Official Xbox 360 launch thread.
So, who's excited? November 22 is quickly coming down the pike, and we now have several officially confirmed launch titles, many of which look very good. I would dare say that the 360's launch lineup is probably the best ever for a console, at least as far as I'm concerned, especially considering another possible half dozen or so titles are likely to be added to the lineup.
That said, a quick run down of the lineup thus far confirmed for launch:
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257537.gif
Project Gotham Racing 3
Microsoft Game Studios / Bizarre Creations
http://projectgothamracing3.com/
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb003.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb007.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb002.jpg
Xbox 360 killer app numero uno for me. This game is, and will no doubt be, the shit.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257317.gif
Condemned: Criminal Origins
SEGA / Monolith
http://www.condemnedgame.com/
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...8_thumb006.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...8_thumb009.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...8_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...8_thumb004.jpg
SEGA confirmed today that this is making launch, and I'm really happy that it is. I've been excited for this for quite a while now, and every time I see it, it looks better and better. Also, make sure to check out the site, it's worth the look. Nice site, and it has some really good trailers.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/258818.gif
Perfect Dark Zero
Microsoft Games Studios / Rare
http://perfectdarkzero.com/
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb004.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb005.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb006.jpg
It's been through it's ups and downs, and downs again, and ups again, and maybe another down here or up there. But it looks like it's finally shaping up to, at the very least, be a solid gameplay experience. I still think the characters and plot of the game is batshit retarded, but I'm pretty confident it will be a very solid FPS, and it certainly looks quite impressive now.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257412.gif
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
2K Games / Bethesda
http://www.elderscrolls.com/games/oblivion_overview.htm
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...2_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...2_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb003.jpg
Honestly, outside of PGR3, I thought if any 360 game would be infallible, this would be it, but reports of recent hands-on play have been saying it's got some problems as far stuttering and choppiness. Never the less, I think it will be one of the 360's best games, exclusive or no, and I would imagine the engine issues have a good chance of being ironed out before release. That we're getting a game of this scope at a system launch is remarkable enough in itself, really.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/233695.gif
Kameo: Elements of Power
Microsoft Games Studios / Rare
http://www.kameosoundtrack.com/ (a lot more worthwhile than the official site)
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb006.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...8_thumb004.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...8_thumb005.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...8_thumb003.jpg
This and PDZ have been in developement for god knows how long, and personally I think this looks just incredible. I think Rare's trademark generic/stupid character design is still readily apparent in some instances, but regardless, it looks to have nearly everything else in place. I think this'll be one of the best titles of launch. The orchestral score is really brilliant as well, check it out at the link if you haven't heard it.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/255489.gif
Call of Duty 2
Activision / Infinity Ward
http://www.callofduty2.com/
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...0_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...0_thumb007.jpg
I dunno, absolutely loved the original, but the PC demo really didn't impress me at all, even with the highest graphical settings on and everything. It just felt almost exactly like CoD1, which isn't nessessarily a bad thing, but I was hoping for them to really take it to the next level as they did when they introduced the original. I still may check it out if the rest of the game is more impressive, but just judgeing from the demo, I'm not really psyched.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/255491.gif
Quake 4
Activision / Raven Software
http://www.quake4game.com/
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...6_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...1_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...6_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...6_thumb004.jpg
Ugh. I've said my piece on this before, so I'll spare the bs. If you like antiquated gameplay, laughable art and sound design, and babies being eaten by kittens whilst Jesus watches, by all means, this is your game.
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/sbox/200137a.jpg
Top Spin 2
2K Games
[no site]
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...6_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb004.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...6_thumb006.jpg
Doesn't seem like a huge visual upgrade, but the original Top Spin was excellent, so here's hoping it's a worthy successor.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257365.gif
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
EA Games / EA Canada
http://www.eagames.com/official/nfs/...ed/us/home.jsp
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb005.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb006.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb004.jpg
Doesn't look bad at all, actually quite impressive for EA. But really, with PGR3, not to mention Ridge Racer 6, I personally have no interest in playing this. I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy it, though.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257371.gif
Madden NFL 06
EA Sports / Tiburon
http://www.easports.com/madden06/home.jsp
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb004.jpg
Bleh.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257420.gif
NBA 2K6
2K Games / Visual Concepts
http://www.2ksports.com/games/nba2k6/
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb007.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...3_thumb006.jpg
Now this is how you do a fucking next gen sports game. As usual, Visual Concepts is always a step (or three) ahead of EA. Now if only they'd get the recognition for it.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257373.gif
NBA Live 06
EA Sports / EA Canada
http://www.easports.com/nbalive06/home.jsp
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb003.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...8_thumb002.jpg
Oh shit, I'm melting! =O Okay, cheap shot aside, it doesn't look too bad, at least they're trying. But it really isn't on the same level as NBA 2K6.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257311.gif
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06
EA Games
http://www.easports.com/games/tigerwoods06/home.jsp
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb003.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...4_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...9_thumb002.jpg
Looks pretty good. I think this fits in more with the pile of games that are essentially higher resolution versions of their current gen counterparts, but at least it isn't embarassing, like for example Gun or Tony Hawk.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257369.gif
FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup
EA Sports / EA Canada
http://www.fifa06.ea.com/
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb006.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb005.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb008.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb002.jpg
Grass is pretty impressive, but those character models are pure plastic.
And the rest of the crap...
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257424.gif
NHL 2K6
2K Games
http://www.2ksports.com/games/nhl2k6/
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb001.jpg
Only official screen released thus far. Unfortunately, though, it doesn't seem to be retaining the same visual pedigree as NBA 2K6, which, isn't incedentily all that surprising, because I don't think Visual Concepts does the hockey series itself (or at least they didn't during the Dreamcast era, which was the last time I played their hockey game).
http://www.gamestop.com/common/image.../200135arp.jpg
Amped 3
2K Games
[no site]
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...1_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...1_thumb002.jpg
These screens are extremely flattering as bad as they are, believe it or not. Game looks terrible. Which is sad, because the previous games were good (or at least I enjoyed the first one, didn't try the second).
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/257293.gif
Gun
Activision / Neversoft
[no site]
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb003.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...5_thumb005.jpg
Terrible.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/thumbnails/255493.gif
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Activision / Vicarious Visions
http://www.activision.com/en_US/game...361631d39.html
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...0_thumb001.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...0_thumb002.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...0_thumb003.jpg http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/ima...0_thumb004.jpg
Embarassing.
...Aaaanyway. That's the confirmed, day one lineup.
So, what are everyone else's X360 launch plans? Interested, not interested? If you're getting one, what are you getting?
For me, I'm hopefully getting a premium pack for relatively cheap, from a friend who got two in the Mt. Dew contest, back when the referal 'scam' was still valid. I say hopefully, because I just hope they really send the units to everyone who won them that way :p Anyway, getting Madden with it, which will be cool to show my uncle, because he loves football, but I'll sell it soon after to fund other games.
Project Gotham 3 is a definite, day one purchase for me. I dunno how much else I'll be able to afford, but Oblivion, Kameo, and Condemned are almost definites for me, too, and I'm interested in PDZ and NBA 2K6. Prolly going with CoD2 for the PC, but Oblivion and Condemned seem well suited for console-style play. I hope DoA4 and Full Auto make it for launch. Or, maybe I don't, the launch is already too damned expensive as is. :p
