What happens to video games after hitting gold status? They get shipped to retailers, that's what! And so with that said, we would like to inform everyone that The Godfather: The Don's Edition for PlayStation (PS3) and The Godfather: Blackhand Edition for Wii have finally shipped to major retailers across North America.

The PS3 version can be purchased for US$ 59.99, and features PS3-exclusive content like the Corleone Expansion Pack and behind-the-scenes and making-of video clips. The expansion will provide players with new compounds to control, missions to conquer, as well as the new Corleone Challenges mode. On the other hand, the Blackhand Edition is priced for US$ 49.99. Players, in this version of the game can use and wield the "BlackHand" using the Wiimote's unique motion-sensing controls. Utilizing Wii gesture-based maneuvers will deliver more damage to your enemies.

Both titles will feature a lot of new missions as well as ones that are based on the original film. The Godfather's new RPG system also allows the players to choose whether they would like to become an Enforcer for better fighting skills, or an Operator with a gift for extorting and influencing others.

The Don's Edition and Blackhand Edition are both rated "M" for Mature by the Entertainment software Rating board (ESRB).

  

Between The Godfather: The Don's Edition for Sony's PlayStation 3 and The Godfather: Blackhand Edition for Nintendo's Wii, Godfather fans have a lot to rejoice about. Both games, by Electronic Arts, will have you living out your mafioso fantasies as you fight, kill, and extort for your familia. The differences between both are significant so if you have both the PS3 and the Wii, it wouldn't hurt to get both games.

The Godfather: The Don's Edition. You will find yourself advancing in influence from Soldier to Don, gaining control of the streets of New York in the process. Following either the path of an Enforcer or Operator, you extend the influence of your familia. Check out the screenshots in the Full Article and see if this is your calling.

The Godfather: Blackhand Edition. For those who have more of a hands-on approach, this game is for you. In the game, you use your Wii-mote and Nunchuck to exact quick retribution to those who would dare challenge the influence of your family. Whether it's using a bat to smash or a gun for accurate shots, the Wii-mote and Nunchuck will be useful in your ventures. Check out the screenshots in the Full Article and see if it's more your cup of tea.

Both of these games will be released on March 20,2007. Just a little something for you to watch out for.

To see the screenshots, click on the "Full Article" link below.

Time to smell the roses. Both Godfather games from Electronic Arts, The Don's Edition for the PS3 and Blackhand Edition for the Wii, have just gone gold. And that's right in time for their eventual North America retail release on March 20.

The Godfather has crossed the PS2 boundary now, but with these next-gen releases, you might be wondering what's new. For those who haven't been checking up on your clan's family tree (i.e., our previous coverage), both editions will incorporate motion- and tilt-sensing for the Wiimote and SIXAXIS.

You'll also be rising up the ranks of mob fame, from Soldier to Don, as you follow your path as either Enforcer or Operator. It's all up to you how you want to do your work. Well, whoever said that being your own boss was easy?

Buy: [The Godfather: The Don's Edition]
Buy: [The Godfather: Blackhand Edition]

Taking over businesses, making various rackets your own, talking to people in a calm voice while you're beating the living crap out of them - all that and more in The Godfather: Blackhand Edition. Based on both the book and the film, Electronic Arts' Godfather - the company's answer to GTA - lets gamers join the Corleone family as they hustle and muscle their way to the top of the underworld's food chain. Check out the gameplay video below, courtesy of GameVideos.

It's a bit weird, isn't it? In the movies (heck, in real life!), when people see someone gunned down in the same room they're in, they usually run like hell for the exits. Here, they say things like, "A terrible tragedy!" and ask questions like, "Anyone you know?" I guess they're just jaded. Right until the moment when they're kneecapped with a shotgun, that is.

Make the Big Apple your own when The Godfather: Blackhand Edition hits the Nintendo Wii on March 20.

Who says only guns could ever get the job done? Yeah, so they're really hands, those ammos are. But in the world of the mafia families, as exemplified in The Godfather Blackhand Edition for the Wii, there are a whole lot of other alternatives for them blasting gadgets. Say for example, the bat.

Yup, wholesome and sporty as it innately is supposed to be, the suave-looking boys from the mafia have found another use for it, and they have been utilizing it quite nicely, actually. Just check out these screenshots. Can you spot how many screens are there wielding the bat?

But don't worry. If you think you've got a weak arm for that particular weapon, there are loads more for you to choose from: rifles, guns, machine guns, grenades...poison even, maybe. So, since the game will be released on March 20 already, you might want to start pondering on which weapon suits you best.

Them bosses want the job done clean.

   

More bat-wielding action after the jump!

 

Nobody messes with Corleone Family. With all the other mafia families taking over other territories, the Corleones have to stay vigilant.

With that said, it's imperative that we see what methods they use to stay in power. Methods would pretty much be the nice way of saying it. Hits (and we don't mean simply getting hit by something), intimidation (they gave it a whole new meaning), and general mafia business could be done with a bit of a free hand - considering you've got half the city on the payroll. Enough said.

EA's The Godfather: Blackhand Edition is set for release in March. We know you're all itching to get this and play a tough guy with the Wiimote so we're bringing you the official trailer until you get to be the Don. Bit of a disclaimer though: it's just a game and kids, don't try this anywhere.

Capish?

Download: [The Godfather: Blackhand Edition]

Newsweek's Alt-Ctrl division was recently able to post an interview they had with Electronic Arts regarding The Godfather game of theirs heading for the Wii. Much to say, what's on everyone's minds is how the Wii remote and Nunchuk would be used - besides, what's a mafia game without all the thug-slappin' fun?

The dev team actually really put some considerable effort in coming up with the control scheme for The Godfather: Blackhand. They wanted to make sure that the motions used to control your Corleone character will be realistic, and to do that, they even called on a focus group. The team asked a couple of people what it would look like if they themselves were to throw a punch, swing a big, strangle a thug.

The problem lies, however, on the "margin of error" a given move has because people might throw a molotov or slap a bum silly in their own specific way. So, EA had to be generous in mapping the controls, making motion-sensing a bit lenient to recognize certain possible movements. It had to be "tolerant of a lot of variation in the player's moves." But that's the thing, see? Making control-recognition too open makes a certain move overlap with another.

How did they deal with this? The full interview is behind the "Via" link. Meanwhile, behind the "Full Article" link are the controls for the game as seen in screens.

Check 'em out screens after the jump!

A whole lot of videos and not a screenshot to capture those great moments. That's what our The Godfather Blackhand Editionblog has so far. But all that's about to change now as we have here for you some new screenies to whet your appetite for some Don Corleone action.

Electronic Arts has put in a new feature in the franchise, the "Black Hand" control system. Basically, what this does is that it gives you a wide variety of control as to pressuring and extorting business owners. The Wii version, although it does stick to the storyline, will be incorporating the control system via the Wiimote, instead of the more conventional analog sticks.

Anyhow, stick around cos we promise you we'll be giving you more screenshots next time.

So you've seen a lot of videos for EA's upcoming The Godfather: Blackhand Edition. There's the Blackhand gameplay trailer, as well as the two latest gameplay videos. Now, can any of you guys honestly tell us that you've seen enough videos for the game and that your eyes would seriously burn at the sight of another one?

Didn't think so. So whaddya say we add one more to the roster, eh? And this time, we'll get to check out what GameTrailers calls the Mob Intimidation gameplay. I dunno about you guys but if you're part of the Corleone clan, everyone would pretty much be teetering off to different directions at the mere sight of you, right? Well, it doesn't work that way in the game. You're gonna have to prove that you're worthy of being right up there with the legendary Marlon Brando.

But enough with the chitchat, just check out the vid below and see if you can pick up a thing or two about mob intimidation. The Godfather: Blackhand Edition is currently brewing at EA's labs and is slated for release March this year. Enjoy the vid!

Our lesson for the day: How to kill people with a Wiimote. Since we already covered how this is done for real (jokingly, of course), we'll be looking at The Godfather's take on the fundamentals of strangulation. It will be one of the many functions covered in these Picture-In-Picture (PIP) videos, which also guides us through the basics of extorting cash, shooting cops, and throwing bottles at wayward civilians. Who says the Wii is for kids only?

Enjoy the video, and check out the game's official trailer.

The second video after this jump!