On that note, we would like to alert our readers to a new title which appeared on the service this morning, the classic 1988 animated film The Land Before Time. This has been on the HBO HD channels for a while now, and had been the only place to experience the film in widescreen HD the way it was intended. Sadly, although the DVD has a warranted DTS audio track, it is presented in horrific full-frame standard definition. This streaming version comes courtesy of Netflix’s partnership with Starz, and although it’s not in HD or even 5.1 surround, it is in it’s widescreen presentation. We’ll take what we can get.

Why is this geek-worthy? First, because it was directed by Don Bluth, who gave us the classic Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace LaserDisc video games of our youth. Second, because it was executive-produced by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, ’nuff said.

But third and most important, it is an enchanting movie that appeals to kids of all ages as well as adults, with a hauntingly beautiful score by James Horner. And frame-for-frame, it holds up and even surpasses what Walt Disney Animation Studios was producing at the time, of which Bluth was a former employee before he set out on his own. You could say the apprentice became the master, in that case. Sorry, we couldn’t resist making another geek reference…

Link: The Land Before Time on Netflix

Amazon.com offers a Video Games Deal of the Day each and every day, and usually there’s some great bargains to be had. Today’s deal is for Ghostbusters: The Video Game. The PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii versions are all being offered for the low, low price of $14.99.

We know this game received a lot of hype leading up to it’s release, and was reviewed well enough, but we all know the allure is our undying love of the franchise above all. All versions have voice acting from the original cast, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and William Atherton.

Which version should you get? It all comes down to your console of choice, and the way you want to relive the classic. Want great graphics? Go for the Xbox 360 version – the PS3 version is famous for having sub-par visuals, although a post-release patch was able to remedy this, partially. If you want to share the experience with your kids, the Wii version has Wiimote controls as well as a totally different, cartoony graphic style akin to The Real Ghostbusters TV show. Whichever version you choose, Amazon is ready to believe your credit card, until midnight PT tonight.

“The More You Know…The More You Spend.” That’s what our spouses like to tell us, anyway.

Link: Amazon.com Video Games Deal of the Day: Ghostbusters: The Video Game

If we ever got off our butts to write that stellar review of Cartoon Network’s Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated series (yes, it really is that great, just so you know), we’d say something like, “the world needs more age-appropriate scares to share with our kids.” Well, thankfully, we may have one more, thanks to Scholastic Media and their popular I SPY media franchise.

I SPY Spooky Mansion will be released for the Nintendo Wii in October. Here is a description of the game from the official press release:

After being trapped by a clever skeleton, players of I SPY Spooky Mansion are challenged to find a secret way out of the mysterious old mansion.  First-person exploration of each room of the house reveals 33 I SPY riddles – each featuring interactive mini-games.  Additionally, players will play brain-teasing games and embark on scavenger hunts throughout the mansion as they search for an escape out of the house.

What we know, aside from a release date in time for Halloween, is that the game will retail for $29.99. We also know it was also released for the iPhone last September for 99 cents and for the iPad earlier this year for $3.99, so this had better be the freakin’ bees knees version or we’re crying foul. Being able to play with a Wiimote on a big TV is undoubtedly a great experience, but all things being equal we think kids would have an easier time using their finger to intuitively swipe their way through the brain teasers and hidden object puzzles. We’d say that’s just us, but we really are looking out for our kids.

And then we can put that $25 savings toward more candy. Trick or treat!

Stay tuned, we’ll be live-blogging the latest in Super Hero Squad at Hasbro’s San Diego Comic Con Marvel panel!

And we’re live!

They are flying through the Super Hero Squad news, but we were able to snap a few shots. First the Super Hero Headquarters Heli-Carrier, expected this fall for $29.99. It plays the SHS theme music!

Toys ‘R’ Us will be offering an exclusive Asgard collectors pack with Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Loki and others.

All these are going to be released to retailers in 2010. Also, in October Marvel is doing Marvel Mania month, with $1 off coupons for SHS 2-packs.

Now for the 2011 news. Here’s a showcase of the 2-packs expected in 2011. Red Hulk and classic Wolverine, schnick schnick!

War Machine, action Spidey and Iron Man in Cap’s clothes!

All those SHS figures need some vehicles, right? Two new Squad Cruisers were debuted. Here’s Captain America’s Cruiser:

And they saved the best for last – Blackbird with Cyclops and Wolverine!

The way Hasbro was talking, these new SHS 2-packs and Cruisers will be tied into the second season of the animated series.

2012 seems to be a busy year, not only for the tie-in with The Avengers and Captain America movies, but with The Avengers animated series as well and the fourth Spider-Man film. So expect many more great SHS and other figures in 2012 and beyond!

And that’s all she wrote. Thanks for reading along.

From left to right: Scott Schultz, Christian Jacobs, Lance Robertson, Kevin Lee, J. Torres (Oni Press), Matthew Loux (Oni Press)

Today’s kid-packed Yo Gabba Gabba panel provided many cool stories about the origins of the series and insight into the production of the show, as well as a couple of newsworthy items. It even had a Dancey-Dance Off for prizes! Here’s the scoop.

J. Torres and Matthew Loux from Oni Press were on hand to talk about the upcoming Yo Gabba Gabba comics. There will be three books due this year. The first will be a 128 page oversized anthology in the fall, and the other two will be shorter comics in the ideal board-book format for younger fans. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve bought traditional comics for our toddlers, only to have the pages ripped out before we got them home. Board books are great, except for those teething who like to chew on those thick cardboard pages!

Next announcement, Vans will produce a line of Yo Gabba Gabba shoes. No date was given on when we would expect to see them in stores, but they did say they were kids sizes only – no adult sizes! Christian mentioned, “We tried to talk Vans into it, and they were like ‘what are you talking about, this is a kids show’!” The audience was instructed to email Vans to let them know we want the Yo Gabba Gabba shoes in adult sizes (you could also contact them on Facebook or Twitter as well).

The follow-up album to last year’s “Music Is Awesome” CD  was formally announced. “Music Is Awesome 2″ will be released this August – just right around the corner! And expect to see official Halloween costumes this fall as well.

And lastly, yours truly asked Christian and Scott about the oft-discussed Yo Gabba Gabba movie, and it seems it’s pretty far off. “We were developing it last year with Jason Reitman – ‘Up In The Air‘ Jason Reitman – and his daughter’s a big fan of the show”, said Jacobs. “And his schedule got so crazy once he became ‘academy award winner’ Jason Reitman. It seemed like it got really hard to get meetings, and so we amicably decided to not develop the movie together anymore, because he’s got things he’s doing. It was not a bad thing, but we’re continuing to develop it on our own, and maybe that might be a better way to at it.” At least they are still working hard on it – maybe there will be some progress at next year’s con.

There will be a fall figure mail-in program for a vintage rocket-firing Boba Fett figure to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back.

Okay, they just brought out the AT-AT. This is the full size one, not the Galactic Heroes one. Still looks awesome.

Expect the new line of Galactic Heroes figures in September. The new line of GH figures are mostly redesigns of existing characters. But who cares, it’s a new Emperor and Darth Maul!

And here’s the GH AT-AT, due in stores in August. That’s just right around the corner!

They demoed the new General Grievous lightsaber. It has removable blades and rotates. It’s not a powered rotate, it’s manual via a twist of the wrist, but it does a cool buzzing sound when it spins like Grievous’ guards.

Nice! A Star Wars AT-AT Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive in vintage packaging. This will be released in October.

Target is getting vintage packaging Snowspeeder and Tie Fighter releases later this year.

Mighty Muggs are back! Target is getting exclusive 3-pack releases of “mini” Mighty Muggs! Get these starting in October.

And it’s over. They are saving more announcements for Celebration V in September.

UPDATE: At the Q&A after the panel, it was announced the full size Mighty Muggs will no longer be in production for retailers. They will continue to exist for exclusives, like the Iron Man and Transformers SDCC exclusive Mighty Muggs this year, but there will be no more full size Mighty Muggs from the Star Wars line. The mini line is a test run, and if they sell well, Hasbro will consider bringing more out in the future.

Now this is our kind of kid! Check out this YouTube video of a three year-old playing (well, we might add) Mirror’s Edge on the PC. Yes, we said the PC. Not some dumbed-down controller setup on a kiddie game. We’re impressed with his ability to handle a mouse and keyboard setup as well as any grown-up!

Good job, dad!

V.Tech has just the thing to cure the dreaded “summer brain drain”. The company has announced a new product, the V.Reader, aimed at early readers ages 3-7, to keep kids practicing their reading over the long, hot summer months. Stories are brought to life with sound, music and voices from some of the most popular TV and film franchises, such as Dora The Explorer, Toy Story and Shrek. Multiple modes will allow young readers to follow along with the story and interact with reading games, to help with letters, phonics and even a second language. A story dictionary is also available for new word discovery.

An online bookstore will provide a portal to free titles, themes and avatars kids can then use to customize their e-books. Downloadable content will be available by tethering the V.Reader to a PC or Mac, and feedback will also be transferred from the device to a parent’s registered account to show how their child is progressing on the various games and activities.

The V.Reader will be released in Target stores on June 21, and with other retailers later this summer for $59.99. It will come in two colors, blue and pink, both of which are available for pre-order now at Amazon.com. There will be 11 software titles at launch, at $19.99 each.

The Scooby Gang will take up shop in the spooky town of Crystal Cove, where they’ll encounter their share of ghosts, ghouls, and grumpy old men in monster costumes plotting revenge. Here’s the show description from the press release:

In Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, the curious gang investigates every circumstance with a questioning mindset. Ghosts and monsters may exist, but extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof and the gang will stop at nothing to learn the truth of Crystal Cove. Plus, the drama won’t be limited to paranormal activities — the gang will be portrayed as real teens with real problems, dealing with situations that arise in their families and personal relationships within the group.

Produced by the same folks who have been involved with series such as Batman: Brave and the Bold, Teen Titans and Ben 10, this series has some great animation pedigree behind it. We’re always looking for some spooky-yet-kid-friendly programming, especially during the Halloween season, and it’s exciting to know Warner Bros. Animation is putting so much quality behind it. We can’t wait.

Read the full press release here.