Lock the doors, clear your calendar and start stocking up those sick days, gamers, because the fall season has arrived. Despite a pretty loaded 2010 (remember that crazy month of May?), the busiest time of year will indeed be an absolute blast for those with the time -- and the cash -- to spare.
But with a good 50 triple-A titles set to be released between October and December -- and a good 50 double-A games to boot -- it can be a nightmare sorting out which are worth your absolute attention. Need a little guidance? Start here.
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Release Date: October 12
Platform: Wii
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He might not be the most recognizable mascot on Nintendo's roster, but Kirby is poised for a serious breakout in this gorgeous platformer. The game sewed up multiple awards at the E3 game convention in June, and for good reason: its charming style and unique, textile-based visuals make it one of the most eye-catching games to hit the Wii in some time. Let's hope the rotund gumball has the gameplay to back it up.
Fallout: New Vegas
Release Date: October 19
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC
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Though it's not an official sequel to 2008 Game of the Year winner Fallout 3, this post-apocalyptic role-playing effort set in a bombed-out Las Vegas looks like a blast (pun intended.) In addition to all the free-roaming fun of its forbear, New Vegas will let you modify weapons, craft your own ammo, and, of course, make all sorts of questionable decisions as you explore the Mojave Wasteland.
Rock Band 3
Release Date: October 26
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii
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Tired of arguing with your musician friends over the validity of music games? Then stick Rock Band 3 at the top of your most-wanted chart. Not only does it pack a brand new set list, a new keyboard peripheral and hundreds of smaller tweaks, but it also features a Pro Mode that will actually teach you how to play guitar. For real. Using a real guitar. Looks like it's time to get the band back together...
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
Release Date: October 26
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, PC, DS
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The sequel to the best Star Wars game in ages, The Force Unleashed II picks up where the last game ended. You'll once again play as Darth Vader's powerful apprentice Starkiller, but now the student is hunting the teacher as well as his lost identity. More powers, dual lightsabers, awesome visuals...the Force is very strong with this one.
Gran Turismo 5
Release Date: November 2
Platform: Playstation 3
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No, it's not April 1. This is not a prank. You are not seeing things. In development for over 30 years (or at least it feels like it), the long-awaited Gran Turismo 5 finally becomes street legal this November. The numbers are pretty impressive: around 1,000 vehicles, over 70 tracks, 16--player online play and countless graphical enhancements await the patient millions anxious to play it. We're betting you're one of them.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta
Release Date: November 2
Platform: PSP
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It's not Kratos' first foray on Sony's handheld, but Ghost of Sparta will undoubtedly give the award-winning Chains of Olympus a run for its money. This portable powerhouse offers new abilities, new enemies, new bosses, and new insight into Kratos' early days as the God of War. It also gives us a new reason to dust off the PSP.
GoldeneEye 007 Wii
Release Date: November 2
Platform: Wii
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Hailed as one of the most influential games of all time, the original GoldenEye on the N64 took first-person shooting to new heights. We're not sure the rebooted Wii version will have quite the same impact, but it's a really, really big deal for Wii owners itching for some legitimate multiplayer fragging. They'll get plenty of that and more, as the new game will include a thoroughly reworked solo campaign as well.
Microsoft Kinect
Release Date: November 4
Platform: Xbox 360
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Maybe you've heard of it? Microsoft's innovative camera system hopes to change motion-controlled gaming forever by getting rid the controller and letting you interact with your 360 using gestures and voice commands. While many of its launch titles seem geared toward the family crowd (we'll be covering specific Kinect games soon), a slew of recent announcements from the Tokyo Game Show indicate that Kinect could work wonders for more serious gamers, too. One caveat: at $150, it's pricey, so make sure you have space in both your checking account and your living room before jumping in.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Release Date: November 9
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, PC
Two things are certain this November: you will overeat, and you will at least consider playing another Call of Duty game. This time, players will dive into the Cold War, blasting their way through hotspots around the world, including Russia, Cuba, and of course, Vietnam. It packs some riveting new multiplayer modes, too, such as the "Wager Match" type that lets you gamble for in-game points.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Release Date: November 16
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC
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It's hard to believe that it's only been a year since the stunning Assassin's Creed II scampered into our hearts. Often, releasing a sequel a year later is a recipe for oversaturation, but few developers deserve the benefit of the doubt like Ubisoft Montreal. The fact that it boasts cool new gameplay tweaks and what could be the year's most surprisingly addictive multiplayer doesn't hurt, either.
LittleBigPlanet 2
Release Date: November 16
Platform: Playstation 3
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Creating stuff in ingenious Sony game LittleBigPlanet was cool, but how about creating entirely new games? Such is the promise of the sequel, which hopes to up the ante tenfold by allowing players to build entirely new games in a matter of minutes. Throw in 50 levels worth of a brand new adventure brimming with kooky new gadgets, and you've got the makings for another PS3 masterpiece.
Epic Mickey
Release Date: November 30
Platform: Wii
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The most famous mascot of them all makes a bold return to video games in this weird, wonderful adventure. Created by legendary designer Warren Spector (Deus Ex, System Shock), this uncharacteristically dark tale brings the mischief back to the mouse, letting players alter the landscape using paint or paint thinner as they interact with an impressive roster of Disney characters.