American rental chain Blockbuster is hoping to expand its video game business by placing GTA IV and Mario Kart alongside its movies on their stores' outer release-wall.

The company is hoping to "significantly expand its game business" by focusing more on selling retail games and hardware while expanding their existing stock of video games for rent.

Rod Murray, VP of games merchandising at Blockbuster Inc. comments on their recent push into the gaming business:

"We're committed to offering a full assortment of everything gamers want in our stores -- hardware, accessories and retail and rental games across all platforms -- including Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS."

They will also be offering more special game offers to consumers, like an exclusive PlayStation 3 bundle for $499.99, which includes a 40GB PS3, HDMI cable, Spiderman 3 on Blu-ray, the Transformers movie video game, and a 12- week PS3/Blu-ray rental card that allows users a free PS3 or Blu-ray rental per week for 12 consecutive weeks.

Blockbuster has been struggling these past few years, assaulted by competition from various angles - especially virtual competitors on the internet like Gamefly and Netflix.  Then again, internet retailers have been the bane of "irl" businesses for some time now.

I honestly have not been to a Blockbuster store since I was in kindergarten.