You not convinced that HD DVD is dead? Are you one of those sad, sad saps who think that HD DVD will rise from the ashes like the mighty phoenix? Well, you’re a moron. You see, Engadget is reporting that over in Ireland, they are able to get their hands on the now-defunct format (which still has some great films on the format) for a whole €10.

For those of you in the US, that’s roughly $15.53.

Here’s what I think of this — HD DVD is kind of like BetaMax. Sure, the format died years ago, but there are still people who insist that BetaMax was superior to VHS and still watch BetaMax videos to this day. Hell, I myself still watch Star Wars on LaserDisc… yes, I own a LaserDisc player, and have used actual Laserdiscs as mirrors because they’re the size of 78’s.

Everything from the graphical polish in every street corner, to the ambient sounds of city life going on all around you have been given great care to. The story, from what I’ve discovered so far, looks to be the best in the series and the protagonist in particular, Niko Bellic, is easily the most likable of the bunch.

I haven’t gone online with it yet (I have a thing about completing single-player games before going online), but the single-player is simply second to none. The improvements to the controls, especially the combat, work to the game’s benefit and overall this latest entry into the GTA franchise is, far and away, the best.

A full review is coming, but for now, I’m getting back to the goods.

Hi, kids. I wanted to talk to you all about Iron Man for just a moment. As you may or may not know, the demo was recently unleashed on us gullible comic book fans. I’ve had the chance to take a few rounds with Iron Man, and have come to this conclusion: It ain’t bad.

If anything the demo is short. Really, truly, ridiculously short. However, it’s a pretty fun little demo that lets you experience the most basic of what Iron Man has to offer. The only complaint I had was with the control scheme — there is a lot going on with the controls. No button is left unused, and if you’re like me (inverted = life), you’ll have to fiddle with the settings for a minute. Ultimately, though, it’s a fun game that may do the film justice.

Which is good. No offense to gaming, but video games based on movies based on comic books aren’t necessarily good. Maybe Spider-Man 2 breaks the mold.

Maybe.

Iron Man comes out this week, but you all won’t care — you’ll have GTA IV. Just like me.

The Def Leppard Track Pack for Guitar Hero III is now LIVE, ladies and gentlemen. In addition to live recordings of both “Nine Lives” and “Photograph”, you’ll get the studio recording of “Rock of Ages”, all of which are performed by Def Leppard… well… a cover band. They’re respectable covers, but if this is the actual Leppard, then I’m ashamed by just how far they’ve fallen. It sounds almost nothing like classic Leppard.

So how much will these tracks set you back? About 500 MS Points.

[Major Nelson]

Before Sam Fisher became a homeless man, he was a superspy who could probably take Solid Snake in a one-on-one spyoff (Michael Ironside FTW). Now you’ll be able to play through one of Sam’s earlier adventures once again as Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, along with Metal Arms: Glitch in the System, are now Xbox Originals.

Look, everyone has played Splinter Cell in the past. I’m confident in saying that. But I would be willing to bet that most of you haven’t played Metal Arms, and for that you should be kicked square in the pants. It’s one of the most underrated titles in the Xbox library, and well worth the 1,200 MS Points they’re asking for.

[Major Nelson]

Hi, kids. I’m back. Now, don’t get too excited — it’s not full-time, by any stretch of the imagination, but I have returned to that which is my home to do what I do best — talk Xbox. Over the next few days I’ll be getting back into the swing of things, and before long I’ll be my good ol’ self once more.

…this is where I’m supposed to plug my website, BingeGamer.net, but I won’t. I’m better than that.

With Blu-Ray seemingly beating HD-DVD into submission like a redheaded stepchild, it really shouldn’t surprise anybody that Microsoft is now considering adding Blu-Ray playback to the Xbox 360.

In an interview with Reuters, Microsoft’s group marketing manager Albert Penello made it pretty clear that Microsoft would be willing to switch sides in the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray debate, saying “It should be a consumer choice, and if that’s the way they vote, that’s something we’ll have to consider”.

That is code for “If HD-DVD gets beaten into the dirt, we’re switching sides.” This may turn out to be the case, as it is widely believed that Paramount Pictures, who just this summer backed HD-DVD, may be ready to switch sides and join the Blu-Ray camp.

HD-DVD is dead. Long live Blu-Ray!

Microsoft, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, Xbox 360

Bach brought out the insanely hot Tipper Queen, who threw down to the opening licks of Guns n’ Roses’ classic “Welcome to the Jungle”. However Gates, being Bill Gates, one-upped Bach by bringing out the equally talented, if not slightly less-hot Slash. To give you a hint: He’s the one in the hat.

One complaint: A bet of $20? Come on. Bill Gates hasn’t even SEEN a $20 bill since 1974!

Microsoft, Xbox 360, CES, Guitar Hero III

Whether you bought a Wii, Xbox 360 or even a PlayStation 3, you can’t argue that this was an amazing year for console gamers. The industry certainly can’t argue this fact either, as gaming as a whole made over $40 billion in 2007, with much of the success coming between August and November. Microsoft in particular did well for themselves over the year, or so they tell you.

According to Microsoft, thanks to a strong holiday showing which included hits like Mass Effect and Halo 3, the Xbox 360 surpassed the 17.5 million unit mark. In fact, Halo 3 alone has topped 8 million units, with Mass Effect selling another 1.6 million units in just six weeks.

“Microsoft is proud of the contributions Xbox 360 is making to the gaming industry, and looks forward to an even more successful 2008,” Microsoft said.

I would be kind of interested to see if we could find out how many of those 17.7 million consoles Microsoft brags about selling were purchased by people who just didn’t feel like sending their Ringed One in for repair.

[GameDaily BIZ]

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Halo 3, Mass Effect

Ah, it’s nice to wake up in a world where Metal Gear Solid 4 rumors have been put to rest, and there are absolutely NO rumors of any games being ported to the Xbox 360. Yes, the sun shines brighter today. The air is crisper today. The water is more thirst quenching today. Why, this may very well be the perf… Crysis is coming to the 360? Son of a…

That’s right, boys and girls. According to Austrian video game retailer “GamesOnly.at”, Crysis is indeed coming to the Xbox 360 this November.

If Crysis is indeed coming to the Xbox 360, it will no doubt be toned down a bit in the graphics department.

Crysis was released on the PC in the US on November 13th, 2007. As of now its sales have been disappointing due to the fact that Crysis is an absolute beast that will chew up and spit out your girly man gaming rig.

Crysis, Xbox 360