Strategy fans will love Tropico 4 - brand new from Kalypso Media. Once again, a Caribbean island paradise is for players to build and rule as El Presidente, man of the people or iron-fisted dictator. It’s being called “the best game of its kind” since the original Sim City. There is tons of new content available, including newer and bigger maps, more nations to deal with, fresh challenges and more. For burgeoning economic geniuses, there’s an expanded trade system. Also – the developers have added social media integration so players can post their latest accomplishments on Twitter and Facebook. The game is available now on PC, and on Xbox 360 as of October 2011.

ESRB Rating – T
Platforms: Windows PC/Xbox 360
MSRP PC $39.99
MSRP Xbox360 $49.99
www.worldoftropico.com

BATTLEFIELD 3!

ALL-OUT VEHICLE WARFARE MILITARY SHOOTER BATTLEFIELD 3 FROM EA WILL MAKE JAWS DROP ON OCTOBER 25th. AMONG 2011’S MOST ANTICIPATED TITLES, THE AWARD-WINNING SERIES’ LATEST PILES ON THE PYROTECHNICS FOR PC, PS3 AND XBOX 360. FROM MANHATTAN TO THE MIDDLE EAST, ITS STUNNING FROSTBITE 2 ENGINE TAKES VISUAL QUALITY, CHARACTER ANIMATION, AUDIO AND WANTON DESTRUCTION TO NEW HEIGHTS ON THE BATTLEFIELD. FIGHTING ON-FOOT OR DYNAMICALLY JUMPING INTO JETS, TANKS AND JEEPS, YOU LEAD MARINES TO VICTORY IN SOLO OR UP TO 64-MAN MULTIPLAYER ENGAGEMENTS. INCREDIBLY PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL, IT’S THE CLOSEST YOU’LL COME TO COMBAT SHORT OF ENLISTING.

The game is rated M for Mature
PS3, Xbox 360 and PC: $59.99
www.battlefield.com

Players, young and older, will adore Dr. Blowhole Returns--Again!, the latest game in The Penguins of Madagascar™ lineup from THQ. For all major consoles, including Kinect™ for Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3, uDraw GameTablet® for Wii™ and Nintendo DS™, players can run, jump and belly slide their way through wacky obstacle courses. In the Kinect version, players use their body as the controller and engage in motion-based maneuvering to nimbly navigate hazards and obstacles. The game features the TV show’s full cast, including Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Blowhole and Danny Jacobs as the dancy-crazy King Julien. An all-new original adventure packed with humor, three “episodes” and 12 exciting levels of play promise hilarious fun throughout the zoo and beyond.

ESRB RATING: E for everyone
PRICING FOR ALL FORMATS:
Kinect for Xbox 360: $49.99
PlayStation 3: $39.99
uDraw GameTablet for Wii: $29.99
Nintendo DSi/DS: $29.99
http://www.penguinsofmadagascarvideogame.com/

Scott Steinberg’s new book, Music Games Rock: Rhythm Gaming’s Greatest Hits of All Time, explores the meteoric rise and fall of the music video game genre, and its greatest hits and misses. Featuring
hundreds of music gaming’s best, worst and weirdest smashes, including exhaustive behind-the-scenes tour stories from the creators of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, readers can enjoy paperback,
iBooks, Kindle and free downloadable editions now at www.MusicGames.Rock.com

IBooks/Kindle - $2.99
Paperback format from Lulu.com, Amazon and other major retailers - $24.99