If you own the Wii, the Xbox 360, the PS3 or all of the above then you’re probably looking forward to the great slew of games coming out this year, and that is precisely why I’m going to help you out by giving you a list of the top TEN console games you should check out this 2008. So whether you’re a Nintendo diehard, a Microsoft fanboy or a Sony enthusiast, these are the games that are going to make you glad to be a gamer.

This week I’ll list the second half of the top ten, beginning with 10-6 on the list, and next week I’ll continue with the countdown with the top five and finish with the number one game you should be playing this year. So, let’s go ahead and get started shall we?

10) Street Fighter IV – TBA? (Xbox 360? Playstation 3? Nintendo Wii? Arcade? )

It’s been nearly a full decade since gamers have had a new Street Fighter game to play, and that entry was Street Fighter EX3 for the PS2 released back in 2000. To help put that into better perspective, 2000 was the year that George Bush was elected President, Sisqo’s “Thong Song” was topping charts and TRL’s Carson Daly became a heart throb? The bottom line is that Capcom’s Street Fighter series is long overdue for another entry into the series, and another good entry at that. Since Street Fighter II and some may argue this, Capcom has failed to release a true and much anticipated sequel. Sure they came out with Street Fighter III, a decent title, yet they followed with a slew of ridiculous other sequels and sub-titles (ex. Capcom vs. SNK and etc.) that eventually made it difficult to tell the order of the series. It’s time that this great video game franchise return to its roots by upping the graphics but staying true to the gameplay of old, which is exactly what Street Fighter IV hopefuls are looking forward to seeing. Not much has been uncovered about SF IV nor has a release date been announced, but that hasn’t stopped the world of gaming from salivating at the mouth for this anticipated title. But while everyone else is hyped about SF IV, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel to the 1994 Street Fighter movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Kylie Minogue. I don’t know what’s worse – the fact that Street Fighter the movie was ever made, or the fact that I own it.

9) Little Big Planet – September 2008 (Playstation 3)

If you have yet to see the any gameplay footage of Little Big Planet then you, my friend are greatly missing out on the fun. This game’s physics are so realistic that it is nearly impossible to make it past the obstacles in each level without the help of your fellow little people – who by the way you can customize yourself. The game itself is rather hard to explain in words, but it is essentially a platformer and world creation game for the PS3. Players can compete cooperatively as stated earlier, or they can compete against one another. Players can use mechanisms (ex. blocks and other structures) to build anything from small level designs to large and intricate worlds all the while their characters will constantly be acquiring new skills and tools. Little Big Planet will also be supported in large part by the new global community feature via the Playstation network. Go now and check this game out for yourself if you still have any questions because it’s going to be SICK!

Fable 2 – Q3 2008 (Xbox 360)

The first Fable, which released on Xbox back in 2004, was an original title that allowed players to basically choose their destiny. Players could either be good or evil depending on their courses of action throughout the game. You started out the game as a child and by the end of your adventure you had grown into an adult – furthermore, a hero or a villain. Being good had the better rewards of course, but being bad just seemed like so much more fun. It was so hard to be good because once you tasted the hint of blood from your first evil kill you wanted to keep coming back for more. The graphics of the original were pretty well done and the gameplay was engaging and fun. The only drawback to the game seemed to be its longevity. Fable was an extremely short game. In fact, it took my roommate one day to beat the game with many of the quests and side-jobs completed. However, in response to the many gamers’ complaints about the shortness of the adventure, Microsoft released Fable: The Lost Chapters a year later, which was an extension of the original game. Let’s hope that Fable 2 expands on the great formula that constructed the first game while delivering a long single player adventure and a spectacular online mode. Oh, and who can forget the blurry screen that appeared in Fable after your character had downed one too many drinks. Can we say alcoholic?

7) Fallout 3 – Q3 2008 (Xbox 360 and Playstation 3)

Once again Fallout 3 drops us into a post-apocalyptic United States reminiscent of its prequels, but this time the protagonist, a member of the Vault 101 fallout shelter, ventures into the wastelands in order to find his mysteriously missing father. The game thus far looks to be at least pure eye candy if nothing else displaying gorgeous cinematics and spectacular character detail and animation. Fallout 3 also appears to be maintaining familiarities with the earlier PC versions of the franchise and that’s a good thing for Fallout fans. Not too much has really been released about Fallout other than being one of this years biggest next generation console and PC games. So, keep your eyes posted for more information on Fallout 3 as its tentative Quarter 3 of 2008 release date approaches. This game should be epic!

6) Mario Kart Wii – Q2 2008 (Nintendo Wii)

Let’s see – 16-player online races, new items, new karts (motorcycles and etc), performing stunts, all the Mario Kart DS tracks getting a Wii makeover…oh, and did I mention the 16-player online mode. This game is going to be simply put – ridiculously addictive fun. Now not all of the above information has been confirmed by Nintendo, but there is healthy speculation of its confirmation just around the corner. Nintendo has not only stated that its popular racing frenzy will be going online later this year, but they have also declared that the game will be packaged with a Wii steering wheel peripheral. With interactive Wii remote driving, essentially simulating actual steering wheel maneuvers, Mario Kart aims to please not only veterans to the series but newcomers as well. Nintendo has devoted itself to making better use of its wireless wi-fi functionality and what better a title than the adored Mario Kart series to help out their cause. Mario Kart DS was Nintendo’s first major step towards online play and they only intend to expand on that step by leaping forward with Mario Kart for Wii. More information will be released about this heated title soon, but in the mean time, keep your fingers crossed that Nintendo keeps their word and releases this game in the first half of this year. I can’t wait to green shell an online opponent just before the finish line to steal the victory and induce bragging rights.

WARNING: This game may cause elevated yelling, hoarse voices, an increase in blood pressure and possible heart attacks due to its insanely close battles to cross the finish line.

Well that’s all for this week’s countdown of the top TEN most anticipated games of 2008. Stay tuned for the bottom half of the countdown next week and to see what game is voted the most anticipated game of 2008. As always, thanks for reading.

Dillon (D-Dub)

Con’t Part 2