KmartGamer Customer Spotlight #5: Matthew Richardson

Aug

31

2010

Full name: Matthew Richardson

Gamer IDs/Twitter and Forum Handles: Xbox360: hobomatt8, PSN: hobomatt8, Steam: calvinrip8, Twitter: @hobomatt

Where you’re from: Syracuse, NY

Games you’re playing now: I'm currently playing a ton of Battlefield: Bad Company 2, StarCraft II and a little bit of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 with the g00f troop thrown in there.

What’s your full-time gig? I'm just your typical computer geek; I'm a Computer Software Test Engineer for Welch Allyn, Inc.

How much time do you devote to gaming? With the full-time job, I'll squeeze in about 25 to 30 hours a week.

What’s your favorite video game of all time, and why? My favorite game of all time would have to be The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I can't tell you how many times I've played through that game. It's the holy grail of my video game collection.

Have you recently purchased any games at Kmart, or on Kmart.com? If so, which ones? With a ton of great sales recently, I've purchased DJ Hero, Alan Wake, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and a bunch of PSN cards from Kmart.

What do you think of that game/those games so far? I have such a big backlog of games that I haven't had much time to play any of them except Alan Wake. I've played about an hour of it and so far I like it. Hopefully I'll be able to find a little bit of time in the coming week to devote more time to it.

What’s your biggest gaming guilty pleasure? I love the LEGO games they put out for all the consoles. There's just something about all the different characters you can play as and the funny twists they add to the story lines that make me want to play them more and more. It all started with the purchase of LEGO Star Wars a few years back because my college roommates and I were looking for a long multiplayer game to play. As it turns out we had so much fun playing them, that as they keep releasing new one, I keep renting or buying them. I guess I still have a little bit of child in me.

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This is the latest in our series of Kmart gamer spotlight Q&As. If you're interested in being featured, e-mail daniel[dot]honigman[at]searshc[dot]com. You can also direct message us on Twitter at @KmartGamer!

Xbox Live Subscriptions Price Going Up?

Aug

30

2010

 
I just received this note from Xbox Live. What do you think about Microsoft's new pricing structure? I'm sure it will spark some heated debate. Read below for further details.

Dear League of One:

Thank you for being a valued member of Xbox LIVE Gold. We hope you are enjoying the many exciting and exclusive features that are included in your membership. We wanted to let you know about an upcoming price increase for your Xbox LIVE Gold subscription and how you can lock in your current price to continue enjoying everything you've come to love about Xbox LIVE, plus all the upcoming additions, including ESPN and Hulu Plus.

Over the past seven years, Xbox LIVE has evolved from an online gaming platform to an all-in-one gaming and entertainment service. As an Xbox LIVE Gold member, you can not only play blockbuster games, such as Halo: Reach with your friends online, you can also stream movies from Netflix* and music from Last.fm right to your TV. You can even connect with friends near and far on Facebook® and Twitter™. Plus, you also enjoy exclusive discounts and early access to game demos.

And we aren't even close to being done. This holiday, Xbox LIVE is adding new Gold features, including ESPN and Video Kinect, with Hulu Plus coming on Xbox LIVE in 2011.

•	With ESPN on Xbox LIVE, you can stream and watch over 3,500 live and on-demand sporting events plus highlights.*

•	Video Kinect allows you to chat with family and friends on the big screen, right from the comfort of your living room—no headset or controller required.*

•	With Hulu Plus on Xbox LIVE you will be able to enjoy a customized Hulu Plus experience that will include Kinect navigation and Xbox LIVE Parties*

Besides launching the new features and titles, we will also be increasing the price of Gold membership on November 1, 2010. The new prices are as follows:

Old Price

New Price

1-Month Gold Subscription

$7.99

$9.99

3-Month Gold Subscription

$19.99

$24.99

12-Month Gold Subscription

$49.99

$59.99

If the renewal date on your current subscription is on or after November 1, 2010, your subscription will automatically renew at the new price, charged to the credit card we currently have on file for your account. At only $5 per month, our 12-month offer continues to be your best value. And, because you are a loyal member, we want to give you the opportunity to lock in your current price with an additional discount. Click here or log on to Xbox LIVE from your console to review and take advantage of these limited-time offers. As always, you can cancel your membership before the renewal date by calling 1-800-4MYXBOX, although we certainly would not want you to miss out on all the great new features coming this November. And don't forget that your friends will want you to get online this holiday to play the latest blockbuster games, including Halo: Reach, Call of Duty®: Black Ops™, Kinect Sports, Kinect Joy Ride, and more. We hope that you will continue to enjoy all the great gaming, entertainment, and social experiences that Xbox LIVE has to bring today—and in the future. Sincerely, The Xbox LIVE Team

DSi for the Masses!

Aug

30

2010

Nintendo is dropping the suggested retail price of its Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™ video game systems. Effective Sept. 12, the new suggested retail price of the Nintendo DSi system will be $149.99, while the new suggested retail price for the Nintendo DSi XL system will be $169.99. The Nintendo DS™ Lite model will remain at a suggested retail price of $129.99. The Nintendo DS family of video game systems is the best-selling in the history of the U.S. and worldwide. The new prices offer consumers tremendous value for their money while providing access to the best portable video game experiences possible.

  

 

"We know shoppers want to get the maximum value out of every dollar they spend," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Our new Nintendo DSi prices make it easier than ever for consumers to access the tremendous variety of games, applications and social tools on the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems."

The Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems offer consumers access to more than 1,300 packaged games and more than 200 downloadable games. Both systems feature two built-in cameras and photo- and sound-manipulation software that provide for a more social experience. Users can wirelessly upload photos to Facebook with the touch of a button (wireless broadband Internet access required). The Nintendo DSi XL system, which features a screen that is 93 percent larger than that of the Nintendo DS Lite, comes pre-loaded with software like Brain Age™ Express: Math, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Flipnote Studio™, Photo Clock and the Nintendo DSi Browser.

Recent and upcoming software releases for the Nintendo DS family of systems include DRAGON QUEST® IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies™ (now available), Professor Layton and the Unwound Future™ (Sept. 12), Pokémon™ Ranger: Guardian Signs (Oct. 4), Art Academy™ (Oct. 25), Mario vs. Donkey Kong™: Mini-Land Mayhem! (Nov. 14) and Golden Sun™: Dark Dawn (Nov. 29).
 

 

Video Games | Golden Sun: Dark Dawn | E3 2010: Trailer

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Remember that Nintendo DSi features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendodsi.com/.

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Kmartgamer is pleased to announce that starting September 12th through the 18th, with any purchase of the DSi for $149.99 or DSi XL for $169.99 you can save 50% on any one DS video game merchandised in-store.

Other M, meet Other K

Aug

28

2010

Kmart is pleased to announce an other worldly Kmartgamer bonus offer for Metroid: Other M for Nintendo Wii. Read on for further details and checkout Gametrailers.com's excellent video review below.

Video Games | Metroid: Other M | Review

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Lightning fast and fluid, Team Ninja has done Samus proud with this innovative take on the Metroid franchise. Check out this link for our initial impressions of the game earlier this month.

If you noticed our circular tomorrow, you'll see that you can save $20 on either Super Mario Galaxy 2, New Super Mario Brothers, and Super Smash Brothers with purchase of Metroid: Other M. If you are reading this, Kmartgamer looks to make Samus proud as well by providing a bonus $20 gaming coupon with purchase of Metroid: Other M that is good towards your next gaming purchase at Kmart (Halo: Reach anyone?).

We have also extended the the save $20 titles with Metroid: Other M to include Mario Kart and the groundbreaking Metroid Prime Trilogy collection for Nintendo Wii. Inventory on these titles may vary by store and are are while supplies last. 

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For the complete Metroid experience download Metroid and Super Metroid right to your Wii console!

These are not disc based games. Wii console, broadband internet access, and a Wii network connection are required to play WiiWare and Virtual Console games.

Dog Week at Kmart

Aug

28

2010

Kmart is pleased to announce that Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days (Xbox 360, PS3) will be discounted to $44.99 (Reg. $59.99) from August 29th through September 4th. 

Video Games | Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days | Review

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

  

The bad boys of gaming return when this odd couple apocalypse meets Shanghai with a visceral, handy-cam style rampage that is not for the easily offended. The game is brutal and in your face and though a dramatic improvement than the first entry in terms of gameplay, the tense interplay between Kane and Lynch does not feel as dynamic as the first game which leaves the story feeling slightly unfulfilling. That said, the cooperative split screen is a blast to play through with a friend and the high points in the game will definitely leave an impression with you. If you missed our opening week offer ($20 Gaming Coupon with purchase), now is the chance to buy this buddy game gone wild.

Target Kmart for Madden 11 Next Week

Aug

27

2010

Kmart is pleased to announce that starting August 29th through September 4th, Madden 11' (360 and PS3) will be discounted to $44.99!

 

Since I wrote my first impressions of the game earlier I was getting a bit nervous when I started to play online. I just couldn't keep up with the intricacies of the new playstyle. I started 5-9 and was even embarrassed by my little brother which caused me to have to buy a new controller....I've since learned from my early mistakes and I am now I'm 25-14 and loving every second of it. Sorry Lions (I still believe in you Stafford!), I'm using Dallas all the way, sometimes San Fran because Frank Gore is a beast. If you're reading this and are ever online, drop me a friend request to League of One on Xbox Live or League-of-One on PSN and you can remind me that I've got a long way to go before I can consider myself good at Madden.

KmartGamer: Now a featured thread on CAG!

Aug

25

2010

If you've been following us on Twitter (@KmartGamer) or reading the KmartGamer blog, you may have noticed we've been making a concerted effort to talk with our fellow gamers.

One forum in particular has been key to our efforts: CheapAssGamer (CAG). We started on CAG in late March with two main goals:

1. Talking with fellow gamers
2. Spreading the word about the games we carry, and the great deals, promotions and exclusives we have at Kmart

We're exctatic to announce that our CAG-related dreams have come true: the Official KmartGamer thread -- one of the fastest-growing threads on the site -- has been "stickied" (pictured above) on the CAG forum page.

Many thanks to CAG moderator guinaevere for "sticky-ing" us, site founder cheapyd and the CAG community in general for being great customers, sounding boards and friends!

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For more video game previews, reviews, deals and other tidbits, be sure to follow the KmartGamer blog. We're also on Twitter at @KmartGamer.

 

KmartGamer Customer Spotlight #4: Joe Marchese

Aug

24

2010

Full name: Joe Marchese

Gamer IDs/Twitter and forum handles: PilotPSK (PSN), SaltyRiblets (Xbox), PilotPSK on Twitter and CAG

Where you’re from: Long Beach, NY

Games you’re playing now: Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Splinter Cell Conviction, Call of Duty: World at War, Split Second and No More Heroes 2.

What’s your full-time gig? I'm a Mechanical Engineer for a construction firm and a DJ on the weekends when I have time.

How much time do you devote to gaming? I put in about 15 to 20 hours a week.

What’s your favorite video game of all time, and why? I would have to go with Final Fantasy X on the Playstation 2. It was my first Final Fantasy game and all I could remember was how connected I was to the characters and how I stayed up for 14 hours straight cutting class leveling up. It was the first time I finished a game 100 percent, and I have tried to do that to every game I've played since.

Have you recently purchased any games at Kmart, or on Kmart.com? If so, which ones? I took advantage of the deals on Starcraft 2, Heavy Rain, Modnation Racers, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Alan Wake and the Fallout New Vegas pre-order. (You've got to love those gaming coupons.)

What do you think of that game/those games so far? Starcraft 2 is real-time strategy at its best. I liked how the [game developers] kept to the formula that made them famous, but gave you enough to call it a new game. Splinter Cell: Conviction is a great stealth game and if any video game character deserves a movie, its Sam Fisher! Heavy Rain is a really different and engaging game; Its driven completely by story, and with all the different endings and plot twists you'll want to play this several times. I haven't played much of Modnation Racers and Alan Wake yet but its on backlog, as I'm sure the gamers out there can relate.

If you could be any comic book character, which one would you be and why? I would definitely choose Iron Man. Think about it: You'd be a multi-billionaire with beautiful women, giant parties, an awesome robotic suit that everyone wants and no weird mutant powers that always seem to slip out at the wrong moment. Sure, you have a reactor core in the middle of your chest, but when all you have to do is slip a designer shirt on and you are good to go, its a small price to pay.

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This is the latest in our series of Kmart gamer spotlight Q&As. If you're interested in being featured, e-mail daniel[dot]honigman[at]searshc[dot]com. You can also direct message us on Twitter at @KmartGamer!

Mafia 2: An offer you can't refuse

Aug

23

2010

Kmart is pleased to announce starting tomorrow, August 24th through August 28th, with every in-store purchase of Mafia 2 (Xbox 360 and PS3), you will receive a $20 gaming coupon good towards your next video game purchase at Kmart.

Video Games | Mafia II | Exclusive Boom Boom Boom Trailer

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Being a gangster never felt so good. Take Two helps the summer season close with a bang with the organized crime saga, Mafia 2. You play as Vito, the son of a poor immigrant worker and war hero that despite possessing a good soul cannot help but be drawn into the life of "family" living. The game oozes atmosphere right from the opening sequence and the writing is very sharp. I've found the gun play serviceable and the destructible cover is a nice touch, but where the game truly shines is in the way the empire city feels. From the car designs to the architecture, the tone is perfect. Check out the full preview from Gametrailers.com for a closer look at the game.

Video Games | Mafia II | Preview

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Red Dead Redemption: This deal is dead-on

Aug

23

2010

This is definitely a deal that Red Dead Redemption lead character John Marsden has in his sights:

From now until August 28, 2010, you can pick up the critically acclaimed -- and gamer-approved -- Red Dead Redemption for $49.99.

As Ron Popeil would say, "But wait -- there's more!"

If you pick up the title in store, either for PS3 or 360, you'll get an extra bonus: a $20 Kmart gaming coupon good on your next purchase.

This really is a win-win for you. You get a great game at a discount price, and some extra savings along the way. What's not to love?

This offer is available in more Kmart stores. No rainchecks will be issued for this promotion, and the gaming coupon is available with in-store purchases only.

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For more video game previews, reviews, deals and other tidbits, be sure to follow the KmartGamer blog. We're also on Twitter at @KmartGamer.