Gaming

Role-playing games are not expected to play as crisply as pure action games do, and action games need not run as deep in the storytelling and character-building departments as role-playing games do.

The New Zealand video game development industry grew 46% last year, boosted by the huge growth of smartphone and online gaming, according to a survey of developers.

It may be the largest entertainment production in history. More than 800 people on four continents have spent six years and nearly $US200 million creating it.

The Mario Kart series, now more than nineteen years old, is in its seventh iteration.

Silent Hill has a past nearly as sordid as the titular town.

Downloadable Game of the Week Pushmo For: Nintendo 3DS (via Nintendo eShop) From: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo Price: $US7 Billy O'Keefe 

Though it took its sweet time, a stream of exciting original games is trickling on to Nintendo's new handheld. Elsewhere, and following an even longer wait, Nintendo's downloadable portable games channel is finally finding a groove.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012 For: Xbox 360 (Kinect required) From: Ubisoft Billy O'Keefe  

That hissing sound you hear? That's your resolution to get in shape slowly seeping out of the room as the excitement of 2012's first week gives way to life as usual.

My love of the "SSX" series extends back to the original entry. I had no interest in snowboarding, but as the first person in my group of friends to own a PlayStation 2, I picked up SSX.

Video game reviewer Hayden Meikle names his favourite sports games. Today: Shane Warne Cricket '99.

Video game reviewer Hayden Meikle names his favourite sports games. Today: Major League Baseball 2K11.