Weekly Wrap-Up: Epic Mickey Week

Every week, I like to reflect on the things I've learned from video games, and this week was no exception. The biggest game released this week was Wii-exclusive Disney Epic Mickey. The week before that, it was PS3 exclusive Gran Turismo 5. These two games represent opposite poles of what's possible in gaming. GT5 aims to present as realistic a re-creation of real life as possible, where Mickey is a complete work of imagination. Video games FTW!

We also made our usual slate of interesting web shows for you to enjoy:

• G4tv.comedy: Mario breaks his neck in this edition of G4TV.Comedy!
• Feedback: Disney Epic Mickey is on the plate in this week's Feedback.
• Sessler's Soapbox: Adam Sessler was very impressed with Disney Epic Mickey as well.
• The MMO Report: Casey took a look at Crimecraft.
• Fresh Ink: Blair Butler reviewed the biggest comic book releases of the week.

And now, the news...

Monday

• The penultimate round of videogame deathmatch has begun!
• A couple of nerd icons, Irvin Kershner And Leslie Nielsen, passed away over the long weekend.
• Iconic developer Jade Raymond is heading up development of Splinter Cell 6.
• Nintendo sold a combined 1.5 million Wii and DS units during Black Friday week.
• Have a topic suggestion for this week's Feedback? Submit your question here!
• Check out this video of Kinect controlling Super Mario Bros.
• Check our new releases list to find out what games are hitting your platforms of choice this week.
• This week in game deals offers some great discounts on Disney Epic Mickey.
• G4 & the Entertainment Software Association today announced a 3-year deal naming the network the official broadcaster of E3.
• Peter Jackson revealed that two parts of The Hobbit will film in 3D with "cutting edge technology."
• Several popular shows from BBC America are available on the PlayStation Network today
• Legendary game designer Warren Spector has become the latest addition to the Geek A Week art collection.
• Check out the trailer for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 for the iPhone and iPad.
• Word on the street is that Microsoft is working on a cable subscription service for the Xbox 360.
• Donkey Kong Country Returns marks a fantastic return to form for our favorite tie-wearing ape. Read our review to see why.
• Today at the Dubai World Game Expo in the United Arab Emirates, a new video game rating system and board was unveiled.
• The latest edition of G4tv.comedy features Mario in an unfortunate accident.
• Guns N' Roses lead singer, Axl Rose, is suing Activision Blizzard
• Check out this freaky Disney Epic Mickey paintbrush controller.
• Over 2.5 million Kinects have been sold worldwide since it launched earlier this month.
• ChAIR and Epic Games announced that Infinity Blade will be released for iOS on December 9.
• Are you going to buy GT5 or Hot Pursuit? Need help making that decision? We compare both games side by side.
• Let's all take a moment to watch today's trailers.

Tuesday

• Check out our review of Gran Turismo 5.
• Sordahon from Two Worlds 2 is questioning who he is.
• Disney Epic Mickey has failed to make an impact in the UK.
• DICE has announced that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam will release next month for PC and consoles.
• Check out our look at Dead Space 2's multiplayer modes.
• Check out the first 15 minutes of Disney Epic Mickey.
• Dame Helen Mirren is the new Wii Fit spokesperson.
• When otters attack on Around the Net with Kevin Pereira and Tiffany Smith!
• According to a rumor, The Dark Knight Rises may feature a cameo from Heath Ledger's Joker using footage from cut scenes.
• We take a look a this week's hilarious videos, including a montage of horrible Kinect dancing.
• According to Sony, over 4.1 million PlayStation Move controllers have been sold.
• Eidos Montreal has revealed details about two pre-order bonus packs and the special edition for Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
• The "Case West" DLC for Dead Rising 2 is coming out next month.
• Here's your handy guide for survival in the three new maps that make up the Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack.
• V's original hero Marc Singer is set to make his return to the ABC revival this season.
• Just one day remains before the final showdown in G4's Videogame Deathmatch. If you haven't already, get voting!
• Adam discusses why he thinks Disney Epic Mickey is a game that far exceeds expectations and breaks new ground in video games.
• Electronic Arts has no plans to purchase Harmonix.
• Check out this stunning viral site for Deus Ex: Human Revolution's biotech firm Sarif Industries.
• Kevin and Tiffany review the Samsung Focus with Windows Phone 7 on Gadget Pr0n.
• Pixel Force: DJ Hero is what you would get if DJ Hero came out on the NES
• Former Codemasters developer Stuart Black has been appointed the creative director of City Interactive's new studio.
• Save a cool $1,300 by buying a Sony Bravia TV and PS3 bundle.
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii has become the first Wii game to sell 4 million copies in Japan.

Wednesday

• No, not just any trading card game, the Final Fantasy Trading Card game.
• Warren Spector, the man behind Disney Epic Mickey, really wants to make a DuckTales game.
• World of Warcraft released two new pets, one whose proceeds go directly to the Make A Wish Foundation.
• The internet is rife with rumors of a remake of the original Halo.
• A gamer has cracked the Black Ops code.
• Microsoft officially launched its Xbox Live rewards program today. How many points have you earned?
• Writer Salman Rushdie talks gaming.
• Feedback hums and burns over the internet to get to your eyes and ears. Here's our episode featuring Disney Epic Mickey.
• Ever wondered what it's like to deal with a blindingly talented mo-cap actor? Ubisoft is here to help.
• Director Christopher Nolan has confirmed he's working on an Inception video game.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops topped last week's list of Xbox Live activity, ahead of Modern Warfare 2 and Halo: Reach.
• A report from MovieHole shoots-down rumors about a Heath Ledger cameo in the next Batman film, but hints a Superman crossover.
• The Gran Turismo 5 that could have been.
• The Nintendo Wii has fallen from its place at number one to the number three console.
• See what lies ahead for Assassin's Creed: The Fall issue #2, and see some killer AC-inspired artwork, compliments of Ubiworkshop.

Thursday

• The final battle of G4's videogame deathmatch has been joined.
• Atari is planning a video game sequel to hit game Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime is in development.
• As NASA makes its announcement, we look back at gaming's best alien species.
• Amazon is offering big deals on action games today as part of their 17-day holiday sales extravaganza.
• Farmville creator Zynga has acquired Words with Friends developer Newtoy.
• The opening statements for the first Xbox 360 modding trial have been delayed.
• Sega has announced a new squad-based shooter, Binary Domain.
• Ever wanted to mythbust common video game issues? Rooster Teeth shows you how it's done with their new show Immersion.
• Quick! The original Deus Ex is just $.99 today only! Go! Go! Go!
• Go Around the Net with Kevin and Morgan...and a special Juggalo Christmas.
• Apple has been granted a patent on a way to project 3D images without the use of glasses.
• Casey tells you about CrimeCraft's Bleedout, EVE Online's Incursion expansion, and Uncle Casey's Mail Bag!
• The most interesting funny glitches in video game history!
• Ubisoft has launched an iPhone app that lets users manage their Uplay accounts.
• TECH REVIEW: Kevin and Morgan review the Droid Pro from Verizon Wireless.
• Check out our in-depth discussion of Disney Epic Mickey.
• Team Meat, the creators of Super Meat Boy, have responded to PETA who made a game of their own, Super Tofu Boy.
• How would Mario Kart 64 stack up against Gran Turismo 5's kart mode? Well find out in our comparison between GT5 and Mario Kart 64.
• Twisted Pixel has announced Ms. Splosion Man will be released in fall 2011.

Friday

• Prosecutors have dropped the Federal case against a modder of Xbox 360's.
• Mad Catz has shipped its MIDI-Pro adapter for Rock Band 3 that lets players use their own keyboards and drums in the game.
• The best rapper in the U.K., as determined through Def Jam Rapstar, will get a record contract.
• Check out our review of Splatterhouse.
• A new Bravia TV coming out contains a built-in PlayStation 2.
• Check out this new Monty Python Facebook app.
• Check out our review of Majin And The Forsaken Kingdom.
• Sara Underwood and Kevin Pereira take you Around the Net!
• Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld is on a tweeting rampage regarding delays and possible changes to the direction of the film.
• Walmart is offering an amazing deal on a Wiimote and game.
• You aren't the only ones who like speculating about the setting for Assassin's Creed 3. Here are our top five picks.
• Exec Producers of Fringe are embracing its impending move to Friday nights. Will its audience?
• We talk about racing game Gran Turismo 5.
• TECH REVIEW: Kevin Pereira and Chris Hardwick take a look at the HTC HD7.
• We've come to the conclusion that these food items are the best in video game.