One Legend does not a Plural Make,

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

(Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2; $49.99-$99.99; Rated T for Lyrics/Mild Suggestive Themes; guitarhero.com)



The third iteration of the mega-successful rock-fest is out- but this time it’s no longer in the hands of developer Harmonix (who is developing the about-to-be-released “Rock Band”), but in Neversoft’s- the developer of the “Tony Hawk” franchise.

Thankfully, the change in developers has not affected the “Guitar Hero” franchise much at all. Neversoft was very faithful to Harmonix’s original gameplay mechanics and plays “Legends of Rock” very safely- maybe even to a fault.

The Power of Cake Compels You!

The Orange Box
(Xbox 360; $59.99; Rated T-M for Blood/Gore/Intense Violence/Language; half-life2.com)



The single greatest deal in videogames is found nowhere else but in “The Orange Box” from Valve and EA Games. For the regular price of a next-gen game, players get five different titles- each one worthy of justifying it’s own $60 price tag.

Hear that frugal shoppers? You’re getting $300 worth of gaming in a $60 package. That’s one heck of a deal…

If you like first-person shooters.

Don't be Such a Tool

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction


(PS3; $59.99; Rated E10+ for Alcohol Reference/Animated Blood/Crude Humor/Fantasy Violence/Langage; ratchetandclank.com)



It’s weird that in two years of “next gen” gaming, no true platformer has been released for any of the Big Three consoles. Thankfully, that has changed with the release of Sony’s “Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction.”

The power of Sony’s PS3 is in full force, churning out a whole lot of eye candy in rapid-fire bursts. It’s not just about what’s happening to the furry Ratchet, or his ever-loving robot sidekick Clank, but how the entire universe they cruise in has a life of its own. Metropolises grow to infinity, streets are littered with citizens, and there’s non-stop action at every turn. If you want to know what it’s like to play a cartoon- this is it.

Nerdtacular!

The Eye of Judgment (PS3; $69.99; Rated T for Fantasy Violence; eyeofjudgment.com)



Sit down and strap in, because it’s about to get a heck of a lot nerdier in here.

For those of you who love customizable card games like “Magic: The Gathering,” but find that playing takes you away from valuable time in front of the TV and your PS3- Sony has your back. With “The Eye of Judgment,” you have two nerdy hobbies combined for ultimate nerdiness effect.