Target Announces Reservation Program For Popular Video Games

Target announced today a new reservation program that offers guests a chance to reserve the biggest and most popular video game titles. Beginning April 19, Target guests can purchase a collectible reservation card, only in stores, for $1. When they bring the reservation card back within seven days of release to purchase their game, they will receive a $5 Target GiftCard to put toward a future purchase.
“We’ve created a reservation guarantee that ensures guests will get their hands on popular games the day they are released, and a $5 GiftCard upon purchase adds even more value,” said Mark Schindele, senior vice president, Target. “We are constantly striving to make sure our guests find everything they need to work, live and play all in one convenient and simplified shopping experience.”
The program will kick-off with titles such as Punch Out!! from Nintendo, EA Sports Active from Electronic Arts, Ghostbusters from Atari, Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings from LucasArts, and UFC 2009 Undisputed from THQ.

Here’s to hoping that Best Buy comes up with something similar.  I like my Best Buy Rewards.

60GB Xbox 360 Spotted At NYC Target

With all the buzz around the new 60GB Xbox 360 coming this August, a sighting has just been reported. It looks like a New York City Target has already begun shelving the newer models, and there's no word on if this was a mistake. You can check to see if your local Target has made a similar boo boo, but my guess is that they'll pull these soon.

[Penny College]

Target drops Xbox 360 price early

Looks like the price drop that everyone is expecting at E3 is already in effect.  Now's the chance (Fred) for someone (Fred) to get a new Xbox 360.  (No really Fred).  Others are going to be dropping the price to follow suit.  I just wonder why Target would take an early hit on profits.  Maybe just trying to drive traffic in to buy accessories and software.  Well, who cares, as long as more people start enjoying their life in 360.

Target Bans Manhunt 2: Code Unlocks Original Violence

Manhunt 2 is being pulled of the shelves at Target due to a "code" that is floating around that reverts the game back to its original gory-violent ways. Target found out about this and decided to pull the game from their stores. I had a feeling that something like this would happen, once the developers of the game were forced to tone it down. Games like this typically will have a code "leak" of some kind that will allow a user to play the unrated version.

My problem is with Target and their double standard on media. There are tons of movies that are on their very shelves right now that are more gory and violent than Manhunt 2. How they justify that is beyond me, but I get the feeling that this is coming from the stock holders. Are games marketed towards kids? Yes. But there are many adults who play games that are not for, or marketed towards kids. Just as there are movies that are marketed towards adults, and not kids.

I wish everyone would get on the same page.

[Crunchgear]

Leaked Target Ad For Black Friday

The guys at Crunchgear ran across Targets "Black Friday" ad paper, and has come up with some interesting stuff. Mainly the Westinghouse 22" monitor for $167 is the one thing that sticks out to me, but there are other gadgets below:

- Audiovox 10″ Portable DVD Player: $84
- Western Digital 500GB External Hard Drive: $87
- Westinghouse 22″ LCD Monitor: $167
- Audiovox CD Player w/ iPod Dock: $49
- Magellan Maestro 3100 GPS System: $149
- Phillips Compact Set-top DVD Player: $25
- Trutech 7″ Digital Photo Frame: $49
- Jensen iPod Docking Alarm Clock: $29
- NextPlay iPod Docking Alarm Clock: $29
- Memorex 4GB MP3 Player: $68
- Lexmark X5320 Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax: $39
- Olevia 37″ 1080i Widescreen LCD HDTV: $549
- Trutech 19″ 1080i Widescreen LCD HDTV with Built-in DVD Player: $199
- Lots and lots of video games. Most priced $2 to $5 less than normal.

Thanks to Crunchgear for this info.