Shippin' Out December 17-21: NiGHTS, MX vs. ATV
Last significant week of game releases sees headliners joined by Rock Band on the PS2; Sensible World of Soccer, Tempest storm XBL.
Although December may be one of the biggest periods of time at retail, it certainly isn't due to games released during the month. 2007 continues to slowly unwind this week, with the most noteworthy game for many being Sega's NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams. A sequel to the 1996 cult classic NiGHTS into Dreams... for the ill-fated Sega Saturn, Journey of Dreams again features the pursuits of an androgynous, avian jester in a fanciful world of good and evil beings. NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is rated E for Everyone and will retail for $49.99 on the Wii.
With the cold, hard, unforgiving ground of December not being the most ideal of times to miss a jump, motocross fans now have the option of THQ's MX vs. ATV Untamed for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS. This year's installment of the off-road racer features larger environments than in past years, as well as new vehicles and modes.
MTV Games and Harmonix will be finishing out their Rock Band set this week with the PlayStation 2 version, which retails for $159.99. The PS2 version of Rock Band has been scaled down from its Xbox 360 and PS3 counterparts. Although the game includes the full 58-song setlist found in its current-generation brothers, rockers won't be able to battle it out online or partake in downloadable content.
Speaking of DLC, the Xbox 360 will receive the long-anticipated Sensible World of Soccer this week as part of its Wednesday update. Drawing its inspiration from the fan-favorite '96/'97 iteration, SWOS features the classic gaming experience as well as a remastered version that includes updated graphics. It will be available for 800 Microsoft points ($8). Also out this week is Atari's genre-defining shoot-'em-up Tempest, which is available for 400 Microsoft points ($5), the same price as Jeff Minter's recent psychedelic reimagining of the game, Space Giraffe.
Nintendo is also feeding three more into the Wii's Virtual Console this week. Konami's run-fly-and-gun action game Cybernator joins Sega's side-scrolling action games Alien Storm and Monster Lair. All three games can be purchased for 800 Wii points ($8) each.
This week's new releases are listed below (list taken from retailer information--actual dates may vary).
DECEMBER 17, 2007
Carrier Strike Force (PC)
Dai Senryaku VII: Exceed (PS2)
MX vs. ATV Untamed (X360, PS3, PS2, PSP, DS)
NeoGeo Battle Coliseum (PS2)
Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command (DS)
DECEMBER 18, 2007
Atari Classics Evolved (PSP)
Draft Day Sports: College Basketball (PC)
Legends of Norrath: Forsworn (PC)
Luxor: Pharaoh's Challenge (PSP, DS)
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Wii)
Rock Band (PS2)
DECEMBER 19, 2007
Indianapolis 500 Legends (DS)
Sensible World of Soccer (X360)
Tempest (X360)
DECEMBER 20, 2007
No releases announced.
DECEMBER 21, 2007
No releases announced.
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