Join us as we play amateur meteorologist and predict EA's upcoming forecast.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The official game based on the upcoming blockbuster introduces gamers to a brand new spellcasting system in an adventure spanning the grounds of an interactive Hogwarts Academy.
Why it's hot: It's Harry Potter and it's the Wii - two great tastes that make a huge amount of sense together. Casting spells with the Wiimote is a natural fit, though the cauldron is sweetened with a nicely rendered, non-linear Hogwarts. The ability to compete against different houses in side-missions means you can finally stick it to Malfoy, the punk.
Why it's not: Harry Potter's wand-waving gesture system is a great idea, but like many Wii games could use some sensitivity training. And though the non-linear approach is a welcomed change of pace, we're not sure the bespectacled wizard has enough power to break the curse of the movie license.
NCAA Football 08
The definitive college football series enjoys a bevy of new goodies in its annual upgrade, from new plays to a brand new mode.
Why it's hot: Madden's little brother is no slouch, routinely trouncing the sales charts and impressing even the snarkiest of critics. This year delivers a slew of new features, including a revamped Dynasty mode, the all-new Campus Legend mode and real-world, real-time weather simulation. Expect it to dominate its class.
Why it's not: Three words: It's not Madden. We know that's not exactly a fair assessment of what is by all accounts a pretty great franchise, but year after year it gets lost in the folds of Madden's enormous gut. Try passing out of that pocket.
NASCAR 08
Take on the role of an aspiring rookie driver in the latest racer from NASCAR. New tweaks and the ability to compete in three sanctioned NASCAR events keep this car ahead of the pack.
Why it's hot: It's really the only NASCAR game in town, or at least the only one that truly matters. Intricate attention to detail, customizable handling and an interesting Career mode help it snag the checkered flag.
Why it's not: Quick, turn left! Quick, turn left again! Okay, ready? Left! Now! Round and round she goes, but unless you're already a big fan of the sport, this likely won't change your mind.
MySims
Why it's hot: EA knows a good thing when they've got it, and moving the franchise over to the Wii is a no-brainer. While many Wii games overuse the innovative controls, MySims keeps it nice and simple with a point-and-click interface. Your little sister will dig the adorable characters, while you'll dig the fact that you can be mean to other Sims and pretty much get away with it.
Why it's not: We liked this game more when it was called Animal Crossing. And if they don't gussy up those graphics, we're calling the ugly police.
SimCity DS
Put the power grid in your pocket in this long-awaited portable version of the legendary city-builder.
Why it's hot: Anyone with a pulse and a mouse has heard of SimCity, and for good reason - it's a genre defining achievement of game design. This portable version contains the core gameplay that made the original such a smash, with some added modes and a user-friendly interface. Plus, it's big in Japan. Like, Godzilla big.
Why it's not: Part of the reason it's big in Japan is that it was developed by a Japanese team, not creative whirlwind Will Wright, and that's an unfortunate downgrade. We were onboard with the demo until they started showing off the spreadsheets, which is turn showed off the graphics, which are frankly not worth showing off. The gameplay looks solid, but those washed-out cityscapes could use a good paint job.
The Simpsons Game (Working Title)
Springfield's first family gets the next-gen treatment in this authentic action game. Working closely with Fox, EA aims to craft the definitive Simpsons experience with a brand new story, over 60 minutes of cutscenes and creative, two-player cooperative gameplay.
Why it's hot: Duh. Or rather, D'oh! Having just celebrated its 400th episode, The Simpsons are an unstoppable pop culture force and simply demand geek attention. We like the smooth graphics engine and applaud the self-parodying style, not to mention the thorough cast of characters. Comic Book Guy, we salute you.
Why it's not: How many great Simpsons games can you name? The correct answer is two. Out of about 20. I don't care where you place your bets -- those odds suck. And if the developers don't focus squarely on keeping the gameplay as steady as the laughs, the game will, too.
The Sims: Pet Stories
It's raining cats and dogs in this follow-up to the successful Life Stories game. Aimed at the more casual gamer, Pet Stories features two linear stories to follow in addition to the classic sandbox style of play popularized in The Sims 2 series.
Why it's hot: Life Stories performed well, and this one appeals to both cat people and dog people. Pet Stories is equally laptop-friendly, letting you tinker with your fabulous digital life while your boring real life is stuck in coach. An adoring, established community ensures all kinds of support, and if it's a Sim, it's a seller.
Why it's not: Dude, it's another Sims game. With so many iterations of the same concept floating around, why choose one over another? Because you're addicted, of course!
Wing Commander: Arena
Xbox Live Arcade gets thrust into hyperspace with Wing Commander Arena. The famous space dogfighting series has morphed into a fast-paced multiplayer action game focused on team play.
Why it's hot: Older gamers will note the pedigree - the Wing Commander games set the bar for interstellar dogfighting. Over 18 ships with different abilities promise some nice variety. We watched 16 players go at it simultaneously, the most for any Xbox Live Arcade title.
Why it's not: Call it what you want, but this ain't Wing Commander. Where are the furry Kilrathi? Where's the awesomely cheesy FMV? Where's the Z-axis? We have a hard time swallowing a space game that doesn't let us fly around freely, even if it's a relatively cheap digital download.
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