Beginning this week, GameTaffy will start bringing new releases to you to let you know what games drop each week. This week looks weak (see what I did there?), but if you’ve got money burning a whole in your pocket, you’ll find something on this list worth checking out.

Persona 4 Arena

Atlus/ARC System Works & Atlus

PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360

Fighting
Teen

Since E3 2012, we’ve been able to deliver loads of screens and trailers for Persona 4 Arena. Today, the fighting spin-off of Persona 4 launches for home consoles. With several game modes and many fan-favorite characters, Persona 4 Arena attempts to bring an arcade experience to homes. Somehow, the characters are transported to a TV fighting show, and as they battle with their Personas, they will uncover the truth behind this twist of fate.

Players can enjoy single player, local multiplayer or lobby-based online multiplayer. When online, players compete for a king-of-the-hill spot, where the winner stays, but the loser goes to the end of the waiting list. Waiting players can watch the battles and plan for their turns.

When players finish the story mode and want to hone specific skills, a challenge mode allows players to attempt to fulfill specific requirements, acting as a tutorial while entertaining players.

Fighting fans looking for a change of pace from Street Fighter x Tekken will appreciate the combo-heavy, balanced mechanics of Persona 4 Arena. However, Persona 4 fans wanting to mix and match Personas and characters will have to settle for a fighter spin-off game without allowing for too much customization.

Sound Shapes

Sony Computer Entertainment/Queasy Games

PlayStation 3 & Vita

Platformer/Music & Rhythm
Everyone

What happens when you mix platforming with rhythm-based gameplay? You get the beautifully designed Vita game, Sound Shapes. In Sound Shapes, players move to the beat, getting through an obstacle course of hazards by responding to the different sounds made.

After getting used to the gameplay, players can compose their own levels, creating music and hazards for friends to experience.

Up until now, the PlayStation Vita has had trouble getting off shelves, and many site a lack of strong games for the platforms weak showing. After today, Vita owners will have a great conversation piece to show off to friends, and the train ride to work will become a lot more interesting, thanks to Sound Shapes. And to top it all off, Sound Shapes offers cross-platform play.

Deponia

Daedalic Entertainment

PC & Mac

Adventure

Point-and-click adventures are back with Deponia. Available as a boxed game or as a digital download, Deponia tells the story of the egotistical and ill-tempered Rufus. Living in the outskirts of a small town, Rufus dreams of living in the floating cities, and when one of the higher citizens falls into a nearby trash heap, Rufus sees his opportunity to rise by bringing her home.

As part comedy and part romance, Deponia focuses on its plot to draw players.  Fortunately, it features beautiful hand-drawn scenes and cartoonish graphics. While you wait for The Cave, get warmed up on adventure games with this smaller release.

Hero Academy

Robot Entertainment

PC

Board

Digital board games haven’t seen many changes since Battle Chess. The biggest problem with creating a video board game is that most people try to stay true to the real-world counterpart. Fortunately, Robot Entertainment’s entry in the virtual board game category stands apart, mostly because it doesn’t have any real-world roots.

Hero Academy is a strategy-based board game with simple rules and great tactics. Players can jump in and hold their own with little to no experience, and advanced players can create Chess-like tactics. Whether lasting 20 minutes or the whole day, Hero Academy offers strong variety and fun tactics for all players.