Weekly video game releases: 'Bulletstorm,' 'de Blob 2,' 'Killzone 3'

(All rights reserved - THQ)

Furious firefights in Bulletstorm and Killzone 3 are joined by the family fun of de Blob 2 in this week's look at upcoming video game releases. A little further down the line are the next set of Pokémon titles and a new entry to the Fight Night boxing series.

Two Worlds II (360 Mac PC PS3)
UK, 16+, February 25. North America, Teen and Europe, 16+, already released.

Scuppered by a transport mishap, the UK release of Two Worlds II has been put back to February 25 - though the well-received role-play adventure is already available elsewhere.
Price: $49 / €49 / £29 on PC, $59 / €65 / £39 on PS3 and 360
Website: http://www.twoworlds2.com

Bulletstorm (360 PC PS3)
North America, Mature, February 22. Japan, CERO B (17+), February 24. Europe, 18+, February 24. UK, 18, February 25.

This foul-mouthed and bloodthirsty B-movie epic has been confident enough to mock fellow shooter franchises Halo and Call of Duty in the leadup to release. Polished graphics, over-the-top production, and high score challenges lie behind the bluster. PS3 and 360 demos are available to download. The PC version supports Nvidia's 3D Vision system.
Prices: $49 / €49 / ¥7,329 / £35 on PC. $59 / €59 / ¥7,665 / £49 on 360 and PS3.
Website: http://www.bulletstorm.com

de Blob 2 (360 DS PS3/Move Wii)
North America, Everyone, February 22. Europe, 3+, February 25.

Sequel to a delightful Wii masterpiece, de Blob 2 marries a colorful paint-as-you-go platformer with cute character design and a layered soundtrack. Like Super Mario Galaxy, it has potential to reach far beyond a family audience. Compatible with PlayStation Move.
Prices: $29 / €29 / £29 on DS. $39 / €49 / £29 on Wii. $49 / €59 / £39 on 360 and PS3.
Website: http://www.deblob.com

Killzone 3 (PS3)
North America, Mature, February 22. Japan, D (17+), February 24. Europe, 18+, February 25.

Sony answers the Xbox's Halo franchise with another installment in the Killzone series. More conventional movement, improved close combat and the inclusion of jetpacks are concessions to mass market tastes. Compatible with 3D TVs and PlayStation Move controllers. A demo is available.
Standard price: $59 / €69 / £49 / ¥6,980
Special editions:$129 / €75, €129 / £49, £139
Website: http://www.killzone.com

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version (DS)
Europe, 3+, March 4. North America, Everyone, March 6. Japan, A (all age), released September 2010.

The newest pocket monster collection games has already built a tremendous following in Japan. As well as more Pokémon to train, it introduces improved graphics, seasonal changes, a new region to explore and enhanced battle types.
Price: €39 / $35 / ¥4,800
Website: http://www.pokemonblackwhite.com

Fight Night Champion (360 PS3)
Also available on iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad)
North America, Mature, March 1. Europe, 16+, March 3. Japan, C (15+), March 3.

Take an unknown young pretender from boxing club to title bout in Champion Mode, or pick from over 50 real world puglists (inc. Ali, Tyson, Haye, Pacquiao, Hatton, the Klitchko bros.) and take the fight online.
Price: $59 / €59 / ¥5,040
Website: http://www.ea.com/fight-night

For more on video game age ratings, visit ESRB.org (North America), PEGI.info (Europe), Classification.gov.au (Australia) or CERO.gr.jp (Japan).