Nine more games target 360 launch

Though Microsoft has not officially confirmed the entire launch lineup of games expected on day one of the Xbox 360's debut, two game publishers are publicly declaring their contributions. According to a report from Reuters, Take-Two Interactive and Activision have announced nine Xbox 360 games between them that will be on store shelves November 22, the day the console is released in the US.

The rivalry between Take-Two and Electronic Arts in the sports market will continue in the next-generation, as Take-Two, parent company of the 2K Sports brand, is expecting to have NBA 2K6, NHL 2K6, Top Spin 2, and Amped 3 on the Xbox 360 opening bill. Away from the feats of cyberathletes, Take-Two expects to take on the role-playing world with Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Activision is declaring a quartet of launch games for the 360, including a trio of sequels and an all-new IP. WWII shooter Call of Duty 2, first-person shooter Quake 4, and skater Tony Hawk's American Wasteland have all been pegged for day one release by the publisher. Activision believes Gun, an all-new Western-themed action game, will also mosey into stores November 22, according to Reuters.

Microsoft has not officially announced any of these games as available for the launch of the Xbox 360.

Adding these nine to the previous eight confirmed at X05 (Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo: Elements of Power, Perfect Dark Zero, Madden NFL 06, NBA Live 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, FIFA 06, and Need for Speed Most Wanted) would bring the total to 17 games ready for launch.

Given that Microsoft has repeatedly stated that 15-20 games will be ready for the console's debut, including all of these games would mean that other launch candidates may not be ready for day one, as previously thought. Games such as THQ's Saint's Row, Sega's Full Auto and Condemned: Origins, and Tecmo's Dead or Alive 4 would now be put on the bubble or pushed back to the second wave of games expected at the end of this year, or early 2006.

According to David Reid, director of platform marketing for the Xbox, the remaining games for launch are still "in the final stages of certification" and will shortly be announced officially.