Nightmare before Christmas begins at retail

Film director Tim Burton seems to be everywhere these days. Hot on the heels of the success of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Tim Burton's Corpse Bride comes another entertainment offering bearing his imprimatur. This time, though, Burton's signature gothic-comic style is the subject of a game: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge, which shipped today for the Xbox and PlayStation 2.

Set after the events of the stop-motion animated film Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Oogie's Revenge once again sees bony protagonist Jack Skellington in a spot of surreal trouble. Skellington is charged with saving his beloved Halloweentown from Oogie Boogie, the infamous insect lord who returns from the dead to wreak havoc. Luckily, Jack has the "Soul Robber," a special, ribbonlike weapon that lets him dispatch Oogie's minions on the path to taking out the big bug himself.

Handheld owners will also see some palm-sized action inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas. A game prequel to the film, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King, also shipped today for the Game Boy Advance. It is a side-scrolling adventure that will show Jack's first faceoff against Oogie Boogie, which made him the titular gourd monarch as a result.

Developed by Capcom, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Up and retails for $39.99. Check back later in the week for a full review.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King is also rated E10+ by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $29.99.