The Call of Duty franchise returns this week with its seventh title, Call of Duty: Black Ops. The hype train finally pulls up to the PlayStation 3 promising to deliver a blockbuster experience when you take on the role of an elite special units officer engaging in classified operations and saving the world from destruction — all in a days work. Sure, the Call of Duty franchise is popular for its excellent and silky smooth multiplayer, but call me old fashioned, I’m looking forward to its epic story and single player campaign.

The Sly Collection, SingStar Dance and The Fight: Lights Out deliver a triple PlayStation combo this week and promises to make good use of your PlayStation Move controllers when you dance to the beat, or beat someone down until they dance. Join me in this week’s The Drop as we kick down the Pentagon doors and hunt down some zombies — I call dibs on Fidel Castro.

PlayStation 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops – Hear the call of duty once again with this seventh entry in this blockbuster first-person shooter franchise. Call of Duty: Black Ops takes you deep behind enemy lines into the world of deniable operations as a member of an elite special forces unit engaging in covert warfare, classified operations, and explosive conflicts across the globe. With access to a variety of exclusive weaponry and equipment, your actions will tip the balance during the most dangerous time period mankind has ever known.

(PS Blog Coverage: Little-Known Facts: Call of Duty: Black Ops Multiplayer)

The Sly Collection – The critically-acclaimed Sly Cooper series makes its triumphant return with The Sly Collection. This triple-pack features three PlayStation 2 action-packed classic hits (Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racconus, Sly 2: Band of Thieves and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves) fully remastered in high definition and delivered on a single Blu-Ray Disc. The Sly Collection contains extra features and content, such as Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves in 3-D and all-new PlayStation Move mini-games that showcase the latest technology for a fun and immersive experience on the PS3 system.

(PS Blog Coverage: The Sly Collection Sneaks onto PS3 November 9th)

SingStar Dance — The newest installment in the multi-million selling franchise, SingStar Dance adds dancing to the traditional vocal gameplay for a completely fresh SingStar experience. Now can you sing along to the hottest new hits and learn how to shake and groove alongside your favorite pop stars!

(PS Blog Coverage: SingStar Dance Coming November 9th, Party Pack Details)

Monster Jam: Path of Destruction (Also on PSP) – Monster Jam 2011 is all about authenticity, personality, and fun, with 30 officially licensed Monster Jam trucks, including fan-favorites Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction, and Grinder. Players can also create and customize their own trucks with thousands of options, unlocking new parts and upgrades as they progress through the game.

Apache Air Assault — Apache: Air Assault is a modern combat flight simulation game where players control a variety of lethal Apache attack helicopters outfitted with cutting-edge military weaponry. The goal is to prevent terrorist attacks by raining down destruction from above in the world’s most volatile warzones.

PlayStation Move

The Fight: Lights Out — The Fight: Lights Out allows players to infiltrate the gritty and brutal world of underground fighting as a rugged bare-knuckle boxer. Players must brawl their way through the ranks of the world’s most dangerous fighters using PlayStation Move motion controllers and the PlayStation Eye camera to track their movements with one-to-one precision, allowing for seamless execution of every jab, uppercut and headlock.

(PS Blog Coverage: How to Fight Dirty in The Fight: Lights Out for PlayStation Move)

PlayStation Portable

Knights in the Nightmare – Not easily placed in any one genre, the game requires players to throw out everything they know about roleplaying and strategy games and embrace something altogether new and fresh. Frantic, energetic action mixes with thought-provoking tactical gameplay, all within a beautifully-rendered fantasy setting and presented through a captivating, emotional narrative.

(PS Blog Coverage: Knights in the Nightmare: Mastering Bullet Hell in a Strategy RPG)

PlayStation Network

Crescent Pale Mist — Crescent Pale Mist combines tense exploration platforming with rapid fighting and bullet-hell shoot-’em-up mechanics into one thrilling experience. You are the sorceress Yunou, the only magician capable of wielding powerful and deadly magic known as Pale Mist in Gasyukal, a beautiful and explosive dimension between worlds, rife with monstrosities.

(PS Blog Coverage: Next Week on PSN: Crescent Pale Mist)

PlayStation 2

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure — It’s Dora’s birthday and you know what that means … a fun-filled party with all her friends. The only problem is Dora and Boots are stuck in storybook land and must go on an exciting, magical journey if they hope to make it to the party on time. Along the way they’ll ride on a magic unicorn, bounce in a bubble over Sea Snake Lake and move to the beat in the Dancing Forest!

PlayStation minis

321… SuperCrash! — You thought you’d seen it all? Well, get ready to discover in 3, 2, 1… SuperCrash! A fun, original and extraordinarily addictive game. Run, jump and pass through walls while wrapping your arms around you to avoid messing your hair. Dodge all the obstacles that cross your path to reach the goal.

Fort Commander II: Counter Attack – This is a tower defense/strategy game in which players attempt to conquer opponents’ strongholds via brief battle sequences. From a bird’s-eye perspective, players deploy small characters on a grid to fight enemy units. Sword-clanging sounds and brief cries of pain can be heard during battles.

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Happy Halloween! Not only do I bring you this week’s new releases on your favorite PlayStation console, but I bring you a collection of last minute Halloween costume ideas. Zeus! Ares! Athena! Oh my. Your favorite mythological Greek God-killer, Kratos, returns on the PSP this week with God of War: Ghost of Sparta. Stayed tuned this week when we debut my latest video feature when I visit the set of “God of War: Game Director’s Live,” where the game directors of God of War reunite and dissect the making of their epic saga. David Jaffe’s and Cory Barlog’s PlayStation 2 classics God of War and God of War II are remastered in high definition and bring the Blades of Chaos to the PlayStation Network this week.

Not big on dressing up with you family’s ashes for Halloween? Maybe dressing up as the adorable EyePet is a good alternative to the blood spilling and vengeance of Kratos. Grab your PSP, PSP Camera and your EyePet and take your virtual critter out to the park this week, when EyePet: Your Virtual Pet comes scratching at your door. The PlayStation horizon is filled with games this week branching from the PlayStation 3, PSone and even the PlayStation 2. Ditch the candy corn and get ready for delicious PlayStation Halloween treats in this week’s The Drop.

PlayStation 3

James Bond 007: Blood Stone – An international conspiracy has placed the UK’s most secretive bio-chemical project into deadly hands, and only Her Majesty’s most lethal agent, James Bond, can unravel the mystery. To navigate through layers of corruption, you, as Bond, will embark on a global chase that will have you battling on land, sea and air through Athens, Istanbul, Monaco, and Bangkok. Nothing is what it seems as each adventure reveals a deeper and more sinister conspiracy.

First of the North Star: Ken’s Rage – Sworn to protect the weak and innocent from malicious gangs roaming the post-apocalyptic planet, players use Ken’s trademark moves to decimate enemies on his quest to find his long-lost love. Tearing through the scorched landscape, manga and action fans will pummel their way through dozens of enemies at once and crush obstacles in their path, using them against their foes.

Megamind: Ultimate Showdown (Also on PSP) – Just as Megamind has become our new Mega Hero, a sudden crime wave hits the city. The Doom Syndicate & their Doom Goons have emerged and are looking to take over! Only Megamind and his arsenal of gadgets can stop them! Now, in three unique game play experiences, players can be the ultimate Mega Hero!

Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Defenders of the Core (Also on PSP) – In Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Defenders of the Core, players will create a new hero and lead the brawlers on an epic adventure to save Earth’s cities from Spectra and his Vexos minions.

Blood Drive – In Blood Drive, contestants must use their motorized death steeds of steel in a televised game show where drivers battle each other and hordes of revolting flesh eaters in an all-out fight to the death. Face undead frat boys, cops and strippers, each with their own special brand of death and devastation – and ways to die! While these rotting monsters wander the streets of a desert sin city craving sweet, succulent brains, your enemies have come equipped battle hardened armed vehicles, including heavily weaponized muscle cars, hot rods, and more.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 — The second game in this high-flying, fast-hitting, and intense versus battles series, Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 promises over 90 characters from the massively popular anime franchise. Dragon Ball Z fans can rest assured that the destructible environment, and character trademark attacks and transformations will be true to the series.

Get Fit With Mel-B — In Get Fit With Mel, the former Spice Girl will bring you real-time advice and feedback on several disciplines like dance fit, cardio, step, pump and tone and kickboxing. The game also delivers a personal nutritional program (six meals plans and 140 recipes) totally aligned to your fitness workout.

PlayStation Portable

God of War: Ghost of Sparta – Set in the realm of Greek mythology, God of War: Ghost of Sparta is a single-player game that allows players to take on the powerful role of Spartan warrior Kratos. This new adventure picks up after the first God of War concludes, telling the story of Kratos’ ascension to power as the God of War. In his quest to rid himself of the nightmares that haunt him, Kratos must embark on a journey that will reveal the origins of lost worlds, and finally answer long-awaited questions about his dark past.

(PS Blog Coverage: God of War: Ghost of Sparta “Origins” Trailer + Bonus)

EyePet: Your Virtual Pet – EyePet on the PlayStation Portable uses the functionality of the camera peripheral to bring the cute little critter into your own world. Point the camera somewhere, slap down the included card and watch it interact with you in all kinds of surroundings. Take your EyePet to the park, train him in various activities on the bus or feed him at the restaurant with your own brand of virtual food.

Ys: The Oath in Felghana — Ys: The Oath in Felghana once again follows the adventures of friends Adol and Dogi who find themselves making an unannounced visit to Dogi’s hometown of Redmont in the land of Felghana. Since his departure eight years earlier, Dogi finds himself returning home to find that things have changed dramatically, and not for the better.

Archer Maclean’s Mercury & Mercury Meltdown: 2 Games in 1 – This double-pack of games combines both hit puzzlers created by industry veteran Archer MacLean. Included are the original Mercury and Mercury Meltdown.

No Heroes Allowed! – No Heroes Allowed! is the third in the acclaimed Badman franchise, a series of dungeon strategy games where you play the God of Destruction, summoned by the Evil Overlord Badman to dig a dungeon full of monsters to destroy the invading heroes, and help Badman conquer the known world!

(PS Blog Coverage: No Heroes Allowed! Announced for PlayStation Portable)

PlayStation 2

Toy Story 3: The Video Game – Embracing the adored and inspired fun of the Toy Story franchise, Toy Story 3: The Video Game features a story mode that follows the Toy Story 3 film adventures in which Buzz, Woody and friends grapple with their uncertain future as Andy prepares to depart for college.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 – Central to the heart and soul of PES 2011 is the idea of freedom of play. This freedom invigorates the series with the most advanced set of gameplay improvements ever attempted by the Winning Eleven Production team, coupled with the greatest stride in new content.

PlayStation Network

God of War: Collection — These PlayStation 2 games are remastered and pack 60 frames-per-second action, 720p graphics, and PlayStation Network Trophy support. In God of War, players take on the role of Kratos, a Spartan warrior. Plagued by the nightmares of his past, the ash covered warrior would do anything to be free of his debt to the Gods and the memories that haunt him. In God of War II, Kratos sits atop his Olympus throne, as the new God of War – far more ruthless than Ares ever was. To end his continued torment, Kratos must journey to the far reaches of the earth and defeat untold horrors and alter that which no mortal, or god has ever changed his fate.

(PS Blog Coverage: God of War: Collection on the PlayStation Store 11/2)

Hoard – Hoard is a fast-paced action game that promises addictive, thrilling action themed around dragons and their quest for treasure. The game gives players the chance to amass giant piles of gold by raiding medieval commerce, roasting knights with fire-breath, kidnapping princesses, scaring towns, and defeating powerful wizards.

(PS Blog Coverage: Stash Your Gold – HOARD Loots PSN November 2nd)

PSone Classic

Virtual Pool 3 – Experience all physical action including friction, speed, collision, and roll to give your game of pool unmatched realism.

PlayStation minis

Breakquest – BreakQuest is a new concept break-out-style game, featuring vibrant graphics, sparkling visual effects, and funky sound. Enjoy 100 unique levels! All of them with their own colorful designs, crystal clear sound and elements behavior. Arkanoid fans must check this out. The game is specially adopted for the PSP (and PS3) wide-screen and AnalogStick for the best console experience.

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]