According to Moonstone, the game's developer, the iPhone/iPod Touch Gift will be available via the Japanese iTunes store. Even though the Moonstone producer's post says there are "event scenes," we imagine they're closer to the PS2 version's and not the original PC's. The game does use the iPhone/iPod Touch's accelerator. That could be interesting.

Gift News [Moonstone via Akiba Blog via Danny Choo]

Since there's no mention of a Wii or DS (plus I don't see Cooking Mama's "eggserlent" face anywhere on it), I can only assume it actually has nothing to do with Nintendo, but I definitely like the vibe of it. Kim Phu

Limited edition Cooking Mama lunchbox found in Hong Kong [Siliconera]

Sony today announced that Gran Turismo HD Concept is hitting the Playstation store for free on Christmas Eve in North America too. They had previously announced the deal for Japan.

The limited time free download supports 1080p and includes the Eiger Nordwand course. After unlocking ten cars in the time trial mode, players have access to ten more tuned cars as well as a Drift Trial mode.

While it sounds like the game doesn't support online play, it does allow you to upload your times and view the top 10 ranking for each car and mode. You can also play and save replays online.

Here's the list of the cars included in the freebie, in order of appearance:

— 1995 Suzuki Cappucino
— 1989 Mazda Eunos Roadster
— 2004 Honda Integra TYPE R
— 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR
— 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe
— 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR
— 2005 Lotus Elise 111R
— 1994 Nissan SKYLINE GT-R Vspec II
— 1995 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car
— 2006 Ferrari 599

Hit the jump for the full release. Brian Crecente

PLAYSTATION(R)Store Offers Gran Turismo(TM) HD Concept Free for
PLAYSTATION(R)3 Owners This Holiday Season

World's Most Popular Driving Videogame Franchise Available in Full HD*

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment
America (SCEA) announced today the December 24 North American release of Gran
Turismo(TM)HD Concept, available for free download, exclusively on the
PLAYSTATION(R)Store (PS Store) for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer
entertainment system. Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., this driving game
features an all-new course for players to be the first to drive a Ferrari on a
PS3, as well as have the option to select a car from nine other worldwide
manufacturers that include Infiniti, Lotus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Suzuki.
Available only for a limited time, Gran Turismo HD Concept takes full
advantage of the PS3 PLAYSTATION 3 hardware performance by providing full HD
1080p* resolution and next-generation car physics ushering in a new era of
racing for the gaming industry.
"Gran Turismo HD Concept provides PS3 and automotive fans a glimpse into
the future of Gran Turismo," states Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of the
Gran Turismo franchise. "With the power of the PS3 technology, the world of
Gran Turismo is refined by its full HD visual presentation and unique
interactive experience, resulting in an even more realistic and true driving
simulator."
Upon downloading Gran Turismo HD Concept, PS3 users have access to the
Eiger Nordwand course and can compete in Time Trial races to collect and
unlock new cars. Upon unlocking the initial 10 cars, the player has access to
10 more "Tuned Cars," as well as access to a new driving mode called "Drift
Trial."
In the "Drift Trial" mode, the player can master the art of drifting and
achieve ultimate control of their car. Furthermore, when connected to the
PLAYSTATION(R)Network (PS Network), the player can upload their times and view
the Top 10 rankings for each car and mode, as well as play and save replays
online.

Featured Automobiles in Gran Turismo HD Concept (Year, Manufacturer,
Model)
In order of appearance in game (available in stock and "tuned" versions):

— 1995 Suzuki Cappucino
— 1989 Mazda Eunos Roadster
— 2004 Honda Integra TYPE R
— 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR
— 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe
— 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR
— 2005 Lotus Elise 111R
— 1994 Nissan SKYLINE GT-R Vspec II
— 1995 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car
— 2006 Ferrari 599

Additional Information About The Game Modes in Gran Turismo HD Concept
In "Time Trial" mode, the player selects a car and must complete the Eiger
Nordwand course within the target time indicated at the top of the screen.
Each time the player beats the target time, a new car is unlocked and made
available for selection. As stated, upon unlocking all of the cars, the
player can access tuned cars, along with the option to race Eiger Nordwand in
the opposite direction.
In "Drift Trial" mode, the player's drifting technique is tested, rather
than their lap time. The player earns drift points based on their drift
angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones located at various
turns on the course. For each evaluation zone, the results are based on the
number of flags and a numerical figure. The point total from all zones
determines the player's drift points for the lap and is counted toward the
rankings.
The following settings are available during gameplay: 1)
Transmission — the player can select either Manual or Automatic. 2)
Stability Management (SM) — the player can turn this ON or OFF during
gameplay. ASM is designed to prevent vehicle skidding by controlling each of
the four wheel brakes independently. 3) Traction Control (TC) Level — the
player can set the TCS level, which senses drive-wheel slip and prevents wheel
spin. 4) Tires — the player can select front and rear tires from nine types
of brands.

About Gran Turismo
With more than 45 million units sold worldwide, the award-winning Gran
Turismo franchise for the PlayStation(R) platforms serves as the racing game
of choice amongst the automotive and gaming audience due to its true-to-life
graphics, physics and real-life cars and tracks. Since the inception of the
Gran Turismo franchise, famed creator - Kazunori Yamauchi and Polyphony
Digital Inc. in Japan have revolutionized the racing category as we know it
today. His offerings provide the gamer with the most true-to-life driving
simulation within the industry and a unique medium for automobile
manufacturers to showcase their products. In Motor Trend Magazine's February
2005 and 2006 issue, Yamauchi was selected as #17/50 most powerful people in
the automotive industry. For more information, please visit
http://www.gran-turismo.com .
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated
all Gran Turismo properties "E" for Everyone. For more information about the
ESRB, please visit www.esrb.org.

Germ free?! It almost sounds too good to be true!

IOGEAR's Wireless Laser Mouse is coated with a Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Silver (Ag) nano-particle compound. The coating uses two mechanisms to deactivate enzymes and proteins to prevent a wide spectrum of bacteria, fungi, and algae from surviving on the surface of the mouse. The compound has been tested and proven effective against the settlement of harmful microbes on the insulated surface.

I, on the other hand, just adore scraping of the collected scum from my wireless mouse and ten-year old keyboard. It's like a PC game of its own! Michael McWhertor

Germ Free Wireless Laser Mouse [IOGear via ExtremeTech]

Pac-Man Mary Janes [Etsy]

Alternatively, if any single ladies out there are looking for that rare male specimen who is into video games and requires a printed invitation to begin chatting you up, this is the kind of gift you get yourself. Only 18 bucks and ranges from small to, thankfully, double extra large. Everyone wins! Michael McWhertor

Press and hold (X) to Pick Up Girls Tee [via BBP&S]

CNN Money's Chris Morris asks himself (and answers) the question: If I were shopping for video gaming execs, what would I buy them for Christmas?

One of the overpriced, luxury items we've previously covered, which Morris finds perfect for retro gamer Peter "Petah" Moore, is the DreamArcades 100-inch video arcade center.

I'm sure Pete will adore it, Chris, I know I love mine!

But what to get Nintendo prez Reggie Fils-Aime and recently promoted Sony exec Kaz Hirai? I'll keep it spoiler free, as you may want to find out what to drop $70,000 on your millionaire loved ones, too. Michael McWhertor

Gifts for the video game elite [CNN]
The 100-Inch Arcade Set Up [Kotaku]

So the Penny Arcade guys are good for more than just great comics and hilariously witty social commentary, they make awesome t-shirt designs too. This one is called "The Lite Brigade' and should definitely go on any DS lite lovers holiday gift list. These tees are only available on the ThinkGeek website and in addition to the smokin' front graphic, it has the Penny Arcade logo emblazoned on the back. You can bet I won't be waiting to see if I'm getting one of these for Christmas as I'm already ordering it as soon as I finish writing this post... Flynn De Marco

The Lite Brigade T Shirt [ThinkGeek]
[via Aeropause]

Dress up your Ipod Nano with the awesome art of Bob Dob! Bob's artwork is incredible and I would love to have a copy of any of his pieces. His painting of Mario and Donkey Kong sharing a frosty mug of beer entitled "Cheers" is one of my personal favorites. U.K. website, Urban Retro, is featuring one of Dob's pieces, "Rough Night Out" with Mario and Luigi's mug shots as skins for your iPod Nano. The holidays are just around the corner and what could be a better gift for your favorite gamer (who happens to have an Ipod Nano) than these terrifyingly twisted depictions of everyone's favorite plumber and his possibly gay brother. Check out Dob's "Cheers" painting after the jump. Flynn De Marco

iPod Nano GelaSkin Rough Night Out by Bob Dob [Urban Retro]

Bob Dob's Website

For the gamer on your holiday shopping list who has everything—excluding a healthy social life—the DreamArcades 100-inch video arcade center might be the final thing he or she needs. Okay, "he". No woman wants this garish monstrosity in their home.

Featuring a wireless audio and video connection, a DLP projector, a PC with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ CPU with emulation software pre-installed, and a few dozen arcade titles from Namco, Capcom, Atari, Midway and others, this beast will set you back $4500 (plus shipping). It also features almost every control scheme your little noodle can think of, including a light gun.

I'm ordering now and expensing this bad boy. If I get it approved, 100-inch Home Video Arcade Centers for every reader! Michael McWhertor

Dream Arcades 100-inch Home Video Arcade Center

Our very own Geek on Stun posts about some damn cool Osu! Tatakae!! Ouendan shirts that popped up on the backs of the developers for the game, also known as Elite Beat Agents here in the U.S.

The come in three fancy colors, midnight, lime and banana, and feature a little bubble that reads "Agents Are..." on the front and god knows what on the back. The suspense if killing me. Brian Crecente

Inis Made Elite Beat Agents T-Shirts! [Geek on Stun]

Is there a special nerd on your Christmas shopping list, one who will sniff at snowflakes and candy cane stripes and shit? If you're looking to up the nerd factor this holiday season, why not wrap up your gifts with Whimsy's Paper Invaders? Dad will be so pleased up until he discovers you've given him a copy of Dead or Alive Xtreme 2.

Part of the "Dude Wrap" series, a single, double-sided sheet will set you back $4.50. But if you go all in, bundling in the Bugz, Burnin' Rubber, and Sticks and Bones sheets for a handsome $36, you'll also nab some bonus themed stickers.

C'mon, class it up a little, would ya? Michael McWhertor

Whimsy Dude Wrap [via Cool Hunting]

Our own occasional features writer Colette Bennett points to this amazing NES Cart art by Hush Monkey Studios.

The artist points old Nintendo cartridges and paints them with fresh, game-inspired, scenes. Each of these creations is a little bit of awesome. Brian Crecente

Cart Art [Blow in the Game Slot]

My personal favorite, from a reader long ago, is: Kotaku: We put the K in Otaku.. (The First K, Not the Second One.)

But no one seems to like that, so unless you want a blank white t-shirt, you're going to need to help us.

Here's the deal, email in your t-shirt ideas and the person who comes up with the winning slogan gets some free t-shirts, and some sort of swag from my pile o gaming crap.

If you have something email us at tips@kotaku.com with t-shirt in the subject line. We're going to try and pick a winner by the end of the month.

During a recent show Ellen DeGeneres gave a 14-year-old Ben Underwood a Wii and a copy of he Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Underwood, who lost most of his vision after being diagnosed with cancer of the eyes, uses echolocation to find his way around and compete in sports like basketball and martial arts.

Underwood actually clicks with his tongue and listens to how the sound bounces off of things.

During the show, which included an interview with his very positive mom, DeGeneres praised son and mother and then explored what the teen wants to do with his life.

Underwood said he wants to be an inventor, actor, writer and game designer. Then DeGeneres whipped out a huge gift container filled with gaming stuff including a Wii and a copy of Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the console, both donated by the company.

I guess Nintendo really is all ready to launch their console and game. Underwood was suitably impressed. Brian Crecente

[Thanks Subo]

Our older brother Gizmodo pointed out this creepy Pac-Man pendant. If your significant other is into these kind of knick-knacks you're in luck, as long as you pretend Valentine's Day is next Tuesday.

Pac-Man Ghost Pendant for the One You Love [Gizmodo]