Continuing my trend of turning my back on my MySpace blog due to their inability to let me post without a “server error”, I’m going to post my holiday predictions for anyone interested in what they need to buy or pre-buy sooner rather than later. Two weeks ago during a yearly video game industry event known as E3, most of the hot video games that will be arriving this holiday season. What does this event have to do with you? Well, as a parent who will be buying games for your kids this holiday season, significant other who knows that a new game will keep him/her out of your hair, or just looking for something to entertain yourself with during those cold winter months, E3 is a pretty good forecast of what will be hot and hard to find this year. Instead of what I did last year, which was to sit back knowing that the Wii would be the hot hard to find item, I’m going to be proactive this year and try to help anyone who reads this.
1. Pre-buy Rock Band for PS3 or XBOX 360 Now: this game is going to be hot, if not hotter, than Guitar Hero II was last year on the PS2 and XBOX 360 (which I will refer to as X360 for the remainder of this post). Expensive? $199 is the price you’ll pay for the bundle that comes with the guitar, drums, and microphone. No other bundles have been announced thus far so this would be the one to get. I’m going to price it all out for you so you can see the savings:
- Wireless Guitar Controller (PS3 $59.99)-(X360$79.99) [X360 controllers have special technology inside that make them more expensive]
- Microphone (Both $29.99)
- Drum Kit (Both $79.99)
- Rock Band Game Disc (Both $59.99)
- Total = PS3: $230 – X360:$250
I think the savings are worth it, besides having everything needed for friends and family to rock out as well. Guitar Hero II controllers from the X360 version will work with this game, though they are missing five buttons that are necessary at the higher skill levels that Guitar Hero veterans and the rhythmically gifted can reach, but will work on bass guitar parts with no issues as of this writing. I must stress that you buy early if possible. As a former drummer and vocalist, I can’t wait to play through these sub campaigns along with guitar campaign, aka Guitar Hero.
2. Wii Fit [Wii]: ($69.99) I am recommending this for Nintendo Wii owners only if it arrives before Hanukkah/Christmas/X-Max. Some websites are listing it as 2008 release, but it may arrive early. This game is adding a new device that allows the Wii to track peoples fitness levels and give them exercises to help them get in better shape. There is also the promise of future games that will utilize the balance board that is bundled with this game. http://e3.nintendo.com/wii_fit.html
3. Super Mario Galaxy [Wii]: ($49.99) It’s a brand new Mario game that takes the series to a new dimention. Whenever this series moves in a new direction, there’s bound to be a long line waiting to buy it. Get a pre-order in on this if you want to keep your child’s eyes from tearing up on that special day.
4. Nintendo Wii: ($249.99) Don’t have a Wii yet? Me either, but I want one. These little devils may be hard to find, but they promise to provide you, your friends, and family hours of enjoyment and muscle aches. With an easy to understand way to control the games you play, this is a sure fire hit for anyone who enjoys casual games and just wants to have fun. Looking for one? Try Target on Sunday mornings and get there early, these things are still hard to find at the time of this writing.
The Best of the Rest (in no particular order) these games are going to be great, but chances are they will be pretty easy to find:
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat (PC, PS3, X360): Modern shooter game with graphics to die for. A sure fire hit for a long time to come online and off.
- Bioshock (PC, X360): A singleplayer adventure shooter with tons of replayability and puzzles to solve. Engrossing storyline and great art-style.
- Mass Effect (X360 exclusive): Singleplayer role-playing game from the makers of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, and Baulder’s Gate. What does that mean? It means this game will be a top notch storytelling experience and a must own.
- Unreal Tournament III (PS3, PC): First person shooter game from the people that have helped to shape the genre. This game will have the usual popular Unreal multiplayer that everyone loves as well as a singleplayer campaign this time around. I guarantee this game will stay on the multiplayer charts for a long time to come. Thousands still play the original, if that gives you any indication. This is a timed exclusive on PS3 and PC, which means that it will be out for the X360 after the holidays. I’m glad the X360 one will be a bit late, I’ll have spent my pre-holiday budget on Rock Band as it stands.
- Skate (PS3, X360): Tony, we love you, man, but thing are getting a bit stale. Skate is a new franchise that has a new control scheme that won’t have to you racking your brain to remember all those button combinations in order to pull off some really great moves. Instead, players will be using the right thumb stick to freely pull off tricks, which are all available from the get go. There are a lot of professional boarders that a supporting the way this game controls, so it is definitely is one to buy if you like skateboarding in any capacity.
- Heavenly Sword (PS3): Looks like it could be the closest thing that Sony has to God of War on it’s next generation platform and an exclusive title for PS3. If you have a PS3, snag this game so you can finally have something to play that looks great and will justify that HDTV you bought.
- Guitar Hero III (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360): The franchise that started it all, here in the US, is back with more features than ever before. If you can’t spend the money for Rock Band, this is the one to get. The game now features new challenge modes and boss fights, one of which will pit you against Slash himself. While I was initially going to pick this one up myself, I’m not so sure about the emphasis that is being put on battling opponents. I am a Medium level player at my best, so I’m already battling the guitar itself, let alone anyone else.
- Assassin’s Creed (PS3, X360): Highly anticipated singleplayer adventure game from the folks that brought you the modern Prince of Persia series.
- Metroid Prime 3 (Wii): The newest game in the series looks great and should be fun to control with the Wiimote and Nun chuck.
- Halo 3 (X360): sure to be a hot game online and off. The trilogy concludes here. Everyone you know will have a copy.
- Crysis (PC): From the makers of FarCry, looking better and better every time I see it. This game is already dropping jaws.
- Enemy Territory Quake Wars (PC, X360): Awesome team-based multiplayer. Here’s another game that will be on the multiplayer charts for a long time. I’m personally waiting for this one to come out.
- [EDIT]Boogie (Wii): A hybrid karaoke, dancing, and video editing rhythm game. Looks like it could be a ton of fun without having to shuffle on one of those dreadful DDR mats (if you aren’t sure what I’m talking about, consider yourself lucky). The video at the following link should give you an idea of what this game will be like. http://www.gamespot.com/video/938735/6175561/boogie-official-movie-2
