The annual Tokyo Game Show event will take place in the Makuhari Messe Nippon Convention Center as usual, from September 22 to 24. Attendees can expect to see some of the most exciting and highly anticipated console and portable games make an appearance at the event, along with stage demonstrations and...let's say, "creatively dressed" spokespeople. And with the recent news that the Electronic Entertainment Expo, formerly the biggest event in the entire game industry, may be undergoing radical changes, maybe TGS will become the game industry's de facto flagship event in the coming years. But for now, our editorial staff has put together a list of the games that we're most looking forward to.
Please note: This is not an exhaustive, all-inclusive list, or a 100-percent-confirmed list of all the games at the show, since last-minute changes on the part of game publishers could result in some games not making an appearance. Also, this is not a list of the only games that GameSpot knows or cares about--it's just a list of games that our editors are looking forward to.
Our picks are listed alphabetically. Take a look at our picks, and be sure to post a comment at the bottom of the page to add yours. Also, be sure to keep track of our coverage leading up to the event at GameSpot's TGS 06 coverage center.
PS3 Games
Devil May Cry 4 (PS3)
Release Date: TBA
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
The first Devil May Cry game was characterized as having "stylish, hard action"--a description that turned out to be more or less literal, since the series has gone on to offer over-the-top, action-movie-like battles that have been very, very challenging, indeed. Devil May Cry 4 will be the next chapter in the saga of Dante, the series' half-demon, half-human, all-guy-with-swords-and-guns, who will undoubtedly be battling against otherworldly foes in his next adventure. We'll hopefully see what's on tap at TGS.
Fatal Inertia (PS3)
Release Date: Nov 14, 2006
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
Set in the 22nd century, Fatal Inertia is a fast-paced racing game in which gravity-defying craft race not on carefully constructed circuits but through natural-looking landscapes that are dotted with checkpoints and weapon pickup points. You'll be able to customize your craft's appearance and performance by swapping out parts such as the wings, the cockpit, the spoiler, the nose, and the tail. Custom paint jobs will also be available for those of you who like to look good.
Final Fantasy XIII (PS3)
Release Date: TBA
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
The Final Fantasy XIII development team has created the "White engine" to integrate graphics rendering, physics, cinematics, sound, and special effects. Square Enix promises take full advantage of the PS3 hardware. Based on what we saw, the game looks to stick to the stylish blend of fantasy and sci-fi themes, although the overall feel is a bit darker than Final Fantasy XII. Several environments are dark and have the hard, cold feel of technology; others are almost tropical, like Macalania from Final Fantasy X.
MGS 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)
Release Date: 2007
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
What little has been revealed about this highly anticipated sequel has apparently been designed to be shocking. The formidable secret operative known as Solid Snake is now an old man--and his young ward, Raiden, is now apparently some kind of insane cyborg ninja. Also, Snake apparently announces in the game that "this is [his] final mission," a statement he makes while putting the barrel of a loaded gun in his mouth. Is this the last shocking development we'll see from MGS4? We hope to find out more in Tokyo.
Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3)
Release Date: Nov 15, 2006
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
Formerly known as I-8, Resistance: Fall of Man is a first-person shooter from Insomniac, the company responsible for the Ratchet & Clank series. The game takes place in an alternate version of 1951 England. World War II never happened, but instead you're battling against crazy monsters with coils and tubes coming out of their backs. With good looks, some cool-looking physics, and interesting weaponry, Resistance looks like it's off to a good start.
Ridge Racer 7 (PS3)
Release Date: TBA
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
Though we know that Ridge Racer girl Reiko Nagase will be making another appearance, very few details have been released about Namco Bandai Games' next PlayStation 3 racing game. The series has always been about racing performance cars at insane speeds, and what we've seen previously suggests that drifting, the act of turning your steering wheel and tapping the brakes while going into a turn at full speed to tear through the bend, will be a very prominent part of the gameplay. We'll hopefully find out more at the Tokyo Game Show.
Sonic the Hedgehog (PS3)
Also on: Xbox 360
Release Date: Nov 14, 2006
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
It's hard to believe that Sonic the Hedgehog will be turning 15 this year. For the little guy's 15th anniversary, developer Sonic Team is aiming to have Sonic's next-gen debut revisit his roots for this new era in gaming, marrying the classic Sonic elements of graphics and speed with the power of the new boxes. So far, it's easily the best looking Sonic the Hedgehog game we've ever seen. All in all, Sonic appears to be making his way to the next set of platforms in style.
Tekken 6 (PS3)
Release Date: TBA
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
It's hard to imagine how Namco Bandai Games will top the excellent Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, though it was perhaps just as difficult to guess how Dark Resurrection could possibly improve on the original Tekken 5. Though we know very little so far about the game, previously-released updates suggest that Tekken 6 will still feature Jin Kazama (and his alter-ego, Devil Jin), as well as the martial artist Hwoarang, and the Tekken series's new killer blonde, Lili. We'll hopefully find out more in Tokyo.
Virtua Fighter 5 (PS3)
Release Date: 2007
>> Add to My Tracked Games List
Few arcade games can be called bona fide classics, and fewer still are even around today. One of the few series that holds both of these distinctions is Sega's Virtua Fighter, a one-on-one fighting game that emphasizes highly technical gameplay and excellent timing. The latest game in the series, Virtua Fighter 5, has enjoyed a strong arcade following in Japan and other parts of the world, and it'll be coming home, exclusively, to the PlayStation 3.
Which games are you most looking forward to from the Tokyo Game Show? Any predictions about what will be shown? Sound off! And keep track of our coverage at GameSpot's TGS 06 coverage center.
GameSpot's Most Anticipated at Tokyo Game Show 2006
Find out which games the staff of GameSpot is most looking forward to at this year's Tokyo Game Show.
841 Comments