Kotaku
The holiday season is upon us, and that means game publishers across the country and around the world are getting ready to unleash some of the best gaming of the year on our poor, unsuspecting wallets. Every time a new release date is posted I simultaneously cheer and wince as through my elation the more sensible part of my mind emits a little cash register sound. To help drown out the constant ringing in my brain, I decided to go through GameStop's always completely accurate (lies!) "coming soon" section and tally up just how much the gamer who wants everything would have to shell out to get the hottest titles of the season. Now before you hit the jump, keep in mind that this is a completely subjective list, and yours may vary wildly.
I've sorted the list by console, listing titles and prices with totals at the end. I chose not to include handhelds because a) portable titles tend to lean more towards niche games instead of blockbuster must-haves and b) I am a lazy bastard. Also excluded is PC games for the same reasons, as well as the fact that system requirements make wish I could runs out of must-haves.
PS3
Folklore: $59.99
Eye of Judgment: $69.99
Guitar Hero III: $99.99
Ratchet and Clank: $59.99
Kane & Lynch: $59.99
Army of Two: $59.99
Assassin's Creed: $59.99
Haze: $59.99
Call of Duty 4: $59.99
Uncharted: $59.99
Rock Band $169.99
Half Life 2 Orange Box: $54.99
Total: $974.88
Out of the three current gen consoles, the PlayStation 3 has the largest lineup of A-list games coming out between now and Christmas, which is just splendid for those of us who've been patiently waiting for a time when there were too many games to choose from. Even more interesting is the fact that the PS3 is tied with the Wii as far as console exclusives go, with five games that are only coming to the system. Some might question Eye of Judgment's place on the list as a must-have, but I feel it is a system-defining title and deserves a spot there. I'm also pretty excited about Singstar, though I decided to keep it off of the list as I don't think I'm in the majority on that one. Also note that I went with the Rock Band bundle instead of just the game, as it is silly to not buy it in the discounted form.
WII
Zack and Wiki: $39.99
Super Mario Galaxy: $49.99
Raving Rabbids 2: $49.99
Mario and Sonic: $49.99
Super Smash Bros. Brawl: $49.99
Total: $239.95
While the Wii only has five games coming out that I would consider must-haves, every one of said titles is a console exclusive, though Raving Rabbids 2 is also coming out for the PC. On top of that, there are tons of niche games and children's games heading to the console this holiday season, so while the system might be low on blockbuster hits, it makes up for it in variety.
Xbox 360
Half-Life 2 Orange Box: 54.99
Ace Combat 6: $59.99
Guitar Hero III: $59.99
Virtua Fighter 5: $59.99
Call of Duty 4: $59.99
Army of Two: $59.99
Assassin's Creed: $59.99
Kane and Lynch: $59.99
Mass Effect : $59.99
Rock Band Bundle: $169.99
Total: $704.90
The Xbox 360 only has two exclusives on their must-have list, Ace Combat 6 and Mass Effect, but they're both pretty huge, and of course their biggest title came out last week, so the holiday season is a bit milder for Microsoft's console compared to the PS3. In calculating the cost I went ahead and assumed that you've already bought Guitar Hero II and have the guitar...if not, tack on an extra $40.
I don't know about you, but that's a lot of money right there. Now if we take into consideration someone who owns all three consoles like myself, cancel out the duplicates and assume I am getting Guitar Hero III for the Xbox 360, the grand total comes to $1,194.81, which means many trips to the local Blockbuster Video to rent titles I would much rather own, because there is no way in hell I can afford that. Considering there are several PC (Hellgate: London, The Witcher) and handheld (Final Fantasy Tactics, Disgaea) titles that I have my eye on, the holiday season is looking to be quite expensive indeed.
So how about you guys? What titles would you add to the list? What would you take away? How much are you planning to spend on the 2007 holiday gaming season?
Comments
Folklore, Assasins Creed, Disgaea, FF Tactics, and Smash Bros. will probably just about do it for me for the holiday season. Eye of Judgement I'm still out on, I mean it looks really fun, I just have a little trouble seeing me play it for an extended period of time.
You have Call of Duty 4 listed twice under PS3.
Why would I buy Call of Duty 4 for the PS3 two times? ;)
360 list needs more Lost Odyssey
and if we're going to count Eye of Judgment as an A list title, might as well throw Scene It! in there for a 360
@basisforbart: Sure, but it's going to be THAT good.
The kid in the picture is form the llama song, anyway you guys in America still get it about £10 cheaper than us overall. NO complaining.
My list would be...
Half-Life 2 Orange Box: 54.99
Guitar Hero III: $59.99
Rock Band Bundle: $169.99
Ratchet and Clank: $59.99
Super Smash Bros. Brawl: $49.99
Plus a PC upgrade if possible :)
you counted call of duty 4 twice on the PS3 list
COD4 & Half-Life 2 are all I need for the next 6 months. Everything else i'll wait for price drops or get when i'm bored one weekend.
Even if you want all these you can spread out the purchase of these across a couple of months, say, till May. Because there is no way anyone with a job, schooling or half a life could play all of these in the time they are released. My list is much smaller. Having a the PSTWii combo november is gonna be an insane month for me with Mario Galaxy MoH2:H, Assassins Creed, Army of Two and Uncharted... I have the money and the will... just not enough hours in a day.
You say that the PS3 has the largest list of titles, but the majority of those are coming out on the Xbox360 and PC as well. I know you don't really care for the platform, but Crysis and Unreal Tournament 3 are coming to the PC this year, and I'd say that's a pretty big deal.
I'm cheap (ish) and don't have much time to play so it's rockband only for a while (and maybe GH III if the guitar is compatibile). I plan eventually picking up Rachet and more if I like their demos. I'm also holding out for the next Burnout.
I'm buying Metroid Prime 3, Mass Effect and Super Mario Galaxy and leaving Assassin's Creed, Zack and Wiki and Umbrella Chronicles upto friends and/or family.
Honestly, I think January and February are going to be more turbulent for my wallet than Christmas.
I feared this the most..
My must haves -
Ratchet and Clank, Call of Duty 4, Kane & Lynch, Assassin's Creed, Haze, Call of Duty 4, Uncharted - that's a total of 360$.. not as horrible.
CoD4 is listed twice on the PS3 list btw.
@tehFluffz:
>CoD4 is listed twice on the PS3 list btw.
Heh, on mine as well apparently.
This is going to be one painful holiday for my wallet. I'm in the range of $450 for games for the PS3, plus whatever the price for a second guitar.
Everything that's on my list is up there, making my Wii60 list run just under $400: Mario Galaxy, Smash Brothers, GH3, Rock Band, Mass Effect. Anything else I'll have to rent or demo first. Still, worth it, especially since my wife will play a lot of those games, too, so I can justify it easier...
Mines hovers around 400 bucks for this holiday.
Orange Box $50 ~pre-purchased
Mass Effect $60
Assassins Creed $60
Call of Duty 4 $60
Super Mario Galaxy $50
And possibly...
Hellgate: London $50
Kane and Lynch or Army of Two depending on which is a better co-op game. $60
....crap. I'm glad GTA4 isn't comming out this winter but I think all I would of needed this holiday would be GTA4. Now I need games to tide me over until I can run around Liberty City again.
Given these lists, I don't understand why there are rabid fan console wars at all. It looks to me like anyone who has a console will come out a winner by the end of this holiday season.
I heard the PA guys on a podcast describe the reason for console wars being the product of pre-income teenagers who could only afford one console having to feverishly defend their purchase. However, with lists like these I just don't see that argument, as there are goods for any console. Sure, you won't get to experience certain games if you stick with just one console - but unless they're all flops, you're gonna have a lot of fun anyways.
My list is pretty much the same Immel, though you can add 300 bucks onto it for a wii if I can find one for Mario.
Kane and Lynch when I tried it was pretty cool, but I've played hitman and freedom fighters and it felt like the child of those two.
It was neat, but the whole "two guys" thing there wasn't much gameplay around that, I didn't even know where the other guy was in the sea of other henchmen we had. Maybe it's different in multiplayer.
I don't know about you, but that's a lot of money right there. Now if we take into consideration someone who owns all three consoles like myself...
Don't forget DS, PSP, and PC. Some people have six consoles. Also, the PS2 may still be going strong.
All in all it's an awful time to be a gamer's bank account.
Ever since I have become a working adult I have always loved and hated this time of year. I not only have to buy presents for the ones I love but I have to fill my video game need. It was funny last year giving my parents a list of video games that I wanted but I knew I couldn't afford to buy them on top of everything else. They told me that they thought they were done buying me "games" especially since I was 29. At least they won't be surprised when I hand them another long list this year.
As for my must have list it would be GH3, Mass Effect, COD4 and possibly K&L however a Wii may make it's way onto that list also.
I understand the reasons, but I would like to see a PC list here. =(
My brother recently upgraded his and I'm having a blast catching up with the games!
Oh shit...
@Everyone here basically...: And you wonder why the video game industry is racking in more money than movies and music combined...... We are addicts.
I know I am.
What, no PGR4?
Yes, this winter makes my wallet cry. And I still haven't bought RE4 or MP3 for the Wii. So, let's see... RE4, Metroid, Mario, SSB, Zelda (today), COD4, Assassin's Creed, Rock Band/GH3, Ace Combat, Mass Effect... all in all, we're looking at over $800 this winter. And those are just the must-haves.
How do I do it? I'm in debt up to my eyeballs!
I saw this coming months ago and took the time to prioritize what I had to have and what I thought I could get away with asking for Christmas. I really wish publishers would release more games in the spring/summer.
I would add to the Wii Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (it's looking really good, no, really)
and Batallion Wars II!
althou im not sure it will be released before christmas.
my list is those 2 + super mario galaxy, and maybe later metroid. Not going to buy smash bros cause right now i don't want party's of 3+ people in my house.
PS3: I have no rhythm or ps3, so most games being listed here are going to be finding my way come bargain bin a year from now:
Folklore, Eye of Judgment, Assassin's Creed, Ratchet & Clank Future
The strongest unreleased lineup easily and might be a pick to win the quarter if they stopped playing the SKU shell game with their console.
Wii: Sister has one so I'm bumming off of her and calling it her 'Christmas present'
Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (@Fahey you really are a huge Raving Rabbids fan aren't you?)
Wii will sell out right to the big day. In typical Nintendo style, you'll only need to get 1-3 games for the system, but the ones you do get will be rockin.
x360: Only one game I need: Mass Effect. A killer app and one that might put alot of Sony's chunkier library full of 6-7/10 score titles to shame. Not sure where you are coming from with saying Xbox has the 'light' lineup this xmas Fahey. Bioshock, Halo 3, and the better Madden will all sell strong well into q4's end.
Basically, it is a:
Halo3/Mass Effect Vs Assassin's Creed/The Eye Vs SSBM/Super Mario Galaxy holiday
There are too many games coming out, and I feel like I just bought too many. I just bought (a few weeks ago) Blue Dragon, PSP slim bundle, Persona 3, .hack//GU//Vol 3, Eternal Sonata, Wild Arms 5, Odin Sphere
Plus you forgot katamari, I'm totally buying that this month.
@Roadkill: It has to do with feeling the need to justify the purchase of one console over the other.
Budget is definitely affecting my list. Mine has been cut down to GHIII, Ratchet and Clank, and The Simpsons Game. At least I'll finally be able to trade in my PS2 once GHIII comes out, unless I find someone who wants to buy it and I'll be selling my wireless guitar and trading in my wired guitar to go on top of all the trade ins that I have already made. I already have R&C payed off and GH about half payed off not counting my future trades. I should have plenty of time to save up for The Simpsons Game, though. Oh yea, and I need to import some rumble goodness.
Brawl, Mass Effect, maybe that Orange Box thing, Dementium for the DS, maybe Mario Galaxy, Mario & Sonic, Virtua Fighter 5, and probably Call of Duty 4.
my wallet is already hurting.... picked up Soul Nomad for PS2 this week. Week before was Halo3. Now this upcoming tuesday will be Folklore and Final Fantasy Tactics. Ouch.
Games I'm wanting that come out by end of the year:
Ratchet and Clank (preordered), Assassins Creed, Mass Effect(going to preorder), Super Mario Galaxy
Maybes:
Eye of Judgment, Metroid Prime 3, COD4
must... control..... spending....
Xbox 360
Half-Life 2 Orange Box: 54.99
Call of Duty 4: $59.99
Army of Two: $59.99
Assassin's Creed: $59.99
Kane and Lynch: $59.99
Mass Effect : $59.99 (limited edition)
and
PGR 4
and if released this yr
The Club
PC
Unreal
Hellgate
Crysis
Razer Lachesis
I guess if money just falls out of a tree for me, I might pick up UR MR GAY and SSB.
Xbox 360
Half-Life 2 Orange Box: 54.99 - Yes, for Portal
Ace Combat 6: $59.99 + $40 - Yes, with the joystick
Guitar Hero III: $59.99 - Maybe, Rock Band has my vote
Virtua Fighter 5: $59.99 - Na
Call of Duty 4: $59.99 - Allready reserved
Army of Two: $59.99 - Hell yes, i wounder if the soliders are employees of Black Water. HAHAHAHAHA
Assassin's Creed: $59.99 - Yes,I'm loving me some Jade Raymond in HD, if theres a LE game.
Kane and Lynch: $59.99 - Nope, bald guys in games dont intrest me one bit. it does look good thou.
Mass Effect : $59.99 - MUST HAVE, this IS Next-Gen
Rock Band Bundle: $169.99 -Yes.
PS3
Haze, yes
Hopefully I get a Wii for Christmas, cuz SuperSmash Bros Brawl looks great.
What about "Accessories"? Any favorites and prices?
@ajefferism: Judging by the number of people with Mass Effect on their lists, I think I'm going to preorder it too...
Also, I feel sorry for the Canadian gamers this holiday. :(
360
-Beautiful Katamari
-Call of Duty 4
-Assassins Creed
-Mass Effect
-Guitar Hero III
Wii
-Super Mario Galaxy
Maybe add Rock Band and Half Life to the mix, but right now I'm at $330. That doesn't include that I just bought Halo 3 and Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.
But Seriously, Eye of Judgment?
Half-Life 2 Orange Box: €69.99
Call of Duty 4: €69.99
Assassin's Creed: €69.99
Kane and Lynch: €69.99
Mass Effect : €69.99
Pro Evo Eight : €69.99
PS3 Console : €400 (hopefully if the much mooted 40gb version comes out)
Haze : €69.99
Rachet & Clank : €69.99
Folklore : €69.99
Warhawk : €30
That doesn't include 'minor' stuff like Final Fantasy Tactics on the PSP on Zelda on the DS, XBLA marketplace, WoW subscription time or any other inpulse buys. All in all, I reckon I'll probably drop €1500 on videogame stuff between now and Christmas.
Maybe it's time to take up shoplifting again.
Like I said in another post here... we'll all still be buying 2007 titles in 2008. Too many are being released at one time. I still want to pick up Oblivion GotY for PS3 too. I'm still getting Uncharted and maybe Assassin's Creed this year. Uncharted looks like it'll be the first big PS3 title given the numbers I've seen so far, but it's hard to say without knowing if it'll have enough marketing yet. A lot of morons still think it's a Tombraider clone. ^^
@A-Rude-Hero:
Are you getting Afternoon of Darkness?
I just got back from the gulf, so I still haven't finished Heavenly Sword. I have a literal stack of games not finished now including Disgaea. ^^
@doubtful:
...and Persona 3.
I'm surprised only one person (so far) put the Simpsons game on their list. It's a parody of every game we love, and it was held back from a movie-video game release to make sure it was done right. It comes out mere days before Harvey Birdman does too. I'm getting hit hard here, because those two are titles I need, as well as everything else people have been mentioning (Galaxy, Brawl, Eye of Judgement, etc.)
OH and forgot,
Naruto: Rise of a Ninja for the 360 should be up there. I spent a weekend watching the show with my son, and I'm loving it now.
Is Zack and Wiki really only $39.99??? I hope that doesn't mean it's a short game. I'm really looking forward to some old-school Space/King's/Police Quest style gaming re-imagined with the wii remote interaction.
Since I am buying a laptop in November, I need to limit my selection of games this year. It's cool though, because that means I'll have things to play (Heavenly Sword and such) during the drought next year.
So, I just bought Quake Wars for the PC (will be good on the gaming laptop I am buying for "school," Wink Wink, don't tell the wife,) and I will be getting Assassin's Creed for the PS3. I was on the fence about which system to get it for, but was leaning toward the 360 because of the developers announcing that you would be using vibration to detect how good of a hold you have on the ledge you are currently trying to climb. But with the Dual Shock 3 announcement, I know it won't be long after release when we get it on there too.
One less game I will still be able to play after my 360 goes to game console heaven.
i added up the numbers on your PS3 list and came to $874.88, not $974.88. I think you just accidentally added $100 or something.
Anyway, it's an expensive time to be a gamer
I plan to buy definitely:
PS3:
Ratchet & Clank
Rock Band Bundle
Uncharted
360:
Mass Effect
Orange Box
Wii:
Super Mario Galaxy
Mario & Sonic at the Olympics
Zack and Wiki
DS:
Chibi Robo (if I can import it somehow)
Zelda Phantom Hourglass
Front Mission
Phoenix Wright 3
FinalFantasy XII - Revenant Wings
Professor Layton
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Would also like: Stranglehold Limited Edition
Assassins Creed, SingStar, Haze, Simpsons, Call of Duty 4, Ninja Gaiden DS, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker