The 411 Games Top 5 5.28.09: Week 13 - 411's E3 '09 Wishlist Edition

Posted by Todd Vote on 05.28.2009

Our look at E3 continues this week with a look at what the staff is anticipating for this year's big show. A price drop for Sony? Some new games for us all to drool over? Where does Target Terror fit into all this? Come on in and find out.



Welcome back to the 411 Games Top 5. This week we continue our build to E3. When considering ideas that were E3 related, one of the writers suggested that we cover the top 5 things we would like to see at this years show. Now these things can be something we know to be confirmed to be at the show and we are looking forward to it immensely. Alternately, these things can also just be something we hope might make an appearance at the show. Basically this is a list of the things that we hope make an appearance in some way shape or form at this years show.

Before we get under way, I would like to thank reader "The Dude" for creating the new banner for the column this week. I had commented last week about Salmela's new banner for B3yond the Report, which is still a badass banner, by the way. Dude seen the comment, worked something up, and Blam-o! The Top 5 has a new banner. Thanks again "The Dude", and if you want to keep them coming, I'll keep on using them. Next week we will premier a banner from Mark's B3yond the Superfan, Eric. The two banners will alternate weekly. Lastly, once again this week, in favor of E3 being the focus, there will be no points given out. You can't put points on speculation, it's just not right.

Now without any further ado, if Salmela is able to keep Shaq in check this week, we will start off with that Wacky B3yond the Report team. Mark, Shaq, what are you guys looking forward to at this years E3?

Your local B3yond the Report team: Mark Salmela and Shaq



HONORABLE MENTIONS:

An NBA Championship - God dammit Shaq this is about E3. This isn't about you and your miserable season. Somewhere over the rainbow Salmela, somewhere….

5. A new game starring a celebrity - Why thank you Salmela, I'm flattered. Hey Shaq Fu wasn't as bad of a game as most people give it credit for. I'm not going to lie though, you were the worst character in your own game. Bite your tongue Salmela, I went through 6 hours of Karate training for this role, and I'm not afraid to bust them out. Don't lie Shaq, you had no idea this game existed until 5 minutes ago when I kicked your ass at it. My controller was broken. Yes, yes it was… mwuahahaha.

4. Team Ico's next game - Ok, so we've been calling for this game every E3 for 3 years now, but dammit, it has to come eventually. While my comrade and I are pretty sure it's going to be held off until Tokyo Game Show, eventually Team Ico's next game will come, and eventually it will kick ass. Looking back, Shaq was actually a threat in the NBA three years ago. That's it Salmela. You, me, the jungle gym, 3:30 PM, be there.


yet another reason that Toddo needs a PS3. If this is anything like Indigo Prophecy, I'm in

3. Heavy Rain - We here at B3yond are big fans of fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy, and the PlayStation 3 exclusive Heavy Rain will definitely kick some ass. Those graphics are top notch! Heavy Rain has so many awesome features about it, we can't even begin to describe them in 3 sentences. You know what else you can't describe in three sentences? My NBA career.

2. Target Terror 2! - God dammit Salmela, the joke is just old now. As long as your joke of an NBA career continues my joke of Target Terror shall continue. Besides, it's not a joke, I seriously loved the game. And now that I have an exclusive interview with Konami at E3, I'll finally get to pester them in person about the status of Target Terror 2. May god have mercy on our souls if they confirm it. Actually I hope they do, you could use a months in jail.

1. A new game from Kojima - Well this is all but expected now that the teaser site is live and flashes a "5" in the Metal Gear font over and over again. We mean come on, it has to be at E3, doesn't it? That still doesn't make the teaser site any more boring.

Okay, thanks guys.... I think. Do any of the readers have any idea what just happened there? No? Moving on... Sam Pow! ( I really think your last name needs an exclamation point.) Sam, what do you got?

Sam Pow

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Mother 3 Announcement - Ok, so the truth is, I couldn't care less about this game, but I want them to announce it so everyone will stop whining.

5.Nintendo Making Some Surge For Gamers - I would love to see Nintendo make some contribution for us real gamers. Personally, I want to see the death of friend codes, but HD or some other upgrade would be great. Make it happen big N.

4. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Crystal Bearers Release Date - I loved the first game in this series, but it has been release date TBA for years now, while Square Enix made like seven other crystal chronicle games. I personally don't like RPGs, JRPGs, or Square Enix in any way, but the original was actually a great action RPG.



3.Info on Cellfactor: Psychokinetic Wars - I don't exactly know why, but when I saw the trailer for this game I thought it was the coolest thing ever. At E3, I hope they reveal some sort of info on the game.

2.Elder Scrolls V: - Bethesda's action RPG The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was one of the best games ever made, period. I also personally LOVED the game, and can't wait for the first details on The Elder Scrolls V, whether they come at E3 or later.

1.Splash Damage Project Reveal - Since May 08 we've known that Splash Damage (now partnered with Bethesda) is working on a project which has been described as a FPS with quality equivalent to Fallout 3. I have loved the games that Splash Damage has put out in the past, and they are really dedicated to their games. The game is set to be announced at this year's E3.

Thanks Sam, I must look into this Cellfactor game... Alright, next up is the editor of our Boxing zone here at 411 in addition to his duties for the Games Zone, ladies and gentlemen, the master of the sweet science, Ramon Aranda, what do you have for us?

Ramon Aranda

HONORABLE MENTIONS


Do you want this Macho man? Or the old crazy rapper?

Legends of WrestleMania DLC - I want the Madness! Nuff said.

5.A New Zelda for the Wii - I rank this one low because I know we've got a new DS game coming so I don't expect much but it would still rock to see something.

4.Starcraft II Release Date - I just want to know when it's coming out already! I'll be sure to call in sick that day. While we're at it, how about letting us play it for a bit?

3.Beyond Good and Evil 2 Gameplay - Yes it's coming out and we got a teaser video but I think we need to see this bad boy up and running. I loved the original and I'm looking forward to the sequel.

2.Super Mario RPG 2 - C'mon Nintendo; this one is grossly overdue. Sure we have the Paper Mario series which is great, hell I'm playing the Wii version right now but we need to see a sequel to the classic SNES title dammit!

1.Wii-HD - Nothing would please me more than to see an HD version of the Nintendo Wii at least teased.

Thanks Ramon, who wouldn't like a little madness with their Legends of Wrestlemania game. I know I would. Alright, up next is Adam Larck. Adam.... Hey Adam... ADAM! It's your turn man, wake up.

Adam Larck

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Diablo 3 release date/ new class - Preferably this year, but I'll take what I can get. I just want to know when to finally expect it. Also, a new class announcement would be great as well.

5.Earthbound 2/Super Mario RPG 2 - I blame Ramon for having me stuck thinking about
Super Mario RPG 2, but I would like to see both of these games. I know Mother 3 is out in Japan already, but how about an announcement at E3 for the stateside release. After the (very) disappointing performance at E3 by Nintendo last year, I think they owe their dedicated fans this much, at least.

4.Fallout: New Vegas - After hearing about this new title, I definitely want more information. I want to see what Vegas looks like after the bomb, and what will be the same/different in this new game. This one has my interest right now and I really want to see what a different company can do to follow in the footsteps of Fallout 3.



3.Crackdown 2 - I had so much fun with this game. Many people saw this as a way to play the Halo 3 beta. I saw a great game and a fun one at that. I spent a huge amount of time with the multiplayer co-op and even finding every orb in the game (800 total). I know the spin-off company is hard at work on a different game right now, but seeing an announcement about this game would be huge for me.

2.Banjo-Threeie - I mean an actual sequel to the platforming games, not a spinoff like Nuts and Bolts were (even though I liked that game as well). I've been playing the first two games on XBL Arcade lately and really want to see a third game be released. Not even a full game on disc, either. I'd be content with Rare doing what Capcom did with Mega Man 9, just do a Live release for the Arcade.

1.Bioshock 2 Co-op - We already have info about multiplayer in Bioshock 2, but what I want to see is a co-op mode. This game could have so many different experiences with co-op and let players experience the game in a new way. I don't see this happening, but it would be a great surprise for fans while they talk about this game during E3.

Wasn't the company behind Crackdown supposed to be working on an MMO based on the Crackdown universe? That could be all sorts of fun. Thanks Adam, you may now go back to sleep, we will wake you up for next week. Up next, weighing in with what he hopes to see at this years big show is Armando Rodriguez.

Armando Rodriguez



5. PS3 Price Drop: If Sony wants to be competitive, they better announce a drop of at least $100 from the PS3 price. I am almost sure this will happen since it has been rumored for quite a while.

4. Sega announces a new Shining Force: Pretty please! Just return it to standard turn-based RPG formula and put the Valkyria Chronicles team behind it and I am sure this will be a big hit.

3. Midway announces Mortal Kombat Sale: I am sure Midway will go down, I do not want it to happen, but I am sure it will. Therefore Midway will announce that they sold the Mortal Kombat franchise to another developer. I also want this to happen so that we can finally get a new MK game in development.

2. 3D Realms and Take-Two Split was a lie: I don't know why, but it would be awesome if Take-Two and 3D Realms announce that all the split and lawsuit and all that stuff was just a hoax and then they proceed to show a final version of Duke Nukem Forever running on PC's and modern consoles. Tell me that would not steal the show!

1. The PSP2: I just want a new PSP! I still believe that technlogy-wise the PSP was leaps and bounds ahead of the Nintendo DS. A new PSP would be the only new console announced at the show (I doubt the PS4 and NEXTBox will be shown and Nintendo is not ready to leave the Wii cash cow) and would capture headlines everywhere.

Alright, thanks Armando, and I want you to know that your #3 made a little piece of me die inside. I can never get that back now, so thanks for that. Ogre!!! Your on deck

Jordan 'Ogre' Williams

HONORABLE MENTION

Duke Nukem Forever - Sure, it's dead. But I would LOVE to see them swerve the fuck out of everyone and say this was all a big hoax and it's coming out this year for PC and Consoles. I would love it to death.

5.Nintendo's Press Conference Repeat Performance - This was the funniest shit I had ever seen at an E3 last year. Sure, the conference itself didn't wow us with the games or the hardware shown off, but it was one of the mos unintentionally funny things of E3. With Cammy and Reggie hamming it up on stage to the awesomely bad WiiMusic live demo, the Nintendo Press Conference was one of the best parts about last years E3. Now I really hope they do have some sort of gameplan as to what they are going to DO in the future to keep the non-casuals around and all, but if it's another laugh fest like last year I won't be disappointed either.

4.Mass Effect 2 Showcased - I don't know if anyone is going to nessecarily build anything in regards to hype to this game yet, but it is one of the games that I really want to see more of. I still play the original Mass Effect (on PC) from time to time and there really is a strong universe that could be built on there. I am interested in seeing where the next chapter goes.

3.The Little Guys Showcased - E3 might look like it's all about the big names and the big games, but it is also the place where the little guys show up for the first time and you start getting that 'sleeper hit' twitch in your belly when you see them. The games that aren't being pushed very hard or aren't a part of a consoles hype machine end up getting overlooked most of the time, but when they actually come out and are fun to play they tend to bite you in the ass. Braid anyone?



2.Return of the Glam in Full Effect - I remember watching E3 and reading up on the news a few years back and I loved every second of it. It wasn't just a convention for the games and the developers, but it looked like the funnest goddamn place on the planet for that week. It embraced the loud, crazy, and cutting edgeness (so not a word) of being a gamer but still managed to show just how much the industry has grown up. When it went to the 'business' model it wasn't that impressive and a lot of the life was taken out of E3. Now that it's trying to go back to the old crazy style maybe we will see the overall happy and fun feeling at E3 rather than the more low key GDC style it has taken up.

1.The Shocker Revealed - While I am sure there will be someone trying to do this to a (returning) Booth Babe, The Shocker I am talking about is the ZOMG BIG SURPRISE announcement that E3 tends to be known for. Of course there are the kids that are too cool for school and will always downplay them and say they saw them coming from a mile away, but they are still legit mark out moments for a lot of people. People went APESHIT over the Smash Bros Brawl announcement, gamers shat their pants and got horny over FFXIII coming to 360 last year. What big surprise shocker announcement is going to come from this year...and what company will make it?

Alright, thank you Jordan, next is my turn.

Todd Vote

Honorable Mentions:

2-D Mortal Kombat: I know, at this point it is a long shot, actually I know it has no chance of happening. But how cool would it be to see a new 2-D retro MK title?

5. Cellfactor: Psychokinetic Wars: Okay, I did go look this up, and apparently this is a XBLA title. It looks pretty good for an XBLA title. The psychokinetic powers should definitely add to the somewhat tired FPS genre. I wouldn't mind seeing more about this game at this years E3.

4. PS3 Price Drop: Another long shot, I know. I am begging you Sony, give us a break on the price. I may be in the minority here, but I really think that a price drop would help the PS3 sell. Granted it could be argued that the PS3 doesn't have any good games, but that is just preposterous, as there is plenty there already, and plenty more on the way. I would like to see the PS3 receive a drop in price before Winter this year. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, Salms seems to think it's not going to happen at E3, but I remain hopeful none-the-less.

3. Some Wii titles for the rest of us: I know it's tired... But, how about some games for the Wii that don't involve 137 mini-games? How about a solid point A to point B adventure that still makes use of the Wii's motion control? I know that there are some gems on the Wii, but they are getting fewer and further between them lately.

2. Who will have the big show stealing announcement: It happens every year, one of the big three comes up with something that just floors everybody at the show. last year it was Microsoft with the announcement of FFXIII and Tekken 6 coming to the Xbox 360, a few years ago it was Sony crapping on Sega with the price of the PS1.


Sorry about the image quality, it was all I could find

1. Killer Instinct 3: Seriously, what do I have to do to get the ball rolling on this? Enough teasing it in different Rare created games. Just make the damn thing already.

BONUS VIDEO: The bonus video makes a return this week. I saw this trailer on Xbox Live the other day, and wanted to post it here to get the readers thoughts. What do you all think? Extremely cheesy, or does this have potential?



Well that wraps it up for this week. For those of you missing the points, yes both of you, they will return next week when we take a break from E3. Next week the Top 5 will look at our favorite racing games. Be sure to check back here next Thursday for that. Finally, in two weeks time, our staff members who are attending this years E3, will be sitting down to discuss their top 5 favorite moments from the big show. Thats in two weeks, so keep your computer set to 411mania.com. What better way to do that than to bookmark the page, or better yet, make it your homepage. Till next week, take care everybody.