For years, pop'n music has been known as a fan favorite and phenomenon in arcades and console games for over ten years in Japan, and now players in America will share in the fun as pop'n music comes to North America for the first time on Wii and has already arrived in retail stores nationwide.
More than just a rhythm game, pop'n music marries timing, coordination and strategy to the sound of some hot artists like Jackson 5, Kelly Clarkson, Motorhead and Franz Ferdinand. Utilizing the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™, players take control of their choice of 14 different characters and begin their rhythm quest through 6 unique stages, while keeping the beat of music as they hit the colored buttons, but watch out the difficulty level will increase, and the key to getting through the song is to manage your time and speed! pop'n music fans are very passionate about content, so in addition to the 40 songs that will be available on the disc at launch, Konami will also add additional songs through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to keep fans moving to the beat.
pop'n music, rated "E" for Everyone, is now available on Wii in retail stores nationwide for the SRP of $29.99
Developed by Ubisoft Paris, Just Dance provides friends and family the experience to learn choreographed routines to popular music and challenge all those who like to groove, entertaining spectators along the way.
Requiring only one Wii) Remote per player, Just Dance is the first real dance video game, in which up to four people can break it down at a time, as they follow on-screen choreographed moves set to classic dance tracks. Developed with professional dancers and based on true dance moves, Just Dance will gather everyone on the home dance floor to move their body on the beat! In addition, Just Dance features an incredible tracklist including 30+ famous tunes from the 60's to today, including Katy Perry, MC Hammer, Britney Spears and the Spice Girls. Each tune, with its unique choreography, is linked to the history of music and dance and gathers major artists and genres so everyone will find a song they love and will have an uncontrollable desire to Just Dance!
Just Dance, rated E10+, is now available at retail locations nationwide at the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $39.99.Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter (PC)
Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter can now be downloaded for PC via Steam. For only $19.99, long-time Sam fans and newcomers alike will get to experience one of the most frantically intense first-person shooters of all time – now with gorgeously updated visuals.
Take control of Sam “Serious” Stone as he’s sent back in time to ancient Egypt to battle the hordes of the menacing Mental. With your wide arsenal of weapons at the ready, make your way across 15 levels of non-stop action either alone or with friends through online co-op play. Or, for the truly daring, total chaos can be unleashed by having up to 16 players battle together or against one another online.
Karaoke Revolution (Wii/PS3/X360)
Karaoke Revolution, which has been lauded as a pioneer in the genre, will further push expectations by including all-new content, revamped menu interface and gameplay mechanics that will transform the family room into your own personal stage. Take to the mic and sing along to 50 all-new licensed master tracks, an expanded multiplayer mode, and endless customization options.
Content is where Karaoke Revolution separates itself from the marketplace, featuring the most diverse musical offering than any other karaoke game out this season. Karaoke Revolution has songs for the crooner in all of us. Pick your style and head for the stage! Go up-tempo with popular artists of today like Lady Gaga and Rihanna or challenge yourself to a more classic style from the likes of David Bowie and Rod Stewart. Additionally, Karaoke Revolution continues to provide genre-defining content by featuring the licensed music of the Jackson 5! Take on the challenge of singing to any of their #1 hits including "I'll Be There," "Dancing Machine," "ABC" and more. Additionally, Karaoke Revolution is the only karaoke game where you will find chart-topping Spanish-speaking artists such as Iskander, Luis Fonsi, Miranda and others!
Karaoke Revolution's enhanced game modes allow players the opportunity to throw the ultimate karaoke party and play with their friends, or practice hitting the high notes on their own in single player Career Mode. Play the co-op Party Mode and party with up to 16 players for an unforgettable competition. Don't think you're that great of a singer? Not a problem! Karaoke Revolution allows players to adjust their microphone settings in order to hear themselves or increase the volume of the original artists over their speakers!
Customization is a major component to this year's version. There are newly added venue and character customization options including 10 new performance venues in which rising stars can add in lights, video screens and special effects to create the perfect concert - as well as an even greater selection of outfit and accessory changes. Create your own rock star and dress yourself to the part by using the new facial and body morphing features to manipulate age, shape, body size and more. Adding to the realism of being on stage, players can use the Xbox LIVE Vision Camera or the PlayStation® Eye to see themselves in LCD screens during the full performances!
Like all versions from this acclaimed franchise, Karaoke Revolution features a proprietary voice recognition technology that accurately scores and identifies vocal pitch and rhythm. Feedback on your performance is offered by the dynamic crowds that fill each virtual venue and the advanced scoring of pitch, style and phrase accuracy.
Karaoke Revolution is rated 'T' for Teen by the ESRB and is available in retail stores nationwide for the SRP of $49.99 on Wii, XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3. To ensure players are ready to perform right out of the box, Karaoke Revolution comes packaged with a microphone.
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove (PC)
In a first for Big Fish Games Studios and a step forward for the casual-gaming industry as a whole, MCF: Dire Grove integrates studio-quality film clues with the hidden-object-and-puzzle adventure gameplay that is a hallmark of the brand. The result is the most immersive casual game ever released by Big Fish Games Studios.
“Everybody loves games; everybody loves movies,” said Patrick Wylie, vice president of Big Fish Games Studios. “With Dire Grove, we combined the best elements of a reality thriller with the stimulating, easily accessible gameplay for which MCF is best known. This combination of film and gameplay offers existing MCF fans a new experience while also appealing to a broader audience.”
Filmed in Patagonia, Argentina, the story of Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove begins with the discovery of a video tape in an abandoned rental car in north England. The game goes on to include approximately eight to 12 hours of interactive gameplay, complete with hidden objects, video clues and puzzles set within an intriguing new location – Dire Grove. Gameplay is much more open-ended, allowing players to explore in a non-linear, classic adventure fashion.
In addition to offering a standalone version of the game, for the first time, Big Fish Games Studios is offering a Collector’s Edition that gives fans early access to the full MCF: Dire Grove game, as well as extra content. With the Collector’s Edition, people can enjoy additional gameplay that reveals secrets about future MCF episodes, an achievements and awards system, an integrated strategy guide, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the game.
The Collector’s Edition of Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove is available now as digital download for $19.95 USD. The standard version will be available in early December for $6.99 USD.
In Winter’s Tail, players follow the true story of Winter, the famous dolphin who injured her tail in a crab trap. Winter is rescued but she must learn to swim again without her tail. Thanks to the wonderful team at Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Hanger Prosthetics, Winter is now successfully swimming with a prosthetic tail. The game includes the true interactive storybook based on the latest Scholastic book authored by Craig Hatkoff and his daughters, Juliana and Isabella Hatkoff. Winter’s Tail also includes a collection of mini-games, all reinforcing themes that out of tragedy and trauma come stories of resiliency and hope. This Nintendo DS game includes special accessibility options to allow enjoyment by children with motor skill and other physical challenges. Winter’s Tail is an iParenting Media award recipient.
“By partnering with the authors of the Winter’s Tail book, as well as the team at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, we were able to craft a unique gameplay experience that is entertaining and presents kids with meaningful life lessons,” said Betsi Gijanto, executive vice president, Crave Entertainment. “Winter’s Tail is the perfect fit for parents looking for that feel-good purchase.”
“My daughters Juliana, Isabella, and I feel very strongly about the heroes we choose to highlight in our books,” said Craig Hatkoff, co-author of the Winter’s Tail book. “We are always thrilled when we are able to touch readers with these amazing true stories and open their eyes to the miraculous world around them. Seeing Winter and her story actually come to life on DS for the first time was an incredible feeling for each of us.”
Based on the Scholastic book of the same name, Winter’s Tail is “Rated E” and available at major retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $29.99.
Empires of Steel is a turn-based game of world conquest set in the 20th century. Players command various ground, armored, naval and airforce units against up to 20 human or computer-controlled (Artificial Intelligence) opponents.
Empires of Steel uses a simultaneous turn-resolution system, better known in gaming as „We-Go“. You can form alliances, capture and trade precious resources, research new technologies, and of course form huge invasion fleets and armies to conquer your opponents.
Empires of Steel was built from the ground up with multi-player in mind, and includes voice and text chat systems, matchmaking features, and even a download system for mods, maps, and custom unit sets all integrate d seamlessly into the game! Single-play against the the Artificial Intelligence Computer Opponent is of course fully supported as well – be prepared to see the computer declare war against you, or offer you a trade!
If you have not pre-ordered, you can now order the full version of the game for $45. Delivery options include Download Only, Mail Delivery Only, and Download & Mail Delivery. Hardgoods consisting of a CD will be ready for shipping within 7-14 days.
If you have the free beta demo, you will not be able to upgrade your game to the release version (v1.0.196). You will need to purchase a full version in order to do that.
The release version of the game comes with countless improvements, bug fixes, new features and a revised interface that are the result of YOUR excellent community feedback from the free beta demo! The full game version removes any restrictions on playing maps, using the editor and other reduced features that were present in the demo. You can play any map, including randomly generated maps or those created in the full-featured editor; you can create new rulesets and unitsets to simulate specific time periods; you can swap mods and files with the built-in community File Sharing; and you can play multiplayer with up to 10 people using the unique in-game chat and lobby.