Also, let us take note of another great case mod for the Xbox 360 this month, with the Halo Helm 360 case.  This case has a large window to view in to the case that is styled in the shame of the Master Chief visor.  If you would read more about this mod, head over to Unreality for their top 15 Xbox 360 case mod article.  Also, make sure to check out our other Ones to Watch articles for the PC, PS3/PSP and Nintendo Wii/DS platforms.

Dragon Age: Origins – Bioware is heading back to a genre that is very familiar with them going back to their days with Baldur’s Gate, but with much more violence and brutality this time.  No longer tied into the Dungeons and Dragons license, Bioware is allowed to let loose, with gritty, violent combat, interpersonal relationships with your teammates and of course, some sexual situations.  About the only concern I can see for this and the PS3 versions of this title is the idea that the game was originally slated as a PC only release, so one has to hope for the same spit and polish for this version of Dragon Age.  Dragon Age: Origins will drop on November 3rd.

Lego Rock Band – This is the second breakout expansion for the guys and gals at Harmonix, but it is looking to a more family friendly atmosphere with Lego Rock Band.  With tracks that will sit in the E10 and lower rating category, Lego Rock Band will allow younger children to rock out with their parents.  Also, you will get to make some Lego themed avatars, similar to the way you build little Lego people with their building sets.  Lego Rock Band also has Lego avatars that are based on real live musicians, like Brian May from Queen.  All tracks will be exportable to Rock Band, and any Rock Band music download appropriately rated will be available for Lego Rock Band automatically.  Look for Lego Rock Band on November 3rd.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Easily the biggest release of the holiday season on the Xbox 360, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 looks to up the ante on its 2007 predecessor.  The player will be presented with new locations, characters and situations that will drive a solid narrative.  Multiplayer is also upgraded with new kill streaks, perks and gameplay types, which should keep Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 at the top of the Xbox 360 Live charts for many months to come.  Some controversy has crept up as of late with the game, including a terrorist mission that will have you gunning down innocent civilians.  The level can be skipped, but it might deter some from purchasing this title.  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 hits shelves on November 10th.

Left 4 Dead 2 – Oh look its another zombie game coming to the Xbox 360, but as most will say, Left 4 Dead 2 is no ordinary zombie game.  Left 4 Dead 2 is all about teamwork, as you and three other people are working to escape a zombie onslaught.  The location has changed to the south, and now we actually have daylight and new melee weapons.  Slamming someone with a baseball bat is so rewarding, including the blood splatter on the screen.  The timing of the sequel, so soon after the first Left 4 Dead title has caused a bit of a furor on the Internet, but once the title is released, I am sure that we will see the clamor die down as people get their hands on the new title.  Look for Left 4 Dead 2 on shelves November 17th.

Assassins Creed 2 – When does a game sell over six million copies, and is yet considered average and dull at time.  Well, this is the issue that dogged the original Assassins Creed, and it is something that Ubisoft is trying to change with the sequel.  Assassins Creed 2 adds some RPG-lite elements, upgrade shops, side missions, evasion moves and so much more, that is does seem to feel like a new title.  A continuation of the first Assassins Creed, find out what happens with lead character Desmond as he relives the memories of another long lost family member, this time in the Renaissance era.  Some might still lament some of the investigation activities, and the simple combat, but it does look like enough has changed in this title to warrant a purchase.  Look for Assassins Creed 2 on November 20th.

And with that, we wrap up another fun filled month of gaming on the Xbox 360 system.  We did skip over a few titles that don’t seem to add much for Xbox 360 gamers like Lego Indiana Jones 2 and Band Hero.  Also, I cannot in good conscience , reommend anyone go out and spend $120 on Tony Hawk: Ride.  I have enjoyed Tony Hawk games in the past, but this title just does not look that good, and there is no idea that the controller will ever catch on with other skating titles, including EA’s much better title, Skate 2 and the soon to release Skate 3.  Do you agree or disagree with these titles?  Sound off in the comments.

After rumors started the discussion of whether there would be Xbox 360 Avatar awards in Left 4 Dead 2, Valve has released some video footage that confirms the rumor.  Shown in the video are such rewards as a Left 4 Dead 2 logo t-shirt, a pink Depeche Mode t-shirt, and a zombie t-shirt.

The full list of rewards and what it takes to earn them is as follows:

- Left 4 Dead 2 Shirt – A Left 4 Dead 2 shirt earned by winning 10 games of Scavenge
- Left 4 Dead 2 Shirt #2 – A Left 4 Dead 2 shirt earned by winning 10 games of Scavenge
- Depeche Mode Shirt – A sweet Depeche Mode shirt earned by rescuing Gnome Chompski from the Dark Carnival.
- Depeche Mode Shirt #2 – A sweet Depeche Mode shirt earned by rescuing Gnome Chompski from the Dark Carnival.
- Zombie Hand Shirt – A scary zombie shirt earned by killing 10,000 Infected
- Zombie Hand Shirt #2 – A scary zombie shirt earned by killing 10,000 Infected

Thanks to G4TV for the Info

We also took the time to sit discuss some of the recent hulabaloo on the web surrounding the complaints over the recent scores that Uncharted 2 has received from some media outlets.  Yes, you read that right, people have been complaining about 9.3, 9.4 and 4.5 out of 5 scores.  We just found it interesting that a game that has reviewed so well, is still getting complaints over the review scores being so low.

The podcast music is provided by Revolution Void and they can be found at www.revolutionvoid.com.  The podcast is mixed as always by our favorite DJ, Stephen “stop clearing your throat already, Joe” Munn.

Download the podcast from here or subscribe to the podcast using one of the services below: Also make sure to review us on iTunes.

The DS didn’t exactly blow its doors off, though. The DS sold 524k, the PS3 sold 491k, the Wii sold 462k, the Xbox 360 sold 352k, and the PSP (pre-Go, remember) chugged along at 191K. In last place, limping along, is the PS2 with 142k units sold. The 360’s number is nothing to sneeze at, but it looks like that PS3 price cut showed that consumers still really did want a PlayStation 3 after all this time. Does Microsoft consider that along with having sold a full 110,000 units less than the Wii this time a problem?

September was also notable for stopping a long slide of months where game sales were down significantly from the previous year. This is no small feat, even if this month just meant staying on par with 2008. New consoles on the market could have been a big part of that and if the holidays are good to those new console owners it could very well be a very happy holiday for all three console makers after all.

Seen at Gamespot.

I found the gameplay pretty easy to follow and the weapon variety surprising. When your hero starts getting badly hurt, notice how they treat death. She’s knocked down and an arcade-like message flashes for her to “Fight For Your Life!” Apparently, by doing enough damage as she’s down, perhaps on her knees, on the verge of death, she’s given a second chance. I could just hear Mick barking at Rocky on the mat: “Get Up Rocky Gaddamn You!”

A big apology for this podcast getting to press so late.  Real life has been getting in the way of things for the last week and a half, but things are getting better.  And believe me, beyond a technical issue for this podcast, it is well worth the wait.  Why is that you say?  Well, we had our writer from the UK, Vikki, making an appearance on the show.  So for once, we have a really good English accent on the show, although a really bad accent shows up as well at one point.

Features in this podcast include shopping for good, not so cutesy DS and DSi games, and the Xbox 360 and PC Ones to Watch titles, so it was not a fanboy oversight that they were not on the site.

Music is provided by Revolution Void, and mixed as always by Stephen Munn.

Download the podcast from here or subscribe to the podcast using one of the services below: Also make sure to review us on iTunes.

Now that the PS3 is $299 and Microsoft is throwing a rebate at the 360 to take it down to $250 for a couple of weeks to blunt Sony’s numbers Nintendo has decided to up the value proposition on its little white juggernaut of a console by cutting the price to $199 effective Sunday the 27th. So says Engadget.

Anyone else think that the surge from this won’t hit previous sales numbers? I’m guessing everyone that really wanted a Wii by now has one. Then again, a recession is a recession, and this is a convenient excuse to spend unnecessary money on something around the holidays, and it probably means even I will have one before the year is out.

It looks like the rumors were almost completely true about a 250GB Xbox 360.  Yes, the unit is coming, but it is not a full blown production model.  Major Nelson posted up a couple of pictures of the Call of Duty Modern Warfare Limited Edition Xbox 360.  The unit, priced at $399.99, will include an Xbox 360 with a 250GB drive, a custom Call of Duty Modern Warfare design, two wireless controllers and a copy of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.

Looking at the contents of the console, this is a really good deal.  You are getting a $60 hotly desired game, a second $50 controller, and twice the hard drive space of the Xbox 360 Elite, considering the pricetag of a 120GB hard drive (since you would need a second hard drive to get the same comparable space).

Check the jump for a straight on picture of the console.  Also, let us know if you might be picking one of these up.

While I am currently knee deep in a copy of Section 8 on the PC, the 360 players will have the chance to play against the developers of Section 8 on Saturday, September 12th at 3:00 PM Pacific time.  There will be a total of 12 to 15 developer gamertags that you will be able to look up and join on the fly. 

Also, stat junkies can now have a number orgasm, because the statistics site for Section 8 just went live.  The site will track all of your stats, in the vein of Left 4 Dead, Gears of War 2, Halo 3, etc.  Want to know how often you use a certain rifle, or how many entrenchments you have called in? Just check the site. Hit the jump for all the pertinent info.

Game with the Section 8 Developers:

3PM Pacific time on September 12th, 2009

Gamertags involved in the event include

• Section8Dev1
• Section8Dev2
• Section8Dev3
• Section8Dev4
• Section8Dev5
• Section8Dev6
• Section8Dev7
• Section8Dev8
• Section8Dev9
• Section8Dev10
• Section8Dev11
• Section8Dev12
• Section8Dev13