We're looking for new writers to join us!

Think of the Children for November 12th

Think of the Children for November 12th

Written by Dan Keener on 11/12/2008 for DS   PC   PS2   PS3   PSP   Wii   360  
More On: Think of the Children
Last week was extremely light on the rated titles, so we have a two-week compilation for you this week. Unfortunately, my fears of a downturn in rated titles may be coming true as we get closer to the Holiday selling season. The last handful of the announced titles from E3 were rated this week, so there probably wont be much more than usual fare coming down the channels the next month or so. I changed it u a bit and pulled and listed what appears to be the best of the rated titles for the PC, Wii and DS. My intriguing title of the week is a version of a long-time series that is taking a bold step (and potential misstep in the U.S.) in a new direction with a worldwide phenom as its catalyst.

Here is a quick run down of what appears to be the best of PC, DS and Wii. For the PC a couple of Sony Online Entertainment titles hold the most promise in EverQuest: Seeds of Destruction and Legends of Norrath: Ethernauts. The titles for the DS, while filled with the usual tripe, have a version of Tomb Raider: Underworld and a new Pokemon in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia to look forward to. The Wii continues to frustrate gamers, but Activision-Blizzard’s Block Party and the 1,000th iteration of Mario in Mario Golf look to be the keepers from this list.

In edition to a few exclusives, some of the last E3 announced titles finally became rated this week for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Titles rated for both platforms included Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, Quantum of Solace (and Collector’s Edition), Sacred 2: Fallen Angel and Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box. The PlayStation 3 had Magic Ball, Astro Tripper, Buzz! Quiz TV Horror Movie Quiz and SingStar ABBA. The Xbox 360 had Naruto: The Broken Bond, Lips, Lips: En Español and Dash of Destruction. A couple of singing games (both of which I personally believe will underwhelm), some arcade characters taking on Superheroes, a little James Bond with some prequel action RPG action sprinkled in. The list is quite the cross-section of gaming.

The Intriguing Title of the Week is “SingStar ABBA” by SCEA for the PS2 and PS3. The unique thing about this version of the series is that in the previous 21 editions of SingStar, never has one been branded specifically to on artist or Band. Here in lies the catch, ABBA is a WORLD renowned act that saw some recent revitalization with their participation in the film ‘Mama Mia!’. However, they still only have a handful of songs that would be recognized by fans of the series here in the Untied States. I expect this version of SingStar to be a massive seller overseas in Europe and Japan, but I would guess that it will struggle domestically with only a handful of the 20 (PS2 - $29.99) or 25 (PS3 - $39.99) song being recognizable by the usual fans of the series.

Title Publisher Rating Platforms
Azada: Ancient Magic Activision-Blizzard Everyone 10+ PC
Dash of Destruction Microsoft Everyone 360
Dreamer: Puppy Trainer DreamCatcher Everyone DS
Escape the Museum Majesco Entertainment Everyone Wii
Mission Runway THQ Inc Everyone DS
My World, My Way Atlus USA, Inc. Everyone DS
Zeal RealNetworks Everyone PC
STAR OCEAN: Second Evolution Square Enix, Inc Teen PSP
Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe Midway Home Entertainment Teen 360, PS3
Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box Electronic Arts Everyone 10+ PC, 360, PS3
Combat Wings: Battle of Britain City Interactive S.A. Teen PC
Magic Ball Creat Studios, Inc. Everyone PS3
The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity Atari Everyone DS
The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match Ignition Entertainment Teen PS2
Tomb Raider: Underworld Eidos Interactive Teen DS
MaBoShi's Arcade Nintendo Everyone Wii
Mario Golf Nintendo Everyone Wii
KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories Square Enix, Inc Everyone 10+ PS2
MySims Party Electronic Arts Everyone Wii
My English Coach para hispanoparlantes Ubisoft Everyone DS
Big Bang Mini Southpeak Games Everyone DS
Block Party Activision-Blizzard Everyone 10+ Wii
Wonder World Amusement Park Majesco Entertainment Everyone DS
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel CDV Software Ent Mature PC, 360, PS3
Quantum of Solace Collector's Edition Activision-Blizzard Teen 360, PS3
Quantum of Solace Activision-Blizzard Teen PC, 360, PS3, PS2, Wii
Ranch Rush Mumbo Jumbo Everyone PC
The Great Chocolate Chase: A Chocolatier Twist Encore Software Everyone Mac, PC
Short Track Racing Trading Paint ValuSoft Inc. Everyone PS2
Tumblebugs 2 Mumbo Jumbo Everyone PC
Astro Tripper Pom Pom Software Ltd Everyone PS3
DJ Max Fever PM Studios, Inc. Teen PSP
Lips Microsoft Teen 360
Lips: En Español Microsoft Teen 360
M&M's Beach Party Zoo Games, Inc. Everyone Wii
Hotel For Dogs 505 Games Everyone PC, DS, Wii
Jungle Speed Playful Entertainment, Inc. Everyone Wii
EverQuest: Seeds of Destruction Sony Online Entertainment Teen PC
Bruiser and Scratch Steel Penny Games Everyone Wii
Buzz!™ Quiz TV Horror Movie Quiz SCEA Teen PS3
Coraline D3Publisher of America Everyone DS
Diner Dash Family Style Electronic Arts Everyone PC
Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World Atari Teen PS2
Family Restaurant ValuSoft Inc. Everyone PC
Gradius Rebirth Konami Everyone Wii
Hannah Montana : DVD Game Disney Interactive Studios Everyone DVD
High School Musical : DVD Game Disney Interactive Studios Everyone DVD
Legends of Norrath: Ethernauts SOE Everyone 10+ PC
Naruto: The Broken Bond Ubisoft Teen 360
Pakoombo™ RealNetworks Everyone PC
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Nintendo Everyone DS
SimAnimals Electronic Arts Everyone DS
SingStar ABBA SCEA Teen PS2, PS3
Trivial Pursuit: Daily 20 Electronic Arts Teen Web Browser
Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 SEGA Everyone Mac, PC


Here is the final tally on who, what and where everything was rated for last week. There were 55 rated titles on 10 platforms. PC (16), DS (12), Wii (11), 360 (9), PS3 (9) and PS2 (6) had the most games rated. There were 38 of the 55 titles rated at E10+ or lower, 16 rated at T for Teen and one (Sacred 2: Fallen Angel) rated at M for Mature.

Got a comment on the article or a rated games, put it in the section below or send me an e-mail. Until next week, make sure you know what your kids are playing……

*The weekly Intriguing Title of the Week (and any game that is tossed in that paragraph) is identified based on a game on the list that catches the eye of the author for any number of reasons. Good, bad or otherwise, feel free to agree, disagree or add some constructive input to the discussion.

* The product in this article was sent to us by the developer/company.


About Author

Like many gamers in their 40's, I developed my love of gaming from my Commodore 64 after we wore out our Intellivision. I spent countless hours wandering around the streets of Skara Brae, as my life was immersed in The Bard's Tale series on the C-64, D&D Titles and any/all Epyx titles (California Summer and Winter Games) and sports titles.  After taking the early 90's off from gaming (college years) minus the occasional Bill Walsh College Football on Sega, I was re-introduced to PC games in the mid 1990's with a couple of little games called DOOM II and Diablo. I went all-in with the last generation of consoles, getting an Xbox 360 on launch weekend as well as adding a PS3 and Wii in subsequent years.  I now am into the current-generation (latest?) of consoles with the WiiU and Xbox One.  Recently, I was able to get back into PC gaming and have enjoyed it very much, spending most of my time going solo or playing with my fellow GamingNexus staffers in controlled multiplayer action.

While my byline is on many reviews, articles and countless news stories, I have a passion for and spent the last several years at GamingNexus focusing on audio & video and accessories as they relate to gaming. Having over 20 years of Home Theater consulting and sales under my belt, it is quite enjoyable to spend some of my time viewing gaming through the A/V perspective. While I haven't yet made it to one of the major gaming conventions (PAX or E3), I have represented GamingNexus at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in nine of the last ten years.

Personally, I have been a staff member at GamingNexus since 2006 and am in my third tour of duty after taking off the last year and a half.


 

View Profile