Patch Note Previews (For June 7 – June 13)

This week is sports week in the video game world, but not your typical sports ala basketball, football or baseball. We have tennis, golf, and shape-shifting? Tennis and golf introduce “Wii MotionPlus” into its family with finer control and another peripheral to purchase. Thanks Nintendo. Here’s the 2nd week of June featuring MotionPlus excluding “Prototype”!

Virtua Tennis 2009 (360, PS3, Wii) (June 9th) Sega

It’s been quite some time since we last heard from the “Virtua Tennis” series (2007), but they’re finally back. “Virtua” looks to be “Virtua Tennis 3” with slightly better graphics and some different tennis players like Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic, and others. There will also be new mini-games like Pirate Wars and Block Buster. This could easily of been downloadable content with new mini games, players, and tennis courts, but maybe that’s why it’s not full-priced? Serve, volley, and slam your way to the stores on Tuesday for 360/PS3 for $49.99 and for Wii for $39.99. In the Wii version, “Wii Motion Plus” is enabled (sold separately), where players have better control when directing their shots using the wiimote.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010 (360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2) (June 8th) Electronic Arts

“Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010” is back with its annual release for the golfing savants and people who don’t ever watch golf, but play this game. “Tiger Woods” has this mystical spell that entices us towards it, but most EA games do (Madden, that means you). This iteration introduces some new events like the U.S. Open and new courses like Torrey Pines. This isn’t “Hot Shots Golf”, so if this is your first time with “Tiger”, well, it’s pure golf. Check out the demo available on PSN and XBLA for your downloading pleasure. Drive those golf carts to stores on Monday for $59.99 on 360/PS3, $49.99 on Wii, $39.99 on PSP, and $29.99 on PS2. There’s also a Wii bundle including the “Wii MotionPlus” add-on for $59.99 which provides better control and a more “realistic” feel when swinging.

Prototype (360, PS3, PC) (June 9th) Activision

In Radical’s “Prototype”, players assume the role of Alex Mercer as he wakes up with no recollection of why the military is inspecting his body and why he has certain powers in mutant freak capital of the world, New York. Your main abilities are shape-shifting and consuming enemies. With shape-shifting, players can transform appendages into searing blades, fortress-like shields, or whatever to aid in the fight against the military and the infected. With enemy consuming, Alex absorbs downed enemies to access memories, powers, and the ability to “become” them. “Prototype” looks enjoyable with its devastating combos and sheer chaos on New York streets, but it reminds some of Radical’s “The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction”, which can be construed as good or bad. Alex can also run at 100 mph on command, so beg him to pick up a copy on Tuesday for $59.99 on PS3/360 and $49.99 on the PC.