New Game Releases: November 18-24

This week’s game releases include: a no-holds-barred brawl for PlayStation fans everywhere with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, a new side-scrolling adventure with Mario and friends with New Super Mario Bros. U, a story of betrayal and assassination with Hitman: Absolution, a new take on FPS zombie survival games with ZombiU, a comprehensive and fun theme park featuring many of Nintendo’s best-loved worlds with Nintendo Land, a trippy new adventure with the Family Guy crew with Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse, a new edition of Batman: Arkham City with Batman: Arkham City – Armored Edition, and an adventure into the old world of Disney with Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale – PS3/PS Vita

In this no-holds-barred brawl, players can choose from a variety of up to 20 characters to bring the pain.  Ranging from Kratos to PaRappa the Rapper, each character features unique attacks and abilities.  All-Stars Battle Royale will offer local and online 1-4 person multiplayer, and a range of thematic fighting environments from a number of games such as: God of War, Ratchet & Clank, and Jak and Daxter.   There will also be a comprehensive tournament and award system that encourages players to compete, no matter their skill level.  Players will also have access to single player as well as multiplayer campaign options.  PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita on November 20.

New Super Mario Bros. U – Wii U

Featuring the ability to have 5 players engaged with the game at one time, New Super Mario Bros. U is the newest side-scrolling adventure with Mario, and a whole cast of familiar characters.  New Super Mario Bros. U allows for much more dynamic gameplay; ranging from being able to play the New Super Mario on the GamePad while others are using the TV to using the GamePad to mess with enemies in real time, the next generation of fun for Wii players and lovers alike is finally here.  New Super Mario Bros. U is scheduled for release on Wii U on November 18.

Hitman: Absolution – PS3/Xbox 360/PC

Assume the role of Agent 47, an assassin who must take down the most difficult contract of his career.  Hitman: Absolution combines many of the well-loved classic elements of the series, but also has something new in its bag of tricks.  Players will have access to freedom of choice in both fighting style and contract execution; whether stealth or doing in with guns a blazing is preferred, gamers can create their own assassination challenges for other players by setting the level, targets, and weapons needed to complete the mission.  Players will also be able to immerse into the world around them with a number of disguises, and the ability to predict enemy patrols and identify their weapons.  Hitman: Absolution is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on November 20.

ZombiU – Wii U

Combine a zombie outbreak with modern day London, and you get ZombiU.  Utilizing both the TV and controller screens, ZombiU challenges the player to keep both eyes open while paying attention to the finest details that will help them to stay alive.  If the player does die, they are placed into the body of another survivor which allows the player to take down their now-zombified previous character in a bid to reclaim their old gear.  ZombiU is scheduled for release on the Wii U on November 18.

Nintendo Land – Wii U

Utilizing many of Nintendo’s best-loved game worlds, Nintendo Land is a thematic carnival for players to experience a wide variety of fun challenges and activities to be played either solo or with friends.  Nintendo Land features a dynamic new take on multiplayer; in the game Luigi’s Ghost Mansion, the player with the GamePad can surreptitiously control the ghost that’s doing the haunting.  There are three different kinds of activities: team challenges that can engage up to 5 players, competitive challenges like Mario Chase where anywhere from 2 to 5 players can compete against one another, and solo challenges like Takamaru’s Ninja Castle, which are intended for single players.  Nintendo Land is scheduled for release on Wii U on November 18.

Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse – PS3/Xbox 360/PC

Featuring both the writers and voice actors from the show, Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse offers a whole new storyline that warps the family through weirdness upon weirdness in a bid to stop Bertram’s schemes.  Back to the Multiverse also features a solid variety of weapons with which to beat down enemies, and a number of strange universes and fights through which the player must win their way through.  Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on November 20.

Batman: Arkham City – Armored Edition – Wii U

The Armored Edition of Batman: Arkham city features all of the content from the original game, plus all of the downloadable content released to date, as well as new armor suits for both Batman and Catwoman.  The Armored Edition also offers B.A.T. (Battle Armored Tech) mode, which allows the player to build up energy while engaged in combat; this allows for increased damage dealt and a heightened sense of awareness on the part of Batman.  Players will also be able to use the GamePad as a genuine Batcomputer, and engage with the environment via a number of new modes.  Batman: Arkham City – Armored Edition is scheduled for release on Wii U on November 18.

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two – PS3/Xbox 360/Wii/3DS/Wii U/PC

Delve into a world of forgotten Disney characters with Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.  Featuring a combination of new and familiar characters alike, The Power of Two will take the player through new levels and challenges, with music that has been inspired by Disney to light the way.  Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS, and the Wii U on November 18, with a release date for PC on December 10.