Weekly video game releases: 'Dead Rising 2: Case West', 'Kingdom Hearts: Recoded'

(All rights reserved - Capcom)

Dead Rising 2's downloadable episode Case West closes out the year on Xbox 360, and early in 2011 there's Kingdom Hearts: Recoded on DS to look forward to, while North Americans can have a crack at Plants vs Zombies (DS) and Lost in Shadow (Wii). Later in January, there's DC Universe Online (PC and PlayStation 3) and LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3).

Dead Rising 2: Case West (360)
Release: North America and Europe, December 27.
Age rating: Mature / 18+

Zombie-slaying photojournalist Frank West ( Dead Rising) joins forces with DIY warrior Chuck Greene ( Dead Rising 2) in creating new makeshift weapons for use against the infected hordes, and in further uncovering the roots of the outbreak. Also features co-op play.
Price: 800 Microsoft Points ($10/€9/£7)
http://www.deadrising-2.com

Lost in Shadow (Wii) aka A Shadow's Tale
Release: North America, January 4. Already out Europe and Japan.
Age rating: Everyone 10+
A boy's shadow has to get to the top of a tower by climbing on, jumping between, and at times doing battle with other shadows cast within it. European reviews indicate that it's not for everyone, but some will fall in love with it.
Price: $39/€39/£35
http://www.lostinshadow.com

Kingdom Hearts: Recoded (DS)
Release: North America, January 11. Europe, January 14.
Age rating: Everyone 10+ / 12+

Continuing the Disney / Square Enix crossover from Kingdom Hearts II on the PlayStation 2, Recoded stars Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Malificent, Sleeping Beauty's wicked fairy.
Price: $34/€34/£29
http://kingdomheartsrecoded.com/

Plants vs Zombies (DS)
Release: North America, January 18.
Age rating: Everyone 10+

Popcap's simplified tower defense game, made most famous by its iPhone version. Extra mini-games, customizable zombies, and a 2-player mode attempt to justify the increase in price as compared to the $2.99 (€2.39/£1.79) iOS favorite.
Price: $19
http://www.popcap.com/extras/pvz

DC Universe Online (PC, PlayStation 3)
Release: North America, January 11. Europe, January 14.
Age rating: Teen / 16+

Sony follow up on their massively multiplayer online games EverQuest II and Free Realms by looking to dethrone the City of Heroes & Villains series. This adventure stars Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and a whole host of heroes and villains from the DC Comics stable.
Price: $49 / €49 (PC), $59 / €59 (PS3), subcription $15 / €13 per month
http://www.dcuniverseonline.com

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (DS)
Release: North America, January 11. Europe, January 14
Age rating: Teen / 12+

From the creator of the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series, dead man Sissel has the chance to use his ghostly powers to help young detective Lynne and stop more mysterious murders - including her own - from occurring.
Price: $29 / €39 / £29
http://www.capcom-unity.com/ghost_trick