Joystiq [Xbox]

Xav de Matos

Toronto, Canada - http://

I'm the Internet's Xav de Matos. I write about games for a living. Strange?

EMAIL: xav [at] joystiq [dot] com
TWITTER: @XAV

Rumor: Xbox 360 Arcade to be offered with $100 gift card at Walmart

by Xav de Matos { 19 days ago }

According to cellphone-camera equipped tipsters at Kotaku, Walmart will apparently offer a $100 gift card with the purchase of an Xbox 360 Arcade unit this Saturday. Supposedly confirmed by Cheap Ass Gamer, the promotion also includes a $148 dollar Sony-branded Blu-ray player and will run until November 13, or while supplies last. If the rumor does prove to be true, we'd recommend waiting in line now in case something happens to your current Xbox. Apparently there's no telling how long those things will last.

Xbox Live Top 10: Halo 3, Trials HD continue to dominate

by Xav de Matos { 22 days ago }

Surprising no one, Major Nelson's weekly list of most-played games on Xbox Live showcases Halo 3 and a double dose of Call of Duty on the top of the charts, with Modern Warfare and World at War grabbing second and third, respectively. XBLA top-seller Trials HD continues to lead the downloadable space, beating out newcomers Tower Bloxx Deluxe and Panzer General: Allied Assault.

The most notable item on the list is Gearbox Software's Borderlands, debuting at (a disappointing) ninth on the list. Perhaps evidence that inventory shortages may in fact muck up the wheels of a critically acclaimed game's launch. Color us surprised ... then trace us with sarcasm.

Alan Wake dev wants to avoid including game's ending in press copies

by Xav de Matos { 22 days ago }

According to a Remedy managing director Matias Myllyrinne, the studio wants to discuss the possibility of leaving the ending of its upcoming thriller Alan Wake off discs sent to press with its publisher, Microsoft. "I think we're going to be insanely careful about how much of the story we reveal," Myllyrinne told G4TV. "I'd like to hold it back, [I] don't want anybody to spoil it for the audience. That's just my personal feeling."

Using the twist ending of The Sixth Sense as an analogy, Myllrinne says he'd prefer players be able to piece together the secrets of Bright Falls on their own before having them spoiled by others. Although admirable, his analogy can only mean one of two things: Alan Wake is dead or he's Haley Joel Osment. Either way, we're already terrified.

G4 competition dishes out rare Halo 3 flaming armor

by Xav de Matos { 22 days ago }

Beyond cries from fanboys for Recon, the rarest of all Halo 3 armor permutations -- or at least the rarest option -- is strutting around multiplayer matches with a flaming skull. Originally only available to employees of Bungie, the heated helmets are now the prize for G4's upcoming Sarkathlon.

In order to enter the contest, which runs until midnight on November 8, players must download a special variant of the map Longshore (only found on the second disk of Halo 3: ODST) and find eight hidden grenades scattered throughout the map. The player who completes the task and crosses the finish line in the shortest amount of time with saved replay proof walks away with the flaming skull. It's the Halo equivalent of painting a giant bulls eye on your back, so why wouldn't you want it?

[Image Credit: Hushed Casket]

Xbox 360 Fancast 140 -- The Huge Mistake

by Xav de Matos { 27 days ago }

In this week's episode of the (late) Xbox 360 Fancast, our hosts discuss all things Modern Warfare 2, Fable's episodic future and berate one host for making (what some may consider) a huge mistake. Also, Joystiq alum Ludwig Kietzmann jumps into the fray to help us answer fanmail, in an episode you're probably sure to enjoy.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in Zune Marketplace (MP3).
[RSS MP3] Add the Xbox 360 Fanboy Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.

Hosts: Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM), Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander), Xav de Matos (Snypz) and special guest Ludwig Kietzmann (MrGenuchi)

Produced by Xav de Matos

Music: Intro/Outro: "Electromooq" by Uma Floresta. "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service .

For fans: Xbox 360 Fancast Facebook group

Continued →

Hands-on: Death by Cube (XBLA)

by Xav de Matos { 1 month ago }

click to enlarge

It's possible that you'll be put off by Death by Cube when you notice the phrase "twin stick shooter" in its description; however, quick-to-judge players will miss out on one of the most creative titles in the genre's recent history. While Death by Cube doesn't revolutionize an overdone genre, Square Enix has provided one of the more memorable experiences I've had on XBLA since first playing Geometry Wars.

Gallery: Death by Cube

Continued →

Xbox 360 Fancast 137 -- Two Tix to Tokyo

by Xav de Matos { 1 month ago }

With Richard and Xav both returning from far off lands, this episode spirals into an out-of-control frenzy of giggles and inappropriate behavior. Basically, it's the same thing you've come to love and expect. This week we hear all about the Tokyo Game Show, video game violence and who does and does not deserve to get punched.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in Zune Marketplace (MP3).
[RSS MP3] Add the Xbox 360 Fanboy Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.

Hosts: Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM), Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander), Xav de Matos (Snypz).

Produced by Xav de Matos

Music: Intro/Outro: "Electromooq" by Uma Floresta. "Sugalumps" by Flight of the Conchords.

For fans: Xbox 360 Fancast Facebook group

Continued →

Hands-on: 0 Day Attack on Earth (XBLA)

by Xav de Matos { 1 month ago }

Hidden in the back of its large TGS booth, Square Enix had three Xbox Live Arcade titles on display last week, one of which was 0 Day Attack on Earth.

A twin-stick shooter -- finally! -- 0 Day puts players in control of a fighter jet fending off an alien attack. Throw darts at a board littered with game premises and this is where many of them land. The problem isn't that the game mimics the mechanics of so many other titles available on XBLA -- because twin-stick shooters can still be good -- it's that 0 Day Attack on Earth just isn't compelling.

Gallery: 0 Day Attack on Earth (XBLA)

Continued →

TGS 2009: Wait to play Halo 3: ODST, get UNSC threads

by Xav de Matos { 1 month ago }

During the last day of TGS 2009, Microsoft was handing out free (and stylish!) UNSC-branded t-shirts to gamers willing to wait in line to play (the already released) Halo 3: ODST. For their effort, gamers seemed to enjoy the reward of partaking in local multiplayer sessions of ODST's Firefight mode.

Check out a closer look at the shirt after the break.

Continued →

Absolutely hideous new Xbox 360 controller spotted online

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

We're not opposed to colors splashed on our favorite accessories, but a new Xbox 360 controller spotted online at EB Games is making us change your minds. Discovered by Chip Chick, this black and red abomination combines the sleek design of Microsoft's controller with a design only a color-blind person would find appealing. If its lack of style* isn't enough, the controller -- which is bundled with a charger -- will set gamers back $70. We'll stick with our solid colors, thank you very much.

*If you happen to enjoy the controller's design, we apologize ... for your lack of taste. Ba-Zing!

[Via Gizmodo]

Earth Defense Table DLC available for Pinball FX

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

To take advantage of its limited-time reduced price, Zen Studios has released new DLC for Pinball FX. The "Earth Defense Table" (not pictured) runs gamers 240

($3 US) and throws pinball fans in the middle of an alien invasion. Thankfully, these aliens have poor navigation skills and did not realize attacking Earth from within a virtual steel box would be considered a poor strategic decision.

Shortcut: Add the Earth Defense Table (240

) to your Xbox Queue

[Via Aeropause]

Find the hidden skulls in Halo 3: ODST

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Warning: Spoilers!

As we did when the Mythic Map Pack was released, Joystiq brings you a quick video guide to locating the final three skulls in the new Halo 3 multiplayer maps included with ODST. In order for gamers to grab the final skulls -- and the Gamerscore attached to them -- players will need to enter each new map (Citadel, Heretic and Longshore) in Forge mode accessed on ODST's second disc.

Like the Mythic Map Pack, not every skull is in an easy to reach location. Citadel may pose somewhat of a challenge, because the skull is placed in an area gamers may not be able to access when exiting Monitor mode. However, with the help of a few objects and the Grav Lift equipment, it will eventually be yours. Found a better way to grab the skulls? Drop some science in the comments!

Be sure to check out Joystiq's Halo 3: ODST Review, as well as in-depth analysis of the Campaign and Firefight games modes.

Halo 3: ODST public preview event drops into Toronto tonight

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Xbox Canada is hosting a Halo 3: ODST training event in Toronto -- and you're invited. Starting tonight at 7PM (and ending 10PM), fans will get a chance to participate in a variety of Halo-inspired events, including basic training and going head-to-head with other ODST "recruits."

The public event takes place at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto's Distillery District. As far as what kind of "training" Canadian gamers can expect... well, it's a good thing health care is given away like candy in the Great White North.

Safeguard your virginity with this limited edition Master Chief bust

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Get ready to lie, cheat and steal because ONE2ONE Collectibles has revealed an insanely detailed Master Chief bust for the low, low price of $249. This "strictly limited," 1:2 scale bust of Halo's most popular playable character -- unless that gets topped somehow -- stands at 12 inches tall and 12 inches wide, and is set to be released during Q4 2009. If the Chief isn't your character of choice, ONE2ONE also revealed that busts of a Brute Chieftain and ODST Marine are on the way. Get those pocketbooks ready, ladies and gentlemen. This could be an expensive fourth quarter, after all.

[Via TeamXbox]

Remember Market Garden with a Hell's Highway Achievement on Sept. 17

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Next week, gamers will finally be able to unlock an Achievement in Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway worth 50 Gamerscore points if they play the game at any time on September 17, while connected to Xbox Live. The Achievement -- Remember September '44 -- references the War War II mission that sent Allied Airborne troops into the Netherlands to kick-start Operation Market Garden, which is also the basis of the game's story.

Since Ubisoft's tactical shooter was delayed from its original Holiday 2007 date into late September '08, the Achievement has never been available for players to unlock. Until now. So on Thursday, September 17, grab a copy of Hell's Highway and fire up those Xbox 360 consoles. Because who can say "no" to freebie Gamerscore points?