Video game releases: 'Michael Jackson: The Experience' to elude 'Mortal Kombat'
Not much in the way of competition for Michael Jackson: The Experience, save for Lego Ninjago and Patapon 3 on DS and PSP respectively. Mortal Kombat steps into the ring the following week, along with Portal 2 and SOCOM 4.
Michael Jackson: The Experience (360 Kinect, PS3 Move)
Also available on Wii, DS, and PSP
North America: April 12, Everyone 10+, $49
Europe: April 14, 3+, €49
UK: April 15, 3+, £39
The Just Dance formula as applied to Michael Jackson's back catalogue and the Xbox/PlayStation motion tracking gadgets, Kinect and Move. Over 25 songs on disc include "Thriller," "Beat It," and "Black or White."
http://www.michaeljackson-theexperience.com
Patapon 3 (PSP)
North America: April 12, Everyone, $19
Europe: April 13, 3+, €29
UK: April 15, 3+, £29
Japan: April 28, A (all), ¥4,980
Familiar drumbeats return in a third entry to the PSP's well-loved rhythm game series. A single player campaign filled with tribe-rescuing uberheroes is accompanied by online multiplayer for up to eight.
http://www.patapon-game.com
Lego Ninjago (DS)
North America: April 12, Everyone, $29
Europe: April 14, 7+, €29
UK: April 15, PG, £25
Not content with appearances in the online Lego Universe, Lego's spinning-top ninjas get their very own DS game. There are separate single-player campaigns for heroes and villains as well as multiplayer challenges.
http://www.ninjago.com
Mortal Kombat (360 PS3)
North America: April 19, Mature, $59 / $99 KE / $149 TE
Europe: April 21, 18+, €69 / €89 KE / €149 UE
UK: April 21, 18+, £45 / £69 KE
Australia: Banned
Back and more brutal than before, Mortal Kombat's back with a vengeance and boasting original creator Ed Boon. The Kollector's Edition includes a statue, art book, and extra content codes; the Tournament Edition (aka Ultimate Edition) is contained within a working arcade controller.
http://www.themortalkombat.com
Portal 2 (360 Mac PC PS3)
North America: April 19, E10+, $49-$59
Europe: April 21, 12+, €49-€69 / £35-£49
Japan: April 19, A (all), ¥6,090-¥7,140
Expectations ride high for Portal 2's mind-bending puzzles and clever humor. Made by the company behind Left 4 Dead and Half-Life 2, the PS3 version includes a download code for the full PC game; PC, Mac and PS3 owners will be able to play together.
http://www.thinkwithportals.com
SOCOM 4 aka SOCOM: Special Forces (PS3)
North America: April 19, Mature, $59
Europe: April 20, 16+, €69
UK: April 22, 16+, £49
Japan: April 21, ¥5,980
Zipper Interactive applies lessons learned from the 256-player MAG to the 32-player squad-based online multiplayer for this, its seventh game in the Navy Seals action series. The open beta, downloadable from the PlayStation Store, runs until April 19.
http://www.socom.com
Tales of Monkey Island (PC)
Europe: April 21, €39 (Premium), €45 (Collectors Ed.)
UK: April 8, 12+, £29 (Premium) £49 (Collectors Ed.)
Guybrush Threepwood returns in a bid to outwit pirate nemesis LeChuck. Tales' five episodes have been available as digital downloads since 2009 -- these special editions present them on disc with bonus items such as the CE's drinks coaster, map, and coin.
http://www.telltalegames.com/monkeyisland
