Medieval II: Total War (PC)
Medieval II: Total War spans four and half centuries of the most turbulent era in Western history and provides players the reins to experience and rewrite one of the most fascinating periods of history to become the greatest power of the Middle Ages.
Medieval II: Total War drives the Total War franchise to a new level by completely upgrading the game's battlefield rendering system, eliminating the clone armies of the past games in the series and including a new, more realistic animation system. With over 10,000 troops now to command and hundreds of unit types, players can experience massive battles in graphically rich environments enhanced by dynamic weather effects and vastly diverse terrain. Leading armies across Europe, the Middle East, and even the Americas, players will encounter brutal real-time battles and the pure bloodlust of medieval warfare. As players progress, they will shape their empires by strategically determining whether to build castles for military power or cities for technology and trade, allowing for a greater depth of gameplay.
Medieval II: Total War for the PC is rated "T" for "Teen" by the Entertainment Software Review Board and has an MSRP of $49.99.
Mortal Kombat: Unchained (PSP)
Delivering the most powerful fighting game ever on a portable gaming system, Mortal Kombat: Unchained captures the lethal intensity that helped make the Mortal Kombat franchise the leader in the fighting game genre since 1992.
Exclusive to the PSP system are six new characters, including Kitana, Frost, Blaze, Goro and Shao Kahn. Also exclusive to the PSP is an all–new game type, Endurance Mode, in which players must battle their way to the top against an all–star roster of Mortal Kombat fighters.
Mortal Kombat: Unchained delivers the deepest fighting game ever on the PSP. With multiple fatalities per character, multi–tiered interactive backgrounds, extensive game modes including head–to–head Wi–Fi capabilities, six new fighters, and a new endurance mode Mortal Kombat: Unchained revolutionizes the fighting game genre once again.
Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2 (NDS)
In line with the immensely popular Tamagotchi Connection virtual pet toy, this fun-filled title enlists players to purchase and manage shops for their Tamagotchi in the hopes of keeping their adorable customers happy.
“The popularity and the success of the Tamagotchi franchise combined with the innovative DS functionality create an irresistible game that all gamers can enjoy,” said Naruo Uchida, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.’s Vice President of Localization. “With an abundance of new shops, tasks and mini-games available in Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2, gamers will have hours of endless fun ahead of them this holiday season.”
Working alongside Mametchi, Kuchipatchi and Memetchi, players will supervise 12 different shops over the course of the game. By making customers happy, players earn “Gotchi” Points. The more Gotchi points earned will allow players to unlock different businesses, each complete with their own unique mini-game. New shops include the Bowling, Sushi and even a Concert Hall where players can make use of the Nintendo DS microphone and sing along with their Tamagotchi partner. With over 100 different Tamagotchi making appearances throughout the town in Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2, opportunities for players to use their Gotchi points to dress, feed and care for their Tamagotchi partners are almost endless. Trade, give gifts and send messages with a friend using the Nintendo DS wireless support, but just remember, with five new different friendship levels, make sure to keep your Tamagotchi happy!
Developed by Nana-On-Sha, Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2 is rated “E” for Everybody by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of $29.99.
Ultima Online: 9th Anniversary Collection (PC)
Credited as the game that launched the massively multiplayer online(1) RPG genre, Ultima Online has become a phenomenon played by thousands of people worldwide. The new collection features exclusive Crystal and Shadow housing sets, in addition to the content of seven previous expansion packs.
"Over the course of the past nine years, Ultima Online has cemented its position as one of the great MMOs and the ongoing commitment of its fans is a testament to the staying power of this incredible game," said Aaron Cohen, Producer of Ultima Online. "Exclusive content makes this anniversary collection a must-have for Ultima fans. For new players, it's the perfect opportunity to get started and experience the unique locales, fierce monsters and battlefield glory offered by the Ultima universe."
Released in September 1997, Ultima Online features an epic storyline incorporating elements of magic and fantasy in a world teeming with adventure and excitement. As players embark upon a hero's quest, they will find hundreds of monsters to battle, human players to fight, treasures to hunt, artifacts to discover, real estate to claim, houses to build, dragons to tame, powerful weapons to craft, fame to earn, fortunes to win, and much, much more.
In addition to the new housing sets, the Ultima Online: 9th Anniversary Collection includes four servants for you to command: a Tarot Card Reader to predict your future, a Herald to announce your presence, a Dealer to roll dice, and a Guide to make sure you never get lost.
Anyone that purchases the Ultima Online: 9th Anniversary Collection during the first 30 days of release will be able to choose nine bonus gifts from a selection of rare items from the history of Ultima Online. New accounts get 30 days of free gameplay with purchase.
Rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB, the Ultima Online: 9th Anniversary Collection is available for the suggested retail price of $19.99.
Gunpey (NDS/PSP)
Building intricate designs that connect one side of the screen to another is just the beginning of this title, originally conceived by the legendary Gunpei Yokoi. Gunpey is available for the PSP and Nintendo DS, and carries an MSRP of $29.99.
“Gunpey is an infectious blend of enticing tunes and tantalizing gameplay set against the backdrop of highly stylized art,” said Naruo Uchida, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.’s Senior Vice President. “Several modes of gameplay along with multiplayer wireless capability make Gunpey a great pick for the holiday season.”
Swap tiles on the game board to create long streams of linked lines before they reach the top of the screen. The two platforms offer a different take on similar gameplay mechanics; the PSP system sophisticated and sleek, while the DS version charms with its whimsical designs. As players clear lines across the screen, they can continue to add more lines into the mix, creating increasingly complex designs. Whether playing against friends, family, or AI, Gunpey provides mind-bending challenges and irresistible gameplay for hardcore and casual gamers alike.
Developed by Q Entertainment, Gunpey is rated “E” for Everybody on the Nintendo DS and rated “E10+” for Everybody 10 and Up on the PSP by the ESRB.
Postal Fudge Pack (PC)
"What would Christmas be without Fudge?" he asked rhetorically. Fortunately, Postal fans and newcomers to the infamous franchise won't have to contemplate such a dire fate. RWS has just released the Postal Fudge Pack, a special edition of the series that brings gamers the entire Postal saga, from the original 1997 game to the multiplayer-optional Postal 2: Share the Pain and the climactic Postal 2: Apocalypse Weekend.
But this is the gift that keeps on giving. The Postal Fudge Pack also contains the soon to be legendary fan conversion, Eternal Damnation as well as the fan mod -A Week In Paradise, which melds Postal 2 action and Apocalypse Weekendweaponry for seven days you'll never forget.
Then, just when you thought you couldn't swallow another bite, there are the Extras – bits and pieces of Postal lore ranging from Postal Babes to our favorite video slices from the cutting room floor.
The Postal Fudge Pack is available as a Windows/Linux/Mac hybrid DVD.
"Up yours and Happy Holidays from all of us at Running With Scissors!“ wished a jolly Desi while hanging balls on his tree. "Just remember not to eat it all at once."