On Shelves This Week: December 10 to December 16, 2007

Epic Games‘ much awaited Unreal Tournament 3 for the Sony PlayStation 3 headlines this week’s line-up of games, as Valve’s The Orange Box also finds its way to Sony’s console. Too many first-person shooters? Don’t fret, because there’s Sega‘s real-time strategy Universe at War: Earth Assault for PC to mix things up a bit.

Other releases for this week await at the full article!

* Article originally posted Dec 09, 2007 at 11:55PM

Still haven’t figured out what to give away for Christmas? If last week’s line-up wasn’t enough to help you decide, this week is packing some top tier first-person shooters you can share to Sony PlayStation 3 owners. Epic Games‘ fast-paced and action-packed Unreal Tournament 3 is coming to the PS3, while Valve Corporation’s much loved collection of FPS goodness inside The Orange Box will also be ported to Sony’s console.

Midway joins the blood-fest of shooters with BlackSite: Area 51. On the other hand, Sega‘s explosive real-time strategy title Universe at War: Earth Assault developed by Petroglyph should keep PC gamers occupied. The Nintendo Wii stays on the road with a couple of racing games and a good dose of golf, while the Microsoft Xbox 360 gets a piece of hardcourt action.

BlackSite: Area 51. Take the role of a military veteran who sets out to uncover the secrets of the government’s shady facility, Area 51, and lead your squad in a mission to save the world from a viral outbreak.

• Sony PlayStation 3 – December 10, 2007
• US$ 59.99
• ESRB M (Mature)
• Midway Games

Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor. Fans of Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords can now enhance their experience with this expansion of intergalactic scale. A new campaign is set to put an end to the Dread Lord wars, but the new map editor should provide extended fun.

• PC – December 12, 2007
• US$ 24.95
• Stardock

Indianapolis 500 Legends. Indy 500 action on the Nintendo Wii comes with 32 racing legends to play as, over 30 authentic cars from 1961 to 1971, and various game modes. Aside from reliving famous moments in Indy racing history, you also get to play exciting minigames during pit stops.

• Nintendo Wii – December 14, 2007
• US$ 39.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Torus Games and Destineer

Kawasaki 4X4 Quad Bikes. Because we really need quad bike racing on the Wii, Kawasaki 4X4 Quad Bikes licensed all the Kawasaki quad bikes you can think of. Put them to the test in over 70 track variations, and unlock upgrades along the way.

• Nintendo Wii – December 14, 2007
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Data Design Interactive and Destineer

NCAA March Madness 08. This season of college hardcourt action by EA gives players complete control with improved post play, all while bringing in new features like the Impact Moment and enhanced EA SPORTS Lockdown Stick.

• Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 – December 11, 2007
• US$ 59.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• EA Canada and Electronic Arts

Showtime Championship Boxing. DSI Games promises this one to be a knockout thanks to the Nintendo Wii’s controls that makes boxing more realistic than ever. Choose from 14 boxers then fight from the ground up to become the ultimate champion. Of course, you can always display your skills to friends online through Wii Hotseat.

• Nintendo Wii – December 11, 2007
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Nikitova and Destination Software Inc. (DSI)

Super Swing Golf Season 2. Ninja Gaiden‘s Ryu Hayabusa and Rachel playing golf? Not exactly easy to imagine, but Tecmo‘s golf title for the Wii has costumes of the ninja and his sizzling sidekick. With other quirks such as RPG-style action sequences, fancy effects and addictive customizations, Super Swing Golf Season 2 is the complete golf package.

• Nintendo Wii – December 11, 2007
• US$ 39.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Tecmo

The Golden Compass. Previously released on consoles and handhelds, The Golden Compass for PC doesn’t fall short in telling the epic story of Lyra as she searches for her missing friend and uncle with the help of her daemon and a giant bear.

• PC – December 14, 2007
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Shiny Entertainment and Sega

The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure. Developer Darkling Room attempts to bring classic ghost stories to life in a point-click-adventure for PC. Over 30 hours of gameplay and multiple endings await those who are brave enough to endure the lengthy ghost hunting adventure in a small English town.

• PC – December 10, 2007
• US$ 29.99
• Got Game Entertainment and Darkling Room

The Orange Box. A Game of the Year contender that compiled one of the greatest first-person shooters of our time together with a fun multiplayer game and a puzzle-filled bonus, which gained universal respect – what more can we say about Valve’s masterpiece? Oh, it’s coming to the PS3 this week.

• Sony PlayStation 3 – December 11, 2007
• US$ 59.99
• ESRB M (Mature)
• Valve and Electronic Arts

Universe at War: Earth Assault. Protecting the world from alien invasion never gets dull when you’ve got big weapons, but in Sega’s latest RTS, you also have access to alien powers. Better yet, three alien races with distinct traits and unique technology are at your disposal – looks like it’s up to you if the Earth lives or dies.

• PC – December 10, 2007
• US$ 49.99
• ESRB T (Teen)
• Petroglyph and Sega

Unreal Tournament 3. When it’s about fast-paced fragging coupled with inspiring visuals, Unreal Tournament never fails to deliver, and its third installment is no exception. While UT3 on the Xbox 360 is still a hot topic, PS3 owners can certainly grab a copy this holiday season.

• Sony PlayStation 3 – December 11, 2007
• US$ 49.99
• ESRB M (Mature)
• Epic Games and Midway

Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge. What better way to celebrate winter this holiday season than by playing winter sports on your Wii? Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge has fun activities like figure skating that should be perfect for the whole family.

• Nintendo Wii – December 11, 2007
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Conspiracy Entertainment

* Article originally posted Dec 09, 2007 at 11:55PM

Buy: [BlackSite: Area 51]
Buy: [Indianapolis 500 Legends]
Buy: [NCAA March Madness 08 (Xbox 360, PS3)]
Buy: [Showtime Championship Boxing]
Buy: [Super Swing Golf Season 2]
Buy: [The Golden Compass]
Buy: [The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure]
Buy: [The Orange Box]
Buy: [Universe at War: Earth Assault]
Buy: [Unreal Tournament 3]
Buy: [Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge]