After the sugar high that was October and the first half of November, now we’re entering the customary sugar crash of late November through December. There is one game, along with 3 especially odd ones, of note coming out this week, and oddly enough it almost became the new replacement of Duke Nukem Forever.

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

Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)

Wedneday November 24, 2010
Five years huh? Gran Turismo was never in any danger of ending up like Duke Nukem Forever, but given the number of delays it got, it was fast becoming the new joke of the industry. The main reason behind the delays? The boatload of cars included in the game. Gran Turismo boasts over 1,000 licensed cars. With 20 tracks and 70 variations, you’re unlikely to be wanting of content out of Gran Turismo 5. Some of the new features include the much requested real-time damage and deformation. As odd as that might sound, the feature’s been standard on just about every other sim-racers out there with Gran Turismo being the most notable hold out. Another new feature is the 3-D mode. Exciting, if you’ve got the TV for it. All the usual bells and whistles are back, like insane amounts of customization and realism, and are undoubtedly deeper than ever. If there’s ever a game that doesn’t cater to a new audience, the Gran Turismo series would be it. Nevertheless, gearheads go gaga for this series, so if you religiously watch Top Gear or you’ve dreamed of driving down some famous racetrack, it’s hard to go wrong with Gran Turismo 5.

Honorable Mention

Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom (Xbox 360, PS3)

Tuesday November 23, 2010
Looking for The Last Guardian fix? Perhaps Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom can help you out a bit. Majin has you playing a thief with an AI controlled partner who happens to be this 12-foot tall giant monster reminiscent of something out of “Where the Wild Things Are”. You and the Majin will be exploring the ruins of a fallen kingdom, which the Majin has ties to but can’t seem to remember any of it. As you progress, the Majin will recover his memories fleshing out the past as well as who, or what, the Majin really is. Along the way, you’ll have to fight these tar-like monsters, which can’t really be defeated unless the Majin sucks in the little orbs of darkness that hovers around afterwards. As you can probably guess, the puzzles are set up so that you will have to work together with the Majin to solve. A 12-foot tall lumbering monster does have its uses after all. It even gains new elemental powers as well like fire breathing or the ability to electrocute anything near it. These abilities will work on both enemies and in some puzzles as well. New IPs are always a bit of a gamble, but the unique take, at least it is for now, on you and an AI ally that isn’t useless, Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom does seem to hold some promise.

Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii, DS, PSP)

Tuesday November 23, 2010
Normally, I wouldn’t even give a game like this a second glance, which still feels a little too blatant of a cash in at this point in time regardless of what Ubisoft said otherwise. Both the Wii version, which is basically a Just Dance clone with Michael Jackson music, and the PSP version, a rhythmic button pressing game, definitely isn’t worth of any kind of note. The Xbox 360 version and the Playstation 3 version coming out next February will be using their respective motion controls for their game, and even those don’t interest me. It’s the DS version that really caught my attention. It’s a clone of a game I’ve been dying to see cloned. Elite Beat Agents. From what little previews I can find, it’s a pretty barebones experience and will most definitely not have the insane little stories that Elite Beat Agents had, but I miss tapping my DS in time to music. Now I might actually get the chance to do it to MJ’s music. How sweet is that?

Splatterhouse (Xbox 360, PS3)

Tuesday November 23, 2010
Of all the nearly 2 decade old video game franchises to resurrect, I’m almost certain Splatterhouse ranks somewhere in the “Why?” territory. The last time Splatterhouse saw a non-port release was back in 1993 on the Sega Genesis. So was it a particularly great franchise that has such a high demand by the fanbase for some kind of a resurrection? Not particularly. Not unless people were completely entranced by the story of Rick and the Terror Mask, which gives him superhuman strength and regenerative capabilities that rivals Wolverine, which I doubt. This remake retells the same story as the original Splatterhouse involving Rick and his girlfriend Jennifer who was kidnapped by a mad scientist who has an army of mutants rife for Rick to completely mutilate to his/your heart’s content. It looks to be a pretty much by the numbers bloody 3D brawler, although it’s a little bit refreshing to not see Rick with extendable limbs or anything of the sort. Weird choices aside, I’m sure the guys over at Namco Bandai had a good reason to resurrect such an old franchise. Here’s to hoping they know what they’re doing.

Coming This Week

Tuesday November 23, 2010

Hot Wheels: Track Attack (Wii, DS)

If you’ve been itching to race Hot Wheels cars, have I got a game for you. Race your favorite Hot Wheels cars in various race courses, or build your own race course with the track editor in this budget priced racer. I’m just surprised Hot Wheels is still around. I guess that’s what happens when you’re not 8 anymore. You think all your childhood toys stop to exist.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare (Xbox 360, PS3)

Are you dying to shoot even more zombies? How about as John Marston of Red Dead Redemption fame? Well then, the Undead Nightmare Pack is made just for you. This retail disc comes packed with all the previously released DLC for Red Dead Redemption in addition to the Undead Nightmare Pack. You know. In case your Xbox 360 isn’t connected to the internet.

Tangled (Wii, DS)

You know what would be awesome with Rapunzel’s hair being as long as it is? If Tangled was a PS2 Shinobi clone. But instead we get your standard 3D adventure brawler starring the cast of the movie. Also, this game is recommended for kids ages 6-11. And the DS version is recommended for girls. At least they were honest about who these games were meant for.

Flatout (Wii)

You guys ever heard of Flatout? Yeah, me neither. This budget Burnout wannabe, apparently, has been around since the Xbox days, and hasn’t reached any kind of recognition since then. Yet, it’s still around. You gotta give’em props for that, I guess.

Jewel Quest Solitaire Trio (DS)

You’d think they’d stop importing these nearly free, online games to the DS by now, but you’d be wrong. Jewel Quest Trio has all three Jewel Quest Solitaire games in one convenient DS cartridge. Admittedly, the Jewel Quest Solitaire games aren’t completely free, and at $20, it is actually a bargain. Just thought I point that out.

18 Classic Card Games (DS)

If you still have to ask me what this game is, you have some kind of memory issues, and I recommend you go see a doctor about that. Among the card games included are Texas Hold’Em, Omaha Hold’Em, Casion Blackjack, German Mau Mau, French Belote, and Klondike among others. Beats carrying around a deck of cards I suppose.

LTTP

Kevin VanDam’s Big Bass Challenge (Wii) 11/23/2010
Silly Bandz (DS) 11/23/2010
Rec Room Games (DS) 11/23/2010
House M.D. (DS) 11/26/2010

At least Gran Turismo fans can finally get their fix this week. I might actually get that Michael Jackson game for the DS just so I can get my Elite Beat Agents fix. Or maybe that Majin game to ease my pain of having to wait for The Last Guardian. How about you guys? Anything on this list catching your eye?

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