The creators of the “Grand Theft Auto” franchise are no strangers to controversy but their latest about to be released video game is making things even hotter under the collars of several politicians around the globe.

Rockstar Games will release “Manhunt 2” on the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 2 and PSP next month but already two countries have barred sales of the video game within their borders. The United Kingdom and Ireland have blocked sales of the game citing its extreme graphic violence and …

To call the “Grand Theft Auto” game a popular franchise may be a bit of an understatement. The series’ last major chapter, “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas”, sold 12 million copies for the PlayStation 2 alone and the franchise as a whole has sold over 50 million units, making it one of the most successful video game series of all time. The series’ next chapter, currently known by the placement title “Grand Theft Auto IV”, is set for release on October 16, 2007 across North America and three days later …

Hitting store shelves today is “Crackdown”, the first of 2007’s highly anticipated new games for the Microsoft Xbox 360. Developed by Scottish game company Real Time Worlds and from the mind of the same programmer that created the original “Grand Theft Auto”, “Crackdown” lets you explore the futuristic crime-filled streets of Pacific City and attempt to bring law and order to its frightened citizens.

You can roam all across the massive city and carry out mayhem using a wide array of weapons and vehicles but “Crackdown” has some new tricks that …