E3 2008 predictions

Feature

Publishers are at their most secretive just around the yearly E3 show. What games will they reveal this year? And the console makers, what will they do? Some predictions from the HG staff.

July 13th, 2008 by HG Staff

ProfessorLayton

Sony

Since PS3 is the most expensive 7th generation console, I really wouldn�t be surprised to hear that Sony plans to cut the price of the PS3 by 20%. To go along with the price cut, I�m expecting Sony to announce some new games that will appeal to hardcore gamers. A new Ratchet and Clank game is a must in my opinion, as well as a new ATV Offroad Fury game. I�m also expecting Resistance 2, Killzone 2, God of War III and Little Big Planet to be shown at E3.

I am also expecting Sony to reveal a new PSP. Though sales of the handheld were relatively high in Japan this year, in part due to Monster Hunter Portable 2G, sales have been falling and with the new Dragon Quest game for DS launching later this week, sales of the DS are surely going to overtake those of the PSP.

Microsoft

Besides revealing new information about Gears of War 2, I�m personally expecting Mircosoft to reveal a lot of new stuff at E3. The rumors circulating about a new controller are probably fake. Knowing Mircosoft, they will probably wait until their next console to release a motion controller. However that doesn�t mean that they won�t reveal any new features for Xbox 360. In June, rumors started spreading about Avatars, Microsoft�s version of Miis. Though I think Microsoft will shed some light on these new creatures, I don�t think they�ll announce any games that will incorporate Avatars.

My most anticipated title from Microsoft is undoubtedly Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. Since Rare is developing the game, I have high expectations for the game. The N64 Banjo games are definitely two of the best games released in the 1990s. Besides Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts and Gears of War 2, I don�t think Mircosoft will have any games at E3 that will appeal to hardcore gamers. Instead, I think that they�ll follow in Nintendo�s footsteps and announce a pile of casual games.

Nintendo

Nintendo is without a doubt, the hardest company to make predictions for simply because they like to keep everything private. However, things haven�t really worked out the way they wanted to. Rumors have been circulating that Animal Crossing Wii is completed and ready to be released. If this is to be believed, I don�t expect Nintendo to announce any big games to be released this holiday season. Though there has been talk of a new Punch-Out!! and Kid Icarus being released, I don�t expect them to be ready for this holiday season.

With Mario Super Sluggers and Wario Land: Shake It! already dated for North America, I�m expecting Nintendo to reveal a October release date for Fatal Frame IV and a new Donkey Kong platformer. It�s been years since Donkey Kong has starred in a platforming game and since Wario gets to star in one, why can�t he? It makes perfect sense if you ask me. Finally, I�m expecting Nintendo to announce a November release date for Wii Music, Wii Chess, Mario Party 9 and Animal Crossing and finally, an early December release date for Captain Rainbow, one of the wackiest games I�ve ever seen. Wii Music will probably turn out to be something like Guitar Hero World Tour, where you form a band and jam out.

Many people are speculating that a new DS will be released this year, but in my opinion, there�s no need. Nintendo has already got plenty of titles that they can release. Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir and Kirby Super Star Ultra have already been dated for September, and with ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat recently being ESRB rated, there is plenty to be released. New Brain Age games are probably going to be announced as well as a new Mario game for the DS. Lets not forget about WiiWare though. Since Nintendo has already released three of its biggest WiiWare titles, Nintendo needs to step up to the bat and deliver even more new titles.