On the eve of the new Mortal Kombat’s release, I wonder how it gets reviewed by the ESRB. Does it still go through the full process, or does someone just hand in a piece of paper with “It’s Mortal Kombat” on it?

Online retailers lower their price on the Nintendo Wii. Since Friday, the websites for Toys "R" Us, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Amazon have all been selling the console at $170. This comes in advance of rumors that Nintendo will officially lower the Wii’s price to $150 and that the system’s successor will be announced at E3 in June. If you want the system and don’t care about the whispers in the wind, now is the time to do it. [Joystiq]   

The ESRB begins rating online games using an automated system. In the new process, developers of online-distributed games will complete a questionnaire detailing every possibly offensive piece of content, including curse words, nudity, and pooping. A computer will then take the evaluation and submit a rating based on the answers. There will be a penalty for not disclosing something on the form, and store-bound games will still go through the original people-based process. [The New York Times]   

An ESPN poll narrows down the cover athlete for Madden NFL 12 to Michael Vick and Peyton Hillis. This match-up is the result of four weeks of voting by fans for the network’s “SportsNation” show. While everyone has their own opinion on the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vick, the less-prominent Hillis rushed for 1,177 yards for the Cleveland Browns last season. The winner will be announced on April 27, with an increase in the victor’s insurance premiums expected shortly afterward. [ESPN]