While most businesses are currently feeling the economic pinch, there is at least one sector that is currently witnessing an economic boost: Pawn shops.

And who do pawn shops credit for this business upswing? The answer is, quite simply, the video game community.

According to a story in the Chicago Tribune, pawn shops such as Ace Pawn Shop in Bloomington, Indiana (USA), have noted the increase of game consoles and high-end televisions brought into their stores. The story then mentions that Tom Haggerty, who owns TomCat’s Pawn (also in Bloomington, IN), has also seen an increase in the amount of game systems and high-definition televisions being brought in, adding that “these items are then selling fast.”

For avid gamers, parting with a game console and television has to be one of the hardest decisions but, in these economic conditions, it is a choice that must be made for one’s own survival.

While the exact amount that gamers are getting in exchange for their systems at pawn shops is not indicated, expect to get about half the going resell value for your area. For those buying pawned game systems, you’ll still be paying considerably less than retail (but won’t get the manufacturer’s warranty).

With that in mind, it is still no surprise that these items are going as fast as they are coming in, especially for those looking for a worthwhile deal.

What has become surprising in this situation is the increased spectrum of people who are using pawn shops which used to be visited only by individuals desperate to get quick cash.

Greg Engstrom, president of the Indiana Pawnbrokers Association, emphasized this point when he said, “[I]t has spread beyond traditional pawn customers to people from all income levels fearing the loss of their homes.”

As the economy worsens, more gamers may be forced to part with their favorite forms of enjoyment. Let’s hope that this situation improves at least somewhat in this administration.

Read [Chicago Tribune] Via [GamePolitics]

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Many Final Fantasy fans have accepted that the black label version of Final Fantasy VII is sort of a Holy Grail for collectors. Some want it because some of the black label FFVII games have misprints that make them more valuable. Others want it because it is the original edition of the game, and looks better with the black label and white discs.

If you’re one of those people who must have an original copy of FFVII, you may want to stop by the Shop Goodwill charity auction site. In a lot called Playstation Game Grabbag #5 is a black label copy of FFVII a black label copy of FFVIII, Grand Tourismo 2 and Colony Wars. As of 11:38am CST on January 28, 2009, the lot’s highest bid was $51.00. The auction ends January 31, 2009.

Since only the front of the cases are shown, it is unknown if the FFVII game has any misprints. The auction also doesn’t list whether or not instruction books for each game are included, or if the discs inside for the copies of FFVII and FFVIII are white or silver. If those things don’t matter to you, and all you’re looking for are the games, then you may want to try bidding on this item.

Site [Shop Goodwill]

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As you may remember, we were pretty skeptical that little known game magazine Hardcore Gamer would find a bidder in its eBay auction.

Not only did Doublejump Books find a buyer, but the New York Times covered the story. The new owner, not named in the Times article because the deal is still being finalized, swooped in an hour before the listing expired. He offered publisher Tim Lindquist more than the the magazine listed for in the auction.

For a listing price of $42,000, the auction included the magazine, its network of contacts and 30 domain names associated with the publication among other goodies. Lindquist said he arrived at the $42,000 figure because that was the profit the magazine turned in 2008.The New York Times says 14 magazines shut down in January including Teen, Country Home, and the one near and dear to us, Electronic Gaming Monthly. The mystery bidder reportedly had just closed down a video game business of his own.

Hardcore Gamer got more publicity from nearly going out of business than it ever did from being in business. It will be very interesting to see if the mag can take all this press and rejuvenate itself in these trying times for magazines and just about every other business. Lindquist told the Times he believes the new owner will allow him to stay on in some capacity.

Read [New York Times] Also Read [Games Are Fun]

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Here is a treat for all you collectors out there. Currently there is an auction on eBay for a Nintendo DS autographed by the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto.

Miyamoto is the mastermind behind classic game franchises including Mario Bros., Zelda, Donkey Kong and even Wii Fit. He is defiantly one of the most influential developers in the history of video games and we have the pleasure of worshiping his manuscript for years to come.

The auction started at $0.99 but that quickly escalated to $510 at the time of this writing. That’s a whole lot of scratch for this DS and the reserve price hasn’t been met yet. The auction closes closes on January 20, 2009, which gives bidders about a week to join in on the price war.

The person selling the autographed DS won it at E3 2005 in Los Angeles. He’s posted a picture of his pass to get into E3 to show he’s legit. The unused DS comes with an aluminum briefcase and can be shipped anywhere in the world.

I’m pretty sure the price on this is going to get ridiculously high by the time the auction ends. If you’ve got a couple thousand dollars sitting around in a PayPal account and are looking for something to spend it on all at once, throw your bid in the ring.

Auction [Ebay] Read [Pushing Play]

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Add another potential fatality to the growing pile that includes 1Up and EGM. Double Jump Books is auctioning off the video game magazine Hardcore Gamer on eBay. It’s a bit late but if you missed buying someone a Christmas present, this could be a good opportunity.

Double Jump Books may have overestimated the value of is publication. The starting bid is set at $42,000.00 and, as of 2:15 p.m. CST, January 7, 2009, no one’s bidding. There are still six days left till the auction closes but I somehow get the feeling that Double Jump Books’ auction isn’t going to be feeling the love. The auction ends January 13, 2009.

If you decide to bid on and attempt to buy the magazine, you get everything. You get: rights and own all 34 issues published by Hardcore Gamer since June 2005, all back issues, the website, thirty other websites which point to the website, customer and vendor lists, employee contracts and all sorts of contacts.

While Kotaku‘s Luke Plunkett was taken aback and, dare I say, disgusted, by Double Jump Book’s chosen method of promoting the magazine, which is get people to buy by making it sound like companies will be begging you to cover them, I couldn’t help but laugh at it.

Yeah, major companies like Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and the others listed are going to bend over backwards to try and earn the favor of someone who just jumps in and buys Hardcore Gamer. Maybe if you buy it and play hard to get, those companies will send you free Wiis, PS3s, PSPs, DSis and Xbox 360s.

Whoever wrote the promo for this sale should be writing for The Onion.

Read [Kotaku] Purchase [eBay] Site [Hardcore Gamer]

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There has been some unique PS3 consoles out there made by talented individuals but this one trumps them all by far. This custom made 60 GB PS3 inspired by Metal Gear Solid 4 is signed by the series creator Hideo Kojima which is enough reason to bid on it.

It’s also made partially out of carbon fiber and features laser cut etchings of Solid Snake and the MGS 4 logo. The designer even went so far to include 15 LED lights that highlight the logo in the dark. Did I mention the artwork on the console can be seen in total darkness as well? Well it does!

The winning bidder will get much more than a one-of-a-kind PS3. They’ll also get some exceedingly rare MGS 4 swag that any fan would fall over themselves to have such as:

• GA-KO Alarm Clock
• The Complete Four Bottle Set of Revive 24 energy drive with all Four Limited MGS4 Items imported from Japan
• Metal Gear Solid 4 Special Edition T-Shirt
• Custom Embroidered Otacon Patch - 2 of only 12 in the World
• Custom Made Fox Hound Vinyl Decal
• Hardcover Limited Edition MGS4 Strategy Guide with Solid Snake Lithograph
• World Tour - Launch Day Dog Tags
• Custom made full size Fox Hound Hardcase for the PS3 and Accessories

The current bid is just above $2,250 as of October 21, 2008, at 7:36 EST (shipping is free). It’s comforting to know some of the proceed from the auction will go to Penny Arcade’s Child’s Play Charity. Good luck and happy bidding!

Auction [eBay] Read [PS3 Fanboy]

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Halo fans rejoice for there are four new collectibles to put next to your Master Chief helmet. Weta debuted these sculptures at Comic-Con 2008 and are drool-wrorthy items for hardcore Halo fans.

These figures so much more special than regular collectibles because they are cased in Sterling Silver and certain parts of each sculpture are solid Sterling Silver. These unique features makes these figures truly one-of-a-kind or as Weta puts it, “One in the Universe of each.”

The first auction is for the Master Chief and the Grunts statue which ends August 17, 2008. Currently there have been 33 bids placed on the item bringing the bid price up to $1,625. It’s a little pricey but the shipping is free anywhere in the world and you’ll also receive a Halo 3 messenger bag full of things including a Halo 3 cup, a poster, soundtrack, and hat.

The second auction which ends on August 20. 2008 features Master Chief and the Arbiter. As with the previous auction this qualifies for free worldwide shipping and comes with a bag full of Halo 3 swag. Only a hand full of people have brought the current bid to $895.

The other two auctions which have yet to start are for Master Chief and the Flood and Cortana.

Read [Watanz] Bid [eBay (Master Chief & Grunts)] Bid [eBay (Master Chief & Arbiter)]

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If you’re a serious Legend of Zelda or Final Fantasy fan, well, if you’re a fan of any major series, you’d probably love to own a special version of a game. A new auction on Shop Goodwill that just started today (August 4, 2008) is ready to accomodate you. The Goodwill Industries of the Columbia-Willamette area in Oregon have listed a lot which contains special Nintendo Promotional Offer versions of the NES games Final Fantasy and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.

As of 3:18pm CST today, there have been no bids, so the starting price is only $5. Both games come with their original boxes, sleeves and instruction books. Neither game was tested though, for $5 its worth the risk. The auction ends August 11, 2008.

The games really look like they’re in beautiful condition. This could be a great gift for someone who lives Zelda or Final Fantasy, especially since the price is still so low.

Site [Shop Goodwill]

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Chalk this up under things you don’t see every day - Shop Goodwill has a Sega Master System and Sega Sports Pad up for auction. The Reading, Pennsylvania Goodwill put up the listing for this console and controller today (July 14, 2008), and the auction will end July 21, 2008. There have been no bids so far, so the opening price is still at $5 (July 14, 2008 4:18pm CST).

The Sega Master System box has the console, 2 controllers, a copy of Hang-On/Safari Hunt, the light gun and all the necessary cords. the Sports Pad box has, you guessed it, the Sports Pad controller. Both items come in their original boxes with all items included, but have not been tested.

I never actually realized that the Sega Master System and Sega Genesis were two different systems until I finally got a Sega Genesis. An older friend of mine said it was just a revamp of the same system, and I believed him. I was only nine and pretty naive.

Site [Shop Goodwill] Site [Sega Master System Museum]

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Shop Goodwill has an auction today that represents classic gaming at it’s best. At 8:50AM PST, Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana put an Atari 2600 with all of the necessary cables and accoutrements. The bidding started at $5.00, and since there’s only been one bidder, it is still at $5 (at 7:36 PM CST June 30, 2008).

The highlight of the auction is the collection of 16 games which come with the system. Pretty much every game is an amazing title. So if you bid, you’ll also be getting Asteroids, Centipede, Chopper Command, Crackpots, Defender, Grandprix, Joust, Outlaw, Pac Man, Pitfall, Pitfall II, Robot Tank, Space Invaders, Target Fun, Q*Bert and Yars’ Revenge.

This would definitely make a great gift for an old-school gamer. Imagine being able to enjoy all of these classic games in their original format! The auction listing does state that the system and games are all unused and untested, but for $5 it is worth a try. Where else could you get the system, case, manual, paddle, two joysticks, power cords, av cords, case and games for that price? Nowhere. Well, maybe eBay. But eBay probably wouldn’t be giving the money to charity.

Site [Shop Goodwill]

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It’s a good week for Nintendo products at Shop Goodwill. A lot today which has just come up on the site includes a working NES with the original box and package in nearly perfect condition. If that wasn’t enough, the system also comes with an extra controller, a light gun, the original manuals and 48 games.

The item is from the Chattanooga Goodwill Industries, in Tennessee. It was originally listed for $4.00 this morning (June 26, 2008), but has since risen to $46.00 (2:29pm CST June 26, 2008). That still isn’t too bad - it’s not even a dollar a game. The auction ends July 7, 2008.

The games included according to the listing are as follows:

Back to the Future 2
Back to the Future 3
Bases Loaded 2
Bomberman 2
Bump-n-Jump
Burger Time
California Games
Commando
Defenders of Dynatron City
Demonsword
Donkey Kong Classics
Golf
Gotcha the Sport
The Guardian Legend
Home Alone 2
Hoops
Ice Hockey
Ivan “Iron Man” Stewart’s Off Road
Jeapordy 25th Anniversary Edition
Jurassic Park
Metroid
Mike Tyson’s Punch Out
Monster Party
NFL
Pac-Man
Punch-Out
Rad-Racer
Rambo
R.C. Pro AM
Robocop
Roger Clemens MVP Baseball
Silent Service
Strider
Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back
Super Mario Brothers/Duck Hunt
Super Mario Brothers 2
Super Mario Brothers 3
Super Team Games
Super Pitfall
T&C Surf Designs
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninjas 2 the Arcade Game
Tetris 2
Track and Field 2
World Games
Wrath of the Black Manta
Xenophobe
Zelda 2 The Adventure of Link

If you’ve always wanted to become a classic game collector, this would be a great place to start. There are some great games included in this action, the console works and looks good and it is (currently) at a reasonable price.

Site [Shop Goodwill]

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Many people have fond memories of some classic SNES Square titles. If you’re one of them, then you may want to stop by Shop Goodwill, Goodwill’s online auction site, and check out two SNES game lots. Both lots are being sold by Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana-West, went online today (June 25, 2008) and end July 2, 2008.

Both auctions have some really special games. The first lot contains Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana. The bidding for this lot started at $5, and the current bid is $23.99 (3:15 CST June 25, 2008). The second lot has a Super Mario theme, and offers up Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Super Mario All Stars. The second lot also started at $5, but has quickly risen to $27 (3:15 CST June 25, 2008). None of the four games were tested, but they appear to be in good condition and have little plastic protectors covering the bottom of the carts.

Goodwill is a great charity, and a wonderful place for searching for cheap games. Plus you get the satisfaction of knowing that your new treasure purchase is helping needy people find jobs.

Site [Shop Goodwill: Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana] Site [Shop Goodwill: Super Mario RPG and Super Mario All Stars]

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Goodwill can surprise you sometimes. Case in point is today’s find - a Nintendo Super Famicom cartridge that has been listed on the site as a “Nintendo Super Famicon cassette.” The Super Famicom cartridge was listed on June 5, 2008 and the auction ends on June 15, 2008. So far only one person has bid, and the current price is $5.95 as of 5:04pm CST on June 8, 2008.

The game in question is Pro Mahjong Kiwame, a mahjong game. It was a Japan-only release from Athena in 1993. It doesn’t come with the box or any kind of instructions, and is obviously used. The staff at the Spokane, Washington Goodwill store, which is running the auction, was unable to test the cartridge to see if it actually works.

Super Famicon is the Japanese name for the Super Nintendo. Since the games and systems were region locked, this game won’t work unless you happen to own a Japanese Super Famicon system. Unlike normal SNES cartridges, this cart has rounded edges, where the North American cart was more rectangular. Japanese and North American games do use the same region chip, so if you could find some sort of adapter, then perhaps you could play this game in your system.

Read [Gamertell] Site [Shop Goodwill]

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I love when big companies do something to help out those less fortunate. Nintendo Canada was doing some spring cleaning and found a warehouse filled with old Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Virtual Boy paraphernalia (mainly games). So the division made an eBay account (nocl604) and decided to auction off all the items in 33 separate lots for the United Way.

If you’re suspicious, because it is a new eBay account and you figure anyone can go online and pretend to be from anywhere - you need to be a little more trusting. Plus the members of the NintendoAge forum did quite a bit of extensive research to make sure the sale was legit. Link at gameSniped.com even posts the complete message explaining the sale, left by a Nintendo representative at the NintendoAge forum.

So far the lot prices (at 11:20 AM CST on June 3, 2008) range from $809.11 for 18 mint condition NES games to $0.99 for open copies of Dr. Mario and WWF Wrestlemania Steel Cage Challenge for the NES.

There are quite a few worthwhile titles in the bunch. For example, I spied Mario Paint (SNES), Super Adventure Island II (SNES), Breath of Fire II (SNES), Lost Vikings 2 (SNES), Super Mario All-Stars (SNES), Zoda’s Revenge: Star Tropics II (NES), Bubble Bobble II (NES) and Yoshi’s Cookie (NES). Even that $0.99 copy of Dr. Mario looks pretty good.

Read [Total Gamerzone] Also Read [gameSniped] Site [eBay] Site [Nintendo Canada] Site [United Way]

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I bet you never thought your favorite childhood toy could suit-up to fight the Covenant, but the incredibly talented AnimeAmy has made it a reality. The Master Chief My Little Pony is wearing Halo 3 Mjolnir IV armor, took second place in a Kentucky custom pony contest and sold for $151.57 to a lucky fan in an eBay auction that ended April 7, 2008.

AnimeAmy’s My Little Pony customizing talents seem limitless, as she has a whole stable of customized ponies in her deviantART gallery. She also states in her deviantART profile that she does take commissions, however at the moment there are no open slots.

Some of her other video game ponies worth noting include Shiva (FFX), Epona (Legend of Zelda), RedXIII (FFVII), Yoda (Star Wars) and Rinoa (FFVIII). Of course when I say worth noting, I mean they just happen to be my personal favorites from her gallery. Frankly, every single pony she has customized is an amazing work of art.

I can’t wait to see her Buckbeak (Harry Potter) and Godzilla ponies that are listed as current commissions in her profile. Her art is amazing and I am just floored by her creative genius. Just look at the detail in that Shiva pony! It is just amazing.

Read [Tech Digest] Via [Gizmodo] Product Page [eBay] Site [AnimeAmy’s deviantART]

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A piece of gaming history is up for auction at Shop Goodwill, and it looks spiffy. A Legend of Zelda Game & Watch game from 1989 has just been placed on the auction block. The bidding for this rare item started at $2, but already has skyrocketed to $16.55 since the auction started at 6:39am today (March 21, 2008). The staff at Goodwill states that the game looks like it is in perfect condition, with no dirt or marks on the casing. They were unable to test the product though, and it is sold as is. If you decide to bid, make sure to pick up some LR4x/SR4x batteries as well. The auction is scheduled to end March 25, 2008.

The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch game features twin LCD screens and very much resembles the Nintendo DS. It originally was released in August 1989 and was one of the last dual screen Game & Watch games released. The unit will also likely have a clock with an alarm function in addition to the Zelda game.

I think it is adorable. I remember playing one of those Game & Watch clamshell units like this back when I was in kindergarten. It brings back fond memories. This whole auction gets me all nostalgic.

Product Page [Legend of Zelda Game & Watch game] Site [Shop Goodwill]

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Sega console fans rejoice, as an extremely rare item has just appeared on Shop Goodwill. A brand new Sega Dreamcast with an extra controller are among the latest lots on the charity auction site run by Goodwill Industries. Everything was factory sealed upon arrival, and Goodwill employees at the Indianapolis store where the items are located only opened the boxes to ensure everything was inside and completely sealed. The opening price for the lot was $3, and that has since risen to $30.36.

This is a phenomenal deal. The Dreamcast was originally released in 1998, and this brand new item is not only a pristine collector’s piece, but also a fully functional console. All you need to do is then find some games. Fortunately enough, there are five different lots of Dreamcast games available on Shop Goodwill.

This is a great deal, and I wish I could bid. However I know I’d be outbid on this beauty. This collector’s item is worth far more than $30, and I’m sure some loving fan is going to scrape together the funds to procure this piece of gaming history. The auction began February 29, 2008 and is set to end on March 7, 2008.

Product Page [Brand new Sega Dreamcast with an extra controller] Site [Shop Goodwill]

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Oh how the mighty have fallen. Halo 3 may have been a big thing back when it came out in September 2007, but five months has clearly made a big difference. The latest Shop Goodwill auction lots prove this point, with brand new copies of the game are starting at $3.00.

These are brand new, standard editions of the popular sci-fi Xbox 360 game. While there are a total of seven factory sealed Halo 3 games up for auction on the site, only two are still at the $3 point. The others have bids ranging from $7  to $14.44.

If you, by some miracle, missed out on Halo 3 the first time around, this could be a great opportunity to pick up a copy. Remember, buying from Shop Goodwill gives money to Goodwill’s charity organization. That way you can feel extra good when wiping out the alien menace.

Product Page [Halo 3 auctions] Site [Shop Goodwill]

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There’s a great deal at the ShopGoodwill.com auctions for owners of a Wii who haven’t had a chance to pick up Super Mario Galaxy. A recent auction features a bundle that includes a nearly mint condition copy Super Mario Galaxy, a factory sealed copy of Wii Sports and two wiimotes. The best part of the deal is the price. The auction just began today (February 7, 2008) with a starting price of $5.00. So for $5.00 you can get one of the best games available for the Wii, extra controllers and a spare copy of Wii Sports. The auction will end February 14, 2008, and so far there are no bids on the bundle.

None of the items have been formally tested. The staff at the Orange County Goodwill in Santa Ana, California, have inspected all of the items. The staff checked the remotes with batteries and saw that they do have flashing lights and appear in perfect condition. The Super Mario Galaxy disc is also reported to be in immaculate condition. The copy of Wii Sports is factory sealed, so they did not open it for inspection.

This is a fantastic deal. Normally Super Mario Galaxy will cost you $49.99. Spare wiimotes are going for $39.99 each at GameStop. The best part is that all of the money goes to Goodwill, which means that the money will help get jobs for people who normally can’t find one on their own.

Product Page [ShopGoodwill.com]

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There comes a time when a hardcore fan must ask the value of a mint condition, piece of history which takes one back to a happier time. Apparently, if that piece of history is a factory-sealed copy of Chrono Trigger, then it is worth $540. A recent eBay auction by nyescott is selling a perfect, brand new copy of the title.

The price on Chrono Trigger may rise even higher, as the auction still has 18 hours left. It ends February 3, 2008, at which time one lucky fan will be the winner of this priceless game. So far there have been 36 bids on the game, which originally started with an opening price of $25.

Preview pictures of the game in question reveal an immaculate copy. It looks absolutely perfect. The box art doesn’t even seem to be fading. If someone is a true rpg fan and lover of this title, this could be quite an investment. Of course you could never actually open it and play it - that’s what the Playstation remake of Chrono Trigger is for.

Read [Go Nintendo] Via [Kotaku] Product Page [eBay]

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If you’re looking for a copy of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for the Wii, there’s an interesting eBay auction you should see. A Canadian father in the Toronto area came home from work early one day to discover his son smoking marijuana with his friends. In a normal situation, this would result in a typical grounding. However this isn’t a normal situation, as his father just spent two weeks scouring the area for a copy of Guitar Hero III for the Wii as a Christmas gift.

As a way to send his son a message that he wouldn’t ignore about the consequences of his actions, the father decided to place the game up for auction. So far there have been 7 bids on the copy of Guitar Hero III and the current bid is $122.50. The seller is willing to ship the game anywhere.

Personally I’m thinking ‘best punishment ever,’ but that’s just me. This will definitely make the kid think twice about doing drugs.

Read [Gaming Today] Product Page [eBay]

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Sony’s Santa Monica studio is offering a chance for a gamer to become a designer for a day and a sneak peek at the upcoming God of War 3 for the PS3. All they have to do is bid on the chance through an auction with Charity Folks Online. Currently the bid is at $375.00, with only a few days left to bid as the auction will end 6 p.m. EST on Wednesday (December 5, 2007). Winners of the auction will be allowed to bring one guest, and the prize includes a tour of Sony’s Santa Monica studio, one-on-one time with the Game Director and Key Designers of God of War 3, and a chance to play and test a portion of an unannounced title.

All proceeds of this auction will be donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization of Los Angeles and the inland empire. The only requirement to participate in this auction is to be at least 18-years of age. This offer expires June 1, 2008.
 
Read [Playstation Mods] Site [Charity Folks ] Site [Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles and Inland Empire]

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The Xbox 360 normally isn’t the system that comes to mind when you think of a cute console, but a new listing on Ebay can changes all that. A very creative individual has put together a pink Xbox 360 plush toy. The item was just placed on Ebay today (November 25, 2007) and the auction will close December 2, 2007. The starting bid for the item is £35.00 British, or roughly $72 American.

Inkyfingersjunior, the seller, has 100% positive feedback over 92 transactions, so it is definitely a trustworthy seller. The item is in St. Helens in the UK, but the seller will ship worldwide. The seller only accepts paypal, so if you want to bid you better make yourself an account.

The Xbox 360 pink plushie is completely handmade and almost the same size as a real Xbox 360. It is made of fleece and cushion stuffing, and it took the artist 5 hours to create. This toy could be the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift for the Xbox fan in your household.

This has to be the cutest Xbox 360 I have ever seen. It is just the cutest thing. It could be a decoration or a pillow! This item will probably go fast, so better hurry and start bidding.

Read [DeviantART] Auction Page [Xbox 360 Pink Plush Edition]

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From Xiola Azuthra, the Canadian woman who blessed the world with the original, hand-made, infamous Katamari Damaci knit hats comes… another Katamari hat! Xiola has apparently mustered up the time to knit another and it’s up for auction on eBay. The bidding starts at US $95 and is set to end May-13-07 16:14:19 PDT (Mother’s Day in the US).  According to an MTV article, the original hat has sold for $130 on eBay, though by now it’s likely worth a bit more.

In case you don’t like the colors of the latest hat, (”...it’s extremely Invader-Zim-esque. and Invader Zim is clearly awesome,” Xiola wrote in an email list) she’s already completed a black-and-white hat and will post it to eBay next. She also indicated that she might make a Dalek hat (Dr. Who fans will drool all over that) and, when she gets more time, a Pisces-Katamari hat.

From the eBay post:

COLOUR:  INVADER ZIM themed hat! :P it is is dayglo green, dark purple, and black. exact repeat colour designs will be very rare (I will not make this colour again unless requested, since I only had one ball of this yarn).

FIT: this hat is made to fit a 22” head, so it should fit 20” to 24” heads comfortably (quite stretchy).

FIBRE: this hat is made of acrylic fibre with synthetic stuffing (acrylic or polyfill). It is washable but I advise against machine washing. I can email you with washing instructions. It will be very warm for the winter!

NEW CONDITION - SMOKE-FREE AND PET-FREE HOME (and freshly clean hair, course! :P)

For her lengthy explanation of why the price is so high, check out the auction.  Happy bidding, Katamari fans!

Auction [eBay] Site [MadTeaParty] Also Read [MTV]

UPDATE: The hat sold for $95 (plus $13 shipping) with one bid.

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