Dancing with the Stars (PC)

Published by THQ's ValuSoft division, the new Dancing with the Stars video game puts players in the role of their favorite celebrity as they test their skills while performing some of the most popular dances featured on the show.

In Dancing with the Stars for PC, gamers will put on the dancing shoes of some of their favorite celebrity contestants from previous seasons of the television series. Gamers can dance their hearts out as one of 26 favorite celebrities and professional dancers including Apolo Anton Ohno, Billy Ray Cyrus, Drew Lachey, Emmitt Smith, Harry Hamlin, Joey Fatone, Mario Lopez, Stacy Keibler and others to impress judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Players will be put to the test as they choreograph their own routines for 11 different dance styles including the Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Paso Doble, Waltz and Tango. Using power modes, dancers can mesmerize the judges, thrill the crowd and boost their ability to perform a certain move. Armed with the Dancing with the Stars' wardrobe, virtual dancers can don a show-stopping costume for every dance. Three mini-games allow players to help increase their celebrity's rhythm, posture and showmanship in their effort to receive a perfect score. Fans of Dancing with the Stars can also learn the secrets to perfect dance steps while watching a full-motion video of two of the show's star dancers – Karina Smirnoff and Jonathan Roberts.

Dancing with the Stars for mobile phones lets wireless gamers choose their celebrity and costume while training their way through five exciting mini-games. Players can select from 16 favorite celebrity dancers as they choose to perform the Cuban Cha-Cha or the Jive to wow the judges. Gamers can also track their successes and ranking in an eight week competition.

Emergency Mayhem (Wii)

Emergency Mayhem puts players at the helm of three emergency services in a frantic race against time to hold together Crisis City, a mad metropolis that's falling apart at the seams. Combining chaotic arcade driving with a huge range of mini-game challenges, players race against the clock in one of three emergency vehicles — a fire-truck, ambulance or police patrol car to reach different incident scenes.

Typically in Crisis City, incidents requiring attention are of a decidedly slapstick nature and Emergency Mayhem takes advantage of the Wii Remote in a huge variety of mini games that come into play once players reach an emergency scene. Pump the Wii Remote to practice CPR, point it to direct water from a powerful hose, mimic a wrench to bring bursting water-hydrants under control, or position a trampoline to save people leaping from burning buildings.

With an entire city to explore, three branches of the emergency services to control and over 30 types of emergency to deal with, players have a huge challenge to complete. Players can also share the mayhem with a fantastic multiplayer mode featuring mini-game challenges for up to four players. Compete in a tournament or battle against the clock in Survival mode as friends and family compete to be the best.

Europa Universalis: Rome (PC)

Europa Universalis: Rome will cover the time period from the first Punic War to the start of the true Empire. Players will have thousand of gameplay choices ranging from country, culture, provincial and character options to name but a few, making each and every game infinitely customizable and truly unique.

Key Features

• Fully 3D map with integrated graphics and detailed topography
• Start at any date between 280 B.C. and 27 B.C.
• Choose between 10 different cultures, including the Roman, Celtic, Greek and Egyptian civilizations, with more than 53 playable factions on a map spanning hundreds of provinces.
• Watch your characters develop new traits through political intrigue and various interactions with thousands of other characters.
• Trade, negotiate or fight with your neighbours and advance your technologies to unite the Mediterranean World.
• Robust multiplayer allows you to challenge up to 32 players either competitively or in co-op mode.

Europa Universalis: Rome will ship to stores in North American ($49.99) on April 15 and in stores all across Europe (39.99 EUR) from April 18.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3)

In Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, players can drive 70 vehicles from top car manufacturers including Ferrari, Nissan and Ford around six meticulously rendered courses, each with two race routes. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue introduces various revolutionary modes to the series, including support for up to 16 players head-to-head racing offline and online, complete with race events and leaderboards to quell any question of who is the best driver in the "World of GT." Furthermore, all drivers will receive access to Gran Turismo TV, a new in-game online channel that delivers automotive video content directly to a user's PS3. Furthering the authentic driving experience, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue introduces an interior dash view, complete with driver animations and working vehicle gauges rendered in real-time to reflect the car's performance, and Drift Trials, where the player's drifting technique is measured based on drift angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones

"Ten years after the Gran Turismo series debuted on PS one, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue arrives exclusively on PS3 as the most technologically advanced racing simulator on any platform," said Jeff Reese, director, software marketing, SCEA. "With a great vehicle roster, unprecedented realism, online racing and support for the new Dualshock3 wireless controller, this is the Gran Turismo fans have been waiting for."

Extending the franchise's celebration of automotive culture, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature an online user homepage called My Page that showcases a world map with real-time weather for major circuits, access to motorsports news and a museum with manufacturer history. Additionally, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will include in-depth car tuning options for automotive enthusiasts, time trials in Arcade Mode, online and offline race events and two-player split screen offline racing. More dynamic and adjustable artificial intelligence and a new physics engine round out some of the other features players can expect. Furthermore, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is compatible with the new Dualshock3 wireless controller, which has vibration functionality.

The North American version of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue also features an edgy and exclusive soundtrack that mixes an aesthetic audio blending of indie dance rock, electronica, classic rock and new remixes by some of today's hottest recording artists such as Weezer, The Mars Volta, DJ Shadow and Justice. The soundtrack will provide North American racing fans with a High Definition (HD) audio experience to complement Gran Turismo 5 Prologue's stunning HD visuals.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, "E" for Everyone, releases on Blu-ray Disc to retailers today and will be available via download on PlayStation Store at 12:01 AM EDT on April 17. The BD version will include an exclusive behind-the-scenes HD video feature called "Beyond the Apex," offering an intimate look at the franchise's history. Both versions are available for $39.99 SRP.

Jack Keane (PC)

Jack Keane is an amusing, action-packed point-n-click adventure with loads of allusions to well-known computer games and classic movies. Set in the early colonial period, the story leads likable adventurer Jack Keane to a wide variety of places such as London, Capetown and the jungles of India. In London he accepts a risky assignment for the Queen: it's up to Jack to travel to a remote island and stop a mad scientist out to rule the world with his army of trained apes. In the course of the story Jack meets the girl of his dreams, Amanda. With her help he uncovers Doctor T's devilish plans - and his carnivorous plants. Will the two be able to foil Doctor T's nefarious plan and save the world?

In a peculiar turn of events, Jack finds himself on a mission to save the British Empire, and its tea supply from Doctor T. The hilarity ensues as players adventure through the vibrant breadth of Tooth Island, discovering exotic locations, mischievous animals and comical characters every step of the way. From London to Cape Town and across the High Seas, Jack Keane features hilarious interactive dialogue, challenging puzzles, cinematic interludes and a mad scientist's army of trained apes out to rule the world.

"Players will be laughing their way through the entire game," said Brock Beaubien, producer, Strategy First. "The combination of challenging tasks and a compelling story-line with such detailed scenery makes for a truly unique and humorous experience."

Explore the rich environments, bizarre locals and the captivating tale of Tooth Island through the eyes of sharp-witted Jack Keane and the bounty hunter sent by Doctor T to capture him (or perhaps his heart), Amanda. The game's remarkable 3D visuals and humor inspired by the LucasArts adventures will entertain players of all ages and skill levels. Jack Keane has an ESRB rating of "T" for "Teen" and is available for download or packaged purchase for $29.99.

Major League Baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars (NDS)

Available exclusively for Nintendo DS, Major League Baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars will put fans in touch with the action like never before while offering a wildly fun and interactive gameplay experience featuring starting lineups from all 30 Major League Baseball clubs, a variety of exhibition and tournament modes, All-Star training mini-games, along with fantasy-themed baseball stadiums.

Utilizing the functionality of the Nintendo DS touch-screen, Major League Baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars provides fans the unique opportunity to control the power and technique of their swings and the speed and accuracy of their pitch by performing specific gestures and intuitive usage of the stylus. Fielding, baserunning and other controls will also utilize the DS touch screen, as players drag and trace lines to execute these specific baseball actions.

Adding to the addictive gameplay experience, players will also have the ability to obtain special "power ups" to complete incredible batting, pitching, and fielding performances. Players can force their opponents to chase after the "chicken ball" that runs away from fielders once it's on the ground, or confuse them with a "crazy ball" that takes an unpredictable flight path. Pitchers can throw amazing new pitches such as a "super splitter" that splits the ball into two pieces to confuse the batter or a "fireball" that screams over the plate at rocket speeds while engulfed in flames. Fielders can join in the power up fun with the "brick wall" that causes a wall to instantly rise out of the ground to stop the ball in its tracks or the "super jump" that allows them to jump incredibly high toward the ball in flight.

Key Features:

• Unique Interactive Experience — All aspects of the game will be controlled on the Nintendo DS touch screen, including batting, pitching, fielding and baserunning.
• Exciting Gameplay Modes — Exhibition mode will allow players to quickly choose their favorite teams so they can immediately jump into the intense baseball action, while Fantasy Pennant mode will offer various tournaments to compete in. All-Star Training will assist players in learning the fundamental DS control functions wrapped up in a variety of fun and challenging mini-games.
• All-Star Lineups — Players can create their own unique baseball teams by choosing from the different starting lineups and putting together their favorite All-Stars.
• Uniquely Themed Stadiums — Set in extreme environments that portray the diverse North American environment, uniquely themed stadiums are in locations ranging from the Everglades in Florida to the Frozen North, locations that can only be mastered by the best.
• Multi-player — Supports two-player DS Wireless and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. For added competitiveness, Major League Baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars will utilize DS Wireless and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connections so players can go head-to-head in intense worldwide multi-player gaming.

Major League Baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars, developed by Deep Fried Entertainment and published by 2K Sports, is now available exclusively on Nintendo DS for $29.99 and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Okami (Wii)

Previously released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006, Okami was hailed as "Game of the Year" by multiple magazines and websites. This new iteration of Okami on the Wii is already following in its predecessor's footsteps with strong reviews across the board.

Okami tells the story of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun god, who takes the form of a wolf and sets out on an amazing journey to restore a ruined, darkened world into a beautiful place full of life and color. Commanding the elements and various magical abilities, the player uses Okami's signature "Celestial Brush" to revitalize life and defeat the tyrannical and destructive monster Orochi, effectively "painting" on the screen with the Wii Remote. Okami for the Wii takes the unique gameplay experience to a whole new level, creating one of the most compelling games for the Wii on the market today.

Mixing Japanese folklore and a stunning traditional Japanese art style, Okami comes alive on Wii with its awe-inspiring art style and scenic 3D levels that have the appearance and texture of paper scrolls brushed with watercolor-like calligraphy art. Renowned development studio Ready At Dawn Studios has painted a whole new Okami experience on Wii through a blend of stylized graphics, movements and unique gameplay, resulting in a rich and dynamic experience never seen before.

Okami is rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and is available for $39.99 MSRP.

Overclocked: A History of Violence (PC)

Overclocked explores an archetypical, yet actual condition of mankind: violence. Players will become engrossed in a world where memories and illusions; dreams and reality; perpetrators and victims… collide. Set against the backdrop of a catastrophic thunderstorm raging over New York City, step into the world of Overclocked as former army psychiatrist, David McNamara. You are called to the Staten Island Forensic Hospital in New York City to consult on a case that requires your expertise in forensic psychiatry. Tasked with exploring the minds of five young men and women who were found scared, screaming, and without memory, you make alarming discoveries as you begin to cautiously probe the psyches of your young patients. Throughout the game, you will play as five other characters in this chilling interactive psycho thriller.

Key Features:

• Experience Overclocked from various perspectives as you play as six different characters throughout the game
• Explore 45 diverse locations with densely animated pre-rendered settings
• Innovative storytelling techniques create a unique gameplay experience
• Meet and interact with a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own distinct personalities
• Characters come to life with fluid movements and realistic facial expressions created with EMotion™ FX 2 technology
• Cinematic cut-scenes designed using advanced camera techniques pioneered by feature films
• Exceptional visuals enhanced by shadow and shader effects, real-time atmospheric particle effects (rain, snow, lightening), and dynamic lighting
• Unique icon-based dialogue system
• Overclocked: A History of Violence is Windows Vista compatible.

OS: Windows 2000 / XP / Vista
CPU: 1.3 GHz Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon processor
RAM: 512 MB (1 GB recommended for Windows Vista)
Video: DirectX 9-compliant video card Shader Model 1.1
PC DVD-ROM: 4x
Sound: DirectX 9 compliant sound card
Available Hard Disk Space: 5 GB
DirectX: 9.0c
Other: Mouse, Keyboard and Speakers