This morning, Nintendo announced a new game channel for the Nintendo Wii called “Wii Ware“.  This includes a suite of “mini games” developed not only by Nintendo, but third party developers and independents.  Among these are games like Final Fantasy, V.I.P. Casino, POP, TV Show King, Defend Your Castle and more.  While this likely won’t strike GearCravers as anything revolutionary, it adds a new, casual dimension to your Wii.  If you’re looking to pass 15 minutes before you head out for the night, or take a break from working around the house, you can load up these short-run titles and do what the Wii was intended for– have fun.  All of the Wii Ware games can be ordered and downloaded from the internet via the Wii’s console system, so no need to head to the store and buy these titles.  They come direct to you in minutes.  Learn more at the Wii Ware page, max out your Wii with some of the new casual, addicting games.

Buy: from $5

After losing the 6th consecutive race to my little brother in Need For Speed, I found myself searching for answers. Embarrassed and dejected, I came to the conclusion that the terms were unfair, that playing field would surely be level if I were allowed to use an actual steering wheel. Yeah, that’s it! Controllers are too fickle, too sensitive, too unlike actual driving; I, as an adult (of sorts), was used to commanding a vehicle with a wheel and pedals, not some slippery joystick. But, obviously, if i bought a console steering wheel, I’d be forced to put my rationalization to the test, risking further humiliation, this time without the cushion of an imagined handicap. I decided my video-game psyche was too fragile, my brother too freakishly good at racing games, to risk it. But, were I not a neurotic, digital sissy, the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel by Microsoft would be on my lap and at my toes right now. Sleek and responsive, with force feedback, pedals that don’t slip or slide, and a virtually immovable desk clamp– it’s top-notch hardware for top-notch software. Works with Project Gotham Racing 3 and 4, NASCAR 08, Dirt, Need For Speed Carbon, Test Drive, and Forza2. Disclaimer: neither this writer nor Microsoft can be held liable for the reader/buyer’s loss of face in the event of defeat at the hands of a younger sibling.

Buy: $100

Tuesday, ladies and gents– the biggest game of the year, the biggest title since, well, San Andreas hits the market. Grand Theft Auto IV will be available on Tuesday, April 29th at stores across the U.S. If you’ve got an XBOX 360 or a PS3 (and you aren’t a conservative member of congress), you’ve likely been waiting for this game since you bought your console. If you haven’t already pre-ordered, you’re in luck– JR.com has lowered their pre-order price for the 360 version to $49.99, the lowest price you’ll find on the web. You won’t find it anywhere else for under $57 at best. If you want to start playing GTAIV on Wednesday, pre-order your copy todya.

Buy: $49.99 (after $10 instant rebate)

Gran Turismo 5: Prologue–this PS3 racing extravaganza is going to swivel more heads than a NASCAR fireball pileup. The pictures above give you the tiniest idea of how cool this title will be with its uber-realistic graphics–1080p at 60 frames per second. You get six different raceways including Daytona, and Gran Turismo 5: Prologue lets you race online against 16 other players in your choice of 60 cars–check out a sampling of these cars after the jump!

This hits the market on April 15th…never mind tax day, you’ll be too busy racing.

Buy for $39.95

The Full Swing Indoor Golf simulator offers 50 courses, with real-time ball flight data to track each and every shot. You have no restrictions on your swing at all, just step up and whack the hell out of it just like on a real golf course.688 sensors track the trajectory and speed of your shot to give the most accurate results possible. Every potential golf course scenario is covered with one notable exception; a bikini-wearing 20-year old caddy girl not included.

Contact: for pricing.

Alienware’s “Area-51 m15x” gaming notebook has much more going for it than it’s easy to remember name. This pixel popper has just been made available and completely frags our previous notion of gaming notebooks being questionably designed, garishly painted and heavier than Oprah talking about child labor laws. Sporting an Intel Core 2 Extreme processor, NVIDIA’s GeForce 8800M GTX graphics engine, Ultra-High Definition Video (1200p) and HD Audio and illuminated controls, this productivity killer is shooting straight for our hearts.

Buy from $1,499 - 2,699

Who wants to be tethered and tangled when you can go wireless and free? PS3 gamers, for a very limited time you can cut the controller cord with a ten dollar bill. This Logitech Wireless Precision PS3 controller normally goes for approximately $30 to $40, but thanks to a special $20 rebate from Logitech it can be yours for an amazing final cost of $9.99. This is a total must-buy for PS3 owners. Act fast, to get this deal you have to purchase before December 31. The rebate is via this downloadable .pdf mail-in coupon which must be mailed to Logitech postmarked by January 30th.

Buy for $9.99 after mail-in rebate of $20.00

(Original price $29.99 minus the $20.00 mail-in rebate=$9.99)

Certainly not new, but vital to remember as a gift this season: Apple TV lets Mac-ophiles enjoy downloaded video, music, and photos on any home theatre system. Connect Apple TV to the HDMI port or component audio/video inputs and you can view all your TV shows, concerts, and other media downloaded from iTunes, Amazon Unbox, and other compatible services. You can also view photo slideshows from Photoshop and other sources. Store up to 50 hours of downloaded video in the Apple TV box, and Apple TV’s wireless system automatically syncs your iTunes library from any computer in the house. Whenever you update your playlist, Apple TV updates wirelessly. This is the perfect companion to your MacBook Pro.

Buy for $299.

The plot of Kane and Lynch: Dead Men is beyond f-ed up. A mercenary with a death sentance on his head no matter what he does, and a barely-controlled psychopath are forced to team up and go after some missing loot. One’s determined to survive at any cost, the other’s got nothin’ to lose. Let ‘er rip! The body count potential on this one is staggering, probably even higher than all the the GTA games put together. Is a plot even really necessary? Shoot, drive, rappel, blow stuff up. Play solo or with a friend, plus online team play is there to liven things up, too. For some of us, the only games to play are the ones with the “M” rating, and this one earns it.

Buy for PS3 for $59.00 or Buy for Xbox for $59.00

Your GearCrave deal of the week for this week comes from our friends at BestBuy. Click on and print out that coupon above for $10 off any video game $30 or more. That means $10 off Crysis, Assassin’s Creed, Super Mario Galaxy and more. As you can see above, this excludes video game hardware, so don’t expect a discount on your PS3 or the wireless guitar for Guitar Hero III. Happy shopping, Cravers. Check us next Friday for more big deal news on stuff you crave.