*Updated. Now With Video! :)

Head down to VivoCity this weekend and you’ll see this:

It’s the Xbox 360 Gaming Showdown – Or XGS 2009 for those of you that love acronyms.

This is the place to be this weekend if you want to check out some of the latest releases and even some upcoming titles. On the show floor, you can play Forza Motorsport 3, DJ Hero, The Beatles: Rock Band, Tekken 6, Avatar: The Game, Dragon Age, Borderlands and lots more.

If you’re over 18 (bring your ID!) make your way to the back area where you’ll find a shady little, curtained off corner called the M18 room. Inside you’ll find playable preview versions of Splinter Cell: Conviction, which won’t be out till early next year, and Assassin’s Creed 2!

The event got underway on Friday evening, with regional senior marketing manager, Erik Ford, telling the crowd about what they can expect from Microsoft at this year’s event and in the future. Ford gave some history on how Xbox first landed in Singapore, being the first console to be officially launched here (no more dodgy knock offs or imports!); and how that has continued into the present with the launch of the Xbox 360, and the Xbox LIVE service.

To celebrate, Microsoft have commissioned three specially skinned Xbox 360s – Forza 3, Tekken 6 and Halo ODST – which will be going on eBay on Monday for gamers to bid on. All proceeds will go towards the President’s Challenge.

Ford then thanked all the Microsoft partners (mainly game distributors and retail partners) and, from what I could tell, much to the embarrassment of most of them, invited them all onto the stage for a photo session. And because we never miss an opportunity to embarrass our friends, here you guys are on the GameAxis blog!

And with that the Xbox 360 Gaming Showdown 2009 got underway.

Deals, Discounts and Promos

XGS2009 has some great deals and promotions happening. There’s probably never been a better time to buy an Xbox 360.

The Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Value Bundle is on sale, consisting of a Xbox 360 Elite console, and two games, LEGO Batman: The Videogame and Disney’s action sports game, PURE, all for $499

Pre-order any two EA games and you can get a free Xbox Live Vision Webcam.

Buy Borderlands and get a cool messenger bag and carabiner metal cup for when the apocalypse comes.

Many games, bundles and peripherals are also on sale this weekend.

Make sure you check back later this week for our video coverage of the event!

Oh yeah, look out for this guy there. I think he stole my wallet.