On Shelves This Week: August 23-29, 2009
With summer about to end, it’s nice to know that we’re getting more company for the Fall as big game titles start to emerge. Topping the list this week are two big titles, each for consoles and for the PSP handheld. Batman: Arkham Asylum is set to grace North American PS3s and Xbox 360s, while Dissidia: Final Fantasy is weaving its magic on the PSP — both on the same day, Tuesday. More can be found in the lengthy full list after the jump.
With summer about to end, it’s nice to know that we’re getting more company for the Fall as big game titles start to emerge. Topping the list this week are two big titles, each for consoles and for the PSP handheld. Batman: Arkham Asylum is set to grace North American PS3s and Xbox 360s, while Dissidia: Final Fantasy is weaving its magic on the PSP — both on the same day, Tuesday.
Lots more are coming your way on that day, definitely jam-packed 25th, I must say. Fallout 3‘s Add-On content is also dropping on that day, so there’s certainly many to choose from. On the DS front, we’ve also got the latest iteration of Professor Layton seeking out new mysteries and adventures.
Let the good times roll, see all that’s in store for you this week On Shelves.
Batman: Arkham Asylum – It’s Joker’s turn to cause problems for the Caped Crusader, and he’s gonna do it even from within Gotham’s psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. Batman’s high tech gadgets are at your disposal, so there shouldn’t be any excuse for you not to foil Joker’s grand, evil schemes.CrimeCraft – This MMORPG from Vogster is set in a modern world threatened by economic, political and natural crisis. It’s a dog-eat-dog out there and if you wanna be on top of the gangster food chain, you gotta be willing and ready to go for the kill.
- PC – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Mature
- Vogster
Cursed Mountain – In search of a lost brother, you take on the role of a climber who scales mountains the Himalayas fraught with grave danger. An ancient curse that brings the souls of dead people into limbo, the Shadow World, awaits you as you doubt that your missing brother could still be alive. Where is Shadow World and what truth awaits you there?
- Wii – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Mature
- US$ 49.99
- Deep Silver
Dissidia: Final Fantasy – It’s the game everyone’s talking about (and already being played by some). Good and Evil, Dark and Light, Cosmos and Chaos face off in this latest iteration from the Final Fantasy franchise. The balance has been broken, and the conflict is now out in the open.
- PSP – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Teen
- US$ 38.99
- Square Enix
Emergency Room: Real Life Rescues – And here we’ve got another medical-simulation game for the DS. If saving lives inside the emergency room is not your cup of tea, then maybe ambulance-action is what suits you more. Be the first on the scene as a paramedic and stabilize the patient until you reach the hospital. They better be not DOA.
- DS – August 25, 2009
- ESRB
- US$ 22.99
- Legacy Interactive
Fallout 3 Game Add-On Pack: Broken Steel and Point Lookout – This is a collection of two of the action-packed DLCs for Bethesda‘s Fallout 3 title. Broken Steel lets you in on the ranks of the Brotherhood of Steel while Point Lookout brings to explore a massive new area of swamplands filled with new quests and content.
- Xbox 360 (XBL), PS3 (PSN) – August 25, 2009
- ESRB
- Bethesda Softworks
Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming – Time to get back on the farm of Sunny Island! What’s this? crops are everywhere and out of control? Now, we do love a healthy amount of veggies on our lawn, but to leave this scenario unattended is sure to choke us all out. Set out to clean up the farm and find out what’s going on for this leafy mystery.
- DS – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 27.99
- Natsume
Harvest Moon: Magical Melody – We’re still on the farm, but this time, thank goodness there are no baskets of veggies heaping down upon us. Just take it nice and slow as you grow and tend to your farm, interacting with your jolly ol’ neighbors and finding true love along the way.
- Wii – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- Rising Star Games
Imagine: Teacher Class Trip – You play teacher in this game, and you’re about to lead a class full of kids to an exciting treasure hunt in the afternoon. Guide them to have clean, safe fun, and teach them about teamwork and cooperation. It’s learning and enjoyment all in one take.
- DS – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 27.99
- Ubisoft
Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao – Han Tao is the General of a Thousand Victories, pledging his life to protect the legendary Star of Destiny. Unfortunately, the Evil Overlord has stolen the artifact, launching Han Tao into a dangerous retrieval operation into the fortress of the Overlord.
- Xbox 360 – August 26, 2009
- ESRB Teen
- Namco Bandai
Logic Island – You can never have enough logic exercises for your mind. Put your logical abilities to the test while solving puzzles ranging from easy levels to mind-bending difficult ones.
- DS – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- _No Company
Mahjongg Ancient Mayas – This classic Mahjongg game is set in the Mayan civilization, providing for you that ancient setting to this ancient logic game.
- DS – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- Cerasus Media
Metroid Prime Trilogy Collector’s Edition – Samus Aran is doing triple duty as the Collector’s Edition for Metroid Prime surfaces. Reformatted to fit wide-screen TVs, all three iterations in this collection come accompanied by an art book and a tin case.
Nancy Drew Dossier: Resorting to Danger – It’s nosy Nancy once more, this time doing undercover work in a posh resort to track down those responsible for the frequenting bombing pranks. Meet and mingle with various people who can help you figure out the who the culprits are.
- PC – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Everyone 10+
- US$ 46.99
- _No Company
Princess Lillifee’s Magic Fairy – Princess Lillifee needs help dressing up and you are her magic fairy to help her with it. She’s your very own doll to dress up and make up.
- DS – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Teen
- US$ 19.99
- DreamCatcher Interactive
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box – The mild-mannered professor is back with his top hat with an all-new 150 plus brainteasers and puzzles to solve. Brush up on our math, visual, word, and science skills cos you’ll definitely need those to determine what caused the death of Dr. Schrader.
- DS – August 24, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 29.99
- Nintendo
Raven Squad: Operation Hidden Dagger – It’s an action war game set in the not-so-far future, in first-person view with a dash of real-time strategy. Take in charge of mercenary soldiers to fulfill assigned missions and get out of the warzone alive.
- Xbox 360, PC – August 25, 2009
- ESRB
- US$ 46.99
- Evolved Games
The Clique: Diss and Make Up – The girl group heads from the paperback to the DS as Warner Bros. brings the girls to the videogame world. It’s still about the BFFs and about who’s in and who’s out, who’s hot and who’s not. The Pretty Committee is still around, and just as demanding as ever. Play your favorite character and make your way to the top of the social ladder.
- DS – August 25, 2009
- ESRB Everyone 10+
- US$ 27.99
- Warner Bros.
The Sims 2 University Life Collection – It’s the compilation of Sims 2 designed to encapsulate those beer-guzzling, carefree college nights. Included in the bundle are the first expansion pack, The Sims 2: University, and several new add-ons.
- PC – August 24, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 19.99
- Electronic Arts
Time of Shadows – The Undead Modo may have been destroyed a long ten years ago, but this certainly does not mean that the danger is over. Its minions have returned, thirsty for vengeance. Again, the balance of power is in grave peril and you don’t have much time to defeat them. Embark on your journey, use magical spells and weapons, to send these darklings away once and for all.
- PC – August 24, 2009
- ESRB
- Kalypso
Warriors Orochi 2 – Taking place after the events of the original title, it’s time to look back to the past to discover the secrets of the wretched Serpent King. With new storylines from the Wu, Wei and Shu kingdoms, you are free to uncover the truth about the King’s secrets using the 96 featured characters.
Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 2 – If you liked the graphic novels and the movie, then time to step it up a bit to video games. This action-brawler is actually the prequel to the comics and film, so it would do you worlds of good if you’re truly a fan. It takes place in an alternate 1980s history (no spandex?) featuring Rorscach and Nite Owl.
- Xbox 360 – August 26, 2009
- ESRB Mature
- US$ 19.99
- Warner Bros. Interactive
Wizards of Waverly Place – Jumping from your Disney TV screens to your DS handhelds are the adorable witches-in-training, headed by Disney darling Alex Russo, played by Selena Gomez. Cast spells and cast them right as these tasks are necessary to move on to the next challenging adventures through the Sub Station, Wizards Lair, Tribeca Prep and many more.
- DS – August 25, 2009
- ESRB
- US$ 27.99
- Disney Interactive