GAMEDAR: Games on my Radar

Ah, my first ever blog post. Unless you consider a photoblog a blog. I've done that before. And it was a whole lot of writing, because each picture I posted was the equivalent of 1,000 words. But this post is still my first real written blog post. I hope you like video games.

I want to tell you about a few yet-to-be-released games that I'm looking forward to. Today I'll focus on upcoming releases for the Xbox Live Arcade.

Looking at what Microsoft has chosen to release on XBLA recently, it would seem like they are still the only next-gen console on the market (actually they are the only next-gen console readily available for purchase at your local "EB Gamestop"). But alas, competition has arisen, and Microsoft seems to have gotten too comfortable on its ever-melting throne of ice. November 8th's Wednesday release was Contra, featuring online co-op. Too bad it sucks. The following week the PS3 and Wii popped out of the womb, and Microsoft released Defender. Yes, that old ass Defender. They obviously could have had a much stronger release for XBLA. The following week there was no game release, just a patch for Texas Hold 'Em. A patch shouldn't substitute a real game on the dying XBLA Wednesdays trend. Nor does a new theme deck for UNO. Back to actual games, last week Microsoft released Small Arms. I'd rather just play its much more sophisticated parent, Super Smash Bros. Melee. There are, however, some upcoming titles that deserve to be excited about.

Mutant Storm Empire: A well established franchise for Xbox Live Arcade, this is the third game in the Mutant Storm series, and it looks to be the best. Let's not forget that unlike movie sequels, video game sequels usually improve and expand on what made the original game so great. This is a top-down shooter that controls like Geometry Wars, but you ain't blastin no squares in this puppy. Giant alien slugs, worms, crabs, and ... things attack you from all sides, and this time around you have TWO parallel laser blots to shoot them with. But you also have to watch out for environmental hazards. The best thing about this game will be the seamless level progression and the co-op, which will hopefully be ONLINE co-op (the only kind co-op that really matters nowadays).

Space Giraffe: Do you like the interactive Xbox 360 music visualizer? Do you like Tempest? Do you like Rez? Were you looking forward to GameCube's canceled Unity? Do you like drugs? If you answered yes to any of these, you'll most likely love Jeff Minter's upcoming Space Giraffe. This is one trippy shooter, from the guy who most likely invented the word trippy. Upon downloading this game sometime in spring 2007, you will be bombarded with sights and sounds from out of this world, while trying to control a giraffe-esque character that has to GET NADS*!

*Minter says the word "nad" will be replaced in the game's final version for a more family friendly word like "powerup." That's also what he initially thought about the wacky title, which he has admitted is here for good.


PORTS:

Sonic the Hedgehog High Speed: This is the first Sonic game, but they've implemented the spin-dash that didn't arrive until Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Worms: Glorious 2-D Worms online on your Xbox 360. Need I even say "need I say more?"

Castlevania Symphony of the Night: A port of the hard to find PS1 classic, but now with leaderboards and achievements!

There are plenty of other original games to be excited about (Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers), as well as the obligatory coin-op classics (Asteroids, Metal Slug, Paperboy). But how about hitting the competition a little harder these days? Let's get the big ones out the door first, how about it Microsoft?