weeks will lead up to the release of Mass Effect 3." With he PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 arriving January 18th for the PS3 and Mass Effect 3 expect out by the 2011 holiday season, players can expect some interesting content and news in the coming months.
[Mass Effect 2
[Mass Effect 3
