Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360)

$59.99-$79.99

At this point, it's fair to say the Forza Motorsport franchise is giving the Gran Turismo franchise a serious run for the finish line. Comparable graphics, a crazy roster of cars, and further tweaking of an already-solid online component will attract GT fans who own both a PlayStation 3 and a Xbox 360.

First, anyone who has seen online images of the game in action and thought, "No way the game can look like that!" should be prepared to have someone help you with lifting your jaw. Yeah, the images are that good.

Games such as this also promote car counts sort of like horsepower. Rest assured there are 400 vehicles in the game, from SUVs to those micro cars running around town lately.

There are way too many features to list here, but here are a couple that will probably mean the most to your driving experience.

First, like previous entries, this game has enough driving assists for novices and enough options for turning them off so hard-core players can also get their fix. Novices get the ability to rewind the game after a particularly nasty crash - not that I am a fan of this.

Single-player mode includes more than 200 race events, and gamers can make a customized racing calendar. That's right: You get to choose how you want to race. Online (up to eight players in a race), the game is almost endless in terms of options, with players being able to set rules contests using Circuit, Oval, Drag, Timed, and Drift events. I haven't even mentioned how deep the Forza Livery system is. You will have to check that out for yourself.

Tekken 6 (PS3, Xbox 360)

$59.99

We meet again, grasshoppas of all ages!

Button-mashers, unite. The sixth installment of the popular fighting franchise hits shelves next week.

Tekken 6 brings 40 playable characters this time: 34 previous fighters and six new fighters with unique styles.

Visually, the game is a bit underwhelming - a shame, given all the graphics prowess the PS3 and 360 have on tap. It is not unplayable by any means, but there is nothing eye-popping about the game.

I doubt that will matter when the hands and feet start flying, however, as Tekken feels the way it always has. Against the AI or an opponent in the same room or online, veterans should slip right into familiar territory.

Unless you play the Scenario Campaign. Then all bets are off.

I am still not sure if this mode fits in the Tekken world, but judge for yourself. This co-op mode (either with friendly AI or a buddy) pits your duo against waves of enemies in a number of settings (back alleys, city streets, etc.) with a boss or two waiting at the end of each level. As you smash faces, a number of weapons will become available to you - machine guns, melee weapons, even flamethrowers.

Flamethrowers in Tekken?

Just not sure whether I should file that under "new and exciting" or "travesty."