For the first time video games have outpaced DVDs and Blu-ray in sales, according to Media Control GfK International.

GfK does not take into account rental services, that aside a total of $61 billion was spent on video games, DVDs and Blu-ray in 2008.

Last year video game sales raked in $36 billion, with a large part of the credit attributed to the mad pace of sales set by Nintendo and their Wii console. There was no mention of any credit attributed to the Nintendo DS. Remarkably game sales rose 20% in 2008, but GfK had originally predicted a rise of 22% early last year.

DVD and Blu-ray brought in $29 billion.

GfK predicts video games will grow by 4% in worldwide sales to 57% of packaged consumer entertainment this year, up from 53% in 2008. GfK predicts to expect continuing decline of sales in both Blu-ray and DVDs.

While Blu-ray sales will double, GfK predicts, I agree that we can assume that the aging DVD format sales will continue to decline this year as new alternatives for home theater viewing increase combined with the economic downturn sewing consumer’s wallets shut.

GfK predicts game sales to rise by 12% in 2009, and I’m betting on a few factors to say that the final percentage might be over that.

Despite the economic downturn and several writers assuming early on that the 360, and video games in general, will have a slow year in terms of major releases or that level of quality, as compared to the lineup from 2007 and 2008, which included the release of Halo 3, BioShock, and more, Nintendo is a sales titan.

The combined arsenal of Wii and DS have sold an outrageous amount of units in 2008. Over five million units of the Nintendo platforms were sold combined. Compare that to the under three million that 360, PS3, PSP and PS2 sold combined.

That blows my mind.

On top of that I know that we can expect a long life out of both the Wii and the DS. Particularly the DS with a new incarnation announced last October, currently available in Japan, called the DSi, which might hit shelves sometime later this year. Add on the unit sales with games like “Wii Fit” and “Wii Play” and Nintendo alone could bring total sales of 2009 to new records seemingly alone.

While sales figures from the GfK report have proved that home entertainment, may it be DVDs or video games, are not recession proof, they are doing well considering. With the new buzz word “recession resistant” floating around mainstream media these days, I think we will hear a lot more stories this year again focused on video games astonishing sales record, with Nintendo in the middle of the argument again. As if that isn’t a tired story already.

After a hearty discussion Awsmgy and I will present next week our top 5 (or 10) worst video game systems ever. Or our most favorite to hate / laugh at / tease like it's a fat kid. Woohoo. So uhh... it'll be fun. Oh yea, and the Virtual Boy definitely makes the cut.

More on that I remember playing Red Alarm at a Best Buy or something similar. I only remember trying to bank the plane to the right which ended up being a slow swoop of vector fueled frustration that caused my fingernails to crack and I retched violently on the store display speaking in tongues... true story.

So for all those Nintendophiles that believe Nintendo can do no wrong... how come you didn't love the Virtual Boy enough?

Nintendo Virtual Boy- "the forgotten bastard child scurrying around in Nintendo's attic"
Nintendo Virtual Boy- "come on... we tried...kinda"
Nintendo Virtual Boy- "red lines of solid gold"

Al Gore vs. Global Warming
In This Corner…
Al Gore
Age: 59
Height: 6’1”
Weight: Some one slide a scale under him quickly other wise I don’t know how to find this.
Reach: Theaters and DVDs to all loyal American movie goers.
Background: This former Vice President of the USA wielded a gavel to keep the rowdy congress in session from 1993-2001 but now only “Speaks the Truth”, his greatest power lately, collecting money to raise awareness of the growing Global Warming problem. His suit and tie keep him distanced from the common man but his Tennessee drawl brings us back again to look at him as that good ‘ol boy A.G. who grew up with dirt under his finger nails like the rest of us.

In This Corner:
Global Warming
Age: Infancy
Height: To the Heavens
Weight: Bearing down on the Earth
Reach: Tsunami’s in the Pacific to Hurricane’s in New Orleans to melting glaciers at the poles.
Background: Recent growing problems denied by some but are more apparent when lives are washed away with out a second thought gave rise to a global awareness of this behemoth. After hundreds to thousands suffered from the more obvious symptoms of the problem scientists are now focusing on glacier melting and a big ‘ol hole in the ozone that will eventually cause sun rays to vaporize us all. Not even Captain Planet or Gaya could stop this juggernaut. Can Al Gore be man enough to take on the task?

Total Rounds: 3

How it went Down: Al Gore came out strong bellowing out in his slight lisp using his “Speak the Truth” power all throughout each round. He tried to garner support around him and slow the problem but Global Warming brought its posse of greed, money and a combination of loose laws concerning pollution and a love for fossil fuel emissions. After round 2 Gore was only blowing hot air trying to use his finishing move for each blow. Gore tired to put Global Warming “In a Lock Box” but Global Warming only blew it to bits reaching out with the arms of its hurricanes. Realizing that money couldn’t bribe this problem away and greedy corporate chairmen turning deaf ears, Gore resorted to his trusty old gavel he wielded as Speaker of the House but realized it no longer holds the power he once had seven years ago. Global Warming swept in the third round bearing down on Gore like a lion on a gazelle using “Hurricane Force Winds” and “Chicken Skin Solar Ray” to burn and blow Gore’s dreams of a healthy environment to dust.

Finishing Blow: “Chicken Skin Solar Ray” used by Global Warming. Widening the hole in the ozone layer and placing it directly above its target, which is the whole earth, solar rays begin to cook the plant. Without the protection of the ozone layer and green house gasses trapping the heat energy on earth Gore’s epidermis was cooked to the same texture as those tasty KFC crispy chicken wings.

And the winner is… Global Warming by a knock out or a Tennessee cook out. Wash that down with some rising sea levels MmmMmm.

What do Tom Selleck, Garth Brooks and Billy Crystal all have in common? It’s not a fast car with a helicopter that follows you, nor is it a jaded country singer with a manic depressive alter ego that bombed horribly on the charts, nor do they share a common bond for naked gold men holding metaphoric phallic swords that you give to people as an award. Nope, it’s them playing baseball… and who cares.

How come Billy Crystal turning 60 and swinging at 88mph low fast balls makes the evening news with Katie Couric (without Katie Couric) and there’s a photo essay available? Several news websites are carrying the story as well. Isn’t there anything more important going on the world?

Most news programs are 1/2 hour to an hour in length, divide that with how short the stories actually are (I mean compared to how many words make up a newspaper story as compared to a news TV transcript.) Time is precious on TV news shows, so can’t they cover more than a media fluff ball piece just because the Yankees are getting a new stadium soon? Or perhaps because Billy Crystal likes baseball and the Yankees… a lot of people like baseball and some like the Yankees (not that anyone should like the Yankees.)

Sure the average Joe doesn’t get to play major league ball and that may raise some eyebrows, and Crystal has that average Joe persona. But I think that this news should have perhaps been tucked away in a top ten feature on ESPN briefly.

I wonder if Billy is laughing, he got a standing ovation at the park and now he has probably pushed out some important news. I know that today the mortgage crisis was covered on the show but not aware of what else was, so what story did Crystals strike out take place of? Eh… probably not important since Crystal’s strike out was just that important to discuss.

THE FRIDAY FIGHT!



The lights are turned down low, the speakers thrum to the beating of drums, the scent of blood is in the air. Yes introducing the “Friday Fight” a new feature presented on my blog for your enjoyment. Every Friday I will introduce two unlikely foes to duke it out for the title of supremacy. As we all know there can only be one.

Now, I’m not referring to the typical debates such as “who would win in a fight Superman or Batman?” Because that’s pretty lame, everyone already knows Batman would win (don’t challenge me, kryptonite ring is a one two punch to the grave got it?) I’m talking about the kinds of fights perhaps you haven’t teased in your mind just yet.

This entry is here to whet your appetite, to tease your interest. Imagine who would win in a fight, Mad Max or Mighty Max? Perhaps they’ll fight in Thunderdome? How about a more corporate battle between happy meal toys like Hot Wheels vs. Barbie, a battle for the Golden Arches Glory. “Friday Fight” can only be describe as the looney, insane, pointless, entertaining, shining golden moment of happiness before you get off work and kick back with a beer.

I also like comments so if you think you have a better answer of how the fight would turn out let me know of course. There can only be one winner but more than one way to fight. If you want to comment please just remember to keep it clean. There isn’t any need for gross, or blatant vulgarity for the sake of just doing it.

Here’s how the entries will work as of now. There will be introductions to each opponent briefly going over key stats. Then a paragraph of how many rounds it would go on and who would best the other. Finally to wrap things up a “final blow,” think fatality “Mortal Kombat” style. Sort of like “Celebrity Death match” but a lot less clay and a lot more reading.

Another key feature is that each pair of opponents will share a common feature no matter how outlandish from a similar name to the color of their skin. So at least the match up will make a little sense.

So please come back and read on Friday afternoon to see the first two opponents duke it out to know who gets to keep the title.

My brother and best friend go to Northern Illinois University. I’m glad they’re safe. Sorry to those who are met with tragedy.