October and its cooler weather is rapidly closing in on us. In addition to bringing us the joy that is Halloween (free candy!!!), October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

And on that note, releasing today is a special Limited Edition Pink Ribbon DS Lite. The limited edition retails for the regular price of $129.99, and Nintendo has promised a $5 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every unit sold (and a minimum of $100,000).

According to Amazon.com:

Seems like a good reason to pick up that Nintendo DS you’ve been meaning to buy…

Alright, Ubisoft has hit a new low, even for them. And before you ask, no this is not a Photoshop job gone horribly wrong… it’s real cover art for a real game.

Imagine: Party Babyz (Why, God? Why?) is coming in late October. Personally, I think the entire Imagine series is pretty god-awful, but this is a whole new level of stupid.

Like essentially the whole series, Party Babyz is little more than a collection of themed mini-games. This set includes such favorites as Red Light, Green Light, and one wherein you must feed your baby as many bottles as possible within the time limit (Overfeed the Baby?).

And of course you will be able to customize your baby, GATTACA-style.

Ubisoft, please just do us all a favor and go back to working on Beyond Good & Evil 2… before your developers finally crack and kill themselves. Seriously, do you guys just sit around playing Mad Libs to come up with these games?

Collider.com has posted an interview with John Davis, producer of the in-the-works Sims movie, and frankly, I’m not all that impressed with what he has to say on the subject (and not just because his rambling is a touch hard to understand at times).

Not that I expect a whole heck of a lot from movies based on video games, but still…

Annnnnnnnnd freeze. Really? Can it be? The Sims Infinity Pack? Not only a gimicky and remarkably convenient plot device, but also contrived and overdone. Thumbs up, pal.

Moving on.

Hey, wait… Is this starting to sound familiar to anyone else?

*face plam*

So now The Sims is an adventure movie. Please just stop. Seriously, just stop.

This is Bob…

Yikes.

Now, I heard rumors of a Sims movie ages ago. Personally, I pictured a comedy… because god knows Sims families are more than dysfunctional enough to be absolutely hilarious.

To be honest, I had pictured the typical Sims family moving into a real world neighborhood, complete with unknown invisible force from beyond directing their every move as the “normal” neighbors look on, trying to figure out why these people feel the need to trap themselves in doorless rooms, electrocute themselves with the industrial strength bug zapper, and wet themselves on a regular basis.

The father would, of course, be played by Bob from the Enzyte commercials.

Maybe that’s just me.

Still looking to pick up a copy of Guitar Hero On Tour for Nintendo DS? Well, it’s the Deal of the Day over in the Amazon GoldBox today, available for $29.99 (and it qualifies for free shipping).

Or, if Rock Band is more your thing, you can pick up Rock Band 2 for the XBOX 360, and get a free 1600 Points card for XBOX Live. Just head over to the offer page and add it to your cart.

And finally, a pre-order notice… Wii Music is now available for pre-order, to be released on October 20.

Holy crap, there’s a lot coming out this week… Sorry there’s no cover art to go with the descriptions, but I just don’t have time to grab them all for a list this size.

For Consoles

LEGO Batman | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS | PSP
Batman gets the LEGO treatment on every system known to man. Play as Batman, Robin, or more than 12 villain all in LEGO form, build and drive classic Batman-series vehicles, and transform environments as you fight your way through Gotham City. While something of a cash-in, even I have to admit that many of the LEGO games are a lot of fun.

Wario Land: Shake It! | Wii
Wario Land: Shake It takes the Wario games back to their roots with classic side-scrolling platform fun, right down to using the Wii Remote in old-school position (with a few motion sensitive twists and shakes thrown in, of course). Explore, fight, and plunder your way through numerous stages, each with multiple missions.

Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway | PS3 | PS3 Limited Edition | 360 | 360 Limited Edition
Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway drops you into Operation Market Garden, a real-life Allied offensive designed to destroy Nazi Germany before Christmas, 1944, and the largest paratrooper operation in history. Lead 101st Airborne Division as they fight to open “Hell’s Highway” in a daring bid for a quick end to the war.

Brothers in Arms: Double Time | Wii
Brothers in Arms: Double Time features the complete stories of the first two Brothers in Arms games: Road to Hill 30 and Earned in Blood. Play as Sergeant Matt Baker or Joe Hartsock, and lead your squad behind enemy lines through the Normandy invasion that will define history and unite you forever as brothers in arms.

Samba de Amigo | Wii
Fans of the original arcade game should be happy this week… A rhythm game for samba-lovers, in Samba de Amigo you use your Wii Remote and nunchuck (or two remotes, if you prefer) as maracas to keep the beat in more than 40 songs. Play in Career or Single Mode, or go head to head against a friend in Multiplayer.

Warriors Orochi 2 | 360 | PS2
When the venomous Serpent King Orochi kidnapped the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors in a scheme to test his might the heroes eventually defeated Orochi and his army. Now, a mysterious alliance is hatching a plot to allow the Serpent King to rise again.

DeBlob | Wii
In DeBlob, the evil I.N.K.T. Corporation has declared ‘Color is a Crime!’ and leeched Chroma City of every shade and hue. Play as DeBlob as you flip, bounce, and smash your way to victory, and save Chroma City from an eternity of black and white.

BAJA: Edge of Control | PS3 | 360
Yet another ATV racing/off-road title, complete with open worlds, unforgiving terrain, and an array of powerful vehicles.

Margot’s Word Brain | Wii
Also available on: Nintedno DS
Meet Margot, the new video game Queen of word play! Margot has devised a set of six fiendish and compelling word-based puzzles to test your vocabulary, spelling, and general vocabulary skills. No two games will ever be the same as you wrack your brain against the clock to create words from randomly generated letters.

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts ‘09 | PS3 | PS2
In Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2009, you will face raw danger as you encounter the fiercest animals on earth, including lions, grizzly bears, jaguars and more. Miss a shot and you will be forced to fight your prey via in melee mode.

Army Men: Soldiers of Misfortune | Wii | PS2
In Army Men you must take on the role of Timmy as he imagines himself 3 inches tall and battles alongside his toys, the “Green Brigade” to prevent the enemy from taking over the house.

SingStar Pop Vol. 2 | PS2
The PS2-based singing series gets a new entry, featuring 30 songs from such artists as Fall Out Boy, Fergie, and Rihanna. The game has multiple play modes, and is compatible with the EyeToy camera.

Mortal Kombat Kollection | PS2
A collection of classic Mortal Kombat Games, including Deception, Armageddon, and Shaolin Monks.

Dragonball Z Trilogy | PS2
A collection of three Dragonball Z titles, including Budokai Tenkaichi, Budokai Tenkaichi2, and Super Dragonball Z.

Onimusha Essentials | PS2
A collection of the Onimusha games, including Onimusha 1, 2, and 3.

New for WiiWare

Mega Man 9 (1000 Wii Points)
Mega Man fans rejoice! It’s a new adventure for Mega Man, and it’s done in classic 8-bit style… graphics, music and gameplay have all gone old-school for this one.

PLATTCHEN twist ‘n’ paint (1000 Wii Points)
A puzzle/shooter that supports up to eight players. With over 100 hours of gameplay, three different modes, and more than 300 levels.

For Handhelds

Kirby Super Star Ultra | Nintendo DS
An updated version of the original Kirby Super Star for SNES, Super Star Ultra which featured several different games on one convenient cartridge. In addition to a host of classic Kirby platforming games, there are also a number of minigames available. The updated version contains all the elements of the original, plus some new content, bringing the total from nine game modes to twelve.

Dinosaur King | Nintendo DS
Harness the power of your favorite dinosaurs. Based on the TV series. Excavate fossils, customize over 100 dinosaurs and enter into battles as you embark on an epic journey around the world filled with discovery and excitement.

My SAT Coach with The Princeton Review | Nintendo DS
Get ready for the SATs with the DS. Developed in partnership with The Princeton Review, My SAT Coach helps students prepare for the SAT exams with timed drills and mini-games. It includes more than 2,000 practice questions and two full-length practice exams. Though to be honest, I’ve never understood the concept of “studying” for the SATs. Am I the only person on the planet who didn’t stress over them?

Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase | Nintendo DS
Join Nancy Drew on the eerie Twin Elms estate and get to the bottom of the mystery before the creepy nightly noises and disappearing heirlooms finally drive Nancy’s friend’s family from their home forever. Somewhere in the house is a mysterious hidden staircase that may be the key to the entire mystery.

Time Hollow | Nintendo DS
Time Hollow follows the story of Ethan Kairos and the mysterious disappearance of his entire family and his discovery of a “Hollow Pen”… a strange device that has the power to travel through time, allowing him to change the past to solve problems in the present.

Rhapsody, A Musical Adventure | Nintendo DS
A remake of the PS1 original, enter the world of Rhapsody, an RPG where music and action combine.

Pipe Mania | Nintendo DS | PSP
Also available on: PS2
An update of the original 1989 Pipe Mania, this is a puzzle game in which you must connect pipes in order to keep the flow of Flooze moving. You know the drill. I think everyone’s played some version of this game at one time or another… heck they even included it in Bioshock.

BUZZ! Master Quiz | PSP
Featuring over 5000 unique questions, BUZZ! is a quiz-show type game that puts your knowledge to the test. With single player modes and multiplayer for up to 4 people, you can challenge yourself or others.

Drop Cast | Nintendo DS
Lots of puzzle games this week, and here’s another one to add to the pile. In Drop Cast, you must form rows of matching blocks while avoiding spells cast by evil stuffed animals.

Shaun the Sheep | Nintendo DS
Based on the Disney Channel show, you must help Shaun find the rest of the flock before the Farmer returns home. The game include three modes of play, and a number of unlockables.

Hi! Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Challenge | Nintendo DS
Based on the Hamtaro anime series, this is a brain-training style game for elementary school-aged kids, featuring 12 interactive and educational games.

Barbie Fashion Show: An Eye for Style | Nintendo DS
Another fashion game… this time Barbie-inspired. With plenty creative and customization options, the possibilities are virtually endless. From concept to catwalk, you will design the outfits and accessories for your very own fashion line. Now you can put your personal mark on the fashion world! (So sayeth amazon… personally, I find these games insipid.)

My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie’s Party | Nintendo DS
Seriously? The My Little Ponies are still around? Good god, I thought those things died with the 80s… It’s Pinkie Pie’s birthday, and everyone in Ponyville is so excited. All kinds of games are planned. But cute little Sweetie Bell “accidentally” hid Pinkie Pie’s presents all over Ponyville. Help her and the other Ponyville Ponies find them.

It’s another Wii day over in the Amazon.com GoldBox. Deep discounts on a few select Wii titles for your purchasing pleasure. The Deal of the Day is Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection for $13.98, and Lightning deals will be coming up all day long.

The first, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 for 50% off (a mere $19.97) has already sold out. The next deal will be coming up at 12:00pm. Other titles to be offered include No More Heroes, Mercury Meltdown: Revolution, My Word Coach, Ferrari Challenge, Fishing Master, and Little League World Series Baseball ‘08.

So Uwe Boll is back on the gaming news radar. And not because he’s making yet another craptastic movie based on a video game. No, this time, he’s branching out and making a video game based on his movie.

I can see only three possible outcomes to this.

1) Things will follow Uwe’s usual pattern, wherein the movie sucks and the game is a hit (unlikely, seeing as he’s involved in both)…

2) Both the movie and the game will be an abomination unto Nuggan…

3) Some sort of destructive temporal vortex will open when he decides to make a movie based on his video game based on his original movie, which launches him into a never ending cycle of movies based on games based on movies, resulting in the total annihilation of the world and all things in it.

For the more masochistic among you, here’s a link to the trailer for Uwe Boll’s 1968 Tunnel Rats.

Coming soon to an XBOX 360 near you (and a little later, to the PS3, as well…) is Square-Enix’s next RPG, The Last Remnant.

The story of the game concerns “remnants”, mysterious and coveted ancient artifacts of vast magical power. These artifacts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and have been the cause of several wars. Central to the story is a boy named Rush, who is trying to rescue his kidnapped sister, Irina, only to find himself pulled directly into the global conflict as a result.

Gameplay is said to be Turn/Command-based, and like several of Square-Enix’s more recent games, random encounters have been done away with. Players will also have the opportunity to command a team of soldiers in battles that can involve up to 70 enemies at once.

The game will be available November 20 for the 360. A PS3 release date has not yet been set.

Some interesting new today, the Pew Internet & American Life Project just released the results of the first-ever national survey of youth and video games in the U.S.

First some background.

The Pew Internet & American Life Project run by the Pew Research Center, a “nonprofit fact tank that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world”, according to their website. They are nonpartisan and take no position on policy issues, though the Pew Charitable Trusts from which they draw support, funds both advocacy and non-advocacy groups.

The survey was performed using a 16 page questionnaire with questions for the both the teenagers and their accompanying parent. The statistical data consists of information gathered nationally between Nov. 1 2007 and Feb. 5 2008 from 1102 youths aged 12-17.

The report is 75 pages long, and if you’d like to read it in it’s entirety, you can download the full report (PDF) here

So what did they find out? Well, here’s some numbers.

• 97% of those surveyed play some kind of video game. This includes console, PC, web, handheld, and cell games.
• 99% of the males survey, and 94% of the females surveyed play video games
• 80% of those who play games play five or more different genres
• 82% of those who play games, play games on their own, but 71% of this group also play games with others.
• 86% play games on a console

So what were the most popular genres? The top ten:

1. Racing
2. Puzzle
3. Sports
4. Action (in which they include GTA)
5. Adventure
6. Rhythm
7. Strategy
8. Simulation
9. Fighting
10. First Person Shooters

I was actually a little surprised (probably more than I should have been, now that I think about it) at this list, 1) to see that the FPS genre only just barely made the top ten, and 2) to see that RPGs and MMOs didn’t make the top ten (they came in at 11 and 13, respectively). In retrospect, though, is it really that surprising that games targeted more at older gamers (firmly at older gamers in the case of FPSs) don’t rank as highly for teens?

Furthermore, the survey determined that gaming is not only often a social experience, but also that gamers who take part in social interaction related to games tend to be more civically and politically engaged.

On the parental side of things,:

• 32% of teens who play games responded that at least one of their favorite games was rated M or higher
• 72% of parents check the rating before allowing their children to play a game, and only 46% say they sometimes stop their child from playing, and 13% say games have a negative influence on their children (though to be fair, 19% reported the opposite effect).

There is more to the report… much, much more, so I would suggest giving it a read if you have the time (and the inclination to ready some very dry statistics). Some things to keep in mind while reading, though… 1) the survey focuses exclusively on minors aged 12 to 17, and 2) it’s a survey of who’s playing what, with some relations to civics… not, for example, the effects of playing violent games on behavior, a comprehensive study we’re still largely waiting on.

Loads of games this week, including Rock Band 2 for the 360, which came out over the weekend. If you want that particular game on any other console, though, you’ve still got awhile to wait.

For Consoles

Rock Band 2 | 360
Rock out on the newest Rock Band title… but only on 360. If you want to give it a go on you PS3, you’ll have to wait until next month, as it won’t be out until October 19. And if you’re waiting on the Wii (or PS2), version, you’ve got until November 18. Rock Band 2 features 84 new songs, and also includes support for existing Rock Band downloadable content. Twenty additional tracks will also be available for download with a redeemable code included with the game.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: PSP | Nintendo DS
Continuing the Star Wars saga, The Force Unleashed is an action/platformer that casts players as Darth Vader’s “secret apprentice”, and takes place between Episodes 3 and 4 (or movies 6 and 1… damn prequels). Use the Force to hunt down fugitive Jedi and crush anyone who gets in your way.

Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 2 | Wii
For the DDR fans, Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 2 includes new and enhanced options and settings for players of all skill levels. Dance to hit songs from the last four decades, and take your game online to try your skills against others. The game even comes bundled with a dance mat.

Armored Core | PS3 | 360
Massive development and aerial pollution have been harming the planet, and people recognize how little time is left until the end of the world. Because of their military strength, The League corporations are in control of the planet’s infrastructure and their people have moved skyward to avoid the contamination. The ORCA, those forced to live on the surface, have organized the resistance and have amassed a formidable arsenal. As a mercenary you must choose your side and defeat the other factions by taking on giant mechanical weapons.

Zoids Assault | 360
When war broke out between the world’s two main superpowers, the effects rippled across the globe, dragging other nations into the fight. Two such nations were Maroll and Jamil. After a mysterious explosion at one of Maroll’s military bases, two covert ops teams are sent into Jamil territory, where they discover that, somehow, the events of the present are inextricably linked to the final days of the war, ten years ago.

Pure | PS3 | 360
Pure is an off-road ATV trick racing game that features vertigo-inducing aerial jumps and more than 80 spectacular airborne tricks in photo-realistic real-world locations all over the globe. Online multiplayer is supported for up to 16 racers, and you can customize your ATV from the ground up.

Battle Fantasia | 360
An all new fighting game from the creators of the Guilty Gear Series. Choose from 12 fighters, play online with gamers from around the world via Xbox Live, unleash deadly combo with Heat Up mode, and turn the tide with the GACHI battle mechanic.

Crazy Golf | Wii
Because apparently the Wii doesn’t have anywhere near enough Golf games yet… Crazy Golf is a mini-golf titles that features four complete courses for a total of 72 holes and several different modes of play.

Zoo Hospital | Wii
A sim title in which you’ve just graduated from veterinary college when your Aunt Lucy calls to ask for your help at Zoo Hospital. You have to help save the zoo from being turned into a mini-golf course (seriously, what is with the Wii and golf?) by treating its ailing inhabitants, improving its Zoo Rating and attracting new exotic animals that will in turn attract the crowds.

Dance Dance Revolution X | PS2 | PS2 with Dance Mat
Another new title for DDR fans, Dance Dance Revolution X includes a track list of 65 songs, a new LAN battle mode for up to 8 players, as well as EyeToy integration and the return of Workout Mode.

Naruto Ultimate Collection | PS2
A collection of three Naruto titles, including Naruto Ultimate Ninja 1, Naruto Ultimate Ninja 2 and Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles.

Namco Classic Fighter Collection | PS2
A collection of three classic fighters for the PS2, including Soul Caliber 2, Tekken 4, and Tekken Tag Tournament.

Pac-Man Power Pack | PS2
A collection of three last-gen Pac-Man titles, including Pac Man World 2, Pac Man World 3, and Pac Man World Rally.

New on WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free (1000 Wii Points)
The second of five games in the series, in Episode 2, Strong Bad is arrested for not paying the town’s new email tax and decides to unite the warring factions of the town under one flag… his own.

Potpourrii (800 Wii Points)
A puzzle game in which everything revolves around the seasons. You must help the leprechauns defeat an evil wizard who is throwing the seasons out of whack.

For Handhelds

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen | Nintendo DS
A remake of the original Dragon Quest IV, this classic RPG brings together an unlikely crew, including a respected army captain, two sisters out for revenge, and a princess, for an epic adventure. The game is set to be followed by remaining titles in the never-released-in-the-US Zenithia Trilogy, Dragon Quests V and VI, also on DS.

Yggdra Union | PSP
Does anyone know how the hell that’s pronounced? A sort of action/strategy game, and remake of the original title for GBA, in Yggdra Union, Fantasinia is a peaceful land until the Empire of Bronquia invades. The sole survivor of Fantasinia’s royal family flees with the kindgom’s only hope, the holy sword, Gran Centurio.

Mazes of Fate | Nintendo DS
A port of the original GBA game, Mazes of Fate is an RPG that spans the length and breadth of a huge, dynamic world, and tells an epic story of magic and conspiracy, with more than a hundred characters you can interact with, and over thirty hours of gameplay.

Slingo Quest | Nintendo DS
A follow up to the original Slingo, Slingo Quest is a puzzle game that combines bingo and slots into a whole new puzzle experience over the course of 60 levels. This sequel adds some new features and play modes to the game, as well as new power ups.

Line Rider 2: Unbound | Nintendo DS
In Line Rider 2: Unbound, the sled-stealing scumbag Chaz is up to no good and only you, as the clever and cunning Bosh, can defeat him. For Bosh to save his true love Bailey, players must solve over 40 puzzles created by the #1 Line Rider player in the world. Play through story mode, or create and share your own puzzles in Creation Mode.

Drawn to Life: Spongebob Squarepants Edition | Nintendo DS
I eagerly await the day when Nickelodeon gets tired of slapping Spongebob on everything and retires the obnoxious talking sponge. Until then, we get games like this. Based on the episode where a magical pencil results in Spongebob’s creepy drawing of himself coming to life, players must puzzle, race, platform and fight their way through more than 20 levels.

My Secret World | Nintendo DS
A diary game for the DS, My Secret World provides a scrapbook/diary, an interactive agenda, and quizzes. Customization elements can be shared with friends, and you can socialize over Nintendo Wireless.