A topsy-turvy September

Sony may be onto something (finally) with its September price drop for its PlayStation 3 game system. The standard measure of all things fun, NPD Group, announced the PS3 beat both the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 in unit sales for the month. It is the first time Sony's game console has accomplished this feat.

We'll see what happens with October sales, but we are sure there are more than a few eyebrows being raised at the Nintendo and Microsoft headquarters. Of course, the Nintendo DS beat the competition. No surprise there.

Now what may not be such a big surprise are the monthly numbers for game titles. Halo 3: ODST took top honors but it wasn't for lack of competition. Beating out all the versions of Madden 10 (combined) as well as The Beatles: Rock Band (combined) is pretty hard-core and proves you don't need an 8-foot cyborg to sell the Halo franchise.

Top-selling game systems for the month of September:

1. Nintendo DS - 524,200 units

2. PlayStation 3 - 491,800

3. Wii - 462,800

4. Xbox 360 - 352,600

5. PSP - 190,400

6. PlayStation 2 - 146,000

Top-selling games for the month of September:

1. Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360) - 1,520,000

2. Wii Sports Resort (Wii) - 442,900

3. Madden NFL 10 (Xbox 360) - 298,600

4. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS) - 258,100

5. The Beatles: Rock Band (Xbox 360) - 254,000

6. Madden NFL 10 (PS3) - 246,500

7. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (Xbox 360) - 236,000

8. Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3) - 212,500

9. Guitar Hero 5 (Xbox 360) - 210,800

10. The Beatles: Rock Band (Wii) - 208,600

Thanks for everything; well, almost

Big things are coming for Madden fans when the next update is released. While details are sketchy on exactly the timetable for "when," we pretty much know the "what" regarding this annual football title. Better defensive coverage in the flats, better chances of getting a sack before the QB tosses it out of bounds, and for all of you franchisers, more realistic stats.

There will be some updates for team presentations as well, including the inclusion of the awful Day-Glo green Seahawks uniforms. Just know how to get to your contrast button rather quickly if somebody uses it against you.

Prize fighting

Namco Bandai Games and the Global Gaming League are holding a Tekken 6 online tournament awarding 10 large ($10,000, that is, for you non-gangstas) in prizes. You contenders have until Nov. 29 to go to tekken6.ggl.com to register.

The top four finalists get a free trip to San Francisco, where they will match fighting styles against winners of T6 competitions held at gaming conventions across the country.

In other words, you can claim you stomped the best in the country. Other prizes include a Tekken 6 arcade cabinet, life statues of Tekken characters, and a chance to take on the best in the world at a Tekken Global tournament next year.

Game On for GameX!!!

GameX (Games and Media Expo) will offer its gaming event this weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Phoenixville. A number of publishers (Ubisoft, Alienware, etc.) will be showing off the latest tech in hardware and gaming. Word has it that the much talked about MMO, Global Agenda (Hi-Rez Studios) will give visitors a taste.For more information, go to www.gamexpo.us.

Contact Bare Knuckles at knuckles@phillynews.com.