On Shelves This Week: November 25 to December 1, 2007

Looking for the perfect gift for your videogame-playing loved one? Then look no further as we give you the titles hitting store shelves this week, and this time it’s mostly about the portables. So sit back and relax as we show you some options on just what sort of videogame happy you’ll be having gift-wrapped in this season of giving (even though Christmas itself is still a few weeks away).

Bit of a mixed bag here for this week, folks, with most of this week’s latest bounty coming from both Nintendo fronts – that is, the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS. Most notable of which is the psychedelic and futuristic shooter that’s got everyone in a tizzy, Geometry Wars: Galaxies for the handheld with the double screens.

On the console side, we’ve got Cranium Kabookii, Ubisoft’s brain-teasing multiplayer game for the Nintendo Wii that’s catered to get the entire family in on the action. There’s also History Channel: Battle for the Pacific, both for the Wii and the Xbox 360, where players can relive the epic battles of some of the more pivotal points in the second World War through the eyes of an American GI.

Boogie – Get your groove on the go with this DS iteration of the multiplatform rhythm game. With fresh minigames that involve both touchscreen and mic functionalities of the Nintendo DS, Boogie is definitely a must-buy if you’re into the genre – or want your games with just a bit more funk.

• Nintendo DS – November 27, 2007
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Electronic Arts

Chicken Hunter. It’s chicken season, and with your trusty firearm of choice, you’ll soon be racking up the points as you hunt for the fowl creatures in vividly-colored stages. Just remember to keep cool under the trigger and watch everything carefully – you’ll never know where they may pop up next.

• Nintendo DS – November 30, 2007
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Mumbo Jumbo

Cranium Kabookii. The family that plays together stays together, and there’s nothing better to test that theory out with Ubisoft’s game of multiplayer mayhem, Cranium Kabookii. Tickle your minds as players use both Wiimote and Kabookii Decoder Glasses to draw, act, puzzle and even crack codes – all at the same time. Fun for the whole family, grandparents included.

• Nintendo Wii – November 27, 2007
• US$ 49.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Ubisoft

Cruis’n. Want that retro rush now? Cruis’n for the Nintendo Wii is right up your alley, then, with the classic arcade racer from Midway getting a next-gen polish. Choose your high-octane chariot from an impressive line of licensed scars, all of them customizable with upgrades and body kits. Leave the competition in the dust as you steer, drift and stunt your way to victory – as well as

• Nintendo Wii – November 27, 2007
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• US$ 29.99
• Midway

Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey. Ever wondered what the Princesses of the Disney universe gets to doing day-to-day? If your answer is yes, then you’re in luck as Disney Interactive provides you with the means to. Featuring worlds from some of the legendary animated films from Disney, this title will let you rub shoulders with the femme royales that heroes have been known to pine for.

• Games for Windows – November 27, 2007
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• US$ 19.99
• Disney Interactive

Game Party. More minigame madness in Wii flavor! Using the motion-sensing gameplay controls that the console is known for, you’ll be able to play classic games the way they’re meant to be played – with actual movement rather than just simply by pressing a button. It’s Wii Sports all over again, except just a bit more arcade-y. Fun in parties!

• Nintendo Wii – November 27, 2007, 2007
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• US$ 19.99
• Midway

Geometry Wars: Galaxies. The epic shooter bursting with old-school flavor and psychedelic charm  comes to the DS. With a soundtrack that’s out of this world and gameplay that’s sure to keep you riveted, this is no mere remake – it’s a new game entirely. Fans of the original and newbies looking for a new genre to be adept at should look into it.

• Nintendo DS – November 27, 2007
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• US$ 29.99
• Midway, Kuju Entertainment

History Channel: Battle for the Pacific. Relive the passion and the flame of the second World War in this strategy game that’s as accurate as it gets. From the locations to the weapons to the vehicles, you’ll get your fill of just how one of the most important battles in history went down.

• Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360 – November 27, 2007
• ESRB T (Teen)
• US$ 49.99 (Xbox 360), US$ 39.99 (Wii)
• Activision

Master of Illusion. Fancy yourself a magician, do you? With Master of Illusion, Nintendo of America‘s gift to budding magicians, you’ll be able to practice more than 20 different awe-inspiring tricks guaranteed to wow over friends and family. Taking full use of the Nintendo Dual Screen’s unique touchscreen and mic functionalities, you’ll also be able to engage in minigames to calm your nerves before the big performance.

• Nintendo DS – November 26, 2007
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• US$ 34.99
• Nintendo of America

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Casual puzzle gaming meets hardcore RPG gameplay as one of the sleeper hits of this generation makes a comeback. Defeat evil warlords, tame horrific monsters and gather your companions as you incorporate strategy and role-playing elements in a puzzle game that’s more than addictive. A must-buy for both hardcore and casual players.

• Nintendo Wii – November 29, 2007
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• US$ 29.99
• D3 Publisher of America

Shadowgrounds: Survivor. With three playable characters and a ton of weapons you can blast enemies apart with, Shadowgrounds is back and in a big way. A unique overhead view and an intuitive control system makes gameplay not only engaging, but downright intense as you explore monster-infested corridors and rooms. Definitely something to look into if you’re the type that wants to simply shoot aliens until the cows come home.

• Games for Windows – December 1, 2007
• ESRB M (Mature)
• US$ 19.99
• Frozenbyte, Meridian4

Buy: [Cranium Kabookii]
Buy: [Cruis’n]
Buy: [Game Party]
Buy: [ History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (Xbox 360), (Wii) ]
Buy: [Geometry Wars: Galaxies]
Buy: [Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords]
Buy: [Shadowgrounds: Survivor]