New games tantalize ahead of holidays

By Scott Hillis

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The summer dry spell for video games came to an end last week with the arrival of "BioShock", the creepy underwater shooter that has won rave reviews and flown off store shelves.

The main bulk of important games this year won't come out until November, but the next month or two will see the release of quite a few other hot games.

These aren't necessarily "system sellers" -- games that are so good that consumers will buy a particular video game console just to play them -- but give potential customers a few more reasons to eventually take the plunge.

"I don't think it's system sellers as much as it is about libraries," said Billy Pidgeon, a video game analyst for market research firm IDC.

"You need the breadth and the depth."

Here are some of the top exclusive titles coming out for Microsoft's (MSFT.O) Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 (6758.T) and Nintendo's Wii (7974.OS) over the next few weeks:

"METROID PRIME 3: CORRUPTION" - NINTENDO WII - AUG 27

What it is: The final installment of Nintendo's beloved first-person shooter, "Corruption" puts you in control of the bounty hunter Samus as she tries to save the galaxy.

Why you'll want it: "Metroid" fans are raving about the top-notch art design and say the game sets the standard for using the Wii's motion controls in shooter games.

Reality check: Breaks little new ground, no multiplayer, some may face a steep learning curve with the new controls.

"WARHAWK" - SONY PLAYSTATION 3 - AUG 28

What it is: This combat game throws you into intense ground and air battles on massive, richly detailed landscapes and feature up to 32 players at once. Fly aircraft, drive armored vehicles, or get your boots muddy as a foot soldier.

Why you'll want it: Long-suffering PS3 fans finally get an exclusive title worth bragging about. Download the game over the PlayStation Network and save $20 in the process.

Reality check: Online-only play may limit appeal.

"LAIR" - SONY PLAYSTATION 3 - SEPT 4