The loud, annoying cacophonic shriek you heard Tuesday morning was the sound of millions of 12-year-olds finally getting their hands on Modern Warfare 2. But the highly anticipated sequel has company on store shelves, joined by Nintendo's 39873495783rd Mario game and BioWare's game o' sexy babes.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Price: $49.99–$149.99
Why You Need It: If you happen to be the only person in the world not to have a copy yet, you're missing out, friend-o. Read our review to find out why.
Why You Don't: The thought of having to endure the verbal cesspool that is online gaming gives you pause. The single-player campaign (about five hours long) may not be long enough to hold your attention.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
Price: $49.99
Why You Need It: The newfangled 3D Mario games may have put off some old school gamers just looking to sit on the couch without having to worry about obnoxious button combinations. Enter Mario's latest incarnation. Up to four players can play co-operatively (or compete for high score) in this Super Mario Bros. remake.
Why You Don't: We already got burned with Wii Fit, so at this point, we're convinced this is just another ploy from Nintendo to make us lose weight.
Dragon Age: Origins (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Price: $49.99–$149.99
Why You Need It: When you're not slaying dragons and attempting to making whoopie with the female mages, DA:O does a good job of creating a gripping environment of deceit and violence. Your first run-through isn't going to cut it either: There are multiple start points and endings that depend on the decisions you make during the game, so multiple plays are required for 100 percent enjoyment.
Why You Don't: Trying to get your girl in on the action might be a tall task, unless you can effectively explain, for example, why a rogue's cunning skill is more important than his dexterity.
OUT NEXT WEEK
Tony Hawk Ride (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii), Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360), NCAA Basketball 10 (PS3, Xbox 360), Assassin's Creed II (PS3, Xbox 360), God of War Collection (PS3), Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)Price: $49.99–$149.99
Why You Need It: If you happen to be the only person in the world not to have a copy yet, you're missing out, friend-o. Read our review to find out why.
Why You Don't: The thought of having to endure the verbal cesspool that is online gaming gives you pause. The single-player campaign (about five hours long) may not be long enough to hold your attention.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)Price: $49.99
Why You Need It: The newfangled 3D Mario games may have put off some old school gamers just looking to sit on the couch without having to worry about obnoxious button combinations. Enter Mario's latest incarnation. Up to four players can play co-operatively (or compete for high score) in this Super Mario Bros. remake.
Why You Don't: We already got burned with Wii Fit, so at this point, we're convinced this is just another ploy from Nintendo to make us lose weight.
Dragon Age: Origins (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)Price: $49.99–$149.99
Why You Need It: When you're not slaying dragons and attempting to making whoopie with the female mages, DA:O does a good job of creating a gripping environment of deceit and violence. Your first run-through isn't going to cut it either: There are multiple start points and endings that depend on the decisions you make during the game, so multiple plays are required for 100 percent enjoyment.
Why You Don't: Trying to get your girl in on the action might be a tall task, unless you can effectively explain, for example, why a rogue's cunning skill is more important than his dexterity.
OUT NEXT WEEK
Tony Hawk Ride (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii), Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360), NCAA Basketball 10 (PS3, Xbox 360), Assassin's Creed II (PS3, Xbox 360), God of War Collection (PS3), Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)