See Lego and Warner Bros debut their toy, game, and film crossover franchise in 'Lego Dimensions;' indulge your furniture arrangement urges in 'Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer;' wonder whether 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5' can possibly live up to its legacy; and pick between two new basketball titles.
1. Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer (3DS)
North America: September 25
Europe: October 2
Japan: since July 30
Making good on the homesteading series' unsurfaced theme of interior design, players now have the chance to keep their village's residents happy with the inside of their homes rather than the outside. It's also the first Nintendo game to make use of Amiibo Cards instead of figurines; relevant cards bear new design challenges based on classic "Animal Crossing" characters.
animal-crossing.com/happy-home-designer/
2. Lego Dimensions (PS4, Xbox One, 360, WiiU, PS3)
From September 27 (NA), September 29 (EU regions)
Three characters from "The Lego Movie" in Batman, Gandalf and Wyldstyle are pulled into a rescue mission when three friends are taken by an evil Lord. This is the Lego and Warner Bros spin on the toy/game hybrid, after "Skylanders" and "Disney Infinity," and it follows a familiar pattern with a portal that lets special Lego figures interact with the game, plus plans for extra level packs, team packs and fun packs that unlock extra areas and characters.
legodimensions.com
3. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 (PS4, Xbox One, 360, PS3)
From September 29 on PS4 and XBO
From November 10 on 360 and PS3
A fifth "Pro Skater" (though 15th in the franchise as a whole) marks a return for the core series after the Tony Hawk spin-offs stumbled in the decade-plus since 2002's "THPS4." A new generation of pro skaters are inducted, alongside Hawk Sr. himself, with a skatepark creation editor and online multiplayer.
tonyhawkvideogame.com
4. NBA 2K16 (PS4, Xbox One, 360, PS3, PC)
From September 29
Champion basketball sim over the last few years -- quite often by default, due to a lack of high-profile opposition -- this year's edition promises greater realism in terms of visuals, game day antics, plus a dozen new classic rosters, improvements to the single-player career path in MyCareer, and a ProAm mode with online. Soundtrack curation comes courtesy of DJ Khaled, DJ Mustard, and DJ Premier. Companion app MyNBA2K16 arrives on iOS and Android.
2k.com/games/nba-2k16
5. NBA Live 16 (PS4, Xbox One)
From September 29 (NA), October 1 (EU regions)
New movement system, extensive player customizations, a companion app with face scanning and tweaking, plus EA's Ultimate Team concept as seen in the FIFA, NHL and Madden NFL franchises. Includes its own ProAm mode, LIVE Pro-Am, as well as Summer Circuit, both of which showcase real world street ball locations.
easports.com/nba-live
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