The 10th Hour 01.09.09: The Top 10 Things I Want to See in 2009

Posted by Derek Robbins on 01.09.2009

2008 is officially in the books and it's time to set our eyes to the future. 411's Derek Robbins lists some of the things he'd like to see in the year 2009.

Hello and welcome to the 10th hour! As always, before we get this show on the road, I have a couple of tangents that I would like to go off on.

-About 8 of my 21 total years of life have been spent with a subscription to EGM. It was the one video game magazine that I felt truly covered the industry in an un-biased fashion. Over the past couple of years, the quality of EGM had taken a steep fall, but it still held quite the special place in my heart. Seeing it go is like seeing a part of my child-hood collapse on itself. Luckily everyone will have access to the final issue (it's free and it's online! SF IV cover feature!). Yeah, sure, the writing has been on the wall for a while. The print industry is a poor one to hitch your star to these days. I guess the thing that makes me the most sad is that Game Informer is the most popular North American gaming magazine now. Just ugh. Rest in Peace EGM. You will always be my favorite gaming magazine.

-The Cubs signed Milton Bradley this past week. He's a pretty good player with a history of injury and going fucking crazy. Reading up about it, I found that a lot of the time his "going crazy" was brought out by someone just being a douche. So, really, all I have to hope for is that he doesn't get injured again. Err, uh, yay? Also, damn, the Brewers may have lost 2/5 of their rotation reducing it to a fucking joke, but now they have a good closer? FUCK, LOCK UP THAT NL CENTRAL LEAD.

-I have been playing the original Viewtiful Joe again. I don't know why I got the urge or where from it came, but god damn this game is good. It plays interestingly, has a fun story, and harkens back to old arcadey fun. I wish more people had played the first two so we could get a Viewtiful Joe 3. That said, I'll take what I can get. I'm just glad he appears in Tatusnoko v. Capcom. If only that would get released on a region-free system so I could import it. (I have a fear of messing with my Wii's region settings. Yegh. If I do it wrong, it's brick city)

Reader Feedback

Well, I rated my top-25 games of the year last week. I think it was a fairly fair list all said, but let's see what you guys had to say about it?

Travis has good taste:

Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced 2:
I freaking love this game, it was actually my second DS game once I finally got a DS, still haven't beaten it, but I am loving it when I do play it.

The World Ends With You:
This I will admit was an impulse buy, and one I am damn well happy to have made. The Soundtrack is rather damn good, even if it is filled with music you generally would never catch me dead listening to in public... Not to mention Square-Enix seemingly took a tongue in cheek method of working with Neku when it came to his personality.

The controls were something that amazed me, I hate most touch screen controls, and this made me warm up to them more.

I probably should have mentioned this in my little blurb about the game, but I am right with you. I abhor most touch screen controls. For the most part they seem gimmicky and un-warranted. For whatever reason, they just feel RIGHT in TWEWY. I couldn't see the game playing normally, which is a lot more than I can say for other games with ‘gimmicky' controls. I guess that's one of the more charming things about it, eh?

Also, you really need to beat TA 2. It doesn't have the best story, but at least the game is fun as all can be. You just need to beat it so you can do all the missions.

Ser Drake busts out the acronyms:

sorry but L4D and GW2 own MGS4 in my opinion...
I would have put IMHO, but there was enough acronyms in my comment already...

and yea I played them all...I still have honestly been able to justify buying the PS3, especially now that blu-ray players are sub $200

That's fair. L4D is one of the most fun multiplayer experiences out there, and if you liked the original, I'm sure Gears 2 was quite compelling. MGS 4 on the other hand was a bit of a shift from the third Metal Gear Solid title so it took a bit more getting used to. As for getting a PS3, I mean…the games are there. A lot of people may wonder where but when you have one they sort of flock to you. Don't believe me? When I bought mine in August, I had several swarm onto me with no warning.

I vote for Toddo to go back to using that name. Those were the good days, bro.

I understand that FFXIII going multi-platform is a big deal, but it's not the first time it has switched consoles. Why is there not a big deal about the absolute first time a Tekken title will appear on a system not made by Sony?

That would be my welcome surprise of the year

I understand that this isn't the first time it's flipped, but did anyone really see this coming? MGS 4 was supposed to be the big game that went from Sony to Microsoft, not FF XIII! I guess Square is taking it multiplatform kicking and screaming though, since it's only multiplatform here in the states. Whatever though. More people playing a Final Fantasy that Square apparently worked very hard on? I want that.

As for Tekken, maybe I wasn't excited about it because I just don't like Tekken that much. This is coming from a fighting-game guy…but there are two series in fighting game history that I think get way more credit than they deserve. I'm sure by now you know one of them, but the other one is Tekken. Bah. My brother really likes it though and I *AM* a fan of Asuka. Fuck yeah.

I had a couple of people ask me about Zack and Wiki and Super Mario Galaxy. Now, I doubt people would be piling onto the wii if both of those titles had come out this year, but sadly…that is not the case. Both games came out in 2007 and both made my list the year prior. Mario Galaxy is one of my personal favorite games of this generation and Zack and Wiki is a pretty good adventure game. I feel it's a bit over-rated because it's a good adventure game on the wii, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.

JP tries to catch me off guard:

ummm.....where is Ninja Gaiden II??? also, don't look now but you can change the button layout on Street Fighter 2....

Ah right. Well, I assume you play the game on the X-Box 360, otherwise you would know that the R1 button is the default strong-kick button. I wanted R1 to be strong punch and R2 to be strong kick so it would play more like the alpha series. I guess I've been playing Street Fighter on PS1 and PS2 for so long that I just got kind of used to it. I *RELALY* wish the shoulder buttons from the dualshock 2 would have stayed. I dislike the PS3 shoulders more than anyone I know. This desire to include triggers on your controllers needs to die!

Also, Ninja Gaiden II was a fun game, but man…it wasn't anywhere near as good as I was hoping. Poor monster design, un-inspired levels…it just wasn't for me. I think more hardcore fans of Tecmo may have gotten more out of it than I did, though.

Kaiza wants to see more respect for Smackdown:

What about SvR09? Now its nowhere near the top ten but its still a very enjorable game, it ain't that shit Impact game, over 60 wrestlers, RTWM, Career mode, Create a finisher, awesome dlc and more, plus the commentary is like 100x better than before, and it doesn't have that retarded as fuck begining of week thing that 24/7 mode had where the wrestler would d very stupid things for no reason other than for commentary to talk, thankfully they fixed that with RTWM.

Hey, I enjoyed Smackdown vs. Raw as much as the next guy. I buy the game every year and I felt it was the best iteration in the series since 2006. I wonder what the next batch of DLC will be? The first batch is definitely on-disc content (I saw it demoed BEFORE the game even came out), but I don't think the second one will be. I wonder if they have a Christian model laying in wake?

I think that while SvR was an improvement over the prior year, a lot of problems were there that prevented it from making the list. The custom CaW feature has yet to be patched. So, I can't make wrestlers and give them the stats I desire. I have to take them through Career mode, which in my opinion, is only good for one go-through. I also don't like the reversal heavy AI. They need to fix that in 2010, but they won't. Also, I felt the commentary was pretty much the same as it was in every Smackdown since 2006, but that's just me.

SvR was an improved game and leaps and bounds better than TNA Impact, but it wasn't quite one of the best games this year. I'm sorry.

Evan with an insightful comment:

no madden 09? FUCK YOU GUys!!!1

Well first, I wasn't aware that I was multiple people. Perhaps my years of training have finally paid off? Secondly, look…Madden this year was an okay experience. It felt a LITTLE different than the same shit Madden that they've been shoveling out for years. The problem is, it's STILL Madden. You know what you're getting, it's played the same for years, and honestly…I'm not cool with paying for a yearly roster update. Madden fans, I mean, sorry…but unless EA revolutionizes the virtual grid-iron I just don't see one of these ever landing on a list of mine.

Simpleton makes a brief tweak to my list:

Good list, I personally would have put Geometry Wars 2 in the top ten and shunted Mario Kart out of the list. Thanks for the Valkyria recommendations by the way.

Geometry Wars 2 is a good game, but I'm not sure I would put it that high. I could see it in the top-25 (for the record, I don't think it's better than Castle Crashers), but top-10 is a little high. As for the Valkyria recommendation? I have been pimping that game pretty heavily lately. I wrote about it extensively in B3yond the Report. I just want to see more PS3 owners pick up this fantastic game.

There were other comments I would have liked to have gotten to, but I need to move on to the actual column now. My writing has been a little long-winded lately. I appreciate the feedback, everyone!



Top-10 things I want to see in 2009

Instead of doing a BEST GAMES OF NEXT year thing like everyone in the world does, I've decided to instead do the things I desire to see happen this year. Next week, obviously, will be a list on things I don't want to see. Essentially, to be on this list…I have to want to see this happen in the next year. So really, ANYTHING I can think of is eligible for this list. What do you want to see next year? Feel free to comment below about what it is, or simply e-mail me.

10-) Persona 5 or another Shin Megami Tensei title being released on a current-gen console - Persona 4 was, without a doubt, one of the best game experiences that I had in the year 2008. It took me about 65 hours to beat and featured a story that I really got into. It's one of the few games that has taken me that long where I felt truly satisfied by the ending when all was said and done. When it came to game of the year voting and general attention from RPG fans, one thing was holding it back. Despite the fact it was a high-quality title, it was on the Playstation 2, a console that should by all means be dead.

Graphics don't bug me in the least. A game can look like complete ass and I can still find some enjoyment in it, but the thing is, people tend to not take you as seriously when you release on an older format. As we all know, the Playstation 2 is the best selling console of all time and theoretically it allows for Persona 4 or any Megaten game to reach gamer hands more easily, but here's the thing: The target audience for these types of games, that is to say the ‘hardcore gamer' has moved on from the Playstation 2. The kinds you see playing that console religiously today are less likely to play your game and more likely to play something that is, well, easier to new-comer gamers.

What it tells me, as a gaming fan, is that you are afraid to move into the future. You either don't have the technology to develop for a next-gen console or you just don't see the need. Look, I understand that the PS2 was a very kind console to you, but you do realize if you released a cross-platform title for PS3, 360, and hell, even the Wii (That way you can keep the graphics toned down, if that is your style) you have the potential to reach even more fans who are ready to move on from hardware that is now pretty much extinct?

I have seen people state that, no matter how good a new PS2 game is, they don't plan on purchasing it. I even saw something similar to that stated in one of this site's fact or fictions. The Megaten games are indeed good (even if they appeal to a very limited market), but I think sales would definitely benefit if they finally decided to latch onto a current-gen console. I know I would appreciate it! I would LOVE a current-gen RPG to suck up my playing time. Who knows when it'll happen though?

So really, for the sake of Megaten and for selfish reasons I want to see them release something on a current-gen platform. There may be less than 500,000 worldwide who will play these games with me, but damn if they aren't enjoyable.



9-) Nintendo to fix Brawl's on-line play - The only reason this is even on the list is because it's for a game that was released last year. To be totally honest, if this were to happen Brawl would be my most-played game of 2009 much like it was my most played game of 2008. So if this actually happens, you can bump this way the hell up the list.

When you look at Mario Kart online, a game that features up to twelve other players racing on the same track, you will notice that it runs lighting smooth. Sometimes you could even be convinced that you are playing a local game. I think I got more playtime out of Mario Kart Wii for that reason alone than anything else. Why can't Brawl have something like that? I know I could just play Brawl with friends all the time, but what about those moments where nobody can get together and I still want to play?

Brawl, at the moment, has an inexcusably bad on-line mode. It lags with up to 2-second input delays and runs a lot worse than you would expect, even for a Nintendo on-line title. I thought that maybe things would get better later into the year because, you know, fewer people would be playing. Unfortunately, such a thing never happened. If you live in different states, you're just not going to get a picture-perfect match and that is a damn shame.

I think this would all be improvable with a good patch. I know, NINTENDO releasing a patch. Here's how they could do it: make it optional. It would take up yay-many blocks and if you wanted to get it, you could. If not? You didn't have to. Of course, since Nintendo doesn't like to present any online options, that may not be the most realistic scenario. So, instead of that, why not release an expansion disk set? I know Sakurai explicitly said NO DLC, but he didn't say NO EXPANSIONS.

This is a bit of a long-shot, but Nintendo could release like a twenty dollar expansion that included three or four new characters (including Mewtwo and Roy, who have character data on the disk anyhow) a couple of new levels, some music, and of course an improved online mode. One that includes Rankings (for people who want it) and other expanded features. I know I would buy it just for the better online mode because it would just own my life.

I think if Brawl hadn't been rushed out the gate, the online mode would have been fine. Sadly, it was, but due to no post-release support this problem hasn't exactly been addressed. I don't expect anything to be addressed immediately, but who knows? Perhaps Sakurai has something up his sleeve for the one-year anniversary of Smash Brothers Brawl in Japan (January 31st). All wishful thinking, but you never know!



8-) Team Ico's new game to finally be revealed - Oh God, aren't you sick of browsing forums and seeing your token Sony fan posting the list of good-Sony games. You know the one I'm talking about. Smack-dab in the middle of that list is almost always "TEAM ICO PROJECT". What IS that game though? Nobody knows. Seriously, the only thing we know about Team Ico's next game is that it, is indeed, a video game. It's also being made by Team Ico. That's what we know.

I've heard rumblings that Team Ico's new game will be revealed and released this year, but I won't believe it until I see it. It's hard to believe that we can know next to nothing about a title one second, and the next second be bombarded with information about it and know that it's being released in the next year. I really don't care if it's released next year though. I mean, yeah, it would be nice. There's only Street Fighter 4. It's still game of the century several games that I'm looking forward to this year, so I can wait to play this title. But seriously, enough! Can you show us what we're going to get?

The main reason I want to see it though is that two of the best PS2 games, Shadow of the Colossus and Ico, were made by this team. These were not sequels, these were not games that needed to be expanded upon. So, with Team Ico's new title you know very well that you probably won't see a sequel. You'll see an original title, and in a market that seems to latch onto games and milk them for every sequel that they're worth (sup Activision), that's the sort of thing that we need.

I guess there isn't much else to say about a game that we know nothing about, but please, for the love of God, reveal the game already. I'm tired of seeing "TEAM ICO PROJECT" on all of those lists.



7-) EA to continue releasing new IPs - EA is a company that I have performed a complete 180 on. Earlier in the year they were one of my least favorite companies, but later on things actually changed. EA, while still releasing their yearly sports titles, didn't seem content on riding the sequel wagon. They were releasing new intellectual properties and trying out new things. Now look, the two games I am referring to – Dead Space and Mirror's Edge – have received mix reactions, but I believe they are totally a step in the right direction.

These titles haven't sold that well, which is kind of discouraging, but I would like to see EA continue shooting these titles out. Mirror's Edge, as we know, turned out to be kind of a flop, but I'm sure EA has kind of learned from this. They have learned and maybe they will make the next installment of that game something special. Maybe they can even take what they learned from Mirror's Edge and use it in a new game, one that we haven't even heard of?

It would be odd of me to demand EA create more IPs yet insist they make a sequel to Mirror's Edge, but that's the kind of game that needs a sequel. The original title was rife with potential and offered a unique gameplay style. If EA were to tweak things a little bit and perhaps make the experience a longer one, maybe the next mirror's edge will be a GOOD game. If Mirror's Edge 2 was a good game, it would have three benefits going for it. One: Good reviews. Shockingly, people buy games based on review scores at times. Two: It's a sequel. If someone liked the first one, they will probably get the second one. Third: It's a perceived shooter. If you've played the game, you know Mirror's Edge isn't REALLY a shooter, but there are people who see the first person perspective and go: "Shooter". You combine all of these elements together and you've got a game that's going to sell damn well.

On the other hand, you have Dead Space, which isn't particularly original but at least it's got an interesting story and environment. Unlike Mirror's Edge, that game received decent reviews and is probably less eligible for a quality sequel. I know they've got a Dead Space sequel in the works, but…I say just let sleeping dogs lie. If you absolutely must, create a new property to play similarly in. Just don't re-visit the same areas.

So really EA. Whether you're innovating with gameplay or you're melding a lot of common gameplay elements together, release some more franchises. Yeah, I know, it's impossible to release a ton of new games without releasing sequels…but who knows? Maybe one of the franchises you invent will catch fire and we'll have a new gaming behemoth? I hope so. So let's hope EA circa 2008 shows up again in 2009.



6-) Marvel vs. Capcom 3 - Ever since Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was "announced" for PSN and X-Box LIVE Arcade, I had a feeling that this game would be around the corner. What better way to generate hype for an up-coming product than unleash the last version of that product to the masses? It is working for Street Fighter IV, isn't it? MvC 2 is a game that's way too expensive for the actual quality the package holds, but maybe MvC 3 would drive those prices down. After all, we're long over-due for another one.

For those who have never played a Marvel vs. Capcom title, allow me to briefly describe it to you: madness. MvC is a franchise that is insane and characterized by over-the-top moves by over-the-top characters. Sure, the game is a bit broken – there are infinites everywhere – but it's the type of game that takes about no time to get used to and fighting hardcore fans can enjoy with fighting casual fans. It's the rare game where a tournament player stands a decent chance of losing to a standard player.

I think the thing people like the most about the franchise is the crazy roster and how big it is. MvC 2 features one of the biggest character rosters out there, and I truly see a third iteration of the franchise expanding on it even further. You could throw in Capcom greats such as Viewtiful Joe or Dante and Marvel could toss in Deadpool or Doctor Octopus. Those are only a couple of examples, but with universes as rich as Marvel and Capcom's, it's hard to imagine they couldn't toss out at least 10 new fighters.

Add new single player options and an on-line mode and you'll have a must-own current-generation fighter. As much as people like me want to see MvC 2 released for download, I would much rather see a third installment to the franchise. It would feel right and if done properly would blow fans of the series pants off. So please Capcom, get on this! I beg of you!

For those tired of waiting, the closest you can get to this game right now is Tatsunoko vs. Capcom on the Wii. It's probably what a MvC 3 would play like, so try and appreciate it while you can. They even have a NEW Morrigan sprite for your approval. So it's got to be at least worth a go. Now if only they can fix that R2 button for PS3 owners…



5-) FF XIII to release this year - Oh man, this one seems to keep get pushed back. I thought for sure, back in December of 2007, that I would be playing this game in 2008. Here I am, January of 2009, and I'm not even sure I'll be getting to play it THIS year. Now, look, I suppose I technically could if I wanted to – FF XIII will be receiving a Japanese release this year, almost for sure – but an RPG in a foreign tongue just isn't as fun for me. I want to be able to understand the story. I must know what's going on!

I think Square has put pretty much all of their resources into the production of this game. Yeah, Final Fantasy games have always been expensive, but lately they seem to be putting that extra "mmph" into the game. Don't believe me? Remember how long and delayed the wait for Final Fantasy XII was? I do. I wanted to get ahold of that game so bad, but every time the release would draw near it would seem to get pushed back. There were rumors about people on staff, and generally speaking everyone went crazy with hype for the title. FF XII wound up being a game you either love or hate. For me, I loved it. As a whole though, you couldn't deny that Square was putting all of their resources into this title. It dripped of effort.

So, having seen everything FF XIII has to offer, I would say the same amount of effort is being placed into this game. Graphically speaking, it's a breath-taking title, and from a gameplay standpoint it seems to take the best part of FF XII – the no-random encounters part – and combine it with the best features of the old ATB system. I guess you should also take into account Final Fantasy's penchant for delivering quality storylines and features that long-time fans can enjoy and you'll have what could be one of the best games of the year.

Really though, I just want it to come out so Square can't release preview packages of their game for money anymore. Seriously? You're charging for a preview magazine and movie disk? I mean, well, okay…I guess it's better than people buying Zone of the Enders for the Metal Gear Solid 2 demo.

FF XIII could be the game of the year 2009, but in order to reach that award it has to do one thing first: come out.



4-) Mother 3 official US release - The only reason that this isn't higher is because we have a fan-sub for the game out already. I am no longer waiting anxiously to play this game in English. I have played, beat, and loved the world of Mother 3. That said, what I played wasn't the official deal. I wasn't playing a product that Nintendo knew was going to be released to a North American market. I was playing a product that fans of the game wanted people outside of Japan to play.

The thing is, I want Nintendo to say: "You know what? People outside Japan may want to get on board this thing." I want them to admit that, even though Earthbound sold poorly when it came out, that perhaps it was more on them than anything else. If they had advertised for the game more effectively, maybe more people would have caught on? They also need to see that the other big franchise introduced to the English-speaking masses in Smash Brothers, Fire Emblem, has went on to become a pretty decent success. Fire Emblem isn't exactly friendly to "new gamers", so if that can succeed why can't Mother?

Of course, the game seeing a release over here on the GBA seems a bit far-fetched. Like the PS2, the GBA is dead in the dirt and nobody seriously develops for that platform anymore. If Nintendo were to release Mother 3 for the GBA there is no doubt in my mind that it would be a financial disaster. The best path to releasing it here would be to release some sort of compilation pack. If Nintendo released a Mother compilation for DS that included Mother 1, Mother 2 (Earthbound), and Mother 3, I think something like that could generate some serious business. Advertise the game as featuring Smash Brothers all-stars Ness and Lucas (Even if that phrase makes me cringe. Their legacies were established in Mother, not Smash Bros!) and maybe some interested parties will bite! Really, I don't care. Just release it.

I want it to be a game that I can talk about people with. I want to say: "Oh hey, have you bought Mother 3 yet?" I want to OFFICIALLY review the game, and not just talk about the fan-translation. This is a series that deserves more national exposure and sadly it won't be getting that until Nintendo decides it wants to take a risk. Given that the Wii is practically printing its own money at this point, why not take that chance right now? You can afford a bit of a loss, so just do it Nintendo!

Please. For me!



3-) Third Chrono game - Chrono Break is a game that has been rumored to be in making for forever. I remember news stories long, long ago that talked about Square Enix copy-righting the title and people working themselves into a frenzy hoping that the title would indeed be coming. Chrono Cross is one of my favorite games of all time, but there are people out there who would have preferred the second game be more like Chrono Trigger. Perhaps a third game would allow for that?

It seems to me though that the stars are lining up. Things are coming into place for Square to make a third Chrono title. After all, they chose this late into the DS's lifespan to re-release one of the most beloved Role Playing games of all time. Notice how they didn't bother releasing it on the DS when games like FF IV, V, and VI were being released on the console? Since that time, FF IV has even been re-made! So, they waited long enough…is it possible that a third game is truly coming?

The new ending to Chrono Trigger, which I won't spoil for you, sort of ties together the plots of Trigger and Cross a bit and adds the promise of more. It adds the promise of, perhaps, a joint union of Serge and Crono in a new game. Something that fans of both Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross can enjoy. I hope they don't get the dream team back together in full for this – Toriyama's art-style is so, so much worse than what you saw in Chrono Cross – but if they can get 2/3 of it going, I think we'll have a truly memorable experience.

I used to think that a new Chrono game was a long-shot. That Chrono Cross answered every little question fans of the franchise could have…but now I am not so sure. I think the time for a new Chrono game is near and it very well could be in 2009. Will it be a totally different game like Chrono Cross was? Will it play like Chrono Trigger? I suppose that remains to be seen, but as long as it's out there I won't really care. This game needs to come out.



2-) A new Mario/Zelda announcement - For a lot of people, especially myself, Nintendo's place in the video game market has come under fire. They no longer seem to be interested in pleasing the gamers that have stuck by them for years, but instead seem intent on pleasing people who have never even seen a video game system before. Yeah, it seems profitable, but in the long-term those people just won't be there and they'll have to go back to those older Nintendo gamers that they simply neglected. This is a bit of an over-reaction to last year's horrendous year, but it's a fear that a lot of people have.

How can Nintendo best tell their gamers that they don't need to worry? Well, they started off well with Club Nintendo, a thing that definitely appeals to those "core" Nintendo gamers. The thing that would really tell everyone that it would be okay is an announcement of new wii versions of Zelda and Mario. Now, a lot of people consider Zelda to be a franchise that only appears once on each console, but that's not true at all! The EXCEPTION to the rule is the SNES, where only one Zelda title appeared. After that, there were at least two on each console. Now, if you look at the Gamecube and say: "But TP came out on the wii first!" that doesn't matter! The game was developed FOR the gamecube in the first place and was only released on the wii at launch so "core" gamers would have something to play.

So if you look at it like that, the Wii hasn't even had its own Zelda title yet. It's about time we at least got an announcement for a new Zelda game, and I think this year is finally the year that we hear about it. I firmly believe that at E3, to impress those that they let down last year, that Nintendo will unveil a slew of impressive 1st-party titles that will have us remembering fondly their glory days. As tradition states, they will close with a Zelda trailer that will have everyone on their feet. This is simply a wish of mine, who knows if it's true…but I think the odds are VERY good that we'll see a Zelda announced this year.

Now the Mario announcement on the other hand is most likely not going to happen. Mario has already seen a damn great game released this generation and UNLIKE Zelda, there has only been one "core" Mario game released on each platform. (No, the Yoshi games, including Yoshi's island, don't count) The exception being the NES! That said, it would be awesome if we heard of a new Mario title. I mean, hell, we heard of Mario 128 WAY before it came out (it became Mario Galaxy, didn't it?), so what could it hurt to reveal a brand new title?

This would be the best way to excite the fan-base who is a little bit doubtful. They may be more sequels, but that's how Nintendo is. Their franchises are who they are. Last year they made a huge-pitch to non-gamers and this year, I think they'll look back and try to re-net those hardcore gamers they may have watched. With series as high-caliber as Zelda and Mario, it's hard to keep them away.

- I wish they'd make another console Zelda like this. I am probably the only one who feels this way though...

1-) Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Ever since the release and success of Megaman 9, people have been wondering what the next game to make that retro-leap will be. In the case of Megaman, it was a franchise that was kind of down on its luck. Megaman, with a couple of exceptions, has been a mediocre franchise for a few years now. So what does it do? To re-excite the megaman fans out there, they release an old-school style megaman title and it catches FIRE. It was the buzz of the internet, and once again the blue bomber was back on top.

There is one other blue mascot that has fell on rough times. Even though Sonic Unleashed for the wii at least passes for "good", everyone knows that the glory days of the hedgehog are long gone. Sonic 3 and Knuckles is an example of platforming at its finest, but that sort of game just won't come around the corner again. Sonic is just a different character now. If Sega wanted to show its Sonic fans that they care though, if they wanted to appeal to the old-school Sonic fans that have long-since abandoned the franchise…releasing Sonic 4 would be a great idea.

No, obviously I'm not talking about releasing a next-gen Sonic 4. I mean, why not release a Sonic 4 in the style of Sonic 3? It wouldn't look positively archaic like Megaman 9, but it would also have that old-school flair. It would feel like we were playing a true Genesis classic, if placed in the right hands. You may notice how I said "right hands". Sonic Team, I am afraid, has proven themselves incapable of developing a Sonic title. They botch every attempt at making a hedgehog game. They seem to think that Sonic can ONLY run fast and that there was no platforming involved with the game.

If SEGA could get a different company or at least a different team to develop an old-school style Sonic game for the Virtual Console, PSN, or XBLA, I think that there could be new life injected into the franchise. Gone would be the doubt we feel when a new Sonic game is announced, gone would be the dread of seeing our favorite mascot raped repeatedly. Instead, we would invite in and grasp a new Sonic title with EXCITEMENT. For the first time in ages, no doubt: just excitement. As long as they don't poor in a story (that's any deeper than Sonic 3's) or add a lame new character - though adding a new character is fine, each Sonic game after 1 did it – it should end up alright.

Sonic is the one game that is ripe as can be for a retro re-do. I truly believe we will see that this year. Many people may not like this trend that Capcom started, but it could be the one thing that saves the hedgehog once and for all. I mean, it could still be botched…but Sega wouldn't dip that low, would they?



Well, that's it for this week. As always, feel free to comment down below or send me an e-mail at [e-mail]. I feel that your feedback makes me better at what I do and I truly appreciate it. So don't shy away from being critical, it helps.

Now, before I wrap this up, let's look at some other articles up around 411mania's game section:

Rod Oracheski is back from a Holiday break, he writes Achievement Unlocked. Welcome back!

Jordan "The Ogre" Willaims writes Working Title

Vincent Chiucchi writes The Hall of Shame. This week he inducts Revolution X. A worthy induction.

Jacob Lopez hosts a Fact or Fiction against my brother Drew and Adam Larck.

Greg Bruno hosted a What IF? column against the Curry Man, Vincent Chiucchi, and himself.

Tommy Coloma writes The Release List

John DeLarge (John Dradshaw Layfield) writes What I Hate About You. This week is Grand Theft Auto. Also, if you don't Marry Quistis, Sleep with Rinoa, and Kill Selphie you're doing it wrong.

Trace Aber writes Living LIVE

My main man Joe Roche writes The Full-Circle 360 News Report.

I write B3yond the Report. (Protip: Don't insult LEGO Batman apparently)

Vincent Chiucchi writes The Select and Start News Report

Theo Fraser writes The Nintendophiles

Chris Evans writes The PC-Spotlight

Todd Vote has an Eye On The Future about the Wii.

AJ and Mike Minotti are the voices behind the Exploding Barrel Podcast. They revealed their number four GOTY this week. Kinda question AJ's Fable 2 choice, but different strokes my friend.

Well, that's it for today. I'm out.

'til the crossroads

Screenshots
All 9 The 10th Hour Screenshots