Back to School 2012: Games and gear

Is bigger better? We're not sure yet, but that's what Nintendo is pushing this back-to-school season with the Nintendo 3DS XL. Larger upper and lower screens are the only real upgrade here, so it's a little upsetting that we won't see a right analog thumbstick included.

Fans of shootin' and lootin' are good hands with Borderlands 2, the follow-up to Gearbox Software's RPG shooter hit. New characters, environments, enemies, and weapons await, all just in time for the start of the school year.

Counter-Strike took up most of my sophomore year of college, so if there's anyone who knows about balancing school work and CS, it's not me. Regardless, one of the most popular online shooters is back and better than ever, offering new maps, cross-platform play, and a whole lot more.

The follow-up to the 2010 sleeper-hit, Darksiders II is sure to weave an epic adventure for gamers of all kinds. Following the story of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, players will now assume the role of Death, the brother of the first game's star, War.

If you're going pick up the 3DS XL, New Super Mario Bros. 2 has got to be the first game you get. Classic side-scrolling Mario is back in a brand-new adventure that will now be getting the 3D treatment.