Nintendo DS:
+ Pokemon Black and White: Two copies of Black and one copy of White are now in transit from Amazon. My brothers and I can't wait -- I'm going with Oshawott in Black, they're going with Snivy and Tepig in White and Black, respectively. Gen V looks like the best generation yet. Infinite-use TMs, Marts and Pokemon Centers combined, the ability to trade anywhere and access your PC anywhere, massive EXP yields for low-level Pokemon to virtually eliminate grinding, etc. All the gameplay refinements, coupled with fully animated, head-to-toe front AND back sprites for 649 Pokemon make this possibly the greatest game ever for a Pokemon fan.
Wii:
+ The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Graphics look a bit faded right now -- a white tint to everything -- but the style is great. What's really enticing to me are some of the monsters -- the four-armed Stalfos and, best of all, the six-armed golden statue boss, are Zelda designs at their best. And the gameplay -- the gameplay looks GREAT. The ability to dash, the bomb-rolling, the quick potion access, and of course the 1:1 sword control all make me confident this will be the best-playing Zelda yet. I just hope they darken the color palette and have orchestral music; without the latter, the game will feel cheap and tacky compared to efforts like SMG2.
+ Fatal Frame 2r: If this comes to the U.S., I will seriously consider it. I never played FF2 but its reputation as one of the scariest games EVER makes me really want to try it on Wii. Here's hoping they announce it for the U.S. at E3.
+ New Kirby title: I'm still high off the infectious charm of Kirby's Epic Yarn. This new Kirby looks more "traditional" than KEY, but still colorful and brimming with Nintendo magic. Very promising.
PS3:
+ L.A. Noire: Looks like Heavy Rain and RDR had a baby in the 1940s. If they strike the right balance between combat, exploration, stalking, crime scene investigations and interrogations, it could be a must-play! The only danger is that like many titles with an inspired premise, it may lose steam before the end. Here's hoping for an epic conclusion like Heavy Rain and RDR!
+ Catherine: So creative but so hardcore. A romance/horror/block puzzler/adventure game? How often do those get made? I'm also intrigued by the sheep-men and butt-monster.
+ Team ICO Collection: I will finally play Ico and Shadow of the Colossus! My film idol Guillermo del Toro cites these two games as true art. Can't wait to try them (and validate my gamer card in the eyes of many GAFers in the process, LOL).
+ The Last Guardian: Looks beautiful! I love creature features so that kitty dragon is right up my alley! Also looks thoughtfully unconventional in its gameplay.
+ Batman: Arkham City: BAA was the best action-adventure game in years. I usually avoid licensed games like the plague but there's no denying the greatness here, and it looks to repeat itself all over again in BAC.
+ Uncharted 3: Not impressed with what I've seen so far, but if it's even a fraction of the variety and lushness (said with dripping sensuality to convey the sumptuous detail) of UC2, then we're in for a real treat.
+ Dark Souls: Wow, this game looks gorgeous. The skeletons, the wolf, the rib-cage monster, the zombie dragon... And like Demon's Souls, the game will be challenging enough to make all those creatures truly SCARY. Looks like horror-fantasy at its finest -- should be great!
Nintendo 3DS:
+ AR Games: I just love bits of "Nintendo magic" like this. There are 14 games/features here -- you start with one, unlock five more by playing, then use Play Coins to unlock another eight games/features, such as challenging sequels to AR Targets and AR Shot. The sequels look especially detailed, and I already love the recurring boss dragon.
Pilotwings Resort: Planes! Rocket belts! Hang gliders! Jets! Squirrel suits! Pedal gliders! The game looks gorgeous, and is reportedly an absolute joy to play, with wonderful 3D, to boot. It's been 15 years since PW64 -- I can't wait to zip through rings, shoot targets, land platforms, and (apparently) put out fires and escort UFOs. (!!)
+ Steel Diver: If you haven't watched the nearly 6-minute overview trailer on Steel Diver, I highly recommend it. This is the first new franchise from EAD -- best developers at the best company in the world -- in ages, born from Miyamoto's fascination with flight simulation games (where the difficulty curve is high and you must master various throttles and switches to succeed). The 3D gives the game a beautiful aquarium look and the sidescrolling levels seem masterfully designed. I'm really eager to try the gyro-enhanced periscope battles and turn-based Battleship-style multiplayer, as well -- only one card required! Plus, sea monsters for the win!
+ Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition: I already own SFIV and SSFIV on PS3. I wasn't planning to get this, but with at least $25 in Amazon credit, I might pick it up for the portability, the great 3D diorama effect, the new over-the-shoulder mode, the collectible figurines and three costumes per character right out of the box.
+ The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D: Woe is the player who still roughs out OoT, all blurry and washed-out, on a modern-day TV when they can enjoy a graphically overhauled portable version with a rock-solid framerate and gyro/touchscreen embellishments in the palm of their hand.
I mean, you're going from this on the N64/GameCube/Wii:
To this on the 3DS:
+ Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D: Some maps are reportedly downscaled a bit (a building or two walled off in Pueblo, for example), and some enemy behaviors seem peculiar. But for the most part, this is an uncanny port of all the great Mercenaries content in RE4 and RE5, richly detailed even at this stage, and with compelling remixes like RE5's Executioner in RE4's Castle, and a cast of characters new and old to use against them. Online co-op and portability seal the deal.
+ Resident Evil Revelations: Looks and sounds like a return to form for fans of the series' "horror" aspect. I love monsters and I love the Cthulhu-faced baddy we've seen so far; he takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The lighting, the atmosphere, the slow pace and stronger focus on survival and, evidently, puzzle-solving, all make this look like a great handheld game to enjoy under the sheets at night.
+ Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater: I never played MGS3, but I loved MGS4, and am fascinated by what sounds like a great genesis plot in MGS3, as well as a memorable cast of supporting characters like The Boss, Young Ocelot and Cobra Unit. If the demo is any indication, this is the best-looking version of MGS3 yet -- the shaders on Naked Snake make him look as detailed as Old Snake in MGS4! -- and I believe at Nintendo World the Konami rep even said they were experimenting with the system's other features, possibly even AR. (!!) Can't wait to see how this is shaping up.
+ Kid Icarus Uprising: I love Sakurai. I love fan pandering. I love the world of Kid Icarus as it's been re-imagined here. The mutli-headed hydra arguing with itself (see Sakurai's Nintendo World presentation), the great boss battles like Twinbellows, the blend of on-rails and on-foot... I only hope they make the controls managable for lefties. I'm right-handed so it won't be an issue, but Nintendo has such a good track record with controls that I hate it when they overlook something obvious (see DKCR's waggle).
+ Star Fox 64 3D: A brief updated glimpse of this game at Nintendo World showed it looks astoundingly beautiful now. The game always seemed a bit sparse for a console title but for a pick-up-and-play portable it's perfect, not to mention it's easier to imagine them adding content to this than it is OoT. That being said, even if all we get is the superb graphical update -- solid framerate, new art assets, stereo 3D in widescreen, etc -- that's more than enough to justify the purchase.
+ Mario Kart 3D: To this day, Mario Kart DS is my most-played DS game... and perhaps my most-played non-Pokemon handheld game ever. It's a funny state of affairs when a portable Mario Kart looks better visually than the current console Mario Kart, but there you go. If it looks that good and strikes the same great balance the last portable Mario Kart had, the 3DS version will be tops. I expect this to be the system seller this holiday season.
OTHER NOTES:
In the unlikely event Super Mario 3D (3DS) comes out this year (I say unlikely because it's hard to imagine Nintendo releasing both that AND Mario Kart around the same time), then it's a 2011 must-have, being from the demigods at Nintendo Tokyo, which brought us SMG and SMG2.
Ditto for Paper Mario (3DS), which looks perfect. I skipped Super Paper Mario but loved loved LOVED Thousand-Year Door, so I'm stoked to dive back in.
I wasn't too keen on City Folk, but if the new Animal Crossing for 3DS is a return to form, I think it's high time I revisit the franchise.
If Pikmin 3 is revealed for Wii at E3, then that's another Wii title I want. I loved Pikmin 2, and I'm eager to see what they do with the franchise next.
If a new DKC, Metroid, F-Zero and/or Wave Race surfaces, I'm firmly onboard with those titles.
And if Sony finally unveils Starhawk -- and if Starhawk is indeed a PS3 sequel to Warhawk, the best multiplayer game ever made -- then I will be so HYPE I will probably explode from HYPE overload.
+ Pokemon Black and White: Two copies of Black and one copy of White are now in transit from Amazon. My brothers and I can't wait -- I'm going with Oshawott in Black, they're going with Snivy and Tepig in White and Black, respectively. Gen V looks like the best generation yet. Infinite-use TMs, Marts and Pokemon Centers combined, the ability to trade anywhere and access your PC anywhere, massive EXP yields for low-level Pokemon to virtually eliminate grinding, etc. All the gameplay refinements, coupled with fully animated, head-to-toe front AND back sprites for 649 Pokemon make this possibly the greatest game ever for a Pokemon fan.
Wii:
+ The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Graphics look a bit faded right now -- a white tint to everything -- but the style is great. What's really enticing to me are some of the monsters -- the four-armed Stalfos and, best of all, the six-armed golden statue boss, are Zelda designs at their best. And the gameplay -- the gameplay looks GREAT. The ability to dash, the bomb-rolling, the quick potion access, and of course the 1:1 sword control all make me confident this will be the best-playing Zelda yet. I just hope they darken the color palette and have orchestral music; without the latter, the game will feel cheap and tacky compared to efforts like SMG2.
+ Fatal Frame 2r: If this comes to the U.S., I will seriously consider it. I never played FF2 but its reputation as one of the scariest games EVER makes me really want to try it on Wii. Here's hoping they announce it for the U.S. at E3.
+ New Kirby title: I'm still high off the infectious charm of Kirby's Epic Yarn. This new Kirby looks more "traditional" than KEY, but still colorful and brimming with Nintendo magic. Very promising.
PS3:
+ L.A. Noire: Looks like Heavy Rain and RDR had a baby in the 1940s. If they strike the right balance between combat, exploration, stalking, crime scene investigations and interrogations, it could be a must-play! The only danger is that like many titles with an inspired premise, it may lose steam before the end. Here's hoping for an epic conclusion like Heavy Rain and RDR!
+ Catherine: So creative but so hardcore. A romance/horror/block puzzler/adventure game? How often do those get made? I'm also intrigued by the sheep-men and butt-monster.
+ Team ICO Collection: I will finally play Ico and Shadow of the Colossus! My film idol Guillermo del Toro cites these two games as true art. Can't wait to try them (and validate my gamer card in the eyes of many GAFers in the process, LOL).
+ The Last Guardian: Looks beautiful! I love creature features so that kitty dragon is right up my alley! Also looks thoughtfully unconventional in its gameplay.
+ Batman: Arkham City: BAA was the best action-adventure game in years. I usually avoid licensed games like the plague but there's no denying the greatness here, and it looks to repeat itself all over again in BAC.
+ Uncharted 3: Not impressed with what I've seen so far, but if it's even a fraction of the variety and lushness (said with dripping sensuality to convey the sumptuous detail) of UC2, then we're in for a real treat.
+ Dark Souls: Wow, this game looks gorgeous. The skeletons, the wolf, the rib-cage monster, the zombie dragon... And like Demon's Souls, the game will be challenging enough to make all those creatures truly SCARY. Looks like horror-fantasy at its finest -- should be great!
Nintendo 3DS:
+ AR Games: I just love bits of "Nintendo magic" like this. There are 14 games/features here -- you start with one, unlock five more by playing, then use Play Coins to unlock another eight games/features, such as challenging sequels to AR Targets and AR Shot. The sequels look especially detailed, and I already love the recurring boss dragon.
Pilotwings Resort: Planes! Rocket belts! Hang gliders! Jets! Squirrel suits! Pedal gliders! The game looks gorgeous, and is reportedly an absolute joy to play, with wonderful 3D, to boot. It's been 15 years since PW64 -- I can't wait to zip through rings, shoot targets, land platforms, and (apparently) put out fires and escort UFOs. (!!)
+ Steel Diver: If you haven't watched the nearly 6-minute overview trailer on Steel Diver, I highly recommend it. This is the first new franchise from EAD -- best developers at the best company in the world -- in ages, born from Miyamoto's fascination with flight simulation games (where the difficulty curve is high and you must master various throttles and switches to succeed). The 3D gives the game a beautiful aquarium look and the sidescrolling levels seem masterfully designed. I'm really eager to try the gyro-enhanced periscope battles and turn-based Battleship-style multiplayer, as well -- only one card required! Plus, sea monsters for the win!
+ Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition: I already own SFIV and SSFIV on PS3. I wasn't planning to get this, but with at least $25 in Amazon credit, I might pick it up for the portability, the great 3D diorama effect, the new over-the-shoulder mode, the collectible figurines and three costumes per character right out of the box.
+ The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D: Woe is the player who still roughs out OoT, all blurry and washed-out, on a modern-day TV when they can enjoy a graphically overhauled portable version with a rock-solid framerate and gyro/touchscreen embellishments in the palm of their hand.
I mean, you're going from this on the N64/GameCube/Wii:
To this on the 3DS:
+ Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D: Some maps are reportedly downscaled a bit (a building or two walled off in Pueblo, for example), and some enemy behaviors seem peculiar. But for the most part, this is an uncanny port of all the great Mercenaries content in RE4 and RE5, richly detailed even at this stage, and with compelling remixes like RE5's Executioner in RE4's Castle, and a cast of characters new and old to use against them. Online co-op and portability seal the deal.
+ Resident Evil Revelations: Looks and sounds like a return to form for fans of the series' "horror" aspect. I love monsters and I love the Cthulhu-faced baddy we've seen so far; he takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The lighting, the atmosphere, the slow pace and stronger focus on survival and, evidently, puzzle-solving, all make this look like a great handheld game to enjoy under the sheets at night.
+ Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater: I never played MGS3, but I loved MGS4, and am fascinated by what sounds like a great genesis plot in MGS3, as well as a memorable cast of supporting characters like The Boss, Young Ocelot and Cobra Unit. If the demo is any indication, this is the best-looking version of MGS3 yet -- the shaders on Naked Snake make him look as detailed as Old Snake in MGS4! -- and I believe at Nintendo World the Konami rep even said they were experimenting with the system's other features, possibly even AR. (!!) Can't wait to see how this is shaping up.
+ Kid Icarus Uprising: I love Sakurai. I love fan pandering. I love the world of Kid Icarus as it's been re-imagined here. The mutli-headed hydra arguing with itself (see Sakurai's Nintendo World presentation), the great boss battles like Twinbellows, the blend of on-rails and on-foot... I only hope they make the controls managable for lefties. I'm right-handed so it won't be an issue, but Nintendo has such a good track record with controls that I hate it when they overlook something obvious (see DKCR's waggle).
+ Star Fox 64 3D: A brief updated glimpse of this game at Nintendo World showed it looks astoundingly beautiful now. The game always seemed a bit sparse for a console title but for a pick-up-and-play portable it's perfect, not to mention it's easier to imagine them adding content to this than it is OoT. That being said, even if all we get is the superb graphical update -- solid framerate, new art assets, stereo 3D in widescreen, etc -- that's more than enough to justify the purchase.
+ Mario Kart 3D: To this day, Mario Kart DS is my most-played DS game... and perhaps my most-played non-Pokemon handheld game ever. It's a funny state of affairs when a portable Mario Kart looks better visually than the current console Mario Kart, but there you go. If it looks that good and strikes the same great balance the last portable Mario Kart had, the 3DS version will be tops. I expect this to be the system seller this holiday season.
OTHER NOTES:
In the unlikely event Super Mario 3D (3DS) comes out this year (I say unlikely because it's hard to imagine Nintendo releasing both that AND Mario Kart around the same time), then it's a 2011 must-have, being from the demigods at Nintendo Tokyo, which brought us SMG and SMG2.
Ditto for Paper Mario (3DS), which looks perfect. I skipped Super Paper Mario but loved loved LOVED Thousand-Year Door, so I'm stoked to dive back in.
I wasn't too keen on City Folk, but if the new Animal Crossing for 3DS is a return to form, I think it's high time I revisit the franchise.
If Pikmin 3 is revealed for Wii at E3, then that's another Wii title I want. I loved Pikmin 2, and I'm eager to see what they do with the franchise next.
If a new DKC, Metroid, F-Zero and/or Wave Race surfaces, I'm firmly onboard with those titles.
And if Sony finally unveils Starhawk -- and if Starhawk is indeed a PS3 sequel to Warhawk, the best multiplayer game ever made -- then I will be so HYPE I will probably explode from HYPE overload.
