Is this the biggest week for games this year? There are four must-buys plus several other worthy contenders all vying for your wallet’s attention.
Personally, Metroid Prime Trilogy is the pick of the week, purely based on quality and value for money. But the Fallout 3 GOTY edition ain’t far behind.
In terms of new games, you’d be mad not to pick up Brütal Legend and Uncharted 2. And I’d give serious consideration to Operation Flashpoint 2 and Wii Fit Plus, if you’re into that sort of thing.
What are you picking up this week? And how is your wallet going to cope?
Quick note on the Fallout 3 GOTY edition: retailers everywhere are listing it for release on the 15th, but distributor Namco Bandai’s latest release schedule has it for the 22nd. I’ll check in with them today and update the post when I find out. It’s definitely out next week. Your wallet can breathe a sigh of relief.
New releases for the w/c October 12:
Brütal Legend (360, PS3)
What Is It? Tim Schafer’s heavy metal inspired action/brawler/adventure/strategy/comedy odyssey.
Should You Care? Not for those who are physically and emotionally incapable of smiling. Everyone else should get ready to rock.
Cities XL (PC)
What Is It? SimCity with MMO aspects, allowing player cities to exist on persistent worlds.
Should You Care? It’s an intriguing idea, but there are better city-builders out there.
Disney Sing It: Pop Hits (PS3, Wii)
What Is It? Karaoke game in the vein of SingStar.
Should You Care? It’s all about the track list.
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition (360, PS3, PC)
What Is It? Fallout 3 plus its five DLC episodes in one box.
Should You Care? A must-have for those who don’t own Fallout 3 and/or its DLC.
Family Party: Outdoor Fun (Wii)
What Is It? Lemme guess… it’s a bunch of mini-games?
Should You Care? Wow, I was right.
Family Trainer: Extreme Sports (Wii)
What Is It? Hang on… another mini-game collection?
Should You Care? Gee, I’m good at this game.
Harvest Fishing (DS)
What Is It? An RPG in which combat is entirely replaced with, er… fishing.
Should You Care? It’s a novel idea, but one that quickly becomes dull.
Mahjongg (DS)
What Is It? It’s Mahjongg on your DS. Again.
Should You Care? Why would you play Mahjongg on your DS?
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii, DS)
What Is It? Yep, it’s yet another mini-game collection.
Should You Care? But this one has far more polish, higher production values and some actual gameplay.
Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii)
What Is It? The two Gamecube Metroid Primes get given Wii controls and stuck in a box with the one Wii Metroid Prime.
Should You Care? Buy this even if you already own all three.
Motorstorm: Arctic Edge (PS2)
What Is It? Arcade racer full of slippy-slidey ice tracks.
Should You Care? You should just play Burnout again.
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising (360, PS3, PC)
What Is It? Squad-based military shooter that aims for greater realism than yer Calls of Duty et al.
Should You Care? If you like your shooters slow-paced and tactical, you’ll dig it.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
What Is It? Half-parkour, half-shootout, half-tucked action/adventure that’s 50% more than most.
Should You Care? The best PS3 exclusive of the year.
Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
What Is It? Extra workouts for your Wii Fit. Also available in a bundle with the original Wii Ft.
Should You Care? Still playing Wii Fit? You probably want this.
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Wheelie Breakers (Wii)
What Is It? Uh…
Should You Care? … wut?
HotDamn!
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 9:24 AMAnyone notice a PS3 Uncharted 2 bundle for AU?
David Wildgoose
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:36 PMIt’s coming with the 250GB console, on sale from Thursday.
Tracey Lien
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 9:38 AM“Half-parkour, half-shootout, half-tucked action/adventure that’s 50% more than most.”
I read that as “50% more moist” and considered buying it. Sans moistness, I don’t know if I’m interested.
Korwin
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:24 AMMoist 2: The Moistening
dzc12
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:25 AMIs it weird I just slapped my knee and guffawed…
Michael Butler
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:09 AMIsn’t one of the PS3′s cores dedicated entirely to procedurally generating moistness? Like in the first game, when Drake jumps into water and he comes out all . . . moist?
mambodog
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:17 PMThe word ‘moist’ is disgusting. Just say it.
mmmmmoiist.
Mr Explody
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 9:42 AMIf anyone finds a good price for Brutal Legend, post it here.
Gobbo
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 9:47 AMHmmm… just hoping this turns up sooner rather than later… :D
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/16859
Choc
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:04 AMDave,
I have a conundrum. I am looking for both BL and UC2 but can only get one on thursday (i will get both eventually)
Schafer seriously deserves a massive hit and UC2 is going to be massive regardless. Loved UC1, and can’t wait for UC2 but well i am not necessarily a sheep so…
Keeping in mind i will eventually buy both, what would you buy Day 1 on Thursday, i am sure many people have this same conundrum
David Wildgoose
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:35 PMPersonally, it’s got to be Brütal Legend. You’re right, Tim deserves a massive hit. However, I think Uncharted 2 is the game with more widespread appeal – perhaps explaining why it’s of less interest to me.
Lorrie
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:43 PMSince he is on a budget I would reccomend Uncharted 2 because i can see brutal legend falling in price quicker than Uncharted thefore saving you money.
Sweating Bullets
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:45 PMYou have gone mad with power Wildgoose!
Someone needs to help me to stop the madness!!
url404
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 1:14 PMI’m in the same predicament. As I’m going on holidays at the end of the week I’m thinking UC2, play it to death, then trade it in for Brutal Legend.
My mates are metal heads and I think they would want to play through it.
I tried the multiplayer beta for UC2 but my skills were sorely lacking and death was frequent and embarrassing so I don’t think I’d be getting much longevity out of it.
Tyris
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 1:59 PMWhilst I’d bet money on BL being the better game… It is quite short… about 12 hours… a few more for max clock (tho tracking down some stuff without knowing where to look could be very difficult I imagine). So Uncharted 2 will probably tide you over until you can afford BL, where as BL you’ll finish in 2 days and then be sad… (or you can play it again!)
Lorrie
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:07 AM3 games to get;
Op Flashpoint, Uncharted 2 and Brutal Legend.
I think I hear my wallet crying!
WaveOfMutilation
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:07 AMJust from reading the title “Yu-gi-oh! 5D’s Wheelie Breakers” and having no real understanding of the Yu-gi-oh! franchise, I’m expecting a card based extreme racer played in five dimensions. If done well that could be awesome. Chances are its just gona be a mario kart clone.
DansDans
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:07 AMEasily the best week for the whole year in terms of game releases…
Thank the gods I get paid this week :) There are two instant purchases (Uncharted 2, Fallout 3 GOTY) and two very tempting titles (Brutal Legend, *cough*WiiFit Plus*cough*)
DansDans
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:08 AMAlso Tracey will you marry me? I am semi-good looking, dont smell, not too nerdy and.. and.. and.. um.. I dunno :) lol
David Wildgoose
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:39 PMBetter add that you’re extra moist, too, Dan. It’s what she likes, you know.
oggob
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:27 AMYou can add WipEout HD Fury (Disc Version) to this list also, it’s should be popping up in JB HiFi stores (only) on the 15th as well…
Having recently “returned” my Fallout 3 game back to my local EB and getting back $99… :) will be ordering with CD WOW and picking up the GOTY Edition for $60!
Uncharted & Brütal Legend into the mix… and my wallet will suffer…
might wait for Metroid and Operation Flashpoint to drop in price though…
Mark
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:47 AMDAM IT!! I want to get Uncharted 2 but the missus is ruling the accounts with an iron fist at the moment.
Maybe i can convince my mate to get it… let him play it through quickly and then convince him to swap for one of my older games…. hmm…..
Mr Waffle
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:51 AMI wasn’t really interested in Brutal Legend (it sounded a bit tryhard) until I tried the demo yesterday. I’m sold now!
HotDamn!
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 2:31 PMI think this is what I need to do too; download the demo. Despite Tim’s credibility in the gaming world, the game hasn’t really impacted me.
mount-eerie
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:52 AMMaybe not the best place to ask this question but, will the Fallout 3 GOTY edition recognize previous saved games from the standard edition. I love the game and I am keen to trade it in for the DLC but the thought of re-earning my rank and exp. again makes me shiver.
oggob
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:51 PMI have read somewhere that the old saves will be compatible…
metalisticpain
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:58 AMBrutal Legend for me,.
Im hoping i can find a dumb retailer who will break street date 1 day early :)
Sweating Bullets
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:43 AMI am very tempted to get both Brutal Legend and Uncharted 2 but have opted to just get Uncharted 2.
Strife
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:54 AMoooh yeah cant wait for uncharted 2 i mean uncharted 1 I replayed like 3 times and this is meant to be even better. Its like a wet dream come true lolz
Justin Robson
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:06 PMUgh, I swear they must do this on purpose to MAKE you choose between the big releases… out of how many weeks of the year, they pick this one? As much as I’m dying to play Fallout 3 again (I was dumb enough to get it on PS3) I think I can pretty much only get Flashpoint and Uncharted. Not so fussed about Brutal Legend though, lulz, and I guess I can kiss Borderlands goodbye later on in the month… :’( Damnit I’m almost motivated to get a job to fund my gaming habit.
Cameron Wynn
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:09 PMUncharted 2 and Fallout GotY shall be mine! I might hire Brutal Legend, the rest are kinda meh to me unfortunately…
Paul
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:18 PMI’d like to nominate the gorgeous ‘Machinarium’ for this list.
mount-eerie
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:40 PMDave,
Just wondering why widespread/mainstream appeal alone would detract from your interest in a game?
David Wildgoose
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:53 PMTo clarify: more people will like Uncharted 2 than Brütal Legend; the former is slick and polished and obvious, while the latter is quirky and strange and just a little rough at times. I find that more appealing, personally.
Riavan
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 1:01 PMI’m grabbing brutal legend. I haven’t found Brutal legend to be rough at all, it seemed insanely polished, more so than other games from the demo, assuming the rest of the game is like that?
Generic adventure shooter or zany original comedic rpg/platformer?
I will agree that one is more mainstream and thus is more appealing to the ‘mainstream’, doesn’t mean it’s better.
mount-eerie
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 4:54 PMThat makes sense. The way you worded it sounded a bit elitist. But I have purchased/not purchased items for the exact reason you gave. Thanks for the clarification.
Daniel
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 1:01 PMUncharted 2 the only one for me this week.
Already got MPT, it rocks.
Dunnowhathuh
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 1:13 PMI could get both but I’m tight so I think I’ll pick up Uncharted 2 first. Knowing me though, chances are I’ll splurge and get Brutal Legend and the Metroid Prime trilogy. I am soo gonna be broke by the end of this week.
Mitchell
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM“It’s an intriguing idea, but there are better city-builders out there.”
But what are they?
Christian
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 2:06 PMMotorstorm: Arctic Edge – Coming to PSP or PS2???
oggob
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 2:37 PMBoth…
The PSP version is already out… PS2 version will be for those PS2 owners that haven’t yet upgraded…
So if you enjoy Arctic Edge, get a PS3 and a couple more Motorstorm titles!
Matthew Herne
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 2:14 PMI’ve preordered Brutal Legend on 360 and Uncharted 2 on PS3. Brutal Legend was a must have since day one for me, but I liked the first Uncharted, so I’ll pick up both of them.
Yay for spending all my money on games!
Stevo
Monday, October 12, 2009 at 2:17 PMFound the demo of Brutal Legend a let down personally. I was hoping it would carry some of the love i have from physconauts, Tim S previous little gem, but i just wasn’t getting the vibe.
Uncharted 2 beta on the other hand was just a bucket load of fun. I’m not a massive multiplayer gamer but i’m finding the U2 demo more and more entertaining with each game, especially co-op. U2 all te way.