While Christopher Nolan certainly deserves the lion’s share of credit for molding the caped crusader into his 21st century, cash-raining form, the impact of game developer Rocksteady on Batman’s recent popularity can’t be downplayed. Batman: Arkham Asylum was slathered with praise in the video game community, leaving the follow up title, Arkham City, with some big shoes to fill. Fortunately for gamers, it was worth the wait. The biggest change in this second take is the open world design of the prison colony Arkham City, which offers players variety of sidequests, secondary objectives and treasure hunts, in addition to serving as the backdrop for core missions driving the main story arc. Combined with the same satisfying, cinematic fighting system which rewards players for attack variety and intelligence — it’s an experience you’ll have trouble walking away from, so prepare your better half accordingly.

Buy Now: $60 (Available October 18th)

Though most diehard driving gamers will find the action of the new Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel ($60) a bit lacking due to the rather conspicuous absence of a steering column, brake/gas pedals and a shift knob, it certainly caters to those who prefer their seating arrangements in the extreme couch potato position. Lightweight, affordable and easy to use, you can park yourself on your barcalounger comfortably for hours while managing everything from the Speed Wheel’s all-in-one controls. The controller provides haptic feedback through the rumble, so you can wake yourself from the doldrums as you hit the gravelly shoulder on Forza 4. LEDs, D-Pad and standard controller buttons round out this u-shaped wheel that may remind you of your last flight in a Cessna, as opposed to last night’s epic dream when you were piloting a Ferrari California with Brooklyn Decker by your side.

Buy Now: $60 (September)

Nintendo has just announced the successor to its wildly popular and family friendly Wii system today at E3 — called the Wii U. If the name didn’t clue you in, essentially Nintendo hopes they’ve built a console gaming experience that’s highly entertaining for the entire family and individual gamers. To pull this off, the new system features a unique accessory that merges aspects of a traditional gaming controller and the motion sensing of a Wiimote with a 6.2-inch touch screen. The screen is part second display, part interactive controller (a kin to the DS), and can be leveraged to create a variety of unique gaming situations. For example, they showed clips of happy gamers using the controller’s smaller screen as a separate rifle site for full targets being displayed on the HDTV. They also showed off multiplayer situations, where one user viewed the game from the controller while others looked at the main TV. The controller can also be used independently of the HDTV to play games or make video calls thanks to a front facing camera. All in all, it appears to be another great example of how Nintendo continues to tap into a well of gaming creativity and imagination that other companies can’t. Other good news is that the console will finally support full 1080p graphics (only on the TV). The system will also be fully backwards compatible with original Wii accessories, and tons of older Nintendo game titles. Release dates are still hard to pin down, but Nintendo did say to expect the system something between April and December of 2012. We’ll keep updating this article as we learn more details.

More Info: here

Hold onto your quarter rolls. After a decade of waiting, Marvel vs.Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds will be release on February 15th, making its way to living rooms on either Xbox 360 or PS3. Old standby’s like Ryu and Wolverine have returned to throw down with over 30 new characters from both the Marvel and Capcom universes. The same three-on-three tag team combat is back, but gone are the complicated button combos that would take a PhD to master. Instead, the controls have been simplified to just three buttons along with joystick movements for combos. That’s not to say that mindlessly flailing your fingers over the buttons will win you any tournaments, but Capcom has finally leveled the playing field for those looking to see the light of day.

Buy Now: Xbox 360: ($60) | PS3: ($60)

Motion gamers: Shake, rattle and roll to your hearts content–but most still rely on the analog controller as their weapon of choice. Microsoft recently released an updated version of the 360 controller–now with a less blister inducing D-pad, but it’s Razer that has upped the stakes in the quest for the perfect console controller. Available for pre-order today, the Razer Onza ($40) comes in both a Standard and Tournament Editions with enough tweaks to satisfy every level of gamer. The Tournament Edition features adjustable resistance analog sticks allowing for more precise control, so there’s no chance it will get lost in the heat of battle. Both editions come with multi-function buttons located on the shoulders of the controller letting you map any action to that button, resulting in quicker response times. A crucial feature for those prone to screaming “I hit the button, I KNOW I hit the button!”.

Buy Now: $40 (Pre-orders start January 17)

Sure, the new Xbox Wireless Controller with Twist D-pad ($65) features a smooth matte silver finish along with spiffy monochrome buttons, but it’s the new transforming D-pad that gives our hadouken launching fingers pause. With a simple twist, the D-pad’s directional bars rise a 1/4″ to give traditional gamers (especially fighting games) new found life for all those years of trained muscle memory. It’s about time someone gave the console controller directional pad some analog love. You hear that sound? Yup, that’s the sound of someone weeping at the notion of finally pulling off Liu Kang’s dragon fatality in 1080p.

A nice little high-res gallery is right after the jump.

Buy Now: $65 (November 9)

The only downside to golfing on the Wii (well, besides not actually golfing) is the lack of realistic simulation. No, not in the game, but rather the controller. The Nintendo Wii Motion Plus provides control aplenty, but when it comes to recreating the feeling and motion of swinging an actual club, it falls short. Bad Chicken’s Chicken Stick ($40) rectifies that problem by combining the popular True Temper golf shaft and Golf Pride grips with a custom molded cradle that holds the Wii controller. The result? Truer swinging, lower scores, and crushed drives. Unlike your Wii, the Chicken Stick is made in the USA.

Buy Now: $40

Video game technology has come a long way from the classic 8 and 16 bit systems many of us at Gear Patrol grew up playing. Despite all of the fancy motion controls, insane cinematic graphics, and online fragging wars these new systems have enabled though, sometimes it’s just nice to step back in time to replay the original titles that molded us into the gamers with disposable income that we are today. Our computer savvy readers have satiated this itch for years using emulators on their computers and hacked phones.

If that’s not your style though, buying the newly released Retron 3 gaming system ($70) might be the best nostalgia fueled purchase you’ll ever make. That’s because it’s capable of playing all of your old Nintendo, SEGA Genesis, and Super Nintendo cartridges (hello flea market trip), and can use any old controllers for each of the systems that you might still have boxed up in the attic. If you didn’t keep any of your old gaming accessories though, you’re still covered by two wireless universal controllers that ship with the system. The Retron 3 pulls off all of this retro gaming kumbaya by integrating three separate cartridge slots and two controller ports for each system into one awesomely tacky plastic console. Outside of its glorious multiplatform capabilities, the box also allows buyers to connect the system via either S-video or composite, so you won’t have to relive the pain for flipping to channel 3 to play. Need we say more?

Editor’s Note: Does this article leave you feeling helpless until your Retron 3 arrives by mail? Then we recommend playing Super Mario Bros. Crossover while you wait.

Buy Now: $70

It’s still going to be several months (Nov. 2) before you can experience the latest edition of Sony’s premier racing title at home, but true fans with an obsession for memorabilia should look alive and pre-order this limited edition set now. Besides the game, this exclusive set features a 1:43 scale diecast 2009 Nissan GT-R Spec V with custom Gran Turismo detailing and an in-depth 300 page guide which covers topics that vary from the history of race cars, to driving techniques, and game related reference material. To bridge the gap between your game based whips and the real thing you drive around town, the package also includes a custom etched Gran Turismo key chain. Finally to get a leg up on the game, a voucher for five exclusive high-end cars with custom GT body styling and performance packages are thrown in for good measure. A link to pre-order and a game trailer can be found after the jump.

Pre Order: $99.

The new Xbox 360 Slim ($300) has landed. A decidedly Alienware-ish looking console, the Xbox 360 Slim has called 1-800-Evil-Jenny and dropped the weight with a slimmer, glossy-black case design that features touch-sensitive buttons (sounds a bit like Xbox and PS3 have swapped designers), “whisper” quiet fan that generates less noise than its wind-tunnel predecessor, 45nm chipset, 2.4Ghz 802.11n Wi-Fi (finally), 5 USB ports, 250GB removable hard drive, Xbox Kinect port (full-body motion controls, a la Wii w/o controllers), and includes wireless controller and headset. Not to mention that it ditches its predecessor’s clunky power brick in the process. To us, it looks a bit like an homage to the original Xbox, and that’s a good thing. Oh, and no, it won’t play the 3 HD-DVD’s you’re still clinging onto.

More images after the jump.

Buy Now: $300 (available July 16)

Who doesn’t have a soft-spot for the Wii, or Nintendo for that matter? The fact that there are few impromptu party formulas better than Booze+Women+Wii (in that order) is likely to blame. Then again, we know you’ve always secretly wanted a Wii in black, especially one to better match your classic controller or better integrate into your home theater arseonal as a Netflix streaming rig. Nintendo, or rather Nintendo’s marketing gauntlet, has released the Nintendo Wii Black ($200) for pre-order and though it won’t get you any more technology, it does include a black motion controller, Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and a well portioned dram of tech-envy.

Buy Now: $200 (Pre-Order, Available May 9)

We’re not sure how we feel about the glowing ball atop the new Sony PlayStation Move (can we use it as a flashlight in a pinch?), but we do know that Sony’s long awaited foray into motion control should prove interesting. Using a similar dual-controller setup as the Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation Move will be focused on high-precision movement using a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer and a terrestrial magnetic field sensor aided by the PlayStation Eye which tracks the movement of each glowing ball in 3D space as well as the user’s voice and actions. The sub-controller (a la Wii nunchuck) will let the player use a control stick and buttons for more precise player movements just like a traditional controller. The combined result should be one step closer to augmented reality gaming, Pentagon approved missile space defense equipment, or maybe, just maybe, some better putting in Tiger Woods golf.

The Sony PlayStation Move will be available this fall in either individual controllers or a starter package that includes two controllers, the PlayStation Eye and a game for an estimated $100. More images after the jump.

Buy Now: TBD (notification sign-up)

PlayStation Move Gallery

Mario Kart Wii is without peer. Four competitive friends + beer = hilarity. But Nintendo classics just aren’t the same with the rectangular Wii control stick (original Nintendo controller notwithstanding). File this one under last months news, but Nintendo recently answered the call with the Wii Classic Controller Pro ($20), and we finally got our hands on a couple of units. The Classic Controller Pro includes two rows of shoulder buttons, moves the analog sticks to the controller’s center and ads some PlayStation GameCube Wavebird style hand grips. It also looks sharp dressed in gloss black. One humble request to Nintendo though: a wireless version, por favor.

The Apple iPad is here, and it’s both as much/little people had hoped, expected, worried, drooled over, and even prayed for. The Apple Newton 2010 iPad ($499-$829) will arrive well equipped: 9.7″ (1024×768) IPS enabled Multi-Touch LED backlit display, 1GHz A4 processor, built-in speakers, Bluetooth, microphone, ambient light sensor, 720p video playback, fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coated glass surface, 10 hour battery, 16/32/64GB memory, Wi-Fi (and optional 3G) in a casing that measures only 0.5″ and weighs 1.5 lbs. It may not be as light as the Amazon Kindle or have eInk, but the Kindle doesn’t completely restore your faith in books, newspapers, magazines, hand-held video, or run the new modified version of iWork and gobs of awesome apps, music, and movies available in iTunes.

Available in two versions: Wi-Fi only, or Wi-Fi/3G (unlocked) with 250 MB ($15) or Unlimited Data ($30) contract free data plans from AT&T in March, 2010. Look for a further in-depth look (pros and cons) from Ben and I in the near future when we get our grubby mitts on one… or two.

Tons of images after the jump… because we know you love images.

Cost: $499-$829

Keyboard Dock and Portfolio case (that also works as a stand) will also be available.

Apple iPad Gallery

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: your laptop’s puny speakers simply won’t cut it. They’re not even good enough to aptly project the beeps and boops of your NES emulator, much less to accompany your iTunes library. That said, the venerable accessory players at Logitech offer several options to suit your auditory fancy.

We suggest you check out the Z323 speakers. Their organic form factor and glossy black finish make them attractive enough to match any decor, and your budget won’t flinch at the price. Performance-wise, they’ll meet any need suitable for a 2.1 setup, with the bass coming in surprisingly forceful and tight, considering the price point. Employing omni-directional drivers allows this setup to sound bigger than it is, a good thing in our book.

Auxiliary inputs on the subwoofer, as well as a line in and headphone jack conveniently located on the right speaker offer good connectivity, leaving only your playlist-making skills in question.

Cost: $62

Rock Band and its main rival Guitar Hero are sort of a big deal, if you hadn’t heard already. For the most competitive faux rockers, the Mad Catz Fender Stratocaster is the ultimate Rock Band controller. Based on a legit Fender Strat body, it’s gotten the Dr. Frankenstein treatment, being reborn as the clear superior to any plastic wannabe instrument. The Mad Catz Stratocaster is perfect for living out your Rock Star fantasies, giving you the weight and feel of a real guitar, plus the heritage of Hendrix, Lennon, and Clapton.  The Mad Catz Fender Stratocaster is decked out with:

• Premium Fret Buttons and Strum Bar
• Wireless connectivity
• Overdrive Stomp Box compatibility
• Metal Tuning Keys and Bridge
• Official Fender high-gloss polyester paint job
• Compatible with Rock Band, Rock Band 2, The Beatles: Rock Band, Guitar Hero 4 & 5, DJ Hero, Band Hero

We subjected the Mad Catz Fender Stratocaster to a Rock Band jam session recently and thoroughly enjoyed the more realistic experience. Plus, we didn’t feel like we were hunched over a ukulele, a big bonus after two hours playing. Do the same and your back, not to mention your Rock Band rep, will thank you.

Editor’s Note: Go here for a video walk through of the Mad Catz Stratocaster.

Cost: $300

After what seems like ages, it finally appears that Sony and Netflix have reached an agreement to bring the movie company’s glorious streaming service to over 9 million U.S. PS3 units in November. This is a major boon to current PS3 owners, as it finally provides a key service that the competing Xbox 360 has held for quite some time.

In order for the service to work, though, current PS3 owners must install new software on the console which will be mailed out free of charge to your home once it’s released. The disk will leverage Blu-ray’s BD-Live technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system. From there Netflix members will simply have to insert the disc into their PS3s to see movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. Like other Netflix streaming interfaces in the past, titles will then be organized into a variety of categories based on a variety of factors including: personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and individual instant queues. Thanks to the PS3′s on board web browser, members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on to add movies and TV shows directly to their queues.

If you’re not a Netflix member already, signing up for Netflix will cost you a minimum of $8.99 a month for access to unlimited streaming and one movie at a time by mail. To sign up for a notice of when the service will become available and to have a disk mailed, follow the link below. Happy streaming, Sony fans.

Reserve a PS3 Netflix Streaming Disk

Hit the jump to see how you can get involved and even win a little something for your gameroom.

Signing-up for the giveaway takes only seconds and you can vote up to 10 times each day, repping your preferred hospital. We’d be remiss not to mention that, every time you vote, you’re entered to for a chance to win one of five Xbox 360 Elite systems. While there’s definitely a few hospitals with a big lead, it won’t take much to catch up, especially if you can get your community involved. The deadline is October 16th, and the link to the voting site is below.

Cost: Free

So you’ve got your iPhone, iPhone 3GS, or iPod Touch. You’ve got it loaded with useless apps or boring games. Hell, maybe you just want some justification to get buy one. Well, if the plethora of awesome apps out there isn’t enough, then maybe something that appeals to your less functional/productive side will entice you.

What follows is Gear Patrol’s list of our 10 Best, Must Have, iPhone games with 10 honorable mentions. They may not be Apple’s best or top rated, but they’re iPhone games that promise to get your money’s worth. As a matter of fact, if you purchase every game listed you’ll have spent just $81. Check it.

Must Have: Doom Resurrection

First Person Shooter iPhone, iPod Touch Game:

id software brings it hard with the recreation of Doom for the iPhone. If you ever wondered how a first-person shooter could be pulled off without any triggers or buttons, this is it. The 8 levels plus 40 challenges are heavy-hitting and the graphics top notch. You’ll never stop saying to yourself, “I’m playing Doom. I’m playing Doom on my phone. BFG9000!” This game is pretty intense and there’s no shortage of gore. Just a heads up.

Cost: $3 (special)

Honorable Mention: Metal Gear Solid Touch

First Person Shooter iPhone, iPod Touch Game:

Based around the Metal Gear Solid 4, this 20 stage touch variation of the Metal Gear Solid franchise is unique in of itself. There’s no difficult learning curve so you can hop right in and immerse yourself in the engrossing world of MGS. Intuitive, brilliant, and a blast.

Cost: $6

Must Have: Civilization Revolution

Simulation iPhone, iPod Touch Game:

Sid Meier’s Civilization series has been top of its class for the last 20 or so years and Civilization Revolution for the iPhone is nothing short of outstanding. Yes, there’s a learning curve for those that aren’t familiar with the Civilization series but the game feels natural and fluid on the iPhone. It’s hefty at 74mb, and pricey at $10 but well worth the download, if you’re a strategy maven.

Cost: $10

Honorable Mention: SimCity

Simulation iPhone, iPod Touch Game:

Hell, it’s SimCity on your phone. Does it really need any more explanation? In the past, strategy simulation players fell into one of two camps. Those that played Civilization and those that played SimCity. SimCity fans will not be disappointed with the iPhone port. It’s not the fastest game and it crashes from time to time, but there are no alternatives for the true SimCity Mayor.

Cost: $5

Must Have: Scrabble

Puzzle iPhone, iPod Touch Game:

Ack. You’ve got three “T’s”, a “Q” and no vowels. Awesome. The only difference is you’re not stuck at a table waiting on someone’s sweet-ass time to make a play on your triple word score. Play online or against the computer in this great iPhone port of the classic word game.

Cost: $5

Honorable Mention: Bejeweled 2

Puzzle iPhone, iPod Touch Game:

The first Bejweled built up a rabid fan making it one of the top (paid) apps of all time. Bejewled 2 continues in the tradition of pick-it-up-and-go gaming; it’s still easy to learn and a damn sight hard to master. The revamped graphics and sounds are top notch.

Cost: $3

Must Have: Worms

Must Have Strategy iPhone, iPod Touch Game

If you ever owned a Playstation or computer in the 1990′s then you’ll need no introduction to Worms. Worms is a tounge-in-cheek sheep-throwing strategy game that’s both insanely easy and frustratingly hard. Best played with a beer in hand – or in this case, the other hand. The iPhone version is tack sharp and gameplay simple with touch controls.

Cost: $5

Honorable Mention: The Creeps

Must Have Strategy iPhone, iPod Touch Game

The Creeps is essentially a castle defense game wrapped up in rich illustrations and cartoons. Its theme is based on creatures that might be hiding in your closet. The premise? To defeat anything that moves using your weapons (e.g. toy blasters, glue bottles, flashlights, boomerangs, UFO). Highly addictive, in a Super Mario Brothers kind of way.

Cost: $1 (on sale)

Must Have: The Oregon Trail

Nostalgic iPhone, iPod Touch Game

Ford the river. Avoid dysentery. Hunt a bear. None of it’s lost its appeal, even if the childhood stalwart is playing on your iPhone, not the green-screened Apple IIe. The Oregon Trail lacks too much challenge, but makes up for it 10 fold in nostalgia.

Editor’s Tip: Ford the river, every time. It’s worth it to see “You have drowned.”

Cost: $5

Honorable Mention: Space Invaders Infinity

Nostalgic iPhone, iPod Touch Game

Personally, this author missed out on the Space Invaders obsession, but Space Invaders Infinity for the iPhone is an interesting twist on the single-digit bit game. Its ability to evolve the more you play makes it deceivingly difficult. It’s more than 25¢ now, but at least you don’t have to prop your quarter up on the game to call next.

Cost: $5

Next Page:

Must Have Adventure, Strategy, Sports, Racing, Arcade, and Card iPhone, iPod Touch Games

When it’s released in September, Sony will also drop the new 3.0 Playstation firmware which will allow you to control your PS3 Slim through Sony BRAVIA TV’s and power off concurrently.

More photos after the jump.

Cost: $300

Sony PS3 Slim Gallery/Images

HD video is a blessing and a curse. As sports fans, gamers, and movie buffs, the instant we gazed upon those eye-searing lines of vertical resolution there was just no turning back to standard definition. The trouble is, witnessing Kobe’s facial expressions in glorious 1080p while defending Courtney Lee comes at the expense of added file size and bandwidth strain.

For digital cable subscribers and those with wired internet connections in their living room, this detail is easily ignored. However, anyone looking to view internet-based HD content on their home theater without a connection in the room will run into trouble. The same story goes for gamers looking for heavy, fast-paced multiplayer action online. Short of calling up your internet provider to have new Ethernet or cable jacks installed (we’ll be at your house sometime between 12:00 & 5:00 p.m.), there is a solution.

Powerline Networking uses the electrical wiring in your home to create a data network capable of transfer speeds far better than wireless connections, with no need to go the Tim Taylor route of home destruction. Previously, the speeds across these networks still lacked performance to handle HD streaming smoothly and maxed out at around 200Mbps. Today, however, Belkin has released the Gigabit Powerline HD starter kit capable of max transfer speeds of 1000Mbps and setting it up in your home couldn’t get any easier.

Simply plug in the transmitting adapter of the system into an empty wall outlet in the room where your wired modem is installed and connect an Ethernet cord from your router to the adapter. Next, plug the receiving adapter into an empty wall outlet in the room lacking a hardwired connection, run another Ethernet cable from the adapter to the component you want online such as an Xbox 360 and voila! You should have hardwired-like internet speeds capable of streaming all the HD Hulu you can muster and ability to wage all manner of war online with no lag. Please excuse our gaming editors Patrick Tuttle and Dusty Overby while they cackle manically.

Though we haven’t had the chance to test it for full GP approval, we have had experience using similar Powerline Networking products in the past that worked as advertised. We’ve also found that Belkin rarely disappoints. Once we get our hands on a set though we’ll be sure to report back. Until then, those of you in desperate need of speed in rooms lacking internet connections should definitely check it out.

Cost: $150

Since its commercial deployment over half a century ago, no bit of household technology has enraptured the attention and the desires of man like the television. After all, we are exceptionally visual creatures. A man must love his TV; if not, he is genetically conditioned to go out (hunt) and get one (gather) that he does. It’s a biological imperative that a sub-par viewing experience is simply intolerable.

That said, seeking an upgrade in the TV department may be a philosophical no-brainer, but it’s still a complex decision-making process with lots of choices available. Not to long ago, we made our recommendations for HDTV selections at a variety of price points. Since then, many manufactures have unleashed their 2009 line-ups, and many are featuring the latest in flat-panel technology. Obviously, it’s the stuff of unbridled technolust but often comes bundled with a price tag that’s out of my (and maybe your) reach. Yuck.

I needed to find the answer to a common pre-purchase question; I needed to know, “what is the least that I can spend to get the most of what I want?” I found the answer in Panasonic’s new line of reliable and refined plasma HDTVs. Having spent some time with the TC-P42X1, I feel just fine getting my fix from tried and true plasma technology. Hit the jump to hear my take on the good (there’s lots), the bad (not much), and the ugly (actually, this thing is freakin’ beautiful).

First, let’s talk about the tech. Just because plasma technology didn’t debut at this year’s CES, doesn’t mean that it can’t please videophiles and casual observers alike. In fact, when it comes to combining picture quality and price, you simply won’t find a better option. The TC-P42X1 and it’s big brother the TC-P50X1 are both members of Panasonic’s plasma lineup that offer a 720p resolution. Now, I realize that many retailers want you to think that a 1080p set is the only HDTV worth buying these days, but I aim to free you of that notion. That’s. A. Lie. At these screen sizes (50″ or less), you simply can’t tell the difference. However, your wallet can; don’t pay $200 more for a feature that won’t benefit you. Instead, spend that cash on some video games, a night out on the town, or producing and airing a local cablevision spot promoting the wonders of Gear Patrol.

Retailers want you to think that a 1080p set is the only HDTV worth buying these days, but I aim to free you of that notion. That’s. A. Lie. At these screen sizes, you simply can’t tell the difference. However, your wallet can; don’t pay $200 more for a feature that won’t benefit you.

When I’m looking at a flat-panel television, the primary attributes that I’m concerned with (save for an resolution appropriate to the screen size) are motion clarity and black levels. The TC-P42X1 (and the entire Panasonic line, for that matter) have these concerns assuaged both quantitatively and practically. To the former, this Panny boasts a 600Hz Sub-field drive which keeps everything in focus during fast-moving scenes like those found in movies or while watching sports.

To the latter concern, this unit really excels in the black is black is black department, with its 30,000:1 contrast ratio sounding impressive and looking even better. I’ve been rocking an LCD unit from a very popular manufacturer for the last few years and, though I’m generally happy with it’s performance, it’s blacks have always been less than stellar. Panasonic’s plasmas are in a whole other league if your past experience is anything like mine. Some people complain about plasmas being a tad heavy or a little too thirsty on the juice (all of Panasonic’s Viera HDTVs are Energy Star qualified), but those gripe fall on my deaf ears when I can enjoy the sort of contrast and clarity that only a plasma can produce.

You guys know me well enough by now to guess that I’m not going to endorse any HDTV or monitor that can’t keep up with next-gen gaming consoles. Some sets just don’t jive with the graphical demands of today’s systems, often producing horrid lag or motion-blur. I’m glad to say that the Panasonic plasma suffers from no such problems. Again, it’s capabilities are pitch perfect. It even features a preconfigured “game” mode that optimizes the graphic settings for game play. Some users might spend time tweaking the unit’s picture settings to achieve the best results for movies, sports, or games, but I found the presets and out-of-the-box alignment to be more than workable.

Rounding out the important performance details, all of Panasonic’s 2009 line falls under the Viera designation, meaning that compatible devices (DVD players, Blu-ray players, and video recorders) are preconfigured to operate using the same remote. The Viera features also include a built-in SD card reader and photo viewing software, so you can experience your lens work on a worthy screen. Though most of you would likely pair any television of this caliber with a comparable home theater system, should your budgetary or space constraints preclude you from doing so, you’ll find the sound produced by the TC-P42X1 to be more than you’d otherwise expect for a flat-panel TV; it will definitely suffice in a pinch. As for inputs, there are plenty. Connectivity concerns are nonexistent.

Before testing the TC-P42X1, I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into. Having used it to watch and play a variety of source material over the last month as only strengthened my opinion that it is a rock-solid HDTV. What I was not prepared for, however, was the aesthetic pleasure that the unit is. Last year’s Panny plasmas were a tad, how do I say… boxy. This unit is wrapped in a subtly curved frame whose glossy, piano black finish is a perfect compliment to the black hole of darkness produced by the set’s non-glare screen.

In conclusion, I want to be clear; the Panasonic TC-P42X1 is the company’s entry-level plasma HDTV. It’s also freaking great. Look below at the price. Then look at that blank space on your wall. Then look again at the price. Yes, it’s in US dollars. As a guy who is constantly scouring every electronics review and deal website known to man, I’m telling you true – it just doesn’t get any better than this. Enjoy the show.

Cost: $700 | $900 (TC-P50X1)

Ed. Note: Don’t miss the special offer from Turtle Beach at the end of this post!

By now, you guys should know that nothing relaxes me at the end of a long day like unleashing hell on the Nazi horde or quelling a zombie uprising. Even better, there’s always the option to put down wave after wave of Nazi Zombies. All that is to say, I very much enjoy the occasional video game. I’ve long had a problem though. Hit the jump to hear about my quandary and the elegant solution thereto.

When I get the chance to spin up my Xbox 360, it’s often a late night thing, far after my kids have gone to bed. I’ve got a vested interest in keeping them asleep (if you don’t understand now, someday you will), and, though it happens clear across the house, artillery fire or rifle/chainsaw battles can be a losing proposition in the war on toddler sleep habits. This typically means that I leave the volume at the bare minimum, because, sadly, that’s preferable to using headphones with a wire snaking across the room. Thus, you’ll understand why I jumped at the chance to review the mas primo iteration of Xbox 360 headphones by Turtle Beach. I’m talking about their X4 model, and I’m sold.

I’m not big on the idea of compromising sound quality and features in order to get the convenience of wireless headph0nes. Thanks to Turtle Beach and their X4 headphones, there’s no need. First and foremost, the X4s deliver Dolby 5.1 digital surround sound, recreating all the positional audio that you are used to from your home theater system. The headphones can also decode Dolby Pro Logic II. I tested the Ear Force X4 headphones with a variety of first person shooters and was more than impressed with their ability to accurately convince me of omnidirectional sounds and in-game auditory cues.

The X4 headphones ship with a vertical transmitter (which doubles as a nice place to rack the unit when not in use) that offers a pass through optical connection, allowing you to position the transmitter in-line with your other audio components. It even includes an optical cable, which is a nice touch.

Turtle Beach offers high-quality headphones designed for PS3 and PC gaming as well, but well executed Xbox Live integration is what really makes the Ear Force X series stand out. The X4s include an adjustable and  removable boom mic, as well as the requisite cable for connecting to your controller’s headset jack. These Ear Force headphones also scale the chat audio in proportion to the in-game action, which means that your ability to strategize with your teammates won’t be hampered by furious battlefield goings-on. It’s also work mention that, as a person who has been known to complain about uncomfortable headphones, these are anything but. You’ll barely know that you have them on.

The Ear Force X4 headphones are the top-of-the line option for Xbox 360 play, and their price tag is commensurate. If you’re looking for a less expensive solution, you’re in luck, as Turtle Beach offers the X3 wireless and X1 wired models to meet your needs. They aren’t as feature rich, but they’ll give you the same high build quality and will get the job done. Now that I’ve discovered these Ear Force headphones, I’m not going back to relying on subtitles to “hear” what’s going on; neither should you.

Cost: $199

Special Offer for GP Readers: Turtle Beach must be feeling extra-special generous today, because they’re offering you 15% off on any of their Gaming Headphones, now through May 5th. Be sure and take advantage of this smoking deal to save a few bucks for yourself while saving the sanity of your spouse/neighbor/roommate/hot chick down the hall. At checkout, enter the code gpatrol15 to receive the discount. Apologies to our friends in foreign lands, this deal is for US customers only.

It’s clear that the boys and girls over at Monolith Productions (also responsible for the Condemned series) have honed their survival horror craft, as F.E.A.R. 2 delivers a solid mix of well-balanced game play, chilling atmosphere, and frightening surprises. You’ll enjoy the experience immensely more by playing the game in the dark and with yourself a bit over-caffeinated. I won’t drop any spoilers on you, but, suffice it to say, that Alma is one creepy (little?) girl.

On the presentation side, the game takes full advantage of today’s HD gaming hardware and will look great on your new plasma thanks to the deep, dark background textures. Expect an engrossing single player campaign that does an admirable job of filling you in on the back story from the original F.E.A.R. by way of intelligence reports sprinkled across your path. There are hours of creepy good times (with guns!) to be had with this title, which puts you squarely in the crossfire of a war between a group of elite corporate mercs and hordes of supernatural psyche-soldiers.

Multiplayer options abound, as you might imagine. As far as online shooters go, unless your name is Halo, Call of Duty, or Gears of War, your unlikely to develop a sustainable gaming community. That said, F.E.A.R. 2 gives it a good go, with a fun and lag-free online experience (at least on Xbox Live, which we used for our review). It’s a good diversion, but the single player campaign is where it’s at for this game. All that is to say, F.E.A.R. 2 is a great choice if you are looking for a little horrific shoot em’ up pick me up for your otherwise dull weekend. Just don’t blame us for any bad dreams that ensue.

Cost: $57 for Xbox 360 | PS3 or $47 on PC

One of the finest makers of backgammon, poker, Scrabble, and several other board games, Geoffrey Parker offers a variety of colors and configurations for the most discerning man or game player.

Due to their presence at the World Championship for Backgammon in Monaco, Geoffrey Parker Games is best known for backgammon. You can go with an “Off-the-Bench” version or opt for the Bespoke route (picture after the jump), which allows you to customize using a palette of rich colors. Gear Patrol’s choice? Well, tangerine and ebony, of course…

Beyond backgammon, Geoffrey Parker offers bridge, poker, roulette, compendia, chess, Scrabble, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Risk, and even a Rubik’s Cube. They also offer a variety of children’s games, along with several garden games (you might recall the much-filmed human size chess board in the courtyard of the Delano Resort in South Beach) and you can even order a custom coffee table that turns into any board game.

This all comes at a time of a weakening British Pound, so British craftsmanship is actually within arm’s reach.

Cost: $900+

Here at Gear Patrol, we are eminently qualified to opine on the best in men’s entertainment. Why so, you may ask? Primarily, it’s because we, ourselves, are men. We can empathize with the struggle to prioritize sensory assaults among thought-provoking reading, the latest in music and movies, and enjoying local arts. That said, it is the opinion of these humble editors that the right video game can deliver complete entertainment package: hours of challenging content, engrossing sound and visuals, and a sweet balm for your competitive streak. All this for one low, low price.

Here at GP headquarters, the one game that has won the battle for our hearts and minds over these long winter months is Call of Duty: World at War. Unless you don’t know which way is up on a controller (or what up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right means), you’ve more than likely heard of the much venerated Call of Duty series.

World at War is the latest (and, we dare say, greatest) entry in the franchise, and there’s never been a better time to enlist, even if you are new to first person shooters. We’ve ravenously played objectively tested both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions extensively and feel confident in saying that you’ll be more than happy with either format you choose.

Luckily, neither skimps on content and they feature comparable (read: awesome) performance in the A/V department. The multiplayer experience works well on both; with one of our editors giving the Playstation Network a slight edge over Xbox Live, simply by virtue of its being free. Cheap bastard (Eric: I resent that).

Hit the jump for multi-point coverage, or just skip to the end if you just want the tutelage of Gear Patrol’s own Patrick “Prestige” Tuttle.

If you’re new to the CoD family, then World at War is an immersive, gritty, and downright gut-wrenching thriller. Nothing screams white-knuckle intensity like creeping through dense jungle fearing that kamikaze-Charlie could leap from a spider-hole and banzai charge at any moment.

The single player campaign is truly top notch. The voice acting is particularly superb, with Gary Oldman and Kiefer Sutherland doing great jobs as your respective Commanding Officers. The story gets a little disconnected in the middle, but since it’s historically based you’ll know the outcome before you get there. If you’ve played previous CoD games (Modern Warfare excluded), then the WWII era may be a little played out. I myself got a little tired of the old-school armament, especially in contrast to CoD4.

The multiplayer experience is as spectacular and additive as it was in Modern Warfare. I find the maps to be large enough to encourage lots of movement but offering enough cover to avoid annoying snipers and campers. Personally, I love the addition of user-controllable tanks to the battlefield. They add an element that forces a team to work together, or risk getting demolished. The attack dogs add an interesting twist, as well. Not only do they want to eat your face off, but they lead the enemy right to you. Talk about a rock and a hard place.

The option to play the campaign over a multiplayer connection is a personal favorite. The competitive co-op mode is especially compelling; you’ll have to work together, but it forces everyone to push the pace. Brilliant.

Without question, the WWII shooter genre is well-trodden ground. Yet, CoD:WW seems to have done it better than it’s predecessors. The campaign’s in-game action, as well as its high production value, super-slick cut scenes, offers a grisly portrayal of battles that were in no way glamorous. From the games-as-art department, we salute the developers for treating their subject matter with integrity and respect. We also salute them for casting Jack Bauer as bad-ass Corporal Roebuck. There’s just nothing like hearing everyone’s real American hero barking battle cries like, “We f*#@ing did it, Marines!”

As great as the single player mode is, multiplayer is where World at War really sets the pace and offers nearly infinite replay value. My online experience (primarily over Xbox Live) has been virtually lag-free, and the clean interface makes choosing your preferred game type and finding a match completely idiot-proof. I think that one of CoD:WW’s strongest multiplayer aspects is that it appeals to a wide range of skill and experience levels. New players can choose from balanced, preset character classes, whereas deathmatch gurus can customize weapons and perks until they are blue in the face.

Like with every online shooter, you will encounter highly skilled players online who want nothing more than to make your face explode, but that hasn’t dampened my enjoyment of the experience, nor should it deter you. I’m a stat junkie, so I’m enomored with the ranking system, unlockable perks and weaponry, as well as the ability to link your history to the game’s website for online viewing.

One of the major complaints about the otherwise amazing CoD4: Modern Warfare was its lack of cooperative play options. Lucky for us, the anguished cries of fanboys everywhere have been heard, and World at War was shipped chock full of co-op goodness (further sealing your desire for a 1080p capable HDTV). The inclusion of both standard and competitive co-op modes has been much ballyhooed, and rightfully so. Both are available for play offline and online, with friends or through matchmaking.

My parting shot: don’t miss out on the pure nostalgic joy of gathering your buddies, establishing ample rations of beer, and blasting one another into smithereens in split-screen play. If you that thought staying up all night playing Goldeneye on your 32” Trinitron with your best friends was the pinnacle of your gaming life, then you owe it to yourself to replicate the scene on your (hopefully) massive HDTV. Put the kids/girlfriend/wife/neighbor to bed, turn the volume to 11, and set cuss mode to on.

Call of Duty: World At War Trailer (click here if you can’t see the video)

Prestige Tuttle’s Multiplayer Mantras:

1. When the enemy has radar equipped, regroup with your squad. You’ll get picked off if you’re by yourself. In general, there’s always strength in numbers.
2. Create custom classes for specific maps. You’ll find that most guns and perks work better on some maps than they do on others. For example, rapid firing, short range weapons are ideal on small maps, whereas you should utilize more accurate, ranged guns on more wide open maps.
3. Keep moving. It’s just a matter of time until the other team will circle around behind you. Still, don’t go rushing around without looking. Oh, and check your baffles from time to time. Crazy Ivan, anyone?
4. Stay out of the center of the map. Most maps have open centers where snipers will feed on your stupidity. You’re safer on the perimeter where there’s more cover and less chance of crossfire.
5. Use a silencer on small crowed maps. It will help you stay invisible and rack up multiple kills in a row without being found. If you want to be a top player you’ll need to rack up kill steaks so you can take advantages of radar, mortar attacks, and, best of all, those damn dogs.

Multiplayer Trailer (click here if you can’t see the video)

Purchase Call of Duty: World At War $50

Gear Patrol Custom ColorWare Xbox 360

I hope that I’m not being too presumptuous, but it’s likely that you, the Gear Patrol reader, take some measure of pride in having the latest and greatest bits of consumer technology. It goes without saying that we do, too. After all, why do you think that we dutifully craft these daily digital digests? Sadly, keeping up with the Joneses sometimes conflicts with one of our core Gear Patrol Values: Individuality. These days, camping out to get a new smart phone, personal media device, or video game console simply doesn’t ensure even a modicum of uniqueness or personal expression.

That’s where the good people at ColorWare come in. (See our custom Xbox 360 after the jump)

ColorWare doesn’t make things; they just make things better. And by better I mean amazingly beautiful. For example, the way they took our Xbox Beige-60 and made it a GP hued work of art (Thanks, Colorware!). And, for the record, I most certainly did not shriek and skip around like a school girl when I opened the box.

The ColorWare magic is in their proprietary high-gloss, scratch-resistant coating offered in myriad colors. Their website features the ability to design custom color schemes for a wide variety of products, but, trust me; you will not be prepared for just how good the real thing looks. Your Blackberry, iPhone, MacBook, ThinkPad, Wii, PS3, and even your flatscreen HDTV will take on a new life.

ColorWare offers customers the ability to send in their own electronics or to purchase new in conjunction with colorization. For corporate types, a full line of custom branding is available to suit any advertising, reward, or swag needs. Hopefully, my editor will read this and realize just how good a new custom colored MacBook would look emblazoned with the patented GP Cog. Lucky for me, ColorWare will be ready and waiting when he does.

Cost: Xbox 360 As Shown $155 (Pricing dependant on products and services)

Also See: Retro Space | Voodoo Omen Gaming Computer

Windmills. Tulips. Wooden shoes. These items may represent your estimation of Dutch life and culture. Allow me to disabuse you of the notion that no GP-worthy innovation has come from that low-lying pastoral wonderland known as the Netherlands. For years, we (I) have been dreaming of a way to play the arcade and console classics of yesteryear in a manner befitting their original button-mashing glory. It would seem that the anguished cries emanating from the corridors here at Gear Patrol HQ have been heard by a young Dutchman, named Martijn Koch. His answer: retro space.

Paying homage to the first coin-operated arcade cabinet, “Computer Space” which debuted in 1971, retro space fearlessly collides a nostalgic design with the latest in construction and gaming hardware. This sleek beast will satiate your hunger for audio/visual stimulation by way of a 24 inch 1080p LCD display married to 200 watts of audiophile quality sound. The cabinet is precision milled, offered in a variety of slick hues, and features an anodized aluminum control panel to support and cool your sweaty mitts. Add to that the brains to emulate over 100 licensed arcade classics or your collection of 8 and 16 bit ROMS and you’ve got yourself a veritable retro-game-gasm.

What this means to you: Suffice it to say, retro space is the bar for which all retro games (any for that matter) should be held. Say hello to the newest addition to your game room.

Cost: $7150 – $8590 @ Retro Space

Corporate gifts are boorish at best. Tic Tac Toe however, is timeless. Don’t clutter your desk with tschotchkes or notepads with scribble. It may not guarantee double digit growth for your portfolio, but the stainless steel and zinc alloy Yap Bull & Bear Tic Tac Toe board will most definitely be unique. A lot like you.

Cost: $56 @ PID

Voodoo Omen’s austere exterior belies the interior components though. Inside you’ll find a quad radiator and copper cooling pipes, a Voodoo Omen all aluminum chassis, vertical thermal diffusion cooling, built-in 7-inch auxiliary LCD display, tool-less architeecture, top-loading cables for cleaner access, 14 color choices, laser engraving, RGB accent lighting and a price tag that will require a home equity loan. [via Gizmodo]

Cost: $6,500 – $22,000 @ VoodooPC | June 2008

Well, the high five and six figure price tags may be a barrier to entry, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience a taste, albeit virtually. The Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S Wheel comes with a hand-stitched leather steering wheel with metal badge, three-pedal set and interchangeable gearshifts (six-speed manual or Tiptronic sequential). The icing on the cake is the included 1GB USB drive in the shape of a Porsche key. [via BornRich]

Works on PC or PS3.

Cost: $325 @ Fanatec

There are no other differences in the controller, only rumble. It will continue to have SIXAXIS functionality and works on more than 100 current titles. We couldn’t tell you what any of those 100 are though.

What this means to you: This writer personally laments having three PS3 controllers without rumble, but plans to add a fourth to his repertoire and laughing hysterically as his three friends play without the immersive gaming experience that is: hand vibrating.

Cost: $55 @ SonyStyle

Also See: Gear Patrol gaming coverage

Why a Nintendo DS? Well, how many of you knew that the Nintendo DS is now the best selling game system of all time? 46 million plus systems if you’re a numbers guy.

Since the initial launch, the major changes have been colors and this February we get the DS Lite in Cobalt Blue/Black. We’re surprised this color combination didn’t make it earlier because it looks smart, sleek and perfect for the rectangle portable system. It’s equipped with the same features: dual touch screens, wireless communication via wi-fi, voice recognition, pictochat, stereo sound. The simple fact that it can play the original Tetris has us swooning. Of course, you folks looking to improve your memory may be best served by the popular Brain Age 2 where you can pit yourself against up-to 8 others wirelessly in brain training games. Sounds dull but trust us when we say it’s addictive.

What this means to you: Endless portable fun, cheap… it’s Nintendo dammit. And did we mention Tetris?

Cost: $129 @ Circuit City (Free traveler-case included for a limited time)

Sure, it’s geared towards children but with a few beverages and some laughs your guests will be mad with sketching. Best of all you don’t lose the shake-and-erase fun. Just shake the controller and the image disappears.

What this means to you: Made for children. Enjoyed by adults.

Cost: $13 @ The Lighter Side

Unless you’ve been living in a cave you know about Guitar Hero. Well, like any good thing in America it hasn’t been left alone. We’re already up to Guitar Hero III and now comes the ultimate collection of virtual thrashing – Rock Band Special Edition

It’s got all instruments covered from lead guitar to drums to vocals. You can perform anywhere from Rhode Island to Reykjavik and show all your friends just how badass you’re e-g’tar skills are. The special edition includes:

• Game + microphone, guitar and drum set peripherals
• 45 licensed tracks from a plethora of legendary rockers
• Mold a unique rocker avatar using Rock Band’s Character creator. Chose from gender, body shape, face, hair, clothes, tattoos and signature moves. Don’t forget to pick your specialized rockin’ instrument.
• Showcase a real drum solo with Rock Band’s freestyle drum fill Windows featured in each song. Break out your own rhythm and style as anything goes!
• Call out the crowd! Vocalists can bring the crowd to their feet during Rock Band’s freestyle vocal fill windows. Ad-lib your own words or shout to the crowd to raise the rock intensity of the performance.

What this means to you: Rock Band, the phenomenon that we like to refer to as the American homegrown version of Dance Dance Revolution really is more addictive than we care to admit to. Just don’t blame us if you find yourself suddenly surrounded by surburbanites and friend’s wives throwing you rockstar behavior they’ve suppressed since they’re co-ed years.

Cost: $150+ @ Amazon

Anyway you cut it, that’s a lot for one price and five good ones at that. The best part is you can get it today. The new package from Valve includes two critically acclaimed games Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode 1. It also includes three all new games: Half-Life 2 Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2, a game almost a decade in the making. Imagine if Pixar made a multi-player game.

Rather that continuing to geek out this writer will go ahead and tell you that this game will set a new bar in content per dollar. You’ll have no shortage of gameplay or downtime with this in your console/pc.

Owning both consoles I’m not particularly biased one way or another, but it’s not a well-guarded fact that the PC and XBox versions were created completely in-house by the Valve folks while the PS3 was ported by a team at Electronic Arts.

What this means to you: Forgive our moment of geekdom, but you seriously need to get in on this action.

Cost: $60 @ Amazon

Forza stands as a response to Gran Turismo on the Playstation platform. Don’t waste years for the next GT… Forza’s what you want.

What this means to you: Put that Xbox 360 Elite you just bought to good use and get yourself into the driver’s seat of Forza.

Cost: $59.99 @ Amazon

• 120GB hard drive (the largest available for any gaming console)
• High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable
• Premium black finish
• Black wireless controller
• Black Xbox Live® headset

What this means to you: We don’t condone frivolous purchases (or do we?), but there’s no shame in going the extra mile to get something black. Hint: Gamestop is giving $250 for the trade-in of your existing Xbox 360 Premium bundles towards an Xbox 360 Elite (through them of course).

Cost: $479.99 @ Best Buy