New Releases December 12 Through 18, 2010

Looks like last call here at the New Release Saloon. Where just weeks ago gamers could hardly comprehend the volume of hot new games in route to their local retailers, now we find the last stragglers of the season shuffling in, hoping to catch the eye of lonely players who are willing, at this point, to settle for just a little less.

To be fair, it's not that this batch of games is bad, but  when three of the bigger titles going on sale this week are re-makes of games that were literally released in the last centruy, there is no escaping the realization that the bounty of the season is at an end.

Take a look at the new releases for December 12 through 18, 2010, broken out by platform and date.

Microsoft Xbox 360

  • Quake Arena Arcade 12/15

Nintendo DS

  • Just Sing! Christmas Songs 12/13
  • Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ 12/13
  • Learn Science 12/14

Nintendo Wii

  • Super Mario All-Stars 12/12
  • lilt line 12/13
  • NewU Fitness First Mind Body, Yoga & Pilates Workout 12/13
  • Sniper Elite 12/14
  • Zooloretto 12/15

PC

PS3

In a week with no real stand-outs, gamers still have some fun titles to choose from.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam hits PCs a week ahead of consoles. The add-on features four new maps in addition to a pretty cool mechanic for unlocking a fifth.

Quake Arena Arcade makes its Xbox Live Arcade debut this week, reminding players weaned on Halo and Call of Duty just how fast first person shooters used to be.

Super Mario All-Stars brings the eponymous plumber's earliest (some would say best) adventures to a brand new audience. New Super Mario Bros. Wii may not have prepared players for just how tough these games can be.

Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves is a nice little holiday treat for PS3 players, and should give players an idea of what to expect from LittleBigPlanet 2's PlayStation Move integration.

Finally, X-Men Arcade brings the beat-em-up glory of yesterday's arcades to today's home consoles. Fans of the recent Scott Pilgrim vs the World game are advised to give it a try.

As always, we want to hear from you. Will you be picking up any of this week's offerings? Which of the season's major titles do you still hope to play?