Top Ten Desired Games of 2010

2009. Pfft. That is soooo 2009. Sure, there may have been a fantastic amount of games available to us this year, but that's not good enough. We're gamers. We're always wanting more. There's never enough gaming to be had! No sarcasm or hint of irony meant. Before we start the SPC Best of 2009 awards, I wanted to take a look ahead at the games I'm looking forward to playing most in 2010. Now if you've been following SPC for awhile, you'll pretty much know my tastes. Colorful platformers, action games, mascot racers, certain FPS games, et cetera. Does your list contain any of my most wanted?

10) Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)

I absolutely loved Gran Turismo 4. It was my first game in the series and in the driving simulation genre. Driving down a straightaway, wind dancing against your ride, or drifting through a hairpin turn, it was beautiful. Gran Turismo 5 seems to be bigger and better than previous installments with custom soundtracks, online gameplay, and even car damage. Perhaps that will make me drive with more caution. Wouldn't want to see my Mustang with ouchies on it!


9) Tatsunoko VS Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (Wii)

As you can tell from my What is UP with that article, or at least the portion of it on fighting games, I'm not too keen on the fighting genre. However, I can't pass up on playing as Frank West of Dead Rising fame or Zero from the Mega Man X series. The coup de grace is the addition of online play for fighters all around the world to put up or shut up. Sure, I'll get creamed like clam chowder, but at least I'll have fun doing it. Though to be absolutely positively truthful, I would have more fun winning.


8) Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver (DS)

This one is a big'gun as some would say. I've never met anyone who would say such a thing who wasn't in character, but I'm getting off topic. Regardless, I never got to enjoy the Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal era of games. I blame it on my lack of a Game Boy Color. Some say it's the best generation. I say, "bring it on!" because I've got to catch 'em all. I look forward to visiting the region of Johto for the very first time, duking it out online with fellow trainers, and of course, catching them all.


7) Metroid: Other M (Wii)

We don't know much about Metroid: Other M besides that it's a stupid title. It also appears to be half 2-D with 3-D effects thrown in for good measure. That's really why it's so low on this list-- we know next to nothing on it. Regardless, Team Ninja of Ninja Gaiden fame and Nintendo have teamed up to create what is looking to be one unforgettable adventure with all of the backtracking, charge beam-blasting action any fan of Samus could hope for.


6) Sin and Punishment 2 (Wii)

I picked up the original Sin and Punishment on the Virtual Console, and I really enjoyed it. Sure, the controls were cumbersome and the voice work was grating, but it was a great game. I was very pleased to catch wind of a sequel. I was even more pleased to read that you'd be using the pointer to shoot. Now all I wait for is a Star Fox sequel using the same control set-up, and my life will be nearly complete. Okay, dramatics aside, Sin and Punishment 2 looks to be one sure-fire way to have a blast. Did you notice the two puns in that last sentence? I'm so clever.


5) Monster Hunter 3 (Wii)

Monster Hunter is big in Japan. No, huge. No, behemoth-sized. Even as console versions aren't as popular, MH3 has sold nearly a million copies in the land of the rising sun alone. It's coming soon to North America with Wii speak functionality and online play, whether it's free or not we'll have to wait and see. The game is the first real blockbuster third party effort (sad, isn't it?), and it definitely shows. The monster slashing, monster hunting action you've known to love is back and better than ever before in Monster Hunter 3.


4) Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing (Various)

While Gran Turismo 5 is pure simulation, Sonic and SEGA All-Star Racing (flows off the tongue, does it not?) is all arcade action. Modeled after Mario Kart, All-Star Racing takes multiple characters from the SEGA universe, Sonic, Tails, Eggman, Ulala, Samba, Aiai, Billy Hatchet, Ryo from Shenmue, and puts them on tracks from various SEGA franchises. Promising an equal experience no matter the platform, this title should be on any SEGA fan's wish list.


3) God of War III (PS3)

The God of War franchise is an action-adventure series of visceral proportions. As shown in the trailer, you can take someone's head and twist it right off. And I thought the original Playstation 2 game was violent beyond words. The game itself looks like a painting as David Jaffe once eloquently put it. I have to agree with him. It's a gorgeous-looking game, and I imagine it will have the same longevity and fun factor of past God of Wars. I can only ponder the epic battles with towering monstrosities and beasts!


2) ModNation Racers (PS3)

This is the third and final racer on my list. What do you get when you cross Mario Kart with LittleBigPlanet? You get this game on my list, one of my most anticipated of 2010. I missed out on the beta for ModNation Racers, but I think my soul is strong enough to wait. You can create your own custom tracks filled with obstacles, twists, and turns, items, and shortcuts, share them with others, or just race them until you've achieved track-creating perfection. I loved LittleBigPlanet, so no doubt I'll love this spiritual successor.


1) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

What can I say about Super Mario Galaxy? It's most definitely my game of the generation. The game kept throwing at you new challenges and obstacles that you were always amazed from start to finish. It must be a sign of the apocalypse because we're getting a second 3-D Mario in the same generation. If you call this a rehash, the sequel to the game of the generation, please e-mail me your address so I can charter a plane, fly to where you live, and punch you in the face. Women included. Can't be sexist here and leave them out.

Quite an eclectic taste if I do and did say so myself. What are your most anticipated games of 2010? Drop me a line, and let me know if I left off something blatantly obvious to you or anyone else.