Coming This Week

Monday October 25, 2010

Art Academy (DS)

Ever wanted to draw? Well, let your DS teach you how to do it! Including all the lessons and tools from the DSIWare “games” Art Academy: First Semester and the Second Semester edition, this “game” will teach you how to draw for real. The best part is that all the skills you learn here are transferable to real life canvas or paper. Who knows? Maybe there’s a Van Gogh in you waiting to bust out to cut off your ear. Apparently he really hates your musical taste.

Tuesday October 26, 2010

Backyard Sports: Rookie Rush (Xbox 360, Wii, DS)

I remember when this series used to have kids version of athletes in them. Now we’re left with fake, ethnically varied kids all coming together in harmony for a game of football. How quaint.

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS)

(Note: PS3 version comes out on Thursday October 28, 2010)

Here’s a first. A hunting game with a story! You and your estranged father has decided to go to Africa to hunt down dangerous game that’s been terrorizing some villages. Unfortunately they found themselves stranded, and only their keen hunting skills will get them out alive! Will you be able to survive? Find out in Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011. Weird.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Fatal Conspiracy (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii)

If you just can’t get enough CSI, this here game comes with 5 new and interconnected cases. If you can get over the horrid looking models based off the actors from the show, this game might just be for you.

Grand Theft Auto IV (The Complete Edition) (Xbox 360, PS3)

You know how Grand Theft Auto IV had, literally, over a hundred hours of gameplay packed in the city of Liberty City? Well, just in case that’s not enough gameplay for your dollar, this Complete Edition comes with both DLCs, The Lost And The Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, as well. I hope you’ve got a time machine on you, because I just don’t see how you could get through it all otherwise.

Hasbro Family Game Night 3 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii)

I’ve never figured out how to play Clue. All I know is that you go around accusing people of murder. I guess this is my chance yet again to try my hands at it. Hasbro Family Game Night 3 also comes with Life, Mouse Trap, Yahtzee Hands Down, and... Twister? How the hell do you play Twister on the Wii? Do you need like 8 Wii Balance Boards or something?

Monopoly Streets (PS3, Wii)

The best part about video games is that it can bring to life abstractions of an idea. The Monopoly board is supposed to be a city with properties and whatnot. Monopoly Streets basically changes the board into that city that we’ve always bee playing in. Including online multiplayer with tweakable rules, this could very well be the ultimate video game version of Monopoly. The real question is did anybody ever asked for it?

Tony Hawk: Shred (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii)

(Note: PS3 version comes out on Thursday October 28, 2010)

Because Tony Hawk: Ride didn’t bomb hard enough, please welcome Tony Hawk: Shred, another skateboarding game that also utilizes the skateboard controller. The big difference this time around is that it’s also a snowboarding game. Who knew that controller had so many uses?

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PSP)

(Note: PS3 version comes out on Thursday October 28, 2010)

The soap opera with punching is yet again about to have their annual release this week. This year it’s called WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011. This one packs a lot of creative tools, which enables players to make their own wrestler, write their own stories, and make their own finishing moves. They can even upload them and download other people’s work. I wonder how many Obamas will be uploaded unto the servers?

Casper Scare School: Spooky Sports Day (Wii, DS)

Since when do ghosts go to school? Why do they even need exercise? Why anyone think a poltergeist themed sports mini-game collection is a good idea? Do kids even know who the hell Casper is anymore?

I don't think I can press A fast enough!

Deca Sports 3 (Wii)

Wow, 3!. Who knew Deca Sports was that popular? The newest addition here, aside from some new sporting events, is the use of Wii Motion Plus. All the games have 2 modes. Normal mode doesn’t require Wii Motion Plus while Master mode does. Some of the games include lacrosse, kayaking, fencing, volleyball, and log cutting. I’m waiting for extreme ironing to be included in the 4th one.

Mathews Bowhunting (Wii)

I believe the bar for hunting games have just been elevated with Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011, and this bow and arrow centric hunting game just won’t cut it anymore. If it doesn’t have a story involving hunting game terrorizing some poor residents of a hamlet or a village, it’s not worth our time.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Duel Transer (Wii)

I still can’t believe this series is still around. Duel Transer boast 4,500 cards included in the game and also lets players play against other players online. If you’re still into the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game, Duel Transer may be the Wii game for you.

Disney Channel All Star Party (Wii)

Getting a little bit on the lazy side, instead of making individual mini-game collection games themed with the various Disney channel shows, they’ve gone and just mash them all together into one giant mini-game collection game. One moment you’re playing with the cast of Sonny With a Chance, and the next moment you’re playing with Hannah Montana! If there is such a thing as a Disney Channel fanboy, they’ve just needed a new pair of clean underwear.

NERF N-Strike: Double Blast Bundle (Wii)

Do you remember those Wii Games that NERF made? No? Well here’s your chance to remind yourself. This bundle comes with both of their games, NERF N-Strike and NERF N-Strike Elite, along with the little NERF gun, Switch Shot EX-3 blaster. Happy blasting!

The Amazing Race (Wii)

Of all the reality shows out there, The Amazing Race is probably the only one I would consider watching. That doesn’t make a video game version that much more palatable for me though. Play out your Amazing Race fantasies here. See what it feels like to have Phil Keoghan tell you that you’re the last one to show up. If I was playing, I’d probably cheat and just take a taxi or something.

Monopoly (DS)

Unfortunately for the DS, they’re not getting Monopoly Streets like the home consoles this week. Instead they’re getting the classical Monopoly game with the boring board. Sorry DS.

Casper’s Scare School: Classroom Capers (DS)

Oh! There’s a show called Casper’s Scare School. That explains all the Casper games this week. This one has you helping Casper pass his classes so he can graduate. Apparently you need to pass a bunch of classes before you’re allowed to scare people. Who knew?

Crafting Mama (DS)

The multitalented Mama returns, and this time she’ll teach you how to knit socks! In addition to knitting mini-games, you can make quilts, earrings, candles, birdhouses, and xylophones! I wonder what else is she good at? Taxes?

Dora’s Cooking Club (DS)

It looks like Dora’s been taking classes with Mama. Unlike Mama though, you’ll have to use your math and matching skills to help Dora cook. Just remember. Doubling the temperature does not mean half the cooking time.

Go, Diego, Go! Mega Bloks Build & Rescue (DS)

Diego and Mega Bloks combine to make the ultimate fighting machine! Either that or Diego just explores a world full of Mega Bloks on some adventure rescuing stranded animals. I’d prefer the former.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 5 (PSP)

Looking to get your Yu-Gi-Oh! fix on the go? It looks like the PSP’s got your back. Now you can play Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s anywhere you want with this latest release. Say thank you Konami.

Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman (PSP)

If you’re still undecided on whether or not Japanese people are crazy, just go look at the trailer for this game. As usual, the fate of the universe will be decided by an epic fight between the final boss and the hero. If only the hero, aka the “Absolute Victory Unlosing Ranger”, didn’t get run over by a car. Fortunately you were right there when he died, and he has entrusted you to defeat Darkdeath Evilman, aka the final boss. You’ll have to grind through hours upon hours of randomly generated dungeons and customize your body anyway you see fit before you’re even remotely ready to fight the final boss. Good luck!

Thursday October 28, 2010

The Fight: Lights Out (PS3)

And the Playstation Move cash-in games begin! The Fight uses 2 Playstation Wands for street fights where the onscreen fighter mimics your gestural movements with the Wands. You execute a backhand attack by actually spinning around with your hand outreached. I’ve been waiting for the day when I can look up Playstation Move injuries on YouTube.

Sunday October 31, 2010

Dance Dance Revolution (PS3, Wii)

No, it’s not the original Dance Dance Revolution being re-released. This DDR has Playstation Move support and Wii Remote support respectively. Now you have to move your hands too in addition to having to step on the correct arrows. Oddly enough the Wii version also supports the Wii Balance Board too. I hope Konami’s got a good legal department, because the injury lawsuits are about to roll in.

LTTP

• Dragon Age: Origins (Ultimate Edition)(Xbox 360, PS3) 10/11/2010
• Challenge Me: Brain Puzzles 2 (Wii) 8/16/2010
• Challenge Me: Word Puzzles (Wii) 9/13/2010
• Kung Zhu (DS) 10/18/2010
• Intellivision Lives! (DS) 10/18/2010
• Military History Commander – Europe at War (DS) 7/12/2010
• Petz Catz Playground (DS) 10/18/2010
• Witches & Vampires (DS) 10/4/2010

Most people have written off music games, but in reality, it’s still going pretty strong for good reasons. It’s still pretty fun. You can kinda guess which game I have my eye on this week. I’m guessing the rest of you care more about that Star Wars game or Fable III. Unless of course you’re really looking forward to making quilts with Mama. Whichever one it is, have fun. I’ll be rocking out to “The Power of Love”.

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