New Releases

In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, developer Infinity Ward aims to ratchet up the intense first-person gunplay, graphical verisimilitude, and deep multiplayer experience that won the original title wide acclaim from critics and consumers alike, while at the same time adding to the overall package with the new, fast-paced "SpecOps" mode. The single-player campaign picks up where Call of Duty 4 ended, with gamers once again descending into the shadowy world of terrorists, arms dealers, and nationless armies. Players take on the role of Sergeant Gary "Roach" Anderson, an elite member of the multinational Task Force 141 and subordinate of one of Call of Duty 4's protagonists, John "Soup" MacTavish.

Task Force 141 is on the trail of Vladimir Makarov, a maniacal disciple of Imran Zakhaev, who has used the death of his mentor as a means of expanding his own base of power. Missions find gamers working off sketchy intelligence as they battle whiteout conditions in the jagged mountains of Russia and Kazakstan, shuffle though expansive desert and cave environments in Afghanistan, and weave between City of God-like Brazilian slums, where misfires result in dead civilians and a failed mission. As was the case in Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare 2 supplies players with the most technologically advanced weapons, vehicles, and accoutrements available, including SCAR-H rifles, snowmobiles, and heartbeat sensors.

The new "SpecialOps" mode brings gamers more than 20 fast-paced missions inspired by the frenzied mid-fuselage gunfight at the end of Call of Duty 4. Players find themselves racing snowmobiles, battling a huge number of enemies at once, or simply attempting to get in and out of a building without dying, and missions can be played solo, in local split-screen co-op, or online with a friend. Those looking for more online action can also take on the "Free-for-All," "Demolition," "Domination," "Search & Destroy," "Capture the Flag," and "Team Deathmatch" multiplayer modes.

The much-lauded RPG-like system of doling out experience points and unlockable rewards returns in Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer modes, but Infinity Ward has also included a number of new wrinkles to spice up the action. Maps are designed to be both more expansive and more vertical; weapons feature a variety of new attachments; new "Pro Perks" let players gain more stopping power, greater speed, or automatic health boosts; and gamers who manage to string together a number of kills gain access to the new "killstreaks" system, which lets them call for seven different kinds of heavy-duty support, including supply drops, helicopter gun attacks, and unmanned aerial vehicle strikes. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Based on the trading card game and inspired by the animated television series, the first Chaotic video game is designed to bring the supernatural mugic spells, fantastic battle gear, and amazing heroes and creatures to life, in strategic turn-based battle. Set on the world of Perim, the game's plays through an ongoing struggle for survival and supremacy between the forces of the heroic OverWorlders and the dark UnderWorlders, along with the ant-like Danians, the reptilian Mipedians, and the spooky, mind-controlling M'arrillians. Gamers can take on the role of any of 40 playable characters, making use of tactical combinations of dozens devastating spells and empowered pieces of battle gear, in eight winner-take-all fighting arenas. Battles are fought in the Chaotic realm, following the rules of the card game, with onscreen creatures acting out each strike and counter-strike in colorful, 3D animations. Victory unlocks new cards, representing additional gear and mugic powers. Two players can match their card-battle skills in head-to-head play, or a single player can face an RPG-style "Story" mode campaign against computer-controlled opponents. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

The third Call of Duty title to come to DS, and the first to feature a wholly original storyline, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare -- Mobilized offers handheld gamers new weapons, new gameplay modes, and new multiplayer options. Players can wield 20 different firearms, including an automatic shotgun, and missions find gamers engaging in traditional ground-based urban combat, piloting a tank through hostile territory, controlling and deploying weapons from UAV spy drones, and, in a nod to the console version of the original Modern Warfare, manning the turrets of an AC-130 gunship. Aside from the main campaign, single players also have the option to take on the new "Survival" mode, in which gamers use an array of different weapons to hold off hordes of encroaching foes for as long as possible, and the new "Arcade" mode, where a clock winds down as players attempt to rack up high scores in the main campaign. A variety of multiplayer game modes now allow for six-person competitions, gamers can host their own online battles, and a new weapons unlock feature lets players earn more powerful armaments as they improve their multiplayer stats. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Ubisoft's expansive animal development series grows once more with Petz Nursery, a title designed to let gamers interact and care for small and vulnerable baby animals. Players must keep their newborn Petz clean while providing milk and warmth to a variety of creatures, including puppies, kittens, tiger cubs, and baby polar bears. Singing songs, letting the different animals frolic together, and playing games of peek-a-boo will help each creature grow up happy and strong, and Petz Nursery is compatible with other titles in the series, such as Petz: Dogz Talent Show and Petz: Hamsterz Superstarz, so gamers can continue to keep track of their pets even after they leave the nursery. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast is a 3D fighting game for high-def generation consoles, featuring more than 40 heroes, villains, and supporting characters from the Dragon Ball Z franchise. The roster swells above 70 playable characters when including the Super Saiyan variations and form transformations available for many key personalities such as Goku, Gohan, Frieza, Vegeta, Cell, and Broly. Alternate costumes are available for many of the characters as well. In the tradition of the previous console generation's Dragon Ball Z: Budokai series, the focus of play in Raging Blast is fast-paced, supernaturally powered martial arts combat, on solid ground and high in the skies above, as featured throughout the influential anime series. Battles are fought in large, interactive and destructible arenas, taken from key moments throughout the manga and anime. Characters display real-time damage, such as scrapes, bruises, and torn clothing from a tough fight. Single-player modes include the "Dragon Battle Collection" main story campaign, which runs from the Saiyan Saga up to the Kid Buu Saga, and "Super Battle Trial," which allows players to duke it out and test new tactics with their favorite fighters in quick pick-up matches. Players can customize the Super Attack moves of their favorite characters, using points earned by playing through the campaign. Online, players have access to multiplayer modes including team tournaments, spectator-ranked matches, and straight up "Versus" battles. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Following the top-rated simulation-style NBA game on PlayStation and Xbox consoles in previous years, the 2K Sports series expands to play its pro basketball on Wii and PSP with NBA 2K10. Across all platforms, the game retains the basic flow and feel of the 2K series' play style on the court, while refining league management features and adding new presentational elements intended to bring NBA authenticity. The series' Signature Play system builds on the player-specific styles featured in earlier games. New Signature Tendencies influence player decisions in the heat of the moment, and new facial expressions convey emotion while adding realism to the presentation. The 2K Sports "Association" franchise mode returns, offering almost complete control over trades across the league, and the ability to run real-time practices and assess how players work together as a team. NBA 2K10 also provides new defensive controls, which allow gamers to take charge of pressure, off-ball positioning, and shot blocks. For gamers who prefer to see themselves as the heroes of the hardwood, an enhanced "My Player" mode allows the custom creation of an NBA superstar-to-be, who can begin in summer training camps and try to earn a starting position on a favorite pro team -- with patience, hard work, and skills. Released in autumn 2009, NBA 2K10 represents the tenth season of the basketball series, with developer Visual Concepts creating the Dreamcast-exclusive original NBA 2K a decade earlier. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders once again finds gamers helping the balding Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, this time in an effort to track down a serial killer who has been dispatching his victims in alphabetical order. The killer taunts Poirot by revealing the location of each murder beforehand and leaving an ABC Railway Guide with each body, but the detective always arrives too late. It's up to players to enlist the help of Hastings and Japp, use the touch screen to inspect crime scenes, interact with 20 different characters and suspects, and travel throughout England on the hunt for the ABC killer. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Created in conjunction with the direct-to-video computer animated movie, the interactive edition of Barbie and the Three Musketeers follows the story of the teen-aged country girl Corinne, who realizes her dreams of following her father's life of swashbuckling adventure, through side-scrolling action, adventure, and puzzle-solving gameplay. As in the movie, Corinne is joined by her friends Viveca, Renee, or Aramina, the three new musketeers, each with different strengths and a unique special ability. Players can take the roles of any of these main characters, who can defeat onscreen opponents with moves such as ribbon whips, Chinese fans, and grapples, as the young women make their way across the countryside to the grand city of Paris. Sword-fighting skills will come in handy, but diplomacy and dancing are equally important, especially as the story comes to a head at the grand ball. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Rabbids Go Home finds Ubisoft's raving mascots growing tired of Earth and ready to return to their lunar home, but rather than take a spaceship, they decide to collect a massive pile of human junk and simply climb to the moon. To accomplish their task, the lunatic lagomorphs commandeer a shopping cart and speed through 15 different environments in a Katamari-like effort to collect as much stuff as possible. The materialistic humans won't let go of their precious junk without a fight, however, so they deploy hordes of "Verminators" who are intent on wiping out as many Rabbids as possible. Gamers can use a variety of high-powered upgrades to turn their shopping cart into a runaway wrecking ball, racing through more than 40 missions in a fast-paced symphony of havoc and destruction. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Assemble a band, brick by colorful brick, in this family friendly version of Harmonix Music's popular rhythm series. Featuring the same level of customization and whimsical humor found in previous LEGO video games, LEGO Rock Band lets you create your own band members, roadies, and even managers from a variety of individual parts. Completing songs and rock power challenges earn you studs that can be used to unlock additional venues, characters, instruments, vehicles, and items for your personal "rock den." Challenges involve achieving such offbeat feats as summoning storms, demolishing skyscrapers, and defeating a giant octopus with the power of music.

As with earlier entries in the Rock Band series, gameplay involves using supported guitar, microphone, and/or drum peripherals to rhythmically follow a series of cascading, color-coordinated notes. A total of 45 songs are included on the disc, all performed by the original artists. Tracks include "Crocodile Rock," "Ghostbusters," "Summer of 69," "So What," "I Want You Back," "Free Fallin," and more. Owners can also download other songs designed for the Rock Band series as well as export the LEGO Rock Band track list to Rock Band 2 for use in all game modes. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Assemble a band, brick by colorful brick, in this family friendly version of Harmonix Music's popular rhythm series. Featuring the same level of customization and whimsical humor found in previous LEGO video games, LEGO Rock Band lets you create your own band members, roadies, and even managers from a variety of individual parts. Completing songs and rock power challenges earn you studs that can be used to unlock additional venues, characters, instruments, vehicles, and items for your personal "rock den." Challenges involve achieving such offbeat feats as summoning storms, demolishing skyscrapers, and defeating a giant octopus with the power of music.

As with earlier entries in the Rock Band series, gameplay involves using supported guitar, microphone, and/or drum peripherals to rhythmically follow a series of cascading, color-coordinated notes. A total of 45 songs are included on the disc, all performed by the original artists. Tracks include "Crocodile Rock," "Ghostbusters," "Summer of 69," "So What," "I Want You Back," "Free Fallin," and more. Owners can also download other songs designed for the Rock Band series as well as export the LEGO Rock Band track list to Rock Band 2 for use in all game modes. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Designed from the ground up for the Wii and DS platforms, Need for Speed: Nitro is an arcade-style racing game offering an assortment of customization features. Over 30 licensed cars are included, from classic models to exotics, with a choice of multiple color schemes and skins. Assigning a graphic style to your car allows you the opportunity to literally change the world around you by hitting specific triggers strewn about the road. Each vehicle comes equipped with nitro boosts, which can be used to blast ahead of the competition or to escape police in hot pursuit. You can also perform movie-like stunts such as jumping over cars or two-wheeled driving to elude rivals and stay ahead of the pack. Among the ten different game types are a six-city "World Tour Campaign," a graffiti-inspired "Tag the World" mode, and a collision-filled "Smack'm'all" option. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide