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Top geek gifts by ExtremeTech

There’s only a few days left and you still haven’t bought a gift for that tech geek in your life. What do you do? Look at this handy guide to the best Geek gifts of the year that’s what. Here are the top 7 gifts, as organized by ExtremeTech, to get to this year for the geek that has everything.

1. Sony Blu-ray player: You can get one for as cheap as $250 now! And yes it’s still a good player. The Sony BDP-350 is available for only $224 on Amazon.com, It’s a BD-Profile 2.0 which means it a newer model, and it has great DVD up conversion.

2. MSI R4850 T2D512 Graphics Card: Cost is about $190, and is fast performing while…

Rock out with your tongue out with the Gene Simmons Axe Guitar

We were officially blown away when Logitech unveiled its $250 super guitar controller for Guitar Hero World Tour with all its realistic body features. That was before we knew about the Gene Simmons Axe Guitar that’s made for both Guitar Hero and Rock Band for the PlayStation 2 and PS3. It’s being sold for $79.99 on Amazon and will become officially available on October 31, 2008.

The main draw of this guitar is its unique look. This guitar looks like a battle ax and…

Gamertell Review: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for the PS3

Title: Star Wars: Force UnleashedPrice: $59.99System(s): PS3 (PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, DS)Release Date: September 16, 2008Publisher (Developer): LucasArts (Havok)ESRB Rating: “Teen” for violence.Pros: Enjoyable gameplay, fun-to-use Force effects, worthy opponents and beautiful environments.Cons: Some (albeit it short) menu load times and occasional frame rate drag.Overall Score: Two thumbs up; 96/100; A; * * * * 1/2 out of five.

Simply put, this is the lightsaber-wielding, lightning-from-the-fingertips game fans have been itching for. It’s fun to play, fun to look at and packed full with signature Star Wars goodness.

Click through for the full review…

Gamertell Review: LeapFrog’s Leapster2 handheld game system for kids

Product: Leapster2Price: $69.99 (games MSRP $19.99 each)Rating: One thumb up, on thumb sideways; 85/100; B; * * * 1/2Pros: Rugged construction, easy to use, PC (Windows and Mac) connectivity and backwards compatibility.Cons: Some lag and touchscreen issues during motion graphics, stylus cord a bit short and system a bit fat.Overall: A great buy for parents who want to make sure their kids are playing educational games on a system that will stand up to the occasional (even if accidental) beating.

One way to help satiate your kid’s electronics curiosities is to give them their own, kid-friendly handheld game system. A Nintendo DS is a nice choice but, face it, it’s a little too expensive and not sturdy enough to just give a 3-year-old to play with (well, maybe it’s OK for some kids). And those little brightly colored toys with buttons that make noises are too simplistic.

That’s where the Leapster2 game system comes in…

Gamertell Review: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for PS3

Title: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsPrice: $59.99System(s): PlayStation 3Release Date: June 12, 2008Publisher (Developer): Konami (Kojima Productions)ESRB Rating: “Mature” for blood, crude humor, strong language, suggestive themes and violence.Pros: Awesome storyline with new twists to the plot in every chapter, great music and familiar and new characters to interact with.Cons: Camera angle is a little awkward, elements in the environment hinders snake’s ability to use a sniper rifle and even the Solid Eye. The game also has way too many flashbacks and zoom ins that often mute the important information during briefing sessions.Overall Score: Two Thumbs Up, 98/100, A+, * * * * * stars

Hideo Kojima and the crew at Konami have really outdone themselves with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, creating a thrill to play from beginning to end. And if asked who I’d rather be stranded on a deserted island with, my boyfriend or Snake, hands down it would have to be Snake and the complete Metal Gear Solid series.

Click through for the full review…

Gamertell Review: Sony Dualshock 3 wireless controller

Product: Sony Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller for the Playstation 3 (aka Dualshock 3, Dualshock 3 Sixaxis)Price: $54.99Rating: Two thumbs up; 90/100; A-; **** out of 5Pros: Looks, feels and moves just like the previous PS3 wireless controller.Cons: No USB cable. Slightly heavier than previous controller. Slight smell of burning plastic either shows signs of newness or faulty design.Overall: Works well, feels great and definitely worth it for those who need that little extra sensory feedback when they play.

Finally admitting something as small and seemingly silly as game controller wobbling is important to gamers, Sony has released the Dualshock 3 wireless controller for the PS3.

The controller looks, feels and operates exactly the same as the PS3 Sixaxis controller, which is also pretty damn close to the Dualshock 2 PS2 controller (without the cable, of course).

Click through for the full review…