You know what’s awesome about the holiday season (and don’t say “family” or “love”)? Kick ass deals. You guys already know about the $200 Xbox 360 that’s sellin’ for $100. But what good is an Xbox 360 without something to play on it?

Well, you can take that $100 Gift Card, turn right around and use that gift card to buy yourself Rock Band 2! Announced on the Harmonix message boards, the Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle (that’s the version that includes all instruments, for the uninitiated) will be available at many major retailers for the low, low price of $99.

Those retailers include:

• Amazon
• AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service, aka the PX)
• Best Buy
• Frys
• GameStop
• Target
• Toys R Us
• Wal-Mart

This deal lasts until the new year, meaning that you have plenty of time to FINALLY get in on what some of you have been psyched about for a while.

(NOTE: The $99 Price Tag is for PS3 and Xbox 360 versions ONLY! Wii is still $139.99)

The X2theG blog also notes that this offer will also apply to all accessories valued $5-$100. Some games that are coming out during the week of the sale: Brutal Legend, Uncharted 2, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky, Magna Carta 2, Fallout 3 Game of the Year Edition, and JU-ON: The Grudge.

CAG user drdarkstryfe made quite a post last year as a FAQ of sorts for this sort of thing, which was reposted for this deal. So in case you had any question or you were thinking of abusing this great offer by buying some games now that you will want to trade in for a game that doesn’t come out until after the deal is over (TL;DR – This won’t work at all locations, use at your own risk).

“Official Toys R Us B2G1 FAQ
Date of Sale: Sunday, October 12th – Saturday, October 18th 2008

In an effort to help the gaming masses, this FAQ will try to answer all questions you may have about this year’s Toys R Us sale. It will also help you out in getting more bang out of your buck, how returns and exchanges will be handled, and any other interesting tidbits you may need answered. Any questions, comments, concerns, issues, gripes can be made here.

The Sale
Buy any two video games from anything in stock, and get a third game for free. The free game will either be the cheapest one, or the third game of three games with the same price point.

Is the sale online?
Yes, but until the deal goes online I do not know if there will be restrictions based on system or price point.

Is the deal available in Canada?
Sorry Canuckers

So if I buy three $60 games, I get a $60 game for free?
Yes, you can pick up any three games, at any price point. If three games are the same price the third one rang up at the register will be the free one.

Can I only get three games?
No, you can get as many games as you want, in multiples of three, and you will get a third free for every two you buy.

Can I mix and match my three games?
Yes, you can choose between all available systems for your three games. Example, you can buy two PS3 titles and one Wii title and get the least expensive one free.

What about bundled games (ex. DMC Triple Pack) of games that come with an accessory (ex. Guitar Hero)?
These games are also a part of the sale. As long as the product comes with video game software, no matter the price, it will count for the sale. The only exclusion will be the Wii Zapper.

But a game that comes out the 14th is what I really want, what about that?
Any game that comes out during the week of the sale will be part of the sale. For games that come out after the sale, see the Placeholder section of the FAQ.

Can I preorder a game as one of my games?
No. Unlike a Gamestop, you cannot fully put money down on future titles, only a small, $5 deposit. Games that come out after the 20th of October are not part of the sale.

How the Deal works at the register
(PAY ATTENTION IF YOU ARE CHANCING A RETURN)

Example one, three games, different prices.
000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Dead Rising $59.99
000000000000 NDS Nintendogs Dalmation $29.99

When the three games get rung up, this is how they look on your receipt before the deal is taken off.
000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Dead Rising $59.99
000000000000 NDS Nintendogs Dalmation $0.00

After the Total key is hit, the game that is the cheapest will go to $0.00. Does not matter the order it is rung, the cheapest one always comes off.

Example two, three games same price
000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Lego Star Wars 2 $49.99
000000000000 PS2 Valkyrie Profile 2 $49.99

Once again, before the Total key is hit.

000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Lego Star Wars 2 $49.99
000000000000 PS2 Valkyrie Profile 2 $0.00

When there are three games with the same price, the third game in the list will ALWAYS be the one that comes off as free.

Example three, six games or more, different prices
000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Lego Star Wars 2 $49.99
000000000000 PS2 Valkyrie Profile 2 $49.99
000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Dead Rising $59.99
000000000000 NDS Nintendogs Dalmation $29.99

Before Total is hit.

000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Lego Star Wars 2 $49.99
000000000000 PS2 Valkyrie Profile 2 $0.00
000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Dead Rising $59.99
000000000000 NDS Nintendogs Dalmation $0.00

When six games or more are bought, the system looks at games three at a time, depending in which order they were scanned, from top to bottom. Here we see that the third $49.99 game scanned, and the $29.99 game came off. It is very crucial that you pay attention to the order that the games are being scanned in when purchasing six or more titles.

Example four, odd amount of games purchased
000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Lego Star Wars 2 $49.99
000000000000 PS2 Valkyrie Profile 2 $49.99
000000000000 NDS Nintendogs Dalmation $29.99

Before the Total key

000000000000 PS2 Madden 2007 $49.99
000000000000 X360 Lego Star Wars 2 $49.99
000000000000 PS2 Valkyrie Profile 2 $ 0.00
000000000000 NDS Nintendogs Dalmation $29.99

The register system will always look at the three most expensive games, making the free one out of that set. If you purchase an odd number of games, you do not have to worry if one of them is priced a lot lower then the ones you want for the sale.

Paying attention and knowing this stuff is incredibly important when you are buying multiples of games, and “placeholder” titles for mid week releases.

Return Policy
TRU’s video game return policy is 45 days, unopened with a dated receipt or gift receipt. If the game is opened, it can only be exchanged with the same title. No exceptions.

Due to how the deal is rang up, the games that do not come up free can be returned or exchanged for it’s full value. The game that rings up free cannot be returned or exchanged because it has no value, only if it is defective can it be exchanged for the same title. Make sure the free game is something you want, or you are pretty much boned.

TRU’s M-Rated Policy
Toys R Us has a very strict policy towards M rated software. A very small selection of M rated titles are in view on the floor, the rest are kept locked up behind the register in the glass case. You must be 17 or older with proper identification to buy any M rated game at TRU. If you are interested in a M rated title you do not see, ask an associate if they have it locked up in the back.

How to properly buy Placeholder games
I cannot guarantee this will work at all Toys R Us stores, some management might be against the idea, use at your own risk.

If a game you really want is coming out after the sale ends, but you don’t want to risk missing out on something on the shelves right now, the step by step here is what you do. Remember, the return policy is set at 45 days from purchase.

1. Pick the two games that you want.

2. Pick up a game that has the same price point as the game coming out, and the same price point as the two games you picked up. Example, if the game you want is $60, buy three $60 games during the week.

3. Make sure that every third game rung up, the free one, is NOT the placeholder game, but one you want to keep. DO NOT LOSE THE RECEIPT!

4. When the game you want comes in, bring the receipt and the placeholder game to the customer service desk, and tell them that you want to exchange the game for something else. Make sure you make specific that you want to keep the one or two games, and that you want one or two different games instead. MAKE SURE THE GAME YOU WANT TO RETURN IS NOT OPENED.

5. If everything is in order, the exchange will be finished and enjoy your new game!”

Well, I have two bits of good news. First, every single cap I have played has one me a track. I am not exaggerating. For some reason I tried to win a Rock Band full band kit and of course lost those (maybe karma for being greedy, I already own Rock Band), however when going for a track, BAM, instant win every time.

The second part of the good news is already ruined by the title to this post. I had read on this crazy internet that when you pick your track for the Wii, it gives you points instead of the track. I couldn’t believe it. So I tried it, and decided to put it in video form to prove it so you can believe it as well.

Note: Coca-Cola is way better than Pepsi, we all know this, but dammit, sometimes you just have to make sacrifices.

If you are poor, unemployed or just cheap as hell, this is your week because three AAA titles have been made completely free for everyone.

1.) The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall is more than simply a prequel to the more popular Morrowind and Oblivion. Daggerfall was the game that laid the groundwork for both of those games (and Fallout 3, for that matter) with a full living, breathing world to explore. Any fan of the series would be a fool to pass this title up — especially now that it’s at the low, low price of $0.

Now, before you get overly excited, know that before you can actually play the damn thing you have to both download a DOS emulator (JW suggests DOSBox) and then follow Bethesda’s patented 21-step guide to getting Daggerfall to work on your PC. Behold, dudes and dolls, the following:

Daggerfall is not fully compatible with the NTVDM used to emulate DOS under Windows NT (XP/Vista) so an alternative DOS emulator should be used.

1.) The first step is to install DOSBox. Launch its setup program and install with default options.

2.) After DOSBox is installed, navigate to its entry in the Start Menu (DOSBox-0.73) and then select “Configuration,” and then “Edit Configuration.” If you have used DOSBox before, it may be best to run “Reset Configuration” first before running “Edit Configuration.”

3.) This will open up Notepad with the config file displayed. Look for the section [dosbox]. In this section will be a setting “memsize=xx.” Change the value of xx to 32 (i.e. memsize=32) and then save and close the file.

4.)The next step is to extract Daggerfall from the archive. The archive is a zip file named “DFInstall.zip.” Using a zip program such as Winzip or Winrar, open the archive and choose to Extract. You want to extract the entire contents of the zip file to a directory on your C:, such as C:dosgames. So, when you chose Extract, the program will ask for a path, enter C:dosgames. This will create the folders C:dosgamesDFCD and C:dosgamesDAGGER.

5.) Once the archive extraction is completed, DOSBox must be launched to start the installation process. Use the DOSBox icon on your desktop or the entry in the Start Menu to launch it.

6.) Once launched, you will be presented with a window containing a command prompt (Z:> ).

7.) As DOSBox is a virtual environment, the locations to work with must be mounted within the virtual environment. First, you must mount the location that contains Daggerfall’s files to a virtual C: within DOSBox.

8.) To do this, type this line in at the command prompt: mount c c:dosgames -freesize 1000. Press enter to process the command. This will map C:dosgames to virtual C:.

9.) Next, you must emulate the Daggerfall CD-ROM for the installation and running of the game.

10.)To this, type this line in at the command prompt: mount d c:dosgamesdfcd -t cdrom -label Daggerfall. Press Enter to process the command. This will map the files in C:dosgamesdfcd to to virtual D:, which is acting like a CD-ROM with the volume label of Daggerfall (needed to run the game).

11.) Once the two locations are mounted, at the command prompt type: D:, then push enter and the prompt will change to D:>. 12) Next, type: INSTALL. Press Enter and the Daggerfall installation program will launch. At this point you can move your actual mouse pointer into the DOSBox window and click once. Mouse control will be handed off to DB and will work within the Daggerfall installer to select items.

13.) Now, agree to the terms and then select “Install the Game to Your Hard Drive.” Then select “Change the Install Size” and set it to “Huge.” Next select “Yes, This Install Size is Fine.” The installer will suggest C:Dagger as the installation directory. Install the game to that location. Select “Yes, I want to install the game here.” Following this, confirm the choices by selecting “Go ahead and install the game.” The install will begin.

14.) After installation, Daggerfall will offer to configure the sound card. At this point it is important that DOSBox be running in windowed mode and not full screen. If DOSBox is in full screen, hit ALT + Enter on the keyboard to place it back into windowed mode before choosing to configure the sound card.

15.) Choose “Yes” to configure the sound card. Another program will appear. There is no mouse support in this program so the keyboard arrow keys and the Enter key will need to be used.

16.) Press Enter while “Auto-Detect” is highlighted. Next, press Enter while “Detect” is highlighted. This will detect an emulated Sound Blaster 16. Navigate over to “OK” and press Enter.

17.) Navigate down to “Select MIDI” and press Enter. Select “Sound Blaster 16″ from the list and press Enter. Press Enter again to select the default Port of “388.” Navigate to “OK” and press Enter.

18.) Navigate down to “OK” on the menu and press Enter twice. This will save the config and return you to Daggerfall’s installer. Select OK and the installer will exit and drop you off at C:DAGGER.

19.) At the command prompt, type: DAG213. Press Enter. This will launch the patch to update the game to 1.07.213. Answer “YES” to both prompts when the patch asks for confirmation.

20.) Once the patch is done, the game may be started. At the C:DAGGER> prompt, type: DAGGER. Press Enter. Daggerfall should now load.

21.) Each time you want to run Daggerfall, you will need to start DOS-Box and enter these commands:

mount c c:dosgames -freesize 1000

mount d c:dosgamesdfcd -t cdrom -label Daggerfall

c:

cddagger

dagger

Each of the above commands is followed by a press of the Enter key.

2.) Street Fighter II CE

Okay, so it’s not the real Street Fighter II CE, but it’s pretty awesome nonetheless. GameTap and Capcom, as part of the otherwise silent Street Fighter IV on PC hype machine, has released a browser-based version of the classic 2D fighter on Kongregate.

If you can get over the keyboard-based controls and a chat room that would make 4chan look like a civil political debate, the game still has it’s charms about it.

Even if it plays like utter shit on a browser.

3.) MechWarrior 4

Okay, so this one isn’t technically out yet, but it was announced on Friday, July 10th that the company which owns the rights to the MechWarrior franchise, Smith & Tinker (JW NOTE: teehee), has given MechWarrior community & modding website MekTek permission to give away MechWarrior 4, released in 2000.

The release is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Battletech franchise and comes on the heels of the announced Piranha Games-developed MechWarrior reboot.

As soon as the download info is posted on MekTek, we’ll let you know. Until then, sit tight — the game is well worth the wait.

For all three systems, you can get Guitar Hero World Tour for only $89.98, and because Amazon is f’n amazing, it is free shipping too.

Find and click your chosen system below, buy one for yourself, a family member, a friend, hell, sell it on eBay (for real), this is too good of a deal:

Xbox 360

PS3

Wii

6:00 AM – Slice and dice, bub.
They start out with a pretty decent title, one of those cases where the game is better than the movie.

10:00 AM – If only Jack Ryan had his wings.
Out of all the clues, this is the only one that has me slightly confused. So I checked where all bargain gamers like myself would go, Cheap Ass Gamer. Most users are saying it is Tom Clancy’s HAWX, so I’m going to agree for now.

Another guess is Bioshock (based on “Jack Ryan” being in the hint).

12:00 PM – Nothing Else Matters
C’mon Amazon, make it a little harder next time. Guitar Hero: Metallica.

3:00 PM – Prepare for the future.
This one I wasn’t so sure on, but then vazel from GAF remembered that this was the tag line for Fallout 3.

A slight possibility though, is Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Seeing how you can already get this for thirty bucks new, I am still putting my money on it being Fallout 3 (especially with the “Game of the Year” edition, they probably want to get rid of this stock)

6:00 PM – Step into the ring with the Eighth Wonder of the World
Sorry to crush your hopes if you might have thought this is for Fight Night: Round 4, but my man Andre the Giant was once known as the Eighth Wonder (and also loved when he was known as Fezzik)

BONUS DEAL OF THE DAY
As far as I know, Call of Duty 4 will be at the low low price of $28.98 all day long. If for ANY reason you are not one of the millions already still playing this game on a daily basis (like myself), don’t put this game off. Enjoy the first Modern Warfare before part 2 comes out at the end of this year.

Good luck getting these games, because once they run out of the stock from when they start the timer, prices go back up to retail, so be quick!

Listen live below, get us on iTunes, or download the mp3 here

Show Notes | Topics | Related Links

We have been gaming on: Counterstrike (PC), Team Fortress 2 (PC), Sonic 2 (Genesis), Toejam & Earl 2 (Genesis), Samurai Showdown (Genesis), Phalanx (SNES) Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow (NDS), Sacred 2 (Xbox 360), Call of Duty 4 (Xbox 360), The Orange Box (PC), Puzzle Kingdoms (PC), Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)

Pre-E3 Discussion/Predictions/Desires

Starlight v.3

NEWS:

3D Realms Isn’t Closed, Even Though It Closed

Capcom Japan, Koei and Square Enix limiting E3 Presence Because of Swine Flu

Warner Bros. Makes a Bid to Buy Midway

Kojima’s Countdown

Fallout 3 DLC coming to PS3 aka JW gloats

Jack Thompson’s Louisiana Video Game Bill Gets Gutted

Terminator Salvation on PC is *sigh* Terminated

TRITTON Announces New Headsets for E3

Costing you less than your average fast food value meal, you can grab one of the following at the low low price of $2.96 (of course no shipping charge). Click game box to buy, or if you are unsure if you want a game, underneath each box is the link to add the demo to your download queue from here in your browser:

Dig Dug
Click to add demo to your download queue

Galaga
Click to add demo to your download queue

Gauntlet
Click to add demo to your download queue

Golden Axe
Click to add demo to your download queue

Joust
Click to add demo to your download queue

Ms. Pac-Man
Click to add demo to your download queue

Paperboy
Click to add demo to your download queue

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade
Click to add demo to your download queue

And as a random related bonus deal, the original Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged disc is only $9.99. This includes Geometry Wars, which makes it worth the price right away, but also Bejeweled 2, Hardwood Backgammon, Outpost Kaloki X, Texas Hold ‘Em, and Wik – Fable of Souls.

Thanks to the great Geoff Mendicino of FreezCracker for his random sweet tweets.

Unsure if this is the right game for you?

Grab the demo.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/18500/

If you accidentally bought Stalin vs Martians, make it up to yourself by buying Defense Grid. You have until May 13th, so jump on it!

With this easy to use address, you can make sure that the comic book shop near you is participating:

http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

When you get to the shop, make sure to tell ‘em Binge Gamer sent ya! (..And when they ask “Who the hell is Binge Gamer?” .. go ahead and whore our web site, hell, claim it’s your site, say there is lots of porn here, whatever!)

Just so you know, the comics offered are not crap or worthless, in fact, I just checked the list.. it includes big hitters such as Avengers, Simpsons, Wolverine, Savage Dragon, Star Wars, there is even a Transformers/GI Joe split issue, so make sure to check out and support your local shop!

Note: I have no clue why I use the word “shop” instead of “store” when referring to comics. When I wrote this up, I noticed it at the very end and cannot explain it, for this, I am sorry.

Listen up agents, Crackdown is only $10.

If you haven’t before, download the demo now (click here to add to your Xbox 360 queue). It will give you a slight feel for the game. Just keep in mind, this is NOT a GTA clone at all, jump around, collect orbs, and there you will find the great fun in this game.

Be quick though, as this is only going to last one day on Amazon at this sweet price.

Mike gives this deal the official “Jump on It” seal of approval.

Today and tomorrow only, you will get a $20 gift card just for choosing TRU to make your purchase.

Not necessarily a great deal for those of us not buying it, but if you were, good times.

This is a $20 retail game, which has been marked down 75% until the end of this month, bringing it to only $5

Then using coupon code “blitz1″ (thanks to Machikunas on CAG) get an additional 50% off that $5, bringing it to $2.50.

This is a multi award winning puzzle game. They give you 5 licenses right off the bat (meaning put it on your main computer, work computer, and your laptop, plus give one to a friend and still have a spare code). What more can I say.

PC http://www.popcap.com/games/peggle

MAC http://www.popcap.com/games/mac/peggle

(Remember the code “blitz1″ at the checkout!)

6:00 AM – Romp through the garden with your pets.
Slightly obvious imo: Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise, of course there is the sad chance it could be one of those many many (many) Ubisoft Petz games
Ended up being:

8:00 AM – A PS3 game that dreams are made of.
A couple of choices here that all kind of make sense: LittleBigPlanet, Eternal Sonata, SingStar
Not a bad deal on this one:

11:00 AM – This should hold you over on Xbox 360 until Final Fantasy XIII releases.
These two Square games come to mind: Infinite Undiscovery, The Last Remnant
The winner is The Last Remnant:

12:00 PM – A kid named Ben + Aliens + Wii = Bensational!
It has to be:

2:00 PM – Slimy and award-winning – what else would a PC owner want?
Two choices really stick out here: Spore, World of Goo
It was the Goo:

4:00 PM – An alternative to No Child Left Behind.
This could go so many ways: Left 4 Dead, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader (DS), Bioshock, Imagine Teacher

6:00 PM – Get bonus goodies with this radiant crescent.
This one is confirmed by Atlus:

Remember: All times are Pacific, so East Coasters like myself, just be ready at 9AM. Keep an eye on this page for the final results on what the games will be (and make sure to have your credit card ready!)

Note: For whatever reason, this deal is open to all regions except India, however, fret not Indians, you can get yourself Uno for only 300 MS points, not too shabby.