On Shelves This Week: June 16 to June 22, 2008

This issue is another one of those weeks where you could selectively stave off from spending hard-earned cash, but then there are millions of gamers who need their gaming fix. Gladly enough, third-party publishers on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii have addressed the casual gaming populace, and that pretty much sums up this week’s retail release line up. On second thought, no – we still have an MMO, EA Maxis‘ pre-Spore sampler, a formerly retail, now PSN game, plus the release of Rock Band on the Nintendo Wii. Check the full story for details.

On shelves this week are a cartload of Nintendo games that’s meant for the casual crowd, though videogame titles for the PC, PlayStation 3, PSP, and Xbox 360 also dot this week’s releases.

There aren’t many of them, however, and judging from next week’s impending releases, you might say this is the calm before another storm. But don’t worry, we still have a couple of delectable additions for the expectant mainstream gamers as well.

For one, EA Maxis‘ Spore Creature Creator is lined up for release on Tuesday, while Fatal Inertia EX will hit PSN by Thursday. Monday will see the immediate debut of MMORPG Requiem: Bloodymare, who’s free-to-play antics frolic beside a re-packaged discount deal for folks looking for quick puzzle entertainment.

Requiem: Bloodymare – Now it’s not common to see Gravity, owner of label Gravity Games, take on a project that has major Western influence behind it – much less one completely stripped off child-friendly themes. But Requiem: Bloodymare, an MMORPG incarnation, is apparently all that.

The game was designed to take advantage of leading edge graphics engines and physics. Of course, visuals aren’t everything, so even in gameplay Gravity added a few touches of its own. Though it isn’t sure if Gravity’s to-launch project is related to the past Requiem games of gaming history’s late 90s, but like them, the massively multiplayer title does mix humans with non-humans in a fantastical world not meant for kids to wander through.

• Microsoft Windows – June 16, 2008
• ESRB Mature 17+
• Free Download, free play; Basic subscription: US$ 7.99; Premium subscription: US$ 14.99

The Political Machine 2008 – Though published by Take Two Interactive, The Political Machine is nothing what you first-timers would imagine it is – a jab at the political body who’s been in less friendlier terms with video games. Not even close.

In fact The Political Machine is Stardock System’s brainchild, who’s come up a long way from 2004 as the closest thing you’ll get to a political campaign simulation. We’re not kidding here – the first copy I personally picked up looked like it would draw the presidential campaign procedure into all sorts of parodies, but it’s quite serious. In fact, real serious about medical care. And world peace, too.

• Microsoft Windows – June 16, 2008
• ESRB Everyone 10+
• US$ 19.99

Luxor 3 with 7 Wonders of the World (discount bundling) – MumboJumbo’s Luxor 3, though almost a year old, is still a easy favorite for some, especially when you’re looking for something more updated than Zuma Deluxe.

According to EB Games-GameStop, you can get it at an even lower price (20 smackeroos slashed off), while bundled with MumboJumbo’s other puzzler, 7 Wonders of the World. For folks looking for a fast fix to boredom, this bundle’s a keeper. But remember that the deal is exclusive only to both retail chains and no other.

• Microsoft Windows – June 16, 2008
• ESRB Everyone
• US$ 19.99

Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm – Ever caught the Deadliest Catch documentary on Discovery before? This is it’s game adaptation. Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm is factually based on the the fishing missions for the world’s prized King Crabs (or Opilio, depending on the season), but with a little less amusement and a little more authenticity.

In fact, the developers went all out on authenticity in this one. From the mapping out of 34,000 square kilometers of sea, real-world climactic and weather data – heck, you’ve seen the 40 foot waves on TV right? This one has them as well – all realistically rendered.

Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm was announced to arrive on Microsoft Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows.

• Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows – June 17, 2008
• ESRB Teen
• 360: US$ 59.99; PC: US$ 39.99

Spore Creature Creator – Okay, we know EA Maxis’ Spore teaser ‘peeked a boo’ at Bittorent lately. Still, Electronic Arts is planning on turning Spore (PC, Nintendo Wii, DS, Mac, and Mobile) into a million-dollar franchise like The Sims, and they’re not wasting any time. Spore Creature Creator, which in all fairness will be featured in its entirety in the full game of Spore, will be sold to anticipating fans for about 10 dollars apiece.

Now this title, like The Sims Builder, is all about creating, personalizing, testing, and showing off your own creature. But don’t worry, the creature you put together with the retail version will work immediately in Spore once it hits retail in September.

• Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X – June 17, 2008
• Not rated by ESRB
• US$ 9.99

Imagine: Rock Star – Ubisoft’s latest installment to the Imagine series on the Nintendo DS is Imagine: Rock Star. The Paris-based publisher obviously aims this title for the fairer gamer on Nintendo’s handheld console. It’s basically Rock Band with ample emphasis on character customization (fashion, for starters), band management, and challenging fun. Of course, Imagine: Rock Star has it’s own nifty tricks with varying stylus manipulation for different instruments, plus it’s got immediate wireless network play off the box.

• Nintendo DS – June 17, 2008
• ESRB Everyone
• US$ 29.99

Code Lyoko: Fall of XANA – Code Lyoko is no stranger to the Nintendo gaming platform. The first game initially launched on the Wii last year, and the franchise’s popularity switched an adequate amount of its fans from watching the French animated series to playing it. Much like it’s own Matrix-esque twist, is it not? Now the virtual world heroes are back for an RPG touch on the Nintendo DS with Code Lyoko: Fall of XANA.

Fall of XANA is a role playing game with much similarity to Final Fantasy. Doubtful? Don’t be: the story and background of the cartoon, plus its universe melded with a tactical RPG engine, actually works. And it works well, we might add.

• Nintendo DS – June 17, 2008
• Not rated by ESRB
• US$ 29.99

Wacky Races: Crash and Dash – By now we know most of you have mastered the curbs of Mario Kart Wii, but what if you tried your hand at something even more fast lane, yet insane in the membrane?

It’s just too bad that Warner Bros. Games’ Wacky Races: Crash and Dash isn’t designed with the Wii Wheel in mind, but at least you can focus your attentions on denying the competition the finish line by knocking them off the race. After all, that’s what Wacky Races is all about.

• Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii – June 17, 2008
• Not rated by ESRB
• US$ 29,99

Secret Agent Clank – He’s no womanizer, yet not even the man with a Golden Gun could stop him. Don’t let the title fool you – Clank doesn’t necessarily go solo in this spy thriller adventure created by High Impact Games. Those who live life in the fast, furious world of…gaming…will delight in the game’s paced action, puzzler segments. But you could say that Secret Agent Clank has more emphasis on action.

With a collection of secret agent-grade gadgets and weapons, players get to guide Clank in saving the day, getting the girl, and returning the tuxedo before dinner. Okay – maybe just saving the day.

• Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) – June 17, 2008
• ESRB Everyone 10+
• US$ 39.99

Petz Dogz Fashion – We know what you’re thinking. But you can’t deny that people do dress up their canine friends in real life. So if Ubisoft can get you to love a virtual Terrier on your game machine, they can definitely get that Terrier into a turtle-neck and look even more adorable. Or absurd. Depends on your taste – that’s essentially what fashion’s about, right?

Petz Dogz Fashion is not an add-on to Petz. It’s a full virtual pet simulator on its own, though this one’s got a fashion show slapped in there somewhere.

• Nintendo DS – June 17, 2008
• ESRB Everyone
• US$ 29.99

Space Invaders Extreme – I honestly don’t know how Space Invaders can get any more extreme than it originally is, but if Square Enix says so, then I won’t have anything else to say in those lines. Why?

Because in the same way people loved the PSP’s Lumines for it’s trippy, “splashed acid on myself and now I glow awesomeness” feel, you could love this update to Space Invaders on DS or PSP. It’s not an experience best described in words, so if you can get your hands on a gameplay vid, you’d get everything that was needed to be said – stat.

• Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) – June 17, 2008
• ESRB Everyone
• US$ 19.99

Arkanoid (a.k.a. Arkanoid DS) – Though not officially named Arkanoid DS, I’d like to use the one that Taito plastered on the box to avoid confusion. The developers remade their version of Breakout into the Nintendo dual-screen, handheld console with much emphasis on pure, unadulterated arcade fun. And they did this while avoiding the loss of arcade authenticity.

So as Taito worked hard creating new content to deliver the fun, they addressed the authenticity angle with the classic paddle control. Arkanoid DS in Japan comes with a bundled paddle controller add-on for the DS and DS Lite, though we can’t quite seem to find a bundle version for the US. So take note: this entry is just for the game copy. For the add-on, well, there are other ways…

• Nintendo DS – June 17, 2008
• ESRB Everyone
• US$ 19.99

Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 – While we doubt this series was designed with the next generation of shop entrepreneurs in mind, Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 did rake in sales because it’s shop simulation was damn near amusing enough. Of course, there were lots of mini-games to plough through, and by the time we tried all the shops, there was little inclination to give the whole run another go.

Bandai serves up the latest installment with even more mini-games than you could imagine, although this time around they also have a slew of new, peculiar shops. Check this: an archaeological dig services shop. I admit, the idea sounded plausible when I got my first metal detector as a present, but who would’ve thunk?

• Nintendo DS – June 17, 2008
• ESRB Everyone
• US$ 29.99

Fatal Inertia EX – For the only PlayStation 3 title debuting this week (not in retail, but on the PlayStation Network), we have Koei’s Fatal Inertia. Officially called Fatal Inertia EX for North America, the action, racing videogame title was first released in Japan half a month ago under its original name.

It featured hover racing themes similar to one PlayStation favorite, WipEout, yet took the break-neck speeds off enclosed tracks into a blown-open course – ala Star Wars’ pod racing.
Unlike pod racing, however, Fatal Inertia takes extreme sports to a different level: in this game, if you can’t outrace your enemy, then blow him to shreds. Either that, or cause enough of a disturbance in his slipstream so that his course deviates to that solid rock wall. The name says it all.

• Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) – June 19, 2008
• Not rated by ESRB
• US$ 29.99

Rock Band – It’s everything your fellow gamers on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have been playing, though this one has been optimized for the Nintendo Wii. So like the other platforms, players can play the roles of their choice – on drums, guitars, or microphone – and enjoy as much of the music experience as possible (we hear that’s what Harmonix has been working on all this time).

But what Wii gamers won’t see in Rock Band for the Wii is character customizations, which is pretty sad, since we’ve prepared special Miis just for the Alien Vomit band we’ve concocted…

• Nintendo Wii – June 22, 2008
• ESRB Teen
• Game only: US$ 49.99; Special Edition Bundle: US$ 169.99

Guitar Hero: On Tour – No, it’s not Legends of Rock, but it is Guitar Heroes, and as such, there’s still a lot of mad riffs to be made and had with Activision’s Guitar Hero: On Tour for the DS.

This series completely exclusive to Nintendo’s portable console does not come with a guitar, but it does come with a wicked add-on to turn your dual-screen machine into an axe-ripper. And no, it won’t have you playing your DS like a guitar. The fret interface is much subtler, in fact.

• Nintendo DS – June 22, 2008
• ESRB Everyone 10+
• Game only: US$ 49.99; Bundle: US$ 179.99

* Artcile originally posted Jun 15, 2008 at 10:43PM

Buy: [ The Political Machine 2008 ]
Buy: [ Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm (Windows), (Xbox 360) ]
Buy: [ Spore Creature Creator (Windows), (Mac OS X) ]
Buy: [ Imagine: Rock Star ]
Buy: [ Wacky Races: Crash and Dash (DS), (Wii) ]
Buy: [ Secret Agent Clank ]
Buy: [ Petz Dogz Fashion ]
Buy: [ Space Invaders Extreme (DS), (PSP) ]
Buy: [ Arkanoid (DS) ]
Buy: [ Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 ]
Buy: [ Rock Band Wii (Regular), (Special Edition Bundle) ]
Buy: [ Guitar Hero: On Tour ]