Next Gen previews the summers best 30 games

[Korly]

Next-Gen.Biz has scoured the release lists to find 30 of the most compelling titles that could keep the cash tills ringing over the long hot months of summer.

ImageIn gaming, the summer months are typically known for the absolute dearth of big game releases. We're not here to disprove that. We'd love to tell you that this summer is absolutely bursting with must-have games, but as usual, most publishers keep the big guns under wraps until Q4.

We must concede, though, that there is some good gaming to be had during the period between the Summer Solstice (today) and the Autumnal Equinox (September 23). Not every single game on this 30-game list is a guaranteed must-play (although some of them probably will be), but it can be used as a guide to some of the more intriguing releases of the season.

The dates have been gathered from major retailer GameStop's website, and as with all release dates, they aren't set in stone, and subject to delays.

With that, here are 30 games to keep an eye on this summer, sorted by most to least anticipated within 10 different genres.

Note: This list is for mainstream console platforms, handhelds and commercial PC. Some platform versions aren't listed as they fall outside of the summer dates.

ACTION/ADVENTURE

Ninety-Nine Nights -- Xbox 360
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Q Entertainment, Phantagram
Projected release date: 8/16

Yakuza -- PS2
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Amusement Vision
Projected release date: 9/1

Okami -- PS2
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Clover Studio
Projected release date: 9/5


RPG

Neverwinter Nights 2 -- PC
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Obsidian
Projected release date: 9/19

Titan Quest -- PC
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Iron Lore
Projected release date: 6/26

Contact -- DS
Publisher: Atlus USA
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Projected release date: 9/12


FPS

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars -- PC
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Splash Damage
Projected release date: 9/5

Prey -- PC, Xbox 360
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Human Head (and Venom for Xbox 360)
Projected release date: 7/10

Painkiller: Hell Wars -- Xbox
Publisher: DreamCatcher Interactive
Developer: People Can Fly
Projected release date: 7/11


DRIVING

GTR 2 -- PC
Publisher: 10tacle Studios
Developer: SimBin
Projected release date: summer

Test Drive Unlimited -- Xbox 360
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Eden Studios
Projected release date: 9/5

NASCAR 07 -- Xbox, PS2
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Projected release date: 9/1


FIGHTING

Tekken Dark Resurrection -- PSP
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Namco Bandai
Projected release date: 7/25

King of Fighters 2006 -- PS2
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Developer: SNK Playmore
Projected release date: 8/22

Super Dragon Ball Z -- PS2
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Crafts & Meister
Projected release date: 7/18


PLATFORMING

LocoRoco -- PSP
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: SCEJ
Projected release date: 9/5

Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins -- PSP
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Projected release date: 9/5

Super Monkey Ball Adventure -- PS2, GC, PSP
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Projected release date: 8/1


STRATEGY

Company of Heroes -- PC
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Relic
Projected release date: 9/11

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories -- PS2
Publisher: NIS America
Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
Projected release date: 8/29

Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II -- Xbox 360
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA LA
Projected release date: 7/5


SPORTS

Madden NFL 07 -- pretty much every platform
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA Tiburon
Projected release date: 8/22

NCAA Football 07 -- Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2, PSP
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Projected release date: 7/18

NHL 07 -- Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2, PSP, PC
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Projected release date: 9/1


FLYING

Star Fox Command -- DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Q-Games
Projected release date: 8/28

Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (working title) -- PSP
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Namco Bandai
Projected release date: 9/19

Over G Fighters -- Xbox 360
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Taito
Projected release date: 6/27


OTHER

Dance Factory -- PS2
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Broadsword
Projected release date: 8/29

Sudoku Gridmaster
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hudson
Projected release date: 6/26

Harvest Moon -- DS
Pubisher: Natsume
Developer: Marvelous
Projected release date: 8/15

For more details on all of those games, you can check out the original article here: http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?op...=3261&Itemid=2



First off, I think that touting any game with a release date in September (especially more than halfway into September like Neverwinter Nights or Ace Combat) as a "summer" game is somewhat foolhardy. Sure, it fits their established definition of summer if it comes out on time, but how often does a game come out on time?

Contact for the DS is being created by SUDA of Killer 7 fame, so that might be awesome.

I'm stoked for Tekken, of course. I heard they added in Tekken Bowling, which I'd buy as a completely seperate game.

All 3 of their action games look hot, especially Okami. Too bad that ones not coming to Xbox.

I don't know much about Titan Quest, but IGN said that "it may give Kratos a run for his money". That's coming from IGN though, so whatever.

I've been waiting forever to play Painkiller, and it seems like it really shoulda came out about a year ago.

Prey looks totally awesome.

From the Test Drive description: "Atari and Eden are taking a swing at a driving-based MMO." When did that happen? I guess that's more interesting than making a watered down NFS.

Anyone know if KOF '06 is any good?

I guess their stepping up their game on DBZ. They've called on Street Fighter II team member Noritaka Funamizu to help.

Loco Roco and GnG are gonna keep my PSP awake after I get sick of playing one player Tekken.

Dance Factory looks kinda cool.




Thoughts?

[Bacon McShig]

LocoRoco, Ultimate G&G, Yakuza, and Okami for me.

All others GTFO until you're under $20.

[Drewbacca]

Maybe Disgaea 2, but that's about it. I love how IGN makes a list of the games to keep an eye on, then puts a disclaimer in front of it saying some of these games won't, in fact, really be any good.

They're throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks.

[Bacon McShig]

I love how IGN makes a list of the games to keep an eye on, then puts a disclaimer in front of it saying some of these games won't, in fact, really be any good.

Next Gen previews the summers best 30 games

Originally Posted by Next Gen

Next-Gen.Biz has scoured the release lists to find 30 of the most compelling titles that could keep the cash tills ringing over the long hot months of summer

[aren]

This summer looks like shit as far as gaming goes.

[Dolemite]

I don't really care about any of the games on that list.

[Advocate]

I'll wait for Rainbow Six: Vegas. I might pick up the Table Tennis game though.

[epmode]

I'd have a hard time coming up with 30 games I'd want to play over the course of a year, let alone a season.

That said, I've heard very good things about Okami. As in, one of the top 5 PS2 games ever good.

[JefmcC]

I want Painkiller, maybe Prey.

[Joust Williams]

This list sucks (but I'm sure that you can't do better considering the timeframe)

I'm really only looking forward to about 5 games and only 2 of them are on the 360. More XBLA content pls