Retail Scoop: New Releases Week of August 25, 2009

In affiliation with Amazon.com, TripleChat is happy to bring you the new releases each week for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable. We bring what titles are coming out, all the details of who is behind the title, as well as a product description (courtesy of Amazon.com) and our very own hype meter – which indicates how excited we are for each title.

Along with new game releases we will also highlight the top five bluray releases each week that we feel will best suite movie and TV show fans alike.  Obviously opinions will differ but this is our site dang nabbit so our opinion will be heard! This is region specific to North America.

This Week: Well, for those who wanted to see a selection of new games instead of just one (like we had the past 2 weeks), you’re in luck.  The selection is pretty one-side but that’s beside the point.  This week we see the release of the heavily anticipated Batman Arkham Asylum video game (check out our preview here).  Besides that we got the semi-hyped up DISSIDIA release as well as Warriors Orochi 2 arriving on the PSP.  New for the PS2 is the sequel (but I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know there was a first game) of Mana Khemia and this week on PSN we can confirm the release of Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao…mmk

Bluray wise, another solid week for TV show fans as Smallville (one of the first shows to go blu) releases its latest season and FOX’s new drama Lie to Me makes its debut.  On the movie front we have a non-Twilight related Kristen Stewart flick from the director of the insane comedy Superbad.  And from the makers of the low-budget, but highly praised Little Miss Sunshine, we got the lovely Amy Adams in Sunshine Cleaning.  For fans of the Devil May Cry video game franchise, the complete anime series makes its mark this week (exclusively on bluray).

We also left out a greatest hits title last week by accident.  We were so stoked that Uncharted was $30 cheaper, we forgot to mention the online-only SOCOM dropped $10.  Keep in mind this is not the headset bundle, which is still set at $59.99.  So now you can get the game for $30, and the headset for $30, which still isn’t a bad deal but it definitely has lost some of it’s appeal.  The bundle is most likely going to be phased out.

New Releases for the Week of August 25, 2009:

VIDEO GAMES

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Available for:
Releases: 8/25
Price: $52.99
Publisher: Eidos
Developer: Rocksteady
Genre: Action Adventure
Product Description: Batman: Arkham Asylum exposes players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure that takes them to the depths of Arkham Asylum – Gotham s psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. Gamers will move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham Citys most notorious villains who have taken over the asylum. Using a wide range of Batmans gadgets and abilities, players will become the invisible predator and attempt to foil The Jokers demented scheme. Batman: Arkham Asylum features an original story penned exclusively for the game by famous Batman author and five-time Emmy award winner, Paul Dini, whose credits include Lost season one and Batman: The Animated Series. With amazing graphics and a moody, immersive setting, Batman: Arkham Asylum offers diverse gameplay options that push the envelope for all action, adventure and superhero games.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Get $5 worth of MP3 downloads w/purchase

• Pre-order and get the Amazon exclusive “The Road to Arkham” comic book

• Release-date delivery available

Batman: Arkham Asylum Collector’s Edition
Available for:
Releases: 8/25
Price: $93.99
Publisher: Eidos
Developer: Rocksteady
Genre: Action Adventure
Product Description: Batman: Arkham Asylum exposes players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure that takes them to the depths of Arkham Asylum – Gotham s psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. Gamers will move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham Citys most notorious villains who have taken over the asylum. Using a wide range of Batmans gadgets and abilities, players will become the invisible predator and attempt to foil The Jokers demented scheme. Batman: Arkham Asylum features an original story penned exclusively for the game by famous Batman author and five-time Emmy award winner, Paul Dini, whose credits include Lost season one and Batman: The Animated Series. With amazing graphics and a moody, immersive setting, Batman: Arkham Asylum offers diverse gameplay options that push the envelope for all action, adventure and superhero games.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Get $5 worth of MP3 downloads w/purchase

• Pre-order and get the Amazon exclusive “The Road to Arkham” comic book

• Release-date delivery available

DISSIDIA: Final Fantasy
Available for:
Releases: 8/25
Price: $36.99
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: RPG
Product Description: Cosmos, the goddess of harmony. Chaos, the god of discord. Reigning from distant realms, the two gods had gathered warriors from all lands to lead them in savage war. Cosmos and Chaos were of equal strength. It was believed the conflict would last forever. However, the balance is now broken. Those who answered Chaos’s call created an inexhaustible force. And under vicious attack without relent, the warriors fighting for Cosmos started to fall one by one. The conflict that has continued for eons is now about to end in Chaos’s favor. The world has been torn asunder, sinking into a vortex of disorder. As for the few surviving warriors & their fates have yet to be determined.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Get $5 worth of MP3 downloads w/purchase

• Pre-order and get a 10-song soundtrack from the game

• Release-date delivery available

Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy
Available for:
Releases: 8/25
Price: $38.99
Publisher: NIS America
Developer: Gust
Genre: RPG
Product Description: THE END MARKS THE BEGINNING FOR ALCHEMY As the bench mark of hardcore RPG titles, Mana Khemia evolves to a new level for the PlayStation 2. With the ultimate 2D graphics blended with anime influenced 3D environments the visuals are stunning. Game play is as excellent as its looks with plenty of action and tons of item crafting. Players can indulge in the hardcore world of gaming with highest degree possible on the PlayStation 2 platform.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Get $5 worth of MP3 downloads w/purchase

Warriors Orochi 2
Available for:
Releases: 8/25
Price: $29.99
Publisher: KOEI
Developer: Omega Force
Genre: Hack-n-Slash
Product Description: The best-selling WARRIORS OROCHI 2 comes to PSP(PlayStation Portable) system with continuing stories for SAMURAI WARRIORS, and the kingdoms of Wu, Wei and Shu, plus a story for Orochi himself! WARRIORS OROCHI 2 features three new game modes: Dream, VS and Survival, as well as “Tag Team”-style matches that pit fighters in deadly head-to-head combat! STORY: Shattering time and space, the venomous Serpent King Orochi kidnapped the DYNASTY WARRIORS and SAMURAI WARRIORS in a scheme to test his might. The heroes eventually defeated Orochi and his menacing army. Now the slain Orochi lies in the netherworld, and a mysterious alliance is hatching a plan to resurrect Orochi.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Get $5 worth of MP3 downloads w/purchase

Invincible Tiger: Legend of Han Tao
Available for:
Releases: 8/27
Price: $14.99
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Blitz Arcade
Genre: Fighting
Product Description: Han Tao, General of a Thousand Victories, has pledged his life to protect the legendary Star of Destiny, a mysterious artifact recently stolen by the Evil Overlord. Han Tao will face a cavalcade of enemies, ranging from standard grunts to undead horrors in his quest to recover the sacred Star. Luckily he is well versed in intense combos, slick counter-moves, the art of deadly weapons, and mystical Zen attacks. A hand-to-hand action game, Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao allows players to pick up weapons, acquire different combos and learn various finishing moves. The game also features co-op multiplayer modes so players can enjoy the game at home with a friend or online with people around the world.

GREATEST HITS ALERT

SOCOM: Confrontation (Game Only)
Effect Date: 8/16
Old MSRP: $39.99
New MSRP: $29.99
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: Slant Six
Genre: Third Person Tactical Shooter
Product Description: Following its success as the number one online PlayStation®2 franchise, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs breaches onto the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3″) computer entertainment system this fall with SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. This highly anticipated title promises to deliver the ultimate next-generation online combat experience, featuring intense, modern combat action. SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation focuses on online play and the global community and clans that support it. With an emphasis on Tournaments, Clan Ladders, Leader Boards, this is exactly what SOCOM fans have been clamoring for. Delivering a true global-scale experience, players can battle online against the best and brightest from the U.S., Europe and Asia.

BLURAY

Devil May Cry: The Complete Series
Releases: 8/25
Price: $33.99
Studio: Funimation
Type: TV Show
Genre: Anime
Rated: Not Rated
Product Description: The violent fantasy-adventure Devil May Cry (2007) is based on the popular Playstation 2 game. Dante, the taciturn, perenially broke anti-hero of the program, lives on pizza, beer, and strawberry sundaes. He spends his time slouched on a couch reading trashy magazines. But when someone brings a case to the Devil May Cry Detective Agency, he goes into action–he needs the money. Everyone’s problems can be traced back to the demons that infest wherever it is the show takes place. Using pistols and a broadsword, Dante swiftly reduces his foes to so much demon tartare. Rounding out the cast are Lightning and Lady, two allied demon fighters, and blonde orphan Patty.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Purchase any DVD or Bluray and receive $5 towards select TV shows at Amazon On Demand (Details)

Smallville: Season 8
Releases: 8/25
Price: $51.49
Studio: Warner Bros.
Type: TV Show
Genre: Superhero Drama
Rated: Not Rated
Product Description: There’s a new reporter at the Daily Planet: Clark Kent, who shares a workspace with Lois Lane. There’s a new hero in Metropolis, too. No one knows who he is. But Jimmy Olsen was on the scene of one of the do-gooder’s exploits, and he snapped a blurred photo of the hero in superspeed action – a hero everyone now calls the Red-Blue Blur. Red-jacketed, blue-shirted Clark Kent draws closer to his Superman destiny in the exciting 22-episode, 4-disc Season 8 of “Smallville”. Another Kryptonian destiny also takes shape. Davis Bloome begins to realize he is Doomsday. His mission on Earth: kill Clark Kent. So many new events (will Jimmy and Chloe’s marriage last?), so many new faces (Tess Mercer, Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy among them!), so many state-of-the-art effects – so don’t miss a single thrill-packed moment.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Purchase any DVD or Bluray and receive $5 towards select TV shows at Amazon On Demand (Details)

Adventureland
Releases: 8/25
Price: $25.99
Studio: Miramax
Type: Theatrical Movie
Genre: Comedy
Rated: Unrated
Product Description: From the director of “Superbad” comes “Adventureland”, a smart, witty comedy we can all relate to. When James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) has to cancel his dream summer vacation and make some money for grad school, the only job he can get is at Adventureland, a tacky amusement park where the games are rigged and the rides make you hurl. But it’s where he meets Em (Kristen Stewart, “Twilight”), and his rollercoaster ride to nowhere turns into the best summer ever.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Purchase any DVD or Bluray and receive $5 towards select TV shows at Amazon On Demand (Details)

Lie to Me: Season 1
Releases: 8/25
Price: $40.99
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Type: TV Show
Genre: Drama
Rated: Not Rated
Product Description: Tim Roth stars as Dr. Cal Lightman, in a compelling new drama from the producers of “24″, about the world’s leading deception expert who studies facial expressions and involuntary body language to expose the truth behind the lies.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Purchase any DVD or Bluray and receive $5 towards select TV shows at Amazon On Demand (Details)

Sunshine Cleaning
Releases: 8/25
Price: $24.49
Studio: Overture
Type: Theatrical Movie
Genre: Comedy
Rated: R
Product Description: Once the high school cheerleading captain who dated the quarterback, Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) now finds herself a thirty-something single mother working as a maid. Her sister Norah, (Emily Blunt), is still living at home with her dad Joe (Alan Arkin), a salesman with a lifelong history of ill-fated get rich quick schemes. Desperate to get her son into a better school, Rose persuades Norah to go into the crime scene clean-up business with her to make some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in murders, suicides and other…specialized situations. As they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, the sisters find new respect for one another and the closeness they have always craved finally blossoms. By building their own improbably business, Rose and Norah open the door to the joys and challenges of being there for one another – no matter what – while discovering personal healing in the most unexpected way.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Purchase any DVD or Bluray and receive $5 towards select TV shows at Amazon On Demand (Details)

RETAIL SCOOP KEY:

1. Prices are subject to change without notice.  Prices listed are current as of post time.
2. For videogame purchases: click on the system icon of the version you wish to buy and/or the boxart shown. You will be redirected automatically to Amazon.com
3. For bluray purchases: click on the boxart shown.  You will be redirected automatically to Amazon.com
4. The hype meter is on a scale of 1.0 to 10.  It is in intervals of 1; 1.0 being low interest, and 10 being anticipation overflow
5. All bonus offers and/or special offers posted are universal promotions of Amazon.com unless stated otherwise

Any comments, suggestions, and feedback should be sent to bryan@triplechat.com with Subject: Retail Scoop or feel free to comment below. Feedback is always welcome.