Focus on Games

nolead begins Halo ODST
nolead ends nolead begins (Xbox 360)

Bungie (developer), Microsoft (publisher)

$59.99-$99.99

Release date: Sept. 22 nolead ends

There are still thousands of Halo 3 multiplayer games being played each month on the Microsoft entertainment portal Xbox Live. So it makes perfect "Human and Covenant" sense to give fans another shot at wreaking havoc while trying to save our species from extinction.

In this Halo prequel, Bungie forgoes the Master Chief and focuses on the grunts, or in this case, the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.

There is a single-player option, but really, who cares? Bungie focused squarely on the player vs. player combat with an entire separate disc full of multiplayer maps and the much-publicized Firefight mode. Firefight sends wave after wave of Covenant enemies at you and your friends, with rankings based on how long you can survive the extraterrestrial onslaught.

The $99 version gets gamers a limited edition ODST Xbox Controller for all you collectors out there.

nolead begins Call of Duty:
Modern Warfare 2
nolead ends nolead begins (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

Infinity Ward, Activision

$59.99-$149.99

Release date: Nov. 10 nolead ends

In another shooter franchise that gamers can't seem to put down, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 offers legions of fans a chance to take up the next fight against terrorists in globe-spanning locales like Russia and Brazil.

Those disappointed with the length of the single-player game in the first title should take note: Infinity Ward has focused on making not a longer game, but a better one. Things like the rock-climbing area and the ability to drive snowmobiles (while shooting, no less) are incorporated here.

The Special Ops mode (playable in split screen as well) is worth a mention here as it will be a series of co-op levels, different from the single-player game but still related to the storyline.

Couldn't leave you guys hanging without mentioning the 15 (yes, 15!) kill-streak awards that are fully customizable. In other words, pick which ones you want to utilize before a match begins. No word yet on how many can be selected at one time.

Please note that the $149.99 version of the game comes with working night-vision goggles.

nolead begins Super Mario Bros.
nolead ends nolead begins (Wii)

Nintendo (developer and publisher)

Price to be announced

Release date: holiday season nolead ends

This game was first seen at the Electronic Entertainment Expo back in June, and SMB finally offers something that many of us have been wanting for ages: multiplayer.

In the new game, Mario, Luigi, Blue Toad, and Yellow Toad can play on platformer levels at the same time.

The game also uses a motion-sensing remote that allows players to shake the controller to do things such as shoot items and fly through the air.

Multiplayer matches will find gamers teaming up to fight through the game, to discover hard-to-reach areas, or to sabotage each other's efforts to gain the most coins.

nolead begins Brutal Legend
nolead ends nolead begins (Xbox 260, PlayStation 3)

Double Fine, Electronic Arts

$59.99

Release date: Oct. 13 nolead ends

If you have been to the movies lately, you have probably seen the latest trailer for this game starring heavy-metal aficionado and comedic actor Jack Black.

In a land that looks like it was created by Monty Python, doing Spinal Tap adventure with a script written by J.R.R. Tolkien, Black stars as Eddie Riggs, a rock roadie (with battle axe, electric guitar, and hot rod) who is on a mission to build an army of metalheads to defeat the vile Lord Doviculus.

This action-adventure game is all about rockin' out with the background music that comes from the best rockers, including Black Sabbath, Anthrax, Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Motorhead, and of course, Tenacious D. Many of these musicians are lending their voices to in-game characters as well.

We have a feeling this might be one of the loudest games ever.