Weekly video game releases: 'Dance Central,' 'Black Ops,' 'James Bond'

With the Xbox 360's hands-free Kinect Sensor debuting in North America on November 4, we look at two of its launch titles,
Dance Central and
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. There's also a ton of extras for
Call of Duty: Black Ops, two James Bond games, and
Super Scribblenauts' arrival in Europe.

Dance Central (Xbox 360 Kinect)
North America, November 4. Europe, November 10.
Teen / 3+

For all the fuss that's made about Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, and Kinect Joyride, surely this is the game that will sell Microsoft's motion-sensing camera to the masses. Dance Central scores players on their dance move skills, teaching them new moves to go along with its 32 hit tracks. Though one player takes the main stage, two more can fulfill back-up duties.
Price: $49 / €49

James Bond 007: Blood Stone (360 PC PS3)
Also available on DS
North America, November 2. Europe, November 5.
Teen / 16+

The studio team at Bizarre Creations is more well known for its motorsport games - the Project Gotham Racing series, and this year's Blur - but it did make acclaimed score-based shooter The Club. Here Bizarre turns its hand to the Bond franchise as Daniel Craig's ruthless agent sets off in pursuit of a lethal biochemical weapon, with hand-to-hand combat, guns, and classic Bond vehicles.
Price: $59 / €69 (360 PS3), $49 / €49 (PC)

God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP)
North America, November 2. Europe, November 5.
Mature / 18+

Kratos returns for more handheld gore, plundering Greek myth and legend in a quest to discover his lost brother's fate. Not likely to conquer the PlayStation 3's God of War III, but note that Ghost of Sparta's PSP predecessor, Chains of Olympus, was praised for both graphical wonders and slick gameplay.
Price: $39 / €29
PSP pack: $199 / €189 (inc. Ghost of Sparta, Chains of Olympus and more)

GoldenEye 007 (Wii, DS)
North America, November 2. Europe, November 5.
Teen / 16+

A Nintendo 64 classic - some would argue an all-time classic - remade for Wii and DS. Pierce Brosnan is replaced with current Bond Daniel Craig, while other storyline details are tweaked in order to avoid breaching copyright and chronology. The Wii version adds improved graphics and an online multiplayer for up to 8, in addition to traditional 4 player split-screen.
Price: $49 / €49 (Wii), $39 / €39 (DS)
With Gold Classic Controller: $69

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (Xbox 360 Kinect)
North America, November 4. Europe, November 10.
Teen / 3+

Software giant Ubisoft weighs in with its own keep-fit game ahead of EA Sports Active 2's debut later in the month. The Kinect camera scans players' silhouettes and shows them on-screen, next to a personal trainer who demonstrates each exercise. High intensity workouts are complemented by yoga, Pilates, and mini-games such as dancing, hula hoops, and multiplayer challenges. As with Sports Active 2, results can be shared online for extra encouragement from friends.
Price: $49 / €49

Super Scribblenauts (DS)
Europe, October 28. North America, already released Oct 12.
Everyone 10+ / 12+

The adventurous Maxwell is again on the trail of missing Starites, but needs help in conjuring up crucial puzzle-solving items. Players spell them out and - ta-da! - they appear, leaving Maxwell trying his best to put them to use. Sequel to 2009's award-winning Scribblenauts, this promises improved controls, level-editing, and more imaginative items.
Price: $29 / €39

Call of Duty: Black Ops (360, PC, PS3, Wii)
Also available on DS
November 9.
Mature / 18+

A dead cert chart-topper based on the popularity of previous series entries World at War and Modern Warfare 2. Black Ops' single-player takes place during the Cold War era with assistance from Hollywood notables Gary Oldman, Sam Worthington, and Ed Harris. Its true focus, online multiplayer, promises to turn the theater of war into a theater of entertainment even more comprehensively than before, with increased character customization and increasingly compulsive game modes. A bevy of associated accessories is also being made available.
Price: $59 / €59
Hardened Edition (360/PS3): $79 / €89 (inc. 4 extra maps, replica medal, avatar outfit)
Prestige Edition (360/PS3): $149 / €149 (Hardened + remote control surveillance vehicle toy)
PS3 / 360 Black Ops PrecisionAIM controller: $49 / €49
MadCatz Black Ops Wiimote & Nunchuck: $39 / €39
Gunnar Optiks ProGaming Glasses: $79 / €79
MadCatz Black Ops Cyborg Rat mouse (PC): $99 / €99
MadCatz Tritton True 5.1 Black Ops headset (360 PS3): $249
MadCatz Tritton 5.1 Black Ops headset (360 PS3): $199 / €229
MadCatz Tritton True 5.1 Black Ops headset (PC): $149 / €149
Xbox 360 250GB bundle: $249 / €279
Call of Duty Jeep Wrangler: $30,625 to $33,500

Also released during the week of November 8 are Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time (Wii) and Sonic Colors (DS & Wii).