CORBIE'S GAME BLOG

Of all the questions I've been getting around the net lately, it's the question of what games I'm most looking forward to between now and the end of the year that keeps coming up the most often. Although there aren't quite as many titles as would have been listed this time last year, there are still a good number of games I'm anxiously awaiting between now and the holidays so I thought it would be a good time to talk a little bit about them. I thought I would have more trouble than I did narrowing it down, but when it all came down to it, these five game easily stuck out when I sat down and made a little list. So without further ado, here we go.

1. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - This was really a no-brainer for me personally. I've been itching to play this one since I first saw video of it back during last year's E3 show. I'm a sucker for a Mario game and after being slightly dissapointed with Super Mario Sunshine on the Gamecube, I'm hoping that this one will live up to the Mario name. We got a heftier dose of screenshots and video at the recent E3 show, and now we know that this game will hit US retailers on November 12th. Needless to say, I might be skipping Thanksgiving so I can get in some extra playing time on this one.

2. Blue Dragon (Xbox 360) - This is the reason I bought an Xbox 360 to begin with. I've always been a huge fan of Japanese RPGs and since certain members of the Chrono Trigger team developed this one, there's no way I'd miss it. I've recently played the demo on Xbox Live Marketplace and it's as good as I had hoped it would be. Gorgeous visuals and a really catchy soundtrack highlight this upcoming RPG that I'm going to be all over once I get the full version in hand.

3. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3) - I've long been a huge fan of the Ratchet & Clank series of games and this one has hit written all over it. After peeking at some screenshots and video of the game in action, it's obvious that the power of the Playstation 3 console is really being taken advantage of with this title. I just hope the developers can add some new twists to the game play itself as these titles are quickly becoming a little too similar in design and execution. Be nice to see the game get a fresh start on the Playstation 3 system. Either way, I'll be picking it up on day one.

4. Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) - I've been enjoying the Japanese PC Engine import of Dracula X: Rondo of Blood for many years so I was especially excited to hear that not only was Konami finally bringing this classic stateside, but also giving the game an audio/visual makeover to go along with it. To further add to the fun, Konami is also including the original version of the game as well as the Playstation classic rendition of Symphony of the Night. My PSP has been needing some action lately, and this game is likely to give it just that come October when it hits store shelves.

5. Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass (DS) - Now this is a game that we've all been waiting on for a very long time. There have been times when I wondered if this game would ever see the light of day, but US gamers will finally get their hands on this game in November and it couldn't come at a better time with the holiday shopping season in full swing. I'll admit that I'm still a bit concerned about the style of game play this one will employ in using only the touchscreen for control, but so far early impressions of the import version make it seem like Nintendo really knew what they were doing and have turned out one of the best Zelda titles to day. Makes me excited just thinking about it.

Well there you have it. My five most wanted games for the remainder of 2007. I'd love to hear what all of you out there are looking forward to as well so if you leave a comment, be sure and list your five most wanted games for the rest of the year. And feel free to mock my list as well. I know it's coming. : )