Tis’ the season for big releases; big, blockbuster movies and many of the hottest video games are all released in the summer. Maybe everybody wants to get their work done in the earlier summer in order to get to the beaches but more likely it is to take advantage of the kids being out of school with money to spend and time to kill.

Nothing kills time for teenagers like console video games and this summer will feature some huge releases that should draw the kids and their money like a politician to a fundraiser. Let’s take a look at a few of the biggest video game releases for July 2006. It seems everything is based on movies in the video game world these days and those below are no exception. The wholesale suppliers should have these in stock now or very soon will and retailers should get on the release date bandwagons.

Tis’ the season for big releases; big, blockbuster movies and many of the hottest video games are all released in the summer. Maybe everybody wants to get their work done in the earlier summer in order to get to the beaches but more likely it is to take advantage of the kids being out of school with money to spend and time to kill.

Nothing kills time for teenagers like console video games and this summer will feature some huge releases that should draw the kids and their money like a politician to a fundraiser. Let’s take a look at a few of the biggest video game releases for July 2006. It seems everything is based on movies in the video game world these days and those below are no exception. The wholesale suppliers should have these in stock now, or very soon will, and retailers should get on the release date bandwagons.

The Godfather- It is a tribute to the enduring popularity of the Godfather movie series that at this late date, some thirty years after the film’s release that Electronic Arts is revealing a video game based on Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece.

Gamers will create their own mobster character to play in the game, putting themselves into the action much of it taken directly from classic moments from the movie as well as experiencing new missions alone and teamed up with memorable characters from the film. The player will work his way up from small-time jobs and petty thefts until they are accepted into the Corleone family. It will be up to the player to carry out orders, earn respect and make New York City their own. Release date: 07/03/2006 on the X-Box 360.

Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II- Just when you thought all of the hooplah surrounding the Lord of the Rings movie was finally over the second in real time strategy games based on them is just about to hit the stores and Amazon.com.

The first one was a fairly big hit and this one should do about as well. Don’t expect a huge rush but strategy games are relatively rare and Battle for Middle Earth I looked great and worked well. Reportedly, serious J.R.R. Tolkien fans will be disappointed since the story line strays far a field from the books. However, the primary market won’t see it that way. Release date: 07/05/2006 for the Playstation 2 and Xbox.

Monster House- Animated movies are in some kind of golden age. Everyone that comes out seems to make more money than the last. Columbia Picture’s upcoming release Monster House should be no exception. As surely as there will be a Happy Meal toy and a breakfast cereal there is a video game.

Players of the Monster House video game will recreate aspects of the movie as they uncover the mysteries of the possessed house in order to save their neighborhood. Pretty standard fare but promises clever voice acting and a pretty look. Release date: 07/18/2006 for the Playstation 2 and the Xbox.

Miami Vice- The 1980s hit television show Miami Vice will simply not go away. The show brought a cool South Florida style to the attention of American and, despite the cheesiness of the show it has never gone entirely away. Here comes a major Hollywood movie version and the video game.

Advance press on the game has not been good. It has been described as a clunky game based on an outdated license that has already been done better by Rock Star’s Vice City. All in all I wouldn’t get too excited about this one. See if it flies and pick up cheaper ones later. Release date: 07/19/2009 for the Playstation 2.

NCAA Football ’07- Although this list is arranged by release date we have saved the big boy for last. Legions of gamers already have this game paid for and others will trade just about anything to get as soon as it is released. EA Sports’ college football games are among the most successful video game franchises ever.

If you sell video games you should probably sell this one. Wholesalers have are likely to have back orders already pilled up but even if you miss the initial rush there will be plenty of the not quite so rabid of fans still looking to buy. Release date: 07/19/2009 for the Xbox and Playstation 2.

Art Micklewraith is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Top Ten Wholesale. He can be reached at Content and Solutions or by email at artmicklewraith@gmail.com.