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  Whaddyareckon?: Ultimate Street Fighters

  Capcom's upcoming Street Fighter IV features new characters that are more wuss than warrior, such as the roly-poly, popcorn-crunching Rufus. This week we ask what your ultimate fighting champion would look like.

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  Guitar Hero: Metallica due by Q1 '09

  Latest SEC filing by Activision confirms Bay Area metal quartet will be subject of next band-centric rhythm game; new James Bond game gets final title.

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  James Cameron: 3D heading beyond movies

  The filmmaker tells digital advertisers that the kind of 3D experiences just making their way into movies will also reshape television and gaming.

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  Whaddyareckon?: R-rated video games

  As a censored Grand Theft Auto IV hits Australian shelves, we're asking whether this country needs an R rating for video games.

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  PS3 GTA IV presales outpace 360 version Oz

  PS3 version of Grand Theft Auto IV leading presale numbers in Australia; PS3 GTA IV bundle also confirmed.

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  Australian pol says country's ratings 'out of step'

  Public to be consulted on whether an R18+ rating for video games should be introduced down under.

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  No R18+ decision for Australia expected soon

  Australian Attorneys-General to discuss introduction of R18+ rating games; formal decision could still be "years" away.

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  Mario tops post-Christmas game sales

  What was the number one game post-Christmas? Read the full story to find out.

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  Duke Nukem Forever resurfaces

  3D Realms releases screenshots of the decade-in-development shooter, and a new teaser trailer is now available.

More news »

• 

  Photos: Driving on Singapore's F1 night track

  Revheads stopping by Singapore in the next few months can have a go on the city-state's F1 night track ... virtually, that is. Last week, SingTel, the race's main sponsor, unveiled an interactive simulator and we were there.

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  Censory Overload: Games censorship in Australia

  How much does the right to choose what content you view mean to you, the consumer? GameSpot AU explores the thorny issue of videogame classification and censorship in Australia.

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  Getting Steamed: digital distribution for games isn't there yet

  Online distribution should be world-wide, and yet we're still thinking inside old market models.

• 

  Valentine's Day Gift Guide

  Face it -- roses, chocolates, and yes, diamond rings, have been done before. If you really want to impress your sweetheart, surprise him or her with a tech present that will have them remembering you the whole year through.

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  Format wars: the tech that should have won

  Did you love Laserdisc? Were you bonkers over Betamax? Do you cry yourself to sleep because BeOS never hit the big time? Fret no more -- superdork Captain Tech is here to travel back in time and save the format losers that should have triumphed.

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  Rock Band!!! CNET.com.au has it!!!!

  Rock Band may not be coming to Australia for a few more months, but CNET.com.au was lucky enough to have our very own US retail copy shipped in. After much jubilant screaming and high fives, we unpacked the game and had a thrash. Enjoy the pics, and excuse us while we kiss the sky.

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  Gaming online: Which console is best?

  Game consoles aren't just stand-alone boxes anymore -- it's increasingly about what you can do with them online. If you are unsure about which next-gen console to pick up, we've put together a comparison of the Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, outlining all of their individual online features and costs.

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  Games as art

  Video games are a viable artistic medium, capable of presenting both superficial beauty and deep commentary. Here are 10 video games that can be considered, for various reasons, works of art.

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  Q&A: GDAA head calls for more support for Aussie game industry

  Game Developers Association of Australia president on the lack of Federal Government support for local video game developers, producing high-quality titles from Australia, and more.

More features »

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  Oi!: Brand Tags' clouds cut through marketing hype

  CEOs and marketing types talk about improving or maintaining "brand values" all the time. But what do we really think of the companies that deliver us our modern existence? The site Brand Tags is attempting to find out.

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  Oi!: Renegade chair pushes back

  The Renegade is another one of those rumble chairs that we're curious if anyone actually buys.

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  Oi!: Second Life for 3G phones

  Feeling lonely on the bus? Second Life on your mobile phone will chase those commuter blues away.

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  Oi!: Australian Made Games

  For almost 21 years now, the Australian Made logo has been appearing on food, beverages, furniture, and other household goods, but never games -- until now.

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  Oi!: BioShock Collector's Edition gets remixed

  2K Games, the Australian publisher of a title that needs very little introduction -- BioShock, has just sent word that pre-order customers will be getting an extra little something in the box this Friday when the title goes on sale.

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  Oi!: Sony unveils pink PlayStation 2

  Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCEA) today unveiled a limited edition pink PlayStation 2, which will be available from 15 March 2007 for AU$254.95.

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  Oi!: Three more Guitar Hero II songs unveiled

  Red Octane announces three more songs for Guitar Hero II, including '80s hair-rockers Motley Crue.

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  Oi!: Reservoir Dogs game banned in Australia

  It's yet another embarrassing day to be an Aussie gamer. Reservoir Dogs, the upcoming game based on the hit Quentin Tarantino film, has been banned in Australia.

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  Oi!: PS2 now only AU$200

  Those sneaky Sony Computer Entertainment folks have given gamers a mid-year present, lobbing AU$50 off the price of a PlayStation 2.

More oi! »

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  AFL Premiership 2005 set for September action

  Sony's AFL Premiership 2005 is set for some finals action this year, with the game set for release on 8 September.

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  AFL Premiership 2006 kicks off in July

  The AFL season for gamers kicks off in less than two months, with Sony Computer Entertainment and Australian developer IR Gurus confirming AFL Premiership 2006 will be released in July.

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  Aussie Rules coming back to PS2

  AFL Premiership 2007 to hit Aussie PS2s on June 28.

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  Q&A: AFL Premiership 2007 senior producer Justin Halliday

  IR Gurus senior producer Justin Halliday on what's new in AFL Premiership 2007 for the PS2, how user comments have affected the game, and more.

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  Poison, Police play 80s Guitar Hero Encore

  "Synchronicity II" and "Nothing But a Good Time" to be featured on slightly retitled PS2 rhythm game; Billy Squier, Eddie Money, Faster Pussycat, Skid Row, and Extreme also on board.

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  E3 07: New Guitar Hero III details, guitars emerge

  Activision's newly subtitled Legends of Rock to feature dozens of Gibson guitars, boss battles; publisher touts agreements with all major labels, indie outfits; new controller pics inside.

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  E3 07: Slash to be Guitar Hero III boss

  The former Guns N' Roses lead guitarist will put in an appearance as a boss to battle in the latest version of Guitar Hero -- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

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  Mortlock slated for Aussie cover of Rugby 08

  Wallabies captain selected for Rugby 08 cover; game to release in Australia on July 26.

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  Sony facing another PS3 suit

  Latest litigation over Cell-powered console centers on alleged infringements on synchronized parallel processor patent.

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  Guitar Hero World Tour (Guitar Hero 4)

  Guitar Hero World Tour is the latest in the popular franchise and it adds wireless peripherals, user-generated content and the biggest collection of songs yet.

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  Tourist Trophy

  Tourist Trophy is (almost) the Gran Turismo of the motorcycle kingdom. That's no surprise really because it's also made by the crew at Polyphony Digital.

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  Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

  Despite a few small flaws, Guitar Hero III is an excellent addition to the Guitar Hero franchise and shouldn't be missed.

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  Tomb Raider: 10th Anniversary

  Tomb Raider: Anniversary's success is twofold; it does well by the memory of the original, and makes a dynamic action adventure game that's fun to play in 2007.

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  Final Fantasy XII

  This chapter in one of the world's most popular role-playing series features an inspired look, boldly redesigned strategic combat, and a long, engaging story.

More reviews »

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  Guitar Hero World Tour (Guitar Hero 4)

  We get our first look at Guitar Hero's foray into the multi-instrument scene, including a glance at the surprisingly deep song-creation process.

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  AFL Premiership 2007

  AFL Premiership 2007 features some marginal improvements over the 2006 version of the game, but unfortunately, it also has most of that game's faults.

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  Singstar Pop

  The latest Singstar game, Singstar Pop, features 30 new songs, including Australian acts like Shannon Noll. But don't hold that against it.

• Sony PlayStation 3

  Sony's built the PlayStation 3 with a definite eye on the future. Can it maintain its lead in the gaming arena with its new console?

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  Altered Beast

  Despite its changed storyline, Altered Beast plays and feels much like the original game from the early ‘90s. But that’s not necessarily a good thing.

More popular reviews »

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  Buzz! Junior: RoboJam

  The kids who tested it were hard-pressed to think of anything bad to say about Buzz! Junior: RoboJam.

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  God of War II

  God of War II is another violent and highly entertaining achievement for the action adventure genre, and it's a fitting closeout to the PlayStation 2 era.

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  Okami

  Okami's visual design instantly stands out, but it turns out to be just one of many inspired aspects of this impressive action adventure game.

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  Guitar Hero II

  An expanded song list, great multiplayer and the introduction of a much needed practice mode all add up to make Guitar Hero II a worthy sequel. While the songs themselves may not be as fun to play as the first, Guitar Hero II is still a must have title for this holiday season.

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  Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

  Metal Gear Solid 3 returns with a vengeance in this special edition, which significantly improves an already great action adventure game while adding a solid new online mode and some great extras.

More editors' choice »