Disclaimer: The proceeding article is editorial content. The views expressed are those of the author and do not neccessarily reflect the official position of the Advanced Media Network.
As we all anxiously await the next entries into the fray of what we call next-generation gaming, it’s easy to forget that the current generation of game consoles still have some life left in them. After all, it almost seems that with the hype surrounding the Nintendo Wii and the PlayStation 3, they want you to forget all about the Gamecube and the PlayStation 2. Whatever the case may be, there’s still a lot of wonderful games coming out for these systems at least until the end of this year. 2007 will continue to see some blockbuster titles as well.
Gamecube
We start with the Nintendo Gamecube, because it’s the system with the least amount of upcoming “big-name†games. The Nintendo Wii will debut sometime this fall, and will feature backwards compatibility with all Gamecube games and almost all peripherals, so you’ll be able to experience these games regardless of the Nintendo platform you choose to go with. It’s a win-win situation for those folks.
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
This is the absolute obvious choice for the Gamecube’s swan song and a surprising launch title for Nintendo’s Wii. I have no evidence to the contrary, but I believe this is the first time a game has been launched in this fashion. As a friend of mine is fond of saying; “It’s ‘Zelda’. That’s all you need to know.†Well, for the purposes of this article, I’ll elaborate a bit more. It’s the Zelda you know and love with some beautiful visuals, a few new abilities such as being able to transform Link into a wolf and some cool mini-games. Gamecube owners may feel a bit slighted that the Wii version will have unique controls and almost certainly some kind of exclusive content due to the capabilities of the Wii. However, if you don’t intend on purchasing a Wii anytime soon (or ever), you can just forget that the enhanced version exists, and I’d be willing to bet you’ll get along grandly with Twilight Princess on Gamecube.
It’s a ME! One of Gamecubes last games!
Super Paper Mario
Nintendo has made some odd decisions before. At the E3 2006 press conference, they somehow managed to leave out some really big games (albeit purposefully). Super Paper Mario is one of the games that was accidentally swept under the rug, despite being out there for all to see. Clearly not getting most of the attention it deserved, I feel compelled to give it special mention in here. Imagine old-school Super Mario Bros. levels with RPG elements. You’ve got Super Paper Mario in a nutshell if you can do that. Needless to say, that’s a completely awesome premise, and the general consensus at E3 2006 is that it will hold up to the awesome premise. Good news for all.
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is the current-generation of consoles that will have the most “life after death†so to speak. If the original PlayStation is an accurate depiction of what will happen upon the release of the new system, the PS2 is in for a very, very long lifespan. It’s already hit six years of extremely active product development, and it’s looking like seven will be the magic number for the PS2. PS2 owners will definitely be enjoying their console for a while yet.
Final Fantasy XII
Already released to our friends in Japan to critical and commercial acclaim, the United States and Canada will be able to look forward to Final Fantasy XII later this fall. The English voiceovers are nothing short of spectacular as the latest trailers would suggest. Square Enix has seemingly gone all-out with the English localization of the game, With an all-new combat system and sweeping changes across the board for this Final Fantasy, it would seem to be one of the true iconic classics that a system gets defined by. If you’re even remotely an RPG fan, it seems like treason to miss out on this game. You’ll be able to pick up a copy of the game on October 31st, 2006 for $49.99 or a copy of the Collector’s Edition with a bonus DVD for $59.99. (USD) Either way, the latest installment of the long-running Final Fantasy series changes all the rules, and looks to be the absolute best yet. Don’t miss this one.
Will this painting of a game fade on the PS2?
God of War 2
David Jaffe and his Santa Monica Studio’s PS2 masterpiece, God of War, was released to mass success across the board in early 2005. Most figured that the next installment of the franchise would pop up on the PlayStation 3. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective), the next installment is on the PlayStation 2, and it’s got more of exactly what fans of the original want. A whole lot more mythological Greek action awaits eager players. It’s the same Kratos you got to know in the first game, but it’s sure to be packed with a lot more new stuff that keeps all the fans waiting. You’ll be able to pick up God of War 2 sometime in 2007, and if the E3 showing indicated anything at all, it should definitely be worth the wait.
Okami
Capcom is one of those companies that you never really see taking a monstrous risk in terms of games that they develop. At least, not anymore. Seeing something like Okami is a definite treat from Capcom. This is one game that is getting its origins towards the twilight years of the PlayStation 2’s life. Let’s be honest, you’re paying attention to the big-name sequels coming out for PS2, but most people have no idea what Okami really is or is about. Fortunately, Okami is more than simply gorgeous and stunning graphics. It’s backed by a stellar game play engine and a lot of critical praise in Japan. In Okami, you play as the sun goddess, Ameterasu, who is denoted in the form of a wolf for this game. It’s a very unique game that I genuinely hope won’t be pushed aside in the generational rush. Don’t miss this one.
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Released in 1999 to a critical praise-fest but a commercial failure, Enix’s Valkyrie Profile enthralled RPG fans who were suckers for dungeon crawlers with a lot of free reign. Few ever expected a sequel to the game. Fortunately Square Enix seems to be in the business of giving fans what they want (for the most part). Silmeria, the sequel to the 1999 effort, has just been released in Japan to some excellent reviews. Fans of the original are going to love the fact that it’s just as hard, if not more so, than the original. The stunning graphics probably aren’t going to keep them from picking up the game, either. Not all that much has been changed from the first game in terms of play mechanics, but frankly, would you have wanted them to? Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria hits US/Canadian shores sometime in September 2006.
Guitar Hero II
Last year’s surprise megahit Guitar Hero was a dark horse in every sense of the word. It was expensive, had a unique controller, and a low advertising budget. However, it had the capable developers at Harmonix at the helm, a licensed soundtrack that is completely awesome, and a fantastic idea. Building on what worked for Guitar Hero, Harmonix set to work making Guitar Hero more of the original, but fixing a few issues with the first game. Drawing on the fantastic multiplayer mode, Guitar Hero II will feature multiple streams in the multiplayer mode so one player can play bass and one can play rhythm guitar. The game will also feature way more licensed tracks as well as some new original tracks. Of course, it works with the SG controller from the first game, and will be available separately from the controller this time, so owners of the first game will be able to avoid the unnecessary cost of buying another controller with the game. Fans of the game can look forward to Guitar Hero II sometime later this fall. So for those about to rock (again or for the first time), you’re in for a fantastic ride.
SOCOM: US Navy SEALs – Combined Assault
The first two SOCOM games turned out to be massive hits for Sony’s online initiative for PlayStation 2. At one point, SOCOM II had more users online than all of Xbox Live combined. That’s not something that’s taken lightly, either. However, the release of SOCOM 3 left a bad taste in a lot of gamers’ mouths due to a lot of inexcusable bugs, gameplay issues, communications issues, and so on. Basically, a lot of bugs and not a lot of fixes. However, Zipper Interactive is hoping to redeem themselves with Combined Assault. It features multiplayer maps just like all the old games did, but it adds a feature that SOCOM fans have been clamoring for since the first one – cooperative play. In fact, the title “Combined Assault†should show fans that the focus of the game is on the cooperative play this time around rather than the multiplayer aspect. Here’s hoping the cooperative play isn’t the only aspect they’re looking at, and that they fix some of those crazy bugs from SOCOM 3. Combined Assault should be ready to roll sometime this fall.
Hey guys, what about me!??!
No matter whether you’re still sticking with the PS2 or the Gamecube until the bitter end, it looks like they’ve got you covered until then. You can find information on all of these games throughout AMN, so make sure you keep an eye out for them.
