When you see the stuff Japan's Club Nintendo offers its members, you may be prone to drool a bit. Ironically, Nintendo of Japan's loyalty program has something for that now as well.

For 150 points, Club Nintendo is offering the choice of one of these three 25cm x 25cm "towel handkerchiefs." They're part towel and part handkerchief, but at the same time neither, because none of us would dare dry or clean anything with one of these. Since they're currently only available in Japan, of course, we don't even have the opportunity to decline to mop up a spilled soda with one of these cute collectibles.

Japan's latest Club Nintendo prize is absorbent originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bungie's previously teased achievements for Halo: Reach's have finally been revealed through its latest update. 49 achievements can be earned across the campaign, multiplayer and firefight. We've dropped them after the break.

If that weren't enough, there's a whole mess of new Bungie-created Forge maps on display. The update says they won't necessarily make it into multiplayer matchmaking, but if they pass "the same rigors our expertly crafted multiplayer spaces demandm" we could be sticky-grenading people's faces on those maps when the game ships this September. Ha-cha!

[Thanks, Measlesopolis]

Continue reading Halo: Reach achievements revealed, Forge showcased

Halo: Reach achievements revealed, Forge showcased originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everyone and their mothers might be plugging away at StarCraft 2 all weekend, but we've got another grip of space marines for you to catch up with: the ODSTs. In the run up to Halo: Reach's launch, we thought giving out last year's chapter in the Halo franchise couldn't hurt. Don't forget it's got the entire Halo 3 multiplayer experience packed in -- oooh, and beta access to Reach! Oh, right. Anyway, let us know in the comments below what's got you most excited about the final Halo game from Bungie and you could win yourself a copy!

To enter this giveaway:

• Leave a comment telling us what's got you most excited for Halo: Reach.
• You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec).
• Limit 1 entry per person.
• This entry period ends at 5:31PM ET on Sunday, August 1.
• At that time, we will randomly select one winner to receive a copy of Halo 3: ODST for the Xbox 360 (ARV $29.99).
• For a list of complete rules, click here.

  Gallery: Halo 3: ODST Campaign

  

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What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition.

For more info on our policy, click here.

Swag Saturday: Halo 3: ODST originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ready for more ultra-violence? IO Interactive is here to supply it, with a second behind-the-scenes, extra gruesome look at upcoming murder-'em-up Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. Jump past the break to check it out.

Continue reading IO Interactive's second look behind the scenes of Kane & Lynch 2

IO Interactive's second look behind the scenes of Kane & Lynch 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've got some mixed emotions about the just revealed Tank mini-statue (statuette just doesn't seem fitting for a giant terrifying zombie), created by Gaming Heads for Valve. Sure, its detail is marvelous and it comes with a totally sweet, albeit miniature, pump-action shotgun, but it's also 325 real-life actual dollars for the "exclusive edition".

At 15 inches tall, you'd better have a real special place in your heart (and in your house, preferably a cage) to shell out that kind of cash. If you'd like to save yourself a bit of money, there's a less-exclusive version (limited to a run of 750) for $300, but unfortunately it comes with no mini pump-action shotgun. And frankly, we both know that's completely unacceptable. How else will you fight off the little monster when he goes after your throat? Hmmm? Interested parties will be glad to know that orders appear to be open as of right now, though the statue won't be set free until "Q1 2011."

Left 4 Dead's 'Tank' figure unveiled, busting through bank accounts originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It appears that we'll see another addition to the Operation Flashpoint series in the coming year, with Operation Flashpoint: Red River being outed recently by OXM UK (via CVG). Other than revealing the title, OXM UK editor John Hicks also noted that the game is a sequel to last year's Dragon Rising and feels "tighter, more focused" than the last game. Presumably, Red River is being developed by Codemasters' Southam studio, as revealed by Codies VP Gavin Cheshire just last week.

Unfortunately, no other details are known on the title -- other than a wide open "2011" intended release window -- so we'll have to assume the "Red River" name is in reference to a secret war fought on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, near the Red River of the North. No? Perhaps a shadow insurgency on the Red River Cereal plant? Fine -- we give up then! If you want to know more about the game for real real, the upcoming issue of OXM UK will have all the details.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River revealed in upcoming OXM originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When the party starts this October, virtual DJ’s and MC’s throughout the universe will fire up two turntable controllers and a microphone and mix it up with Tiësto – one of electronic music’s defining artists, DJ’s and producers – in DJ Hero 2.  Having worked with the likes of Muse, Justin Timberlake, Jónsi from Sigur Rós, Flo Rida, Sean Kingston and Three 6 Mafia, performed for billions of fans at the opening ceremonies of the Athens Olympics and headlined the Coachella and Bonnaroo music festivals among others, Tiësto has earned his status as the world’s hottest DJ.  He’ll be joining the ever-growing roster of playable characters, including Deadmau5, David Guetta, DJ Qbert and others.

“DJ Hero 2 is all about bringing people of different backgrounds, ages and music tastes together to have some fun DJ’ing their favorite music.  The way the music comes together is fresh and unique and as a DJ, I couldn’t ask for more than that,” said Tiësto. “I am excited to be involved with this medium and to be contributing to a great game with an amazing soundtrack.”

The ultimate mixer of music and friends, DJ Hero 2 will deliver the definitive way for players to come together and party with a host of new multiplayer modes – including DJ Battles that pit DJ against DJ in mixes produced specifically for battle gameplay – and invite vocalists into the spotlight with integrated on-screen singing and rapping of lyrics and rhymes while bringing the party to life with jump-in/jump-out Party Play gameplay.

The game will also feature an all-new career-based Empire Mode where players start out as an up-and-coming DJ on the road to becoming the head of a major entertainment empire, all of which is founded solely on their success as a DJ.

Yesterday, RWINGS decided to spend his time elsewhere... machines don't feel lonely... really we don't...

Are you one of the three PC strategy game enthusiasts who refrained from picking up StarCraft 2 earlier this week due to a lack of cash-on-hand? EA's offering a way to console yourself with some retail therapy: It's reduced the price of a handful of Command and Conquer titles on its online store.

Continue reading Command & Conquer series discounted this weekend on EA Store

Command & Conquer series discounted this weekend on EA Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Citing increased real-life criminal activity originating in the online space, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communication has placed a number of tight restrictions on massively multiplayer titles. These include bans on any and all advertisements for online games, as well as regulations forcing ISPs to shut off service to gaming cafes and retailers after hours.

More drastic is the Ministry's decision to stop allowing any additional online games to come into the nation until further legislation on the matter can be considered. Man, that's harsh! Why can't they follow China's example, and just regulate the content of these games instead of -- oh, wait. Vietnam is doing that as well. Awesome.

Vietnamese government implements restrictions on online games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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