The outlook for fall video games is, in a word, expensive.

That’s mostly because two machines are coming that will change gaming: Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii. So it’s not just a matter of buying the latest and greatest games this year – you’ve got to shell out for the hardware as well.

Nintendo recently announced that Wii will launch in North American in the middle of November, for about $250. The PS3 is scheduled to make its debut Nov. 17 in – ouch! – $500 and $600 versions.

Many people will be eager to fork over whatever’s necessary for machines that initially may be in short supply. Others will decide there’s still plenty of entertainment value in their previous-gen consoles.

The following lists offer game highlights for an assortment of devices and tastes. Unfortunately, exact details about age ratings and store dates aren’t available yet for every title.

But we’ve divided the lists in terms of consumers’ comfort: One focuses on games that shouldn’t offend or be overly challenging; the other pinpoints material that’s more intricate, more violent or more adult.

For young and old

• “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” (Namco Bandai). PlayStation 2, PCs and PlayStation Portable. The “Peanuts” comic strip gets translated into light combat and flying fun. Late October.

• “Thrillville” (LucasArts). PS2, Xbox and PSP. Perhaps the best game yet in the build-and-run-an-amusement-park genre. Late November.

• “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07” (Electronic Arts). Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2, Xbox, PCs and PSP. The quality of this virtual golf series is consistently extraordinary. Early or mid-October for everything except the later PS3 version.

• “Justice League Heroes” (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment). PS2, Xbox, PSP, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. Comic-book action that could really do justice to DC’s iconic characters. October.

• “Marvel: Ultimate Alliance” (Activision). Xbox 360, Xbox, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, PCs and GBA. A splashier game from the other big comics universe, with online elements and a huge character lineup.

• “Wii Sports” (Nintendo). Swing the upcoming Wii console’s one-hand remote as a tennis racket, golf club and baseball bat.

• “Guitar Hero II” (RedOctane). PS2. Play like a star with a game controller that’s in the form of a guitar. November.

• “Desperate Housewives” (Buena Vista Games). PCs. Could attract more women to video games. Early October.

• “Sonic the Hedgehog” (Sega). PS3 and Xbox 360. A classic character goes next-gen. Mid-November.

• “Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol” (Konami). PS2. The game includes digital versions of Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. December.

SONY

“Resistance: Fall of Man” is for PlayStation 3, which is scheduled to arrive Nov. 17.

FOR HARD-CORE FANS

• “Okami” (Capcom). PlayStation 2. Innovative action coupled with graphics that evoke Japanese watercolors on paper scrolls. Teen (13 and older). Next week.

• “Destroy All Humans! 2” (THQ). PS2 and Xbox. Sci-fi with adult humor. Early October.

• “Gears of War” (Microsoft). Xbox 360. There’s “Halo”-like anticipation for this game. Early November.

• “Resistance: Fall of Man” (Sony). More sci-fi fighting to help introduce the PlayStation 3, which is scheduled to launch Nov. 17.

• “Call of Duty 3” (Activision). Xbox 360, Xbox, PS3, PS2 and Wii. Generally acclaimed as the best World War II series. November.

• “Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” (Nintendo). Wii and GameCube. A beloved series steps up to the next generation (Wii) but remains available on current-gen.

• “F.E.A.R.: First Encounter Assault Recon” (Vivendi Universal). Xbox 360 and PS3. The intense PC action hit comes to next-gen consoles. November.

• “Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin” (Konami). Nintendo DS. A venerable series continues to evolve on the touch-screen handheld. November.

• “World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade” (Blizzard Entertainment). PCs. “Only” an expansion pack, but a slam-dunk for the list given WOW’s status as the juggernaut of online role-playing. Late November.

• “Ridge Racer 7” (Namco Bandai). PS3. A reliably great racing series that’s closely associated with console launches.