Looking Forward in 2009
Thought I’d fill you all in on some of the games I’m looking forward to in 2009. Of course my list isn’t complete since video game companies don’t announce all their games now. But here’s a few that I’m keeping my eye on that I know about already.
DS
I’m sure the DS has lots of games to look forward to, but right now the only ones I can think of are Ys Book 1 and 2 from Atlus, and Retro Game Challenge. I’m REALLY looking forward to Retro Game Challenge, though. I’m glad I didn’t end up importing it! In Japan it’s based on a TV show where this guy plays really old (and hard) games and tries to beat them! The retro games on the DS are made up ones, but they are similar to real retro titles. It looks like a lot of fun, I can’t wait.
Wii
Soon after the New Year, Hudson will release Fishing Master: World Tour. It looked fun at PAX, and I bet it’ll be a heck of a lot better than Rapala’s Fishing Frenzy. Also from Hudson is the sequel to Kororinpa, a really fun marble maze rolling game. And there’s Ultimate Shooting Challenge, which is a collection of 2-D arcade shooters. Namco has We Ski and Snowboard coming out in the US. I’ll make sure to get that one because I loved the original We Ski. It was fun even without the balance board! Another 2-D game is Muramasa, the spiritual sequel to Odin Sphere (which was the spiritual sequel to Princess Crown). I loved Odin Sphere, though, so I’ll make sure to look out for Muramasa.
Speaking of 2-D, I know that Namco hasn’t announced it in the US, but I have a feeling we might see the Klonoa Wii remake in the US eventually. If Namco US took the trouble to send out an e-mail survey out it, I think there’s a pretty good chance we’ll get it. I hope so anyway. That would be my most anticipated game of the year if it came to the US! Another unannounced game is the point and click adventure based on Wallace & Gromit from TellTale games. They made the Strong Bad and Sam & Max games that made it to Wii, so I hope the Wallace & Gromit game does, too, and not just be on PC.
360
One of the games on the 360 that I’m curious about (and surprised it’s coming to the US) is Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers. It looks pretty silly, but what will probably happen is I’ll realize how shallow of a game it is and just wait until the price goes way down on it. Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection looks to be a great compilation of Sega classics. And of course there’s the Ghostbusters game coming out, which is one of my favorite movies of all time.
On the Xbox Live Arcade front, I’m looking forward to Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid. I know they haven’t been announced for the US yet, but I bet they will. Sega did just announce an Xbox Live version of OutRun, so I’ll definitely be getting that one. And then of course is Banjo-Tooie.
PSP
This past year in 2008, there was hardly ANYTHING I played on the PSP. I think there was Patapon and that’s it. But there’s a lot more interesting games for me coming out on the PSP in 2009 already! One is Loco Roco 2, the sequel to what’s probably my most favorite PSP game ever. NIS, makers of all those 2-D strategy games, is making a 2-D platformer starring Prinnies. Prinnies are in some of their strategy games, and they’re penguin looking characters with stilts for legs and they say ‘dood’ a lot and can explode easily. I guess if NIS can’t make me a Prinny fan through strategy RPGs (which I hate), maybe they can make me a Prinny fan through 2-D platformers. And it’ll probably work, too.
There’s a series of music games called DJ Max that are popular in Korea, and one of them is coming to the US as DJ Max Fever. I’m kind of curious about it so I might pick it up. One game I’m glad I didn’t import for the PSP is one based on an arcade 2-D platformer called Hammerin’ Harry. Atlus will be bringing that game to the US as Hammerin’ Hero.
And finally on the PSP is Final Fantasy Dissidia, which is a fighting game with a bunch of different FF characters. It sounds rather fanboy-ish, and it is, but the gameplay looks rather unique. Plus, I hate to admit it, but my classic Final Fantasy fanboy shines through as there are a few characters I can’t wait to play as. Namely my favorite FF villain: Kefka, and my favorite FF character: Terra. They’re both from FF6, which is my favorite Final Fantasy game, of course. You’d think my favorite FF character would be something silly and goofy, like a Moogle or Chocobo. But it’s not, surprisingly. Even though I’m not a big fan of some of the later FF games, I think I’ll give Final Fantasy Dissidia a try anyway.
And that’s all I’ve got for now. In the comments section, tell me what games YOU’RE looking forward to in 2009, or let me know if I’m off my rocker about my choices. –Cary
December 30th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Sadly for the PSP you’ve cited about half of the known release list. I’d add Star Ocean: Second Departure to those. I liked the first despite the annoying voice acting. Also for the PSP is the upcoming Phantasy Star game which is supposed to be decent, and the PSP version of the new Resistance game. That isn’t really your sort of thing, though.
For the DS, there is the DS version of Blue Dragon and also Dragon Quest V, as well as the Fire Emblem DS game finally, and another Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles game. I’m also looking forward to the remake of Jagged Alliance (loving Populous now), the DS version of Valkyrie Profile and also the new Puzzle Quest game Galactrix.
Of course since PC is my main platform I’ll have to save those for my own list 😀
December 30th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I’d just like some time to catch up with some games I haven’t had time to play yet (Mass Effect, Dead Space, Fallout 3 to name a few). Also, the no-way-it’s-safe-for-children Resident Evil 5 is looking pretty good, too. I may even download Space Invaders Extreme for XBLA so I’m not restricted to the DS version.
My wife and I just found out we have another little one on the way so I’m sure my backlog of games will only grow.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:39 am
First up in 2009 is the Big Surf Island expansion for Burnout Paradise (not to mention the Legendary Cars [BttF Delorean!] and Party Pack DLC). A bit later in the year I’ll definitely be playing Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion and I will probably get Ghostbusters. I’m also eagerly looking forward to Dragon Age: Origins, though whether I’ll pick up the PC version early or wait for the PS3 port will depend on when during the year I’m able to build a new gaming rig. I am also interested in the new Wii remote addon and the included Wii Sports Resort. Other than that, I’ll be catching up on games I’ve missed this year, such as Wii Music and Animal Crossing: City Folk.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
This is why I like being cheap. I’ll be picking up this year’s games when they go down in price instead of getting all hyped up for new games and being disappointed at spending 60 bucks on something that fails to deliver 😉
That being said, Muramasa does look gorgeous. And I think Street Fighter 4 is going to be a must buy, but I’m torn on what system to get it for. If I go 360, I simply HAVE to get a joystick, because the 360 d-pad is just broken.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Killzone 2, Resident Evil 5, Prototype, Skate 2 and Fl0wer.
That’s about it at the moment.