Weekly video game releases: 'James Cameron's Avatar: The Game,' 'The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks', 'The Saboteur'

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Video game releases over the two-week period from November 30 to December 13 includes film tie-in James Cameron's Avatar: The Game; Parisian subterfuge in Pandemic Studios' last work The Saboteur; the engaging and easy-on-the-eye Zelda: Spirit Tracks; and a Navy SEAL's undercover operations in Rogue Warrior.

James Cameron's Avatar: The Game (360 DS PC PS3 PSP Wii)
Release: North America, December 1. Europe, December 3.
Just like director James Cameron's big-screen film, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video games are expected to have 3D capabilities when displayed on a powerful enough screen (HD, 120Hz display). Though the game is released nearly three weeks before the film, it follows a distinct and separate storyline so no crucial spoilers are contained within. There are also Collectors' Editions available at selected retailers, packaged with a bonus action figure.
Price: $59.99 / €59.99 (360, PS3), $49.99 / €49.99 (PC, Wii), $39.99 / €39.99 (PSP), $29.99 / €29.99 (DS)
Collector's Edition: $59.99 / €59.99 (PC, Wii), $79.99 / €79.99 (360, PS3)

DiRT 2 (PC)
Release: North America, December 1. Europe, December 3.
With the console versions of Colin McRae: DiRT 2 having been well received on the flagship platforms 360 and PS3, this PC version of the off-road racer follows with an early December release. Better-than-ever graphics, realistic rally simulation, and the thrill of the race combine to give fans and newcomers alike an intense ride.
Price: $39.99 / €49.99

MX vs ATV Reflex (360 DS PS3 PSP)
Release: North America, December 1. Europe, February 5, 2010.
Motocross bikes, quads, sports trucks and buggies are flung together in this, the third distinct game in the MX vs ATV series, which looks very much as if it would like to be a multiplatform Motorstorm: Pacific Rift with its various racing environments, soundtrack choices, local and online multiplayer, added to which is the inclusion of in-flight tricks and stunts.
Price: $59.99 (360 PS3), $29.99 (DS PSP) / €54.99 (360 PS3), €29.99 (DS PSP)

The Saboteur (360 PC PS3)
Release: North America, December 8. Europe, December 3.
The Saboteur at first glance appears to be a serious-console version of the Wii's award-winning freedom fighting color-fest de Blob: Irishman Sean Devlin (based on a real historical figure) brings color back to WWII-era occupied Paris via resistance activities, clambering around famous landmarks, and 1940s race car action. Pandemic Studios were unfortunately shut down during recent job cuts at parent company EA - but could The Saboteur be Grand Theft Auto with a conscience?
Price: $59.99 (360 PS3), $49.99 (PC) / €69.99 (360 PS3), €49.99 (PC)

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)
Release: North America, December 7. Europe, December 11.
Sequel and successor to The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, 2007's award-winning, top-rated outing for Zelda on the DS, Spirit Tracks' all new adventure uses a similar art style and control method, which can only be a good thing - it already picked up "Best Handheld Game" when previewed at this summer's GamesCom exposition in Germany.
Price: $34.99 / €39.99

Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil Zero (Wii)
Release: North America, December 8. Europe, January 22, 2010.
The Wii retains compatibility with Nintendo's previous home console, the GameCube, so anyone with access to an original copy of Resident Evil: Zero will be able to play it on their shiny Wii. However, this Wii-specific reworking includes support for the Wii Remote and its waggly gestures, as seen previously in the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition.
Price: $29.99 / €29.99

Rogue Warrior (360 PC PS3)
Release: North America, December 1. Europe, released November 27.
A real-life covert ops legend, former US Navy SEAL CO Richard Marcinko and his stranger-than-fiction Rogue Warrior books are the inspiration for this military action game set in a mid-1980s world of brutal cold war infiltrations. Early impressions suggest that it's a less-than-subtle Splinter Cell: Marcinko is Steven Seagal's ponytail of justice crossed with the indestructible beard of Chuck Norris. Keep an eye on review sites to see how it shapes up.
Price: $59.99 (360 PS3), $49.99 (PC) / €59.99 (360 PS3), €49.99 (PC)