Action & Adventure Video Games

Based on the animated film of the same name, Rise of the Guardians finds gamers joining mythical childhood figures as they fight to prevent the Boogeyman-like Pitch from cloaking the world in nightmares and darkness. Players take on the role of Jack Frost, North (Santa Claus), Bunnymund (Easter Bunny), Tooth (Tooth Fairy), and Sandy (Sandman) as they battle nightmares through 3D levels based on locations in the film. Each character has unique abilities and weapons that can be upgraded, and up to four players can drop in or out of the action whenever they please. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Gamers return to Disney's land of forgotten cartoons for an action-packed adventure complete with new voice acting, musical numbers, and co-op gameplay in Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. With the citizens of the Wasteland rebuilding after the events of the first game, earthquakes plaguing the landscape, and a supposedly reformed Mad Doctor promising to help clean up, Oswald calls on Mickey to help restore order. The 3D platforming gameplay once again finds Mickey solving problems and reaching special areas by using his paintbrush to apply either paint or thinner.

Oswald comes along for the ride, serving as a constant AI companion or allowing a second player to drop in or out of the action at any time. He carries a remote control that lets him either fight or befriend other characters, and he can also detach his feet or use his floppy ears to fly short distances. During the course of their adventures Mickey and Oswald will interact with dozens of other characters, including Horace, Big Bad Pete, and Gremlin Gus, and travel to locations like Disney Gulch and the new Rainbow Caverns. And expanding on a mechanic from the first game, the choices players make have lasting consequences that can alter the ultimate outcome of their adventure. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Based on the fourth animated series in the Ben 10 franchise, Ben 10: Omniverse spans two time periods allowing gamers to play as both young and teen Ben Tennyson. Ben can transform into 13 aliens, including such new heroes as Gravattack and Bloxx. Also new to the series is Rook, a playable character that can be used in both the single-player campaign and as the second player in co-op play. While Ben relies on transformations to battle through each level, Rook has a multi-purpose Proto-Tool that can be used as a sword, staff, blaster, or grappler. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

Spider-Man finds himself entangled in more web-slinging action on Wii, with a storyline that takes place after the events chronicled in 2012's feature film. Unlike the two previous games on the platform, The Amazing Spider-Man returns the superhero to a free-roaming New York City. Players will swing across the streets, skyscrapers, and landmarks of the Big Apple in addition to exploring interior locations and battling an assortment of villains.

The action is viewed from a third-person perspective, with players able to use a combination of webbing and melee combat moves to neutralize street thugs, weaponized robots designed by Oscorp Industries, and nemeses such as Rhino. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The multisystem release of LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes offers more third-person platforming action for young (and young-at-heart) comics, building-block, and video game fans. Carrying on from the first adventure, Batman and Robin are joined by the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern in virtual LEGO-constructed settings stocked with gadgets and special-use power suits. Players will also pilot the Batmobile and Batwing in some sequences. As in Telltale's earlier LEGO adventures, a second gamer can drop in and out of the action at almost any time. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Wii gamers take control of Pixar's first female lead as she uses a sword and bow to battle through Scotland in Brave: The Video Game. The third-person action finds the rebellious princess Merida on a quest to remove a curse that has turned her mother into a large bear. Along the way players use their Wii Remote to battle a variety of mythical woodland creatures, acquire more than a dozen different weapons and outfits, and collect coins to purchase upgrades. In some levels other characters from the film chip in to help Merida save her mother. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Released in conjunction with the three-quel feature film, Madagascar 3: The Video Game puts players in the roles of Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria, for zoologically fueled adventure in a circus tour across Europe. Through a series of mini-games, the animals perform publicity stunts at famous landmarks, as well as acts of derring-do under the big top. They'll also need to watch out for animal control officers, who can cut their circus careers short with a quick trip back to Central Park. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Players embark on a "Party Adventure" road trip in Mario Party 9. Characters travel the game board in style, together in a single car, and players take turns driving. A new layer of strategy comes into play, as players seek the best spaces for themselves, or try to leave difficult passages for their opponents. A fresh selection of 80 multiplayer mini-games keeps players moving. Some are inspired by previous Mario games and other fan-familiar Nintendo references, but all are designed to be accessible for players at nearly any level of skill and experience.

In league with other classic Mario-game villains, Bowser has stolen all the "mini-stars" from the sky. The goal is to win them all back, one challenge at a time. Players compete across the board, each trying to collect more stars than the others. They'll need to work together in the game's Boss Battles, where Bowser and the other Mushroom Kingdom baddies can only be defeated through teamwork. Yet even here, the competition is on, as characters who deal out more damage in a boss fight are rewarded with more stars, and delivering the final blow earns a big bonus. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

This sequel to the 2006 graphic adventure Secret Files: Tunguska once again finds gamers in the role of Nina Kalenkow as she investigates the origins of a series of seemingly natural disasters. When Nina learns that the incidents are not natural, but in fact the work of a secret society known as Puritas Cordis, she begins a frenzied race against time to prevent impending catastrophe. In addition to Nina, players can control Max, her scientist boyfriend who witnesses firsthand the brutality of Puritas Cordis at an Indonesian temple excavation site, and a French priest, who helps piece together the connections between the sinister group and the leader of an ancient order. Gameplay unfolds in a classic point-and-click fashion, with players navigating each 3D character though a series of scenes, keeping track of clues in a diary, and piecing together items to help solve puzzles. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Rayman returns to home consoles as the limbless mascot began: as a 2D side-scrolling platform game. Featuring a presentation that resembles a cartoon, Rayman Origins also boasts 60 frames-per-second visuals with jump-in, jump-out cooperative support for up to four players. The story finds quirky characters Rayman, Globox, and two wizards (the Teensies), in a quest to save the Glade of Dreams from the evil and exploitative Darktoons. Explore varied locales across 60 levels of jumping, shooting, and animal-riding action. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide