Weekly video game releases: 'Scott Pilgrim', 'Madden NFL 11', 'We Sing'

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Among upcoming video game releases: Comic book character Scott Pilgrim defeats evil ex-boyfriends on PS3 (and, later, 360), the Madden American Football series shows no signs of stopping, and We Sing is back for more karaoke fun in the Wii's We Sing Encore.

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (360)
Release: August 8 via Xbox Live Arcade
Age Rating: Teen / 12+

Resurrecting the legendary Castlevania series for Xbox 360 is old hand Koji Igarashi, who has worked on a vast number of Castlevania games. True to its heritage, Harmony of Despair is a side-scrolling 2D action adventure; taking advantage of modern gaming tech, up to six friends can play together online, tackling castles crammed with monsters, or sharing tips by sharing recorded playthroughs.
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points ($15 / €14)

Madden NFL 11 (360 iPhone PS2 PS3 PSP Wii)
Release: North America, August 10. Europe, August 13.
Age Rating: E for Everyone / 3+

This year, Madden NFL claims to be simpler, quicker, and deeper than before, compressing a full hour-long game into 30 minutes of playtime and making it easier to instruct teams. Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints became the latest Madden cover athlete after pulling in the most fan votes. 360 and PS3 demos were released on July 27.
Price: $59.99 / €59.99 (360 PS3), $49.99 / €49.99 (Wii), $39.99 / €39.99 (PS2 PSP)

We Sing Encore aka We Sing Vol. 2 (Wii)
Release: Europe, August 13.
Age Rating: 12+

We Sing Encore has 40 karaoke tracks for up to four budding singers. Thirty of those tunes are shared across European territories, the remaining 10 specific to the UK, Sweden, and Germany. So, for example, along with the B52s, Elton John, Lily Allen, and Rihanna, the UK gets a bit of Will Young and The Proclaimers, German warble to Toploader and heartthrob Roy Black, while Swedes croon with Håkan Hellström and Björn Skifs (aka Blue Swede).
Game only: €39.99
We Sing Encore + 2 microphones: €59.99

Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game (PS3 360)
Release: North America, August 10; Europe August 11 via PSN. August 25 on 360.
Age Rating: Teen / 12+

A side-scrolling video game for up to four players based on a film based on a comic book featuring video games. Think 1980s and 90s style beat-em-ups Double Dragon, River City Ransom, Castle Crashers. Now add a mischevious cartoon style and a huge number of pop culture references. Scott Pilgrim.
Price: TBC. USA PS3 pre-orders at Ubi.com, $9.99.

Victoria II (PC)
Release: Europe, August 13. North America, August 22
Age Rating: 12+ / Teen

"I am shaving my head if this project ever sees profit," wrote Paradox Interactive CEO Fredrik Wester on the game's official forums after users voted for development on Victoria II to go ahead. Though it stems from the territorial expansion of Europa Universalis, Victoria focused on successfully maneuvering nation states through historic change. Wester fulfilled his promise early in a vote of confidence, but it remains to be seen whether Victoria II can come close to Paradox's Europa Universalis III or Hearts of Iron III.
Price: €39.99 / $39.99

Lucha Libre AAA: Héroes del Ring aka Heroes of the Ring (360 PS3 PSP Wii)
Release: North America, August 9
Rating: TBC

Larger-than-life masked Mexican wrestlers bring their own acrobatic theater to the ring. If Konami can reflect the athleticism of Lucha Libre with an extended list of moves then this could reinvigorate the genre.
Price: $59.99 (360 PS3), $39.99 (Wii), $29.99 (PSP)