ehandlr
01 Feb 07, 17:01
Xbox 360
Now more than a year into its lifecycle, the Xbox 360 has already seen a few great, exclusive games. But just what can we expect from 2007 and beyond? Here are the 360's most noteworthy exclusive titles thus far, as well as future reasons to show your Microsoft pride.
Gears of War
Epic's Gears of War is exactly the adrenaline boost that the Xbox 360 needed last November to compete with the hyped launches of the PS3 and Wii. If you don't own it, you're quite the fool.
Halo 3
Yeah, it's had some unfavorable press lately, but Microsoft is guaranteed another record-selling launch and a disgusting number of new consoles moved when Bungie decides the world is ready for the third chapter of war against the Covenant.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Its relatively low learning curve made oblivion a great choice for the Xbox 360 consumer. And it sold like hotcakes. You don't even have to be a RPG head to enjoy Oblivion, and it's one of the few games that has been more than worth the $60 price tag.
Rainbow Six: Vegas
The best online console game yet? Maybe, but the single-player campaign through Sin City ain't too shabby either.
Halo Wars
If it has "Halo" in the name, it's a system seller. Too bad we don't know much about this Halo-themed RTS.
Forza 2
The Forza series has quickly become Microsoft's Gran Turismo. And number 2 is looking awesome.
Fable 2
We contemplated Blue Dragon, but the American appeal of Fable 2 will make it the RPG to have in the dominant Xbox 360 region.
X-factor: Bungie Studios
Sony used to have Grand Theft Auto, and after losing that exclusive license, Bungie became even more influential for Microsoft's console. Anything the Halo developer puts out will sell, and God forbid if Hell froze over and the big MS lost its baby.
Biggest blunder: Purchasing Rare
What looked a smart move for Microsoft fast turned into a serious misstep. It became obvious after Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Conker: Live & Reloaded, and the horrid Perfect Dark Zero that Rare's talent has dissipated since the N64 days. But perhaps the once great development studio still has some life left. It's usually three strikes and you're out, but Rare appealed to the first-base umpire and it looks like it'll get one more shot
________________________________
PlayStation 3
Think losing the GTA exclusive will hold Sony back? Think again. We can't discount the fact that the Grand Theft Auto reign is over (somewhat, at least) for Sony, but when you actually look at all the exclusive franchises the PlayStation 3 has, car jacking and gangbanging seem a little less important.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
We're not even going to doubt that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will be amazing. This game will sell a crapload of PS3s. End of story
SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs
Sony's best online franchise probably won't let SOCOM junkies down when it hits the PS3 sometime in 2007. It is sure to be Sony's first flagship online game for the PS3.
Gran Turismo 5
It will ship at 60fps with support for 1080p. Though if Kazunori Yamauchi actually finishes it is another story. I'd say 2009? Kidding...kinda
Killzone PS3
Killzone has an amazingly huge following and is still one of the PS3's most anticipated games. The demo dropped jaws at E3 2005, though it looked like a whole bunch of fluff.
Resistance: Fall of Man
Easily the best-selling game of the initial launch bunch, as well as the highest-rated launch game. Resistance wasn't the graphical powerhouse Sony had probably hoped it would be, but it did show off some awesome, imaginative weapons from Ratchet & Clank developer Insomniac. This was the first reason to own a PS3.
MotorStorm
Ridiculously good graphics in perhaps the most impressive visual console experience out there. The first game to really showcase the PS3's power should move some consoles this March.
Heavenly Sword
Gamers are still drooling over the E3 demo of Heavenly Sword where our vicious lead female tore up many a foe in an arena battle. Hopefully the rest of the game holds up to the demo's level of awesomeness.
Lair
Controlling a fire-spewing dragon with the Sixaxis as it rains hell upon the lowlies below? Count me in.
Ratchet & Clank
With the disappearance of Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank must solely take over the Sony mascot throne. And if history is any indication, Insomniac is ready to blow the cover off the PS3 with more crazy weapons than you are probably ready for; plus, pair that with the friggin' cool looking environmental demo at GDC last year and we're in for quite a treat.
Naughty Dog project
The talented makers of Jak & Daxter are on to bigger, better, and more jungle-y things, as portrayed by an awesome little demo at last year's E3. We think there is new info ready to drop very soon.
Final Fantasy XIII
I rarely find time to play RPGs and even I want this game.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Yeah, it's a remake of Ninja Gaiden Black but with upgraded graphics and Rachel as a playable character. It will be good, and obviously, obscenely difficult.
X-factor: The Metal Gear Solid series
Until Kojima "actually" discloses otherwise, Snake is sticking to Sony's platform. And that's a huge reason to pick up a PS3.
Biggest blunder: Losing GTA exclusivity
No one really knows, for sure, how it went down, but we've heard that Sony didn't push hard enough to keep arguably the most lucrative gaming franchise on its side.
___________________________
Wii
Nintendo lives and dies on its exclusive games, and the Wii will be no exception. Booming Zelda sales are no surprise, and the first-party domination trend should continue throughout the lifecycle of the Wii.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess is arguably one of the best adventure games of all time, but can the rest of the games to come in 2007 uphold the high standard set by Link's latest journey?
Super Mario Galaxy
Mario in zero-G? It's coming. The next Mario will literally be out of this world, and the red plumber is sure to move a massive amount of systems when he warps onto the Wii later this year.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Nintendo gamers will probably be brawling with each other to get a copy when the third iteration of Super Smash Bros. releases on the Wii.
Mario Kart Wii
A smorgasbord of Nintendo characters again throw dead animal shells and banana peels at each other, but with online multiplayer for the Wii, this is the second coming of Mario Kart.
Wii Sports
OK, so technically it comes free when you buy the dang console, but judging by the positive media and consumer praise in the last couple months, we're sure a boatload of people, young and old, bought the Wii just to bowl a few virtual frames.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Another third to a trilogy, Samus's next adventure was actually slated to be a launch title on the Wii but has now been pushed back past March of this year. Corruption will wrap up the Metoid Prime trilogy, but this surely won't be the last time we see Samus.
Mario Party 8
Expect a numerous amount of quirky mini games that use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. This will be one of the best Wii gamea for single-console multiplayer.
X-factor: New IPs
Nintendo needs some new franchises, and recycling old characters in different ways doesn't count. Take Gears of War, for example. The Xbox 360 needed a new IP and Epic delivered one hell of a knockout punch. That's just what Nintendo needs with the Wii.
Biggest blunder: Lack of HDTV support
While it may not seem like that big of a deal right now, the Wii's lack of high-definition support will become a significant factor three to five years from now when HDTVs become the standard.
All in all..Gamepro gave the best exclusives winner to the PS3
Now more than a year into its lifecycle, the Xbox 360 has already seen a few great, exclusive games. But just what can we expect from 2007 and beyond? Here are the 360's most noteworthy exclusive titles thus far, as well as future reasons to show your Microsoft pride.
Gears of War
Epic's Gears of War is exactly the adrenaline boost that the Xbox 360 needed last November to compete with the hyped launches of the PS3 and Wii. If you don't own it, you're quite the fool.
Halo 3
Yeah, it's had some unfavorable press lately, but Microsoft is guaranteed another record-selling launch and a disgusting number of new consoles moved when Bungie decides the world is ready for the third chapter of war against the Covenant.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Its relatively low learning curve made oblivion a great choice for the Xbox 360 consumer. And it sold like hotcakes. You don't even have to be a RPG head to enjoy Oblivion, and it's one of the few games that has been more than worth the $60 price tag.
Rainbow Six: Vegas
The best online console game yet? Maybe, but the single-player campaign through Sin City ain't too shabby either.
Halo Wars
If it has "Halo" in the name, it's a system seller. Too bad we don't know much about this Halo-themed RTS.
Forza 2
The Forza series has quickly become Microsoft's Gran Turismo. And number 2 is looking awesome.
Fable 2
We contemplated Blue Dragon, but the American appeal of Fable 2 will make it the RPG to have in the dominant Xbox 360 region.
X-factor: Bungie Studios
Sony used to have Grand Theft Auto, and after losing that exclusive license, Bungie became even more influential for Microsoft's console. Anything the Halo developer puts out will sell, and God forbid if Hell froze over and the big MS lost its baby.
Biggest blunder: Purchasing Rare
What looked a smart move for Microsoft fast turned into a serious misstep. It became obvious after Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Conker: Live & Reloaded, and the horrid Perfect Dark Zero that Rare's talent has dissipated since the N64 days. But perhaps the once great development studio still has some life left. It's usually three strikes and you're out, but Rare appealed to the first-base umpire and it looks like it'll get one more shot
________________________________
PlayStation 3
Think losing the GTA exclusive will hold Sony back? Think again. We can't discount the fact that the Grand Theft Auto reign is over (somewhat, at least) for Sony, but when you actually look at all the exclusive franchises the PlayStation 3 has, car jacking and gangbanging seem a little less important.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
We're not even going to doubt that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will be amazing. This game will sell a crapload of PS3s. End of story
SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs
Sony's best online franchise probably won't let SOCOM junkies down when it hits the PS3 sometime in 2007. It is sure to be Sony's first flagship online game for the PS3.
Gran Turismo 5
It will ship at 60fps with support for 1080p. Though if Kazunori Yamauchi actually finishes it is another story. I'd say 2009? Kidding...kinda
Killzone PS3
Killzone has an amazingly huge following and is still one of the PS3's most anticipated games. The demo dropped jaws at E3 2005, though it looked like a whole bunch of fluff.
Resistance: Fall of Man
Easily the best-selling game of the initial launch bunch, as well as the highest-rated launch game. Resistance wasn't the graphical powerhouse Sony had probably hoped it would be, but it did show off some awesome, imaginative weapons from Ratchet & Clank developer Insomniac. This was the first reason to own a PS3.
MotorStorm
Ridiculously good graphics in perhaps the most impressive visual console experience out there. The first game to really showcase the PS3's power should move some consoles this March.
Heavenly Sword
Gamers are still drooling over the E3 demo of Heavenly Sword where our vicious lead female tore up many a foe in an arena battle. Hopefully the rest of the game holds up to the demo's level of awesomeness.
Lair
Controlling a fire-spewing dragon with the Sixaxis as it rains hell upon the lowlies below? Count me in.
Ratchet & Clank
With the disappearance of Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank must solely take over the Sony mascot throne. And if history is any indication, Insomniac is ready to blow the cover off the PS3 with more crazy weapons than you are probably ready for; plus, pair that with the friggin' cool looking environmental demo at GDC last year and we're in for quite a treat.
Naughty Dog project
The talented makers of Jak & Daxter are on to bigger, better, and more jungle-y things, as portrayed by an awesome little demo at last year's E3. We think there is new info ready to drop very soon.
Final Fantasy XIII
I rarely find time to play RPGs and even I want this game.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Yeah, it's a remake of Ninja Gaiden Black but with upgraded graphics and Rachel as a playable character. It will be good, and obviously, obscenely difficult.
X-factor: The Metal Gear Solid series
Until Kojima "actually" discloses otherwise, Snake is sticking to Sony's platform. And that's a huge reason to pick up a PS3.
Biggest blunder: Losing GTA exclusivity
No one really knows, for sure, how it went down, but we've heard that Sony didn't push hard enough to keep arguably the most lucrative gaming franchise on its side.
___________________________
Wii
Nintendo lives and dies on its exclusive games, and the Wii will be no exception. Booming Zelda sales are no surprise, and the first-party domination trend should continue throughout the lifecycle of the Wii.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess is arguably one of the best adventure games of all time, but can the rest of the games to come in 2007 uphold the high standard set by Link's latest journey?
Super Mario Galaxy
Mario in zero-G? It's coming. The next Mario will literally be out of this world, and the red plumber is sure to move a massive amount of systems when he warps onto the Wii later this year.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Nintendo gamers will probably be brawling with each other to get a copy when the third iteration of Super Smash Bros. releases on the Wii.
Mario Kart Wii
A smorgasbord of Nintendo characters again throw dead animal shells and banana peels at each other, but with online multiplayer for the Wii, this is the second coming of Mario Kart.
Wii Sports
OK, so technically it comes free when you buy the dang console, but judging by the positive media and consumer praise in the last couple months, we're sure a boatload of people, young and old, bought the Wii just to bowl a few virtual frames.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Another third to a trilogy, Samus's next adventure was actually slated to be a launch title on the Wii but has now been pushed back past March of this year. Corruption will wrap up the Metoid Prime trilogy, but this surely won't be the last time we see Samus.
Mario Party 8
Expect a numerous amount of quirky mini games that use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. This will be one of the best Wii gamea for single-console multiplayer.
X-factor: New IPs
Nintendo needs some new franchises, and recycling old characters in different ways doesn't count. Take Gears of War, for example. The Xbox 360 needed a new IP and Epic delivered one hell of a knockout punch. That's just what Nintendo needs with the Wii.
Biggest blunder: Lack of HDTV support
While it may not seem like that big of a deal right now, the Wii's lack of high-definition support will become a significant factor three to five years from now when HDTVs become the standard.
All in all..Gamepro gave the best exclusives winner to the PS3