Xbox 360
What a difference a year makes. 2008 has heralded a sea change for the Xbox 360, thanks in no small part to the NXE dashboard update. When Microsoft unveiled the update earlier this year, critics were confused by the new artistic direction, which resembles the Playstation 3 icon system, but uses custom avatars similar to Nintendo's Mii format.
Was the 360 in danger of pandering to the 'casual' market? Would the string of titles going forward into 2009 cater for the Everyman rather than the Microsoft loyal?
Neither, it seems. Instead, the console looks set to build on 2008's earlier success. The 'Summer of Arcade' bolstered the XBLA catalogue with some truly remarkable titles, and this trend seems as if it will continue well into next year. A string of quality retail games could hold several surprises, including a handful of nabbed 'exclusives' from Sony, diversifying the console's back catalogue further.
So, Xbox fan, what might you be spending your hard-earned pennies on in 2009?
Skate 2 (http://www.skate.ea.com) - If Neversoft's Tony Hawk series is David, then surely EA's Skate is Goliath. In a market flooded by the 'Birdman's' increasingly juvenile outings, Skate was the game real skaters were hoping for. The sequel is once again set in the fictional city of San Vanelona a few years after the original, and all is not well. An oppressive regime has taken over and is forcing all skaters off the streets. So it's up to you and your awesome skills to liberate your brethren and restore order. It's odd for skating games to have a deep story, but this could be rather awesome. Perhaps toning down the difficulty one notch might appease newcomers, because the original was bloody hard. Either way, this looks fantastic.
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (http://www.projectorigin.warnerbros.com) - The long-awaited sequel to Monolith's superb horror-shooter sends you hot on the heels of ghoulish girl Alma, unravelling the secrets of Project Origin and battling another army of cloned mercenaries and freaky monsters. The trailer looks superb, and as long as the sequel retains the amazingly clever enemy intelligence of the original, this will be some true edge-of-your-seat gaming. The graphical lick of paint looks rather nice too.
Street Fighter IV (http://www.streetfighter.com) - Ten years since the last proper Street Fighter outing, IV looks set to be the ultimate in fan service. Capcom appeased fanbases with games like Mega Man 9 and Bionic Commando: Rearmed, but with IV, they have really knocked it out of the park. Featuring all of the original Street Fighter II Turbo characters, plus a slew of newbies and returning characters from the Alpha series, the game is shaping up to be one extensive package. Boasting larger than life characters, an eye-popping colour palette and online modes, this could be the best in the series and a break from the gritty games the console is known for.
Halo Wars (http://www.halowars.com) - As you may or may not be aware, Halo originally started life as a real-time strategy game. Now that the escapades of Master Chief are at a close (for now), the series returns to its roots. Set 20 years before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, you must win the war for either the UNSC or the Covenant in full-on battles with insane amounts of troops and vehicles. Expect Halo Wars to retain the quality of the series while offering a new spin on the Halo universe.
Resident Evil 5 (http://www.residentevil.com) - Now this is very tasty indeed. How can Capcom follow-up what many critics regard as the best action game of all time? Simple: turn the formula so far on its head that it practically stands upright again. Moving to the scorching heat of Africa, Resident Evil 5 sees the return of badass hero Chris Redfield, paired up with tough chick Sheva. With signs that the shadowy Umbrella Corporation are again on the rise, it's up to you (and a friend if you choose to play co-op mode) to take them down. Boasting some of the best graphics to date, an unsettling atmosphere and a certain fearsome enemy wielding a rather nasty looking weapon (see the trailer, it's brilliant, trust us!), this looks like it might be the best of the series. Infections have never looked so appealing.
Tekken 6 (http://www.tekken-official.jp/tk6ac/ss.html) - It's a long time coming, but sounds so tasty we couldn't leave it off this list. Featuring tons of favourite characters, the King of the Iron Fist tournament looks bigger and better than ever before. If the scant early details are anything to go by, the game will feature online battle modes with unlockable items, fully customisable characters, painstakingly beautiful graphics and only Yoshimitsu knows what else. Autumn seems so far away now.
Final Fantasy XII (TBC) - The game world rocked when news broke at this year's E3 conference that the much-anticipated thirteenth installment of the biggest RPG series to date would no longer be a Sony-exclusive. Xbox fans still have no idea how long they will have to wait to get their mitts on it. Recent info suggests that work hasn't even begun on the 360 version, but either way, this is superb news. Anticipation levels across the world are reaching meltdown.
Ghostbusters (http://www.uk.atari.com/ds/ghostbusters-285.html) - Escaping a near death due to ownership issues following Vivendi-Sierra business issues, Atari very kindly stepped in and took over the reigns of this action game. Set during the first movie and after the second, you play a new member of Brooklyn's favourite ghost-busting squad. This screams 'awesome' from the rooftops. With all members of the original cast providing voice-overs, the iconic soundtrack making a comeback and hints that the game is genuinely brilliant hands-on, we simply can't wait to relive our childhood fantasies of letting rip with a proton pack and shouting 'Nobody steps on a church in my town!' Brilliant stuff!
Halo: ODST (http://www.bungie.net/Projects/whvidldshbyjsdo/default.aspx) - Thought we'd forgotten about this didn't you? Oh ye of little faith. Formally called Halo: Recon, ODST is a cryptic little swine. Appearing out of nowhere with a baffling, yet instantly appealing teaser trailer, this could be the change of tone and pace the series needs after three installments of 'Master Chiefing'. Playing as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper during the events leading up to Halo 3, the game will incorporate open-world gameplay and a focus on stealth combat. Truly intriguing stuff.
..and that's your lot. But be on the lookout for other titles as 2009 kicks off, including Batman: Arkham Asylum, Mafia II, Rise of the Argonauts, Destroy All Humans: Rise of the Furon, Wheelman, Ninja Blade, Star Ocean IV, Godfather II, Red Faction Guerilla, Aliens: Colonial Marines, Banjo Tooie XBLA, The Witcher: White Wolf, and three (count em), three Fallout 3 expansion packs. You lucky people!