Except in rare cases when they are pulled from early reviews, or when they appear on re-released editions of games, the quotes on the box come from previews. What is a preview, exactly? A preview is what's written after a bunch of PR people show off the best parts of a game, explain how conceptually brilliant it's all going to be, and tell the writer that the horrible glitches are "being ironed out." ...

The requisite opening taunts are out of the way and the players hold perfectly still, beads of sweat forming on furrowed brows while white knuckles clutch brightly colored joysticks. The intensity, the sheer focus could suffocate a small mammal. ...

Have you ever wanted to be really gruff and a little bit frightening without actually having to grow a beard, build up a considerable potbelly and slap a McCain/Palin sticker on your car? Well, there are games for that (most of them published by Cabela’s). Or maybe you’ve always dreamed of being a celebrity dog trainer, a curling champion, a gardener… any of this sound appealing? Yeah, probably not, but there are games for ...

Our weekly Top 7 lists usually cover timeless topics that could probably post any point throughout the year. But this week, with the newly released, critically fellated LittleBigPlanet inspiring countless cases of tiny heroes roaming gigantic worlds, we wanted to be a bit timelier and celebrate the very best of the very small. ...

Videogames tend to make at least one appearance in any long running TV show and occasional movie sequels. Sometimes the attempt at pop culture awareness is done well, but it’s generally an attempt by clueless writers to appear hip and socially relevant by tackling the supposed implications of violent games. The conversation, as I imagine it, goes something like this:

Writer 1: You know, my son is always playing those ...

Real world definition of "mature": Showing the mental, emotional, or physical characteristics associated with a fully developed person; involving serious thought. Videogame definition of "mature": Shits, tits and gibs. ...

Imagine the room you’re in spiraling inward as soothing celesta music transports you to another time and place. You’re in LA; it’s 2006 and you’ve just walked onto the E3 show floor. Everyone is buzzing about the Wii and the DS Lite. Jokes about the PS3’s $600 pricetag are circulating, but anticipation of Sony’s powerhouse is hardly damaged. Flashing lights and beautiful women accompany lavish displays of ...