Just because school's back in session doesn't mean nerds need to trade in their consoles for coursework yet. After all, this fall's most promising videogames offer a textbook lesson in licensing, courtesy of Hollywood's finest.
According to industry analysts the NPD Group, interactive diversions based on branded properties account for over $7.8 billion, or 57 percent, of total sales of entertainment software for portable and next-generation systems. Recent drops in hardware prices--both Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation 2 both fell to a $149.99 SRP as of May--continue to spur interest in the category as well.
Researchers at Banc of America Securities further suggest that some of the biggest games ever unveiled will ship between August and December. Among the current spate of high-profile releases are two of the year's most anticipated titles: Doom 3 and Madden NFL 2005.
With 262 titles launched in Q4 2003 alone and even more expected this holiday season, the choices are staggering. To keep you head from spinning too much, here are our picks for some of the top entertainment titles coming to a console near you.
Doom 3 (PC/Xbox, Activision)--Go to hell...literally. Demons have descended on a Mars research facility. As a lone space marine, exorcise 'em with shotgun and rocket launcher.Madden NFL 2005 (GC/PC/PS2/Xbox, Electronic Arts)--Ready for some football? Hit stick functions (which enable titanic tackles) and awesome online options make it this year's MVP.
The Sims 2 (PC, Electronic Arts)--People are people... and you'll control their lives. Form complex relationships, further a career and even father children in full 3D.
Terminator 3: The Redemption (PS2/Xbox, Atari)--Governor Schwarzenegger spouts signature one-liners while mauling mechanized adversaries in a fast-paced third-person shooter which combines on-foot and vehicular action.
Star Wars: Battlefront (PC/PS2/Xbox, LucasArts)--Frenzied solo and multiplayer combat for up to 32 set in the far future. Pity you can't aim for Jar Jar.
Def Jam: Fight for N.Y. (GC/PS2/Xbox, Electronic Arts)--More than 40 of hip-hop's biggest stars (e.g., DMX, Ludacris, Method Man) keep it real in a gritty urban brawler, yo!
X-Men Legends (GC/PS2/Xbox, Activision)--Comic book aficionados will adore controlling four-man teams of mutants in a 3D role-player that emphasizes action over statistical accuracy.
BloodRayne 2 (PS2/Xbox, Majesco)--Flay enemies with high-powered weaponry and handheld harpoon alike, then drain scumbags dry as the titular half-human/half-vampire heroine.
Dukes of Hazzard: Return of the General Lee (PS2/Xbox, UbiSoft)--Floor it through Hazzard County as you accomplish mission-based goals, bait Boss Hogg and leave Enos choking on your dust.
Gungrave: Overdose (PS2, Mastiff)--As undead Mafioso cum anime superstar Beyond the Grave and friends, players stylishly slaughter foes in a comically ultra-violent shooter.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (PS2, Atari)--Beat doe-eyed, blue- and purple-haired adversaries senseless in this clever, yet strangely cruel ode to Japanese cartoon violence.
Rocky Legends (PS2/Xbox, UbiSoft)--Become the Italian Stallion via an all-new career mode, then pummel over 40 famous foes including Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 (PS2/Xbox, Konami)--Cowabunga, dude! Up to four can beat baddies into submission using over 30 attacks as the heroes in a half-shell.
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent (GC/PS2/Xbox, Electronic Arts)--A first-person shooter that casts you as a villainous MI6 agent who'll unwisely come between Auric Goldfinger and Dr. No.
Mortal Kombat: Deception (PS2/Xbox, Midway)--Online play, chess and puzzle mini-games, and a thrilling solo adventure mode make it the most ambitious fighting game yet.
Robotech: Invasion (PS2/Xbox, Gathering)--A first-person shooter that lets you morph from massive robot to motorcycle and battle for supremacy in a dark, dystopian future.
Fight Club (PS2/Xbox, Vivendi-Universal)--Break bones, bruise faces and beware the angry yuppie in this brawler, an exceptionally aggro adaptation of the cult hit.
Godzilla: Save the Earth (PS2/Xbox, Atari)--Stomp Los Angeles, Osaka and Tokyo as the legendary lizard while dueling with hideous monstrosities including Mothra, Gigan and King Ghidorah.
The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (GC/PS2/Xbox, Electronic Arts)--A third-person fantasy role-playing adventure which marches would-be heroes through the events of Peter Jackson's epic trilogy. Codpiece sold separately.
The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth (PC, Electronic Arts)--Stunning 3-D visuals capture the carnage as real-time strategy buffs engage in epic military campaigns throughout Tolkien's timeless universe.
Predator: Concrete Jungle (PS2, Vivendi-Universal)--Venture between two time periods--the 1930s and 2030--hunting human prey as you enjoy a brutal sci-fi safari.
Bad Boys: Miami Takedown (GC/PS2/Xbox, Crave Entertainment)--Loose cannons Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett fight crime by busting caps in drug pushers instead of busting them period.
The Incredibles (GC/PC/PS2/Xbox, THQ)--Leap yawning chasms and leave enemies smarting in an action game that sees audiences control a family of silly superheroes.
And for those back-to-schoolers who hearken back to the pleasures of old-school gaming, get ready for the latest batch of all-in-ones from the geniuses at Jakks Pacific. The company just came out with its latest lineup of TV Games, each essentially an oversized controller that plugs directly into your television and features a slew of classic games. The best is Ms. Pac-Man, a sequel to their popular Pac-Man collection, this joystick includes the original arcade versions of the estrogenized sequel, along with Galaga, Pole Position, Xevious and the more obscure Mappy.
Making up the rest of the new TV Games roster are Atari Paddle Games (Breakout, Pong, Warlords and 10 other 2600 games housed in a paddle controller), Arcade Pinball (three different games with built-in tilt action) and Disney Games (featuring five games featuring such characters as Donald Duck, Aladdin, Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, and Lilo and Stitch. Each TV Game set sells for about $20.