Let’s face facts. I don’t know jack squat about sports. I kid you not! Couldn’t tell you the difference between a Hail Mary pass and a Pinch Hitter. Thankfully we do have a writer who does. Whenever a sports title show up for the week, Mario Marquez will be writing that preview and not me. This way you won’t have to put up with me struggling to figure out if the newest feature in Madden is worth a damn or not. So what have we got this week? That’s right a sports game… and also a title I completely skipped over last week because I completely missed it. To make amends for it, I’ve got the preview for that here.

Remember. Release dates are quite literally made at the whims of the publisher.  The following are subject to change without any warning.

 

Releases To Watch For This Week and Last Week

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (DS)

Sunday July 11, 2010

Ever heard of Senior Cut Day? Japan has a version of that except it isn’t just Seniors in a school. It’s nearly the entire country. The day in question: whenever a new Dragon Quest game comes out. Dragon Quest is that big over there, and Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies got the same reception when it came out last year. The series have never been all that big around here, but that isn’t stopping Square Enix from trying their luck with our audience anyways. For the most part, Dragon Quest IX is your typical JRPG with turn based battles, anime graphics, and whatnot, but this iteration has a couple of very notable firsts for the series. First up is multiplayer. The game can actually be played co-operatively with up to 3 of your friends. You can literally finish the game with an entire party of real people. Another new feature, and also the main reason this game is still pretty popular over in Japan, is the Tag Mode. Putting the game on this special mode enables it to talk to other DSes in the area that also happens to be in this special mode as well. When it does, the games shares character players, customized greetings, and special treasure maps. These treasure maps lead to rare bosses and/or “phat loot.” These maps are randomly generated so if you do get a treasure map from someone else, it’s unlikely to be the same map as yours. The Dragon Quest games have always been blessed/cursed (depending on who you ask) by a complete lack of change. It’s a lot like Pokemon in that sense. This obstinacy to change has been the main reason that people either continue to come back to it or continue to ignore it outright, but if you’ve never played one before, maybe you’re a Dragon Quest fan and just don’t know it yet.

 

NCAA Football 11 (Xbox 360, PS3)

Tuesday July 13, 2010

Everyone's favorite amateur football roster update is back for another tour. NCAA 11 gets the first chance at satiating our football craving with, of course, our yearly update to no name builds based on our favorite collegiate players. Adding to this year's experience are new more fluid animations that bring the game closer to what you see on Saturdays than ever before. ESPN presentation has been amped to give the game that oh so ABC/ESPN broadcast feel, and new dual analog control adds a dimension to help you get those much needed extra yards. Add in the new more customized stadium atmosphere, and you'll feel like your right back on campus.

-Mario Marquez

 

Coming This Week

Tuesday July 13, 2010

Chuck E. Cheese’s Party Games (Wii, DS)

I’ve always wanted to go to one of these when I was younger just to at least see what it’s like. I guess now I won’t have to. If only this mini-game compilation comes with actual pizzas although there is a mini-game where you get to make a pizza, but if you ask me, that just makes things worst.

Little League World Series: Double Play (Wii, DS)

Did you like Little League World Series Baseball: 2008 and the 2009 version? Did you also accidentally forgot to buy it? Well, here’s your chance to own both on one disc/cartridge. How convenient!

Little League World Series Baseball 2010 (Xbox 360, PS3)

It's baseball with kids for kids! Take your Little League team from thelocal championship to the National Championship while playing baseball like the Boondocks play kickball while looking like Legos.

-Mario Marquez

The Bachelor: The Video Game (Wii, DS)

Who says human interactions are difficult? Based off the reality TV show, The Bachelor: The Video Game has you playing a contestant on either The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. So How does one break down human interactions into a video game? Through mini-games that will test your memory, speed, observation, precision, and other video game related skills. Who knew I was practicing my social skills through my video gaming?

Ford Racing Off Road (Wii)

Are Ford cars any good for off road racing? I have no idea, but apparently they have their own game where you get to race all of their off road cars. If you’re a big fan of Ford cars, now they’ve got a game for you.

Animal Planet Vet Collection (DS)

Because we just can’t get enough pet simulators, this one’s a compilation of the Animal Planet games, which include Vet Life and Emergency Vets. If you missed it when it came out last time, here’s your chance to pick them up now!

Dungeon Raiders (DS)

Some games try a little too hard at being ridiculous just for the sake of ridiculous. Well, we’ve got Glandalf the “cinema loving wizard” and Extermino the not too bright executioner along with Luigi, a failed thief, trying to help a friend find a better job in this action/adventure game. Maybe the game will end up being funny, but it certainly hasn’t started that way.

Military History Commander – Europe at War (DS)

Like this hasn’t been done before. Replay World War II through the eyes of the Axis or the Alies in this hex based strategy game. You’ll be responsible for recruitment, reconnaissance, and diplomacy. My first act as the Axis Commander is to parachute hundreds of zombies into enemy territory and cities and watch them eventually collapse.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: The Video Game (DS)

Be prepared to fight evil wizards with your own wizardly powers! You know, I could use that line to describe every single magic related movie/game in existence. When the hell are wizards and witches going to fight aliens? Or a zombie apocalypse? Or an alien zombie apocalypse?

 

Slim pickings this week isn’t it? Unless of course you’re a big giant fan of The Bachelor. Well, aren’t you lucky.

 

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