Games shipping this week
by Blake Snow 
{ Nov 6th 2006 at 12:55PM }
Big week in games (especially for 360). Ginormous. Okay, maybe not ginormous, but we haven't seen a week this good in a long time, and things are looking good. Notable titles include Gears of War, Viva Pinata, and Call of Duty 3 on Xbox 360; Elite Beat Agents on the DS; Tony Hawk's Project 8 (multi); and rockin' Guitar Hero II for PS2. Buyer dilemmas start now.Nintendo DS:
- Barbie: 12 Dancing Princesses
- Bomberman Land Touch!
- Chicken Little: Ace in Action
- Digimon World DS
- Elite Beat Agents
- My Frogger: Toy Trials
- Tom and Jerry Tales
- Uno/Skip-Bo/Uno Freefall
- Winx Club: The Quest for the Codex
PlayStation 2:
- Call of Duty 3
- Chicken Little: Ace in Action
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
- Guitar Hero 2
- Hard Rock Casino
- Sega Genesis Collection
- SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals Combined Assault
- The Sopranos: Road to Respect
- Suzuki Superbikes
- Tony Hawk's Project 8
Xbox 360:
- Blitz: The League
- Call of Duty 3
- Gears of War
- History Channel: Civil War
- Tony Hawk's Project 8
- Viva Pinata
- World Championship Poker: All In
Xbox:
- Call of Duty 3
- Tony Hawk's Project 8
Game Boy Advance:
- Final Fantasy V Advance
- Polarium Advance
- The Sims 2: Pets
- Tom and Jerry Tales
- Winx Club: The Quest for the Codex
PlayStation Portable:
- BattleZone
- Hard Rock Casino
- Lumines II
- Reel Fishing: The Great Outdoors
- SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo 2
- Tony Hawk's Project 8
PC:
- 1701 A.D.
- Deal or No Deal
- The Fifth Disciple
- Final Fantasy XI Vana'diel Collection 2007
- Left Behind: Eternal Forces
- Great Invasions
- Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects
- Patriots: A Nation Under Fire
- The Sims 2: Happy Holiday Stuff
- The Sims 2: Holiday Edition
- Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Flit @ Nov 6th 2006 1:00PM
Anyone know a good place to work a second job?
Evan Brower @ Nov 6th 2006 1:01PM
Buyer's dilemmas??? Buy all the games, no dilemma.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 6th 2006 1:05PM
On the street turning tricks?
BIGGEN @ Nov 6th 2006 1:02PM
#1 a game store. since they are "in the industry" and all. LOL that cracks me up everytime
wako @ Nov 6th 2006 1:06PM
FINALLY GEARS OF WAR IS COMING OUT!
Flit @ Nov 6th 2006 1:07PM
@3: what game store has the best employee discount?
Eric Von Shpeel @ Nov 6th 2006 1:08PM
oh baby its finally here.. after the long long wait, all the hype, all the previews... THE GAME OF THE YEAR IS RELEASED.
Guitar Hero 2 :)
dsub @ Nov 6th 2006 10:42PM
Flit/BIGGEN-
actually, working at a gamestore would heavily benefit you in this dilemma. Being that they are allowed to "check out" titles to take home and play, it would save you lots of cash. Especially on games that you may just want for the single player and not the multiplayer.
As far as them being "in the industry" they may not be directly involved in the creation of games, but they are definately more "in the industry" than someone who just patrols gaming site and forums all day trashing on gamestore employees and discussing rumors flying around the internet.
jharr @ Nov 6th 2006 1:09PM
@6
Not Toys R Us. They only give 10%.
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 1:15PM
If GOW is out tomorrow why are there no reviews available on the internet !!! Very Strange. I wonder if it will be a huge disappointment and herald the end of the 360 ?
unimental @ Nov 6th 2006 1:17PM
I've got the money. What I don't have is the time. Gears of War will take up 90% of my precious gaming hours... so I've got very little to distribute amongst the remaining holiday release schedule and my current library. And now it's hockey season, which draws me to the TV a few times a week.
I miss the college days of marathon gaming sessions. Damn.
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 1:21PM
And where is Joystiq's review ?? Do you guys have a copy yet ?
Intentless @ Nov 6th 2006 2:01PM
Isn't Rainbow 6 Vegas out this week as well?
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 1:22PM
where does the password go ?
Judd @ Nov 6th 2006 1:25PM
Gamestop/EB gives 15% off new, and 10% then an additional 15% off used with the Gamestop card. I think I'd be interested in playing every one of those 360 games(I'm a fan of the History Channel. It's about time we get a console Civil War game.) I think the DS may have the single most kiddy games every released by one system in a week. And I think it's about time we all sell our Gamecubes.
ERrrr @ Nov 6th 2006 1:32PM
I for one am buying Guitar Hero II over Gears of Whore. Amazing that PS2 is shipping more games than The 360. (You can bet theres much more than that in Japan) Sega Genesis Collection will PWN JU!! OMGWTFBBQ.
azesino @ Nov 6th 2006 1:33PM
GOW I think this game will surpass HALO 2 in pre orders
Intentless @ Nov 6th 2006 2:00PM
@15
last I heard there were not enough 360s on the market for GOW to surpass Halo 2 in overall sales right now...
Thryon @ Nov 6th 2006 1:37PM
I have not been this excited since launch day.
I am getting:
Blitz: The League,
Call of Duty 3,
Gears of War,
Viva Pinata,
and the HD-DVD unit...
Hmmm. may need to be sick for the next week. Anyone know a good sickness to obtain good for a week off? (fanboyism does not qualify as a sickness....I already tried that one)
Kevin in NYC @ Nov 6th 2006 1:43PM
Anyone able to find a review of Civil War?
Neko Tsukimi @ Nov 6th 2006 1:47PM
This week, only Elite Beat Agents exists for me.
Hak Foo @ Nov 6th 2006 1:51PM
Contra should be listed for Xbox 360 Arcade. I'll pick it up first since it will be cheapest.
At some point I will probably pick up Gears of War, Elite Beat Agents, Viva Pinata, Call of Duty 3 and maybe History Channel: Civil War.
baby sea tuna @ Nov 6th 2006 1:52PM
"If GOW is out tomorrow why are there no reviews available on the internet !!! Very Strange. I wonder if it will be a huge disappointment and herald the end of the 360 ?"
OH NOES!!! Better go sell my Xbox now before everyone figures out that it's all over!
naughn @ Nov 6th 2006 1:53PM
Why are there no reviews for the Gears of War yet? Is there some sort of embargo on the reviews? That is one thing that REALLY bothers me. Reviews should be up the day before a game ships so buyers can be educated, and/or get some perspective. Companies offering review copies to media outlets with strings attached such as embargos that force the review to go live after or day of release is weak and cowardly. Have some conviction, be proud, and stand by your product.
Some might argue that with hype premature reviews will hinder initial sales. My response is if you made a solid game then you have nothing to fear. What are you afraid of Mr. Publisher/Developer?
Daniel @ Nov 6th 2006 1:54PM
Just got my copy of Gears of War, heh heh ;)
ZD @ Nov 6th 2006 1:55PM
@16 - Mono.
Works every time.
ERrrr @ Nov 6th 2006 1:59PM
The Reason there are No Reviews: Epic and Microsoft know the game isn't worth all the hype, and the reviews would only prove this true. (Although I'm sure IGN will have a review up sometime tonight.) Nonetheless everyone with a 360 is probably buying this because no game has had as much hype.
sev4 pri1 @ Nov 6th 2006 1:57PM
thank god for 9-month contracts and 100 days break in service. I hear that if you actually work "in the industyr" then you can write off all your game receipts when you do taxes. so being a contract tester isn't all bad. oh wait, yes it is.
mmxzero @ Nov 6th 2006 2:12PM
Can't wait for the Elite Beat Agents to rock my DSlite! lol and I bet 360 owners can't wait to get their hands on kiddy Viva Pinata, that game will sell millions. Rare is genius...
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 2:01PM
well said naughn.
Publishers are very cowardly because bad reviews spread like wildfire so lets get the suckers to buy it on day one before they find out the truth.
Do you realise it is the sign of a movie disaster when there are no pre screenings for movies ? No prescreenings means no bad publicity before the truth comes out.
No GOW reviews so far with the game shipping tomorrow does not bode well. Chicken shit Epic and their little wannabe chump. Why now, after months of hype and pre publiity would mister cliffyb embargo all reviews ?
Daniel @ Nov 6th 2006 2:12PM
Oh, and just to add - there IS an embargo on reviews for Gears of War until 9 am EST on November 7.
ERrrr @ Nov 6th 2006 2:04PM
Well said daver.
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 2:07PM
Shadow of The Colossus had reviews up weeks before the game came out. 1up had an entire section devoted to the game before the game came out !!!! And that was a great game.
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 2:08PM
Can Joystiq confirm an embargo ? Or is there an embargo on confirming an embargo ?
360_Rools_U_All @ Nov 6th 2006 2:08PM
"9. If GOW is out tomorrow why are there no reviews available on the internet !!! Very Strange. I wonder if it will be a huge disappointment and herald the end of the 360 ?"
Is this guy serious, or just retarded? Call me when you get Killzone 2 there fanboy. Have a seat.
RDX @ Nov 6th 2006 2:08PM
Right now, FFXII is taking up all of my time (class? bah...) and besides, I need to save every penny for Wii.
Sweet, sweet Wii.
ERrrr @ Nov 6th 2006 2:10PM
@ 31 LOL with a name like 360_Rools_U_All... I'm sure we can all see for ourselves who the fanboy is. And I think he has some valid points and don't necessarily see where you can claim his mental illness from that post.
KaneRobot @ Nov 6th 2006 3:08PM
1. No Rainbow Six Vegas this week...I believe it's next week, but not sure.
2. The people complaining about no reviews for GoW have no concept of recent history. Halo 2 was the same way - IGN, Gamespot, et al did not post their reviews until launch day. If you are skipping this game because reviews aren't out ahead of time, well...your loss.
3. Guitar Hero II is going to have to wait until the superior 360 version arrives. Will probably play it a bit on my brother's PS2.
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 2:16PM
360_Rools_U_Al
Its childish to assume one is a fanboy. Take the criticism like a man stuff your killzone. I ain t no fanboy, but am merely wondering why there are no reviews of such A MASSIVELY hyped product.
Nate @ Nov 6th 2006 2:11PM
No. 28 - "No GOW reviews so far with the game shipping tomorrow does not bode well. Chicken shit Epic and their little wannabe chump. Why now, after months of hype and pre publiity would mister cliffyb embargo all reviews ?"
You know why? Because even if it was an amazing game, it would still be a dissapointment. I think the hype around Gears has far surpassed Halo 2. And while the actual release day of the game may not be as big, the events and everything preceding it sure as hell passed Halo 2. Many people have already played it and said it was excellent, so I'm not sure how it compares to a movie never being screened ahead of time (it doesn't).
I think it's a good move on the part of Epic....there's no point to have the game reviewed early because even if it got a 95/100, it still wouldn't satisfy people, and would lose potential buyers. People that buy a game based solely off reviews need to rethink the way they purchase games anyways.
ERrrr @ Nov 6th 2006 2:11PM
Hey someone tell me how to get stars.
Fatality4u @ Nov 6th 2006 2:15PM
What a massive list, I wish I had my 360 working.
Les Doodis @ Nov 6th 2006 2:14PM
"No GOW reviews so far with the game shipping tomorrow does not bode well. Chicken shit Epic and their little wannabe chump. Why now, after months of hype and pre publiity would mister cliffyb embargo all reviews ?"
They've been previewing this game for MONTHS now. Holding huge events where people have been able to play the game hands-on. And the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Maybe you just missed all that somehow.
This game may be hyped up the wazoo, but there is nothing coming from any of the players or previewers that suggests it will be a flop.
get over it @ Nov 6th 2006 2:16PM
FINALLY!!!! Barbie: 12 Dancing Princesses is here.
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 2:16PM
Nate -
Many people have played bits an pieces of GOW, something akin to seeing a trailer of a movie, or a 10 minute preview with all the best bits..........
Now I am out to purchase GOW myself but want to make an informed choice. These things cost too much money and are invarialby disappointing so i just want to make an informed choice. A lack of reviews, scratch that, NO REVIEWS does not allow me to make an informed choice.
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 2:19PM
EMBARGO is fast becoming a very popular word in the world of videogames. All weekend I suffered embargos on twilight princess information. Its all very demotivating and makes one feel like you are being drip fed scraps.
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 2:22PM
and scraps, people, are what are fed to dogs.
polly @ Nov 6th 2006 2:31PM
I don't know where all this naysaying is coming from. EVERY blog I've read and EVERY podcast I've listened to of someone who has had hands on time with Gears has said it is damn good and completely lives up to the hype. I'm quite sure you'll be eating your words as soon as the reviews are put out in the next few days.
E3 '06: Best Console Game - how's that review for ya?
daver @ Nov 6th 2006 2:30PM
Can someone send a box of depends to Epics HO because I'm thinking they are shitting themselves with the thought that their baby might not be as good as they thought !
Worrying. Worrying indeed.
360_Rools_U_All @ Nov 6th 2006 2:26PM
Let's go back and look at your post...
" I wonder if it will be a huge disappointment and herald the end of the 360 ?""
End of the console? Oh no, theres NOTHING stupid about that statement.
Take my criticism like a man, what critisism? It hasn't even been reviewed yet, but it has been previewed out the ass for months. I'm mere commenting on the stupidity of that post. Like GOW is the first game EVER to be released without reviews or something.
"I ain t no fanboy, but am merely wondering why there are no reviews of such A MASSIVELY hyped product."
What you mean like the PS3 and every title it has coming out for it at launch? At least I don't make a feeble attempt to hide my fanboyism.