New Releases

An updated take on one of the most beloved tales of all time, The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road lets DS gamers guide Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Lion, and Strawman through an epic journey filled with turn-based battles and adventure. The story picks up with the quintet meeting the infamous Wizard of Oz, only to be told that Dorothy can't return to Kansas until she does away with four witches who are running amuck in the Land of Magic. The in-game action is entirely stylus-controlled, with players guiding Dorothy through the colorful countryside by nudging a virtual trackball that governs the speed and direction of movement. The turn-based battles can be configured to take place automatically, while experienced RPG gamers also have the option to take part in every aspect of preparation and combat. Characters can increase their skills by battling against three different "Father Dragons" located throughout the Land of Magic, and four "Elemental Spirits" serve as portals to transport gamers to previously inaccessible places. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Rockstar's Midnight Club racing series makes its first appearance on next-gen consoles after a three-year hiatus. Instead of solely focusing on the nighttime racing scene, Midnight Club features a 24-hour day-night cycle set in densely populated Los Angeles. Powered by the same graphics engine used in Grand Theft Auto IV, the title offers arcade-style racing from either a behind-the-car perspective or a dashboard viewpoint with working dials and animated steering wheels. There are no longer menu screens to navigate or linear missions to follow. The entire city is available to explore from the start, so players are free to travel wherever they want, looking for opponents to challenge in races designed to test their driving prowess. Up to four players can compete simultaneously online via Xbox Live.

Reputation points earned from races can be traded in for new vehicles, performance parts, and special race invitations. The digital version of Los Angeles is the largest city featured in a Midnight Club game to date. Spanning an area larger than all three cities combined in 2005's version, Midnight Club: Los Angeles has players switching between an aerial perspective to plan routes and a street level view to prowl for potential events. Initiating races involves flashing the vehicle's lights to signal an opponent and then driving to a designated start point. Any damage received while driving or racing can be repaired at various garages. Multiple vehicle types are available from different eras and include motorcycles. Midnight Club: Los Angeles also features a licensed soundtrack by popular recording artists.

The "Complete Edition" includes all previously released updates and the "South Central Expansion" content add-on pack. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Family Party: 30 Great Games -- Outdoor Fun is a value-minded collection of over 30 mini-games, many inspired by playground games and athletic activities, designed to be played using the movement-sensitive Wii controllers. As in the original Family Party game from D3 Publisher and developer Tamsoft, players can choose from a dozen household characters to represent them, and do their best in a variety of competitions involving strategy, accuracy, and motion controls. Players can take on computer-controlled opponents, or up to four can compete together in the game's multiplayer modes. Exceeding the promise of its title, the game actually contains 33 outdoor activities, including events inspired by sports such as soccer and football, and mini-games involving martial arts such as karate and boxing. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

The superhero universe is embroiled in civil war, and it's time for players to choose sides in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. The game is a mission-driven action-adventure with a focus on small-squad combat, viewed from an isometric perspective. As in Marvel's earlier 3D action games (such as titles in the X-Men: Legends series, as well as the original Marvel: Ultimate Alliance), role-playing aspects also influence the adventure, with gamers choosing which heroes to control, and how to improve their various superpowers and abilities as they gain experience by defeating enemies and accomplishing goals.

In most scenarios, a team of four Marvel heroes battles a path through areas teeming with high-tech defenses, heavily armed thugs, and rival superhero and supervillian enemies. Players can switch control between the characters, while the computer takes control of additional teammates. While all the heroes and villains can perform basic maneuvers such as leaps and melee attacks, each also has a distinct superpower. Over two dozen heroes and villains are available for play, and the special powers of any two super-beings can be combined into a new, even more powerful "fusion" ability. A team with a good mix of special abilities is better prepared for the diverse dangers and challenges that wait in each mission.

The story of the Ultimate Alliance 2 is taken from the Civil War saga, the major crossover event that was first revealed in the pages of multiple Marvel comics in 2006 and early 2007. The U.S. government is calling on all super-powered humans to reveal themselves and register with an official agency, for the safety and protection of the population at large. Heroes and villains now reevaluate past loyalties and regroup according to their stance toward this conflict, which pits the security of the people against the liberties of the individual. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Headbangers and moshers can thrash to 20 heavy metal songs in this standalone entry to the Rock Band series. Six tracks making their Rock Band debut include "Transmaniacon MC," "Master of the Universe," "Levitate," "Killed by Death," "Hair of the Dog," and "Bulls on Parade." Other featured songs are as follows: "Two Weeks," "Blinded by Fear," "ShockWave," "Walking the Demon," "Are You Dead Yet," "Thrasher," "I Stand Alone," "D.O.A.," "Forever," "Screaming for Vengeance," "Closer," "Laid to Rest," "3's & 7's," and "Red Devil." As with previous Rock Band packs, all of the songs can be played with guitars, drums, and/or microphones. Owners of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the disc have the option to play the songs separately or import the tracks for use in either Rock Band or Rock Band 2. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Activision's best-selling hunting series continues with Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010. This version focuses on a story-driven campaign starring a young but talented hunter named Jack Wilde. As Wilde, you'll need to overcome a number of environmental dangers, from turbulent streams and rolling logs to treacherous cliffs and avalanches, while stalking your prey. Once your target is in your sights, you'll need to steady your grip as you deal with simulated breathing, wind, and other variables that can influence the accuracy of your shot. Seek out cover points to earn bonuses and unlock new areas by receiving medals for top performances. In addition to the main campaign, Big Game Hunter 2010 also includes a fast-paced shooting gallery with waterfowl, upland birds, and small game serving as targets. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Take a nostalgic trip back to when Mystery Inc. first began solving cases in Scooby-Doo! First Frights. Play as young versions of Shaggy, Scooby, Fred, Daphne, and Velma as they run and jump through 3D environments filled with puzzles to solve and creatures to battle. Collect yummy treats as you explore a seemingly haunted cruise ship, castle, carnival, and high school. Each character offers a distinct attack, and solo players can switch back and forth between protagonists to take advantage of special abilities. Fred, for example, uses his strength to move heavy objects, while Shaggy pelts enemies from afar with his slingshot. Discover a variety of costumes and unlock an assortment of characters for use in the game's separate "explore" mode. First Frights includes simultaneous co-op action for two players and a total of four cases to crack, offering over 20 levels of play. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Take a nostalgic trip back to when Mystery Inc. first began solving cases in Scooby-Doo! First Frights. Play as young versions of Shaggy, Scooby, Fred, Daphne, and Velma as they run and jump through 3D environments filled with puzzles to solve and creatures to battle. Collect yummy treats as you explore a seemingly haunted cruise ship, castle, carnival, and high school. Each character offers a distinct attack, and solo players can switch back and forth between protagonists to take advantage of special abilities. Fred, for example, uses his strength to move heavy objects, while Shaggy pelts enemies from afar with his slingshot. Discover a variety of costumes and unlock an assortment of characters for use in the game's separate "explore" mode. First Frights includes simultaneous co-op action for two players and a total of four cases to crack, offering over 20 levels of play. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Put your construction and remodeling skills to the test as you complete a series of home improvement projects in Our House for Nintendo DS. Check the job board or newspaper for a list of contracts from ten quirky clients and prepare to hang wallpaper, replace floors, mortar bricks, connect electrical wires, and more. Over 100 mini-games are available in total, each earning you money to spend on furniture and appliances for your dream home. You'll eventually be able to upgrade your dwelling five times throughout the game, and you can monitor your accumulated possessions at any time from within the storage screen. Earn bonuses for either completing projects quickly or receiving a high quality rating. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Timed to celebrate 25 years of comics, cartoons, movies, toys, and video games, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up is a fighting game designed to give the franchise the full Super Smash Bros. treatment, complete with environmental attacks, eight-player battles, and a large roster of fighters. Players can select from more than 15 characters, including series mainstays Michaelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Splinter, and Shredder, as well as a few characters from outside of the "Turtle" universe, such as publisher Ubisoft's unofficial mascot, Raving Rabbid. Each character has a unique fighting style, and gamers can also unleash projectiles and special ninja powers, such as fire, lightning, tornados, and earthquakes. The game makes use of detailed backgrounds and a 2.5D perspective, giving depth and interactivity to more than a dozen trap-filled stages. "Arcade" mode serves as the primary single-player feature, though solo gamers can also participate in "Battle Royale" and "Survival" modes, as well as the mini-game-filled "Mission Mode." Multiplayer fans can join up to seven friends for "Swap Out" and "Tournament" modes, or head online for one-on-one action. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Timed to celebrate 25 years of comics, cartoons, movies, toys, and video games, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up is a fighting game designed to give the franchise the full Super Smash Bros. treatment, complete with environmental attacks, multiplayer battles, and a large roster of fighters. Players can select from more than 15 characters, including series mainstays Michaelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Splinter, and Shredder, as well as a few characters from outside of the "Turtle" universe, such as publisher Ubisoft's unofficial mascot, Raving Rabbid. Each character has a unique fighting style, and gamers can also unleash projectiles and special ninja powers, such as fire, lightning, tornados, and earthquakes. The game makes use of detailed backgrounds and a 2.5D perspective, giving depth and interactivity to more than a dozen trap-filled stages. "Arcade" mode serves as the primary single-player feature, though solo gamers can also participate in "Battle Royale" and "Survival" modes, as well as the mini-game-filled "Mission Mode." Multiplayer fans can join their friends for "Swap Out" and "Tournament" modes, or head online for one-on-one action. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Microsoft and Bungie's blockbuster sci-fi shooter series continues with this standalone expansion to Halo 3. Battle through an all-new campaign as an ODST, short for Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, in a story line that serves as a prequel to the events chronicled in Halo 3. Your mission is to locate the remaining members of your squad somewhere within the Covenant-besieged city of New Mombasa. A new multiplayer mode entitled "Firefight" is introduced, where up to four players must work together to repel increasingly challenging waves of enemies. A second disc is home to a total of 24 multiplayer maps, three of which are new, with the remainder comprised of the "legendary," "heroic," and "mythic" Halo 3 map packs that were previously available as downloadable content via Xbox Live. Initial runs of Halo 3: ODST also include a key to the multiplayer beta of the franchise's next anticipated entry, Halo: Reach. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Living up to its title, Wacky World of Sports features ten silly sporting contests supporting up to four players. Events include Ice Golf, Card Boxing, Extreme Ironing, Tuna Tossing, Furniture Racing, Mud Sliding, Lawn Mower Racing, Log Cutting, Cheese Rolling, and the Dutch sport of "Fierjeppen." Choose one of four playable characters and compete against eight computer-controlled rivals in locales across the globe. Each activity takes advantage of the system's motion-sensing controls for spinning, throwing, steering, and more. Compete by yourself in the single-player tour mode, or challenge up to three friends with the multiplayer option. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide