Week Of 1/26/09
By Mike Smith
Moviegoers are in for a treat this week, as the licensed game based on the creepy-cute Coraline is releasing a full week ahead of the film. If you're looking to get an early taste of its otherworldly atmosphere, look no further -- but if you're not into freaky kids exploring freaky places, there's plenty more to see this week -- like the release of our out-and-out favorite game of last year's first downloadable expansion, for example. Here's the full list.
Top Three
Coraline
WATCH TRAILER
Arriving ahead of next week's cinematic debut of Coraline is the licensed game version, in stores on the Wii, the DS and the Playstation 2 by the time you read this. Dakota Fanning, Robert Bailey Jr. and Keith David all reprise their movie roles, and the art style of the game is a close match for the movie's quirky, off-the-wall aesthetic. Don't miss it.
Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage
WATCH TRAILER
Fallout 3 was our favorite game of 2008, so needless to say we're stoked at this week's release of its first pack of downloadable content. Operation Anchorage promises another four or five hours of gameplay, and gives players the chance to participate in the liberation of Alaska from the naughty Chinese Red Army. It also includes new weapons, armor and other goodies, and you'll find it on Xbox Live for 800 Microsoft points -- or $10 in real money.
Afro Samurai
WATCH TRAILER
Another game based on an animated endeavor hits stores this week, although this one is considerably less kid-friendly than Coraline. Afro Samurai is based on the Adult Swim cartoon and features the voice of the inimitable Samuel L. Jackson as the titular lead. If you've ever wanted to play a hack-and-slash game that keeps track of the amount of blood you've spilled (in gallons, naturally,) here's your chance. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's releasing on all the major home consoles that don't get Coraline: namely, the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.
Fabulous Finds
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Do you love yard sales? Redecorating? Solving puzzles? You do? Perfect. Fabulous Finds lumps all three of these themes together into one approachable game. Hunt through rooms to find yard-salable items, use your brainpower to find the perfect purchaser, then spend the proceeds on sprucing up your now junk-free home.
Best of the Rest
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MLB Front Office Manager:
Hop into the driver's seat of your favorite MLB franchise. Can you do better than the pros? -
Jojo's Fashion Show:
Downloadable fashion favorite Jojo comes to the DS this week. -
Wii Fit Basic Bundle:
Still hunting for your Wii Fit? This official bundle includes the game, the balance board, a rechargeable battery and a handy carrying case. -
Puzzle Hero:
More than 50 monsters await you in this heroic puzzler. -
Pakoombo:
Check out this hot new puzzle adventure.
Posted: 27 Jan 2009
