Frankfurt/Main, Germany -­ Gaming console aficionados definitely will not be bored this autumn as they try to take care of Piñatas, becoming apprentices to Darth Vader or help a dog and rabbit duo save the world.

Microsoft's Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise' promises to be lots f fun. The game focuses on the Pinatas, a group of gaudy fantasy animals who reached cult status two years ago with the release of their first game.

This time, creators have conjured up at least 100 more pinatas. Players are tasked with creating an earthly paradise for them and the game starts by setting up a garden as a base of operations. From then on, it's all about raising, caring for and training the pinatas. Different plants in multiple climate zones also have to be tended to.

The game comes with multi-player functions, allowing two players to work together with their animals on one console or multiple players from around the world to link up together via an Xbox to care for their charges.

Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise, compatible with Microsoft's Xbox 360, went on sale in early September for about 60 euros (88 dollars).

Fans of Sam and Max will be pleased to know that Austrian gaming publisher Jowood has a collection of adventures on tap. Sam & Max: Season One will be available on September 30, exclusively for Nintentdo's Wii. Players will have six chances to help the oddly matched dog and rabbit save the world in a game full of whimsical storylines and humorous dialogue.

In one challenge, the two travel to Washington where the president has set up a pudding embargo. In another adventure, talk show moderator Myra holds her guests hostage. Yet another adventure has Sam and Max taking on the toy mafia in its' Ted E. Bear Mafia-Free Playland. The game will cost about 30 euros.

Another Star Wars game will be available for more serious gaming in September. The force be with you for "would-be apprentices" to the evil Darth Vader in Star Wars ­ The Force Unleashed.

The game is set across the third and fourth Star Wars movies. Your mission is to help Darth Vader eliminate the remaining Jedi knights.

Every effort has been made to give the title some clout. Computer-controlled characters are gifted with a type of artificial intelligence that publisher LucasArts claims has never been witnessed before this game. That means players will have to use all their skills while using their powers to fight their enemies.

Star Wars ­ The Force Unleashed will be released on September 18. The versions for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 will cost around 70 euros. A version for the Wii should cost around 60 euros. The Playstation 2 version should cost around 50 euros.

Moving from outer space to the ocean depths, Sea Monsters ­ A Prehistoric Adventure from dtp puts players into the slippery skin of six different monsters. Players must employ their monster's skills or risk being devoured by another monster.

The game is based on a National Geographic documentary about prehistoric ocean monsters. Sea Monsters ­ A Prehistoric Adventure was released in early September. A Playstation 2 version of the game will retail for about 30 euros. A Wii version for 40 euros is already available.

Electronic Arts is already looking ahead to the winter with NHL 09, its professional ice hockey simulation. The latest release in the successful series allows players to virtually replay the German championships with all the original teams and squads. The developers have also created new controls to bring the game as close to reality as possible.

Intuitive handling, which emulates the two button controllers of the ancient NHL 94 version, should quickly make it a hit. There's also an interesting option for online players, allowing them to get together with five friends to build a team and start playing.

NHL 09 will go on sale for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 on September 11 for around 70 euros). A Playstation 2 version for about 50 euros is not due to be released until late October. (dpa)