Jonathan Takiff: New software to rev up game systems

VIDEO GAME systems are generating remarkable sales this holiday season. Microsoft's Xbox 360 is leading the pack (a million units sold just over the Black Friday weekend), while Sony and Nintendo also report higher than expected figures. Clearly driving the boom? A terrific bunch of new software titles for hard-core gamers and casuals alike.

BLOWS UP REAL GOOD: Fresh first-person shooters are proving especially hot, selling staggering numbers (8 million to 10 million) in little more than a month.

For extra-efficient destruction of buildings and inhabitants, the cinematically stylized "Battlefield 3" (EA, multi-platforms) is hard to beat. In opening rounds, you stand up for democracy along the Iran/Iraq border, before moving on to terrorist danger zones in Paris and the sewers and subways of New York.

Biggest seller of the FPS bunch is "Call of Duty MW3" (Activision, multi-platform). So it's the most desirable title for multiplayer online combat and also most likely to be in your favorite gamer's arsenal already. (Snoop around before buying!)

"Gears of War 3" (Epic Games, exclusive to Xbox 360) is also a kick, offering equally brutal action in a surreal, postapocalyptic way.

SHOW YOUR SAVVY: Looking for the absolute best reviewed action-adventure game of the season? That would be "Batman: Arkham City" (Warner Bros. Interactive for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3), wherein you, Dark Knight, take on Gotham City criminals lurking in the city's prison zone, including The Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill), Cat Woman, The Riddler, Mr. Freeze, The Penguin and more. Cooler still, the gang flies through the screen in 3-D on a PS3 with connected 3-D TV and glasses. Only complaint about this title? You gotta fight solo, chump.

THE GUITAR GAME REBORN: The thrill of mastering plastic-buttoned guitars in "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" wore thin, so both franchises were retired. Now comes "Rocksmith" (Ubisoft), a music game that teaches you to play a real guitar from scratch or improves your skill level. And for not much more than one of those fake games ($199 for PS3 or Xbox 360), it includes a shockingly nice, full-size Epiphone solid-body Les Paul Jr. electric guitar that this reviewer wouldn't be ashamed to take onstage and plug into a big amp.

For gaming purposes, the guitar comes bundled with a special 11-foot connector cable that plugs directly into a PS3 or Xbox 360, plus software both instructional and fun.