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THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: MARCH 17TH – MARCH 23RD

Things are looking a little bit better this week, as a few titles worth talking about should be finding their way to retail. Of those titles, one stands out from the rest as being worthy of the coveted "pick of the week" status, and that title is Rainbow Six: Vegas 2.

Now I don't know why Ubisoft chose to revisit Vegas instead of finding a new exotic locale, but if you have to visit a city twice, you could certainly do a lot worse than Las Vegas. If the original Rainbow Six: Vegas is any indication, this one should once again give fans of team-based tactical first person shooters something to look forward to.

Let's take a closer look at some of this week's more notable releases, shall we?

Below is the week's full release list – try not to get too excited..

  • Condemned 2: Bloodshot (PS3) – 3/19/2008
  • Diary Girl (DS) – 3/19/2008
  • Fantasy Aquarium (DS) – 3/18/2008
  • George of the Jungle (WII) – 3/19/2008
  • Go Pets: Vacation Island (DS) – 3/19/2008
  • Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds (PS3) – 3/19/2008
  • Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore (Bundle) (PS3) – 3/19/2008
  • Lost Empire: Immortals (PC) – 3/19/2008
  • Lost in Blue 3 (DS) – 3/19/2008
  • Merv Griffin's Crosswords (PC) – 3/18/2008
  • Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection (PS2) – 3/19/2008
  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (WII) – 3/19/2008
  • Rainbow Six : Vegas 2 (360) – 3/19/2008
  • Rainbow Six : Vegas 2 (PS3) – 3/19/2008
  • Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (Limited Edition) (360) – 3/19/2008
  • Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (Limited Edition) (PS3) – 3/19/2008
  • Samurai Warriors 2 (PS2) – 3/19/2008
  • Sega Superstars Tennis (360) – 3/19/2008
  • Sega Superstars Tennis (DS) – 3/19/2008
  • Sega Superstars Tennis (PS2) – 3/19/2008
  • Sega Superstars Tennis (PS3) – 3/19/2008
  • Sega Superstars Tennis (WII) – 3/19/2008
  • Singstar 90's (Bundle) (PS2) – 3/19/2008
  • Singstar 90's (Game Only) (PS2) – 3/19/2008
  • World Championship Cards (PSP) – 3/18/2008
  • Worms: A Space Oddity (WII) – 3/18/2008
  • WWII Aces (WII) – 3/21/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

March 17, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: MARCH 10TH – MARCH 16TH

I am completely underwhelmed. To say this week's release list doesn't exactly inspire me to jump up and run down to my local game shop would be an understatement. I won't go as far as to not name a pick of the week, but I will say that I make this pick somewhat reluctantly and would advise you to just stick with a rental this week and use the cash to either pick up some game you've missed or hold put for a future release.

That said, Condemned 2: Bloodshot gets the nod as pick of the week, based solely on early reviews and the fact that I know many people who really enjoyed the first title. Early word is the game once again scores on the spooky atmosphere, so thriller fans will definitely want to give this one a look.

Now let's take a closer look at some of this week's more notable releases;

Below is the week's full release list – also completely unplayable – unless you're playing some gaming version of Scrabble.

  • Buzz Jr. Robo Jam (Bundle) (PS2) – 3/12/2008
  • Buzz Jr. Robo Jam (Game Only) (PS2) – 3/12/2008
  • Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz (Bundle) (PS2) – 3/12/2008
  • Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz (Game Only) (PS2) – 3/12/2008
  • Condemned 2: Bloodshot (360) – 3/12/2008
  • Condemned 2: Bloodshot (PS3) – 3/12/2008
  • Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates (DS) – 3/12/2008
  • House of the Dead 2 and 3 Returns (WII) – 3/12/2008
  • Imperium Romanum (PC) – 3/12/2008
  • Insecticide (DS) – 3/12/2008
  • Nanostray 2 (DS) – 3/12/2008
  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (360) – 3/12/2008
  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS2) – 3/12/2008
  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS3) – 3/12/2008
  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PSP) – 3/12/2008
  • Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters (PS2) – 3/12/2008
  • Seven Kingdoms Conquest (PC) – 3/12/2008
  • Wild Arms XF (PSP) – 3/12/2008
  • World Championship Cards (PSP) – 3/12/2008
  • WWE Smackdown vs Raw SuperStar (3 Game Bundle) (PS2) – 3/12/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

March 10, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: MARCH 3RD – MARCH 9TH

Wow, it's been awhile since I've felt this conflicted over what game should get the "coveted" Game of the Week honors. We've got no drought of contenders at retail this week, with no less than six titles competing for the honor.

When all is said and done, there really was only one choice – Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii. Some might say I made that pick based solely on the fact that R.O.B. is going to be a playable character, but I assure you, it's more than that. The game has received glowing reviews in Japan and it's been awhile since I've seen the Nintendo faithful this worked up over a title. (Okay, I'll admit it – maybe the fact that R.O.B. will be in the game helped a bit too)

That doesn't take away from this week's other games in any way. If I owned a PSP, I'd most certainly be picking up God of War: Chains of Olympus this week, and if you ask one of my buddies, he'd tell you that there is no other choice but MLB 08: The Show for the PlayStation 3. It's just one of those weeks where there's a little bit of something for everyone. Let's take a closer look at some of this week's retail titles;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Anno 1701: Dawn of Discovery (DS) – 3/5/2008
  • Arctic Stud Poker Run (PC) – 3/4/2008
  • Army of Two (360) – 3/5/2008
  • Army of Two (PS3) – 3/5/2008
  • Blokus Portable: Steambot Championship (PSP) – 3/4/2008
  • Bubble Bobble: Double Shot (DS) – 3/4/2008
  • Build-a-lot (PC) – 3/5/2008
  • Bully: Scholarship Edition (360) – 3/4/2008
  • Bully: Scholarship Edition (WII) – 3/4/2008
  • Chicken Hunter (DS) – 3/5/2008
  • Company of Heroes: Gold (PC) – 3/5/2008
  • Eco Creatures: Save the Forest (DS) – 3/5/2008
  • God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP) – 3/5/2008
  • Homie Rollerz (DS) – 3/6/2008
  • Imagine: Figure Skater (DS) – 3/5/2008
  • Imperium Romanum (PC) – 3/5/2008
  • Let's Ride: Friends Forever (DS) – 3/4/2008
  • Major League Baseball 2K8 (360) – 3/4/2008
  • Major League Baseball 2K8 (PS2) – 3/4/2008
  • Major League Baseball 2K8 (PS3) – 3/4/2008
  • Major League Baseball 2K8 (PSP) – 3/4/2008
  • Major League Baseball 2K8 (WII) – 3/4/2008
  • MLB 08: The Show (PS2) – 3/5/2008
  • MLB 08: The Show (PS3) – 3/5/2008
  • MLB 08: The Show (PSP) – 3/5/2008
  • Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer (DS) – 3/5/2008
  • Ninja Reflex (WII) – 3/4/2008
  • Ninja Reflex (DS) – 3/5/2008
  • Petz Bunnyz (DS) – 3/5/2008
  • Silent Hill: Origins (PS2) – 3/5/2008
  • Spitfire Heroes: Tales of the Royal Air Force (DS) – 3/6/2008
  • Super Smash Bros. Brawl (WII) – 3/9/2008
  • Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm (PC) – 3/5/2008
  • World Championship Cards (PSP) – 3/5/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

March 3, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: FEBRUARY 25TH – MARCH 2ND

Unlike last week, there's neither a demo of the game of the week to be played, nor is there a game of the week. Still not feeling 100%, so you're just going to have to deal with both of those facts. So there!

Now let's take a closer look at some of this week's more notable releases;

Below is the week's full release list – also completely unplayable – unless you're playing some gaming version of Scrabble.

  • Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None (WII) – 2/26/2008
  • Blokus Portable: Steambot Championship (PSP) – 2/27/2008
  • Brain Assist (DS) – 2/27/2008
  • Bratz: Super Babyz (DS) – 2/26/2008
  • Bubble Bobble Double Shot (DS) – 2/27/2008
  • Destroy All Humans: Big Willy Unleashed (WII) – 2/26/2008
  • Disney Friends (DS) – 2/27/2008
  • Fantasy Aquarium (DS) – 2/27/2008
  • Farm Vet (PC) – 2/27/2008
  • Frontlines: Fuel of War (360) – 2/26/2008
  • Frontlines: Fuel of War (PC) – 2/26/2008
  • Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (PS3) – 2/27/2008
  • Lost: Via Domus (360) – 2/27/2008
  • Lost: Via Domus (PC) – 2/27/2008
  • Lost: Via Domus (PS3) – 2/27/2008
  • Naruto Ninja Destiny (DS) – 2/27/2008
  • Patapon (PSP) – 2/27/2008
  • Petz Wild Animals: Tigerz (DS) – 2/27/2008
  • Powerboat GT (PC) – 3/1/2008
  • Red Baron (PC) – 2/27/2008
  • Rhem 3: The Secret Library (PC) – 2/29/2008
  • Ricochet Infinity (PC) – 2/27/2008
  • Sega Bass Fishing (WII) – 2/27/2008
  • Spitfire Heroes: Tales of the Royal Air Force (DS) – 2/28/2008
  • The Sims 2 Free Time (PC) – 2/27/2008
  • The Sims 2 Free Time Bundle (PC) – 2/27/2008
  • Turning Point: Fall of Liberty (360) – 2/27/2008
  • Turning Point: Fall of Liberty (PC) – 2/27/2008
  • Turning Point: Fall of Liberty (PS3) – 2/27/2008
  • Turning Point: Fall of Liberty (Collector's Edition) (360) – 2/27/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

February 25, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: FEBRUARY 18TH – FEBRUARY 24TH

Another week, another list… but wait… what’s that? There’s something different around here…

You’ve no doubt noticed the big window below this paragraph – well, thanks to the folks at Capcom, rather than just tell you about the pick of the week, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, you get to try it. That’s right, the flash box below includes a fully playable part of the beginning of the game. Enjoy!.

Now let’s take a closer look at some of this week’s more notable (and non-playable) releases;

Below is the week’s full release list – also completely unplayable – unless you’re playing some gaming version of Scrabble.

  • Abra Academy (PC) – 2/19/2008
  • Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (DS) – 2/19/2008
  • Balloon Pop (WII) – 2/19/2008
  • Carrier Strike Force (PC) – 2/19/2008
  • Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (WII) – 2/20/2008
  • Dungeon Explorer (DS) – 2/19/2008
  • Dungeon Explorer: Warrior of the Ancient Arts (PSP) – 2/19/2008
  • Dynasty Warriors 6 (PS3) – 2/19/2008
  • Dynasty Warriors 6 (360) – 2/20/2008
  • FIFA Street 3 (360) – 2/19/2008
  • FIFA Street 3 (DS) – 2/19/2008
  • FIFA Street 3 (PS3) – 2/19/2008
  • Forgotten Riddles: The Mayan Princess (PC) – 2/20/2008
  • History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (360) – 2/20/2008
  • History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (PS3) – 2/20/2008
  • MX vs ATV: Untamed (WII) – 2/19/2008
  • Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate (PC) – 2/19/2008
  • Need for Speed: Pro Street (PSP) – 2/19/2008
  • Pimp My Ride (WII) – 2/20/2008
  • Pirateville (PC) – 2/19/2008
  • Rhem 3: The Secret Library (PC) – 2/19/2008
  • Spider-Man 3 Enhanced (PS2) – 2/20/2008
  • The Club (360) – 2/20/2008
  • The Club (PC) – 2/20/2008
  • The Club (PS3) – 2/20/2008
  • The Guild Universe (PC) – 2/20/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

February 18, 2008 Posted by | Capcom, This Week's Releases, Web Games | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: FEBRUARY 11TH – FEBRUARY 17TH

Well, another week is upon us and, while not as robust as late 2007's lists, there are a few games worth mentioning coming to retail. While I was tempted to give the game of the week honors to Sam & Max's latest episodic adventure, I think the role playing fans out there would burn me in effigy if I didn't give the nod to legendary producer Hironobu Sakaguchi's Lost Odyssey.

Lost Odyssey is an epic JRPG where players will follow the apparently immortal Kaim through the past 1,000 years, living through his greatest moments, loves and failures. The game scored a 36/40 at Famitsu following it's release in Japan, and I think we can all agree that for an Xbox 360 game, that's saying something.

Bottom line from me is that while I won't be racing out to buy it, I will probably give it a rental in the coming weeks. Having said that, I do need to remind everyone that it's not a slam on the game, but rather the fact that I neither have the time for a long RPG, nor am I a huge fan of the JRPG style. What that means is that those of you 360 owners who have a love of classic JRPGs should ignore my personal preferences and give this one a try – you may finally have a title to rally behind.

With that out of the way, let's take a look at some of this week's more notable releases;

Look upon this week's release list and despair.

  • Abra Academy (PC) – 2/13/2008
  • Balloon Pop (WII) – 2/13/2008
  • Carrier Strike Force (PC) – 2/14/2008
  • Chessmaster (PSP) – 2/13/2008
  • Conflict: Denied Ops (360) – 2/13/2008
  • Conflict: Denied Ops (PC) – 2/13/2008
  • Conflict: Denied Ops (PS3) – 2/13/2008
  • Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements (360) – 2/13/2008
  • Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Mermaids (PS2) – 2/12/2008
  • Dungeon Explorer (DS) – 2/13/2008
  • Forgotten Riddles: The Mayan Princess (PC) – 2/12/2008
  • Go Diego Go: Safari Rescue (PS2) – 2/12/2008
  • Go Diego Go: Safari Rescue (WII) – 2/12/2008
  • Jumper (360) – 2/13/2008
  • Jumper (PS2) – 2/13/2008
  • Jumper (WII) – 2/13/2008
  • Lost Odyssey (360) – 2/13/2008
  • Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate (PC) – 2/13/2008
  • Pirateville (PC) – 2/13/2008
  • Powerboat GT (PC) – 2/13/2008
  • Professor Layton & The Curious Village (DS) – 2/12/2008
  • Rock Band Drum Set (360) – 2/13/2008
  • Rock Band Drum Set (PS3) – 2/13/2008
  • Sam & Max: Episode 203 – Night of the Raving Dead (PC) – 2/13/2008
  • The Experiment (PC) – 2/16/2008
  • Winter Sports (WII) – 2/12/2008
  • Wipeout Pulse (PSP) – 2/13/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

February 11, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: FEBRUARY 4TH – FEBRUARY 10TH

Things are certainly looking up this week. While this isn't the end of the post-holiday drought, we do actually have a few games to talk about. Heading up that bunch is my pick of the week – Stardock / Ironclad Games' space RTS Sins of a Solar Empire.

I've been following the development of Sins for a long time now, and it's one of those games that I desperately want to love, but fear will just have too deep of a learning curve to keep me interested. I love the concept of a real-time strategy title that takes place in space – I mean, I loved Homeworld, but it was just too regimented for me to really get into. Every video of Sins I've watched looked absolutely amazing, especially when zoomed in during large scale battles, but when that same camera angle zoomed out, the scope of the game just seemed as if it could be overwhelming.

Bottom line is this – I'll definitely be grabbing Sins of a Solar Empire, but I'm going to hold back from fully endorsing it to you. Those of you who are fans of the genre know whether or not you want the game – as for the rest of you, with no rental option available, I'm hoping we'll see the release of a demo in the coming days so you can see whether or not Sins is for you.

One last note about Sins of a Solar Empire – as with Galactic Civilizations II, Sins of a Solar Empire will be released with no copy protection on the disc. Please support Stardock in their crusade to show that you don't need to kill consumer's pcs with anti-piracy schemes in order to make a profit – in other words, don't pirate the game – buy it.

With that out of the way, let's take a look at some of this week's more notable releases;

Look upon this week's release list and despair.

  • 20 Questions (PC) – 2/6/2008
  • Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles (DS) – 2/6/2008
  • Culdcept Saga (360) – 2/6/2008
  • Dance! Online (PC) – 2/6/2008
  • Devil May Cry 4 (360) – 2/6/2008
  • Devil May Cry 4 (PS3) – 2/6/2008
  • Devil May Cry 4: Collector's Edition (360) – 2/6/2008
  • Devil May Cry 4: Collector's Edition (PS3) – 2/6/2008
  • Downstream Panic! (PSP) – 2/6/2008
  • First Battalion: Gold Edition (PC) – 2/6/2008
  • Forgotten Riddles: The Mayan Princess (PC) – 2/6/2008
  • Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore (PS2) – 2/6/2008
  • Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore (Bundle) (360) – 2/6/2008
  • Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore (Bundle) (PS2) – 2/6/2008
  • Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore (Bundle) (WII) – 2/6/2008
  • Medieval II: Total War – Gold Edition (PC) – 2/6/2008
  • Merv Griffin's Crosswords (PC) – 2/6/2008
  • My Horse and Me (DS) – 2/6/2008
  • My Horse and Me (WII) – 2/6/2008
  • Nobunaga's Ambition : Rise to Power (PS2) – 2/6/2008
  • Paws and Claws: Pet Resort (DS) – 2/5/2008
  • Puppy Palace (DS) – 2/6/2008
  • Real Soccer 2008 (GameStop Exclusive) (DS) – 2/6/2008
  • Sins of a Solar Empire (PC) – 2/5/2008
  • Spaceforce Captains (PC) – 2/6/2008
  • The Spiderwick Chronicles (360) – 2/6/2008
  • The Spiderwick Chronicles (DS) – 2/6/2008
  • The Spiderwick Chronicles (PC) – 2/6/2008
  • The Spiderwick Chronicles (PS2) – 2/6/2008
  • The Spiderwick Chronicles (WII) – 2/6/2008
  • Turok (360) – Released
  • Turok (PS3) – Released
  • Twisted Metal: Head On (PS2) – 2/6/2008
  • Zoo Tycoon 2 (DS) – 2/5/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

February 4, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JANUARY 28TH – FEBRUARY 3RD

Okay, wow. I didn't think I'd ever see a week where there was nothing on the Nintendo DS list, but here it is. Overall, there's really not much to get excited about here, so I'll be keeping this short and sweet once again. In other words, if you're looking for a pick of the week, you're going to have to look somewhere else.

With that out of the way, let's take a look at some of this week's more notable releases;

Abandon all hope ye who go shopping here.

  • American Civil War: 1861-1865 – The Blue & The Gray (PC) – 1/29/2008
  • Bomberman Land (WII) – 1/30/2008
  • Pacific Storm Allies (PC) – 1/29/2008
  • Pet Vet 3D Animal Hospital: Down Under (PC) – 1/29/2008
  • Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice (PSP) – 1/30/2008
  • The Sims: Castaway Stories (PC) – 1/30/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

January 28, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JANUARY 21ST – JANUARY 27TH

Things are definitely looking up this week as we actually have something to talk about this time around. There were several "A List" titles competing for the number one slot this week, but when push comes to shove, I've got to put my money behind… (drum roll please) – Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for the Nintendo DS. This turn-based strategy series is one that has never disappointed on a handheld and is one of those games that has always done an excellent job bringing players along in it's learning curve. Yes, It's due to that long heritage of quality that I'm glad to bestow the oh-so coveted (insert sarcasm here) "Latenite's Pick of the Week" award to Days of Ruin. Congratulations!

That said, there are a few other titles you may want to keep an eye out at retail this week, so let's take a closer look.

  • Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS)
    • As mentioned above, Nintendo's Advance Wars series is a favorite of mine, so this game finds it's way to the top of the list almost automatically. Perhaps the biggest improvement in the series is the toning down of CO powers so that they don't change the face of a battle instantly. In other words, expect a more even battle.
  • Burnout Paradise (360 & PS3)
    • I should be excited about Burnout Paradise, I really should… I certainly want to be, but unfortunately, I just am not a fan of the "open-city" approach Criterion took this time around. Call me old fashioned, but I'll still put my money for best title in the series on Burnout 3: Takedown any day of the week. Still, if you're a fan of the series, you should probably at least rent Paradise and decide if you like it for yourself.
  • Pirates of the Burning Sea (PC)
    • It's an mmog based on being a pirate – do you really need to know anything else? While I'm not sold enough to run out and buy a copy, the moment there's a free trial, I am so there. Arrrrr.

Look upon this week's release list and despair.

  • Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS) – 1/22/2008
  • Burnout Paradise (360) – 1/22/2008
  • Burnout Paradise (PS3) – 1/22/2008
  • Endless Ocean (WII) – 1/22/2008
  • History Channel: Lost Worlds (PC) – 1/23/2008
  • Iridium Runners (PS2) – 1/22/2008
  • Kawasaki Jet Ski (WII) – 1/23/2008
  • Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS) – 1/22/2008
  • Mission: WWI Combat (PC) – 1/23/2008
  • No More Heroes (WII) – 1/23/2008
  • One Piece: Unlimited Adventure (WII) – 1/23/2008
  • Pacific Storm Allies (PC) – 1/23/2008
  • Pirates of the Burning Sea (PC) – 1/22/2008
  • Rainbow Islands Revolution (PSP) – 1/22/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

January 21, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JANUARY 14TH – JANUARY 20TH

The drought is back with a vengeance. Looking over this week's release list, I just can't find a single title to get excited about, so I'm once again going to suggest that you just catch up on some titles you've been meaning to get around to, read a book, catch a movie or do whatever it is that you do.

Look upon this week's release list and despair.

  • Carrier Strike Force (PC) – 1/16/2008
  • CSI: Hard Evidence (WII) – 1/16/2008
  • FlatOut: Head On (PC) – 1/16/2008
  • FlatOut: Head On (PSP) – 1/16/2008
  • Furu Furu Park (WII) – 1/16/2008
  • Kidz Sports: Ice Hockey (WII) – 1/15/2008
  • Miami Nights: Singles in the City (DS) – 1/16/2008
  • Nitrobike (WII) – 1/16/2008
  • Rail Simulator (PC) – 1/17/2008
  • Samurai Warriors: Katana (WII) – 1/16/2008
  • The History Channel: Lost Worlds (PC) – 1/16/2008
  • The Sims Carnival: Bumper Blast (PC) – 1/16/2008
  • The Sims Carnival: Snap City (PC) – 1/16/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

January 14, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JANUARY 7TH – JANUARY 13TH

Well, it may not be jam-packed with new titles, but at least we have some things to talk about – including the first "pick of the week" of the new year – Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom.

Yes, the long running Xbox series makes it's debut on the Xbox 360 with KUF:CoD and brings a mix of hack and slash and strategy gaming to the console. While I haven't had a chance to try it as of yet, there is a demo of this one available in the Xbox Live Marketplace, so be sure to check it out. That said, let's take a look at the rest of the notable titles this week;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Brain Challenge (DS) – 1/9/2008
  • Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Channel (PS2) – 1/9/2008
  • Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (PS2) – 1/9/2008
  • Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (PSP) – 1/9/2008
  • Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (WII) – 1/9/2008
  • Jackass: The Game DS (DS) – 1/9/2008
  • Kidz Sports: Ice Hockey (WII) – 1/12/2008
  • Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom (360) – 1/9/2008
  • Luxor: Pharaoh's Challenge (WII) – 1/9/2008
  • NFL Tour (360) – 1/9/2008
  • NFL Tour (PS3) – 1/9/2008
  • Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (PS2) – 1/9/2008
  • Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (WII) – 1/9/2008
  • The Sims Carnival: Bumper Blast (PC) – 1/9/2008
  • The Sims Carnival: Snap City (PC) – 1/9/2008
  • World Championship Paintball (PS2) – 1/8/2008
  • Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Beginning of Destiny (PS2) – 1/9/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

January 7, 2008 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: DECEMBER 31ST – JANUARY 6TH

This week's release list may as well be empty, because there's not a title really worth having on it. It seems that Bold Games, an apparent maker of Wii shovelware, is filling in the post holiday lull with a sextet of titles that probably would not exist if not for the fact that Nintendo no longer quality tests third party software.

As a result, while there are releases this week, none of them get the coveted "pick of the week" – you're really better off picking up a better title at one of the millions of sales out there right now or just playing some of the games you have at home that you might not have gotten around to yet. Hell, it's so bad there aren't even any highlights this week.

Director Latenite says: "Winners don't play sholvelware." (anyone who stepped into an arcade in the late 80's/early 90's understands the joke, the rest of you are probably wondering what exactly an arcade is)

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you should avoid at retail this week.

  • Kawasaki Quad Bikes (WII) – 1/1/2008
  • Monster Trux Offroad (WII) – 1/3/2008
  • Classic British Motor Racing (WII) – 1/3/2008
  • Rig Racer 2 (WII) – 1/3/2008
  • Kidz Sports: Basketball (WII) – 1/3/2008
  • Myth Makers: Orbs of Doom (WII) – 1/3/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

December 31, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: DECEMBER 24TH – DECEMBER 30TH

Well, it's time for another installment of "This Week's Releases" – this week we've got… well, we've got nothing. Zippo. Nada. Zilch. Zero. The great void. That's right, there's not a single title listed as hitting retail this week – not even a piece of PC shovelware.

My advice to you is to spend some time catching up on all those releases from the last 3 months. Enjoy!!!

December 24, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: DECEMBER 17TH – DECEMBER 23RD

Wow, this week's list is about as short as they come – luckily for us there are at least a few titles worth talking about. Center stage in our little drama is this week's pick of the week – NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams.

Now before you take that as a vote of confidence, please be aware that I give Journey of Dreams this distinction solely due to NiGHTS: Into Dreams, the original Sega Saturn title Journey serves as a sequel to. Given Sega's track-record with their franchises of late, and the ever increasing amount of shovelware on the Wii, I really have a bad feeling that this second glimpse into the world of NiGHTS could well be out last. Still, there have been a few positive early reviews of the game, so we can always hope, right?

Par for the end-of-year course, this week's highlight section is going to be a little sparse. Let's take a look;

  • NeoGeo Battle Coliseum (PS2)
    • SNK Playmore mixes all of it's franchise characters into one big tag-team fighting game. While I love the King of Fighters series (when it's in 2D), I just don't seem to be feeling this one. I'm not sure why that is either – maybe it's just the way the last few 2D fighters to hit the home systems have been a little lacking.
  • NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (WII)
    • I mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. While I really do hope this one honors it's Saturn predecessor, I'm not holding out much hope. (Ok, I'm lying – I am really hoping it turns out well – I'm just bracing myself for the very real possibility of suckage)
  • Rock Band (PS2)
    • Yes, Rock Band finally comes to the PlayStation 2, but in a "game only" form. Those of you looking for the full instrument bundle will have to wait for it's release later this month – which is why this one didn't get the coveted "Game of the Week" award.

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Atari Classics Evolved (PSP) – 12/19/2007
  • Carrier Strike Force (PC) – 12/18/2007
  • Daisenryaku Exceed (PS2) – 12/18/2007
  • Elements of Destruction (DS) – 12/18/2007
  • Indianapolis 500: Legends (DS) – 12/20/2007
  • Luxor: Pharaoh's Challenge (PSP) – 12/19/2007
  • Luxor 2 (DS) – 12/19/2007
  • MX vs ATV: Untamed (360) – 12/18/2007
  • MX vs ATV: Untamed (DS) – 12/18/2007
  • MX vs ATV: Untamed (PS2) – 12/18/2007
  • MX vs ATV: Untamed (PS3) – 12/18/2007
  • MX vs ATV: Untamed (PSP) – 12/18/2007
  • NeoGeo Battle Coliseum (PS2) – 12/18/2007
  • NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (WII) – 12/19/2007
  • Quest Pack (PC) – 12/18/2007
  • Rig Racer 2 (WII) – 12/20/2007
  • Rock Band (Game Only) (PS2) – 12/19/2007
  • Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command (DS) – 12/18/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

December 17, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: DECEMBER 10TH – DECEMBER 16TH

Things are looking a little brighter this week – especially if you're a PlayStation 3 owner. Yes, the PS3 finally gets a leg up on the Xbox 360 as Unreal Tournament III comes to the console well ahead of the 360 port – with mouse and keyboard support no less!

It's for that very reason that Unreal Tournament III gets tagged as my game of the week – it's about time someone realized that it's not the world's greatest sin if a console game accepts mouse and keyboard input. In fact, it could actually open doors to some genres finally finding a place on the home systems.

Once again, this week's highlight section is going to be a little sparse. Let's take a look;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • BlackSite: Area 51 (PS3) – 12/11/2007
  • Daisenryaku Exceed (PS2) – 12/12/2007
  • Golden Compass (PC) – 12/15/2007
  • Indy 500 Legends (WII) – 12/15/2007
  • Kawasaki Quad Bikes (WII) – 12/15/2007
  • Kidz Sports: Basketball (WII) – 12/15/2007
  • Left Behind: Eternal Forces (Expansion Pack) (PC) – 12/12/2007
  • Luxor 2 (DS) – 12/12/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 En Espanol (360) – 12/12/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 En Espanol (PS2) – 12/12/2007
  • Mythmakers: Orbs of Doom (WII) – 12/15/2007
  • NCAA March Madness 2008 (360) – 12/12/2007
  • NCAA March Madness 2008 (PS2) – 12/12/2007
  • NCAA March Madness 2008 (PS3) – 12/12/2007
  • NeoGeo Battle Coliseum (PS2) – 12/12/2007
  • Showtime Boxing (WII) – 12/12/2007
  • Super Swing Golf Season 2 (WII) – 12/12/2007
  • The Lost Crown (PC) – 12/11/2007
  • The Orange Box (PS3) – 12/12/2007
  • Universe at War: Earth Assault (PC) – 12/11/2007
  • Unreal Tournament III (PS3) – 12/11/2007
  • Warriors of the Lost Empire (PSP) – 12/11/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

December 10, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: DECEMBER 3RD – DECEMBER 9TH

It's another week with just about nothing new to talk about – thankfully. I don't know about you, but I'm still buried under a pile of games from November, so this little break is more than welcome.

With so few titles , it's really hard to pick a game of the week, in fact, there was really only one choice this month – Sega's Universe at War: Earth Assault. I don't know much about the game beyond the fact that it's a sci-fi real time strategy game for Windows (Xbox 360 version coming soon) that has seen some pretty positive previews so far. There's a PC demo available for this one, so I'd definitely suggest trying it before you decide to lay out any cash.

Once again, this week's highlight section is going to be a little sparse. Let's take a look;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Alvin & the Chipmunks (DS) – 12/5/2007
  • Alvin & the Chipmunks (PC) – 12/5/2007
  • Alvin & the Chipmunks (PS2) – 12/5/2007
  • Alvin & the Chipmunks (WII) – 12/5/2007
  • American Girl: Julie Finds a Way (DS) – 12/4/2007
  • Beowulf: The Game (PSP) – 12/5/2007
  • Dance Dance Revolution Universe 2 (Bundle) (360) – 12/5/2007
  • Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games (PC) – 12/7/2007
  • Draglade (DS) – 12/5/2007
  • Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (WII) – 12/4/2007
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Shivering Isles (PS3) – 12/9/2007
  • Godzilla Unleashed (WII) – 12/6/2007
  • Jenga (WII) – 12/8/2007
  • Left Behind: Eternal Forces (Expansion Pack) (PC) – 12/6/2007
  • Left Brain, Right Brain (DS) – 12/5/2007
  • Strawberry Shortcake: 4 Seasons Cake (DS) – 12/7/2007
  • The Golden Compass (360) – 12/5/2007
  • The Golden Compass (DS) – 12/5/2007
  • The Golden Compass (PS2) – 12/5/2007
  • The Golden Compass (PS3) – 12/5/2007
  • The Golden Compass (PSP) – 12/5/2007
  • The Golden Compass (WII) – 12/5/2007
  • Universe at War: Earth Assault (PC) – 12/5/2007
  • Warriors of the Lost Empire (PSP) – 12/7/2007
  • Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008 (DS) – 12/5/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

December 3, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: NOVEMBER 26TH – DECEMBER 2ND

Well, that's it gang – it's over. Most of the holiday games have now hit retail, and in the post November rush, we've barely got any new titles coming to market this week.

It's hard to name a "Pick of the Week" when there are only nine titles on the release list, but if I had to choose one, I'd certainly go with the Nintendo DS version of Geometry Wars: Galaxies. I make no secret of my love for the Geometry Wars franchise, and the chance to play it on the go is more than enough for it to take the top spot.

As for the weak release list, you know what? I'm glad it's a slow week. Hell, I'm thrilled. I don't know about you, but I have far too many games sitting here right now waiting to be played. It's been a brutal month for new releases, and at this point, I relish the idea of being able to just sit down and really get into some of these titles without the lure of a new game on the horizon. Honestly, I probably have enough games here to last me well through the new year without even taking a break.

As you have probably guessed, even this week's highlight section is going to be a little sparse. Let's take a look;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Boogie (DS) – 11/28/2007
  • Cranium Kabookii (WII) – 11/28/2007
  • Cruis'n (WII) – 11/28/2007
  • Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games (PC) – 11/27/2007
  • Game Party (WII) – 11/28/2007
  • Geometry Wars: Galaxies (DS) – 11/28/2007
  • History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (360) – 11/30/2007
  • History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (WII) – 11/28/2007
  • Master of Illusion (DS) – 11/27/2007
  • Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (WII) – 11/30/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

November 26, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: NOVEMBER 19TH – NOVEMBER 25TH

It's a rare week when I can look at my "most anticipated" list down on the left and notice that all five titles on it are releasing in the same week… this is that week.

The final holiday push is in full swing now, and most of the remaining "A-List" titles will be finding their way to retail this week. While there are a ton of titles that could claim the coveted "Latenite's Pick of the Week" only one can find the everlasting fame and glory that title imparts. This week, that title is… (drum roll, please) Rock Band.

Sure, the genre isn't new, and it's a game that many will feel they've played before, but there's just something about Rock Band that is too tempting to resist. Maybe it's the chance to play the drums, maybe it's the fact that the guitar is a little larger than a ukulele, maybe it's just the thought of playing with friends or maybe, just maybe, it's the fact that in one of it's forms, it comes in a giant box, but Rock Band has that certain something that's going to set it apart from the rest.

Now, Electronic Arts has made no secret of the fact that they expect there to be serious shortages of the bundled version of the game, so if you haven't pre-ordered yet and do plan on getting the game before 2008, you may want to do so now, or at the very least, be ready to hit your local mass merchant on day one. According to some sources, once that initial supply of bundles are gone, there will not be a re-supply before the new year. What I'm saying is this – grab it now or face disappointment.

With that out of the way, let's move on to this week's highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • AMF Bowling Pinbusters (WII) – 11/21/2007
  • Avatar: The Burning Earth (360) – 11/20/2007
  • Baby Pals (DS) – 11/20/2007
  • Cabela's Monster Bass (PS2) – 11/20/2007
  • College Hoops 2K8 (360) – 11/20/2007
  • College Hoops 2K8 (PS2) – 11/20/2007
  • College Hoops 2K8 (PS3) – 11/20/2007
  • CSI: Dark Motives (DS) – 11/20/2007
  • Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (DS) – 11/21/2007
  • Geometry Wars: Galaxies (WII) – 11/21/2007
  • Ghost Squad (WII) – 11/21/2007
  • Godzilla Unleashed (PS2) – 11/21/2007
  • Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (DS) – 11/21/2007
  • History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (PC) – 11/21/2007
  • History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (PS2) – 11/20/2007
  • Imagine: Fashion Designer (PC) – 11/20/2007
  • John Deere: Harvest in the Heartland (DS) – 11/21/2007
  • Luxor: Pharaoh's Challenge (PS2) – 11/21/2007
  • Mario Party (DS) – 11/20/2007
  • Mass Effect (360) – 11/21/2007
  • Mass Effect (Limited Edition) (360) – 11/21/2007
  • Medal of Honor: Airborne (PS3) – 11/20/2007
  • Monster Jam (WII) – 11/20/2007
  • Petz: Dogz 2 (PS2) – 11/24/2007
  • Petz: Hamsterz Life 2 (DS) – 11/24/2007
  • Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of Illuminus (PC) – 11/21/2007
  • Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of Illuminus (PS2) – 11/21/2007
  • Rock Band (360) – 11/21/2007
  • Rock Band (PS3) – 11/21/2007
  • Rock Band (Bundle) (360) – 11/21/2007
  • Rock Band (Bundle) (PS3) – 11/21/2007
  • Sega Rally Revo (PC) – 11/20/2007
  • Showtime Championship Boxing (WII) – 11/21/2007
  • Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back (PS3) – 11/20/2007
  • Soul Calibur Legends (WII) – 11/21/2007
  • Star Trek: Conquest (PS2) – 11/21/2007
  • Star Trek: Conquest (WII) – 11/21/2007
  • Strawberry Shortcake: The Four Seasons Cake (DS) – 11/21/2007
  • Time Crisis 4 (with Guncon) (PS3) – 11/20/2007
  • Timeshift (PS3) – 11/20/2007
  • Trauma Center: New Blood (WII) – 11/21/2007
  • Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3) – Released
  • Unreal Tournament III (PC) – 11/20/2007
  • Unreal Tournament III (Collector's Edition) (PC) – 11/20/2007
  • Wii Zapper (With Link's Crossbow Training) – 11/20/07

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

November 19, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: NOVEMBER 12TH – NOVEMBER 18TH

We're heading into the heart of the storm now! The next two weeks will see the heaviest of the holiday releases, and while picking just one title as my game of the week is pretty rough, when all is said and done, it's Assassin's Creed that really has me most excited.

Set in the year 1191, Assassin's Creed will put you in the role of Altair, an assassin charged with killing several figures who seem to be behind much of the cruelty on both sides of the crusades. The game features realistically modeled cities, a revolutionary crowd AI system as well as open ended gameplay – all of which should help it stand out from the pack.

We've got a lot of ground to cover, so we'll cut this short and get on with this week's highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Alien vs Predator: Requiem (PSP) – 11/14/2007
  • America's Army: True Soldiers (360) – 11/16/2007
  • Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (DS) – 11/13/2007
  • Assassin's Creed (360) – 11/14/2007
  • Assassin's Creed (PS3) – 11/14/2007
  • Assassin's Creed (Limited Edition) (360) – 11/14/2007
  • Assassin's Creed (Limited Edition) (PS3) – 11/14/2007
  • Baby Pals (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Beowulf: The Game (360) – 11/14/2007
  • Beowulf: The Game (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Beowulf: The Game (PS3) – 11/14/2007
  • BlackSite: Area 51 (360) – 11/13/2007
  • BlackSite: Area 51 (PC) – 11/13/2007
  • Boogie (with microphone) (PS2) – 11/13/2007
  • Cars: Mater-National (WII) – 11/13/2007
  • Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity (WII) – 11/17/2007
  • Contra 4 (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Crysis (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Crysis (Collector's Edition) (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Dancing with the Stars (with DancePad) (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (Gamestop Exclusive) (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • EA Sports 07 Collection (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • EverQuest: Secrets of Faydwer (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Fire Pro Wrestling Returns (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders (DS) – 11/13/2007
  • Ghost in the Sheet (PC) – 11/17/2007
  • Imagine: Fashion Designer (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Impossible Mission (DS) – 11/16/2007
  • Jenga (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (360) – 11/14/2007
  • Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (PS3) – 11/14/2007
  • King of Fighters XI (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Left Behind: Eternal Forces (Expansion Pack) (PC) – 11/16/2007
  • Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 (PSP) – 11/14/2007
  • Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus (PSP) – 11/14/2007
  • Mission: WWI Combat (PC) – 11/16/2007
  • Monster Jam (360) – 11/14/2007
  • Monster Jam (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Monster Jam (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Need for Speed: ProStreet (360) – 11/14/2007
  • Need for Speed: ProStreet (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Need for Speed: ProStreet (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Need for Speed: ProStreet (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Need for Speed: ProStreet (PS3) – 11/14/2007
  • Need for Speed: ProStreet (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Next Life (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Orcs & Elves (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Panzer Killer (PC) – 11/16/2007
  • Petz Catz 2 (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Catz 2 (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Catz 2 (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Catz 2 (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Dogz 2 (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Dogz 2 (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Dogz 2 (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Dogz 2 (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Hamsterz Life 2 (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Horsez 2 (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Horsez 2 (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Horsez 2 (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Petz Horsez 2 (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Sim City Societies (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Smarty Pants (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back (360) – 11/14/2007
  • Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back (PC) – 11/14/2007
  • Sonic Rivals 2 (PSP) – 11/14/2007
  • Spongebob: Atlantis Squarepantis (WII) – 11/13/2007
  • Strawberry Shortcake: 4 Seasons Cake (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • Super Fruit Fall (DS) – 11/16/2007
  • Super Mario Galaxy (WII) – 11/13/2007
  • Tomb Raider: Anniversary (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • Ultimate Mortal Kombat (DS) – 11/13/2007
  • Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command (PSP) – 11/13/2007
  • Word Jong (DS) – 11/16/2007
  • WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (360) – 11/14/2007
  • WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (DS) – 11/14/2007
  • WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (PS2) – 11/14/2007
  • WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (PS3) – 11/14/2007
  • WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (PSP) – 11/14/2007
  • WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (WII) – 11/14/2007
  • WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (Collector's Edition) (PS3) – 11/14/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

November 12, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: NOVEMBER 5TH – NOVEMBER 11TH

When looking over this week's list, there was absolutely no question in my mind as to which title was going to take the coveted "pick of the week" spot – Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has been on my mind ever since the multiplayer beta ended a little over a month ago, and at long last it's making it's way to retail.

What can I say about Call of Duty 4 that hasn't been said already? The series finally jumps from the battlefields of World War II and lands smack in the middle of the modern era. Developer Infinity Ward appears to have once again crafted what is sure to be one of the most exciting titles of the year – and between the fast-paced taste of the campaign provided in the PC demo and the rich multi-player experience the Xbox 360 beta allowed many to experience, there really doesn't seem to be anywhere where the game fails to deliver.

I've heard some rumors stating that the single player campaign will clock in a little short at around 6 hours, but I can't confirm that at this time – what I can confirm is that I'll certainly be racing to my local shop to grab this one the moment it's available and playing it with friends for months to come.

That said, let's get on with this week's retail highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Zombie Ninja Pro-Am (PS2) – 11/6/2007
  • Bee Movie Game (WII) – 11/6/2007
  • Blackbeard's Revenge (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War (PS3) – 11/7/2007
  • Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War (360) – 11/7/2007
  • Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII (PS3) – 11/7/2007
  • Bratz: 4 Real (DS) – 11/6/2007
  • Build A Bear Workshop (DS) – 11/6/2007
  • Cabela's Big Game Hunter (360) – 11/8/2007
  • Cabela's Big Game Hunter (PS2) – 11/7/2007
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (360) – 11/6/2007
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (DS) – 11/6/2007
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC) – 11/6/2007
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3) – 11/6/2007
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Collector's Edition (360) – 11/7/2007
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Collector's Edition (PC) – 11/6/2007
  • Chessmaster (PSP) – 11/7/2007
  • Democracy (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves Mermaid (DS) – 11/6/2007
  • Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • Empire Earth III (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • Enchanted (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • F.E.A.R. – Platinum Collection (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • F.E.A.R. Files (360) – 11/7/2007
  • F.E.A.R.: Perseus Mandate (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (WII) – 11/6/2007
  • Gears of War (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • Ghost in the Sheet (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • Go Diego Go: Safari Adventure (DS) – 11/6/2007
  • Hannah Montana: Music Jam (DS) – 11/8/2007
  • Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour (WII) – 11/7/2007
  • Horse Life (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • Hot Wheels: Beat That (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • Hot Wheels: Beat That (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (360) – 11/7/2007
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (PS3) – 11/7/2007
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (WII) – 11/7/2007
  • Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games (WII) – 11/7/2007
  • My French Coach (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • My Spanish Coach (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • My Word Coach (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • My Word Coach (WII) – 11/7/2007
  • Ontamarama (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • Panzer Tactics (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • Puzzle de Harvest Moon (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • Scene-It (with 4 Controllers) (360) – 11/7/2007
  • Shrek the 3rd: Ogres and Donkeys (DS) – 11/6/2007
  • Silent Hill: Origins (PSP) – 11/7/2007
  • SOCOM US Navy Seals Tactical Strike (PSP) – 11/7/2007
  • Spectrobes – Collectors Edition (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • The Lost Crown (PC) – 11/9/2007
  • The Office (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • The Simpsons Game (PSP) – 11/7/2007
  • The Sims 2: Teen Style Stuff (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • Tips, Tricks & Trips + Aircraft Collection (PC) – 11/6/2007
  • Viva Pinata (PC) – 11/7/2007
  • World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets (DS) – 11/7/2007
  • World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets (PSP) – 11/7/2007
  • Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals (PC) – 11/6/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

November 5, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: OCTOBER 29TH – NOVEMBER 4TH

You know, sometimes when I'm putting these lists together, I completely blank on a game or two. I bring this up, because last week, I completely forgot about the Sunday release of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Yes, I suck – it's true. I apologize for any inconvenience that omission may have caused anyone living under a rock.

It's because I feel so bad about the whole thing that I'm not only going to include GH3 with this week's release list, I'm also going to make it my pick of the week. Guitar Hero III, as you are no doubt aware, is the latest game in Activision's massively popular rhythm game series – and this time around, it's more than just a new set of songs. Whether it's because of new developer Neversoft, the looming competition coming from Rock Band or just a natural progression of the series, GH3 introduces guitar battles to the mix in order to liven things up. Guitar battles are played much like the standard game, with the exception that instead of generating star power, players generate power-ups that can be used to make life more difficult for the competition.

The power-ups take the form of such dirty tricks as temporarily raising the skill level an opponent is playing, doubling the number of notes on screen, breaking parts of your nemesis' guitar and even going so far as to reverse the notes being played on screen. All's fair in love and rock, I guess.

The other big news with Guitar Hero III is that it marks the series' debut on the PlayStation 3 and Wii, as well as being the first time a wireless guitar is being offered for the Xbox 360. Now gamers can rock the night away free from the danger of yanking their consoles off the shelf. Rock on dude.

Now that we've talked about GH3, let's get on with this week's retail highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Assault Heroes (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Barbie Island Princess (DS) – 10/31/2007
  • Barbie Island Princess (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Barbie Island Princess (PS2) – 10/31/2007
  • Barbie Island Princess (WII) – 10/31/2007
  • Battalion Wars 2 (WII) – 10/30/2007
  • Battlestar Galactica (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Bee Movie Game (360) – 10/31/2007
  • Bee Movie Game (DS) – 10/31/2007
  • Bee Movie Game (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Bee Movie Game (PS2) – 10/31/2007
  • Bee Movie Game (WII) – 10/31/2007
  • Ben 10: Protector of Earth (DS) – 10/31/2007
  • Ben 10: Protector of Earth (PS2) – 10/31/2007
  • Ben 10: Protector of Earth (PSP) – 10/31/2007
  • Ben 10: Protector of Earth (WII) – 10/31/2007
  • Buzz Junior: Jungle Party (PS2) – 10/31/2007
  • Buzz!: The Mega Quiz (PS2) – 10/31/2007
  • Cars: Mater-National (360) – 10/30/2007
  • Cars: Mater-National (DS) – 10/30/2007
  • Cars: Mater-National (PS2) – 10/30/2007
  • Cars: Mater-National (PS3) – 10/30/2007
  • Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition (360) – 10/31/2007
  • Command & Conquer Saga (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Culpa Innata (PC) – 11/3/2007
  • Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (PSP) – 10/31/2007
  • Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey (WII) – 10/31/2007
  • Disney's High School Musical (PS2) – 10/31/2007
  • Dr. Seuss: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (DS) – 11/2/2007
  • El Tigre (DS) – 10/30/2007
  • Escape from Paradise City (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • FlatOut: Head On (PC) – 11/2/2007
  • Garfield Gets Real (DS) – 11/2/2007
  • Guitar Hero & Guitar Hero II Dual Pack (PS2) – 10/31/2007
  • Guitar Hero II (Game Only) (360) – 10/28/2007
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Bundle) (360) – 10/28/2007
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Bundle) (PS2) – 10/28/2007
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Bundle) (PS3) – 10/28/2007
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Bundle) (WII) – 10/28/2007
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Game Only) (360) – 10/28/2007
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Game Only) (PS2) – 10/28/2007
  • Hellgate London (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Hellgate London (Collector's Edition) (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • High School Musical: Sing It! (with Microphone) (WII) – 10/31/2007
  • Honda: SBk-07 Superbike (PS2) – 10/30/2007
  • Imagine: Fashion Designer (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • King of Fighters XI (PS2) – 10/30/2007
  • Manhunt 2 (PS2) – 10/30/2007
  • Manhunt 2 (PSP) – 10/30/2007
  • Manhunt 2 (WII) – 10/30/2007
  • Naruto: Rise of a Ninja (360) – 10/31/2007
  • NBA Live 08 (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Neves (DS) – 10/31/2007
  • Ratatouille: Food Frenzy (DS) – 10/30/2007
  • Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa (Collector's Edition) (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Sega Rally Revo (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Shrek the 3rd: Ogres and Donkeys (DS) – 10/31/2007
  • Stranglehold (PS3) – 10/30/2007
  • Stranglehold (Collector's Edition) (PS3) – 10/30/2007
  • Super Collapse 3 (DS) – 10/31/2007
  • The Simpsons Game (360) – 10/31/2007
  • The Simpsons Game (DS) – 10/31/2007
  • The Simpsons Game (PS2) – 10/31/2007
  • The Simpsons Game (PS3) – 10/31/2007
  • The Simpsons Game (WII) – 10/31/2007
  • The Witcher (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Timeshift (360) – 10/31/2007
  • Timeshift (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Titan Quest Gold (PC) – 11/2/2007
  • Virtua Fighter 5 (360) – 10/31/2007
  • Viva Pinata: Party Animals (360) – 10/31/2007
  • World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets (PC) – 10/31/2007
  • Zoo Vet 2: Endangered Animals (PC) – 10/31/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

October 29, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | 2 Comments

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: OCTOBER 22ND – OCTOBER 28TH

There are a ton of quality titles coming to retail this time around, which makes it pretty hard to pick just one to call my “pick of the week”, but I’m going to do it anyway – because that’s just how I roll.

Taking everything into account, I’m going to put my money behind Sony’s The Eye of Judgment as pick of the week. Anytime a company is willing to try something a little different, it should be recognized – and Sony’s hybrid video/collectible card game is certainly falls into that category. While I find the game immensely interesting due to the massive variety of potential strategies that will no doubt appear over the next few weeks, I do worry that the title is going to see lackluster sales.

Between the perceived complexity of the title and the cost of the cards required to play the game competitively, I think a lot of people may be turned off before they ever even give the game a chance. I’ve also found that many game shops are unsure of whether or not they’ll be carrying the booster packs and theme decks at launch (or afterwards), meaning that the game could conceivably be hamstrung by card supply constraints.

I guess what I’m saying here is this – if you plan on buying this game, be sure to get the cards now while they’re still available – because if the game tanks, you may not see them on the shelves for long.

Here are the week’s retail highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation – 360 – 10/24/2007
  • Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (with Flightstick) – 360 – 10/24/2007
  • Agatha Christe: Evil Under the Sun – PC – 10/23/2007
  • Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Age of Empires III: Gold – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Barbie Island Princess – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Cake Mania 2 – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles – PSP – 10/24/2007
  • Chessmaster – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Clive Barker’s Jericho – 360 – 10/24/2007
  • Clive Barker’s Jericho – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Clive Barker’s Jericho – PS3 – 10/24/2007
  • Clive Barker’s Jericho – Limited Edition (Gamestop Exclusive) – 360 – 10/24/2007
  • Conan – 360 – 10/24/2007
  • Conan – PS3 – 10/24/2007
  • Culpa Innata – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Dancing with the Stars – PS2 – 10/24/2007
  • Dancing with the Stars – WII – 10/24/2007
  • Dementium: The Ward – DS – 10/27/2007
  • Dream Day Honeymoon – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Ed, Edd & Eddy: Scam of the Century – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Escape from Paradise City – PC – 10/23/2007
  • Flight Simulator X: Acceleration – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Front Mission – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Hannah Montana: Music Jam – DS – 10/27/2007
  • High School Musical – PS2 – 10/24/2007
  • Imagine: Animal Doctor – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Imagine: Babyz – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Imagine: Fashion Designer – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Imagine: Master Chef – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights – PS3 – 10/23/2007
  • King of Fighters XI – PS2 – 10/24/2007
  • Mega Man ZX Advent – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Moto GP 07 – PS2 – 10/24/2007
  • Namco Museum Remix – WII – 10/24/2007
  • Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution – WII – 10/24/2007
  • Naruto: Path of the Ninja – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Naruto: Rise of the Ninja – 360 – 10/24/2007
  • NBC Heads Up Poker – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots – PS2 – 10/24/2007
  • Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots – WII – 10/24/2007
  • Painkiller: Overdose – PC – 10/27/2007
  • Panzer Killer – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials & Tribulations – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Pocket Pets – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Power Rangers Super Legends – DS – 10/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – PS3 – 10/24/2007
  • Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction – PS3 – 10/24/2007
  • Rise of Atlantis – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Solitaire Overload – DS – 10/27/2007
  • Spanish for Everyone – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Spongebob: Atlantis Squarepantis – DS – 10/24/2007
  • Spongebob: Atlantis Squarepantis – PS2 – 10/24/2007
  • Super Collapse 3 – DS – 10/24/2007
  • The Eye of Judgment – PS3 – 10/24/2007
  • Titan Quest – Gold Edition – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Tomb Raider Anniversary – 360 – 10/24/2007
  • Warriors of the Lost Empire – PSP – 10/24/2007
  • World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Yumsters – PC – 10/24/2007
  • Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure – WII – 10/24/2007
  • Zoo Hospital – DS – 10/24/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

October 22, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: OCTOBER 15TH – OCTOBER 21ST

This week’s release list is full of titles, but there’s not really much that I find worth getting excited over. I guess if I had to pick a highlight for the week, it would be Rockstar’s port of Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis for the Wii. It’s not that I particularly cared for the game when it was on the Xbox 360, it’s just that I feel that the Wii’s controls may be ideally suited for this game.

Here are the week’s retail highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • 20 Questions – PC – 10/17/2007
  • 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures – PC – 10/17/2007
  • Avatar: The Burning Earth – 360 – 10/17/2007
  • Avatar: The Burning Earth – DS – 10/17/2007
  • Avatar: The Burning Earth – GBA – 10/17/2007
  • Avatar: The Burning Earth – PS2 – 10/17/2007
  • Avatar: The Burning Earth – WII – 10/17/2007
  • Backyard Football – WII – 10/17/2007
  • Backyard Football 2008 – PS2 – 10/16/2007
  • Beautiful Katamari – 360 – 10/16/2007
  • Company of Heroes – Game of the Year Edition – PC – 10/16/2007
  • Crash of the Titans – PSP – 10/17/2007
  • Dawn of Magic – PC – 10/17/2007
  • Death to Spies – PC – 10/17/2007
  • Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey – PS2 – 10/17/2007
  • Disney Princess: Magical Jewels – DS – 10/17/2007
  • Fish Tycoon – DS – 10/17/2007
  • Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes A Day – DS – 10/16/2007
  • Flight Deck 5 – PC – 10/16/2007
  • Fritz Chess 10 – PC – 10/16/2007
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game – DS – 10/16/2007
  • Fury – PC – 10/17/2007
  • Gothic Universe – PC – 10/16/2007
  • Guilty Gear XX Accent Core – WII – 10/16/2007
  • Hannah Montana: Music Jam – DS – 10/17/2007
  • Heroes of Might & Magic V: Tribes of the East – PC – 10/17/2007
  • Honda: SBk-07 Superbike – PS2 – 10/17/2007
  • Legend of Spyro: Eternal Night – WII – 10/17/2007
  • Mercury Meltdown: Revolution – WII – 10/16/2007
  • Power Rangers: Super Legends – DS – 10/17/2007
  • Prism: Light the Way – DS – 10/17/2007
  • Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis – WII – 10/16/2007
  • Seven Kingdoms: Conquest – PC – 10/16/2007
  • Spider-Man 3 – PSP – 10/17/2007
  • SWAT: Target Liberty – PSP – 10/17/2007
  • Switchball – PC – 10/17/2007
  • The Bee Game – DS – 10/16/2007
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Game of the Year Edition – PS3 – 10/17/2007
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Shivering Isles – 360 – 10/17/2007
  • The Guild 2: Gold Edition – PC – 10/16/2007
  • Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground – 360 – 10/16/2007
  • Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground – DS – 10/16/2007
  • Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground – PS2 – 10/16/2007
  • Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground – PS3 – 10/16/2007
  • Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground – WII – 10/16/2007
  • Victorious Boxer – WII – 10/17/2007
  • Wild Petz: Dolphinz – DS – 10/17/2007
  • You Are Empty – PC – 10/17/2007
  • Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals – PC – 10/17/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

October 15, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: OCTOBER 8TH – OCTOBER 14TH

The releases just keep coming, and once again this week will see a bumper crop of A-List titles finding their way to retail. This week, I’m going to choose Half-Life 2: The Orange Box as my pick of the week. With all those choices, why Pick The ORange Box? It’s simple, you’re getting 3 games and two expansion packs for the price of one. Not too shabby, eh?

For those of you not familiar with The Orange Box, Valve has decided to release Half-Life 2 with it’s two expansion packs, Team Fortress 2 and Portal, a new puzzle type shooter, together in one package. Before we move onto the week’s highlights, we’ll take a closer look at each of those items.

Half Life 2, as I’m guessing most of you know, is the sequel to 1998’s Half-Life which saw protagonist Gordon Freeman fighting an alien incursion caused by the accidental opening of a portal to an alien world by the scientists at the Black Mesa research facility. In his attempt to escape the facility, Freeman encountered a mysterious being known only as the G-Man, who eventually placed Freeman in stasis for 10 to 20 years.

In the game’s opening sequence, Freeman is revived by the G-Man and returned to Earth, where he finds that the planet has been taken over by an inter-dimensional force known as “The Combine“. Once again, Freeman finds himself fighting for survival against seemingly insurmountable odds. I won’t delve into the plot any further for those of you who haven’t yet had a chance to play Half-Life 2 to it’s completion.

The game was met with near universal praise, and has seen one “Expansion” already in the form of Half-Life 2: Episode One with a second expansion, simply named Half-Life 2: Episode 2, making it’s debut in The Orange Box pack.

The next game included in The Orange Box is Team Fortress 2, a sequel to 1996’s Quake modification Team Fortress and 1999’s Team Fortress Classic mod for Half-Life. The original game saw players choose a team and character class which they would use in conjunction with others to complete the objectives of each game type. The long-awaited Team Fortress 2 will continue to evolve this concept by giving players 9 classes to choose from encompassing a wide variety of different skills and play styles.

Finally, we come to the newest member of The Orange Box, Portal. Portal is a bit of a strange game to explain as at it’s heart, it’s a single-player, puzzle based shooter. The Player is equipped with a gun which can create a portal through solid objects into another space. Using this gun and the portals it creates, players will attempt to solve a variety of different objectives set forth for each level.

Put all of these together and you’ve got The Orange Box – a package that will surely keep many busy for quite a few hours – especially those who have yet to complete Half-Life 2 or it’s first expansion.

Here are the week’s retail highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Arctic Tale – DS – 10/9/2007
  • Backyard Football 2008 – PS2 – 10/11/2007
  • Balls of Fury – WII – 10/10/2007
  • Bleach: The Blade of Fate – DS – 10/10/2007
  • Bleach: The Shattered Blade – WII – 10/10/2007
  • Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast – WII – 10/9/2007
  • FIFA Soccer 08 – 360 – 10/10/2007
  • FIFA Soccer 08 – DS – 10/10/2007
  • FIFA Soccer 08 – PC – 10/10/2007
  • FIFA Soccer 08 – PS2 – 10/10/2007
  • FIFA Soccer 08 – PS3 – 10/10/2007
  • FIFA Soccer 08 – PSP – 10/10/2007
  • FIFA Soccer 08 – WII – 10/10/2007
  • Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions – PSP – 10/10/2007
  • Flipper Critters – DS – 10/10/2007
  • Folklore – PS3 – 10/10/2007
  • Half-Life 2: The Orange Box – 360 – 10/10/2007
  • Half-Life 2: The Orange Box – PC – 10/10/2007
  • Holly Hobbie & Friends – DS – 10/9/2007
  • Honda: SBk-07 Superbike – PS2 – 10/10/2007
  • Jackass: The Game – PSP – 10/10/2007
  • Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights – PSP – 10/9/2007
  • Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal – 360 – 10/10/2007
  • Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal – PS2 – 10/10/2007
  • Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal – WII – 10/10/2007
  • Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck – DS – 10/10/2007
  • Master Jin Jin’s IQ Challenge – DS – 10/9/2007
  • Mercury Meltdown: Revolution – WII – 10/11/2007
  • Mountain Bike Adrenaline – PS2 – 10/12/2007
  • Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull – PC – 10/9/2007
  • NBA 08 – PS3 – 10/13/2007
  • NBA 08 – PSP – 10/13/2007
  • Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer – PC – 10/10/2007
  • Race 07 – PC – 10/9/2007
  • Sega Rally Revo – 360 – 10/10/2007
  • Sega Rally Revo – PS3 – 10/10/2007
  • Sega Rally Revo – PSP – 10/10/2007
  • Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron – PSP – 10/10/2007
  • Thrillville: Off the Rails – 360 – 10/10/2007
  • Thrillville: Off the Rails – DS – 10/10/2007
  • Thrillville: Off the Rails – PC – 10/10/2007
  • Thrillville: Off the Rails – PS2 – 10/10/2007
  • Thrillville: Off the Rails – PSP – 10/10/2007
  • Thrillville: Off the Rails – WII – 10/10/2007
  • Touch Detective 2 1/2 – DS – 10/10/2007
  • Warhawk (Game Only) – PS3 – 10/11/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

October 8, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: OCTOBER 1ST – OCTOBER 7TH

Well gang, it’s another week jam packed with new releases – and this time, there are quite a few notable titles in the mix. If I had to pick just one title out of the bunch for myself, I’d grab Project Gotham Racing 4 for the Xbox 360. Prior to PGR3, I didn’t care for the series at all, but with the introduction of PGR3’s in-car view, I quickly fell in love with the game. (Those of you who remember our coverage leading up to the launch of Forza Motorsport 2 know well just how often I griped about the lack of an in-car view – well, this is why.)

As an added incentive to purchase PGR4, the game will (at least for awhile) be the only place anyone can play Geometry Wars: Waves, a new take on Bizarre Creations now classic game Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. This is probably also going to be Bizarre’s last spin with the PGR franchise due to their recently being acquired by Activision, so this could be it for the series as a whole. Did I mention that the game will not only feature supercars, but also motorcycles? Yeah, this is going to be a keeper.

Of course, by now the Nintendo fans in the house are calling me a philistine for not choosing The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass as my game of the week. Rest assured guys, I’m sure Phantom Hourglass will be a great game, as Nintendo always shows the greatest care when putting out their core 1st party titles – I’m just not a huge Zelda fan. (..and here come the philistine comments again!)

Here are the week’s retail highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Arctic Tale – DS – 10/2/2007
  • Big Buck Hunter – PC – 10/2/2007
  • Crayola Treasure Adventures – DS – 10/2/2007
  • Democracy – PC – 10/2/2007
  • Hoyle Card Games 2008 – PC – 10/2/2007
  • Hoyle Casino Games 2008 – PC – 10/2/2007
  • Hoyle Puzzle and Board Games 2008 – PC – 10/2/2007
  • Kurupoto Cool Cool Stars – DS – 10/2/2007
  • Monopoly – PC – 10/2/2007
  • Race 07 – PC – 10/2/2007
  • Race Driver: Create & Race – DS – 10/2/2007
  • Seven Kingdoms: Conquest – PC – 10/2/2007
  • Tarr Chronicles – PC – 10/2/2007
  • The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass – DS – 10/2/2007
  • Backyard Football – DS – 10/3/2007
  • Balls of Fury – WII – 10/3/2007
  • Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2008 – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Crash of the Titans – 360 – 10/3/2007
  • Crash of the Titans – DS – 10/3/2007
  • Crash of the Titans – PS2 – 10/3/2007
  • Crash of the Titans – WII – 10/3/2007
  • Dave Mirra BMX Challenge – WII – 10/3/2007
  • Enemy Territory: Quake Wars – PC – 10/3/2007
  • FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage – 360 – 10/3/2007
  • Ghost in the Sheet – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Holly Hobbie & Friends – DS – 10/3/2007
  • Hot Pixel – PSP – 10/3/2007
  • Loki – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Master Jin Jin’s IQ Challenge – DS – 10/3/2007
  • NBA 08 – PS3 – 10/3/2007
  • NBA 08 – PSP – 10/3/2007
  • NBA 2K8 – 360 – 10/3/2007
  • NBA 2K8 – PS2 – 10/3/2007
  • NBA 2K8 – PS3 – 10/3/2007
  • NBA Live 08 – 360 – 10/3/2007
  • NBA Live 08 – PS2 – 10/3/2007
  • NBA Live 08 – PS3 – 10/3/2007
  • NBA Live 08 – PSP – 10/3/2007
  • NBA Live 08 – WII – 10/3/2007
  • Next Life – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Project Gotham Racing 4 – 360 – 10/3/2007
  • Risk 2 – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Rock Tour Tycoon – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Spellforce Universe – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – 360 – 10/3/2007
  • Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – DS – 10/3/2007
  • Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – PC – 10/3/2007
  • Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – PS2 – 10/3/2007
  • Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – PSP – 10/3/2007
  • Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – WII – 10/3/2007
  • Spyro: Eternal Night – GBA – 10/3/2007
  • Spyro: The Eternal Night – DS – 10/3/2007
  • Spyro: The Eternal Night – PS2 – 10/3/2007
  • Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow – PSP – 10/3/2007
  • World of Warcraft Battlechest – PC – 10/3/2007
  • MLB Power Pros – PS2 – 10/4/2007
  • MLB Power Pros – WII – 10/4/2007
  • Paws & Claws: Dogs & Cats Best Friends – DS – 10/4/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

October 1, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: SEPTEMBER 24TH – SEPTEMBER 30TH

I’ve got to admit, I was a bit surprised by the sheer number of titles releasing this week. I had figured with the Halo 3 behemoth coming to town, just about everyone (at least on the Xbox 360) would steer clear of the inevitable retail mauling. Looks like I was wrong.

I could go on about how the first Halo truly put the Xbox on the map with innovative (if at times repetitive) gameplay and how the second revolutionized online gameplay and matchmaking, but instead I’ll stick with Halo 3 itself and the hope that it will finally deliver on the promise of all out Human vs Covenant warfare on Earth. If Bungie can pull that off, then it will indeed be a fitting end to the saga of Spartan 117.

For those wondering, I’ll be standing outside of my local game shop tomorrow night for the midnight release, and with some luck, I should have some pictures of the Legendary Edition packaging and contents up when I get back from the store or early the next morning. I’m really interested to see whether or not the “original storyboard art” the Legendary Edition is supposed to contain is actual storyboard artwork direct from Bungie or just a cheap reproduction of what was on hand. I won’t lie here, I’m still extremely angry about the way Microsoft is treating Legendary Edition buyers by not including the hardcover art book Limited Edition purchasers get, but in the end, the game collector in me won out and convinced me to keep my Legendary order intact.

Yes, I’m both a consumer whore and a sucker. I know this, so no need to e-mail me on it. I also know that for the extra money I’m shelling out for the Legendary Edition, I could purchase one of those awesome Master Chief statues from Kotobukiya, so there’s no need to e-mail me about that as well.

Simply put, I’ll be putting common sense in the trash bucket on this one and going for the shiny object in the corner. Should the Legendary Edition wind up for sale used at $19.99 at some point, feel free to e-mail me about that one. We’ll both get a good laugh out of that bit of news.

Here are the week’s retail highlights;

  • Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts (PC)
    • THQ’s World War II RTS gets a stand-alone sequel where gamers play as either the British 2nd army fighting for Caen, France or as the German Panzer Elite fighting to repel the allied airborne invasion.
  • Halo 3 (360)
    • Bungie’s blockbuster trilogy comes to a conclusion as the Master Chief faces off against the forces of the Covenant and the Flood once more. By now you know whether or not you’re excited about this one, so there’s really no need to say more here, is there?
  • NBA 08 (PS2, PS3 & PSP)
    • Sony tries it’s hand at basketball once more, but if last year’s effort is any indication, you’ll want to stay away from this one.
  • skate (PS3)
    • Electronic Arts turned it’s eye towards the skateboarding genre when it released this game a few weeks back, and now it’s made it’s way to the PlayStation 3. Word is it takes a more realistic approach to skateboarding than the Tony Hawk series. Time will tell.

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • 30,000 Games – PC – 9/25/2007
  • Big Buck Hunter – PC – 9/25/2007
  • Bratz: The Movie – PS2 – 9/25/2007
  • Bratz: The Movie – WII – 9/25/2007
  • Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts – PC – 9/25/2007
  • Halo 3 – 360 – 9/25/2007
  • Halo 3 Legendary Edition – 360 – 9/25/2007
  • Halo 3 Limited Edition – 360 – 9/25/2007
  • Hour of Victory – PC – 9/25/2007
  • Jackass: The Game – PS2 – 9/25/2007
  • Jackass: The Game – PSP – 9/25/2007
  • Math Play – DS – 9/25/2007
  • Original Frisbee Disc Sports – DS – 9/25/2007
  • Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 9/25/2007
  • skate – PS3 – 9/25/2007
  • Spelling Challenges and More! – DS – 9/25/2007
  • Tarr Chronicles – PC – 9/25/2007
  • Animal Genius – DS – 9/26/2007
  • Backyard Basketball – DS – 9/26/2007
  • Backyard Hockey – DS – 9/26/2007
  • Balls of Fury – WII – 9/26/2007
  • Brain Spa – PC – 9/26/2007
  • Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2008 – PC – 9/26/2007
  • Crayola Treasure Adventures – DS – 9/26/2007
  • CSI 4: Hard Evidence – PC – 9/26/2007
  • CSI: 3 Dimension of Murder – PS2 – 9/26/2007
  • Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party Bundle – WII – 9/26/2007
  • Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova 2 – PS2 – 9/26/2007
  • Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova 2 Bundle – PS2 – 9/26/2007
  • Dora the Explorer: Candyland – PC – 9/26/2007
  • Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire – WII – 9/26/2007
  • Ghost in the Sheet – PC – 9/26/2007
  • Go Diego Go: Safari Rescue – PC – 9/26/2007
  • Hot Wheels Beat That – PS2 – 9/26/2007
  • Hot Wheels Beat That – WII – 9/26/2007
  • NBA 08 – PS2 – 9/26/2007
  • NBA 08 – PS3 – 9/26/2007
  • NBA 08 – PSP – 9/26/2007
  • Race Driver: Create & Race – DS – 9/26/2007
  • Settlers: Rise of an Empire – PC – 9/26/2007
  • Soul Nomad – PS2 – 9/26/2007
  • World Series of Poker 2008 – PS2 – 9/26/2007
  • World Series of Poker 2008 – PS3 – 9/26/2007
  • CSI: Hard Evidence – 360 – 9/27/2007
  • Hot Wheels Beat That – 360 – 9/27/2007
  • Marvel Ultimate Alliance Enhanced (Platinum Hits) – 360 – 9/27/2007
  • World Series of Poker 2008 – 360 – 9/27/2007
  • Kurupoto Cool Cool Stars – DS – 9/28/2007
  • Arctic Tale – DS – 9/29/2007
  • Battleship/Connect 4/Sorry/Trouble – DS – 9/29/2007
  • Left Behind: Eternal Forces Expansion Pack – PC – 9/29/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

September 24, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: SEPTEMBER 17TH – SEPTEMBER 23RD

Wow, retail comes alive with a vengeance this week as plenty of decent titles – and a fair amount of fodder – find their way to retail. If I had to pick one title to be this week’s king of the hill, I guess I would aim at Namco Bandai’s Eternal Sonata. The game is not only highly anticipated, but received excellent scores when it debuted in Japan earlier this year under the name Trusty Bell: Chopin’s Dream.

Here are the week’s retail highlights;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • 30,000 Games – PC – 9/18/2007
  • 7 Wonders – DS – 9/18/2007
  • AniMates – DS – 9/18/2007
  • Big Buck Hunter – PC – 9/18/2007
  • Eternal Sonata – 360 – 9/18/2007
  • Experiment 112 – PC – 9/18/2007
  • History Channel: Battle of Rome – PC – 9/18/2007
  • I Love Kittens – PC – 9/18/2007
  • I Love Puppies – PC – 9/18/2007
  • Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights – 360 – 9/18/2007
  • Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights – DS – 9/18/2007
  • Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights – PS2 – 9/18/2007
  • Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 9/18/2007
  • Stuntman: Ignition – PS3 – 9/18/2007
  • Anubis II – WII – 9/19/2007
  • Backyard Basketball – DS – 9/19/2007
  • Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of World War II – 360 – 9/19/2007
  • Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of World War II – PC – 9/19/2007
  • Coded Arms: Contagion – PSP – 9/19/2007
  • Cosmic Family – WII – 9/19/2007
  • Dewy’s Adventure – WII – 9/19/2007
  • Digimon World: Data Squad – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • Digimon World: Dawn – DS – 9/19/2007
  • Digimon World: Dusk – DS – 9/19/2007
  • Fishing Master – WII – 9/19/2007
  • Growlanser: Heritage of War Special Edition – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • Honda: SBk-07 Superbike – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • Master Jin Jin’s IQ Challenge – DS – 9/19/2007
  • Mercury Meltdown: Revolution – WII – 9/19/2007
  • My Sims – DS – 9/19/2007
  • My Sims – WII – 9/19/2007
  • Namco Museum DS – DS – 9/19/2007
  • Nancy Drew – DS – 9/19/2007
  • Pokemon Pocket Pokedex Vol. 2 – WII – 9/19/2007
  • SingStar 80’s – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • SingStar 80’s (with 2 Microphones) – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • SingStar Amped – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • SingStar Amped (with 2 Microphones) – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • Sonic Rush Adventure – DS – 9/19/2007
  • Stranglehold – PC – 9/19/2007
  • Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • Warriors Orochi – 360 – 9/19/2007
  • Warriors Orochi – PS2 – 9/19/2007
  • World in Conflict – PC – 9/19/2007
  • World in Conflict Collector’s Edition – PC – 9/19/2007
  • Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2 – PSP – 9/19/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

September 17, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: SEPTEMBER 10TH – SEPTEMBER 16TH

It’s a decent week at retail with the highlight being the release of Heavenly Sword on the PlayStation 3. This game could be a make or break point for Sony’s holiday aspirations as it’s the last of the company’s big three first party titles (Lair and Warhawk being the other two) to hit retail – and perhaps the one that has the best chance at scoring decent reviews. That said, let’s get to it;

Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.

  • Dot.Hack//G.U. Vol 3 Redemption – PS2 – 9/11/2007
  • Drawn to Life – DS – 9/11/2007
  • Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition – 360 – 9/11/2007
  • Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition – PC – 9/11/2007
  • Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power – PC – 9/11/2007
  • NHL 2K8 – 360 – 9/11/2007
  • NHL 2K8 – PS2 – 9/11/2007
  • NHL 2K8 – PS3 – 9/11/2007
  • Aircraft Power Pack II – PC – 9/12/2007
  • Democracy – PC – 9/12/2007
  • DiRT – PS3 – 9/12/2007
  • Fatal Inertia – 360 – 9/12/2007
  • Guilty Gear XX Accent Core – PS2 – 9/12/2007
  • Hearts of Iron Anthology – PC – 9/12/2007
  • Heavenly Sword – PS3 – 9/12/2007
  • Jam Sessions – DS – 9/12/2007
  • Kengo: Legend of the 9 – 360 – 9/12/2007
  • NHL 08 – 360 – 9/12/2007
  • NHL 08 – PC – 9/12/2007
  • NHL 08 – PS2 – 9/12/2007
  • NHL 08 – PS3 – 9/12/2007
  • Pet Luv Spa & Resort Tycoon – DS – 9/12/2007
  • Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened – PC – 9/12/2007
  • skate – 360 – 9/12/2007
  • Spelling Challenges and More! – DS – 9/12/2007
  • Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco – DS – 9/12/2007
  • AnaCapri: The Dream – PC – 9/13/2007
  • Da Vinci’s Secret – PC – 9/13/2007
  • Seven Kingdoms Conquest – PC – 9/13/2007
  • I Love Kittens – PC – 9/14/2007
  • I Love Puppies – PC – 9/14/2007
  • Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 9/14/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

September 10, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: SEPTEMBER 3RD – SEPTEMBER 9TH

Sorry for this post being so late today, but I’ve felt horrible all weekend and have spent much of the last three days in bed. In fact, out of the entire list of things I wanted to accomplish over this long weekend, the only thing that I did manage to accomplish was playing the hell out of the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta. Needless to say, while that has certainly been an enjoyable experience, I’d really rather have gotten down to working on my damned “to do” list.

This week’s release list would be pretty short if it weren’t for the massive influx of crapware PC titles, most of which will probably be on the list next week and the week after as well (Mission: Combat Force) – making these lists every week really has shown me why the big three all have royalty structures in place on their consoles – because without them, we’d probably see tons of this crap as on the consoles as well.

Well, it’s almost time to get off the soap box and on to this week’s highlights, but before I’d like to say one more word about the Call of Duty 4 beta – if you happen to see me playing and want to say “hello”, “love the site”, “you suck” or the like, please don’t be offended if I don’t answer you. It’s not that I’m ignoring you, it’s that in order to preserve my sanity, I’ve probably got my headset volume off and my mic muted.

  • Medal of Honor: Airborne (360 & PC)
    • Electronic Arts drags out the Medal of Honor franchise for another go around. While I freely admit that I’m about as sick of World War II games as the rest of you, if a game is done right, I’ll enjoy it. Unfortunately, based on the demo, this one isn’t particularly good and given the glut of WWII shooters on the market, you’ve got a good reason to skip it. PlayStation 3 fans please note; the game is also coming to the PS3, but it’s currently slated for a November release.
  • Resident Evil: The Essentials (PS2)
  • Star Wars: Empire at War Gold Pack (PC)
    • If case you skipped over LucasArts second take at the real time strategy genre, but always wanted to try it, this pack is geared towards you. For one price you get both the original Empire at War title along with the Forces of Corruption expansion pack. The structure of the original game seemed a little too rigid for my liking, so I’m going to advise you to download a demo first before you buy anything.
  • John Woo Presents Stranglehold (360 & PC)
    • Finally, a title on the list that I can feel excited about. Stranglehold finally makes it’s way to retail this week, and if the game is anything like the demo, this one is going to be loads of fun. Take control of Inspector Tequilla and bring some crime lords to their knees in this spiritual successor to Woo’s Hard Boiled. There are a few things to note here – first, only the PlayStation 3 Collector’s Edition will include a copy of Hard Boiled, and second, the PS3 version will not be out until the middle of the month or so.
  • The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
    • The Sims franchise continues to expand, and once again it’s time to take your Sims on vacation. Hi jinks ensue. I think I’d be able to get a lot more excited about these Sims expansions if Electronic Arts would at least price reduce the older ones when they launched a new one. I’ve got the original The Sims 2, and I certainly enjoy it, but the cost of keeping those guys housed gets damn expensive.
  • Worms: Open Warfare 2 (DS & PSP)
    • It’s another Worms game. By now you should know if you like the series or not and make your decision accordingly.
  • Xbox Live Messenger Kit (360)
    • Sure, this one isn’t a game, but it’s enough of a departure from Microsoft’s usual offerings that it’s worthy of a slot in this week’s list. For those of you unfamiliar with the device, it’s a keyboard attachment for your 360 controller that will let you type away to your heart’s content without having to connect a real keyboard to the Xbox 360. Some will say it’s a godsend, others will say it’s useless – it all comes down to how you use your 360 and how your home gaming are is set up. Personally, I like the idea and will be grabbing one of these. The downside here is that they only come in white, so Elite owners will have to deal with some color issues, as will purchasers of the new Halo 3 themed controllers that are hitting retail this week as well.

Beyond that, the pickings are pretty slim, but feel free to peruse the below list and see if you can find anything that suits your fancy.

  • AnaCapri: The Dream – PC – 9/4/2007
  • Da Vinci’s Secret – PC – 9/4/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 9/4/2007
  • Panzer Killer – PC – 9/4/2007
  • Seven Kingdoms: Conquest – PC – 9/4/2007
  • Garfield: Nightmares – DS – 9/5/2007
  • I Love Kittens – PC – 9/5/2007
  • I Love Puppies – PC – 9/5/2007
  • Left Behind: Eternal Forces Expansion Pack – PC – 9/5/2007
  • Medal of Honor: Airborne – 360 – 9/5/2007
  • Medal of Honor: Airborne – PC – 9/5/2007
  • Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles 2 – PS2 – 9/5/2007
  • Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 9/5/2007
  • Resident Evil: The Essentials – PS2 – 9/5/2007
  • Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened – PC – 9/5/2007
  • Star Wars: Empire at War Gold Pack – PC – 9/5/2007
  • The Sims 2: Bon Voyage – PC – 9/5/2007
  • The Sims 2: Limited Edition Bundle – PC – 9/5/2007
  • Worms: Open Warfare 2 – DS – 9/5/2007
  • Worms: Open Warfare 2 – PSP – 9/5/2007
  • Pool Party – WII – 9/6/2007
  • Stranglehold – 360 – 9/6/2007
  • Stranglehold Collector’s Edition – 360 – 9/6/2007
  • Xbox Live Messenger Kit – 360 – 9/6/2007
  • Hearts of Iron Anthology – PC – 9/8/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

September 3, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: AUGUST 27TH – SEPTEMBER 2ND

It looks like the drought has ended – at least for a week. This week’s release schedule is full of big name releases for everyone. What we’ve also got this week is a new format for telling you about what to expect at retail this week. Hopefully it will allow a little more flexibility in talking about the big name titles for the week.

  • Blue Dragon (Xbox 360)
    • What do you get when you combine the game design skills of Mistwalker’s Hironobu Sakaguchi with the character design skills of Akira Toriyama (of DragonBall Z fame)? You get Blue Dragon, the first of two Mistwalker designed RPG’s scheduled to come to the Xbox 360 this year. Blue Dragon actually boosted Xbox 360 sales in Japan when it was released last December, which is certainly saying something. Fans of traditional Japanese style role-playing games should certainly check this one out – the rest may want to consider a rental as reviews have been somewhat mixed.
  • Guild Wars: Eyes of the North (PC)
    • It’s an expansion to NCSoft’s free to play mmog Guild Wars. If you play the game, this release probably means something to you – if you don’t just keep on going.
  • Lair (PlayStation 3)
    • Sony’s highly anticipated dragon combat game finally reaches the PlayStation 3 this week amid tepid early reviews. I haven’t had a chance to try this game myself yet, but many sites are pointing to the Sixaxis motion controls as a large part of the negative buzz surrounding the title. Approach with caution.
  • Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
    • Samus Aran is back for the third installment of the “Prime” series, and this time Nintendo’s premiere shooter is on the Wii. This is one of those titles that Wii owners have been waiting for, so demand should be high – and since Nintendo tends to take great care of their original properties, it shouldn’t disappoint.
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 (360, DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP & WII)
    • Electronic Arts brings it’s yearly golf update to most of the active consoles out there. Golf isn’t really my thing, but I know many who swear by the Tiger Woods series, so I’m guessing if golf is your thing, the release of this game is pretty exciting to you.
  • Warhawk (PlayStation 3)
    • Warhawk has gone through a lot of changes since it was first announced, the most important of which is the fact that the game is now a multiplayer only experience. The early reviews and hands-on impressions I’ve seen regarding the game have not been that kind so far, so you may want to consider renting this one before you buy it. While we’re on the subject of buying Warhawk, the game is actually available in two different formats – you can buy the game at retail for $59.99 (which includes bluetooth headset) or download the game via the PlayStation Store for a charge of $39.99
  • Wild Arms 5 (PlayStation 2)

    • Okay, maybe the Wild Arms series has seen better days, but I still hold a soft spot in my heart for the series due to the first game in the series on the original PlayStation. I know Alter Code: F was a remake of that game, but I’d still like to see a true sequel. Please note: This game is not that sequel.

That’s about it for the big titles for the week. Those of you wondering where Stranglehold is, the PC and Xbox 360 version has apparently been delayed until the first week of September while the PlayStation 3 version is still on track for a mid-September release. Those of you dying for more stylized gunplay will just have to wait a little longer (or keep playing around with the Xbox 360 demo) – and now, on to the week’s full release list.

  • Brunswick Pro Bowling – PS2 – 8/28/2007
  • Brunswick Pro Bowling – PSP – 8/28/2007
  • Brunswick Pro Bowling – WII – 8/28/2007
  • Carnival Games – WII – 8/28/2007
  • I Spy Funhouse – DS – 8/28/2007
  • Metroid Prime 3: Corruption – WII – 8/28/2007
  • Metropolismania 2 – PS2 – 8/28/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 8/28/2007
  • Moto GP 2007 – 360 – 8/28/2007
  • NHRA Drag Racing – PSP – 8/28/2007
  • Panzer Killer – PC – 8/28/2007
  • Turn it Around – DS – 8/28/2007
  • Blue Dragon – 360 – 8/29/2007
  • Dead Head Fred – PSP – 8/29/2007
  • Dynasty Warriors Gundam – 360 – 8/29/2007
  • Dynasty Warriors Gundam – PS3 – 8/29/2007
  • Garfield: Nightmares – DS – 8/29/2007
  • Guild Wars: Eye of the North – PC – 8/29/2007
  • Honda: Motorcycle Racing – PS2 – 8/29/2007
  • Medieval II Total War: Kingdoms – PC – 8/29/2007
  • Monster Hunter Freedom 2 – PSP – 8/29/2007
  • Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes – PSP – 8/29/2007
  • Professional Fisherman’s Tour: Northern Hemisphere – DS – 8/29/2007
  • Stuntman: Ignition – 360 – 8/29/2007
  • Stuntman: Ignition – PS2 – 8/29/2007
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 – 360 – 8/29/2007
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 – DS – 8/29/2007
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 – PC – 8/29/2007
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 – PS2 – 8/29/2007
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 – PS3 – 8/29/2007
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 – PSP – 8/29/2007
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 – WII – 8/29/2007
  • Warhawk (w/ bluetooth headset) – PS3 – 8/29/2007
  • Wild Arms 5 – PS2 – 8/29/2007
  • Lair – PS3 – 8/31/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

August 27, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: AUGUST 20TH – AUGUST 26TH

Well, it’s BioShock week gang. After months of waiting, Xbox 360 and PC owners will finally get their chance to visit the city of Rapture in it’s entirety. While BioShock may be the most exciting new release on this week’s schedule, there are a few other games you may want to keep an eye out for.

Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon Advanced WarFighter 2 finally comes to the PlayStation 3 and PSP this week, bringing it’s own brand of semi-futuristic combat action to owners of those systems. I’m personally not a fan of the series, but I know many really get into it – so have at it.

Finally, Brain Age 2 makes it’s debut on the Nintendo DS this week, and if the sales of it’s predecessor are any indication, it should sell like gangbusters – let’s just hope we don’t have to say the word “blue” with this one.

While those are the high points of this week’s releases, there are a few other games that could be worth checking out, so let’s take a look at the full release list for the coming week.

  • BioShock – 360 – 8/21/2007
  • BioShock – PC – 8/21/2007
  • BioShock Collector’s Edition (Gamestop Exclusive) – 360 – 8/21/2007
  • BioShock Collector’s Edition (Gamestop Exclusive) – PC – 8/21/2007
  • Brain Age 2: More Training In Minutes A Day – DS – 8/21/2007
  • Operation: Vietnam – DS – 8/21/2007
  • Brunswick Pro Bowling – PS2 – 8/22/2007
  • Brunswick Pro Bowling – PSP – 8/22/2007
  • Brunswick Pro Bowling – WII – 8/22/2007
  • Destination: Treasure Island – PC – 8/22/2007
  • Dragoneer’s Aria – PSP – 8/22/2007
  • Ghost Recon: Advanced WarFighter 2 – PS3 – 8/22/2007
  • Ghost Recon: Advanced WarFighter 2 – PSP – 8/22/2007
  • I Spy Funhouse – DS – 8/22/2007
  • Jeanne D’ Arc – PSP – 8/22/2007
  • Metropolismania 2 – PS2 – 8/22/2007
  • Panzer Killer – PC – 8/22/2007
  • The Settlers (GameStop Exclusive) – DS – 8/22/2007
  • Turn it Around – DS – 8/22/2007
  • Two Worlds – 360 – 8/22/2007
  • Two Worlds – PC – 8/22/2007
  • Two Worlds Collector’s Edition – 360 – 8/22/2007
  • Two Worlds Collector’s Edition – PC – 8/22/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 8/24/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

August 20, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: AUGUST 13TH – AUGUST 19TH

The dog days of August are now behind us, but if you happen to be Electronic Arts things are just starting to heat up. This week’s release list is looking pretty light, but that’s because it’s Madden week here in the United States, and not many companies are stupid enough to try and launch a product against the hype generated by the Madden franchise.

As you can tell by the below list, Madden NFL 08 is being released on just about every “current” system EA could think of (with the exception of the Gameboy Advance) so no matter what your gaming platform is, if you’ve been waiting breathlessly for this latest version, you’re going to be in luck. You know, there are times I’m surprised that EA isn’t still making the game for the Genesis – it would still probably sell better than most games. (I’m Joking… kind of)

So here it is, fresh off the presses, The 2007 Madden week release list along with the games foolish enough to launch alongside it. May gamers have mercy on their sales.

  • Madden NFL 08 – 360 – 8/14/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 – DS – 8/14/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 – GC – 8/14/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 – PC – 8/14/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 – PS2 – 8/14/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 – PS3 – 8/14/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 – PSP – 8/14/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 – WII – 8/14/2007
  • Madden NFL 08 – XBX – 8/14/2007
  • Call of Duty 3 Enhanced Greatest Hits – PS2 – 8/15/2007
  • Dungeons & Dragons Tactics – PSP – 8/15/2007
  • Fatal Fury Battle Archives Volume 1 – PS2 – 8/15/2007
  • Heroes of Mana – DS – 8/15/2007
  • High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut – DS – 8/15/2007
  • Luminous Arc – DS – 8/15/2007
  • Marvel Ultimate Alliance Enhanced (Greatest Hits) – PS2 – 8/15/2007
  • Metropolismania 2 – PS2 – 8/15/2007
  • Operation: Vietnam – DS – 8/15/2007
  • Persona 3: Special Edition – PS2 – 8/15/2007
  • Prank TV – PC – 8/15/2007
  • Rune Factory: Fantasy Harvest Moon – DS – 8/15/2007
  • Combat Mission: Shock Force – PC – 8/16/2007
  • Instinct – PC – 8/16/2007
  • Tennis Titans – PC – 8/16/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

August 13, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: AUGUST 6TH – AUGUST 12TH

Compared to last week’s release list, this week contains a veritable cornucopia of quality entertainment. Then again, compared to last week, a catbox would contain a veritable cornucopia of quality entertainment too. Yes, it’s still looking pretty grim out there.

While there aren’t any blockbusters on the list, there are a few titles worth talking about. Let’s start with Tomb Raider Anniversary for the PSP. Crystal Dynamics has done nothing but quality work since taking over the Tomb Raider franchise, so PSP owners should have something worth renting at the very least.

The Mega Man franchise will take three shots at the Nintendo DS this week as it takes the multiple version route with Mega Man Leo, Pegasus and the Gamestop exclusive Dragon. I haven’t heard much at all about this one, so approach it at your own risk.

Finally, Sega brings another installment of the Crazy Taxi franchise to retail with Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars for the PSP. Crazy Taxi hasn’t exactly been a must-have series since it’s early days on the Dreamcast, and given Sega’s track record with it’s classic franchises of late, I’d probably tell you to keep your money in your pocket until you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Just like last week, it’s looking like a good week to catch up on games you’ve been meaning to play while putting some cash aside for the fall blockbuster rush. You’re gonna need it.

  • Attack on Pearl Harbor – PC – 8/7/2007
  • Chameleon: To Dye For – DS – 8/7/2007
  • Glory Days 2 – DS – 8/7/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 8/7/2007
  • Pet Alien – DS – 8/7/2007
  • Boogie – WII – 8/8/2007
  • Call of Duty 3 (Greatest Hits) – PS2 – 8/8/2007
  • Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars – PSP – 8/8/2007
  • Hidden Expedition Everest – PC – 8/8/2007
  • High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut – DS – 8/8/2007
  • Marvel Ultimate Alliance (Greatest Hits) – PS2 – 8/8/2007
  • Mega Man Star Force: Dragon (Gamestop Exclusive) – DS – 8/8/2007
  • Mega Man Star Force: Leo – DS – 8/8/2007
  • Mega Man Star Force: Pegasus – DS – 8/8/2007
  • Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst – PC – 8/8/2007
  • Virtual Villagers: The Lost Children – PC – 8/8/2007
  • Big City Adventure – PC – 8/9/2007
  • Inca Ball – PC – 8/9/2007
  • Star Defender 3 – PC – 8/9/2007
  • Tennis Titans – PC – 8/9/2007
  • Tomb Raider Anniversary – PSP – 8/9/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

August 6, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 30TH – AUGUST 5TH

What a weekend – take the the frequent power outages initially caused by severe weather and later caused by what I can only assume was the general incompetence of my local power authority, along with the constant ISP issues I’ve been having of late, and I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to get this post ready for today. Admittedly, looking at this week’s release list, I really don’t think it would have been that much of a shame if I hadn’t have posted anything – yes, the cupboard is looking pretty bare.

The only title even remotely worth talking about this week is Mario Strikers Charged for the Wii. Yes, Nintendo once again looks to make it’s magic by injecting it’s popular characters into a sports game – and since they generally to a pretty good job of it every time, this one will most likely please the Nintendo faithful.

As for the rest, once again it’s looking like a good week to catch up on games you’ve been meaning to play while putting some cash aside for the fall blockbuster rush.

  • Bratz Ponyz – DS – 7/31/2007
  • Chameleon: To Dye For – DS – 7/31/2007
  • Drake & Josh – DS – 7/31/2007
  • Mario Strikers Charged – WII – 7/31/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 7/31/2007
  • Pet Alien – DS – 7/31/2007
  • PicrossDS – DS – 7/31/2007
  • Brave Story: New Traveler – PSP – 8/1/2007
  • Glory Days 2 – DS – 8/1/2007
  • Harvest Moon: Boy & Girl – PSP – 8/1/2007
  • Professional Fisherman’s Tour: Northern Hemisphere – DS – 8/1/2007
  • Spelling Challenges and More! – DS – 8/1/2007
  • World Championship Cards – PS2 – 8/1/2007
  • World Championship Cards – PSP – 8/1/2007
  • Let’s Ride: Friends Forever – PC – 8/2/2007
  • Ride! Carnival Tycoon – PC – 8/2/2007
  • Attack on Pearl Harbor – PC – 8/3/2007
  • Hidden Expedition Everest – PC – 8/3/2007
  • Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst – PC – 8/3/2007
  • Virtual Villagers: The Lost Children – PC – 8/3/2007
  • Combat Mission: Shock Force – PC – 8/4/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

July 30, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 23RD – JULY 29TH

Another week comes, another week goes – the one thing that stays the same is that we’ve got a new crop of games hitting retail. While this week’s list may be another short one, there are some gems to be found here – let’s take a look;

I’ll open with the one game I fear the most on the list – Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword (PC), the second expansion for the latest title in the Civilization series. Now, I don’t fear these games because they’re terrible, nor do I fear them because I’m not any good at them… it’s actually quite the opposite. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll mention it again for those of you just joining us at home – you see, I have a horrible Civilization addiction – one that dates back to 1991 and the first game in the series. I just barely managed to escape Civ IV: Warlords with my sanity intact a few months back, and already there’s another temptation to face. If I’m not back in 72 hours, call the president.

Next up, we’ve got Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80’s (PS2). As someone who grew up in the 80’s, I’ve got to say that I may actually be more excited about this version of Guitar Hero than I am about the upcoming Guitar Hero III. Looks like I’ll be breaking out my PS2 Gibson and rocking out once more. Oh, and if anyone from Activision is listening, you can shove the inevitable and overpriced Xbox 360 downloads of the songs where the sun doesn’t shine. Fix the pricing plan and I’ll consider it.

Those of you who happen to like endlessly driving in circles are also in for a treat this week as Electronic Arts releases NASCAR ’08 (360, PS2 & PS3), the latest in it’s long running stock car racing series. NASCAR isn’t my thing, but I know a lot of you can’t get enough of it – I may be passing on this one, but I hope you enjoy it.

Sega treats us to some retro re-make love as a new version of it’s 1986 classic Alien Syndrome comes to the PSP and Wii. Larry Holland’s Totally Games is behind the re-make and have fashioned the game into an action RPG. As much as I’ve loved Holland’s other works, I unfortunately don’t own a PSP or Wii, so I’ll have to live vicariously through others on this title.

Finally, Square goes back to the well yet again as Final Fantasy II comes to the PSP. I’d say a few words, but with the number of times the first few Final Fantasy games have been re-released, you should know the deal by now.

That’s about it for my take on this week, check out the list below for all the thrilling – and not so thrilling – details. Enjoy.

  • Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword – PC – 7/24/2007
  • Its the Big Game, Charlie Brown – PC – 7/24/2007
  • Let’s Ride: Friends Forever – PC – 7/24/2007
  • NASCAR 08 – PS2 – 7/24/2007
  • NASCAR 08 – 360 – 7/24/2007
  • NASCAR 08 – PS3 – 7/24/2007
  • Ride! Carnival Tycoon – PC – 7/24/2007
  • Alien Syndrome – PSP – 7/25/2007
  • Alien Syndrome – WII – 7/25/2007
  • Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter’s Battle – DS – 7/25/2007
  • Final Fantasy II – PSP – 7/25/2007
  • Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80’s – PS2 – 7/25/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 7/25/2007
  • NHRA Countdown to the Championship – PS2 – 7/25/2007
  • Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Special Edition – PS2 – 7/25/2007
  • Ultimate Puzzle Games: Sudoku Edition – DS – 7/25/2007
  • Chameleon: To Dye For – DS – 7/28/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

July 23, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 16TH – JULY 22ND

This week’s release list may not be jam full of titles, but there are certainly a few games worth keeping your eyes on – at least if you’re a fan of sports titles. We’ll open up with the title I’m sure you all knew I’d have to highlight this week, All Pro Football 2K8.

All Pro Football 2K8 (360 & PS3) is 2K Sports answer to Electronic Arts exclusivity deal with the NFL. Rather than simply present teams full of generic players, the folks at Visual Concepts went out and signed 240 of the best retired superstars and fashioned a game around them. If you’ve been following our news posts for the last few weeks, you probably have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this one. With a little luck we’ll be play testing the game as soon as it comes out and letting you know if it lives up to the 2K legacy.

All Pro Football isn’t the only football title we get this week as Electronic Arts hits the college scene once more with NCAA Football ’08 (360, PS2, PS3 & XBX). Last years NCAA game was (in my opinion) surprisingly better than EA’s premiere offering in the form of last year’s Madden title. Hopefully the game can continue it’s winning ways.

Our friends from across the pond see some love as EA also releases Rugby ’08 for the PlayStation 2. I really don’t know what to say about this one as I once tried to figure out the game with a previous version on the Xbox and just couldn’t make heads or tails of it. It probably would have helped had I known anything about Rugby.

In the world of strategy, Civilization 4 Gold (PC) hits the shelves just in time to lay down some support for next week’s launch of the game’s latest expansion pack “Beyond the Sword“. This “gold” version of Civ 4 includes the original game as well as the “Warlords” expansion – this way you’ll be completely up to date by the time Beyond the Sword hits.

Finally, we see the return of an old friend as PaRappa the Rapper makes his debut on the PSP. I don’t know about you, but I’ve kind of missed Master Onion.

That’s about it for my take on this week, check out the list below for all the thrilling details. Enjoy.

  • All Pro Football 2K8 – 360 – 7/17/2007
  • All Pro Football 2K8 – PS3 – 7/17/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 7/17/2007
  • Smash Court Tennis 3 – PSP – 7/17/2007
  • Civilization IV: Gold Edition – PC – 7/18/2007
  • Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 – PC – 7/18/2007
  • Hot Shots Tennis – PS2 – 7/18/2007
  • Let’s Ride: Friends Forever – PC – 7/18/2007
  • NCAA Football 08 – 360 – 7/18/2007
  • NCAA Football 08 – PS2 – 7/18/2007
  • NCAA Football 08 – PS3 – 7/18/2007
  • NCAA Football 08 – XBX – 7/18/2007
  • PaRappa the Rapper – PSP – 7/18/2007
  • Ride! Carnival Tycoon – PC – 7/18/2007
  • Rugby 2008 – PS2 – 7/18/2007
  • Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology – PSP – 7/18/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

July 16, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 9TH – JULY 15TH

If you thought last week’s release list was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet. This week’s list is so devoid of anything worth talking about that my advice to you is to save your cash, catch up on the games you’ve been meaning to play and follow the announcements coming out of E3 – maybe even catch up on some personal correspondence if you have the time. How about calling your mom? You never call, you know. Remember all those shows you have saved on your TiVo but haven’t had the time to watch? Now is the time to do it.

I could go on and on, but there’s more important news afoot, so I’m going to cut this short and go to the list. Enjoy.

  • Jewels of Cleopatra – PC – 7/10/2007
  • Blitzkrieg Strategy Pack – PC – 7/11/2007
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – GBA – 7/11/2007
  • Project Sylpheed: Arc of Deception – 360 – 7/11/2007
  • Riviera: The Promised Land – PSP – 7/11/2007
  • Smash Court Tennis 3 – PSP – 7/11/2007
  • Sword of the New World: Granado Espada – PC – 7/11/2007
  • Vegas Casino: High 5 – DS – 7/11/2007
  • Let’s Ride: Friends Forever – PC – 7/12/2007
  • Ride! Carnival Tycoon – PC – 7/12/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

July 9, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 2ND – JULY 8TH

Those of you who were expecting to see another week where the release schedule is jam-packed with quality titles are in for a bit of a let down. Not only is this week’s release list short, but there really isn’t much on it to look forward to. Let’s get right to it;

We’ll start off with the week’s obvious winner – Ninja Gaiden Sigma. PlayStation 3 fans get a treat in this HD adaption of Tecmo’s classic Xbox title. The good news for PlayStation 3 owners is that the game is not just a port of Ninja Gaiden Black, but will include quite a bit of original content including new enemies, bosses and a new playable character in the form of Rachel – a demon hunter. The bad news is that according to several news sources, Sigma is not the “Ultimate” version of Ninja Gaiden as several encounters in the game have been changed or removed to accommodate the new elements. It’s also been reported that Sigma will not include an unlockable version of the original Ninja Gaiden arcade game from 1988.

After that, it’s basically a crap shoot this week. If you get really bored, I’d probably suggest trying Vampire Rain (360) and, if you’re a collectible card game nut, maybe the Marvel Trading Card Game: Limited Edition (PC). See? I told you things were looking pretty bleak – hell, we don’t even have Model Train 3D to make fun of this week.

  • Chicken Shoot – WII – 7/3/2007
  • Horsez – GBA – 7/3/2007
  • Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing – PSP – 7/3/2007
  • Jewels of Cleopatra – PC – 7/3/2007
  • Marvel Trading Card Game: Limited Edition – PC – 7/4/2007
  • Ninja Gaiden Sigma – PS3 – 7/4/2007
  • Ninja Gaiden Sigma: Collectors Edition – PS3 – 7/4/2007
  • Platinum Sudoku – DS – 7/4/2007
  • Steel Horizon – PSP – 7/4/2007
  • Vampire Rain – 360 – 7/4/2007
  • Vegas Casino: High 5 – DS – 7/4/2007
  • Ride! Carnival Tycoon – PC – 7/6/2007
  • Seven Kingdoms: Conquest – PC – 7/6/2007
  • Taito Legends 2 – PC – 7/6/2007
  • Terror Strike – PC – 7/7/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

July 2, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JUNE 25TH – JULY 1ST

Well folks, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen a release list this big, so hang on – it’s gonna be one heck of a ride at retail this week. How busy is the list? Well, it’s so busy that there are titles for the Gameboy Advance, Gamecube and Xbox on the list – now that’s busy. Let’s take a look…

We’ll open up with our three movie adaptions. We’ve got Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (360, DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, WII & PC), Transformers: The Game (360, PS2, PS3, WII) and Ratatouille (360, DS, GBA, GC, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, WII & XBX) all hoping they can prove to be exceptions to the rule that movie tie-in games suck. I’m not holding out much hope though.

Next up, we’ve got The Darkness (360 & PS3) – 2K Games adaption of the Top-Cow comic of the same name. Take the role of ex-contract killer Jackie Estacado in this first person shooter where in addition to firearms, you’ll use the powers of the curse that is the Darkness to destroy your enemies.

Baseball fans get some love this week with The Bigs (360, PS2, PSP & WII) from 2K Sports – an over-the-top arcade style baseball title along the lines of such past games as NBA Jam & NFL Blitz – before it became Blitz: The League.

Capcom’s Lost Planet: Extreme Condition makes it’s PC debut this week – there’s not much else to say here – Lost Planet was one of those games that came out of nowhere after it’s initial Xbox 360 demo was released, but left many feeling cold with a campaign mode that didn’t make a whole lot of sense and a combat system that made the term “knock-down” a dirty word. It was a good game, but it could have been so much more.

If evil is your thing, Codemaster’s Overlord (360 & PC) could be the title for you. You take the role of a newly crowned Overlord who must rebuild your predecessor’s empire by defeating seven now corrupt heroes. If the game can keep the sense of fun and humor that the demo of the game possessed for it’s duration, they could have quite the sleeper hit here.

Finally, the PlayStation 3 gets it’s port of Ubisoft’s smash hit Rainbow Six: Vegas this week, so those of you Rainbow fans who have a PS3 and haven’t had a chance to try the game yet are in for a treat.

See? I told you it was going to be a busy – and expensive week – at retail. There’s lots more to choose from, so let’s take a look at the full release list, shall we?

  • Guild 2: The Pirates of the Seas – PC – 6/26/2007
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – 360 – 6/26/2007
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – DS – 6/26/2007
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – PS2 – 6/26/2007
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – PS3 – 6/26/2007
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – PSP – 6/26/2007
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – WII – 6/26/2007
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – PC – 6/26/2007
  • Hour of Victory – 360 – 6/26/2007
  • Jewels of Cleopatra – PC – 6/26/2007
  • Model Train 3D – PC – 6/26/2007
  • Pokemon Battle Revolution – WII – 6/26/2007
  • The Bigs – 360 – 6/26/2007
  • The Bigs – PS2 – 6/26/2007
  • The Bigs – PS3 – 6/26/2007
  • The Bigs – PSP – 6/26/2007
  • The Bigs – WII – 6/26/2007
  • The Darkness – 360 – 6/26/2007
  • The Darkness – PS3 – 6/26/2007
  • Touchmaster – DS – 6/26/2007
  • Transformers: The Game – 360 – 6/26/2007
  • Transformers: The Game – Cybertron Edition – 360 – 6/26/2007
  • Chicken Shoot – WII – 6/27/2007
  • Driver: Parallel Lines – PC – 6/27/2007
  • Driver: Parallel Lines – WII – 6/27/2007
  • Final Fantasy – PSP – 6/27/2007
  • Grim Grimoire – PS2 – 6/27/2007
  • Horsez – GBA – 6/27/2007
  • Hoshigami Remix: Running Blue – DS – 6/27/2007
  • Lost Planet: Extreme Condition – PC – 6/27/2007
  • Nervous Brickdown – DS – 6/27/2007
  • Overlord – 360 – 6/27/2007
  • Overlord – PC – 6/27/2007
  • Rainbow Six: Vegas – PS3 – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – 360 – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – DS – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – GBA – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – GC – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – PC – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – PS2 – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – PSP – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – WII – 6/27/2007
  • Ratatouille – XBX – 6/27/2007
  • Seven Kingdoms: Conquest – PC – 6/27/2007
  • Steel Horizon – PSP – 6/27/2007
  • Super Collapse! 3 – PSP – 6/27/2007
  • The Adventures of Darwin – PS2 – 6/27/2007
  • Transformers: The Game – PS2 – 6/27/2007
  • Transformers: The Game – PS3 – 6/27/2007
  • Transformers: The Game – WII – 6/27/2007
  • TraxxPad – PSP – 6/27/2007
  • Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing – PSP – 6/28/2007
  • Ride! Carnival Tycoon – PC – 6/30/2007
  • Vegas Casino: High 5 – DS – 6/30/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

June 25, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JUNE 18TH – JUNE 24TH

Another week, another release list. Surprisingly, a lot of the titles on this week’s release list were on last week’s release list – and we’re not just talking about the B-List titles. We’ll avoid talking about the games we mentioned last week and stick with the new titles.

We’ll start off with DiRT for the Xbox 360 and Windows PC. Normally, this is a title that I would have just discounted as a standard off-road racer and passed on, but the recent Xbox Live demo showed that DiRT is a game with a lot of promise for fun. If you haven’t tried the demo yet, I’d strongly advise you to give it a shot – and might I add, play it in one of the two included cockpit modes for an added sense of realism.

Next up, we’ve got Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition. Advanced word on this one is that despite the game originally being designed for standard controllers, the control scheme Capcom has implemented for the game works exceptionally well. If you own a Wii and have never played RE4, this one should rate a rental at the very least.

The Transformers begin their movie-related march this week with Transformers: The Game (PSP), Transformers: Autobots (DS) and Transformers: Decepticons (DS). Given the fact that these are connected to the movie, I’d say proceed with extreme caution – more often than not these movie tie-ins aren’t even worth the effort to rent.

Finally, the Sims franchise continues it’s relentless assault on the human race as The Sims: Pet Stories (PC) makes it’s retail debut this week. As with The Sims: Life Stories, this one is a standalone product that’s designed to be especially friendly towards laptop computers.

Here’s what you can reasonably expect to see at retail this week – well, except for Model Train 3D which has pretty much reached the same comical week to week non-release status as our old friend Air Cargo Pilot.

  • Hot Brain: Fire Up Your Mind – PSP – 6/19/2007
  • PQ 2 – PSP – 6/19/2007
  • Puzzle Scape – PSP – 6/19/2007
  • Time Ace – DS – 6/19/2007
  • Zendoku – DS – 6/19/2007
  • Brothers In Arms: War Stories – DS – 6/20/2007
  • DiRT – 360 – 6/20/2007
  • DiRT – PC – 6/20/2007
  • Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground – PSP – 6/20/2007
  • Guild 2: The Pirates of the Seas – PC – 6/20/2007
  • Hitman Trilogy – PC – 6/20/2007
  • Hitman Trilogy – PS2 – 6/20/2007
  • Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition – WII – 6/20/2007
  • Sim City DS – DS – 6/20/2007
  • The Adventures of Darwin – PS2 – 6/20/2007
  • The Sims: Pet Stories – PC – 6/20/2007
  • Transformers: Autobots – DS – 6/20/2007
  • Transformers: Decepticons – DS – 6/20/2007
  • Transformers: The Game – PSP – 6/20/2007
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game – DS – 6/21/2007
  • Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing – PSP – 6/21/2007
  • Jeopardy – PC – 6/21/2007
  • Jewels of Cleopatra – PC – 6/21/2007
  • Terror Strike – PC – 6/21/2007
  • Wheel of Fortune – PC – 6/21/2007
  • Model Train 3D – PC – 6/23/2007
  • Taito Legends 2 – PC – 6/23/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

June 18, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JUNE 11TH – JUNE 17TH

Unless you’re a Wii or handheld system owner, it’s going to be a very light week at retail this time around. We’ll start this week’s post off with Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree for the Nintendo Wii (obviously). While Big Brain Academy on the Nintendo DS didn’t have quite the same following that Brain Age did, it’s sure to see a decent number of sales based on the premise alone.

The Wii also gets it’s first installment of Electronic Arts Sims franchise as The Sims 2: Pets makes it’s Wii debut this week. I’m quite sure many more Sims titles will follow in it’s footsteps.

While the PSP gets it’s share of brain teasers with PQ2 and Puzzle Scape, the big focus on the PSP this week is sure to be Rainbow Six: Vegas. It should be interesting to see just how well the concept ports over to Sony’s portable.

Finally, Nintendo DS owners get a spiritual sequel to Konami’s 1982 arcade classic Time Pilot with the company’s latest title Time Ace. Given my love of the original Time Pilot, I may just have to give this one a rental and see how it stacks up in comparison.

Past that, we have the usual bunch of throwaway titles this week, including the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer movie adaption on just about every active console. Here’s everything you can expect to see at retail over the course of the week;

  • Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree – WII – 6/12/2007
  • Diner Dash: Flow on the Go – PC – 6/12/2007
  • Playfirst Play All Day Pack – PC – 6/12/2007
  • Scarface – WII – 6/12/2007
  • The Sims 2: Pets – WII – 6/12/2007
  • UFO Afterlight – PC – 6/12/2007
  • Call of Juarez – PC – 6/13/2007
  • Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia – 360 – 6/13/2007
  • Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia – PC – 6/13/2007
  • Naruto Ultimate Ninja 2 – PS2 – 6/13/2007
  • PQ 2 – PSP – 6/13/2007
  • Puzzle Scape – PSP – 6/13/2007
  • Rainbow Six: Vegas – PSP – 6/13/2007
  • Raw Danger – PS2 – 6/13/2007
  • Tenchu Z – 360 – 6/13/2007
  • Time Ace – DS – 6/13/2007
  • Zendoku – DS – 6/13/2007
  • Model Train 3D – PC – 6/15/2007
  • Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer – 360 – 6/16/2007
  • Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer – DS – 6/16/2007
  • Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer – PS2 – 6/16/2007
  • Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer – PS3 – 6/16/2007
  • Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer – WII – 6/16/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

June 11, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | 1 Comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: APRIL 9TH – APRIL 15TH

Okay, it’s going to be a seriously slow week at retail, so unless you’re planning on grabbing Super Paper Mario for the Wii or downloading Sam & Max: Episode 5 for the PC, your best bet is to catch up on some of the older titles you haven’t gotten around to finishing yet. Have at it.

Here’s this week’s list;

  • Age of Mythology (with The Titans expansion) – PC – 4/10/2007
  • Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer – PS2 – 4/10/2007
  • Frontline: Fields of Thunder – PC – 4/10/2007
  • Hot Dog King – PC – 4/10/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 4/10/2007
  • Pet Vet 3D: Wild Animal Hospital – PC – 4/10/2007
  • Super Paper Mario – WII – 4/10/2007
  • The Ship – PC – 4/10/2007
  • Whirlwind Over Vietnam – PC – 4/10/2007
  • Cake Mania – DS – 4/11/2007
  • Sam & Max: Episode 5 – Reality 2.0 – PC – 4/12/07 (Direct download only)

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

April 9, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: APRIL 2ND – APRIL 8TH

Well, it’s finally here – Guitar Hero II comes to the Xbox 360 this week, and let me tell you, should my 360 not make it back from warranty service in time, I’m going to be one seriously unhappy camper. I was really looking forward to kicking back on a scheduled vacation day and just rocking out. Oh well, I can always hit the PlayStation 2 version and pretend if worse comes to worse, right?

We’ve got a few other titles worth mentioning as well this week, with Sims 2 addicts getting yet another fix with The Sims 2: Celebration Stuff (PC), Prince of Persia: Rival Swords (PSP & Wii) and Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales (DS). Still, let’s be honest – it’s Guitar Hero II that’s going to run roughshod over retail this week, and if you’re one of the few who’s never had a chance to try it before, do yourself a favor and pick it up – it’s worth every penny.

Let’s take a look at what else we can expect to see at retail this week, minus the still missing Air Cargo Pilot, maybe it’s finally met it’s end out there in the Vaporware desert;

  • Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer – PS2 – 4/3/2007
  • Honeycomb Beat – DS – 4/3/2007
  • Hot Dog King – PC – 4/3/2007
  • Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits – DS – 4/3/2007
  • Made Man – PS2 – 4/3/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 4/3/2007
  • The Ship – PC – 4/3/2007
  • Bionicle Heroes – WII – 4/4/2007
  • Cake Mania – DS – 4/4/2007
  • Enchanted Arms – PS3 – 4/4/2007
  • Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales – DS – 4/4/2007
  • Guitar Hero II (with Guitar) – 360 – 4/4/2007
  • Locomania – PC – 4/4/2007
  • Pimp My Ride – PSP – 4/4/2007
  • Prince of Persia: Rival Swords – PSP – 4/4/2007
  • Prince of Persia: Rival Swords – WII – 4/4/2007
  • Rapala Trophies – 360 – 4/4/2007
  • SingStar Pop – PS2 – 4/4/2007
  • SingStar Pop (with 2 microphones) – PS2 – 4/4/2007
  • SingStar Rocks – PS2 – 4/4/2007
  • The Plan – PS2 – 4/4/2007
  • The Sims 2: Celebration Stuff – PC – 4/4/2007
  • World Championship Cards – PS2 – 4/4/2007
  • Frontline: Fields of Thunder – PC – 4/5/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

April 2, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: MARCH 26TH – APRIL 1ST

While it’s not the most robust release list I’ve seen recently, there are a couple of titles worth getting excited about this week, so let’s get to it.

We’ll start off with Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, the continuation of Electronic Arts long running RTS series. Choose to play as the Global Defense Initiative (GDI), Brotherhood of Nod or the Scrin – an invading alien race that has been added to the mix for C&C3. There’s a demo of the game available at most PC file sites, so if you’re still on the fence about this one, be sure to give it a try before you buy.

Next up, Bethesda brings the Shivering Isles expansion to the PC and Xbox 360 this week, much to the delight of Oblivion fans everywhere. You should already know what to expect from Isles, so just keep in mind that this one will be offered on the 360 as a download via Xbox Live only – and that the service will be down for most of the day on the 27th, so don’t bother coming down with a case of Sickaworka.

Moving along, Metal Slug Anthology is due for the PlayStation 2 this week, and any game that gives you seven (7) different Metal Slug games in one package is always worth mentioning. If you’ve never played any games in the Metal Slug series and consider yourself a fan of side scrolling shooters, you owe yourself a rental of this one at the very least.

Finally, any game called "Super Granny 3" needs a mention of some kind. I poked around on the ‘net and found the game’s homesite, and it would appear it’s some type of platforming, arcade style game – let’s see what the company line on this one is, shall we?

"The most unlikely hero ever is back for all-new, action-packed, kitty-saving fun! In her most ambitious adventure yet, Granny must navigate a run-down theme park and rescue her arch-nemesis, Dr. Meow, from the clutches of the even more dastardly Mr. Fang! Help Granny run, dig, climb, and float through five new worlds with over 200 levels of puzzle-solving, item-tossing, hilariously addictive fun. Will Granny and her kitties ever make it home?" – Super Granny 3 product description

You go, Gramma, you go. Now on to the depressingly Air Cargo Pilot free release list for the week;

  • Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars – PC – 3/27/2007
  • Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars – Kane Edition – PC – 3/27/2007
  • DEFCON – PC – 3/27/2007
  • Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Shivering Isles – 360 (Download only) – 3/27/2007
  • Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Shivering Isles – PC – 3/27/2007
  • Hard Rock Casino – PSP – 3/27/2007
  • Made Man – PS2 – 3/27/2007
  • Medal of Honor Vanguard – PS2 – 3/27/2007
  • Medal of Honor Vanguard – WII – 3/27/2007
  • POGO Island – DS – 3/27/2007
  • Virtua Tennis 3 – PSP – 3/27/2007
  • Alien Disco Safari – PC – 3/28/2007
  • Baseball Mogul 2008 – PC – 3/28/2007
  • Dance Dance Revolution: Universe – 360 – 3/28/2007
  • Honeycomb Beat – DS – 3/28/2007
  • Konami Classics: Arcade Hits – DS – 3/28/2007
  • Meet the Robinsons – 360 – 3/28/2007
  • Meet the Robinsons – DS – 3/28/2007
  • Meet the Robinsons – PC – 3/28/2007
  • Meet the Robinsons – PS2 – 3/28/2007
  • Meet the Robinsons – WII – 3/28/2007
  • Purr Pals – DS – 3/28/2007
  • Red Star – PS2 – 3/28/2007
  • Splinter Cell: Double Agent – PS3 – 3/28/2007
  • Super Granny 3 – PC – 3/28/2007
  • The Settlers – DS – 3/28/2007
  • Westward – PC – 3/28/2007
  • Metal Slug Anthology – PS2 – 3/29/2007
  • Test Drive Unlimited – PC – 3/29/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

March 26, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: MARCH 19TH – MARCH 25TH

While the number of releases has certainly increased this week when compared to previous weeks, there isn’t a whole lot to get excited about this time around, and quite interestingly the highlights for this week are both games that were released some time ago.

We’ll open with Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which finally finds it’s way to the PlayStation 3. If you have a PS3 and missed out on the PC and 360 versions of the game, I strongly suggest giving it a try – you won’t be sorry. The second title we’re highlighting this week stretches all the way back to 1997. You guessed it, Konami’s Castlevania: Symphony of the Night makes it’s way to the Xbox Live Arcade this week, and while I normally don’t list downloadable titles in the chart, this game deserves to be mentioned anywhere possible. If you’ve never played it and are a fan of the series, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up.

Beyond that, the only titles that could really be called exciting would be Virtua Tennis 3 (360 & PS3) along with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie adaption (360, DS, PC, PS3, PS2 & Wii).

Still no sign of Air Cargo Pilot – if anyone knows the status of our old friend, feel free to drop me a line!

  • Custom Robo Arena – DS – 3/20/2007
  • ETROM: The Astral Essence – PC – 3/20/2007
  • Major League Baseball 2K7 – DS – 3/20/2007
  • Mission: Blackhawk – PC – 3/20/2007
  • Silverfall – PC – 3/20/07
  • Tetris Evolution – 360 – 3/20/2007
  • Top Spin 2 – PC – 3/20/2007
  • After Burner: Black Falcon – PSP – 3/21/2007
  • Armored Core 4 – 360 – 3/21/2007
  • Armored Core 4 – PS3 – 3/21/2007
  • Berkley’s Bass Tournament – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII – WII – 3/21/2007
  • Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – 360 XBLA – 3/21/07
  • Cooking Mama: Cook Off – WII – 3/21/2007
  • Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai Another Road – PSP – 3/21/2007
  • Earth Defense Force 2017 – 360 – 3/21/2007
  • F.E.A.R.: First Encounter Assault Recon – Gold Edition – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Full Auto 2: Battlelines – PSP – 3/21/2007
  • Genesis Rising: The Universal Crusade – PC – 3/21/2007
  • H.C. Andersen’s Ugly Prince Duckling – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Jewel Quest 2 – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Kororinpa: Marble Mania – WII – 3/21/2007
  • Mind Quiz – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Mission: Combat Force – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Petz Vet – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Puzzle Quest: Challenge of Warlords – DS – 3/21/2007
  • Puzzle Quest: Challenge of Warlords – PSP – 3/21/2007
  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Shining Force EXA – PS2 – 3/21/2007
  • Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Sproink – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Steel Horizon – DS – 3/21/2007
  • Test Drive Unlimited – PC – 3/21/2007
  • Test Drive Unlimited – PS2 – 3/21/2007
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – PS3 – 3/21/2007
  • The Godfather: The Don’s Edition – PS3 – 3/21/2007
  • The Godfather: Blackhand Edition – WII – 3/21/2007
  • Theme Park – DS – 3/21/2007
  • TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – 360 – 3/21/2007
  • TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – DS – 3/21/2007
  • TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – PC – 3/21/2007
  • TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – PS2 – 3/21/2007
  • TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – PSP – 3/21/2007
  • TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – WII – 3/21/2007
  • Travelogue 360 Paris – PC – 3/21/2007
  • UEFA Championships League 2006-2007 – 360 – 3/21/2007
  • UEFA Championships League 2006-2007 – PS2 – 3/21/2007
  • UEFA Championships League 2006-2007 – PSP – 3/21/2007
  • Virtua Tennis 3 – 360 – 3/21/2007
  • Virtua Tennis 3 – PS3 – 3/21/2007
  • Wing Island – WII – 3/21/2007
  • Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 – DS – 3/21/2007
  • Test Drive Unlimited – PSP – 3/22/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

March 19, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: MARCH 12TH – MARCH 18TH

If you take away all the throwaway PC releases this week, there’s really not much hitting retail this week. My guess this is because not many publishers are stupid enough to go up against God of War II. Yes, Kratos returns from Olympus to once again kick the ever-living crap out of just about anything that has ever walked, crawled or swam. I finally got a chance to play through the "Colossus battle" demo this weekend, and I’ve got to say it was a blast – definitely a great opening to the game. On a somewhat sadder note, this may be the last hurrah for the PlayStation 2 as far as big name exclusives go. Sony is certainly going to be pushing ahead with PlayStation 3 game development, and that won’t leave much room for the aging king of the last generation. Still, if it has to go, at least it’s going out in style.

One last note – Air Cargo Pilot, if you’re out there, please call home – we miss you!

  • Carol Vorderman’s Sudoku – PC – 3/13/2007
  • Model Train 3D – PC – 3/13/2007
  • Runaway: Dream of the Turtle – PC – 3/13/2007
  • Top Spin 2 – PC – 3/13/2007
  • Tortuga Two Treasures – PC – 3/13/2007
  • Call of Duty 3: Roads to Victory – PSP – 3/14/2007
  • College Hoops 2K7 – PS3 – 3/14/2007
  • God of War II – PS2 – 3/14/2007
  • Gold Miner Vegas – PC – 3/14/2007
  • Great Invasions – PC – 3/14/2007
  • IL 2 Sturmovik 1946 – PC – 3/14/2007
  • Making History: The Calm & the Storm – PC – 3/14/2007
  • Mind Quiz – PC – 3/14/2007
  • Mind Quiz: Your Brain Coach – DS – 3/14/2007
  • Slingo Quest – PC – 3/14/2007
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 – WII – 3/14/2007
  • Air Battles: Sky Defender – PC – 3/16/2007
  • ETROM: The Astral Essence – PC – 3/16/2007
  • Herbie Rescue Rally – DS – 3/16/2007
  • Rag Doll Kung Fu – PC – 3/16/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

March 12, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: MARCH 5TH – MARCH 11TH

It would appear to be a pretty good week to be a PlayStation 2 owner as the console sees the release of both Burnout Dominator (PS2 and PSP) and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PS2). While Vice City Stories may just be a rehash of the PSP title of the same name, Dominator holds the promise of a return to the series’ previous non-traffic checking glory – and that’s something to potentially be excited about.

On the next-gen front, both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 get Def Jam Icon and Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 while the PlayStation 3 will also see MotorStorm as well as a port of Electronic Arts NBA Street Homecourt.

Finally, I’d like to send a shout-out to Air Cargo Pilot on it’s return to the release list. We missed you last week and were starting to get a little worried. You should have called, you know.

  • Aircraft Collection Second Edition – PC – 3/6/2007
  • Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories – PS2 – 3/6/2007
  • Rayman Raving Rabbids – DS – 3/6/2007
  • Shrek Smash and Crash – DS – 3/6/2007
  • Titan Quest: Immortal Throne – PC – 3/6/2007
  • Tortuga Two Treasures – PC – 3/6/2007
  • Wario: Master of Disguise – DS – 3/6/2007
  • Air Cargo Pilot – PC – 3/7/2007
  • Burnout Dominator – PS2 – 3/7/2007
  • Burnout Dominator – PSP – 3/7/2007
  • Carol Vorderman’s Sudoku – PS2 – 3/7/2007
  • Carol Vorderman’s Sudoku – PSP – 3/7/2007
  • City of Heroes Good Vs. Evil Edition – PC – 3/7/2007
  • Def Jam Icon – 360 – 3/7/2007
  • Def Jam Icon – PS3 – 3/7/2007
  • Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 – 360 – 3/7/2007
  • Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 – PC – 3/7/2007
  • Great Invasions – PC – 3/7/2007
  • Medal of Honor Collection – PS2 – 3/7/2007
  • Mission: Blackhawk – PC – 3/7/2007
  • MotorStorm – PS3 – 3/7/2007
  • NBA Street Homecourt – PS3 – 3/7/2007
  • Pimp My Ride – PSP – 3/7/2007
  • Slingo Quest – PC – 3/7/2007
  • Sonic Mega Collection Plus – PC – 3/7/2007
  • UFO Extraterrestrials – PC – 3/7/2007
  • Model Train 3D – PC – 3/9/2007

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

March 5, 2007 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 24TH – JULY 30TH

Things are looking up this week with the Civilization IV: Warlords expansion for PC and Tekken: Dark Resurrection for the PSP. Here are some estimated release dates for the week;

  • Atlantis Quest – PC – 7/25/06
  • CivCity: Rome – PC – 7/25/06
  • Nancy Drew: Danger by Design – PC – 7/25/06
  • Painkiller: Hell Wars – XB – 7/25/06
  • Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Warlords – PC – 7/25/06
  • The Ant Bully – GBA – 7/25/06
  • The Ant Bully – GC – 7/25/06
  • The Ant Bully – PC – 7/25/06
  • The Ant Bully – PS2 – 7/25/06
  • Warpath – PC – 7/25/06
  • Warpath – XB – 7/25/06
  • World War II Combat: Iwo Jima – PC – 7/25/06
  • B-Daman – GBA – 7/26/06
  • Fuel – XB – 7/26/06
  • Hot Wheels Compilation – GBA – 7/26/06
  • Sprint Cars: The Road to Knoxville – PS2 – 7/26/06
  • Summon Night: Swordcraft Story – GBA – 7/26/06
  • Tekken: Dark Resurrection – PSP – 7/26/06
  • Earache Extreme Metal Racing – PC – 7/27/06

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

July 24, 2006 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 17TH – JULY 23RD

Another slow week for gamers other than the release of NCAA Football ’07. Here are some estimated release dates for the week;

  • Magic Match – PC – 7/18/06
  • Pet Vet 3D: Animal Hospital – PC – 7/18/06
  • Blade Dancer – PSP – 7/19/06
  • Miami Vice – PSP – 7/19/06
  • Monster House – DS – 7/19/06
  • Monster House – GBA – 7/19/06
  • Monster House – GC – 7/19/06
  • Monster House – PS2 – 7/19/06
  • NCAA Football ’07 – 360 – 7/19/06
  • NCAA Football ’07 – PS2 – 7/19/06
  • NCAA Football ’07 – PSP – 7/19/06
  • NCAA Football ’07 – XB – 7/19/06
  • Stacked – PSP – 7/19/06
  • Super Dragon Ball Z – PS2 – 7/19/06
  • Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth – PSP – 7/19/06
  • Atlantis Quest – PC – 7/21/06
  • Flight Deck 4 – PC – 7/21/06

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

July 17, 2006 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 10TH – JULY 16TH

It’s looking a bit livelier this week for Xbox 360 owners with the releases of Prey (PC & 360) and Chromehounds, but beyond that, it looks to be a slow week at retail. Here are some estimated release dates for the week;

  • First Battalion – PC – 7/11/06
  • Outlaw Chopper – PC – 7/11/06
  • Pet Vet 3D: Animal Hospital – PC – 7/11/06
  • Prey – 360 – 7/11/06
  • Prey – PC – 7/11/06
  • Prey: Limited Collector’s Edition – 360 – 7/11/06
  • Prey: Limited Collector’s Edition – PC – 7/11/06
  • Chromehounds – 360 – 7/12/06
  • Ultimate Board Game Collection -PS2 – 7/12/06
  • Magic Match – PC – 7/13/06
  • Big Oil: Build an Oil Empire – PC – 7/15/06

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

July 10, 2006 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JULY 3RD – JULY 9TH

We’re looking down the barrel of a really barren week as the only title of note is Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II for the Xbox 360. It should be interesting to see how the first attempt at a RTS on the 360 turns out.

Things should pick up a bit next week when we all get a look at what the next Madden may bring with EA’s NCAA Football ’07 (Multi-platform) as well as the releases of Prey (PC & 360) and Chromehounds (360). Until then, here’s what’s on hand for the coming week;

  • Big Oil: Build an Oil Empire – PC – 7/04/06
  • Glory of the Roman Empire – PC – 7/04/06
  • Guitar Hero SG Guitar Controller – PS2 – 7/04/06
  • Kitty LUV – PC – 7/04/06
  • Outlaw Chopper – PC – 7/04/06
  • Ruff Trigger: The Vanocore Conspiracy – PS2 – 7/04/06
  • Terra Wars: NY Invasion – PC – 7/04/06
  • First Battalion – PC – 7/06/06
  • Guild Wars: Factions Collector’s Edition – PC – 7/06/06
  • Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II – 360 – 7/06/06
  • Ultimate Board Game Classics – PS2 – 7/06/06
  • Wings of Power II: WWII Fighters – PC – 7/08/06

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time, especially given the July 4th holiday.

July 3, 2006 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JUNE 26TH – JULY 2ND

A few leftovers that apparently didn’t make it to retail last week in with this weeks titles, but still nothing to get overly excited about;

  • AMF Extreme Bowling 2006 – XBX – 6/27/06
  • NFL Head Coach – PC – 6/27/06
  • Empire Earth II: Platinum Edition – PC – 6/27/06
  • Hard Truck Apocalypse – PC – 6/27/06
  • IHRA Sportsman Edition – XB -6/27/06
  • Kitty Luv – PC – 6/27/06
  • Night Watch – PC – 6/27/06
  • Sudoku Gridmaster – DS – 6/27/06
  • Titan Quest – PC – 6/27/06
  • Crusty Demons: Freestyle Moto-X – XBX – 6/28/06
  • Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi: The Genie & the Amp – DS – 6/28/06
  • Micro Machines V4 – PS2 – 6/28/06
  • Micro Machines V4 – PSP – 6/28/06
  • MTX: Mototrax – PSP – 6/28/06
  • Over G Fighters – 360 – 6/28/06
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans’ Chest – DS – 6/28/06
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans’ Chest – GBA – 6/28/06
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans’ Chest – PSP – 6/28/06
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Legend of Jack Sparrow – PC – 6/28/06
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Legend of Jack Sparrow – PS2 – 6/28/06
  • Ruff Trigger: The Vanocore Conspiracy – PS2 – 6/28/06
  • World Tour Soccer 06 – PSP – 6/28/06
  • Juiced: Eliminator – PSP – 6/29/06

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

June 26, 2006 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: JUNE 19TH – 25TH

Well, we’re still in the post E3 slump, so there’s nothing to get overly excited about releasing this week. Here’s what you can expect to find hitting the shelves this week;

  • Cossacks II: Battle for Europe – PC – 6/20/06
  • NFL Head Coach – PC – 6/20/06
  • Break ‘Em All – DS – 6/21/06
  • Legend of Heroes 2: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch – PSP – 6/21/06
  • Moto GP 4 – PS2 – 6/21/06
  • NFL Head Coach – PS2 – 6/21/06
  • NFL Head Coach – XB – 6/21/06
  • Over G Fighters – 360 – 6/21/06
  • Tomb Raider: Legend – PSP – 6/21/06
  • AMF Extreme Bowling 2006 – XB – 6/23/06
  • IHRA Sportsman Edition – XB -6/23/06
  • Sudoku-Mania – DS – 6/24/06

June 19, 2006 Posted by | This Week's Releases | Leave a comment