KB Toys Gets Into “Super Value”

KB Toys announced on September 16 that they’re offering new three “Super Value” lines — Super Value Video Games, Super Value Family DVDs, and interestingly, Super Value Previously-Played Video Games (one more major retailer gets into the used market.) The Super Value program is described as carrying games (new games) starting at $9.98, while the used line didn’t have prices described. The press release noted only that the used games would offer guarantees. You can get the full press release at Marketwatch.com.

Nintendo Goes for the “Women Who Rent Handbags” Demographic

Nintendo has teamed up with From Bags to Riches, an online handbag-rental service, to include Nintendo DS systems and games with some rentals. That’s right, rent a Prada bag and get a nice DS to put in it. (The idea is to match the DS color with the bag color, I guess.) And instead of getting a little chihuahua to carry around, you can amuse yourself with Nintendogs.

From the press release: “With the addition of the stylish Nintendo DS, Nintendo brings to fashion accessories what Prada brought to stylish messenger bags.”

You can get more information about the new partnership at the From Bags to Riches Web site: http://www.frombagstoriches.com/rentbag/pc/nintendoDS.asp.

Video Games Might Not Be All THAT Bad

A story over at CBS News notes a study that found most teenagers — a whopping 97 percent — play video games. Furthermore, the three most popular categories of games are not violent: racing, puzzles, and sports. (Really? I’ve seen some sports games that are pretty scary.)

The study also noted that video games help kids work together and solve problems. I’m not sure where this fits in with the Grand Theft Auto series, but there ya go…

The New PSP Is Hitting the Market in October

Sony put out a press release on August 20 covering the new PSP.
The new PSP will have a screen with anti-reflection technology, built-in microphone (Skype on your PSP!) and a couple new colors. You can get Sony’s press release at Marketwatch, and a little more data at Gizmodo.

In-Depth Look at Video Game Console Sales

If you’re a video game quant nerd (come on, admit it) you’ll love the article at Edge-Online.com.The article takes a long look (with graphs and everything) at different video game console sales, year-over-year comparisons, third-party sales, and even a look at why Madden 09 has Wii to thank for a bump.

It’s nicely written but delivered with no smartalecky remarks at all. If you want smartalecky remarks with your console analysis, check out Dubious Quality.