New Releases

Star Wars: Battlefront -- Elite Squadron is a third-person shooter that allows players to take part in famous battles from throughout the Star Wars story. As in previous Battlefront games on consoles and home computers, players take the role of a soldier from the sci-fi fantasy series and engage in frontline combat with infantry weapons, light artillery, and vehicles. In Elite Squadron, players can customize their character by choosing weapons, armor, gender, and combat attributes, and by earning and using their choice of hundreds of unlockable weapons, items, and bonuses. In addition to the custom character they develop, in some modes, gamers can also play as central characters from the Star Wars saga, including Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Kit Fisto, Count Dooku, and Boba Fett, as well as some main characters originally featured in earlier Star Wars games. Players may commandeer equipment and vehicles in the heat of combat, including AT-RTs and troop transports, as well as TIE and X-Wing fighters. Following the Battlefront design, the main campaign is composed of decisive battles from the six Star Wars feature films, including the firefights on Endor, Yavin 4, and the icy planet Hoth. PSP gamers can also connect online, for multiplayer matches with up to 16 human-controlled soldiers. ~ T.J. Deci, 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 Rock Band on PSP, the DS version does not require any additional peripherals to play the drum, singer, guitar, or bass parts, and you can either focus on mastering one instrument or switch between all four parts during a song. Twenty-five tracks are included on the cartridge, all performed by the original artists. Songs include "Let's Dance," "Ghostbusters," "Suddenly I See," "So What," "I Want You Back," "Free Fallin," and more. Up to four players can perform with or against each other via local wireless connection in a choice of two game modes: Quickplay and Rock Power Challengers. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Although guitar heroics often take the lead in modern popular music, rock & roll has always been a group activity, and Activision's Band Hero aims to gets the whole crew into the act. As its title proclaims, the continuation of the genre-founding Guitar Hero series sets center stage for the whole band -- drummers and vocalists as well as lead and bass guitarists -- and is designed to let gamers play along with a diverse selection of contemporary and classic rock and pop songs, using their favorite instruments in their own style. To keep the focus on fun, Band Hero offers "No Fail" gameplay modes for instrumentalists, and a "Sing-Along" mode for karaoke-style parties, allowing players to open up and express themselves, without worrying about keeping up with progressions or scoring points. The game's "Party Play" mode allows players to drop in and out of a song at will, as the music keeps playing.

Hardcore console rockers looking for a challenge can still find it, in the game's more traditional modes of play. Bands can battle in "Rockfest" competitive modes such as "Elimination," "Do or Die," "Perfectionist," and "Pro Face Off," that can be played with up to four others on the same console, or as many as eight over an online connection. For veteran guitar heroes, the game is also compatible with previously available Guitar Hero content, with updates that allow players to perform any instrument part and take advantage of new Band Hero features with many of the earlier downloadable songs from the Guitar Hero: World Tour edition of the game. Also building upon the series' World Tour release, the high-def console editions of Band Hero include a fully featured "GHTM Studio," allowing players to remix with new samples, patterns, and playing styles.

The console disc edition of Band Hero offers more than 65 popular songs. Top-selling country crossover star Taylor Swift is prominently featured in the game, with the inclusion of three songs from her first two original albums, and the artist's performances were motion-captured to bring her in-game persona realistically to life. Guitarist and singer Adam Levine of Maroon 5 was motion-captured, as well, for his appearance in the game as a playable character. Band Hero's play-along soundtrack also includes timeless tracks such as David Bowie's "Let's Dance," Devo's "Whip It," the Jackson 5's "ABC," "Mr. Roboto" from Styx, and original hit singles from a diverse selection of artists, including Aly and AJ, Cheap Trick, Fall Out Boy, the Go-Gos, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Roy Orbison, Tonic, the Village People, and many others. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Mixing inventory puzzles, point-and-click adventure, and traditional hidden object gameplay, Hidden Mysteries: Titanic -- Secrets of the Fateful Voyage puts players aboard the opulent cruise ship during its final few hours. Gamers must hunt for hidden items through 15 chapters, all the while interacting with fellow characters to gather information and obtain important objects. Some of those objects can then be used in more than 20 mini-game puzzles, many using specific Wii Remote controls, while the dialog choices players make affect which paths are available and alter the ultimate conclusion of the game. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

After more than three years without a release, one of Sony's signature platform franchises returns with more exploration, more gadgets, and more vehicular combat in Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier. Gamers once again join the heroic elf Jak and his surly sidekick Daxter as they travel to the ends of their planet to search for ancient Precursor technology that may alleviate a crisis caused by rapidly dwindling supplies of the world's "eco." But finding a new source of eco will not be easy, because the duo must suffer through their own Manichean struggles with light and dark eco, all while battling beastly creatures and fighting sky pirates out to secure the valuable resource for their own subversive desires. Luckily, players are armed with special abilities, a variety of powerful weapons, and five customizable ships for air battles. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Academy of Champions: Soccer brings an arcade feel and story-driven gameplay to the world's most popular sport as gamers guide a young student through the prestigious Brightfield Academy. Soccer legend Pelé serves as the academy's headmaster, helping players improve their fundamental skills, and keeping them away from the underhanded Von Trappe and his evil Scythemore Academy. Gamers are also joined by U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm, who serves and both a mentor and a teammate as users hit the pitch for five-on-five competitions. Game action helps players upgrade their skills and equipment, and gamers can also work on their skills in more than a dozen mini-games, including goalkeeping, shooting, and tackling activities, as well as the Wii Balance Board-friendly Brazilian freestyle juggling drill. There are a variety of spectacular moves for players to unlock and 18 different teams to challenge, including a squad of Rabbids, and a team comprising adolescent versions of such Ubisoft luminaries as Rayman, Altaïr, and Sam Fisher. Those who grow tired of taking on AI competition also have the option to join a friend for head-to-head matches. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Although guitar heroics often take the lead in modern popular music, rock & roll has always been a group activity, and Activision's Band Hero aims to gets the whole crew into the act. As its title proclaims, the continuation of the genre-founding Guitar Hero series sets center stage for the whole band -- drummers and vocalists as well as lead and bass guitarists -- and is designed to let gamers play along with a diverse selection of contemporary and classic rock and pop songs, using their favorite instruments in their own style. To keep the focus on fun, Band Hero offers "No Fail" gameplay modes for instrumentalists, and a "Sing-Along" mode for karaoke-style parties, allowing players to open up and express themselves, without worrying about keeping up with progressions or scoring points. The game's "Party Play" mode allows players to drop in and out of a song at will, as the music keeps playing.

Hardcore console rockers looking for a challenge can still find it, in the game's more traditional modes of play. Bands can battle in "Rockfest" competitive modes such as "Elimination," "Do or Die," "Perfectionist," and "Pro Face Off." The Wii edition of the game offers a number of console-exclusive features, including the ability to play as a favorite Mii character. Wii gamers can use Guitar Hero and Band Hero musical instrument controllers, or play along to drum parts using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Offstage players can get into the act as well, with a feature that allows players to stage their own shows with custom lighting effects. Players with the DS version of the game can connect wirelessly to Band Hero for Wii, and make on-the-fly playlist requests and other challenges to the live performers, unlocking new in-game rewards.

The console disc edition of Band Hero offers more than 65 popular songs. Top-selling country crossover star Taylor Swift is prominently featured in the game, with the inclusion of three songs from her first two original albums, and the artist's performances were motion-captured to bring her in-game persona realistically to life. Guitarist and singer Adam Levine of Maroon 5 was motion-captured, as well, for his appearance in the game as a playable character. Band Hero's play-along soundtrack also includes timeless tracks such as David Bowie's "Let's Dance," Devo's "Whip It," the Jackson 5's "ABC," "Mr. Roboto" from Styx, and original hit singles from a diverse selection of artists, including Aly and AJ, Cheap Trick, Fall Out Boy, the Go-Gos, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Roy Orbison, Tonic, the Village People, and many others. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City is a compilation that bundles together the two downloadable expansions to Grand Theft Auto IV on a single game disc. The package includes the two-wheel gangland adventures of Johnny Klebitz in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned, and the more glitzy nightclub escapades of Luis Lopez in Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Activision takes the Wii mini-game compilation to powdery slopes and icy valleys for seven different outdoor activities in Mountain Sports. Players can use their Wii Remote to take on skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, bobsledding, biathlon, and curling activities modes, and every mode except curling is optimized for use with the Wii Balance Board. There are 22 different tracks to explore, and gamers can compete in single-player "Career" and "Quick Play" modes, or challenge up to three friends in any event in "Multiplayer" mode. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

The Cartoon Network's Ben 10 series returns to PlayStation 2 as the lead protagonist ventures into outer space for the first time to defend exotic worlds. The storyline follows archenemy Vilgax, who has created a formidable team of young Ben Tennyson's rivals in his bid to take over the universe. To succeed, you'll need to master each of Ben's ten alien forms to solve puzzles and to battle hordes of enemies. Gameplay features a mixture of platform-style exploration, fast-paced combat, and puzzles built around each of Ben's distinct forms. Use each alien's special powers to undermine Vilgax's diabolical plans while saving multiple planets in the process. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Players take their table waiting skills on vacation in Diner Dash: Flo on the Go. In this release, Flo is working the restaurants on a cruise ship and must keep her patrons happy and earn enough tips by taking orders, bringing desert, offering beverages, serving food, and presenting appetizers all before the customers lose their cool. Flo will wait tables in five new restaurants and must cater to nine customer types including single mothers, lovers, mixed families, and tourists. Additionally, gamers can change Flo's outfit in her new closet and upgrade each restaurant with over 25 items. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

The Cartoon Network's Ben 10 series returns to DS as the lead protagonist ventures into outer space for the first time to defend exotic worlds. The storyline follows archenemy Vilgax, who has created a formidable team of young Ben Tennyson's rivals in his bid to take over the universe. To succeed, you'll need to master each of Ben's ten alien forms to solve puzzles and to battle hordes of enemies. Gameplay features a mixture of platform-style exploration, fast-paced combat, and puzzles built around each of Ben's distinct forms. Use each alien's special powers to undermine Vilgax's diabolical plans while saving multiple planets in the process. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Nintendo's exclusive Sims spinoff moves out of the forest and into the jungles, deserts, and river beds of Africa for another adventure in taming, training, and playing with wild animals. SimAnimals Africa features a new, more playful art style and a wide selection of new creatures, but the gameplay once again involves picking up and placing animals in stimulating environments where they can thrive and be happy. Players can interact with a variety of different creatures, such as lions, zebras, crocodiles, and gorillas, and every species has a unique skill that can be used to maintain the serenity of an environment, unlock new landscapes, and discover special items. There are more than 70 rare bugs, fruits, and flowers to find, and new mini-games let players use their Wii Remote to pet and play games with the animals, making it easier to progress through the overall adventure. Gamers can also choose to play as one of the various creatures, allowing them to water the foliage as an elephant, kick fruit off trees as a zebra, or chase after gazelles as a lion, among many other activities. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide