Best New Games: Week Of 7/28/08

It's another quiet week in video games, with only the release of Soul Calibur 4 to perk up the moods of hardcore gamers. Perhaps publishers have realized there are other things to do at the height of summer than play games? Perhaps they have -- and so two of this week's other big releases involve (possibly) outdoor pursuits: baseball and mixing drinks.

Top Three:

MLB Power Pros 2008

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Batter up! This week's biggest Wii release is the latest in the Power Pros series, offering cute major league fun for the whole family. It's also available on PlayStation 2, although without the Wii's unique controller you won't actually be taking a swing for real. Well, you could. But it wouldn't work very well.

Soul Calibur IV

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Ever wondered what would happen if Darth Vader and Yoda took on the heroes and heroines of Soul Calibur? Neither have we, but you'll find out in Soulcalibur IV, as both Star Wars favorites are guest stars in the latest in this tremendously popular fighting series. Find out if the Force is strong with you this week.

Yummy Drink Factory

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Who'd have thought that being a barista would be such hard work? What kind of drink would a vampire prefer? Do you have what it takes to impress an evil witch? The answers to these questions -- and many more besides -- await you in this fantasy-themed drink-making time management game. Don't miss it.

Best of the Rest

• Beijing 2008 (PC):
  Now PC owners can get a taste of the life of an Olympic athlete.
• Spectral Force 3:
  Fight the First Neverland War in this strategic role-playing game.
• Dream Day Wedding: Married In Manhattan:
  Which of New York's fashionable neighborhoods will you tackle?
• Jenny's Fish Shop:
  Make this tumbledown fish shop into the place to be.
• Hide & Secret 2:
  Hunt through 30 locations around the world to find the Treasure of the Ages.
• Mystery Cookbook:
  Can you help this mouse become a top chef?