So it's a new year, and the folks over at ClubSkill.com have compiled a list of what they believe to be the 2008 releases that we should all be looking forward to. The list includes three titles for all 5 current-gen platforms. Below is my take on the list. Please comment. You can read the original article for yourself
right here.Nintendo WiiSuper Smash Bros. Brawl
No More Heroes
NiGHTS: Journey of DreamsFor me, Brawl is a no-brainer. If it follows in the footsteps of it's predecessor then it's already set-up to be one of the best games released on any platform this generation.
No More Heroes also looks ready to entertain, and I hope it gets some attention from the broad and casual Wii market. NiGHTS gameplay has always been a bit too trippy and nebulous for me personally, but this game marks a triumphant return of a loved classic. I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of reception this title gets.
Readers' Choice titles:- Mario Kart Wii
- Sadness
Playstation 3Metal Gear Solid 4
Final Fantasy XIII
Playstation HomeA recent Playstation Magazine article previewed Metal Gear Solid 4 and said it will most likely be
the PS3 title for 08, stating that even casual gamers and non-fans of the series would likely end up purchasing it. If I am any indication, this could be true, as I have never purchased any MGS game before, but (with the inclusion of Metal Gear Online) I will probably be in a line for this one. However...
Final Fantasy XIII eclipses just about everything for me. I own a PS3 because of this one series, and it is still the only series of games I have ever bothered placing a preorder for. I won't bother heaping praises on it here, as you all know my stance on this series.
mrgreen I also find the inclusion of Playstation Home in this list a bit surprising, since it is not technically a "game." But when you think about everything Home brings to the table, I feel like this is an appropriate inclusion. Home could very well help bring the PS3 to that "casual market" that the Wii has captured and that the 360 is ignoring.
Readers' Choice titles:- LittleBigPlanet
- White Knight Chronicles
- Civilization Revolution
- Street Fighter 4*
- Resident Evil 5*
- Enemy Territory: Quake Wars*
- Turok*
- Hail to the Chimp*
- Fallout 3*
- Haze
- Heavy Rain
- EndWar*
- Devil May Cry 4*
Xbox 360Grand Theft Auto IV*
Army of Two*
Burnout Paradise*All three of these titles are super-heavy-hitters. Army of Two is bringing back the buddy game, FINALLY. Buddy games were always my favorite when I was kid. I have very fond memories of Contra and Bad Dudes, neither of which were really any good but were still awesome because I could co-op with friends. I'm hoping Army of Two can recapture that (but, of course, still be a good game, not crappy).
Burnout Paradise also looks to be flipping amazing. If the online multiplayer demo I played is any indication, this game looks to be super-addictive and madly entertaining.
However, one GLARING curiosity of this list is the fact that
none of these titles are exclusive! How is this possible? Has the 360 already released it's best, and now all that's left are sloppy seconds? Doubtful. I'd like Zombicide or SuperJawes to give us a revised list, please.
mrgreen Readers' Choice titles:- Halo Wars
- Street Fighter 4*
- Resident Evil 5*
- Enemy Territory: Quake Wars*
- Turok*
- Hail to the Chimp*
- Fallout 3*
- Cry On
- EndWar*
- Devil May Cry 4*
Nintendo DSMario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
Dragon Quest IX
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and TribulationsWhile I can't admit to being all that excited about Mario's latest mini-game compilation, the fact that DS owners get the next numbered, official Dragon Quest game is huge, and really shows Square Enix's confidence in the DS and the handheld market in general. Dragon Quest is arguably THE biggest RPG series in Japan, so it only makes sense that they put it on the hottest gaming platform in the country.
Also, how can you go wrong with a new Phoenix Wright game? Even DS naysayers like myself can't help but be intrigued by the unique, quirky, and ultimatelty fun Phoenix Wright series.
Readers' Choice titles:- Viva Pinata
- Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Playstation PortableGod of War: Chains of Olympus
Patapon
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VIINow that the PSP has recently seemed to shake-off it's "no good games" sterotype, it seems to really be running on all cylinders, offering more and more and more to it's consumers. God of War is arguably one of Sony's most popular (and critically acclaimed) series, and PSP owners are lucky to have their own installment. I also like that Patapon made it onto this list. I'd like to see the PSP carve out a niche for itself in the Quirky genre with more titles like this one.
And of course.... Crisis Core. The second-biggest reason I bought a PSP. This game can't come out soon enough, as far as I'm concerned. But again, I'll leave my fanboyism at the door.
mrgreen Readers' Choice titles:- Echochrome
- Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
- Dissidia: Final Fantasy
*multi-console release