Sports Video Games

World Wrestling Entertainment enthusiasts try to take the title under a new title in WWE '12: a continuation of the series from THQ and Yuke's, with its due serving of raw smackdowns, despite the shortened name. The expanded roster includes contemporary stars such as John Cena, Randy Orton, and The Miz, as well as player-created Superstars, assigned custom entrances, finishing moves, and storylines. The game centers on a main campaign that runs through 18 months of WWE programming and two WrestleMania championships.

Broken into three acts, the campaign casts players first in the role of the villainous Sheamus, and then as Triple H, before finishing the story as a custom WWE superstar. Character creation includes a choice of story and highlight reel, as well as finishing moves and special abilities. Technical improvements over the previous SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 include a revamped Braking Point system and control scheme enhancements, as well as redesigned rope physics and improved collision detection, for more realistic grappling battles. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Record-setting Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps guides gamers as they use their Kinect Sensor to compete in butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke, and freestyle races in Michael Phelps: Push the Limit. The "Career" mode finds players traveling to locations around the world, from mountain backdrops to bustling cityscapes, taking on rivals, competing for medals at the "Annual Games," and eventually taking on Phelps himself. But before the final showdown, Phelps offers tips on how to improve starting reactions, dives, strokes, turns, and finishes. Push the Limit supports online competition on Xbox Live, as well as local action for up to eight players. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

NBA fans can take a break from lockouts and labor agreements to focus on in-game action and legendary careers in NBA 2K12. The brand new "NBA's Greatest" mode lets gamers experience some of the defining moments in the careers of 15 NBA legends, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving. There are also 30 classic teams to unlock, including the powerhouse Celtics of the 1960s, the "Showtime" Lakers, and the "Bad Boy" Pistons; and the in-game presentation has been tailored to each specific era, complete with short-shorts and black-and-white video feeds.

Players looking to create legends of their own can once again do so via the franchise and "My Player" modes, guiding an entire franchise to the promised land or controlling a rookie from his first tip-off to his enshrinement in the NBA Hall of Fame. New features in "My Player" include position-specific attributes, the ability to play in only key matchups, and a revamped draft experience, complete with commentary from NBA Commissioner David Stern. Gamers can also choose to guide current NBA players to Hall-of-Fame status in the new "Create-A-Legend" mode. The in-game action and presentation has been updated with more than 1,000 new animations and new post-play mechanics, and multiplayer fans can once again head online for dynasty and league play. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

EA's top-selling soccer series continues with FIFA 12, which boasts an all-new "player impact engine" designed to more accurately reflect real-life movement and interactions on the pitch. The physics model takes into account a player's momentum and direction when jostling for the ball for more realistic collisions, which leads to more authentic injuries. Other enhancements to the game include more precise dribbling, improved lighting effects, more tactical approaches to defense, and a refined computer AI designed to make onscreen athletes behave more like their real-world counterparts. FIFA 12 also includes a revamped online portal, where you can seek out friendly competitions, compare your stats with friends, share news via Facebook, and improve your overall ranking by earning experience points while playing matches. You'll participate in weekly challenges, follow updated storylines, compete against rival clubs, and more. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Supremacy MMA is an arcade-style take on the mixed martial arts sport, featuring gritty environments, brutal finishing moves, and fast-paced combat. Combatants will brawl inside rings, cages, rundown bars, and seedier venues while advancing through a campaign that follows the path of an unknown brawler in his quest toward becoming a celebrated champion in an unlicensed, underground circuit. Muscles will tear, bones will break, and blood will flow in violent one-on-one matches that take place in locales around the world.

Muay Thai and karate are among the authentic fighting styles included, and fighters will gain experience in each bout to improve their skills in countering, grappling, blocking, and more. In addition to an assortment of male fighters, Supremacy MMA also includes real-life female fighters Felice "Lil Dog" Herrig and Michele "Diablita" Gutierrez on its roster. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

EA's NHL series marks its sixth appearance on Xbox 360 with an enhanced "Be a Pro" mode, more dynamic goalies, and a retooled physics engine that increases the level of interactivity on the ice. The "Be a Pro" mode once again has you following the career of a created athlete, where you'll attempt to earn more playing time by performing well during your assigned shifts. You can now simulate each game up to the point when you're on the ice for less downtime. As you progress in this mode, you'll have the chance to break all-time records and become one of the sport's legends.

The new physics system incorporates broken glass, flying helmets, players being knocked over the boards and into benches, pushing the net off target, and sending bodies in the air with high-speed collisions. The goalies will work harder to block the puck and even engage in fights when tempers flare. Also new is the inclusion of the 2011 NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field, where you'll be able to skate outdoors under the glow of stadium lights. Rounding out the list of new features are improved online communities and the ability to create an ultimate hockey team of past and present greats. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Nicktoons MLB is an off-the-couch sports game, featuring a diverse lineup of characters from Nickelodeon cartoons playing alongside real-life big league baseball players. In the field, on the mound, and at the plate, Kinect gamers use realistically athletic motion controls to engage in exaggerated-action, video game baseball. The game's unusual style is balanced on the juxtaposition of animation-inspired silliness and serious sports play. From popular and cult-favorite cartoons, both past and present, Nickelodeon characters include SpongeBob, Invader Zim, Fanboy, Chum Chum, Ren, and Stimpy. High profile players from all 30 Major League Baseball teams are also featured, including Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, Andre Ethier from the Dodgers, and the Yankees' Robinson Cano. Nickelodeon characters appear as they do in their cartoons, but in virtual 3D. The real-life MLB pros are rendered with equal authenticity, and each wears his team uniform. Similarly, the toon-inspired stadiums in the game impose humorous ground rules, and are festooned with inside jokes for fans, while the stylized re-creations of real-world MLB stadiums will be recognizable by ballpark regulars. The Xbox 360 version of Nicktoons MLB was developed by High Voltage Software, experienced creators of cartoon-themed games including Nickelodeon Fit and Nickelodeon Dance. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

The Madden NFL series returns to Xbox 360 with a number of enhancements to the on-field action, play modes, and presentation. More than 100 tweaks to the defensive artificial intelligence are included, with the computer designed to be more adept at reading and reacting to plays, breaking out of assignments when necessary, and more. A new collision system factors in an athlete's momentum on hits, with over 100 new tackling animations added for more realism.

The presentation focuses on the little details of the NFL experience, from authentic run-outs for each team to the actual on-field cameras used by NFL Films. Also included are updated uniforms, new player equipment, helmet stickers, new player-specific animations, and uniforms and helmets that show wear and tear as games progress. Franchise mode introduces over 100 changes, from expanded rosters to a free-agent bidding system, while the Superstar mode lets your star athlete earn skill points during practices and games.

A new dynamic player performance system finds an individual athlete's skills and confidence improving or deteriorating based on in-game performances. Other key features include the option to build an "Ultimate Team" of past and present superstars by buying, auctioning, and trading player cards, and the ability to form and join online communities that make it easier for Madden fans to interact with each other. Owners will also be able to modify existing playbooks or create their own by picking and choosing up to 400 offensive or defensive plays. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The only college football video game in the country returns to the high-def gridiron for the 2011-12 season. The goal of NCAA Football 12 is to present onscreen action that plays with on-field authenticity, and that looks like a Saturday afternoon broadcast in the heart of the season. Topping the list of the "2012" game's technical advancements is a new tackling system, which relies on momentum for realistic hits and take-downs. Dozens of real-world teams are available for play, including many hometown favorites and all of the Game-of-the-Week contenders, re-created with actual team names, uniform options, and playbooks. As in earlier editions of the annual offering, gamers can create custom players to add to their favorite team, or to guide through an entire collegiate career.

Gamers may also choose to draft and field the game's pre-designed fictional players, focusing instead on building a dynasty for their favorite team. Top schools enjoy traditional gameday celebrations as their squads take the home turf, including the University of Oklahoma's "Sooner Schooner" covered wagon and Georgia Tech's "Ramblin' Wreck" old-time automobile. Highlighting the game's graphical improvements, a new "high dynamic range" rendering process produces more realistic lighting effects. The process better accounts for the eye's natural adjustment to different levels of brightness, especially when playing in an afternoon field, half-covered by shadow, or in an artificially lit night game. Additional presentational upgrades include 3D-rendered grass on the field, higher-resolution crowds, new Nike-brand uniform options, and additional player-customization choices. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

UFC Personal Trainer presents an interactive, whole-body exercise program, inspired by the ultra-fit athletes of the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts league. The program involves more than 70 exercises inspired by wrestling, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and other fighting sports. All exercises are certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Users can work toward fitness goals through customized routines involving up to a dozen different exercises. Providing further inspiration for fitness-minded fans, popular UFC competitors are featured in "Ultimate Training Mode" workouts that challenge players to outperform their favorite fighters in rhythm-based punching and kicking drills. Personal progress is charted through an in-game journal, which tracks time spent working out and performances in specific exercises. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide