If you’re reading this, you obviously didn’t get enough candy from Halloween. Compared to last week’s fairly stellar line up, this week’s list is somewhat lacking with the possible exception of a reimagining of an old ass game that way too many people make too big a deal of. Although there is another game that should excite most hardcore gamers out there even if it’s on the PSP. There’s also Kinect, but I’m putting that into it’s own article, for my own sanity’s sake. So hop on, and let’s see what we’ve got this week besides Kinect.

Remember. Release dates are quite literally made at the whims of the publisher.  The following are subject to change without any warning.

Releases To Watch For This Week

God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP)

Tuesday November 2, 2010
Another one? Are 4 games with this psychotic, bloodthirsty madman simply not enough? Apparently not because now we get to learn about Kratos’s past involving his supposedly dead brother. I would speak more about game mechanics, but after 4 games with this guy, I’m pretty sure everybody knows the shtick by now. You’re an impossibly powerful, bald dude with dual blades on a chain. You’ll come across some new spin on magic that may or may not include lightning and fire. He goes around killing Greek mythological creatures and the occasional Greek character like Perseus or Icarus. This time around he’ll meet Midas. Given his previous history with Greek characters, this meeting probably won’t end well either. He doesn’t do things because it’s the right thing to do or any of that non-sense. He just does it because he’s mad. Really, really mad. Whether it was because he was betrayed or… no that’s usually the reason he does anything at all. The game looks to be just as brutal as ever with plenty of gory kills against just about everybody. If you’re still haven’t had your fill of the blood and gore this series is known for, you have two options. This game or, my recommendation for you, therapy.

Goldeneye 007 (Wii, DS)

Tuesday November 2, 2010

You know how there are more James Bond games than there are James Bond movies? You can thank Goldeneye 007 for the Nintendo 64 back in 1997 for that. Before Halo evolved the first person shooter for the consoles, Goldeneye was THE first person shooter king for the home consoles. People loved the hell out of that game, present company included. Ever since then, various developers and publishers have tried and tried again to recapture that same magic, but all have failed. If you try and play Goldeneye now, and you’ll agree that it failed the test of time miserably. That’s probably why this Goldeneye 007 for the Wii is a reimagining instead of a straight remake. Instead of Pierce Brosnan, you get Daniel Craig, and the story has been tweaked somewhat although there’s plenty of signature sequences like the tank level and the dam level. The controls have undertaken the biggest change.

Goldeneye will support multiple controller types. The Nunchuck and Wii Remote option will play very much like it did in The Conduit, and thankfully, the Classic Controller, Pro or otherwise, will use the dual analog setup that we’re all used to today. Under normal circumstances, that’s not worth pointing out, but given how the original Goldeneye was set up for a 1 analog stick controller that was the N64 controller, it’s actually kind of important.

Most of the reason the old Goldeneye was so revered was the multiplayer. For some inexplicable reason, we had a lot of fun with it. This new one will support online play as well as local split screen play as a way to hearken back to the good ol’ days. Some of the modes will even be familiar to those who have played the original like the Golden Gun mode, and it will also include the ability to pick your characters as well like Jaws and Oddjob, including the ability to throw his hat.

Goldeneye 007 of the N64 is a little bit like how you used to love coloring books. Meaning if you tried to go back to it now, you’ll wonder why you liked it in the first place. Although this Goldeneye will probably play nothing like it, what with all the modernization and whatnot, I’ve no doubt that Activision is banking more on our nostalgia to get us to buy this game and less on the fact that they have a great game idea. Despite that though, most previewers seems pretty warm on the game after having played it for themselves. I’m curious enough to see if it is indeed any good or not.

As for the DS version, it looks to play like the DS Call of Duty games where you use the touch pad like a mouse while the D-pad moves you around. Oddly enough it’ll support local and online multiplayer just in case there are people out there who bought it besides you.

Coming This Week

Monday November 1, 2010

PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure (Wii)

I always knew those damn Pokémons were made to be cute, but they seem to be pulling double duty on the cute factor in this adventure game/mini-game collection. You play as Pikachu who’s been sent to the PokéPark to find some magical Sky Prism Pieces for whatever reason. He’ll have to compete in a bunch of athletic events against the other Pokémons in the park to win their friendship or the occasional Sky Prism Pieces. Some just want to fight, and you’ll get that chance as well. Featuring probably the entire roster of Pokémons, this game is probably a Pokémon fan’s dream come true.

Tuesday November 2, 2010

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Back to School (Wii, DS)

I honestly don’t know what’s sadder. The fact that we have a game show where they ask 5th grade level questions or that it takes a game show to make us realize that most of us are not all that educated. Now if you’ll excuse me, Sesame Street is almost on.

Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Defenders of the Core (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS)

(Note: PS3 version comes out on Thursday November 4, 2010)

Hey Bakugan fans. Don’t you wish you can control your Bakugan as they unleash hell on your opponents? Now you can in Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Defenders of the Core! This is the first time you’re given direct control of your Bakugan instead of the usual numbers battle in previous Bakugan games. There’s even a split-screen vs. mode. Hope you like it because I have no idea if anything I just said is even remotely exciting to you.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (Xbox 360, PS3)

(Note: PS3 version comes out on Thursday November 4, 2010)

Every single one of these Dragon Ball fighting games look completely identical to me. Mid-air punches and kicks. Attacks that propel the opponent halfway across the continent. Energy blast that destroys mountains. Really, really spiky hair. The one distinguishing difference here is that it comes with an episode of Dragon Ball that was never released in the U.S. or Canada called "Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans". I guess Dragon Ball freaks will have to pick this copy up just for that.

Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage (Xbox 360, PS3)

The Dynasty Warriors style games have been through many settings: China, Japan, Space. Now it’s about to add nuclear wasteland to that repertoire. Based off of the Japanese manga series, you play as Ken or his other compadres from the series as they beat up various thugs of varying sizes across a nuclear-devastated world. I’m simply shaking with excitement.

James Bond 007: Blood Stone (Xbox 360, PS3, DS)

(Note: PS3 version comes out on Thursday November 4, 2010)

Because the High Def consoles want in on the whole 007 mania that Goldeneye is bound to stir up, they’re getting James Bond 007: Blood Stone this week. It looks to replace the lack of a James Bond movie given the fact that it’s treated like a full on movie complete with its own trippy credit sequence and a Bond girl, voiced by Joss Stone who also sings the song in said trippy credit sequence. It looks to be a third person shooter with some melee and stealth elements to it. It actually looks kind of decent, although it’s going to have to compete with people’s nostalgia for Goldeneye.

Jeopardy! (Wii, DS)

This show’s been around forever, and I just realized there’s an exclamation point at the end of the title. As for features, here’s a weird one. This game supports Wii Speak accessory to answer questions. How the hell does that work? “What is Canada?” “I’m sorry, but the answer is ‘What is Canada’. You said ‘What is Prada’”.

Megamind: The Blue Defender (DS, PSP)

Your favorite blue, giant headed villain/hero is about to get his own video game. Hell, he’s about to get 3 of them! One version for the High Def consoles. One for the Wii, and one for the handhelds. From the sound of the description, this one’s gotta be the most generic of the bunch. Not that anybody is going to mistake any version of these licensed games for works of art or anything, but the least they can do is put a little more effort into these.

Megamind: Ultimate Showdown (Xbox 360, PS3)

(Note: PS3 version comes out on Thursday November 4, 2010)

And this is the High Def console version of the MegaMind game. This version seems to be your standard 3D brawler/platformer. I hope you like your 3D platformer extra generic!

Minute to Win It (Wii, DS)

If there’s ever a game show that is most likely to be turned into a mini-game collection, Minute to Win It is it. This NBC show has you doing various challenges, usually physical challenges with a dash of puzzles, that you have to complete under a minute. If the game can translate the sometimes nail biting challenges posed to the contestants on the TV show, this game might actually be kind of fun.

Wheel of Fortune (2010) (Wii, DS)

Have you noticed how Vanna White doesn’t do anything on this show anymore? She used to have to go over to the letters to spin them around, but now it’s all digital. She just touches little TV screens now. Like the Jeopardy game, this also supports the Wii Speak accessory. That oughta be funny. “B” “I’m sorry, but there are no V’s.”

Hello Kitty Seasons (Wii)

Never could figure out how a cat with no mouth managed to get this popular, but who am I to argue with Hello Kitty fans. Seriously. Don’t argue with one. They’re crazy! This game is basically Animal Crossing with changing seasons thrown in for good measure with some adventuring mixed in. As you can probably guess, the town is filled with Hello Kitty characters, so you can finally talk to that mouthless cat. I bet it talks by telepathy.

Karaoke Revolution: Glee (Wii)

Is this show any good? Anyways, if you’ve been dying for a video game to tell you how close you are to matching your singing to that of this show, here’s your golden opportunity. This only covers some of the songs from the first season though, so it looks like you’ll have to wait for the sequel or something if you want to sing along to stuff from the other seasons.

MegaMind: Mega Team Unite (Wii)

And here’s the Wii’s take on the MegaMind movie. This one seems to be more multiplayer friendly compared to the High Def versions which can only support 2 player co-op. This one can do 4! Woo Hoo!

The Biggest Loser Challenge (Wii)

Oh to be physically fit. I wonder what’s that like? Maybe The Biggest Loser Challenge with its 125 exercise moves and 10 fitness programs set in several Biggest Loser locations ought to do the trick? Or maybe the 50 or so recipes from their various recipe books will help? Or probably not.

Atari’s Greatest Hits Volume 1 (DS)

Wow. This compilation has 50 Atari games from the arcades to the Atari 2600 in one cartridge. It even includes Pong, Centipede, and Missile Command. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever played Pong. I guess this is my chance.

Imagine: Fashion Stylist (DS)

One of these days, these job sims are going to be so realistic that the actual jobs use’em as a training tool for new employees. Until then though, we’re stuck with these wish fulfillment job sims. Enter fashion related job sim number 5,395,741,642. Honestly! Do we need this many variation on the same thing, Ubisoft?

Petz: Nursery 2 (DS)

You know a genre is running out of ideas when the newest feature is taking care of 2 animals at the same time. In Petz: Nursery 2, you can raise a puppy and a kitten at the same time. How about a penguin and a tiger at the same time. Wacky!

Shawn Johnson Gymnastics (DS)

Why should those weight loss instructors like Jillian Michaels or jenny McCarthy get all the video game glory? It’s time for celebrity gymnast to show the world how to be the best gymnast through a video game! With her help, you’ll be performing various gymnastic routines on your DS by tapping various parts of the DS screen or drawing patterns. Now you know how the pros get their start.

Silly Bandz (DS)

You ever heard of these things? They’re just rubber bands. I kid you not. Silly Bandz are just rubber bands that happen to be shaped. For example, one is shaped like an elephant when it’s not used. So we have a game about fancy rubber bands. The Iphone app is just a Silly Bandz creator. Meaning you draw a shape of what you’d want these Silly Bandz to be, and then you stare at it. I... I... I’m just speechless.

The Penguins of Madagascar – The Game (DS)

How did a bunch of militant penguins get this popular? These guys have to work together building gadgets and tools to solve puzzles and traverse over obstacles. On paper, it has the potential to be a Lost Viking-esque clone, but when exactly does a licensed game ever get that original? So this’ll probably be just another cash in on the license with minimal amount of work thrown in. Wonderful.

EyePet (PSP)

Because you just can’t leave your EyePet at home, meet the PSP version that uses the PSP camera to project your EyePet unto the real world. I’m guessing you get to interact with it by waving your arms over the surface and whatnot. I’m guessing because I can’t seem to find much info on this game. Moreover, the only trailer of this game seems to show a very limited amount of interaction with the EyePet compared to what you can do with the PS3 version. I guess this one’s more for showing it off to your friends.

Ys: The Oath in Felghana (PSP)

Falcom wasn’t done when they released Ys Seven (again, pronounced like the word “ease” Seven) a couple of months back. They’ve also ported Ys: The Oath in Felghana to the PSP as well. As I said before about Ys Seven, the fact that Falcom is handling the port seems to give fans of the series some reassurance that this port might not be as crappy as most of the previous ports. The Oath in Felghana is also known as one of the better games in the Ys series, so if you’re going to get into the series, this one might not be a bad choice to start off with.

Friday November 5, 2010

Babysitting Mama (Wii)

I suppose it only makes sense that a woman everyone calls “Mama” should have her own kid. On top of cooking, gardening, and crafting, now we get to babysit babies with Mama through various little mini-games! The most startling thing about this though is that it comes bundled with a baby doll into which you to stuff your Wii Remote for added realism. Who wants to change diapers in real life when you can do it in a video game!

Sunday November 7, 2010

FlingSmash (Wii)

Do you remember WiiPlay? That game that comes bundled with a Wii Remote that sold like gangbusters because just about everyone buys them when they buy a Wii? It looks to be replaced by FlingSmash, the game that comes bundled with the new Wii Remote Plus. FlingSmash has you playing as Zip, this round thing with hair, that you fling into objects to smash them. The way you play it is by flicking the Wii Remote Plus, or just a Wii Remote with Wii Motion Plus attachment, in any direction, and Zip will fly in that direction. I played a demo of it at E3 of ’09, and it’s actually kind of fun. You should check it out.

LTTP

• Casper Scare School: Spooky Sports Day (Wii, DS) 10/25/2010
• Kevin VanDam's Big Bass Challenge (Wii) 10/18/2010
• Remington Super Slam Hunting Africa (Wii) 10/18/2010
• Remington Super Slam Hunting: North America (Wii) 9/20/2010
• The Amazing Race (Wii) 10/25/2010
• Art Academy (DS) 10/25/2010
• Busy Scissors (DS) 10/18/2010
• Casper Scare School: Classroom Capers (DS) 10/25/2010
• Crime Lab: Body of Evidence [formerly Art of Murder: Cards of Destiny] (DS) 3/22/2010
• Games Around the World (DS) 10/18/2010
• Intellivision Lives! (DS) 10/18/2010
• Logic Machines (DS) 9/20/2010
• Witches & Vampires (DS) 10/4/2010

Talk about a lack luster week. A bunch of James Bond games and yet another God of War clo... wait a minute. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve my fill with Kratos and his bloody antics. I’ll be working on my backlog. God knows I need to actually finish Dragon Age. What about you guys? Anything here catches your eye?

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