AU Shippin' Out June 23-June 27: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Although American and Japanese gamers have been enjoying Super Smash Bros. Brawl for several months now, gamers down under have been left two choices: import it and a Freeloader, or wait. Well, the wait is almost over, because this Thursday sees the release of SSBB down under. Like Mario Kart Wii before it, SSBB features an extensive range of control schemes, ranging from a Wii Remote and Nunchuk combination to a GameCube controller. The roster of playable characters stands at 35 and includes traditional Nintendo icons such as Mario and Pikachu, as well as non-Nintendo characters like Metal Gear's Solid Snake and Mario's former rival, Sonic the Hedgehog. Another first for the series is the addition of online play for up to four players thanks to the Wii Wi-Fi Connection service. Be sure to check out our extensive Super Smash Bros. Brawl launch centre for all of the details.

EA's Battlefield: Bad Company is being released this week and will be available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. In the game, you take on the role of Prestone Marlowe, a rookie soldier who has just been assigned to B-Company. On the multiplayer side of things, the game will ship with eight maps and support up to 24 players. Battlefield: Bad Company comes out on the 26th and comes in two SKUs: standard and gold edition. The gold edition includes five exclusive weapons that will be available for regular users down the line, a making-of documentary, strategy videos, and four songs from the original soundtrack.

Guitar Hero is making its debut in the portable domain this week, with the Nintendo DS being its platform of choice. Guitar Hero: On Tour will ship with the game cartridge and a guitar grip--a four-fretted peripheral that plugs into the Game Boy Advance slot on your NDS. There are 25 songs for you to jam your way through from such artists as Nirvana, Jet, and Maroon 5. Guitar Hero: On Tour costs a little bit more than your average DS game at A$89.95 ($85.95) and comes out on the 25th.

June 25, 2008
Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS)
Kung Fu Panda (DS, PS2, Wii, 360, PS3, PC)

June 26, 2008
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath (360)
Beijing 2008 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games (PC, 360, PS3)
Top Spin 3 (DS, PS3, 360, Wii)
Overlord: Raising Hell (PS3)
Battlefield: Bad Company (360, PS3)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
SimCity Societies: Destinations (PC)
The Incredible Hulk (PS3)
SBK-08 Superbike World Championship (PC, PS2, 360, PSP)
ATV Offroad Fury Pro (PSP)
The Sims 2: Ikea Home Stuff (PC)
Looney Tunes: Cartoon Conductor (DS)
Hot Shots Golf 2 (PSP)
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword (DS)
Big Beach Sports (Wii)
NASCAR 09 (360, PS3, PS2)
Alone in the Dark (PS3, 360, PC, Wii, PS2)
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (DS)