Video Games (XBOX / Wii/ Playstation/ PSP)

The most anticipated game of 2008 expands the open-world action introduced in the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto III to a new level of detail. The next-gen debut of the unapologetically violent series stars new protagonist Niko Bellic, a criminal looking for a fresh start and perhaps a shot at redemption. Niko is lured to the bustling Liberty City from Europe by his reckless cousin Roman, who sells him on a life of luxury with quick cash, fast cars, and faster women. Roman has considerably overstated his wealth, however. The cousin is indebted to the type of people who don't take "no" for an answer, and he desperately needs Niko's help. So begins Grand Theft Auto IV, which returns players to a revamped Liberty City teeming with pedestrians, vehicles, and criminal activity. The game's tongue-in-cheek version of the Big Apple features replicas of four boroughs as well as a portion of New Jersey. While the environment is smaller than the area found in 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the setting is more densely packed, offering a greater amount of things to see and do. A new physics model forms the backbone of the advanced 3D engine, allowing players to interact with objects and characters in more lifelike ways. The storyline is designed to offer more meaningful choices as well, with Niko able to access key contacts and messages at any time with his camera-equipped cell phone. The world is once again viewed from a third-person perspective with players able to freely walk, run, swim, or drive with little to no restrictions. Combat continues to incorporate hand-to-hand moves and gunplay, albeit with a new aiming system designed for more precise control. A reticule can be manually positioned for pinpoint accuracy, or it can be set to automatically lock onto the next available target. Niko can also duck behind objects for cover, trading shots with enemies who do the same. New ways to interact with the world include GPS-equipped vehicles, functional police car databases, working window scaffolding, and much more. During the day or at night, players can listen to a variety of licensed songs from dashboard radios in cars, trucks, boats, helicopters, and other vehicles. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

PlayStation 3

Mature
Blood
Intense Violence
Partial Nudity
Strong Language
Strong Sexual Content
Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Super Street Fighter IV

Game System

XBOX 360, Playstation 3

Following the arcade-era traditions of the series, Super Street Fighter IV is an enhanced version of 2009's award winning Street Fighter IV that offers the same high-def 2D fighting gameplay with additional characters and combat moves. The game's expanded roster includes characters from earlier Street Fighter revisions, such as T. Hawk and Dee Jay, as well as crossovers from the Final Fight series Cody and Guy, and newly introduced fighters such as the mysterious young tae kwon do master Juri. Online, players can join in Team Battles for up to eight, and can record and trade replay videos of their best fights. The between-battle barrel-smashing and car-crunching bonus levels, featured prominently in Super Street Fighter II and other earlier editions in the franchise, also make their return in Super Street Fighter IV. Following the initial retail release of Street Fighter IV by only a little more than a year, the stand-alone Super Street Fighter IV is offered at a reduced suggested price and offers additional bonuses for owners of the original. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Release Date 

April 27,2010

Platform

Xbox 360

 Super Mario

Super Mario returns for more out-of-this-world adventures in this sequel to 2007's top-selling Wii title. Joining the famous plumber is friendly dinosaur Yoshi, who Mario can ride after finding an egg on a level. The platform-style play mechanics closely follow the first game's, albeit with new levels, puzzles, collectibles, and power-ups to master. As in previous games, Yoshi can grab items with his tongue and spit them back at enemies. His sticky tongue can also be used to swing across chasms to reach new areas. Yoshi can also consume different foods for added powers, such as dash peppers for quickly scaling vertical walls or blimp fruits to swell up like a balloon and float. New gadgets for Mario include a drill that allows the plucky plumber to drill through a planet's surface until he reaches the other side. Each 3D planet once again offers gravity-specific challenges to overcome, from working upside down to gliding from area to area. Super Mario Galaxy 2 also introduces "comet metals" to collect, which will gradually open up new, more difficult levels with additional challenges to conquer. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Wii

Everyone

Mild Cartoon Violence

Nintendo of America

 Playstation 3 Fight Game

Round 3/4