On Shelves This Week: February 8 to February 14, 2009
After laying low for a few months, On Shelves is back, bringing you all the games and their release dates for this week. For starters, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin and LocoRoco 2 are finally hitting shelves after months of screenshot-scrutinizing and trailer-watching. If you’re thinking about shopping for fresh titles, look no further. All you need to know is right here!
After laying low for a few months, On Shelves is back, bringing you all the games and their release dates for this week. For starters, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin and LocoRoco 2 are finally hitting shelves after months of screenshot-scrutinizing and trailer-watching. If you’re thinking about shopping for fresh titles, look no further. All you need to know is right here!
Deadly Creatures – Play as a scorpion or a tarantula and get to experience brutality, the arachnid way, just like when you watch them kill and snack on other critters on Discovery Channel. Apart from snacking on hornets and dung beetles, your feisty arachnids will also take on much bigger foes like a Gila monster, a rattlesnake, and yes, even humans.
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin – Fans of the franchise will be glad to know that Alma makes a comeback in the sequel, powerful and sadistic like you remember her. This first-person shooter picks up where the first F.E.A.R. left off (well, thirty minutes before the end of it at least) and you get to take a bloody ride from the eyes of Michael Becket, a Delta Force op.
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Mature
- US$ 56.99 (PS3, Xbox 360), US$ 49.99 (PC)
- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Flower – The feel-good, healing experience is hitting the PlayStation Store this week. Guide a bunch of petals across a majestic 3D landscape and give yourself an emotional experience that you won’t find while going trigger-happy on aliens and zombies.
- PlayStation 3 – February 12, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 9.99
- SCEI
Jake Power: Fireman – Play the role of a fireman and save the fire-prone city from burning itself to the ground. You get to customize your fire engine to get the job done quicker, and you gotta drive fast along busy streets, avoiding debris and vehicles as you go. A good variety of missions and tasks will keep you answering the siren.
- Nintendo DS – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 29.99
- Ubisoft
LIT – You’re a typical apathetic, slightly emo teenager named Jake, and your goal is to rescue your emo girlfriend Rachael who’s trapped in the darkest corners of your school. Being in the light is the only place you’re safe in this dark 3D environment, wander into the dark and it’s over. This WiiWare title is a puzzle game where you’ll be needing your head to solve puzzles and literally light your way across 30 classrooms.
- Wii – February 9, 2009
- ESRB Everyone 10+
- 800 Wii Points
- WayForward Technologies
LocoRoco 2 – The adorable little blobs of fun are back, with more colors, more critters, and more rolling around. With more abilities and multiplayer gameplay this time around, LocoRoco 2 promises to exceed its predecessor, all while making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
- PSP – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 19.99
- SCEA
My DoItAll – Do it all with MyDoItAll, a lifestyle game for boys and girls that comes with a number of apps, including journals, a voice changer, calendar, plus a few multiplayer minigames. It’s not just a game, it turns the DS into a multi-purpose device for all your pre-adolescent needs.
- Nintendo DS – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 29.99
- Tomy
NASCAR Kart Racing – Looking for a light and easy racing game? This game fits the bill, with all the fun powerups and an experience similar to what made Mario Kart a big success. A good combination of easy gameplay and quality graphics can make this game a hit with your friends and family.
- Wii – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 36.99
- Electronic Arts
Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad – Fancy a little third person action? This game offers gun-trotting and hack-and-slash action, plus three interestingly dressed protagonists to boot. However, the graphics don’t even look like they could push the first Xbox to the limit, and this one is coming to the 360. And only one of them is in a bikini! Oh well.
- Xbox 360 – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Mature
- US$ 39.99
- D3
Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers – The samurai squad also hits the Wii, but in a different title. The game still does not offer as much bikini like the title implies, and the graphics still aren’t what you would call good. But if you’re into this sort of thing, then maybe. Just maybe. How this game got a Mature rating, I’ll never know.
- Wii – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Mature
- US$ 27.99
- D3
Retro Game Challenge – The title already speaks for itself. Take a stroll down memory lane and experience gaming in all its 80s glory. Titles such as Arkanoid and Space Invaders Extreme got a refreshing graphics upgrade all for your retro-gaming pleasure. This title has long been released in Japan, but thankfully, it reaches Western soil. Better late than never.
- Nintendo DS – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 27.99
- Xseed Games
Sonic‘s Ultimate Genesis Collection – Speaking of retro gaming, Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection is also due up this week, bringing with is over 40 classic Sega titles. Among these are the Golden Axe and the Phantasy Star series, and most of the Sonic titles ever released.
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Everyone 10+
- US$ 27.99
- Sega
The House of the Dead: Overkill – Evil presence and mysterious disappearances? Sounds like a job for Special Agent G. While G isn’t exactly a super hero, being able to pepper your foes with an unlimited supply of ammunition almost qualifies as a super power. This game lets you enjoy the time-killing pleasure of its arcade predecessors right in the comfort of wherever it is you play.
- Wii – February 10, 2009
- ESRB Mature
- US$ 46.99
- Sega
3 on 3 NHL Arcade – Catch the bloaty-headed digital counterparts of your favorite NHL stars and take their game straight into the ice. This game hit the PSN last week, and it’s XBL’s turn now. With fun powerups and fool-proof gameplay, even non-hockey fans could get a kick out of this title.
- Xbox 360 – February 11, 2009
- ESRB Everyone
- 800 Microsoft Points
- EA Sports
Buy: [Deadly Creatures (Wii)]
Buy: [F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (PS3), (Xbox 360), (PC)]
Buy: [Jake Power: Fireman (DS)]
Buy: [LocoRoco 2 (PSP)]
Buy: [My DoItAll (DS)]
Buy: [NASCAR Kart Racing (Wii)]
Buy: [Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers (Wii)]
Buy: [Retro Game Challenge (DS)]
Buy: [Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection (PS3), (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [The House of the Dead: Overkill (Wii)]