Sports Video Games

EA's best-selling hockey series makes its fourth consecutive appearance on PlayStation 3 with an assortment of added features and enhancements. A new real-time physics engine headlines the list of gameplay changes for this installment, allowing for more realistic checks, the potential for broken sticks, and improved puck movement. The game also includes, for the first time in the series, a complete CHL license.

NHL 11 owners can play as or against all 60 teams from the Canadian Hockey League, with each team featuring the names and likenesses of its real-life athletes from the 2010-11 season. Also included is the MasterCard Memorial Cup, the official logos and CHL league structures, and other authentic elements of the Canadian hockey experience. Both the CHL and NHL are incorporated in the game's "Be a Pro," "Be a GM," tournament, season, and playoff modes. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Sony's Sports Champions is one of the first retail releases for PlayStation 3 to use the PlayStation Move motion control add-on system. Up to four players can use PlayStation Move Navigation Controllers to take part in a collection of whole-body activities, including athletic games such as volleyball, table tennis, disc golf, and bocce, as well as archery and sword fighting. In each game, the player moves the controller to perform onscreen actions such as swinging a racket, tossing a ball, pulling and releasing a bowstring, or wielding weapons in a gladiator duel. "Free Play," "Challenge," and a multiplayer "Championship Cup" are the three main modes of play. Gamers can track their successes through detailed play statistics, and an online leader board displays the most successful Sports Champions virtual athletes in the land. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Madden NFL 11 is the 22nd annual production of video gaming's longest-running and best-selling sports series. With a number of refined features, the 2010-released game aims to make play more accessible and efficient, without sacrificing the depth and flexibility valued by hardcore gridiron strategists. The new "GameFlow" system puts gamers in the position of the quarterback, suggesting suitable play-calls that can be quickly selected through a streamlined interface. By making it easier for gamers to immediately locate and select the most commonly called plays in each situation, the system can reduce the real time a full four quarters of football takes. Madden NFL's extensive selection of play calls and variations remain in the game, however, and virtual coaches still have the option to pull up over 350 pre-designed plays, or to create their own.

Following a trend in recent Madden games and other EA Sports titles, the default control schemes in NFL 11 rely more heavily on the two analog sticks, encouraging players to intuitively direct their onscreen athletes by moving the sticks in different directions, instead of requiring mastery of multiple complicated button-press sequences. Gamers new to the series can also benefit from the new "Coaching Tips" system, which can be set to pause the game to highlight important concepts and offer immediately applicable advice. As do earlier editions of the game, Madden NFL 11 features all the contemporary arenas, teams, and players of the real-life league, including cover-athlete Drew Brees, quarterback and MVP of the Super Bowl 44-winning New Orleans Saints. The voices of Gus Johnson and Cris Collinsworth provide play-by-play and color commentary. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Guide a team of youngsters to the Little League World Series in this whimsical baseball title from Activision. As in previous versions, the presentation features wide-eyed youngsters rendered in a cel-shaded art style. A number of training exercises in pitching, batting, fielding, and base running are available to help you learn the controls. In the field, you can perform diving or jumping catches, scoop up ground balls, and use "talents" for an added boost in abilities. Licensed equipment includes Easton gear, Wilson batting helmets, Louisville Slugger bats, and more. The main tournament series offers both a U.S. bracket and an international bracket. For a break from the main game, you can participate in such mini-games as pitching darts, around the horn, dunk dugout, and pitching bowling. A home run tournament is also included, as are collectible baseball cards. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The pageantry and pomp of collegiate sports returns to PlayStation 3 with this fourth installment in EA's perennial pigskin series. Key features for NCAA Football 11 include gang tackling on defense, enhanced blocking AI, formation editing, on-field referees, auto loading rosters, new equipment, helmet numbers, single-bowl seasons, and dynamic conference logos. Lead your favorite school to victory by using the air raid offense, triple option, run and shoot, spread offense, pistol, west coast offense, and more. Enhanced ESPN integration expands to the in-game presentation with authentic graphics, banners, screen wipes, theme music, and animations to mirror the broadcast network's 2010 season. Play as or against 120 FBS teams, or create your own school with the updated team builder option. Returning to the game are all the play modes from NCAA Football 10, including the popular online dynasty feature. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 plays to both sides of the Atlantic, prominently featuring the Ryder Cup as its showcase tournament. Players choose a squad to take through competition in several team play formats, and can lead their golfer to the ultimate victory in the tournament's Singles rounds. Along with all-American Tiger Woods, PGA Tour 11 co-stars up-and-coming Irish sensation Rory McIlroy, with high hopes of leading the European teams to victory over their overseas rivals. Within and beyond the new cross-continent competition, PGA Tour 11 offers the myriad options and refined play style fans have come to know over a decade of top-selling golf games, along with new customization choices and enhanced graphics. In addition to Celtic Manor, home of the 2010 Ryder Cup, players have access to favorite courses from past games, including TPC Scottsdale. For the first time in the top-selling golf game series, players can compete as a team online, forming a virtual foursome and hitting the courses together in competition with other human-controlled teams. Special chat options allow teammates to stay in constant communication, to discuss strategy (or any other topics of interest) as if they were standing together out on the links. For players who prefer a more authentic sense of the athletic action involved in the sport, PGA Tour 11 also supports the PlayStation 3's Motion Controller, introduced a few months before the game's release. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Pure Futbol is a fast-paced, action-focused soccer game from Ubisoft's Vancouver studios. The game is slightly exaggerated with huge leaps, booming kicks, and no referees or stops in play, but it incorporates all the basic rules of the real-life sport. Similarly, the game's presentation highlights the driving action on the field, with ground-level camera angles and sounds effects designed to convey a sense of power and speed. Multiplayer modes support up to four, in both online and offline modes. Gamers can take to the pitch with more than 230 star players on over a dozen international teams, or create their own custom athlete and lead him to legendary status. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Backbreaker is an arcade-style American football game played with fictitious teams. Choose from over 60 teams or create a custom squad by selecting a helmet logo and uniform colors. You can then compete in a full 11-on-11 game against the computer or a friend. What distinguishes Backbreaker from other sports titles is its focus on the on-field dynamics. Powered by NaturalMotion's Euphoria engine, athletes on the field will rely on real-time, physics-based motions instead of scripted animation sequences. The result, the developers hope, will be a more fluid looking game on both sides of the ball. The presentation is also distinctive, with a camera that stays low to the field while following active players. Those new to football games will be able to rely on various AI assists and visual cues, such as a glowing red football, so they can read and react to the action more easily. Experienced players can switch these options off simply by toggling the "pro mode" control scheme. The game includes a customizable season mode complete with drafts, trades, and free agent signings. Head-to-head multiplayer support is also available in a choice of online or split-screen formats. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

So you want to be a fighter? Step into the Octagon in UFC Undisputed 2010 to see if you have what it takes to be the best of the best. UFC Undisputed 2010 features the most authentic Mixed Martial Arts action while boasting the best fighters in the world. After one round with all the new features and key improvements, you'll embody the essence and spirit of a real fighter. Are you ready to be one?

The award winning SKATE franchise is back and rolling into new territory as SKATE 3 heads to the brand new city of Port Carverton. Get ready to team up and throw down as you build your own customized dream team to shred the streets, parks, and plazas and change the face of the city. New tricks, improved off-board actions, and gnarly Hall of Meat carnage mixed with exciting new team-based game modes take SKATE 3 to a new level of skateboarding fun.