Viewing Thread:
"Halo 2 Vs. GTA 5 Vs. Metroid Prime 2 Vs. Pokemon etc...."

Well doesn't this Christmas look hot. With Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and the legions of third parties geering up one hell of a 2004 line up who'll enjoy the most sales is anyones guess.

Game: Halo 2
Format: X-box
Description: Halo sold the X-box when it was released, 2 years later and it still sells the X-box, and will do until Halo 2 takes the reigns. Every X-box owner in the world will have this come Christmas.
Potential pit fall: Online games occasionally pull off dissapointing sales.
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 9/10 Commercially: 9/10

Game: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Format: Playstation 2
Description: Spiderman 2, Mafia, True Crime, Simpson's: Hit and Run, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, Tony Hawks... the list of games influenced by GTA continues. GTA 3 blew everyone away, Vice City continued the success, the PS2's sales are still strong... who'd bet against it?
Potential pit fall: Are the public getting restless? How will Manhunt damage the success?
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 7/10 Commercially: 9/10

Game: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Format: Gamecube
Description: The critical acclaim following the original helped shoot Nintendo's premier First Person Adventure to the top spot in March 2003. Can a multiplayer mode help it stand up against such stiff opposition?
Potential pit fall: The Gamecube just isn't popular enough.
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 9/10 Commercially: 4/10

Game: Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green
Format: Gameboy Advance
Description: Pokemon, like GTA, is a way for a company to print money. After selling 4 million in Japan alone and being bundled with a wireless adapter it looks certain to light up the charts. Especially as they're re-makes of the original craze starters.
Potential pit fall: Are we getting bored? Kids don't have that much money.
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 7/10 Sales wise: 8/10

Game: Gran Turismo 4
Format: PS2
Description: The award winning and system selling racer hits the PS2. Hype from a special released demo should help push the game towards the top end of the sales charts.
Potential pit fall: With Project Gotham trouncing it and sales constantly sliding has the GT franchise lost its grip?
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 8/10 Commercially: 8/10

Game: Doom 3
Format: X-box/PC
Description: The game that helped spawn a first person shooting obsession. Gorgeous graphics and years of hype ensures success.
Potential pit fall: Released too early to impact heavily on the Christmas charts.
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 9/10 Commercially: 8/10

Game: Half Life 2
Format: X-box/PC
Description: Mega release of the game PC owners swear by. Likely to succeed on the PC more than the X-box, this title has been anticipated by casual and hardcore gamers alike.
Potential pit fall: If it's set for a September release it'll be too early.
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 8/10 Commercially: 8/10

Game: Goldeneye: Rogue Agent
Format: PS2/X-box/Gamecube
Description: EA's biggest Christmas hitter knocks Lord of the Rings and FIFA aside. Goldeneye was massive on the N64, the game is looking nice and according to those in the know plays well too. Could this just sneak by Halo and GTA to claim the most money?
Potential pit fall: Second Bond title this year, starting to lose popularity.
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 7/10 Commercially: 9/10

Game: Paper Mario 2
Format: Gamecube
Description: Paper Mario may have come and went without even a hello but this is likely to perform much better. Mario is an iconic figure and an ideal character to challenge for the Christmas top spot. Eye catching and enjoyable with whopping sales in Japan how can it fail to succeed?
Potential pit fall: Childish appeal mixed with Mario's falling popularity.
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 8/10 Commercially: 6/10

Game: Pikmin 2
Format: Gamecube
Description: Pikmin sold 2.8 million worldwide with strong sales everywhere. Now with multiplayer mode and lack of criticism this time round may provide a shock
Potential pit fall: Released too early (october), not popular enough, kiddy.
Christmas' hottest title?: Critically: 9/10 Commercially: 6/10

Those are the definitive favorites but watch out for maybe a surprise new hit to rival the big guns:

Viewtiful Joe 2:

Now with a PS2 edition can Capcom's fantastic hidden gem capture gamers hearts?

Lord of the Rings: The Third Age:

Set to be the best Ring's game to date, shame it's too late to cash in on the films... but oh wait isn't there that final DVD still to be released...

FIFA 2005 and Pro Evolution Soccor:

Football is becoming more popular by the day. Konami and EA are guarenteed success but how much?

Need For Speed Underground 2:

Last years Christmas winner has more stiff competition this time round. But if you can beat Mario Kart how'll GT stop ya?

Donkey Konga:

Enjoyed some success in Japan, can it create a massive eye toy effect? No didn't think so.

Prince of Persia 2:

Ubi-soft's critically acclaimed original sold like a led weight last year. But with a darker look is it time for the Prince series to get the recognition it deserves?

The Urbz:

The new look sims could well appeal to a new generation not hooked up on violent or kiddy titles.

Surprisingly I'd agree with all Dringo has put bar Goldeneye Rogue Agent - it will flop and review badly because it's living in the shadow of the N64 version. Everything or Nothing did badly compared to past games (commercially) and that had James Bond in it.

There are 2 games that I think will do, in this order, quite well and exceedingly well, though unfortunately neither are coming to the Gamecube;

Obscure: Silent Hill crossed with teen horror movies and a unique control system (2 characters - reminiscent of Resident Evil 0) and multiplayer, already being called the game that Outbreak (Ps2) should have been. Set for release October/November. PS2/Xbox.

Playboy The Mansion: Build up the Playboy business from scratch, this will have the Daily Mail/Express/Sun/Mirror up in arms for obvious reasons. After over 2 years of development - surprisingly the person in charge of it actually is a woman, this looks like it won't be relying on the name. It'll review around 7-8 /10 mark, but will appeal to many people (older obviously - but that's the demographic for the target formats anyway). November. Ps2/Xbox.

Finally, a PC one which needs no explanation. Final Fantasy XI. At f****** last.

I didn't like Half-Life either. I thought it was horribly overrated. But have you seen Half-Life 2?

In my opinion, looks to be one of the best games ever.

Yes but, to be fair, you don't represent every games reviewer.

Because I didn't like Half Life.

*Highly Excitable* wrote:
> I hope Halo 2 is not a let down well, who would

Dringo.

:-)

That's what I thought. Half-Life 2 will be better than any Nintendo games out this year.

I hope Halo 2 is not a let down (well, who would, that would be odd). Considering I dont own an XBox, I love the original game. No not like that. It is fantastic. If they improve it, it is gonna rule this Chrimbo

How did you work out that Halflife 2 should get a lower rating critically than Metroid 2?

It should also be top here when it is released. But people are stupid. Yes.

I'm betting you Madden 2005 is top of the game charts in America right now.