Nintendo owners and fans will be seeing exciting releases for both the Nintendo DS and Wii this week, including one blockbuster that looks to bring the Game of the Year award to the Nintendo next-gen console.
Mario is back and looking better than ever in Super Mario Galaxy 2, which was released on Sunday, May 23. The game is a sequel to the original, Super Mario Galaxy, released in 2007, and has been a tease to followers ever since its first showing at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
So far the game has echoed the success of the original with a score of a 97 out of a 100 on Metacritic and a 96.8 percent on Gamerankings – nearly identical scores to its predecessor. Metacritic and Gamerankings provide a collaboration of all the reviews on a particular product thus far.
While Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 owners have only a handful of games coming their way this week, many of the games feature great promotions, including gift cards and extra unlockable content.
Blur looks to stack up against last week’s release, Split/Second, and will try to capture the arcade-racing crown. The studio behind Blur, Bizarre Creations, took a different approach to their upcoming racer and one step away from the studios better known franchise, Project Gotham Racing.
Blur and Project Gotham Racing share several similarities, such as an experience-based points system and heavily detailed car visuals. However, Blur shifts the focus to multiple car battles and power-up collecting. Those looking for fast-paced racing action may want to give Blur a test drive.
Those looking for a little more hard-hitting action can check out UFC Undisputed 2010, which drops Tuesday, May 25. This is the first release of a UFC game on the Playstation Portable and only the second game between the Ultimate Fighting Championship and its 2007 agreement with publisher THQ.
Last year’s game, UFC Undisputed 2009, received mostly positive ratings from reviewers. The game scored an 83 out of 100 on Metacritic and an 84 percent on Gamerankings, while capturing the award of Best Individual Sports Game at the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards. Retailers Amazon.com and Gamestop also feature some promotional deals for those interested in UFC Undisputed 2010, and can be seen in the schedule below.
The sleeper hit of the week: ModNation Racers. Although the game is a PS3 exclusive, ModNation Racers conveys a wide-open creative mantra for user- generated content, which is comparable only to another similar and successful title, LittleBigPlanet.
ModNation Racers allows players to design and create their own characters, vehicles and race tracks, while offering a pick up and play experience. So far, the game has received mostly positive ratings: 9 out of 10 from IGN, 9 out of 10 from Gamers Globe and 7 out of 10 from Eurogamer.
Those interested in pre-ordering s game before its respective release date, should be sure to check out Amazon.com and Gamestop.com. The sites frequently offer competing bonuses, goodies and free gift cards or coupons for pre-ordering games.
The full list of releases is listed below for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo Wii, PSP and Nintendo DS, although releases are subject to change. Visit the TODAY website next week for more game releases and their respective promotional offers.
Week of May 24, 2010
Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Nintendo Wii (Sunday)
ModNation Racers – Playstation 3 and PSP
Blur – Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC
* $10 gift card at Amazon.com
* A coupon code for $10 off a future order at Gamestop, as well as a Multiplayer Advantage Booster Kit at Gamestop
UFC Undisputed 2010 – Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PSP
* $10 gift card and three unlockable characters at Amazon.com
* Four exclusive fighters, while PS3 owners also receive three extra exclusive legends and extra matches at Gamestop
Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force: Herbert’s Revenge – Nintendo DS
Color Cross – Nintendo DS
Hexyz Force – PSP
Witch’s Wish – Nintendo DS
Making History 2: War of the World – PC
Kid Adventures: Sky Captain – Nintendo Wii
Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers – Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS
Dawn of Heroes – Nintendo DS
Pirates Plundarrr – Nintendo Wii
River City Soccer Hooligans – Nintendo DS
Little Bears – Nintendo DS
Monster Frenzy – Nintendo DS