5 Editors' Choice Video Games: 50% off Origin Video Games, Skyrim for $35

After a long day at school or work, why not escape the real world for a while? Pick up one (or all) of these Editors' Choice video games and let yourself indulge in hours of fun by hurdling through space, completing a Hail Mary, or engaging in "mortal combat" with foes both real and imagined. And be sure to check out our video game deals for more titles.

1. Labor Day Video Game Sale
   Vendor: Origin
   Discount: 50% off
   Shipping: From $2.50 s&h
   Expires: September 5

   Is It Worth It? Make the most of Origin's Labor Day Sale and you'll save 50% off a selection of video games for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows. This sale beats our June mention and makes for some of the lowest-priced titles we could find, including Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age 2, FIFA Soccer 12, and the pictured Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, or Windows. It's just $19.99 and a low by $10.

2. NCAA Football 13 for PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360
   Vendor: Origin
   Price: $29.99 with $2.50 s&h
   Lowest By: At least $17

   Is It Worth It?: Not a fan of the aforementioned game titles on sale during Origin's Labor Day Sale? No worries, we also found the pictured NCAA Football 13 for PlayStation 3 or for Xbox 360 for just $29.99. IGN says that the game has a number of refinements — "more than 430 new catches, no more blind swats and the ability to abort play action after the snap" — but that the modes remain mostly the same. Hut!

3. Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition for PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360
   Vendor: Amazon
   Price: $19.99 with free shipping via Prime
   Lowest By: $16

   Is It Worth It?: The blood still gushes, the special moves are a maniacal punching of buttons, and the KO's are still gratifying. This is the rehashed 2011 version of Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition combined with all of the year's downloadable content previously available a la carte. New goodies include four characters, 15 "klassic skins," three old school fatalities, and more. Own the latest of the Mortal Kombat franchise now for Playstation 3 (pictured) or Xbox 360.

4. Mass Effect 3 for PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360
   Vendor: Amazon
   Price: $19.99 with free shipping via Prime
   Lowest By: $3

   Is It Worth It?: Complete the Mass Effect trilogy with a final mission to reclaim Earth by rallying civilizations across the galaxy. This edition of the RPG "smartly infuses twitch action and cinematic bluster into its DNA," says A.V. Club. Experience a new emphasis on melee combat for both Playstation 3 (pictured) and Xbox 360.

5. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for PlayStation 3
   Vendor: newegg
   Price: $34.99 with free shipping
   Lowest By: $23

   Is It Worth It?: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the next installment in the award-winning Elder Scrolls series and the followup to 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. According to the New York Times, Skyrim delivers "the power to shape both your own epic destiny and the fate of the world." Deep. And fun!

Front page photo credit: moiht via Flickr