In a budget proposal that can be read in its entirety online, Patterson calls for state worker layoffs, cuts in education and health care spending, expansion to the state's lottery program, and taxation on all digitally delivered property. From the official document:

Close Digital Property Taxation Loophole. Imposes state and local sales tax on purchases of prewritten software, digital audio, audio-visual and text files, digital photographs, games, and other electronically delivered entertainment services to achieve tax parity. For example, with the passage of this bill, a book, song, album, or movie would be subject to sales tax no matter if it was bought at a brick and mortar store or downloaded online.

I wouldn't worry too much just yet. The budget still needs legislative approval, and I can't see much of a chance of that happening, especially with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg firmly opposed.

Gov. David Paterson unveils dire New York State budget that includes new taxes, layoffs and cuts [NY Daily News via Game Politics]

To commence next fall, NYU will be offering "long-term undergraduate and graduate degrees in the research, design and development of digital games". Sorry board game fans. That's digital only.

Don't go flooding the college's phone lines with enquiries just yet, though, as NYU are taking baby steps with this one. Only 10-12 students will be offered positions next year, with plans to establish a two-year masters course the year after.

NYU Launching Videogame Degree Next Fall [Shacknews]

From next autumn, NYU will offer courses via its new NYU Games Center, which was also announced today.

NYU is no stranger to videogames, having opened the Microsoft-funded Games For Learning Institute which aims to research the use of games in education.

NYU launches video gaming degree [Crain's NY]

Of course Best Buy locations across the country will be opening as well, but they are nowhere near as important as that one right there. Until Morhaime can be cloned, this is the way it has to be.

Best Buy® Counts Down the Arrival of Wrath of the Lich King™ in New York City

World of Warcraft® Players to Meet Blizzard Entertainment® Developers and Be Among First to Obtain Their Copy at an Exclusive Launch Celebration

MINNEAPOLIS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Alliance and Horde members will converge on the Best Buy at 44th Street and 5th Avenue to take part in the highly anticipated midnight launch of Blizzard Entertainment®’s World of Warcraft®: Wrath of the Lich King™. The celebration, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 12 at the Best Buy store near Times Square, is the premiere developer meet-and-greet in the U.S. for the popular World of Warcraft game and the only such event on the East Coast.

The event includes appearances by Blizzard Entertainment cofounders Mike Morhaime, CEO, and Frank Pearce, executive vice president of product development. In addition, a number of the game’s developers will be available to meet players and sign copies of the game. Geoff Keighley, videogame TV host, will emcee the evening that will feature interviews, trivia and prize giveaways.

With more than 11 million subscribers, World of Warcraft is the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game in the world. Wrath of the Lich King is the game’s second expansion. For more information on the game visit www.WorldofWarcraft.com.

In addition to the original game and both expansions, players can purchase 60-day World of Warcraft subscription cards at Best Buy.

“At Best Buy, we’re passionate about helping gamers get the most enjoyment from their gaming systems – from having the latest releases to a full complement of gaming platforms, accessories, electronics and services,” said Jill Hamburger, Best Buy vice president games and movies. “Our newly introduced Reward Zone Gamers Club provides additional benefits and amazing experiences for our most loyal customers who love gaming.”

Reward Zone® program Gamers Club is a specialty expansion of Best Buy’s Reward Zone Loyalty Program. For every $150 spent on qualifying gaming software and accessories (certain exclusions apply) Reward Zone program Gamers Club members will receive 500 points/$10 reward certificates, in addition to their regular Reward Zone program points, that can be used on almost everything within the store. Additional membership benefits include special offers on game software and accessories, information on the latest gaming trends and hints and cheats for popular games to maximize the gaming experience. Members may also receive special access to invitation only gaming events hosted by Best Buy.

For more information on the launch event, visit www.bestbuy.com/midnightopenings.

Wrath of the Lich King is a trademark, and World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, and Warcraft are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries.

From the bill's description, it:

Creates an advisory council on interactive media and youth violence and requires video game consoles to be equipped with a device or control to permit owners to prevent the display of violent or indecent video games; defines "video game"; addresses sale and rental of video games.

Now that the bill, spearheaded by Staten Island Republican Senator Andrew Lanza (R), has been passed 61-1 by the State Senate, the proposed 16-member advisory council still needs to meet with the approval of New York Governor David Paterson (D). If he signs off, the bill could become law in 2010 - which could open the door for the New York State Senate to use its judgment to control video game content.

GamePolitics, who yesterday broke the news of the bill's passage in the Senate, also obtained an mp3 of Senator Lanza's argument to the Senate in favor of the bill:

If you look closely at this bill, [concerns expressed by Sen. Duane] are not valid. Let's start with speech. There's all kinds of speech. If we take an old-fashioned pinball machine and plunked it down here in the middle of the chamber, no one would call it speech. But when we put that up on a video screen, it does become speech and I acknowledge that. And it deserves protection under the Constitution... There is some confusion with respect to what this bill actually accomplishes... The word prohibition was talked about. I want to be clear. This bill does not prohibit the sale of any video to anyone...

This simply says that every video game sold in the state of New York simply should have a rating consistent with what the ESRB does presently in a voluntary way... it does work. But the problem with "voluntary" is that tomorrow someone can change their mind. Someone could decide tomorrow to no longer place ratings on these games. So this is not about prohibiting the sale, this is simply about providing information to parents...

Last year's version... that included a provision that would have made it an E-felony to sell these games, we all thought it was wrong. And we took that out. We worked with the [video game] industry. We worked with the Assembly and we do have an agreement here on a piece of legislation that I think will go a long way in allowing parents to make good decisions in regard to what is and what isn't appropriate for their chidlren...

As with similar laws struck down in the past, we can likely expect a lawsuit - in the meantime, though, there is something you can do. If we can defend our favorite games in flamewars in comments on message boards, it's not too much to ask for us to write a letter.

The ESA had established a page within its Video Game Voters network that offers an easy letter form for New Yorkers to write their representatives in opposition to this measure, and even though the bill has already been passed, it might be a wise move to petition the Governor's office now as Paterson considers signing the bill into law.

You can even recruit your non-gaming, tax-paying friends to petition this cause, because history's shown us that efforts to regulate games through law - especially through legislation that precedent has established as unconstitutional in California, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois and Minnesota - end up a futile expense of taxpayer dollars, when the same end can be accomplished through industry self-regulation.

We've contacted the ESA for comment and will update with any response we receive.

NY Senate Passes Video Game Bill 61-1 [GamePolitics]

The report found that the city has more incentive to focus on the game industry than it's been given credit for:

According to local industry experts, the number of game development companies in New York City could be counted on one hand as recently as five years ago. But today, the city is home to more than 30 game development companies and another 55 firms involved in some aspect of games, from sound effects to distribution. Only a handful of other cities in North America have as many gaming firms.

The report recommends a number of strategies for the city's administration to bolster New York City's role in the industry, to create jobs and support economic health, and to develop "a framework for supporting the video game sector," including government liaisons, encouragement for trade shows, and expansion of city university programs for game development.

The report doesn't go as far as to encourage the Georgia-style tax breaks, however, which might at a further stage be a reasonable recommendation for the city with one of the highest costs of living in America.

Getting in the Game [New York City Center for an Urban Future] (Thanks, Mike!)

The farmacias and bodegas in East Holland, the Starbucks-esque cup in every hand, the prevalence of "Craplist" social interaction, even the thriving Russian community beside the boardwalk in Hove Beach where the story begins all capture that tickly feeling of home. But MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo notes that from Bohan to Schottler, there are a few things about New York that GTA IV gets wrong, and he's compiled a tongue-in-cheek list of eight key items that are, as he says, "grossly misrepresented."

1. We are not a car town: No sensible New Yorker uses a car as their primary means of transportation in the city, unless — maybe — they commute from the suburbs. Car ownership doesn't make much sense. There are never any parking spots. Parking garages are prohibitively expensive. And, most importantly, the subway is a faster, cheaper and more efficient means of transportation. We don't drive here. Niko, to be a real New Yorker, should rely on the subway. But what would he be left to grandly thieve?

True enough. Certainly, in New York, only rich commuters who live in swanky penthouses or in the outlying boroughs have cars. Rent here for the average denizen is pricey enough without the cost of gas and parking — and, that aside, I'd never even think of owning a car here just due to the crushing traffic and inconvenience.

But there are a lot of cars here nonetheless, and having been many times a pedestrian nearly clipped by some crazy speeder cornering badly, it's a fun turnabout to be behind the wheel this time. If you do happen to be in a car, people always seem to be wandering into the crosswalk at the worst of times — that, at least, is accurate.

Totilo picks more hangups: There are no dinosaurs at the Met! Times Square — er, Star Junction — should be much more congested with pedestrians, it's true. And bagels are a quintessential part of our diet, unobtainable in Liberty City.

8. We eat bagels: Have I missed something or is it not possible to eat a bagel in "Grand Theft Auto IV"'s Liberty City? Niko can eat burgers, hot dogs and go to diners. But bagels? The most famous New York City food? Never fear, visitors to our town, we have bagels that can be eaten and enjoyed, whether Liberty City acknowledges it or not. Burgers? Waste of time. You can eat them in any town.

And finally, where are Manhat— um, Algonquin's legions of tiny, tiny little doggies? It's the must-have accessory for Upper East Siders. We don't mean to quibble with such a fantastic game world, but, you know.

8 Things 'Grand Theft Auto IV' Gets Wrong About New York City, Including Bagels [MTV Multiplayer]

Flowing Pixels in the East Village [Gawker]

Take for instance the fact that Dragon Sword is the first Gaiden game that Hayashi's mom has endorsed, or that the game was designed to be played at the speed of penmanship:

- The game is designed to move at the pace of penmanship. Hayashi started working on "Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword" after wrapping work on the PS3 game "Ninja Gaiden: Sigma." Taking the DS game's reigns from his boss, Tecmo Team Ninja leader Tomonobu Itagaki, he re-designed the controls and made a breakthrough. "Itagaki had programmed the jump to double-tap," Hayashi told me. "When I played it, I just didn't get any sort of attachment to it. When the double-tap happened it didn't feel like the character was going to jump. So I proposed the idea that, when [series protagonist Ryu] jumps it [requires stroking the stylus] from down to up. When I chose that, there was no doubt that this is the way we should use this... This opened up our concept to how we were going to use the stylus."

I asked if the stroke-based controlled were influenced by favorite strokes of letters in the Japanese alphabets. He said, "Rather than [any one] Japanese character, it has more to do with the pace when one is writing, either in English or Japanese ... Someone can write really fast or really slow, but there's a tempo we thought worked really well."

Plenty of other gems in Totilo's write-up over on Multiplayer.

'Ninja Gaiden' Producer: Video Games Depict Only 10 Percent Of Ninja Lifestyle [MTV Multiplayer]

What did the groups finally agree on?

One would place limits on who can see violent video games. It would make it a felony to sell violent and obscene video games to minors. In addition, manufacturers would have to equip game consoles with parental-control devices, retailers would have to label games that are violent and obscene, and the state would establish a committee to study the problem.

Deals elude governor, lawmakers [Lower Hudson Online, via Game Politics]

The festival offers a chance to explore new styles of games and play. Last year the festival featured games from the creators of I love bees, PacManhattan, The Go Game, Conqwest, Big Urban Game and more. From massive multi-player scavenger hunts to public play performances, the festival gives players and the public the chance to take part in a variety of different games. Come rediscover the city around you through play. Why street games? Why a street games festival, you ask? Fair questions. Well, we like innovative use of public space. We like games which make people interact in new ways. We like games that alter your perception of your surroundings. But most importantly, we think games are great way to have fun.

Usually, I'm not really into stuff like this, but Amsterdam is already Disneyland for adults, from the Red Light to the coffee shops to drunken sailing in the canals (and that's Monday, folks). What's one more bit of chaos thrown into the mix? Kim Phu

Come Out & Play Festival 2007 [Come Out and Play]

Live in New York? Like to game? Into drinking? The first organized Wii Tennis tourney I've heard of, Wiimbledon, will be held June 23rd at Barcade in Brooklyn. Entering is totally free. From the event's official site:

Wiimbledon is a Wii Tennis tournament being held Saturday, June 23 from noon until 5pm at Barcade in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There will be singles and doubles tournaments, prizes and, yes, beer. Maybe even some strawberries and cream. Oh, and cucumber sandwiches.

Wiimbledon [Official Site]

We are deeply troubled by the prospect of New York enacting legislation that would treat video games differently from other protected, creative expression...

In 2005, we became a part of Activision... but we are committed to long-term growth in the Albany area... We have worked hard to keep strong, creative "home grown" talent here in New York, rather than having them leave for places like California and Florida...

At a time when New York is working hard to maintain its competitive edge... we have to avoid stigmatizing video games and game development in our state.

We know many in our state may not like the content of some video games, and, to be frank, we do not like some of it either. However, a better way... would be to... encourage use of video game ratings and parental controls...

More power to them if their voices get heard, because in the long run, it does seem confusing that the powers that be want to create a law for something that is already standard in the industry. Kim Phu

Developer Vicarious Visions Weighs in on New York Game Legislation

With both the Senate and the Assembly having passed gaming bills, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno is calling for talks towards a compromise. You'd think that would be an easy task since there are only a few major differences between the bills, but if any group of people could argue to a standstill over something they basically agree on, it's politicians. Michael Fahey

Lightning Round for NY Assembly: Video Game Bill Passed in a Day [GamePolitics.com]

While the definition of depraved violence is quite specific (rape, dismemberment, torture, mutilation) and the penalty only a Class E felony - the least severe in the state - nobody wants to end up with a felony record because they sold Mortal Kombat to a fourteen year old.

The bill also calls for game consoles to contain parental controls, which is nice because then they can take credit for making sure consoles that already have them...have them. Thank goodness.

I think that there is a pretty god chance this one will make it into law, though with a severability clause attached that allows for bits to be removed without canceling out the whole thing, I'm not sure what form it will take. There's a chance it could end up the same bill as last week, only with Democratic sponsorship instead of Republican, which would of course just be a whacky coincidence. Michael Fahey

ANOTHER N.Y. Game Bill - Democratic Proposal Could Turn Retailers into Felons [GamePolitics.com]

There is fun to be had in the press release (see below). As Game Politics points out, Senator Lanza uses the V-Tech Rampage 'game' as an example of games that needed to be regulated, despite the fact that as a non-retail amateur flash program created by an Australian there is absolutely nothing they can do to regulate it. A little shock value goes a long way though, doesn't it?

The bill is now sent to the assembly, and is fully expected to complete the process to become law. Michael Fahey

NY Video Game Bill Is On Fast Track to Becoming Law [GamePolitics.com]

SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON VIDEO GAME VIOLENCE
Bill Would Establish Advisory Council On Interactive Media and Youth Violence

The New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza (R-I, Staten Island), that would take steps to crack down on video game violence, and combat and reduce children's exposure to violent and inappropriate materials within these games.

The bill (S.5888) would establish the Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence to review the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) rating system and its effectiveness, and recommend additional steps that can be taken to curb children's access and exposure to such "adult-only" material. The advisory council would consist of nine members and six ex-officio members.

The bill would also require New York State's retailers to place ratings labels on all video games, and establish a Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program to work with students and children on issues related to violence in video games and seek to increase awareness of the ratings system on games.

"The recent release of 'V-Tech Massacre,' a sick game which exploits the Virginia Tech University tragedy, is a painful reminder of the culture of violence which has severe consequences on our youth and society," said Senator Lanza, Chairman of the Senate Task Force on Youth Violence and the Entertainment Industry. "The emotions and behaviors of our children are far too often shaped by the virtual reality of violent movies and video games. It is imperative that we find a way to prevent these virtual realities from continuing to fuel and teach the violent behavior which is corrupting our youth. My bill will provide parents with important information about violent video games so they are better able to make informed decisions."

"Everywhere we look, violence surrounds us and it is unfortunate that our children are exposed to this explicit material, whether found in video games, movies or on television," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "Our children our spending too much time watching television and playing video games without any adult supervision, and we cannot sit back and allow them to be exposed to this senseless violence anymore. I applaud Senator Lanza for his leadership and we will continue to push the Assembly to take action against these issues."

"No child should be playing 'games' that involve mutilating people with chain saws, having sex with prostitutes, or dealing drugs," said Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), Chairman of the Senate Critical Choices Task Force. "This hyper-violent material is mind-boggling in its brutality, and our kids should simply not be exposed to it. These commonsense proposals will better inform and empower parents throughout our State, while also helping to prevent our kids from gaining access to these video games."

Currently, video games are rated "E" for everyone, "T" for teens, "M" for mature, and "AO" for adults only. A study by a group of Harvard University researchers published in 2004 reviewed a random sample of 81 "T" rated video games and found that 48 percent contained violence, sexual themes, substance use, gambling, or profanity that was not noted on the game box as it should have been. In addition, a recent study published in Applied Developmental Psychology found that only twenty-five percent of parents surveyed said that they "always" check the industry rating of computer and/or video games before renting or buying them.

This legislation would establish the following:

> Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence — would establish a new Advisory Council on Media, Entertainment Software and Youth Violence, which will review and make recommendations on the effectiveness of the current Entertainment Software Ratings Boards (ESRB) ratings system in keeping violent video games out of the hands of youth. The panel, which will include parents, educators, experts in child psychology, child welfare advocates, concerned citizens and industry representatives, will also develop policies relating to public education and advocacy against youth violence, examine efforts being undertaken in other states, and develop recommendations for additional ways of regulating the exposure of youth to these games.

> Rating System Labeling Requirement — under current State law, there is no requirement that retailers place labels on video games sold in New York. To address this shortcoming, would establish a new requirement that every video game sold in New York by a retailer or over the Internet, whether new or for resale, must have a clearly displayed rating indication on the game cover or elsewhere (such as on a website). Individuals who violate these provisions will face fines and penalties.

> Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program — would also establish a new Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program, which will empower parents and teachers to work with students and children on issues related to violence in video games. The program will also seek to increase awareness of the ratings system on games, and the importance of appropriate parental supervision. The Anti-Violence Program would be funded through fines on retailers who violate the new labeling law.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.

####

"While Godzilla: Unleashed, Bullet Witch and DBZ Shin Budokai: Another Road offer different gameplay features, storylines and visual flair, all three share a common bond of Japanese art and influence - a bond that has been extremely prevalent in comics and other popular art forms."

Atari Unveils New York Comic Con 2007 Line-Up

Never-Before-Seen Godzilla : Unleashed, Bullet WitchTM, and Dragon BallZ Shin BudokaiTM: Another Road to Appear Publicly for First Time

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 - Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR), one of the world's most recognized brands and leading third-party video game publisher, today announced the Company's participation in the second annual New York Comic Con 2007. The hotly anticipated Godzilla : Unleashed for WiiTM and Nintendo DSTM system, Bullet WitchTM for the Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, as well as Dragon Ball Z Shin BudokaiTM: Another Road for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system will be available on kiosks throughout on the show floor at this year's event, February 23 - 25, 2007, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

"Comic Con is a natural environment for Atari to showcase several of the Company's upcoming games, especially those titles that lend themselves to the anime and popular culture worlds," said Nique Fajors, vice president of marketing and sales, Atari, Inc. "While Godzilla: Unleashed, Bullet Witch and DBZ Shin Budokai: Another Road offer different gameplay features, storylines and visual flair, all three share a common bond of Japanese art and influence - a bond that has been extremely prevalent in comics and other popular art forms."

The ultimate Goliath in fighting monster games, Godzilla: Unleashed stars the legendary Godzilla and a slew of the most renowned monsters of all-time. Gamers are challenged to ultimately save the planet from mayhem and destruction. Set in urban arenas, Godzilla: Unleashed boasts interactive 3D cityscapes, an exciting new non-linear storyline, big destructible buildings, soaring skyscrapers and towering alien formations provide the backdrop to epic worldwide destruction. Godzilla: Unleashed will tear its way onto WiiTM, Nintendo DSTM and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system in fall 2007.

Bullet Witch, a neo-apocalyptic action adventure game, takes place in a world where magic and massive fire-power unite on a next-generation platform. The advanced physics and creative graphics allow for intense environmental damage and incredibly innovative monsters. Fearsome weaponry and impressive spells are used to fight demons and supernatural monsters designed by one of Japan's most prominent creative talents, making Bullet Witch a distinctive game where Japanese fantasy and American action blend. Bullet Witch is scheduled to ship to stores in North America on February 27th for the Xbox 360 and will be available for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Dragon Ball Z Shin Budokai: Another Road takes the intense wireless multiplayer battles and thrilling combative gameplay made popular in last year's hit and adds an improved fighting system with over 50 new fighting skills and ultimate attacks and will send players into a completely new story arc following the future world of Trunks on his adventures against rival Majin Buu. Dragon Ball Z Shin Budokai: Another Road is slated to release in March 2007 for the PSP system.

All three Atari games will be shown within the Jacob Javits Center in New York City for the duration of New York Comic Con 2007. Dragon Ball Z Shin Budokai: Another Road will be shown at Room 1E03, Bullet Witch will be shown in the Lobby Booth and Godzilla : Unleashed will be shown at Classic Media Booth, #765.

For additional information on Atari's entire product line-up please visit http://www.atari.com.

###

And not. Mark Wilson

Subways are hard. Mark Wilson

Software that features "violent racism" or "religious violence" was targeted by both (along with other distasteful displays of rape, incest, bestiality, etc.). Each proposal, dated about a week apart, would require specially designated areas for games that feature content they consider unsuitable for minors as well as proof of age checks.

Both proposals, virtually identical in their text, require that anyone who appears to be under 30 years of age show ID to purchase a mature title. I hope this bill passes, just so I can be carded by the nice man at EB when I try to buy Bonestorm DS next time I'm in New York. Michael McWhertor

N.Y. Bill Limits Racial & Religious Violence in Games and Proposed New York Law Would Block Sale of Violent Games to Minors [Game Politics]

Last week, the enormous PSP near Houston Street in New York City was taken down, and we were all sad pandas. Cheer up! Reader Anthony sends happiness:

Went out for lunch again today and, lo and behold, it's going back up. Not even a different color!

And I had my heart set on a giant pink PSP. Rats. Brian Ashcraft

It looks like Senator Hillary Clinton is gearing up for her war on video games.

Sources tell me that Clinton has been asking around for volunteers for a new anti-violence in video games initiative. Specifically, Clinton is trolling for someone how feels passionate about extreme violence in video games.

One of Clinton's brainbursts is to try and add a special tax to video games, sorta like what a lot of states do for cigarettes. The profits from the tax would then go to a child advocacy program.

The "concerned parent" would need to attend a press conference to make a short statement and should be able to deal with annoying reporters asking questions like: Did Sen. Clinton send out a memo asking for someone like you to talk for her at a press conference?

Just a word of warning gamers, this isn't going away. Clinton has her heart set on making violence in video games a key component of her platform. Taxes on video games are going to be discussed. Brian Crecente

No, Mario is not ablaze. Kotakuite Justin Chin recently hit "Giglio Feast," an Italian festival held in Brooklyn, New York. The event included a glass-mirror "Super Maze" that featured Mario and Luigi on the outside, but not in the mirror filled inside. Justin came to the heartwarming realization that "even Italians from New York accept Mario and Luigi." Too bad the primates won't open up their hearts to Donkey Kong. That ape gets no love. Brian Ashcraft

Photo Here [Pic Patrol] Thanks, Justin!

We just love French Gorilla artist Invader, the guy who's taken the iconic aliens from Space Invaders and made them a trendy form of graffiti. His latest daring escapade appears to involve slapping one of his trademark Invader tile mosaics on a wall in Times Square. More importantly, he managed to do this under the constant survellience of more than 300 cameras and the every present NYPD.

I know he hit NY back in 2000, slapping his art up in a bunch of locations, but I hadn't heard, and he hasn't mentioned, returning to do Times Square. Maybe this is one of his many minions.

Good Invader [Thanks Bucky]

On Saturday, I finally got a chance to walk around in the Nintendo World Store. Man, it's tiny. Well, not tiny, but certainly not as big as you'd expect or like it to be. The bottom floor was dominated by Pokemon and DS stuff, though there's also a cool GBA Bar were you can sit down and play games on the house portables. A guy behind the bar is on hand to swap out titles for you. Neat concept, though I prefer my bars to be stocked with Gin and Tonic, not Mario and Luigi.

Upstairs there's a mini museum of sorts, with some old school Ninty relics under glass. There's also a lot of cool buyable schwag on hand. I picked up two remote control Mario Kart cars (for my son and I), some miniatures, candy, clothes and a surprisingly cool Role Model baseball hat. How cool that they have a hat for the father of the chip music movement. I wonder if he knows?

I ran into a native New Yorker and Kotaku reader on the bottom floor. It was his first trip to the store, for shame.