Duke Nukem Forever

Shippin' Out June 12-18: Duke Nukem Forever

Duke Nukem can be called a lot of things, but vaporware is no longer one of them. Gearbox Software's much anticipated first-person action game Duke Nukem Forever finally arrives tomorrow for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, following an international market release last week.

Initially announced in 1997, Duke Nukem Forever was synonymous with vaporware for over a decade. While at original studio 3D Realms, it went through at least two engine changes, with its protracted development reportedly costing $20 million to $30 million.

Gamers can finally get their hands on Duke Nukem Forever tomorrow.

Duke Nukem Forever will be available in both a standard edition, as well as a Balls of Steel Collector's Edition for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. This top-tier bundle includes a bust of the titular hero, a set of playing cards, dice, and two casino chips. A comic and hardcover art book are also included in the collection, along with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Out today for the Wii is Wii Play: Motion. From Nintendo, the new bundle sports a black Wii Remote Plus and an all-new compilation of 12 minigames. Among the minigames are an umbrella-based gliding game and a whack-a-mole-type garden-pest control title involving a virtual mallet.

Gamers looking to play an explicitly twisted riff of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland can pick up Alice: Madness Returns this week. The game sees a grown-up version of the titular heroine grappling with insanity. Her journeys take her back to Wonderland, where players will find combat, platforming, and puzzle challenges.

Alice is back, wielding a knife.

Fans of famous Japanese designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Rez can pick up the man's latest project this week, Child of Eden. The game takes its cues in large part from Mizuguchi's previous rhythm shooter, and it features the same style of music-enhanced shooter gameplay with psychedelic visuals.

It also bears a storyline: Gamers will attempt to rescue the embattled Project Lumi, which is an effort to "reproduce a human personality inside Eden, the archive of all human memories." A virus has invaded the program, however, and players must defeat it, before all hope is lost.

Lastly, gamers looking to jump into the latest Transformers title can pick up Transformers: Dark of the Moon this week. The title is due tomorrow for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Additionally, versions of the game are also releasing for the DS, 3DS, and Wii.

Though it bears the same name as its cinematic inspiration, Transformers: Dark of the Moon is actually a prequel to the big-budget blockbuster, which arrives in theaters July 1. The game will introduce Shockwave to the Transformers movie games, as well as a new mechanic. In addition to their robot and vehicle modes, the Transformers in Dark of the Moon will have a hybrid "stealth force" mode combining firepower with mobility.

For further details on the week's games, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

MONDAY, JUNE 13
Wii Play: Motion--Wii--Nintendo

TUESDAY, JUNE 14
Alice: Madness Returns--X360, PS3, PC--Electronic Arts
Balloon Pop 2--3DS--UFO Interactive
Child of Eden--X360--Ubisoft
Duke Nukem Forever--X360, PC, PS3--2K Games
Transformers: Dark of the Moon--360, PS3--Activision
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Autobots--DS--Activision
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Decepticons--DS--Activision
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Stealth Force Edition--Wii, 3DS--Activision
Wipeout: In the Zone--X360--Microsoft