Another sluggish week of releases… unless you were waiting on Rock Band 2 for Wii, or the new Strong Bad WiiWare title, stay away from the stores (and the holiday shopping crowds) and finish up those games from a couple weeks ago.

For Consoles

Rise of the Argonauts | PS3 | 360
In this action RPG, the King of Iolcus, Jason, vows to take revenge on his fiance’s killers. To accomplish this, Jason must seek out the Golden Fleece and with the help of Greek mythology’s greatest heroes, set sail on the most epic voyage of all.

Rock Band 2 | Wii | PS2
For you Wii and PS2 owners out there who have been waiting for your chance at Rock Band 2, well… here ya go.

Deer Drive | Wii
An arcade-style, multiplayer hunting game. Grab a gun, hunt some deer.

New on WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 5: 8-Bit Is Enough (1000 Wii Points)
The dragon Trogdor has has escaped from his video game and is running through the countryside, “burninating” everything in sight. With a dragon on the loose and 8-bit classics leaking into the real world, Strong Bad must send the menace back into his arcade cabinet once and for all.

Big Kahuna Party (700 Wii Points)
Embark on a tropical adventure in this unique multiplayer experience in which you can choose to work together to complete the challenging levels before the timer runs out, or go head-to-head and compete in a frenzy of fun.

For Handhelds

Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled | Nintendo DS
In this RPG, Bel Lenora is a world where people are born with magic at their command. Years ago, a single man walked the land with no magic in his veins and single-handedly brought death and tragedy. He was banished by a brave General at a great cost. It has been fifteen years since his banishment and once again, a young man with no magic walks the land of Bel Lenora.

Learn Math | Nintendo DS
In an attempt to make the hellish nightmare of math seem “fun”, they’ve made it into a video game. For grades 1 through 4.

Matchstick | Nintendo DS
A game featuring puzzles with matchsticks. Players must rotate or add matchsticks to make certain shapes within a time limit.

Mystery P.I. Portrait of a Thief | Nintendo DS
Priceless paintings have gone missing, and fakes are in their place, but there are no leads to the crime. Uncover clues to paint the thief into a corner in 70 seek and solve puzzles.

It’s a sleepy week in video game land… Even the DS isn’t getting it’s usual slew of new titles. Just to give you an idea of how meager the offerings are, the most promising title this week is probably Persona 4 for the PS2.

For Consoles

RYGAR: The Battle of Argus | Wii
Battle of Argus is a port of the PS2 title, Rygar: The Legendary Adventure… which, itself, was an update of the original Nintendo title, Rygar. More or less an hack ‘n slash action game.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 | PS2
Chronologically the sixth in the Persona series, Persona 4 is an RPG that takes place in the town of Inaba, where murders have been occurring in the fog following every heavy rain.

Story Hour: Fairy tales | Wii
Not so much a game as an interactive book, Story Hour is geared towards preschoolers and parents. Frankly, it’d be a lot cheaper to just buy a book of fairy tales, but it this is your kind of thing, Story Hour contains The 12 Dancing Princesses, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Cinderella.

Word Jong Party | Wii
Something like a combination of Mah Jong and Boggle, you have to form words in order to clear the board. WordJong supports up to four players, and has a solo story mode.

New on WiiWare

Bruiser and Scratch (1000 Wii Points)
Bruiser and Scratch are stranded in a strange world and their only hope in finding a path home is to unravel the mystery of this place, one puzzle at a time.

Hockey Allstar Shootout (500 Wii Points)
Use the Wii Remote as a hockey stick and take the shot as you compete in Head 2 Head, Two-player, and Sharp Shooter modes.

For Handhelds

Build-a-Lot | Nintendo DS
Become a real estate mogul and take over the housing market. Kind of like Flip that House, on your DS.

Dungeon Maker II: The Hidden War | PSP
Something of an action RPG/construction sim title, the gameplay in Dungeon Maker II is a mix of dungeon creation and monster slashing, wherein you must delve deeper into the ground in order to lure monsters to fight.

Driver’s Ed Portable | Nintendo DS
Drivers’ Ed Portable aims to prepare your for the written portion of the driver’s license exam, customized to the country, state or province in which you live. Considering the way most people in this town already drive, the idea that some of our future drivers might be studying for their license on the DS frightens me.

Left Brain Right Brain 2 | Nintendo DS
Designed to train both your weak and dominant hands, and at the same time train both the left and right sides of your brain, this game features mini games based on speed, accuracy, association, recognition, memory and strategy.

A handful of interesting titles this week, including Re: Chain of Memories, which I am eagerly awaiting, even if I already have played the GBA version of the game.

For Consoles

Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories | PS2
Probably the last exclusive title that will ever be released on PS2, Re: Chain of Memories is a full-on remake of the original Gameboy Advance interlude between Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, complete with additional content and the voice cast from the other two games.

Prince of Persia | PS3 | 360
The Prince finds himself caught in an epic battle between the primal forces of light and darkness. He arrives just in time to witness the destruction of the legendary Tree of Life, an act which threatens to plunge the entire world into eternal darkness in the form of ‘the Corruption,’ a dark substance that physically contaminates the land and the skies.

Destroy All Human! Path of the Furon | 360
The alien action returns (this time taking place in the 1970s), with the latest installment of the Destroy All Humans! franchise. This time, Crypto, with the help of an ancient alien Kung Fu master he must learn new powers in order to defeat his most difficult enemy yet - his own kind. If you’re waiting for the PS3 version… sorry, but it’s been cancelled.

The Tale of Despereaux | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Based on the upcoming movie, it’s the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with music, stories and a princess named Pea.

Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars | Wii
Jump into the fantastic microcosm that is the backyard battlefield as you create devastating weapons from everyday items and teaming up with other sentient plant forms that’ll leave the enemy sliced and diced.

Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek | Wii
Nancy Drew travels to the Canadian Rockies to investigate the Icicle Creek Lodge and uncover the culprit behind a recent string of suspicious accidents. To make matters worse, an eerie howling wolf keeps everyone up at night and terrorizes the guests.

Agatha Christie: Evil Under the Sun | Wii
Can Hercule Poirot solve a murder on an exclusive island resort frequented by the rich and famous when everyone has an alibi? To solve the murder of a famous actress players must scour a stunning tropical island for clues.

My Fitness Coach | Wii
My Fitness Coach allows players to create, engage in and even track their very own fitness program… which would essentially make it a Wii Fit clone, except that it’s not compatible with the Balance Board.

Family Party: 30 Great Games | Wii
And by “great”, they of course mean “mini”. Shooting, plate spinning, memory games… that sort of thing.

SingStar ABBA | PS3 | PS2
ABBA fans… rejoice? Now you, too, can sing along with 20 of ABBA’s hit songs.

Summer Sports 2 | Wii
Just in time for winter… Have some summer fun playing Football Toss, Archery, Bocce Ball, Soccer, Mini-golf, Shuffleboard, Ten Pin, and 5 types of Basketball.

Bigfoot: Collision Course | Wii
4×4 car crushing action, now on your Wii. Drive your very own monster truck, and squash the little guys.

Yamaha Supercross | PS2
Riding for Team Yamaha in place of your injured brother, you must work your way through the Championships to reach the Finals.

New on WiiWare

Space Invaders Get Even (500 Wii points)
In this re-imagining of the classic, you take control of the UFOs, blasting relentlessly at the poor defenseless humans.

Pit Crew Panic! (800 Wii points)
You’re in charge of repairing vehicles on the race track. Multi-player for up to four people.

For Handhelds

Prince of Persia: The Fallen King | Nintendo DS
Continuing the story of Prince of Persia for 360 and PS3, the Prince flees to a deserted kingdom that seemingly offers sanctuary where he encounters a partially infected creature that promises salvation.

Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi | Nintendo DS
The prequel to to Wii’s Mushroom Men: Spore Wars, you must explore and battle your way through more than 10 lush and spooky levels in an oversized and hostile world

Soul Bubbles | Nintendo DS
Previously released as WiiWare, in Soul Bubbles you are a young shaman apprentice, who is entrusted with saving lost souls and guiding them to safety. You must protect these fragile beings by creating protective bubbles to keep the spirits safe.

Cate West: The Vanishing Files | Nintendo DS
A series of unsolved crimes dubbed “The Vanishing Files” have paralyzed the city. The answers are at the tip of your fingers as you seek, search, and discover clues with the DS Stylus.

Heavy Armor Brigade | Nintendo DS
Command your mechanized army to victory! Step into the drivers seat as you journey through the battlefields of World War II with your Heavy Armor Brigade. Make quick decisions during the heat of battle and devise strategies to come out on top.

Happy Cooking | Nintendo DS
This cooking sim features 50+ real recipes from around the world. It offers a cooking guide mode and a story mode.

Burger Island | Nintendo DS
As Patty Melton, the new owner of the tropical island-based Beach Burger restaurant, you must grill burgers, cook fries, and blend milshakes all to order to earn money to spread your franchise all the way to the capital city of Honochuchu.

Wordfish | Nintendo DS
A word puzzle game designed to improve problem solving and literary skills.

Emma at the Farm | Nintendo DS
Join Emma as she spends the day at Uncle Jules’ farm. However, everything at the farm quickly turns into an uproar as the chicks have gone missing, the piglets have run away, the eggs must be collected, the cow must be milked, along with all of the other chores.

My Fun Facts Coach | Nintendo DS
Increase you knowledge of useless trivia!

The U of I isn’t the only place on vacation this week, apparently. There’s only a handful of new titles to be had, and even fewer that actually look interesting… although Chrono Trigger is being released for DS this week, so I guess it’s not all bad. King of Fighter fans get a five game collection, and Sudoku fans might want to check out the new WiiWare titles. Everyone else…. umm… well, there must be something from last week you haven’t finished, right?

For Consoles

King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga | Wii
For King of Fighters fans, this title is actually five complete games, including the Orochi Saga trilogy and KOF 94 and KOF 98: Dream Match Never Ends.

Ultimate Band | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
With only 30-some songs, and no singing or snazzy fake instruments involved, I’m not sure this can really be terms “ultimate” in any way. But if you’re tired of flailing to Wii Music, I guess you could flail to this instead…

Winter Sports 2: The Ultimate Challenge | 360 | Wii | PS2
Featuring 9 sports and 15 total disciplines, Winter Sports 2 puts the player at the center of sporting events broadcast live around the world. Multiplayer modes for up to four players are available and the Wii version is compatible with the Wii Balance Board.

Cake Mania: In the Mix! | Wii
Step into baker Jill Evans’ shoes and break into the cake-making world by creating your own custom cakes and decorations. Lead her through bakeries filled with baking and frosting mania and control every aspect of the business, from serving cakes and advertising to running a catering business.

New on WiiWare

Boingz (1000 Wii Points)
A puzzle-platforming title, Boingz are creatures that can be stretched and flicked from place to place like rubber bands.

Sudoku Challenge! (500 Wii Points)
Over 100 million unique Sudoku puzzles right on your Wii. Features the classic 9×9 puzzles, as well as Grand Sudoku in which you must complete five intersecting grids.

For Handhelds

Chrono Trigger | Nintendo DS
When a chance encounter and an unfortunate accident sends Crono through time, he learns of a bleak future only he and his companions can prevent. Traveling from era to era, Crono seeks to undo what history has not yet written. Fans of the original won’t find much new content in this re-release of the PS1 classic, Chrono Trigger, though it does boast a slightly revised battle system.

Age of Empires: Mythologies | Nintendo DS
Inspired by the PC title, Age of Empires is a turn-based strategy game that challenges players to shape the destiny of three unique cultures. Players will lead their Egyptian, Greek, and Norse heroes to victory by raising massive armies, waging war, exploring new frontiers, and advancing through three distinct ages.

All Star Cheer Squard | Nintendo DS
Enroll in cheerleader camp and cheer your way to the top. This one gets a pass only because it’s primarily a rhythm game, and not yet another one of those god-awful simulation titles.

Bratz Kidz | Nintedno DS
They just keep coming. It’s the same freaking game as that last 827 games like this.

Disney’s Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force | Nintendo DS
The popular Disney Club Penguin online world moves to the Nintendo DS, as players take on the role of a covert agents in the Elite Penguin Force to complete top secret missions.

Emma Goes to the Mountains | Nintendo DS
I don’t know who Emma is, or why she named her dog pickles… but apparently both of them are going to the mountains to check on the groundhogs.

Mytran Wars | PSP
In the 23rd century, the earth’s natural resources are exhausted and the world is ruled by multinational conglomerates that are are searching for new raw material deposits in space. But on one planet, the inhabitants don’t take kindly to their planet being strip-mined and war breaks out.

Neopets Puzzle Adventure | Nintendo DS
Set in the world of Neopia, this is a puzzle game using the principles of Reversi and Go. The goal is to turn all of the chips on the board to your Neopet’s color. The game also allows you to unlock codes to redeem on the Neopets website.

Personal Trainer: Cooking | Nintendo DS
With more than 200 from more than 30 countries, this is one of those titles that aims to turn the DS into something more than just a gaming device. It features the DS Chef, who functions as your own private cooking instructor, voice recognition, and the ability to search for recipes using a variety of criteria.

Even though I still haven’t fully recovered from my Fable II addition, I’m looking forward to this week. Square Enix’s new IP, The Last Remnant is about to drop! It’s not exactly a new Final Fantasy, but god only knows when FFXIII is going to get here, so I’ll take what I can get. Last Remnant does look pretty sweet, though.

For Consoles

The Last Remnant | 360
New from Square Enix, in ancient times, mysterious artifacts referred to as Remnants were discovered all over the world and people used these objects’ awesome powers. War was inevitable. A thousand years later, a boy named Rush has his peaceful life shattered when his sister is suddenly kidnapped, and he is thrown head first into the struggle for the Remnants.

Left 4 Dead | 360
A new and highly virulent strain of the rabies virus emerges and spreads through the human population with frightening speed. The pandemic’s victims become grotesque, violent psychopaths, attacking the uninfected on sight. You can play as a survivor, or as one of four types of Infected. Multiplayer is supported for up to eight players.

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
The Rabbids have taken over almost every channel you can imagine, from music to movies… even the commercials. Help the Rabbids destroy all our daily viewing and drive Rayman crazy. The game is compatible with the Wii Balance Board, and supports up to eight players.

Tomb Raider: Underworld | PS3 | 360 | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
For generations, stories have been told of the fearsome weapon of Thor, the Norse god of thunder. For more than a thousand years it has existed only as a myth… but in an ancient ruin on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea, Lara Croft uncovers proof of the Norse underworld and the mythical hammer.

Castlevania Judgement | Wii
The battle between good and evil continues with Castlevania Judgment, bringing together the many generations of heroic vampire hunters, including the fearsome Belmont clan, as well as Draculas most formidable allies, and pits them against one another in the first Castlevania fighting game.

Disney’s Bolt | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Just in time for the movie’s release, play as Bolt and his owner, Penny.

Alone in the Dark | PS3
The PS3 release of Alone in the Dark finally makes it’s way to stores this week. Edward Carnby who, over the course of one apocalyptic night, must fight to survive and uncover the earth-shattering secret behind New York’s Central Park.

Cooking Mama World Kitchen | Wii
In this sequel to the DS title, Cooking Mama, you must chop, grate, slive, stir, and roll your way through all new recipes. Multiplayer is limited to 2-player cook-off mode.

Need for Speed: Undercover | PS3 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: PSP | Nintendo DS
You must get behind the wheel and risk everything to infiltrate a ruthless international crime syndicate and take them down. The man you’re after is a maniac behind the wheel, and he’s driving like his life depends on escape, which maybe it does. He’s the one with all the answers you need, so track him down, and that fleet of police cruisers in your rearview mirror won’t make things any easier.

Sonic Unleashed | 360 | Wii | PS2
Sonic’s nemesis Dr. Eggman has managed to steal the chaos emeralds and drain them of their power. As a result, not only has the Earth split into distinct sections, so has Sonic. During the day he is his usual speed-addicted self, but at night he becomes Sonic the Werehog. Sonic must find the missing chaos emeralds and return them to their proper place in order to set the world, and himself, back the way things should be. Available this week for Wii and 360, but the PS3 version has been delayed until December.

Safecracker | Wii
In this puzzle game, as an expert safecracker, you are hired by the family of a recently deceased billionaire to search for the last will and testament of their late relative, hidden in one of the 35 safes scattered in his extravagant mansion.

Skate It | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Venture out to shred some of the world’s best skate cities. You can even rework the environments to create the ultimate skate spot. Skate It is compatible with the Wii Balance Board.

Skate City Heroes | Wii
Your best skating buddy has been kidnapped by Virus, and only you can save him. Become a skateboard master using your grappling laser and trusty skateboard and restore peace to the city.

Lips | 360
In this new music franchise for the 360, you can sing your way to stardom with the songs included in the game, or sing from your own music collection of DRM-free songs. The game comes bundled with two wireless, motion-sensitive microphones, that can also be used as percussion accompaniments. New tracks will be available for download.

Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol Encore 2 | PS3 | 360
Return to the American Idol stage in this sequel, featuring 40 all new songs.

Naruto: The Broken Bond | 360
Now a respected ninja, Naruto evolves into a mature and strong hero. However, with his new status comes responsibility, and Naruto soon finds himself surrounded by conflict. Forced to relive bitter memories, Naruto’s best friend Sasuke strikes out on a self-destructive quest for power. Now with the help of his friends, Naruto must confront Sasuke and save him before it’s too late.

Calvin Tucker’s Redneck Jamboree | Wii
Every year, the people of Redneck County gather to compete in the great Redneck Jamboree. Come join them and test your redneck skills in 12 events to gain more bottle caps than any of the four families. Not only will you get bragging rights, but you’ll also get the privilege to move into “The Big Trailer”.

Rock Band Track Pack: Vol. 2 | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Twenty additional tracks from Rock Band, from artists such as Weezer, Fall Out Boy, The Cars, and Devo.

AMF Bowling World Lanes | Wii
AMF Bowling World Lanes takes you on an exciting trip around the globe and beyond, as you bowl your way through eight fantastic locations. The game even features a left-hander mode.

NCAA Basketball 09 | PS3 | 360 | PS2
So apparently we’re getting into bastketball season…

Gallop & Ride | Wii
Train, care for, and ride your own horse.

You’re in the Movies | 360
Make your big screen dream come true, in front of the camera or behind it.

New on WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 4: Dangeresque 3 (1000 Wii Points)
This fourth episode follows the dirty cop, Dangeresque, while pursuing his arch-nemesis, saving the world, and getting the girl.

Target Toss Pro: Bags (700 Wii Points)
In Target Toss, up to 16 players can compete in the classic bean bag toss game.

For Handhelds

Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon | Nintendo DS
In this RPG set several years after the first game, the evil Sechs Empire has been defeated, and the Kingdom of Norad is once again at peace. But dark premonitions foretell of dangers to come. It’s up to the player to uncover the source of these premonitions and bring peace to the kingdom once more.

Lumnious Arc 2 | Nintendo DS
For the past four millennia, peace has reigned over the Kingdom of Carnava. Unfortunately, the era of peace has come to an end. When the young squire Roland gains magnificent powers due to a chance encounter, Sophia, the Queen of Carnava, calls upon him to bring about an end to the discord.

Cradle of Rome | Nintendo DS
Build the heart of the Ancient Roman Empire and become the Emperor in this puzzle game for DS.

Metal Slug 7 | Nintendo DS
In the 2D action shooter, six of the finest soldiers alive set out once again to brave a hellstorm of bullets and stop General Morden’s plans once and for all.

Smart Girl’s: Winter Wonderland | Nintendo DS
Mini-games and Christmas stories for the younger set… for girls!

Smart Boy’s Winter Wonderland | Nintendo DS
Mini-games and Christmas stories for the younger set… for boys!

Petz Monkeyz House | Nintendo DS
Aside from promoting the horrible, horrible idea that monkeys make good pets, this is pretty much the same as every other Petz game Ubisoft has released.

Petz Catz Clan | Nintendo DS
And another one… this time with cats. Is it me, or does anyone else feel like they already did a Petz Catz game?

Petz Rescue: Endangered Paradise | Nintendo DS
And still more Petz…

Imagine: Movie Star | Nintendo DS
Hey, look… another Imagine game from Ubisoft. What a shocker.

Imagine: Ballet Star | Nintendo DS
Man, Ubisoft’s really got this whole take the same game and reskin it until people stop buying it thing down, don’t they?

This week sees some long-awaited titles showing their faces on retail shelves (Mirror’s Edge… yay!).

Err… It’s also a great week if you happen to like Wii mini-game collections…

On PC

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack | Windows/Mac OS
I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to PC gaming, but I’d get smacked by someone (and probably rightfully so) if I didn’t at least mention that the Lich King expansion comes out this week…

For Consoles

Mirror’s Edge | PS3 | 360
In a city where information is heavily monitored, couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this first-person action-adventure game, you play as a Runner called Faith and you are being hunted. I guess this means I better finish with Fable II soon… I’ve been waiting for this one.

Call of Duty: World at War | PS3 | 360 | ]360 Collector’s Edition | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Survive the most harrowing and climactic battles that led to the demise of the Axis powers on the European and Pacific fronts. Featuring competitive and co-op multiplayer modes. I know a few people who have been counting down to World at War. I expect I won’t be hearing from them for awhile.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe | PS3 | PS3 Collector’s Edition | 360 | 360
Quick! Who would win in a fight? Batman or Sub-Zero? Well, now you can find out (personally, I’m rooting for Sub-Zero).

Animal Crossing: City Folk Wii w/ Wii Speak mic | Wii Standalone
Move into a town and live your life. Get to know your neighbors and decorate your house. Come on… everyone has a passing familiarity with the Animal Crossing sim series, don’t they? City Folk gets the distinction of being the first game to be released that’s compatible with Wii Speak.

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts | 360
In this third entry in the series, a showdown has been set. The Lord of the Games has arranged a duel between Banjo and the evil witch Gruntilda to decide the rightful owner of Spiral Mountain. Banjo must complete all the worlds to win, while Gruntilda tries to stop his efforts using every method she can muster.

Tales of Symphonia: Danw of the New World | Wii
Set two years after the original Tales of Symphonia, Dawn of the New World follows the journey of two young heroes in a world of chaos as their fates intertwine with Lloyd, Colette, and Ratatosk, a summon spirit rumored to be the lord of all monsters.

Eternal Poison | PS2
A gothic-themed strategy RPG for PS2, you must take on the role of adventurers each with different goals and desires as the journey into the demonic realm of Besek. As a bonus, every copy of Eternal Poison is a special two-disk set which includes a soundtrack CD featuring 25 beautiful compositions from the game’s score.

Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip | Wii
Compatible with the Wii Balance Board, Snowboarding Road Trip takes you on a world tour with Shaun White as you shred the slopes and compete against your friends.

Shaun White Snowboarding | PS3 | 360 | PS2
Also available on: PSP | Nintendo DS
Similar to the Wii version (minus the balance board, of course) Shaun White Snowboarding takes you to your choice of four mountains, each with different terrain and landscapes, in Alaska, Park City, Europe, and Japan.

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels | Wii
A game for every Star Wars fan who has imagined themselves wielding a lightsaber. It’s pretty much exactly what the title says… you dual. With lightsabers. Using the Wii Remote. Admit it, you knew it was only a matter of time…

Rock Revolution | Wii
This came out last week for PS3 and 360. Now you can scoop it up for Wii, and get your air-guitar on.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 | 360
In previous games, the war between the Allies and Soviets was coming to a close with the Allies nearing victory. In desperation, the Soviets created a time-travel device that they’ve used to assassinate Albert Einstein before he is able to develop the weapon technology the Allies later use to defeat the Soviets. Upon returning, they notice a new world, and there is a world war taking place between three groups for control of the world.

SPRay | Wii
You play a spirited Prince named Ray who must save his village from a banished evil Queen who’s returned to capture and enslave the villagers. After donning a magic crown that summons two liquid spraying spirits, he sets out to defeat the evil Queen and her army of anti-matter soldiers.

Luxor 3 | Wii
A puzzle game with an Egyptian theme, in Luxor 3, you must use your wits to battle the power-hungry god of Chaos.

Hasbro Family Game Night | Wii | PS2
Yet another mini-game collection for the Wii. This one features such Hasbro Classics as Boggle, Connect Four, Sorry!, Yahtzee and Battleship, as well as cameos by Mr. Potato-head.

MLB Superstars | Wii
Baseball meets… uh… mini-games. No, I’m not kidding. According tot he description: “MLB Superstars takes baseball into a new realm by bringing fans’ favorite players and teams out of their natural environments and showcasing them in over half a dozen different mini games.” WTF?

Family Party: 30 Great Games | Wii
And still more mini-games for Wii…

Block Party | Wii
Ok, now this whole mini-game collection thing is getting a little ridiculous…

Imagine Party Babyz | Wii
No more mini-game collections… Please no more…

Monkey Mischief: Party Time | Wii
… There’s can’t possibly be another one of these this week.

Bratz Kidz: Slumber Party | Wii
Surely this MUST be the last one…

Big League Sports | Wii
Oh for god’s sake…

Guinness World Records: The Videogame | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
*facepalm* … Who the hell thought THIS was a good idea?

Pro Evolution Soccer 09 | PS3 | 360 | PS2
Also available on: PSP
More soccer. With exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League, this game will let you play as and against your favorite UEFA players and teams.

FaceBreaker K.O. Party | Wii
You might remember FaceBreaker from a couple months ago on PS3 and 360. Well, here’s the Party version of it for Wii.

Pet Pals: Animal Doctor | Wii
Another animal-inspired sim for Wii. This time you can be an animal doctor… although I’m pretty sure this has been done at least once (a month) before.

New on WiiWare

Brain Challenge (1000 Wii Points)
Challenge your brain and your friends’ brains with this collection of visual, memory, logic, math, and focus mini-games

Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam (1000 Wii Points)
Serve food as quickly as possible, and become the best chef in the city.

For Handhelds

Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades | Nintendo DS w/ Guitar Grip | Nintendo DS Standalone
Compatible with the Guitar Grip peripheral, Decades features 28 classic songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and today from groups like Fall Out Boy, Queen, and REM.

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Into the Inferno | Nintendo DS
Play as Aang and his friends in this action-packed video game based on the final season of the acclaimed TV series.

Populous | Nintendo DS
A remake of the original Populous game for PC, Populous for DS brings the power of the gods into the palm of your hand. Look after the villagers of a virtual world as they build their society and worship you.

Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia | Nintendo DS
In Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, you once again play as a Pokemon Ranger, working to help people, Pokémon and nature in a new area called the Almia Region as you aspire to become the highest Ranger rank: Top Ranger. I’m still trying to figure out how this is different from any of the millions of other Pokemon games.

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance | Nintendo DS
Featuring an original story set in the Clone Wars storyline, you play as a Jedi team, choosing your pair at the start of each mission and must work together to make it through.

Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff | Nintendo DS
Based on the popular Tecmo Super Bowl, this classic, over-the-top, all-American football game enables players of all levels to engage in a fun filled, fast paced, arcade style of football.

Amazing Adventures: The Forgotten Ruins | Nintendo DS
Intended for the younger crowd, in The Forgotten Ruins, you travel to an archaeological dig to unearth a lost Mayan temple and its priceless treasure.

Robocalypse | Nintendo DS
A real-time strategy game for DS, Robocalypse offers madcap weaponry and uproarious destruction.

futureU | Nintendo DS
Prepare for the SATs the DS way. Sharpen your critical thinking skills, build relevant knowledge and reduce test anxiety with a collection of games that feature curriculum from Kaplan, the leader in SAT Prep.

National Geographic: Panda | Nintedno DS
Learn about real-life Pandas as you feed, nurture and play with your very own Panda.

Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams | Nintendo DS
In this mini-game based adventure title, Hello Kitty moves to the big city for a new life and new adventures.

Hello Kitty Daily | Nintendo DS
Hello Kitty Daily is a diary tool for Nintendo DS that turns your DS into a PDA.

Chrylser Classic Racing | Nintendo DS
Race cars on your DS. Chrylser cars.

My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr | Nintendo DS
Do you want to quit smoking but worry that you lack the willpower? Discover a game that brings the successful Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Smoking method to the DS. Just one question… Who’s Allen Carr?

War games abound this week… and for the retro fans out there, you might want to take a look at Namco Museum Virtual Arcade (Dig Dug! Yay! ^_^) Personally, though, I’m still deep within the world of Albion in Fable II.

For Consoles

Gear of War 2 | 360 | 360 Limited Edition
Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of the original Gears of War. Players are thrown back into the role of Marcus Fenix, leading the battle for humankind’s survival against the Locust Horde. The game has a multiplayer mode that allows up to 10 simultaneous players and features both competitive and cooperative multiplayer gameplay.

Resistance 2 | PS3 | PS3 Collector’s Edition
Resistance 2 picks up where Resistance: Fall of Man left off. Sgt. Nathan Hale is kidnapped by a black ops group in London and forced to Iceland for research testing. He must struggle against overwhelming odds to defend humankind from an insurmountable Chimera.

Tom Clancy’s EndWar | PS3 | 360
Also available on: Nintendo DS | PSP
An interesting note on this game… It can be played almost entirely via voice command. In 2016, the first nuclear exchange occurred over Middle Eastern soil. It lasted only 5 hours and resulted in World War III.

Valkyria Chronicles | PS3
In Valkyria Chronicles the continent of Europa is divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia. When the Federation discovers that the Empire possesses a secret weapon, known as the Valkyria, the fate of the Federation and a hope for a better future hangs in the balance.

Namco Museum Virtual Arcade | 360
More than 30 old-school Namco arcade titles on one convenient disc. Any collection that includes Dig Dug kicks ass in my book.

Naruto Ultimate Ninja: Storm | PS3 | PS3 Limited Edition
Ultimate Ninja Storm introduces all-new free-roaming exploration across the Hidden Leaf Village and the Forest of Death. Search every inch of these environments, take on more than 100 unique missions, collect valuable scrolls and interact with additional characters from the Naruto series.

James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace | PS3 | PS3 Collector’s Edition | 360 | 360 Collector’s Edition | Wii | PS2
Blending first person shooting, stealth, and third person action, Quantum of Solace puts you in control of Bond. You must think like Bond and intelligently use the map and situation to your advantage. Based on the Bond films Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale.

Secret Service | 360 | PS2
Assume the role of an elite agent on Inauguration Day in Washington D.C. An extremist assault has been launched against the capitol - security has been compromised and it is unclear who is friend or foe.

Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Based on the upcoming Madagascar sequel… well, it’s the game version of the movie. There’s not a whole lot else to say here.

Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Just in time for the DVD release, Legendary Warriors is an all new adventure based on the Kung Fu Panda movie.

Monster Lab | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Monster Lab is set in an eerie, supernatural world where the evil Baron Mharti rules the region with a cruel hand. The player takes on the role of an apprentice scientist who must perform a vast array of intricate experiments to create your very own monster.

Rubik’s World | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
For those who don’t run in fear at the mere mention of the Rubik’s Cube… Rubik’s World is a collection of extremely addictive, easy to pick up puzzle games that increase in difficulty as the player delves deeper in this brave new world.

Family Fun Fest Presents Movie Games | Wii
Now everyone is a movie star! With Movie Games, your family can create scenes from movies and enjoy fun multiplayer mini-games.

Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
You know, I like Iron Chef, but somehow I don’t haver much confidence in Iron Chef the Game. Featuring 15 theme ingredients and hundreds of dish variations, Supreme Cuisine challenges players to create three to six dishes per battle.

NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 | 360 | Wii | PS2
I was not aware that there is a National Professional Paintball League… but for those who don’t have the mad paintball skillz required to go pro, the game features actual tournament locations and layouts from the NPPL.

WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 | PS3 | PS3 Collector’s Edition | 360 | Wii |PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS | PSP
Experience the definitive simulation of live WWE programming with WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2009. Featuring added depth and realism (if you can call professional wrestling “real”), along with a first-ever co-op storyline, this game enables players to come together and experience the virtual world of the WWE.

Petz Sports | Wii
Enough with the “pet” games, already! They’re all nearly identical, and all they’re all nearly pointless.

Kitty Luv | Wii
Just make it stop…

Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World | PS2
Is this show even still on TV in the U.S.? Notable as the last DBZ game on PS2, Infinite World is a fighting game with sort of a “best of” quality to it, bringing together a number of different systems and elements from the DBZ Budokai and Shin-Budokai games.

New on WiiWare

Alien Crush Returns (800 Wii Points)
A reincarnation of the the pinball title, Alien Crush, that includes a 4-player head to head mode.

Home Sweet Home (1000 Wii Points)
Unleash your hidden talents as an interior designer. Well… at least it’s cheaper than the other design sims that have been coming out left and right.

For Handhelds

Exit | Nintendo DS
From Square Enix, Exit is an action-puzzle game in which as a professional escape artist, you must find your way out of everything from burning buildings to sinking ships, saving survivors along the way.

Guitar Rock Tour | Nintendo DS
Yet another Guitar Hero clone… yay.

Real Soccer 2009 | Nintendo DS
Not just soccer… REAL soccer. For your DS.

Dragon Ball Origins | Nintendo DS
Based on the Dragon Ball series, the game follows the events of the first two sagas in the anime series.

Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess | Nintendo DS
Just in time for the premiere of the TV special of the same name (don’t even ask why I know that…), Dora must free the Snow Princess and save the beauty of winter from disappearing forever

KORG DS-10 Synthesizer | Nintendo DS
The KORG DS-10 is music-creation software for the Nintendo DS that combines the superior interface of the Nintendo DS with the functionality of the famous MS-10 synthesizer.

Goosebumps Horrorland | Nintendo DS
If you were watching Cartoon Network last week, at some point, you probably saw the episode of Goosebumps upon which this game is based. In this adventure game set in a fright-themed amusement park you must try to escape the park, unravel a mystery, and try not to die.

Winx Club: Mission Enchantix | Nintendo DS
A sequel to Winx Club: Quest for the Codex, Mission Enchantix follows the events of the third season of the animated series.

Princess on Ice | Nintendo DS
According to the Amazon description, it’s a rhythm-based ice skating simulation game. Ok.

My Baby Girl | Nintendo DS
Because (apparently) we can never have too many games wherein you must care for a virtual infant…

My Baby Boy | Nintendo DS
Same game, different gender.

Petz Dogz Pack | Nintendo DS
Contribute to the over-population of the virtual pet world by raising and caring for your own family of Dogz.

Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals | Nintendo DS
Need more cute and furry virtual animals? Test your skills as an animal doctor in this fun and educational vet simulation.

Imagine Wedding Designer | Nintendo DS
Another Imagine sim from Ubisoft. You know what? I think I’d prefer to just smack my head against the wall a few dozen times.

Fable II is out this week. Nothing else on this list is important, but you can read through it anyway.

For Consoles

Fable II | 360 | 360 Limited Edition
It’s here! It’s here! Yay!!! This is probably the game I’ve most been looking forward to all year long, and I don’t think I’m alone. In Fable II, you guide your character from childhood into adulthood, following your choice of the “good” path, the “evil” path, or somewhere in between in an extremely open world. Thank god I’m on vacation next week…

Guitar Hero World Tour | Band Kits: PS3 | 360 | Wii
Guitar Kit: PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Stand-alone: PS3 | 360 |Wii | PS2
So I guess Guitar Hero is steadily morphing into Rockband. Featuring an all new playlist, and the addition of drums and vocals, World Tour ought to keep you busy for awhile. The Band Kit bundle comes with the game, Wireless Guitar Controller, Wireless Drum Controller, and Microphone. What makes the whole thing worth it? Being able to play La Bamba this time around.

Wii Music | Wii
And here we have a game for those who find Guitar Hero too hard. Eliminating pesky things like “winning” and the need to have any amount of “skill”, Wii Music is more a toy than a game. Still, if you like to improv your musical stylings (or you have no real sense of rhythm and just don’t want to feel inadequate at music games anymore), go for it. If nothing else, it should make a cute party game. Failing wildly is always fun.

Dance Dance Revolution Universe | 360
Or, if you’d rather dance instead, the new DDR game is coming to the 360.

Far Cry 2 | 360 | PS3
Roam the jungles and savannahs of Africa, where you are caught between two rival factions at war. This first person shooter gives you access to a 50 km square area to run around in, oodles of weapons, and the ability to use the African wildlife to your advantage (or just blow it up, I suppose…).

Bioshock | PS3
PS3 owners can finally take a trip to Rapture and meet those freaky Little Sisters face to face. I’m not a huge fan of shooters in general, but Bioshock kicks ass. Would you kindly go and pick up a copy?

The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
In the final installment in the Legend of Spyro trilogy, Spyron and Cinder awaken three years in the future, and must face the Dark Master, Malefor and save the Dragon World.

Legendary | PS3 | 360
When a thief named Deckard is hired to steal an ancient artifact, he unwittingly triggers a war between man and myth. A fantasy shooter title, in Legendary you battle gryphons, werewolves, and all manner of other creatures as they invade the modern world.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles | PS3 | 360
Also available on: PSP
The fifth in the series, Midnight Club: LA boasts the biggest open world of the franchise, and gives players the opportunity to drive, race, and explore to their hearts’ content.

Spiderman: Web of Shadows | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS | PSP
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, the game is set in an apocalyptic vision of New York City. Following a symbiote invasion, you can switch between the red and black Spider-Man suits, choose to ally with Marvel’s heroes or villains and decide what missions to undertake to save the city.

Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2 | Wii
Based on the popular Naruto anime, Clash of Ninja Revolution 2 is a fighting game that expands upon the series with an original storyline. While I love Naruto, these games are getting a little repetitive at this point. Call me when they get to Naruto Shippuden

Eternal Sonata | 360
Released for the 360 a long while back, Eternal Sonata is now coming to the PS3. An music-themed RPG centered on the life of the composer Chopin, the story takes place in a world dreamed by Chopin in his last hours.

Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Test you knowledge and see if you can remember any of that useless junk you learned waaaaay back in fifth grade. Based on the TV show, the game features over 6000 questions in 23 categories.

Backyard Football | Wii | PS2
Backyard Football returns for a 7th season with more pro players, exciting new features, and better game play than ever before. Backyard Football 2009 offers 7 on 7 teams with wild arcade style power moves and comes loaded with current NFL Superstars as kids.

SpongeBob SquarePants featuring NickToons: Globs of Doom | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
In the latest from Nickelodeon, SpongeBob teams up with other NickToon characters to battle the evil space villain Globulous.

Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 | Wii
Celebrity fitness trainer? Check. Wii Balance Board support? Check. Attempting to market the Wii as exercise equipment yet again? Check.

Carnival Games: Mini Golf | Wii
Another freaking golf game for Wii. Do we have enough yet? Seriously, do we?

Circus Games | Wii
Well, if we don’t have enough golf games, we certainly don’t have enough mini-game collections yet, either.

Monopoly | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Just like the board game, only… you know… more digital, ‘n stuff. My question here is does this game actually have an end? I don’t think I have ever managed to finish a game of Monopoly…

Build-A-Bear Workshop: A Friend Fur All Seasons | Wii
Join Bearemy and Pawlette Coufur on a whole new Build-A-Bear Workshop adventure. As you sail around in the FRIEND-SHIP, you can compete in fun mini-games, exciting activities and take side trips. There is fun for the entire family. Play together in the multiplayer mode and compete in the 20 various mini-games.

Barbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Play as Barbie in this role-playing game. Head off to Riding Camp and develop riding skills, perform a variety of horse care tasks, explore and go on adventures.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
I refuse to say anything about this game, just on principle.

Rock University Presents: The Naked Brothers Band The Video Game | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Band Manager Cooper has secured a nationwide tour for the Naked Brothers Band. Now is your chance to live the rock superstar life of the Naked Brothers Band and perform the band’s greatest hits! You can sing, play instruments, control the stage show and capture the perfect videos to promote the band!

Dancing with the Stars: Get Your Dance On! | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Seize your moment of glory in the battle of the ballroom with more stars, more dances, and more intense competition. Turn it on and dance as all of your favorite couples from past seasons as you dance your way to King & Queen of the Ballroom.

New on WiiWare

Tetris Party (1200 Wii Points)
A new take on Tetris with both single and multi-player variations. It even has a Balance Board mode.

The Incredible Maze (500 Wii Points)
Use the Wii Remote to navigate a maze, avaoid traps, and make it out alive.

For Handhelds

Star Ocean: First Departure | PSP
Finally, the PSP gets a decent new (well, new-ish… it’s actually a remake) game. For the first time, the original installment of the Star Ocean series is available here in the U.S. First Departure chronicles mankind’s journey into space as the crew of a Terran Federation ship arrives on the planet Roak and must work together to unravel a mystery and halt a galactic war.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia | Nintendo DS
The Castlevania series is back on the Nintendo DS. This time you play as a member of the Ecclesia, an organization that has sworn to defeat the evil forces of Dracula. Featuring a new Glyph attack system and 20 explorable areas, you must hunt down the evil count and end his reign of terror.

Tornado | Nintendo DS
Join forces with Toki and the other members of the Cosmic Cleaners in Tornado. Help them restore all of Earth’s buildings, vehicles, inhabitants and other obscure objects that have been stolen by the envious Prince using his mischievous “Black Hole Device.”

Mechanic Master | Nintendo DS
In this puzzle game, you must rid the Earth of alien invaders by creating contraptions and keeping mechanical devices in motion.

Master of the Monster Lair | Nintendo DS
An RPG geared toward younger players, the quiet town of South Arc is about to have some monster trouble. As a young lad off in search of your calling, you stumble across a talking shovel. The verbose tool forcibly binds you to the task of digging a dungeon on the outskirts of South Arc, hoping to bait and trap the scrounging monsters.

Candy Factory | Nintendo DS
In this puzzle-action game, players take the role of a factory-manager working for Candace or Colin Kane, two hard working and friendly candy makers. Join Candi and Colin on their quest to fix up the factory in order to make their way to the Candy Cup Championships.

Ener-G Gym Rockets | Nintendo DS
Yet another sim game for DS. This time around, you get to pretend to be a gymnast working her way to the Olympics. I’m not quite sure where the rockets come into the whole thing…

Ener-G Horse Rider | Nintendo DS
You play Sue, a horse rider who has just arrived at her uncle¿s horse farm. Nurture, train, and compete with your horses. Pay special attention to your horse - the stronger your relationship is and the better it is trained, the more chance you have to win races. Live a great adventure where you’ll discover & save wild horses.

Ener-G Dance Squad | Nintendo DS
Play as a passionate girl who is ready to work as hard as it takes to become a world champion of modern dance. With the help of an eccentric coach and his charming son, learn new skills and reveal your full potential as a dancer.

Tons of games this week, but only a handful that actually look worth renting and/or buying. Wii owners, by the way, might be interested in picking up Secret of Mana on the virtual console this week.

For Consoles

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Into the Inferno | Wii | PS2
Based on the final season of the TV series, Aang must finally defeat the Fire Nation and bring order to the world.

Tak: Guardians of Gross | Wii | PS2
A new addition to the Tak series… which is actually a pretty decent platformer series that got its start on the PS2 (and the cartoon isn’t half bad either, for that matter). This time around Tak accidentally frees the four “Grosstrosities” trapped in a shrine and must seek out the help of four Jujus to defeat them.

Saints Row 2 | PS3 | PS3 Collector’s Edition | 360 | 360 Collector’s Edition
From Champaign’s own Volition, Saint’s Row 2’s sandbox gets bigger this time around with more customization options, a larger city, more vehicles, and new gangs. The open-world competitive multiplayer mode is a nice touch, too. Pick up the collector’s edition and get the game, a collectable tin, a money clip, a bullet-shaped thumb drive (with nifty wallpapers), an art book, and a double-sided poster.

Dead Space | PS3 | 360
What would October be without a new survival horror title? In Dead Space, you play as systems engineer Isaac Clarke, who is sent to the aid of a mining space craft after it’s communications suddenly go dead… only to find that the crew has accidentally unearthed something that should never have been set free.

Dokapon Kingdom | Wii | PS2
A board game/RPG crossover, in Dokapon Kingdom, the King of Dokapon has offered you his throne in return for disposing of an invading horde of thieving monsters. Trouble is - you’re not the only one he asked. Contend with up to three friends as you navigate playfields littered with challenges, monsters to defeat, and rare secrets to unlock.

SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs | PS3 | PS3 w/ headset
War games… who doesn’t love them? In the latest SOCOM game, you have the choice of playing as various international Special Forces. Focusing on online play and the global community SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs comes with five new North African themed maps, including a 32-player version of “Crossroads.” Additional content will be made available for download.

Rock Band 2 | PS3
For those of you without a 360, the PS3 version of Rock Band 2 releases this week, featuring local and global online modes, battle of the bands, and all that other sweet, sweet rhythm game goodness we’ve come to know and love. If you’re still waiting on the Wii version… well, keep waiting.

Rock Revolution | PS3 | 360
Also available on: Nintendo DS
… or you could pick this thing up for PS3, 360, or DS. It’s basically a Rock Band clone.

FIFA Soccer 09 | PS3 | 360 | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS | PSP
More sports. From Amazon: Play professional soccer your way in EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 09. It features new Custom Team Tactics that gives you all the tools to become a first-team coach. Go inside the game engine to customize the positioning and support play of your teammates and decide exactly how your team will play in any situation. Now you are the player, coach and manager. The matchday experience is now true-to-life with a referee and assistants. Plus, crowds, stadium atmosphere, and commentary have all been regionalized in exacting detail with 15 new stadiums added.

Disney Sing It | PS3 w/ mic | 360 w/ mic | Wii | Wii w/ mic | PS2 | PS2 w/ mic
Featuring 35 songs from such… um… hit shows… as Camp Rock, Hannah Montant, and High School Musical, Disney Sing It is your typical karaoke title complete with multiplayer Duet, Versus, and Team Play modes.

Boogie Superstar | Wii
Well, if Disney makes you cringe, you could always got with Boogie Superstar. Featuring 40 tracks, and the opportunity to “learn the coolest dance moves”, at least it doesn’t have any Hannah Montana.

Littlest Pet Shop | Wii
More freaking mini-games from… shocker… EA. There are so many of these titles out for Wii and DS, I’m beginning to think that EA developers believe “casual gaming” means nothing more than playing dress-up.

Golden Axe: Beast Rider | PS3 | 360
As the famous half-Gladiator/half-Barbarian heroine Tyris Flare, players will engage in combat on foot and atop massive mythical beasts. Rend your enemies with blades and magic as you seek vengeance for your tribe.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 | PS3
With eight fighting styles to choose from and legends of the ring to defeat, Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 offers wrestling action in several modes of play, including 24/7 Mode which combines the season and general manager modes.

Blitz: The League II | PS3 | 360
From Amazon: Blitz: The League II continues the franchise as the ultimate alternative to other football games. In addition to an all-new story mode penned by Peter Egan, Blitz II features include: Precision-Aim Tackles, player-controlled touchdown celebrations, an enhanced on-the-field Clash Mode, online multiplayer capabilities, expanded rosters with all-new personalities, and the return of a cornerstone of the Blitz franchise … Late Hits!

Jeep Thrills | Wii
Previously released on the PS2, now you can enjoy yet another mediocre driving game… this time on the WIi.

BAJA 1000: Off Road Racing | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
If you haven’t yet gotten you fill of racing titles this week, here’s another one.

Mx Vs ATV Untamed | PS2
And because two clearly aren’t enough, here’s another off-road driving title. In MX vs. ATV Unleashed you can choose from a multitude of rides including ATV’s, monster trucks, and sand rails. Tear through miles of open terrain in the ultimate quest to conquer the off-road.

Nitrobike | PS2
Ok, now this is just getting ridiculous…

The Dog Island | PS2
A pet-themed RPG previously released on Wii and DS, The Dog Island now comes to the PS2. Play as the dog of your choice and explore the island as you search for a legendary flower to save you ailing brother.

Bratz: Gilz Really Rock! | Wii | PS2
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Based on the straight-to-DVD movie, The Bratz are out of Stylesville and attending Camp Starshine, a summer camp for the most talented performing arts students. They meet Anna, a lonely ballerina obsessed with dance, who the girls befriend and help to be a better-rounded individual.

New on WiiWare

World of Goo (1500 Wii Points)
A physics-based puzzle/construction game, you must grab squirming, talking globs of goo to build structures. The millions of Goo Balls that live in the beautiful World of Goo are curious to explore, but they don’t know that they are in a game, or that they are extremely delicious…

Art Style: CUBELLO (600 Wii Points)
A puzzle/shooter, in CUBELLO, as each stage begins, colored cubes form into one large object called a Cubello. Launch additional cubes at it and try to connect four or more of the same color, removing them from the Cubello and eventually leaving only its core.

Secret of Mana (800 Wii Points)
Not a WiiWare title, obviously, but Secret of Mana for the SNES rocks, and they’ve just released it on the Virtual Console.

For Handhelds

Cesar Millan’s Dog Whisperer | Nintendo DS
Ubisoft, you are so on my shit list…

Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 | Nintendo DS
In this RPG based on the anime series, Naruto must embark on a dramatic new mission with his squad as they discover a mysterious valley and an ancient sealed evil about to put all their lives in danger.

Tak: Mojo Mistake | Nintendo DS
Another new Tak game, in this one Tak finds himself exhausted from trying to help everyone in his village and decides to use his Juju magic to create little helpers called Hackies. But when these they become unruly and then multiply into hundreds, they invade both the Pupununu village and the Juju realm causing havoc and devastation.

My Japanese Coach | Nintendo DS
Learn Japanese in an interactive and fun way. This title teaches vocabulary and pronunciation, as well as hiragana, katakana, and kanji characters though a series of entertaining mini-games.

Littlest Pet Shop: Winter | Nintendo DS
Get ready, because there’s a whole slew of these games this week. The first is Littlest Pet Shop: Winter, wherein you collect and dress your pets, play winter-themed mini-games, and throw parties. Hurray?

Littlest Pet Shop: Jungle | Nintendo DS
If winter’s not your season, maybe you’d prefer to take you tiny pets to the jungle. Sadly, I don’t think you’re allowed to feed them to the hungry anacondas that live there.

Littlest Pet Shop: Garden | Nintendo DS
Of course, if the jungle is just too dangerous for your pets, you can always just let them run around the garden. These are all pretty much the exact same game… just with different themes.

Smart Girl’s Party Game | Nintendo DS
An assortment of party-themed mini-games targeted squarely at young girls and designed to exercise their creativity.

Smart Kid’s Party Fun Pak | Nintendo DS
Pretty much the same as the other Smart Kid’s title releasing this week, but less girly.

Battle of Giants: Dinosaurs | Nintendo DS
Choose your dinosaur from among 25 different species, explore, and battle other dinosaurs for eggs and fossils (fossils of what, I’m not sure, nor do I know why a dinosaur would want one). Conquer the world, then wait for the big, giant space rock to obliterate your species!

Games, games, games, and most of them are new. Here’s your new releases for this week. Things are a little on the slow side, unless you’re a basketball fan.

For Consoles

Microsoft Children’s Miracle Network Games Bundle | 360
Not only do you get three games for the low, low, price of $29.99, but 100% of Microsoft’s net proceeds will go to support local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Games include Viva Piñata: Party Animals, Shrek The Third, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Fracture | PS3 | 360
In the mid 2100s, the melting of the polar ice caps (I see no agenda here…) has caused the Mississippi River to flood, destroying the Midwest and literally dividing the country in two. In the ensuing civil war, you play as a demolitions expert who must use your training (and your explosives) to fight in a battle between a divided America.

Crash: Mind Over Mutant | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: PSP | Nintendo DS
Crash Bandicoot returns for his… well, I’ve lost track how many Crash games their are at this point. In the new one, Cortex has teamed up with N. Brio and created a devious device to control the minds of all of the bandicoots and mutants on Wumpa Island, and it’s up to Crash to put a stop to their shenanigans (yes, I used the word “shenanigans”).

Guilty Gear 2: Overture | 360
An action-adventure title taking place 5 years after the first Guilty Gear, in the far future, humanity succeeded in developing an endless energy source. But tension among the major powers led to the creation of Gears… biological weapons that were based on that power, which went berserk and declared war on all of humanity.

NBA 2K9 | PS3 | 360 | PS2
Eww… sports. From Amazon: The NBA franchise is back for its 10th season. NBA 2K9 is for gamers and basketball fans everywhere who want to play a fun, stylistic, and feature-rich NBA simulation. With wholesale improvement across the board – from gameplay to graphics, presentation and online features - NBA 2K9 is the complete package.

NBA Live 09 | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: PSP
Eww… EA Sports. From Amazon: NBA LIVE 09 is back. It rewrites the book on authenticity and connectivity - but is still accessible enough for new users. Dynamic DNA emulates - with absolute precision - an NBA player in every sense of the word. NBA LIVE 365 takes the statistical data of Dynamic DNA and brings it to life. Just like the real NBA game, players get injured, free agents sign late, great players go cold and no-names break through.

NBA ‘09: The Inside | PS3 | PS2
Also available on: PSP
Dear god, there’s more?? From Amazon: NBA 09 delivers an experience catering to hardcore basketball fans and casual gamers alike. It includes The Life, a unique inside experience of life in the league. It lets you control the paths of 3 different characters while guiding them through challenges and storylines in the quest to go from development league to the NBA. There’s also a full-featured Franchise Mode, letting you experience every facet of running your own NBA team. Earn skill and experience rewards used to thoroughly customize player appearance and play styles. Customize up to 5 different players to take through the progression update.

Game Party 2 | Wii
Yet another collection of mini-games for the Wii, that use the Wii-Remote in creative, real-life-actiony ways. This one’s got 11 games in all, including Bean Bag Toss, Horseshoes, Lawn Darts, Shuffleboard (is it me, or do all these games seem to use the same basic motion?) plus a few more that sound even less interesting.

North American Hunting Extravaganza | Wii
Hunt some more animals on Wii. This hunting title features 20 North American species, 3 regions to hunt in, and a vast arsenal to choose from. And the Bullet Cam. Can’t forget about the Bullet Cam.

Penny Racers Party: Turbo-Q Speedway | Wii
A racing title for Wii in which you can choose from more than 50 customizable vehicles, and race against up to 3 of your friends. It also features multiplayer mini-games, for when you need a break from driving.

New on WiiWare

Midnight Bowling (800 Wii Points)
With a new physics engine that lets you control your throws precisely and make spectacular spins that will impress your opponents, Midnight Bowling lets you face up to three friends in party mode, where your playing abilities will be put to the test. Or launch yourself into career mode, where you will play in the trendiest bowling spots on the planet against charismatic characters that will give you a run for your money.

MadStone (800 Wii Points)
In this dynamic puzzle game, you must clear the path for your elemental MadStones to reach the bottom of the screen. Blocks can be broken by striking them directly or by the force of falling objects. Experience the single-player journey, or challenge a friend in two-player mode.

For Handhelds

The Legend of Kage 2 | Nintendo DS
With the start of the shogun clan Tokugawa’s reign, the long years of bloodshed and strife have come to an end. But holding a grudge towards Tokugawa, Yoshiro Yukikusa kidnaps the priestess Kirihime in order to combine his own demonic powers with the hers and overthrow the shogun’s reign. The story is told through two protagonists, Kage and Chihiro, each on a mission to rescue the priestess.

Prey the Stars | Nintedno DS
The main objective of Prey the Stars is to eat everything in sight and to attack your opponents. Simple, to the point, and classic. You can even play online over Wi-Fi with up to four players.

Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals | Nintendo DS
A sequel to the first Spectrobes anime-inspired action-RPG, Beyond the Portals continues the story of two interplanetary patrol officers who train and use Spectrobes to battle enemies. Battles can be taken online over Nintendo Wi-Fi, and the game can connect to Disney’s DGamer community.

Bleach: Dark Souls | Nintendo DS
Based on the anime series,the latest Bleach game features a newly enhanced battle system, new online multiplayer options, and enhanced battle strategies. Players can fight via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as one of 44 characters, and can choose to fight on the side of good or evil.

Imagine Fashion Designer: New York | Nintendo DS
Much like the previous Imagine Fashion Designer game, you must design your line and become the trendiest, hippest fashion designer in town. This time in New York.

Imagine Babysitters | Nintendo DS
Someone at Ubisoft needs to be smacked. These “Imagine” games are getting ridiculous. Care for up to eight babies, develop a loving relationship with them as you nurture and feed them and diaper their cute little digital butts. I didn’t even like babysitting when I was a teenager… I won’t be shelling out $30 to pretend to do it now.

Lovely Lisa | Nintendo DS
I’m really getting tired of these “girl games”. Do people actually play them, or do parents just buy them because the covers look cute? This one is yet another fashion/dress up sim.

My Spanish Coach | PSP
Learn Spanish on your PSP with My Spanish Coach. This training title features 8 mini-games to help you learn, and the ability to track your progress.