A feature I’ve been wanting for this site for a while is a look at the video-game releases for the month. With the holiday season and the glut of games that are released around this time, I figured now would be as good a time as any to start. So here are the releases for the month of Novemeber.
A couple of things to keep in mind: the release date I’m listing is what Amazon.com has listed. I haven’t checked each individual game for a change in release date. The links also go to the respective Amazon page. I haven’t included every game, which means I haven’t listed “Catz 2” or “Beowulf: The Movie: The Game.” Most of the games I’ve listed are games I want to play or I’m at least remotely interested in. I’m going off the assumption that may readers would also be interested. I’ve also grouped the games I’m most interested in at the top of each section and I’ve tried to sprinkle in a little commentary where I can. Please excuse any ommissions or errors in advance.
Mass Effect (Nov. 20th) – This is probably the only sure purchase for me this month. While most people hold BioWare in high regard, I’m not as enamored. I have very fond memories of Baldur’s Gate but I only played KoToR for a few minutes and I thought Jade Empire was a button-mashing turd of a game. That being said, Mass Effect still looks mighty tempting. I’m looking forward to a good RPG on the 360 and I’m pretty sure Mass Effect will be it.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare(Nov. 5th) – Call of Duty 4 looks awesome. Amazing. Tons of fun. I’m still not picking this one up. With all the unlockables and other hooks to get me to play it exclusively, I just can’t do it. I’d rather play Halo 3 and have a life.
Assassin’s Creed(Nov. 13th) – This is one that I had initially be very interested in, but that interest has waned a bit. Reports of really complicated controls and not delivering on promised game-play has me cautious.
F.E.A.R. Files (Nov. 6th)
Cabela’s Big Game Hunter(Nov. 6th) – Can someone clue me in here? How are these games fun? And who the heck are buying them?!
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga(Nov. 6th) – Looks fun, but I must resist.
Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action(Nov. 6th)
Blacksite: Area 51(Nov. 6th)
Popcap Arcade Hits Volumne 1(Nov. 12th)
Avatar: The Burning Earth(Nov. 12th)
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008(Nov. 13th) – Want me to buy a WWE game? Put Big Boss Man in it.
Need for Speed: Prostreet(Nov. 13th)
Soldier Of Fortune: Payback(Nov. 13th) – Rag dolls are magic.
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men(Nov. 13th)
America’s Army True Soldiers(Nov. 15th) – I’m in yer Xbox, subvertly recrootin’ ya.
College Hoops 2K8(Nov. 19th) – Respect for Greg Oden, your 2K8 coverboy.
Rock Band(Nov. 20th) – I’ll probably be the last person to play Rock Band/Guitar Hero.
Super Mario Galaxy(Nov. 12th) – I still don’t have a Wii. The fact that this game comes out in two days and I won’t be playing it physically pains me. I have owned a Nintendo console before the first Mario came out for each system (I’ve usually had one at launch) and Galaxy is the first one that will come and go without me. I am sad. I hope to rectify the situation soon.
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn(Nov. 5th) – As a huge Fire Emblem fan, this will also be an immediate purchase once I am a Wii owner.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games(Nov. 6th) – My childhood weeps for this game.
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Nov. 6th)
Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey(Nov. 6th) – I’ve got a four year old girl at home. I would be the biggest hero ever if I bring this home.
My Word Coach(Nov. 6th) – Me fail English? That’s unpossible!
Cabela’s Big Game Hunter(Nov. 6th) – Shooting virtual deer seems wrong with the Wiimote.
Spongebob Squarepants: Atlantis Squarepants (Nov. 12th)
Need for Speed: Prostreet (Nov. 13th)
Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 (Nov. 13th)
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (Nov. 13th)
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Nov. 13th)
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (Nov. 13th)
Cars: Mater-National (Nov. 19th)
Wii Zapper with Link’s Crossbow Training (Nov. 19th) – Can you use Link’s Crossbow in Cabela’s Big Game Hunter?
Soul Calibur Legends (Nov. 20th)
Trauma Center: New Blood (Nov. 20th) – Trauma Center on the DS was an exercise in futility. I can only imagine the Wiimote would only exacerbate the issue.
AMF Bowling Pinbusters (Nov. 20th)
Cranium Kabookii (Nov. 27th)
Puzzle Quest: Challenge Of The Warlords (Nov. 27th)
Contra 4(Nov. 13th) – This may be the only DS game I pick up this month, but it’s been a long time since I’ve played a Contra game, and I’m due.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Nov. 5th)
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Nov. 6th)
Build-A-Bear Workshop (Nov. 6th) – I made fun of this game a while ago. I guess they’re actually making it.
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker(Nov. 6th) – I may pick this one up.
Panzer Tactics (Nov. 6th)
World Series of Poker 2008 (Nov. 6th)
Ontamarama (Nov. 6th) – Didn’t Wyclef sing a song about this game?
Ultimate Mortal Kombat(Nov. 12th) – I don’t think 2″ fatalities would do it for me.
Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends (Nov. 13th)
Orcs & Elves(Nov. 13th)
Mario Party DS(Nov. 19th) – Will they ever stop making these games?
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings(Nov. 20th)
Geometry Wars: Galaxies(Nov. 27th) – I love me some Geometry Wars, I just can’t see how this could be done successfully on the DS. Hopefully I’m wrong, but we’ll see.
Everquest: Rise Of Kunark (Nov. 13th) – I haven’t purchased a PC game in a long time (I got EQ2 for free) but I’ll definitely be picking up this expansion up. It’s 40 bucks, but it’s got all the previous expansions and adventure packs. This is a no brainer for EQ2 players.
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance (Nov. 5th)
Empire Earth 3 (Nov. 6th)
Crysis(Nov. 13th) – AKA bring your rig to its weak, sorry, 3 GHz knees.
Unreal Tournament III(Nov. 13th) – Ditto.
Soldier Of Fortune: Payback (Nov. 13th)
Universe At War: Earth Assault
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Nov 6th)
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War (Nov. 6th)
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions (Nov. 6th)
Assassin’s Creed (Nov. 13th)
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (Nov. 13th)
Need for Speed: Prostreet (Nov. 13th)
Medal of Honor Airborne (Nov. 13th)
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (Nov. 13th)
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (Nov. 13th)
Soldier of Fortune: Payback (Nov. 13th)
College Hoops 2K8 (Nov. 19th)
Rock Band (Nov. 20th)
Time Crisis 4 (Includes Guncon 3) (Nov. 20th)
Timeshift (Nov. 27th)
Silent Hill Origins (Nov. 6th)
The Simpsons Game (Nov. 6th)
SOCOM: Tactical Strike (Nov. 6th)
Warhammer 40k: Squad Command (Nov. 6th)
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 (Nov. 13th)
Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops Plus (Nov. 13th)
Sonic Rivals 2 (Nov. 13th)
Aliens vs. Predator Requiem (Nov. 13th)
Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 (Nov. 13th)
Atari Classic Evolved (Nov. 20th)
Will says
I have Trauma Center on the DS, and I don’t know what supernatural forces stopped me from breaking it in half. It was so incredibly difficult and frustrating that I don’t know what possessed me to get the Wii version.
It is essentially the same game, but the Wiimote and the larger playing area makes it much easier to play. I enjoy the Wii version thoroughly and have gotten much further than I ever could in the DS version.
Tony says
@Will – my feelings exactly. I got so frustrated with the DS version that I almost stabbed my DS to death with the stylus. I hade to trade it in for the safety of my system and my sanity. Good to know that the Wii version is more enjoyable.
Brock says
I’m with Will. The Wii version of Trauma Center is much better than the DS one. I love Trauma Center DS, but the Wii controls just feel right and work a lot better.
I’m surprised you don’t have Lifesigns on the DS there. It’s like Trauma Center but deals with actual injuries and such instead of mystery virii and demon tumours. It’s high on my interest list.
Good rundown though. I’m actually holding off on Galaxy but only because I have too many games and upcoming games to give it the time it deserves. I’ll rent it this fall and probably pick it up next spring.
Nat says
Try the 12th for Super Mario Galaxy. Believe me. I know. 😉 I’m getting SMB3 on the Wii today. Can I play it in a week’s time as well as make some progress on “the list”?
Tony says
@Brock – I haven’t heard of Lifesigns, but will definitely look into that. Mario is not an automatic purchase?
@Nat – Galaxy was delayed till the 12th? Bummer. I’ll have to change that. As far as SMB3, have you previously beaten it? If not, I think you can add it to “the list” and then make progress without feeling like your cheating.
Nat says
Yes, it was beaten back in 199-whatever and it was beaten a day ago.