Retail Scoop: New Releases Week of November 3, 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).

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: May not be the most anticipated week but certainly a week that packs a punch on both games and movies.  Big releases this week includes the once-delayed but now back on track Dragon Age.  BioWare’s debut on the PS3 (and only their second title on the PlayStation overall is set to come out this week and like any major EA published release, is also receiving the Collector’s Edition treatment.  For fans of soccer (or football depending on where you live), FIFA 10’s biggest competitor Pro Evolution Soccer hits this week.

Joining dragons and Ronaldo this week are two new music titles, one from Activision with Band Hero and the other from Harmonix with Lego Rock Band.  Both are appealed to the casual crowd as they step outside their original “rock” roots.  If music isn’t your thing and if you have yet to pick up the original, LucasArts is re-releasing Star Wars: The Force Unleashed with three new levels (one being exclusive to the game) alongside other DLC.  Speaking of Star Wars, a new Battlefront game releases as well but like the previous release – it is on the PSP.  Joining Battlefront: Elite Squadron on the PSP is Ghostbusters (which has been out for a few months on PS3 and PS2), and the newest Jak and Daxter game (which is also on the PS2).  With Naughty Dog not tapped on the project and with it not being on the PS3 we suspect the latest Jak and Daxter is appealed to only the most hardcore of fan of the series.

Finishing up the games this week is a basic dinosaur FPS from Activision that is probably a clone of Turok and for those who have yet to get a PS3, you can get the new Slim model with a 250GB HDD for $350 this week.  It is taking the place of the premium 160GB PS3 model that came with Uncharted.

For Bluray this week we have the summer’s second best grossing flick (the first being Transformers: RotF), G.I. Joe.  Other new releases include the remake Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and the first complete season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  For catalog releases we have Forrest Gump hitting high def and the entire Rocky collection!

New Releases for the Week of November 3, 2009:

HARDWARE

PlayStation 3 250 GB Slim
Releases: 11/3
Price: $349.99
Includes: DualShock 3 controller, AC adapter, Composite A/V cables, USB cable
Product Description: As with previous models, the PlayStation 3 250GB system features an IBM “Cell” processor and a co-developed NVIDIA graphics processor that together allow the system to perform two trillion calculations per second. Yet the 250GB system manages to improve on this with its 45nm version of the processor, which although running at the same 60+nm speed as previous PS3 versions, uses less energy. This makes the unit’s smaller size and quieter fan possible. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, the 250GB system also boasts an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TVs and projectors. (The system is capable of 128-bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution for a full HD experience) This console also provides for an extreme sound experience by supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, as well as Linear PCM 7.1. Finally, it features cross connectivity with your PC network and PlayStation Portable (PSP) and its pre-installed, 250GB hard disc drive allows you to save games as well as download content from The Internet.

VIDEO GAMES

Dragon Age: Origins
Available for:
Releases: 11/2
Price: $56.99
Publisher: EA Games
Developer: BioWare
Genre: RPG
Product Description: From BioWare, the makers of Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Baldur’s Gate comes Dragon Age: Origins. An epic tale of violence, lust, and betrayal, Dragon Age: Origins is a single player role-playing game (RPG) set in a fantasy game environment, and featuring three playable character classes, accessible in the form of three races. In addition, the game features extreme character customization, a new game engine, party-based gameplay utilizing non-player characters and a built-in personal history system for each hero character rooted in a variety of possible origin stories.

Dragon Age: Origins Collector’s Edition
Available for:
Releases: 11/2
Price: $69.99
Publisher: EA Games
Developer: BioWare
Genre: RPG
Product Description: Become immersed in a dark and heroic fantasy world realized with BioWare’s trademark depth and expertise, enriched with its own unique lore and brought to life by some of the best artists in the industry. Deep customization gives you control over your character in Dragon Age. Race, appearance, abilities, and equipment all affect how you look. What you do will affect how you are perceived. Your origin defines your place in the world and how others see you. These playable sequences introduce the world and let you decide how your character becomes a hero, setting the tone for the entire story to come. Stand at the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Choose the fates of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence. Control your perspective as you guide a party of four into battle. Issue orders, build your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge. Downloadable content will provide you with exciting new stories and ways to expand your Dragon Age experience beyond the original game. Use the provided toolset to author your own adventures to share with friends.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Pre-order and receive the Lion’s Paw boots and Memory Band which will add stats, experience, and more

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $56.99
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre: Sports
Product Description: Pro Evolution Soccer is a video game built on pride, the pride that comes from making the most realistic soccer experience one can have within the world of gaming. Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 does not disappoint and this year, the voices of fans world-wide have been heard. Based in Japan, Winning Eleven Productions has instituted a host of anticipated changes that make PES 2010 the best yet. In PES 2010 you¿ll find yourself on the largest stage in digital soccer: The Champions League. Imagine you¿re in a 1-1 tie in stoppage time against Manchester United. You¿ve broken their defense and are sprinting full throttle into a man to man match of wits and reflexes with Edwin van der Sar¿ Do you have what it takes to punch it in for the win?

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Ultimate Sith Edition
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $36.99
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: LucasArts
Genre: Action
Product Description: Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition is a stand alone, third-person action game that continues the story and action of the original Star Wars The Force Unleashed game. The game contains the original Force Unleashed content and storyline, as well as three additional levels, one of which is completely exclusive to the Ultimate Sith Edition. The game also includes an art book, new costumes, character skins, data banks and more.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Release-date delivery available

Lego Rock Band
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $46.99
Publisher: MTV Games
Developer: Harmonix
Genre: Music
Product Description: LEGO Rock Band merges two of the most popular video game franchises to deliver a unique family-friendly music experience that will take tweens, teens, families and gamers of all ages on a wild journey to rock stardom in order to “Build a Band and Rock the Universe.” Combining the authentic multiplayer music experience of Rock Band with the accessibility, customization and humor of LEGO games, LEGO Rock Band allows players to create their own unique rock star style and customize their own avatars, band members, roadies, and managers. Take a look at the full set list.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Release-date delivery available
• Pre-order and receive $5 MP3 credit towards music from the game

Band Hero
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $57.99 / $38.99
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Neversoft
Genre: Music
Product Description: Brought to you by the makers of Guitar Hero, one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, Band Hero features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone’s favorite acts including Taylor Swift, No Doubt, Lily Allen, The All-American Rejects and Jackson 5. Headlined by some of the biggest names in music as in-game artists and playable characters, Band Hero is the ultimate party game to play on the road or at home, where players of all ages will be able to experience the signature, easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master Guitar Hero gameplay. Check out the full set list.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Release-date delivery available
• Pre-order and receive $5 MP3 credit towards music from the game

Band Hero Band Kit
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $188.99 / $179.49
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Neversoft
Genre: Music
Product Description: Brought to you by the makers of Guitar Hero, one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, Band Hero features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone’s favorite acts including Taylor Swift, No Doubt, Lily Allen, The All-American Rejects and Jackson 5. Headlined by some of the biggest names in music as in-game artists and playable characters, Band Hero is the ultimate party game to play on the road or at home, where players of all ages will be able to experience the signature, easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master Guitar Hero gameplay. Check out the full set list.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Pre-order and receive $5 MP3 credit towards music from the game

Jurassic: The Hunted
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $38.99 / $29.99
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Activision
Genre: FPS
Product Description: Jurassic Lost Island is an epic, story-driven first-person shooter set on a dark, mysterious island that connects the modern world with the age of dinosaurs. Take on the role of Craig Dylan, a weapons and survival expert, hired to protect a research team sent to study the strange temporal energy of the island and recover whatever is left of the expedition lost on the island 25 years ago. Every minute is a fight for survival as Dylan must scavenge weapons, defend barricades, and battle titanic dinosaurs to return to his own time

Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $27.99 / $36.00
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: High Impact Games
Genre: Adventure
Product Description: The dynamic duo Jak and Daxter are back in an all-new adventure on PSP™ that picks up the action where the previous trilogy left off. Whether battling Sky Pirates in a customizable aircraft or blasting Aeropeans with the punishing Gunstaff weapon, Jak and Daxter’s journey will take them beyond the edge of the Brink – and into a war bigger than they ever could have imagined.

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $26.99
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: Savage Entertainment
Genre: Action
Product Description: Star Wars Battlefront is back and bigger than ever on the PlayStation Portable (PSP). A third-person shooter, Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron is the deepest and most action-packed Star Wars Battlefront game ever. Experience battlefronts that span ground, space and capital starships, a robust original storyline and expanded gameplay features–including 16-player multiplayer support–that deliver seemingly endless replayability.
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BONUS OFFERS:

• Release-date delivery available

Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Available for:
Releases: 11/3
Price: $29.99
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Red Fly Studio
Genre: Action
Product Description: Now you can play this summer’s smash hit wherever you go in glorious widescreen, high resolution format with Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the Sony PSP. Paranormal pests are once again haunting the streets of Manhattan, and only one team can answer the call. Lucky for everyone, the original cast from Columbia Pictures’ Ghostbusters films – including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson – are joining forces again for the first time in over 20 years! Ghostbusters: The Video Game takes action gamers on a thrilling, chilling ghost hunting adventure featuring cool gadgets and out-of-this-world enemies brought together in a script written by the original creators Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. So wipe the slime out of your eyes and strap on your Proton Pack – it’s ghost hunting time again.
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ALSO SEE:

• Ghostbusters PS3 Standard Edition – $35.99
• Ghostbusters PS3 Amazon Slimer Edition – $69.99
• Ghostbusters PS2 Edition – $19.99

BLURAY

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Releases: 11/3
Price: $19.99
Studio: Paramount
Type: New Release
Genre: Action
Rated: PG-13
Product Description: Based on Hasbro’s immensely popular action figures, “G.I. Joe” is the ultimate elite fighting force, engaged in an extraordinary action-adventure matchup of good versus evil! In “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”, the G.I. Joe team, armed with the coolest hi-tech gadgets and weapons, travels the world from the Egyptian desert to the polar ice caps in a high stakes pursuit of Cobra, an evil international organization threatening to use a technology that could bring the world to its knees.
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BONUS OFFER FOR ALL BLURAYS:

• Purchase select DVDs or Blurays and receive $5 towards select TV shows via On Demand (Details)

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Releases: 11/3
Price: $20.99
Studio: Sony Pictures
Type: New Release
Genre: Drama
Rated: R
Product Description: Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) is a New York City subway dispatcher whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train. Ryder (John Travolta), the criminal mastermind behind the hijacking and leader of a highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train’s passengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour. As the tension mounts beneath his feet, Garber employs his vast knowledge of the subway system in a battle to outwit Ryder and save the hostages. But there’s one riddle Garber can’t solve: even if the thieves get the money, how can they possibly escape.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season One
Releases: 11/3
Price: $34.99
Studio: Warner Bros.
Type: TV Show
Genre: Science Fiction (Animated)
Rated: Not Rated
Product Description: The “Clone Wars” goes back to the original “Star Wars” film when Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker that he was once a Jedi knight the same as your father and that they fought together in the Clone Wars. Since that moment fans have been obsessed with what the clone wars were. This new TV series takes place immediately after the events of “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones”. The series follows Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker and introduces us to some new characters such as Ahsoka Tano a girl Jedi knight as well as characters we already know.

Forrest Gump
Releases: 11/3
Price: $23.99
Studio: Paramount
Type: Catalog Release
Genre: Comedy
Rated: PG-13
Product Description: “Stupid is as stupid does,” says Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks in an Oscar-winning performance) as he discusses his relative level of intelligence with a stranger while waiting for a bus. Despite his sub-normal IQ, Gump leads a truly charmed life, with a ringside seat for many of the most memorable events of the second half of the 20th century. Entirely without trying, Forrest teaches Elvis Presley to dance, becomes a football star, meets John F. Kennedy, serves with honor in Vietnam, meets Lyndon Johnson, speaks at an anti-war rally at the Washington Monument, hangs out with the Yippies, defeats the Chinese national team in table tennis, meets Richard Nixon, discovers the break-in at the Watergate, opens a profitable shrimping business, becomes an original investor in Apple Computers, and decides to run back and forth across the country for several years. Meanwhile, as the remarkable parade of his life goes by, Forrest never forgets Jenny (Robin Wright Penn), the girl he loved as a boy, who makes her own journey through the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s that is far more troubled than the path Forrest happens upon. Featured alongside Tom Hanks are Sally Field as Forrest’s mother; Gary Sinise as his commanding officer in Vietnam; Mykelti Williamson as his ill-fated Army buddy who is familiar with every recipe that involves shrimp; and the special effects artists whose digital magic place Forrest amidst a remarkable array of historical events and people.
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BONUS OFFER FOR ALL BLURAYS:

• Purchase select DVDs or Blurays and receive $5 towards select TV shows via On Demand (Details)

ALSO SEE:

• Forrest Gump Bluray Chocolate Boxset – $24.49

Rocky: The Undisputed Collection
Releases: 11/3
Price: $52.49
Studio: MGM
Type: Catalog Release
Genre: Sports Drama
Rated: Not Rated
Product Description: Own all the Rocky movies today in one boxset. Remastered in high definition video and audio, re-live the life of Rocky Balboa and own what is considered the be the most acclaimed sports franchise in the movie biz today!

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

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