Mom's Minute

Zone of the Enders HD Collection release date is October 30, 2012

Zone of the Enders HD Collection is a return of two PS2 games --  Zone of the Enders and its sequel, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner.  The games will be fully remastered in high definition format.  During game play, you will control powerful mechs (robots) to fight against enemies.

The Zone of the Enders HD Collection video game

As an added incentive to buy this re-release, when purchased, you will receive a demo of Metal Gear Rising:  Revengeance video game.

Scene from The Zone of the Enders

The Zone of the Enders HD Collection video games are developed by Konami and will be playable on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.

Lego Lord of the Rings release date is October 30, 2012

Lego Lord of the Rings will be released one day shy of Halloween.  Location-wise,  Traveller's Tales plans to show all of Middle Earth -- including surroundings that were not shown before.  When exploring, you can also play extra puzzles along the way.

Scene from Lord of the Rings

You can expect a long game play.  Nick Ricks, the executive producer of the game states game play for experts will take about 20 - 22 hours, while others may take about 40-50 hours to complete the game.

Environment scene from Lego Lord of the Rings

Lego Lord of the Rings will introduce to you role playing games (RPG) like features such as the capability to quip and unquip items as well as to craft  certain magical items.

Lego Lord of the Rings will be playable on the Xbox 360, PS3, WII, DS, 3DS, PS Vita and PC.

Xbox Kinect Games vs WII Fit

The verdict is in.  At least according to the results of a study done by the University of Chester, UK on which is best for physical fitness -- the Xbox 360 Kinect games or the WII Fit.  The study was done on a small scale involving a sample size of 10 boys and 11 girls between the ages of 11 to 15 years old.  The games played on the Xbox 360 Kinect were Kinect Sports Boxing and Dance Central.

Xbox 360 Kinect Sports Boxing

Playing the Kinect games increased the players' heart rates significantly and the energy expended increased by 263 percent and 150 percent  for Sports Boxing and Dance Central respectively.

Xbox 360 Kinect Dance Central

By comparison, the WII Fit was not as impressive.  This may be due in part to the Kinect games requiring full body movement while the WII Fit uses a hand hand controller.

Active video games, of course, cannot replace exercise for a healthy, well-rounded fitness routine. However, according to Mike Morris, nutritional scientist from the University of Chester, playing active video games can bridge the gap in the calibre of physical activity currently being observed.

Fruit Ninja - Kinect: A Video Game Review Read more. 

Dragon Ball Z for Xbox 360 Kinect Read more.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

2K Games has announced that the XCOM: Enemy Unknown video game demo is now available on Steam for play on the PC.  The game will be available for consoles later. The demo shows two levels of strategy play on the single player tutorial.   The base where the research is done  is revealed as well scenes of  the work performed on aliens.

Character from XCOM: Enemy Unknown

XCOM: Enemy Unknown also has a multiplayer version.   The game can be prepurchased at digital video game outlets and has a MSRP of $49.99.  Upon full release, a special edition game will be available at a MSRP of $59.99.

Scene from XCOM:Enemy Unknown

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is rated M for Mature and is scheduled to be released on October 9, 2012.

Assassin's Creed Trilogy

Ubisoft has announced that Assassin's Creed trilogy is in the works.  This video game will be a PlayStation 3 exclusive, meaning the trilogy will not be playable on other consoles.

The collection will include Assassin's Creed 2, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed Revelations.  Ezio is the main character in these three games. 

Assassin's Creed character Ezio Auditore Da Firenze 

Bonfire of the Vanities and Templar lairs DLC from Assassin's Creed 2 will also be on the disc.

Scene from Assassin's Creed

Assassin's Creed Trilogy, priced at $39.99, will launch for the PlayStation 3 on November 14, 2012.

Assassin's Creed 3 DLC Read more.