On Shelves This Week: March 29 to April 4, 2009
Activision‘s Guitar Hero: Metallica kicks off this week’s batch of new game releases. Actually, it’s pretty much the only big game for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 this week (not counting PSN and XBL releases, of course). The Wii and DS meanwhile, still continue to get a lot of games that you may never have heard about of even want to play, but there are a few bright points: Gardening Mama, Tokyo Beat Down, and Major Minor’s Majestic March. And the PSP? It gets one game. Yep, one.
Activision‘s Guitar Hero: Metallica kicks off this week’s batch of new game releases. Actually, it’s pretty much the only big game for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 this week (not counting PSN and XBL releases, of course).
The Wii and DS meanwhile, still continue to get a lot of games that you may never have heard about of even want to play, but there are a few bright points: Gardening Mama, Tokyo Beat Down, and Major Minor’s Majestic March. That last one may not look like much, but it’s from the Parappa the Rapper team of Masaya Matsuura and Rodney Alan Greenblat, so if you liked Parappa it’s worth checking out.
I’m not even gonna mention the PSP release this week. I mean, one game? Oh well, I’m pretty sure a lot of the PSP gamers out there are still playing through the games that came out in the previous weeks. Hopefully the releases pick up next week.
On to the list!
Guitar Hero: Metallica – Guitar Hero: Metallica focuses on the career and songs of Metallica. With 28 Metallica songs and 21 other songs that influenced the band, fans will love playing guitars, drums, and singing vocals alongside Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, and Robert Trujillo.- Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii – March 29, 2009
- ESRB: Teen
- PS3: US$ 56.99, Xbox 360: US$ 56.99, Wii: US$ 46.99
- Activision
Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust – The original Larry is now a movie mogul, but he’s got a problem…the studio across the road always seem to know what he’s making: there must be a mole in the studio! Uncle Larry turns to you, his nephew, Larry Lovage, to solve the mystery. What could possibly go wrong?
- Microsoft Xbox 360 – March 31, 2009
- ESRB: Mature
- US$ 29.99
- Codemasters
Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Grooves – You know what Dance Dance Revolution is, right? Take that game, replace all the tracks with Disney songs, and throw in some Disney characters and voila! This is what you get: “content that is cool and relevant with today’s youth.” Uh, OK. This game comes with two dance mats by the way, hence the price.
- Nintendo Wii – April 2, 2009
- ESRB: Everyone
- US$ 67.99
- Konami
Jewel Master: Cradle of Rome – Step into the world of ancient Rome and craft a civilization with addictive puzzle gameplay. Swap icons to create matches of three and collect resources to build an empire. Match gems to gain resources and build Rome into the greatest civilization the world has ever seen.
- Nintendo Wii – March 31, 2009
- ESRB: Everyone
- US$ 19.99
- Bold Games
Don King Boxing – The Wii version lets you duck and dodge blows, throw counter punches with both hands, and use the Wii Balance Board to maintain your center of balance. The last one’s optional though. In the DS version, you use the stylus pen to jab, hook, uppercut and perform combinations on the DS touch screen. Both versions support multiplayer.
Major Minor’s Majestic March – In a town where marching bands are prevalent and everyone is looking to be the best, Major Mike Minor is fairly ambivalent towards marches despite hailing from a long line of Drum Majors. After his parents present him with a “special” baton that magically attracts band members to fall into rhythm behind the leader, will Major Minor finally fulfill his potential and share the joy of marching with the world?
- Nintendo Wii – March 31, 2009
- ESRB: Everyone
- US$ 39.99
- Majesco
Ocean Commander – In this stylized side scrolling shooter, you take on the role of the Ocean Commander ship, with the aim to complete the 21 stages and 30 levels throughout the game. Control the weapons using the Wiimote and Nunchuck, allowing for true 360 degree aiming and precision.
- Nintendo Wii – March 31, 2009
- ESRB: Everyone
- US$ 34.99
- Valcon
Offshore Tycoon – Offshore Tycoon is a casual time management simulator in which you have to take control of harvesting equipment such as fishing trawlers, oil tankers and more. Travel the globe to five exciting themed levels, each of which consist of ten levels with their own varieties of fish, stylized look and feel.
- Nintendo Wii – March 31, 2009
- ESRB: Everyone
- US$ 34.99
- Valcon
Gardening Mama – Gardening Mama transforms the DS stylus into a universal gardening tool that players will use to plant, nurture and harvest flowers, fruits and vegetables. Gamers can manage their garden through the seeding, blooming and maturation phases, and then produce items from the plants they’ve grown.
- Nintendo DS – March 31, 2009
- ESRB: Everyone
- US$ 27.99
- Majesco
Tokyo Beat Down – The white suit, the ’80s hairdo, and instructions such as “Beat down crime and restore peace!” are what Tokyo Beat Down is all about. Experience the sweet nostalgia of classic coin-op beat ’em ups, using your fists, guns, and anything else that happens to be lying around to round up and beat down the foolish criminals of Tokyo.
- Nintendo DS – March 31, 2009
- ESRB: Teen
- US$ 29.99
- Atlus
Air Conflicts: Aces of World War II – Air Conflicts is an arcade flight simulator game set in World War II, featuring the aircraft of this period and historically inspired missions. The emphasis is on intense dogfights, daring bombing raids and exciting aerial missions. Features include an advanced ranking system and three multiplayer modes for up to 8 players.
- Nintendo DS – March 31, 2009
- ESRB: Teen
- US$ 27.99
- Graffiti Entertainment