Rockstar has managed to release some pretty hard hitting games over the years. Namely, their Grand Theft Auto series has largely cemented their name as one of the most iconic game development studios of all time. However, they also have some other great games on the market with a prime example of this being Red Dead Redemption.

Just like Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption is an open ended sandbox game where the player must find their way around the world completing various tasks and participating in various activities. However, instead of being set in a major city like many of the more recent Grand Theft Autos, Red Dead Redemption takes place in the old wild west.

If you’re one who loves playing Red Dead Redemption but are wishing that you could squeeze a bit more content out of the game you’re in luck. It was just announced that the content reserved exclusively for those who pre-ordered the game will soon be made available as DLC. Included in this pack are several different things including the Assassin Outfit which increases your rate of Dead Eye regeneration, a Golden Guns Weapon Pack which increased the Fame you’ll be earning and last but not least a War Horse for, well, obvious purposes.

All 3 of these items will be made available for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 at some point next week with a $.99 price tag.

OnLive is one of the most innovative console manufacturers to date. If you haven’t heard of the company, they have an expansive line up of titles that allow you to stream from the cloud to your computer for a reduced fee. In other words, no downloading, no patches, no fuss. Sounds pretty cool right? But what if you aren’t partial to PC gaming and want to bring the experience to the television without paying for the $99 MicroConsole?

Well, you’re in luck as OnLive has just announced that they will be giving those who pre-order Homefront a free MicroConsole essentially meaning you’re getting the console and the game for just $50. Not only that, but pre-order the game and you’ll be given free access the full version of Metro 2033.

The deal only lasts until supplies run out so you better get down fast if planning to do so.

via onliveblog

Valve has a pretty good track record when it comes to releasing hard hitting titles. Not only is their Half-Life franchise regarded as one of the greatest FPS franchises of all time but it has spanned countless other titles powered by the Source engine such as Counter-Strike and later, Portal.

First released back in 2007 Portal tasks players with finding their way through various puzzles using nothing more than a portal gun. If you’re not familiar with this device you can shoot one portal, which serves as an entry way, and then another which serves as the exit. Quite obviously, you can then walk through the entrance and appear at the exit wherever you may have placed it. If you haven’t check the game out you should definitely do so.

Alternatively, you can skip over the first title entirely and just pick up Portal 2 which is expected to hit store shelves on April 18th. In fact, Valve has just announced today that the game is available for pre-order from various retailers including their Steam digital distribution outlet. As a little freebie, if you pre-order the game through Steam you will be given a $5 discount dropping the game to $45. Not bad..

via steam

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is one of the most popular video game consoles on the market but it is not without its gripes. As you’re sure to know the infamous red ring of death plagued earlier versions of the console which had gamers sending their console for repair only to wait several weeks before hearing anything. Luckily, things have evened out but, to some, the controller is still not perfect.

Luckily, Razer has been developing a controller for some time dubbed the Onzo that includes a more ergonomic design, improved D-pad, 2 programmable buttons and an extra long 15-foot cable. Coming in two different versions a standard version and Tournament edition the Onza is available for pre-order now at $39.99 and $49.99, respectively. There aren’t too many differences between the two as the Tournament edition features a rubberized design for additional grip while the standard version only features a textured grip – everything else is the same.

via geeky-gadgets

Just earlier today Nintendo came forth to announce that the Nintendo 3DS would be made available on March 27th for a decently palatable $249.99. Now, every one’s favorite online retailer Amazon.com has posted the device for pre-order with the above mentioned release date and price point.

For those who aren’t aware the Nintendo 3DS features a design similar to the Nintendo DS but adds a 3D display that requires no 3D glasses and a camera capable of taking 3D images.

If you’re going to pre-order Sega‘s forthcoming Alpha Protocol you should probably do it at Best Buy. I say this because it was recently announced that the game will be getting a pre-order bonus at the mega retailer. These bonuses include a Hamilton Marksman High-Accuracy Pistol, the Samael Typhoon High Recoil Control SMG and some ammo and mines.

Alpha Protocol will be out for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on June 1st of this year.

via joystiq

Lost Planet 2‘s May 11th release date is quickly approaching and of course Capcom is teaming up with mega-retailer GameStop to offer some incentives. Those incentives (pre-order, to be exact) will include 2 free maps that those who don’t pre-order the game will be forced to pay $1 for.

The maps in the free DLC pack include Helix which is an underwater research facility highlithing th games new swimming mechanics and Back to the Island which is an updated version of Island 902 from the original Lost Planet.

Again, Lost Planet 2 will be out for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC on May 11th.

via cvg

It looks like God of War III‘s launch is shaping up to be massive — Reports have just surfaced that say pre-orders for the game have hit 485,000 this week. This beats out pre-order numbers for games such as Heavy Rain, Final Fantasy XIII and even Uncharted 2.

VGChartz estimates that the game could sell as much as 750,000 in North America in its first week but that remains to be seen. God of War III will be out on March 16th, 2010.

Not too long ago we told you that Nintendo would be responsible for bringing Dragon Quest IX to the states with a release date expected this year. However, before that, Dragon Quest VI will be making its way onto store shelves for the Nintendo DS.

Previously, we hadn’t heard of a release date for the game, and we still haven’t, but Amazon has just put Dragon Quest VI up for pre-order starting at $34.99. Of course we can’t pinpoint an exact release date but since its up for pre-order I think it’s safe to assume that it will be coming relatively soon.

Check out the Amazon listing here.

It was recently announced that Valve’s digital distribution service, Steam, will be getting its own exclusive pre-order bonus for Dragon Age: Origins. Said pre-order bonus will be the in-game item called the Wicked Oath ring which will boost your character’s combat and damage abilities.

Make note that this ring is in addition to the Memory Band in-game item that all retailers will be giving out to pre-orders of Dragon Age: Origins.

BioWare‘s Dragon Age: Origins will be out for the Xbox 360 and PC on November 3rd and for the PS3 on November 17th.