I was pumped yesterday for the football season to start again, but I felt deflated and already wanted this season over after seeing the Carolina Panthers just completely fall apart. Beyond feeling sorry for everyone on that team, I'm also feeling sorry for the Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu, who is yet the latest in a line of people suffering from the Madden curse.

Troy Polamalu, who is one of the two stars on this year's cover of Madden, was injured in the first half of last night's season opener against the Tennessee Titans. After the Steelers blocked a field goal attempt, Polamalu bent down to recover the ball -- only to have a Titan land on his leg. Reports from early this morning say that it's a sprain to the MCL (medial collateral ligament) in his left knee, an injury that typically sidelines a player for 3-6 weeks.

When will football players learn to just say no to being on the cover of Madden?

Whether you're referring to the original PS2 offering or the more recent Wii version, Okami was a wonderful game with one of the best aesthetics ever in a videogame. The problem was that overall it didn't see terribly well. It's surprising then that Capcom has trademarked a new name - Okamiden - that sounds a lot like Okami. Could Capcom be working on a sequel or is just a coincidence the names sound the same?

Are you a huge God of War fan? Do you wish you were Kratos? If you own all the games and a few figures to boot, take your obsession to the next level by buying a real replica of Kratos' Blades of Chaos. The 12 7/16" blade is constructed from solid-cast zinc aluminum, and designed to look like the blades from the games. The price is set at $123.99 and pre-orders start on July 23rd. I'm a big fan of the franchise, but not enough to buy a knife/sword from the game.

Argh! I hate the Japanese! Not only do they get a lot of videogames before we get them over here in North America, but they get access to exclusive Persona 4 plushies such as the brand-new Jiraiya. I'd love to own both Jiraiya and the other Japan exclusive Izanagi, but the websites you pay to buy Japanese for you are just too costly. Sigh...maybe one day.

Before its release, Atlus loved to promote the fact that Devil Summoner 2 must be an excellent game, if only because that title is so damn long it'd just have to be so. If that theory is to be believed, the game just barely comes up short, needing only one or two more words in that title for perfection. As is, however, it's still an amazing game, worthy follow-up, and unless something comes along, a great swan song to end the PS2's history on a high note.

It's been a long time coming, and we've had to suffer through the same Naruto stories over and over, but finally the games have moved on and started covering the Shippuden portion of the Naruto history, which sees our young kids a little older and more powerful as well. The same great Ultimate Ninja gameplay, but with new characters, moves, and game modes – yes! Of course, then I started playing the game, and suddenly I'm yearning for the way things used to be. As the 80s hair-band Cinderella would say - you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

He's been missing in action for a while in game form, but a recent announcement revealed that Indiana Jones was going to be heading back to videogames by way of Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings. The game will appear on the PS2, PSP, and DS, but it's the Wii version that looks like the best of the bunch, as it's the only version of the game that comes with a classic point-and-click Indiana Jones adventure at no additional price - Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.

The website Gamasutra now has up a great little article about sexuality and homophobia in videogames in regards to how it is portrayed in Persona 4 (one of my favorite games of last year). I think the article is a little harsh on the jokes made on Kanji's behalf, because though they joke about whether he likes guys or girls, the team never criticizes him and sticks behind him 100%. Still, despite that, it's still a good read about a great game.

Persona 3 is one of my favorite RPGs of all-time, so when word came that number four would be hitting stores in December, I quickly went and pre-bought the game in order to get some extra goodies when it releases. Amazon is adding on to the extras by unleashing an "expansion" pack of extra collectibles to coincide with the game. For just $29.99 you'll receive:

* Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 game sold separately
* Complete your Persona 4 music collection with this CD containing tracks not found on the CD packed with the game
* 100% XL cotton t-shirt featuring Persona Konohana Sakuya is exclusive to this package
* The 2009 calendar has been exclusively designed for this pack
* Exclusive 8 1/2 inch tall Teddie plush direct from the game

Note: The game is not included as this is only to get extra collectibles.

Throughout the history of videogames there has always been one constant fact - bosses are supposed to be hard. There is a difference, however, between hard and freaking insane! Final Fantasy XI released some new bosses into their MMO, which the guild Beyond the Limitation tried to be the first to destroy. Were they successful? Sadly no, as the clan was forced to quit the battle after several of their members passed out and other got sick. I guess that's what happens when you attempt an 18+ hour battle.

Ever since my E3 trip visit to an otaku shop near my hotel, I've been enamored by beautiful PVC statues. Being relased by Alter, the first PVC from the excellent RPG Odin Sphere is character Gwendolyn. Now they just need to release a sweet Velvet and I'd be really happy. I actually kind of hope not everyone likes the statue as much as me, because then I'd have an easier time getting one.