Our peeps love video games of all kinds. Old school, new gen, pc or handheld -- it's obvious gamers gravitate towards Bookmans because of the selection, prices, knowledgeable electronics department staff and the sheer joy of the hunt.

Find us on Flickr for more photos of this event.

That’s why during our annual video game month we give you a chance to go big or go home. Very BIG -- with a video game tournament hosted by our favorite video game tournament and convention crew DEVASTATION and Lost Bot Productions.

2011 has already ushered in great video game title releases like Little Big Planet 2, Portal 2, Marvel vs Capcom 3, Dead Space 2 and Bulletstorm but nothing created the buzz like the new Mortal Kombat. Before the game even hit stores, the demo had folks rushing to download it on PS3 and practice their combos. Video game stores had wrap-around lines with people waiting for the midnight release of the full game. The minute the public could buy it, sales soared. As of just a few days ago there are more than 900,000 copies purchased according to gamespot.com. For those who grew up with the Mortal Kombat series the new game meant serious business and much was expected to support the already strong franchise that has been around since 1992.

It was a no brainer to choose the new Mortal Kombat as the game we’d feature in our 2011 Video Game Tournament. Our customers practiced their combos and fatalities, and gained a good sense of the movement and style of the new release. We couldn't wait to see it put into action.

The DEVASTATION team took over our electronics department as they set up the screens and PS3s in minutes. Their team registered the 32 players and one could get a sense of all of the gamers' excitement. Even spectators couldn’t wait for the games to begin.

The players competed for first place which included a $100 Bookmans gift certificate, a Bookmans canvas tote bag and a Bookmans baseball hat. The second place winner received a $50 gift certificate, and the third place winner went home with a $25 gift certificate. The next five place winners also went home with trade credit and a skip in their step for placing at all.

Congratulations to the top eight ultimate players from the Bookmans Phoenix Challenge:
1st -– Nineb Danniel
2nd -- Louis Smith
3rd -- Matthew Rivera
4th -- Michael Puckas
5th -- Brady Hall
5th -- Omar Garcia
7th -- Cameron Parkey
7th -- Justin Franco

Thank you to every player for putting up a great fight and for joining us for another packed and exciting event. We have to give a huge thanks to DEVASTATION and Lost Bot Productions for putting on another organized and thrilling event for us.

Wondering where you are going to get your gaming fix now that our tourney is over? Don’t you fret! The DEVASTATION team will head to Bookmans Speedway on May 21 for a Marvel versus Capcom tournament.

Study up on the full list of DEVASTATION events or visit their booth at Phoenix Comicon. Also check out their HUGE video game tournament and expo on October 7 through 9 at the Phoenix Convention Center that features more games and cash prizes than you can wrap your head around. Their crew is always busy around the valley making sure that your video game tournament needs are always being fulfilled. Happy gaming everyone!