Games I’m looking forward to in 2008, part 1
The other day, I saw an interesting thread at Swedish video game collector/enthusiast forum Cowabunga, asking “What games are you looking forward to in 2008?”. I of course knew of a couple off the top of my head, but I realised I hadn’t really made an actual concrete list of titles. As I was spending a few minutes thinking of what it really is I’m looking forward to, I couldn’t help thinking “hey, you know, this would make a great entry for my blog”. There’s a fair amount of games on the list, and as always I’ll be needlessly verbose, so I figured I’d split the list up over a few posts. Without further ado, I present to you: Games I’m looking forward to in 2008, part 1 of 4.
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The King of Fighters XII
Developer: SNK Playmore
Platform: Arcade (Taito Type-X2)
Release date: TBA, but it damn better come out in 2008
Official website: None yet
Why I’m looking forward to it: Once upon a time, the King of Fighters series of fighting games saw a new release each year. However, due to budget and quality concerns, that ended with the series’ 10th installment, KOF 2003. In the years since we’ve seen numerous spin-offs, remakes and side projects, but no true sequels since 2005’s The King of Fighters XI. A stellar game, it turned a lot of series staples upside down yet remained distinctly ‘KOF’ with great gameplay and equally great presentation. As a fan of the series I look forward to each new installment with great anticipation, but this time I’m more excited than usual, as SNK have mentioned that they are in fact redoing all the game’s graphics from the ground up, instead of (partly) relying on groundwork laid by previous games - SNK’s M.O. for the last 11(!) or so years. To be fair, this graphics “recycling” is really not a big deal, but the fact that SNK have their sights set on renewal and staying contemporary deserves a lot of props.
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The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Regulation “A” 2
Developer: SNK Playmore
Platform: Arcade (Taito Type-X2), PlayStation 2?
Release Date: TBA, presumably 2008
Official Website: None yet
Why I’m looking forward to it: The original KOF Maximum Impact was one of the aforementioned spin-offs that came out in 2004 to fill the void created by the no-longer-annual KOF release schedule. Released for the PS2, and later Xbox, KOFMI took familiar KOF characters and settings, but replaced the hand drawn pixel graphics with polygonal 3D visuals. The game was not particularly great, but apparently it did well enough to justify a sequel; 2006’s KOFMI2. MI2 was a big improvement, and in fact led to the eventual release of KOFMI Regulation “A” - an updated version of MI2 with 4 new characters - in arcades. In an apparent attempt to out-convolute Capcom, SNK have now announced KOFMIA2 - a sequel to a spin-off of a sequel to another spin-off. Dizzy yet? In any event, I really enjoyed MI2 and MIA, so I’m looking forward to this newest installment. MIA retained MI2’s PS2-quality graphics, but I’m hoping MIA2 will if not be a huge step above that, at least look a little better. If nothing else, it’s always interesting to see what crazy new costume designs producer Falcoon will come up with.
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The King of Fighters ‘98 Ultimate Match
Developer: SNK Playmore
Platform: PlayStation 2, Arcade (Taito Type-X1)
Release date: Spring 2008
Official website: Link
Why I’m looking forward to it: KOF ‘98 was a fantastic game when it came out almost 10 years ago, and it has remained one of the most well-liked games in the series ever since. Following 2004’s The King of Fighters ‘94 Re-Bout, SNK Playmore will now release a new enhanced PS2 port of KOF98 on its 10th anniversary. KOF98UM will not feature redrawn graphics like 94RB did, but it will feature a slew of new gameplay features, modes, additional characters, secrets and who knows what else. This greatly anticipated game has been in the works for close to two years, and I can’t imagine any fan of SNK being disappointed with it.
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Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law
Developer: High Voltage Software/Capcom
Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii
Release date: January 8 (USA)
Official website: Link
Why I’m looking forward to it: High Voltage Software hardly has a very respectable track record - with such games as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well as the instant classic White Men Can’t Jump for the Jaguar on their resumé, it’d be easy to simply dismiss this game. It’s made by a largely unknown and rather dubious developer, and is based on a TV show to boot! However, the game seems to largely borrow the gameplay mechanics from Capcom’s highly successful (and highly awesome) Gyakuten Saiban/Ace Attorney series, only replacing all dialogue with fully voiced and animated scenes. Now, I don’t think the writing will be on the level of the GS games, nor do I think the voice acting will be particularly amazing - but it’s a simple enough premise, and as long as the writers and cast don’t screw up too badly, I think it’s actually going to be quite fun.
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NiGHTS Into Dreams…
Developer: SEGA
Platform: PlayStation 2
Release date: February 21 (Japan)
Official website: Link
Why I’m looking forward to it: NiGHTS Into Dreams… was pretty much the flagship title for the Sega Saturn, and it’s remembered by many as one of Sonic Team’s last truly great games. I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that despite being both an avid Saturn fan and an owner of the original game, I’ve never really played it. Nevertheless, it’s supposed to be really good, and undeniably a real classic. Not to be confused with the recently released NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (the American-developed Wii sequel), NiGHTS for the PS2 is a port of the original Saturn game, with enhanced graphics and other bonuses. It might sound weird that I’m looking forward to a new port of a game I already own, yet haven’t been bothered to play, but I suppose it’s a matter of convenience. Having it on PS2 means I can play it on my PS3, without having to dig out my Saturn. Plus, considering the fact that graphics, load times and possible controls will be better, it just seems like it’ll make for a more enjoyable experience overall. And hey, being an old SEGA fan it would just not seem right not to be excited about this game. 
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Ryuu ga Gotoku Kenzan!
Developer: SEGA
Platform: PlayStation 3
Release date: March 6
Official website: Link
Why I’m looking forward to it: I’ve written about this game before, and, well, let’s just say my excitement hasn’t exactly subsided. With every new piece of media revealed, this game just keeps looking more and more awesome. I’ve still yet to play either of the first two RGG games, but from all accounts they are supposed to be fantastic, and I see no reason why Kenzan! would be any different. Just download this trailer and TRY to tell me this won’t be the coolest thing so far on this generation of consoles. Uncharted and Ratchet & Clank be damned, as far as I’m concerd, Ryuu ga Gotoku Kenzan! is the first standout exclusive for the PS3. It still doesn’t excuse Sega for not making Shenmue 3, but it’s pretty darn close.
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Stay tuned for part 2.