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What it Is: After releasing the enormous post-apocalyptic RPG Fallout 3 in 2008, developer Bethesda Softworks is taking a breather from the franchise. But that doesn’t mean your 2010 will be Fallout free. Bethesda has passed the torch to Obsidian Entertainment for Fallout: New Vegas, an entirely new installment in the Fallout saga. Both companies have been tight-lipped about the details, but we know it won’t be a continuation of Fallout 3. Expect new characters, a new setting and a standalone storyline. Obsidian is no stranger to sequels. They’re the development house responsible for both Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords and Neverwinter Nights 2, both quality RPGs.

Why It’s Hot: It’s more Fallout. Expect most of the things you loved about Bethesda’s effort to return in New Vegas. Bethesda and Obsidian would be crazy to move away from V.A.T.S., S.P.E.C.I.A.L. and all those other kooky acronyms we grew to love so well in Fallout 3. We’re looking forward to seeing the new world Obsidian builds inside Bethesda’s re-imagined Fallout universe. Five-dollar all-you-can-eat giant rat buffet, here we come!
- Ryan Geddes

What it Is: Final Fantasy XIII is the long-awaited, current-gen entry to Square Enix’s legendary franchise. Starring the stoic heroine Lightning and a band of strong-willed rebels, Final Fantasy XIII looks to bring back the Japanese role-playing game in a big way, after games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age brought Western RPGs to the gaming forefront. Besides the emotional narrative that the Final Fantasy games are known for, Final Fantasy XIII will feature a complex battle system and several character customization mechanics that will allow players to develop each of their characters in a very individual way.

Why It’s Hot: I was originally concerned about Final Fantasy XIII, as the game seemed much more linear than I would have liked. After a recent preview event, however, I came to see just how much effort was put into polishing the game. Although players are only able to control one character at a time during battle, there seems to be more than enough to do in order to customize that battle to suit the player’s tastes. This includes developing classes for each character, building up particular skills and modifying weapons and armor. If Final Fantasy XIII’s story can live up to the hype, this could be one of the finest JRPGs we’ve seen during this generation of consoles.
- Ryan Clements

What it Is: We all remember the racing circuit part of the first Mafia, right? Such an incredible game with great writing, a powerful story and characters, stylish third-person gunplay, unmatched atmosphere and thematic cohesion, stunning visuals (at the time), and then you got to that damn racing circuit and it all came crumbling down. Then you got past it and it was like a clear sunrise after a hurricane. With the sequel, it’s February in 1945 in Empire City, and you’ll follow along with a decade in the life of mobster Vito. Like before, Mafia II will be an open world game mixed in with story-focused missions that mix third-person combat with driving sequences.

Why it’s Hot: Open world third-person action games aren’t as rare as they once were, which means Mafia II’s got more competition to outclass if it really wants to stand out from the crowd. Anyone who played the original, like myself, is greatly looking forward to 2K Czech’s game, as I’m hoping for the same mix of strong characterization, a well-presented story, and excellent attention to detail as it relates to the time period in which the game is set. The way the characters are clothed, the design and sound of the vehicles on the street, the soundtrack, and the overall feel of the world will hopefully contribute to making this an entertaining experience that’s matched by a sense of authenticity most games don’t even bother to try for. We’ll see.
- Charles Onyett

What it Is: The Max Payne franchise, at least when you’re talking about the games, is about two things: being incredibly angry and killing an insane amount of enemies with a preposterous amount of bullets. To do that, Max can dive and roll all around the dark, dilapidated environments in which he frequently find himself. Using his slow-motion ‘bullet-time’ ability, wiping out multiple foes with stylistic sweeps of high-velocity projectiles. All the while pieces of the environment are splintering and shattering amidst the chaos, and you’re having a great time at the controls. Remedy isn’t handling the third game in the franchise, but Rockstar Vancouver is hard at work on what we all hope is another action epic.

Why It’s Hot: Max Payne has, for me, been one of the best examples of an action game done right. It was brimming with personality, embraced and toyed with its genre’s clichés, and served as an entirely unmistakable experience. No title since the first two games has managed to strike the same kind of balance of story, character, and unrelenting action entertainment. With the third game, Rockstar’s changing things around a little, and to me that’s great since I don’t want to play something that’s exactly the same. Max Payne is now older, presumably even more bitter, and the dark, rainy streets of the first few games has been scrapped entirely for the bright and sunny setting of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Will it be able to recapture the mood of the first games? Not much of the game has been shown so far, but I think Rockstar knows exactly how to deliver an experience like this.
- Charles Onyett

What it Is: EA reboots its Medal of Honor franchise with the first ever M-rated shooter in the series. Very little is known about the game thus far, outside of the fact that it’s coming later in the year, and it’s going to be a big change from the standard MOH design. The series is said to introduce a new central character, taking the role of a Tier 1 Operator. Taking on black ops missions, apparently centered around real-world terror threats including possible Taliban storylines, players will get an up-close look at real world battle through the eyes of actual soldiers.

Why It’s Hot: The Medal of Honor series has always pushed realism at the forefront. While EA is obviously trying to capitalize on the success of the Modern Warfare boom, Medal of Honor has always been about a true-to-life experience that often centers around real soldiers and war stories. If this is the case once again, players will have the closest took into modern war ever experienced in a videogame, and that alone is pretty intense. Oh, and hopefully EA brings back the latest analog crouch system, as it blows every other first person cover controls out of the water.
- Mark Bozon

What it Is: Peter Molyneux, the creative director for Microsoft Games Studios Europe, described Milo and Kate as a “super tamagotchi.” That’s a simple way to describe a not-so-simple game. Milo was one of the stars of last year’s E3 press conference as Molyneux showed how Project Natal will create new experiences on Xbox 360. Milo was shown talking with the player and reacting to motions, even going so far as to recognize the color of a player’s shirt. If you’ve ever wanted a true digital friend, this might be as close as you’re going to get.

Why It’s Hot: Everything with Project Natal, Microsoft’s controller-free 3D camera peripheral, is hot right now. We don’t know a whole lot about Milo and Kate aside from what was shown at E3 last year, but we do know that it has the potential to be a game changer. This sort of game has been tried before, with relative success, in games like the Dreamcast’s Seaman. The limiting factors have always been weak AI and technology. With Lionhead on board using Project Natal, this could truly be a breakout experience.
-Erik Brudvig

What it Is: A new action title from id Software, Rage is a post-apocalyptic first-person shooter that includes racing sequences, vehicular combat and RPG elements. Set after a giant asteroid crashes into Earth, players attempt to explore this devastated world, discover what happened to the rest of humanity, and survive the lawless threats that roam the land. In an open-ended but directed story, players will be able to pick their path through mutants, raiders and other hazards that want to destroy everything in front of them.

Why It’s Hot: At first glance, the premise of Rage sounds like Fallout 3: a post-apocalyptic adventure where you emerge from underground bunkers to search for survivors. However, Rage includes Mad Max styled vehicular sequences, along with Running Man-influenced gameshow fights against hordes of mutants. Shootouts aren’t typical either, as you can use turrets for fire support, or drive RC cars packed with explosives into enemies. With an adventure set in the American Southwest and cobbled together weaponry, Rage should stand out from other disaster action games.
- Jeff Haynes

What it Is: One of the things that’s never been done very well before is the videogame Western. Rockstar is hoping to change all that with Red Dead Redemption, and action game set in an open world. Of course many associate Rockstar with its Grand Theft Auto franchise, and while many similar elements are at play in this world, it’s looking like a unique kind of experience. You play as John Marston, a former outlaw whose past has caught back up to him. So he sets out on horseback to shoot and gamble and steal as he deals with death and carves his own path on both sides of the law and the Mexican-American border. With a giant world, plenty of towns and interesting NPCs to interact with, loads of content and some beautiful visuals, Red Dead Redemption could very well wind up being a bullseye.

Why It’s Hot: When it comes to open worlds in video games, I like to play the bad guy. What’ll be interesting to see is how the effects of saving a town versus slaughtering its residents will affect how the world reacts and treats your character afterward. Will I eventually be able to walk back through a town after I’ve eliminated its populace, or will I have to stay out in the barren plains, moving by night on horseback and hunting wild animals in the twilight while planning my next move? I can’t wait to find out how this virtual world works.
- Charles Onyett

What it Is: In the fifth entry in the stealth-based series, Sam Fisher returns in a story that rewrites all previous ideas in the franchise. While investigating his daughter’s death, Fisher discovers that his former agency, Third Echelon, has betrayed him. Abandoning their orders, he continues on his own mission, and discovers that he must defeat a terrorist plot that could kill millions of people. Players will use a new assortment of weapons and espionage skills to defeat their enemies in this dangerous new world.

Why It’s Hot: Conviction introduces us to a grittier, darker Sam Fisher (think Jack Bauer from 24, just unshackled from his government handlers). Seeking to eliminate his enemies by any means necessary, Sam ditches the infrared goggles in favor of brutal interrogation methods and automatically targeting enemies. What’s been shown so far is much faster paced than previous games in the series, and since Sam no longer cares about hiding bodies, you’ll have a much deadlier special operative on your hands. Looks like the government messed with the wrong man.
- Jeff Haynes

What it Is: Very little is known about this sequel to 2008’s “physics-demo-posing-as-a-game of the year”. What is known for sure is that it will feature Starkiller, one or more lightsabers, probably a Rancor, and almost certainly several different iterations of the force. The rest is purely conjecture based on the teaser from December’s VGAs which, funnily enough, featured Starkiller in an arena, fighting a massive tusked beast with two light sabers, next to a dead Rancor. Also he used Force Lightning.

Why It’s Hot: The original was pretty underwhelming, but LucasArts has had almost a year and a half to learn from their mistakes, and to improve further on the bits they got right. I wish I could say more, but there is literally no information about this game. Therefore, I am going to make things up: Starkiller is really Luke’s cousin. Starkiller kills a star at some point (possibly with two lightsabers). The Force Unleashed II is in fact just a remastered version of the original, but with more CG aliens in the background.
- Nick Kolan

What it Is: We expected that Street Fighter IV would make a big impact on the fighting game community when it launched last year, and we also expected that a sequel would be in the works soon afterwards. Lo and behold, Capcom revealed Super Street Fighter IV, an update to the immensely popular fighter. While the original Street Fighter IV rekindled the dying 2D fighting genre, Super Street Fighter IV looks to improve that formula with new characters, modes and more. Street Fighter veterans like Dee Jay and T. Hawk return to expand the already robust roster, making this game one of the most complete Street Fighter experiences to date.

Why It’s Hot: Street Fighter IV was an awesome fighting game and a great reemergence of the Street Fighter legacy. Super Street Fighter IV will be just as good, if not better, thanks to the new characters and intriguing new modes. But perhaps the most exciting aspect of Super Street Fighter IV — at least for the hardcore fans — are the inevitable gameplay tweaks that come with each of Capcom’s updates. This is great for the devoted tournament fighters that want the most balanced experience possible, and Super Street Fighter IV will be another step in the right direction. Besides, the car-bashing mini-game is back. How could you go wrong?
- Ryan Clements

What it Is: There has never been a grade-A Transformers game, despite the fact that the universe of the Autobots and Decepticons is ready-made for the videogame treatment. Hopefully, War for Cybertron does for Optimus Prime what Arkham Asylum did for Batman – finally provide the complicated hero with a videogame and storyline that befits the power of the mythology. Fan-favorite heroes and villains battle it out for control of the Transformers’ home world in their own unique campaigns, set in the sunset years of the great Cybertron civil war. Developer High Moon describes it as a rollercoaster action game like Gears of War, so expect lots of firefights, big explosions, and even bigger bosses. Was that Omega Supreme we spied in the teaser?

Why It’s Hot: Hardcore Transformers fans – the kind that openly wept at the death of Optimus Prime in the original animated flick – were devastated by the fast and loose revisionism of the movies. War for Cybertron could undo the damage. The return of Generation One designs is also welcome, although expect to see the robots transformer into otherworldly vehicles. (Remember – they have not yet been to Earth to scan our car and trucks yet.) High Moon Studios also promises a dark, gritty storyline that drills into the Transformers mythos, such as the complex, Greek tragedy-esque relationship between Megatron and Starscream. How cool is that?
- Levi Buchanan

This year will be the most significant in the history of Microsoft’s Xbox brand. The company has promised a must-have game in every single month, capping it off towards the end with a brand new Halo game. That should be enough to get anybody excited, and yet somehow videogames aren’t even what everyone is talking about. That’s because Microsoft is set to release its controller-free gaming experience called Project Natal this holiday season.

Think about that for a moment. In a year where we have games like Mass Effect 2, Final Fantasy XIII, Alan Wake, Crackdown 2, BioShock 2, Splinter Cell: Conviction, and Fable III, the most talked about thing is a peripheral that doesn’t even have an official name yet. Who could have predicted that one? Right now the details for the 3D camera are fairly scarce, but you can expect all of that to change this summer at the Electronic Entertainment Expo when Microsoft puts it on center stage. New games will be announced for Natal at that time and, before you know it, we’ll be playing them just a few months later.

It’s going to be an expensive year for the hardcore gamer that owns an Xbox 360, but that’s about the only negative thing you can say about the outlook for Microsoft’s console. The games are rolling in. The hardware finally has a decent failure rate. Xbox Live just keeps getting better. And soon we’ll be able to play games and more without even holding a controller.

Now, the good stuff. The Xbox 360 games we’re most looking forward to in the months to come. From shooters to RPGs and everything in between, Microsoft’s system is looking hot in 2010.

What it Is: Imagine waking one day to find out that a book you don’t remember writing is coming to life. And no, this isn’t a happy book that involves you winning the lottery. This is a horror story and it stars you and your wife. Evil has taken over the Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls and the only way to stay safe is to stay in the light. Unfortunately, night has a way of creeping in and that’s where things start getting dangerous. Everything from your average citizen up to giant logging machinery can at any time become an enemy in this psychological thriller.

Why It’s Hot: Remedy made a name for itself with the Max Payne franchise, but it has been hard at work on Alan Wake for over five years. We haven’t seen much of it during that prolonged development cycle, but everything we have seen looks downright stunning. Taking inspiration from The X-Files, Twin Peaks, and many other thrillers, Remedy has put together a game that oozes atmosphere and tension. The wait has been a long one, but everything we’ve seen so far makes it feel like it was worth it.
- Erik Brudvig

What it Is: B Company returns in EA’s second offering of the newly revitalized Battlefield world. Combing through dense jungles, war-torn villages and ice-capped mountaintops, players will take to the field in the industry’s biggest vehicular warfare title to date. All new multiplayer modes debut, bringing back not only the gold rush mode from the original Bad Company, but also a more traditional take on Battlefield warfare.

Why It’s Hot: As a huge fan of tactical military games, Bad Company is a highly anticipated shooter for yours truly. Mixing in deeper destruction, refined controls (that proved to be all the rage during my time with the pre-release build) and a huge scale of warfare, Bad Company is looking to be on the right track. The first game was a good starting point, EA’s revitalization of 1943 was a gigantic success on XBLA, and Bad Company 2 is setting itself up to be a must-play FPS this year. Plus, blowing crap up is fun.
- Steve Butts

What it Is: The underwater world of Rapture was the setting for one of the best modern games. Then things changed. The sequel was announced, but no longer was Irrational Games handling development. Instead, BioShock 2 was handed to newly formed 2K Marin, which included a few staff members that had traveled over from Boston, where Irrational is based. The new game takes place roughly 10 years after the original and follows along with a new story. You play as a Big Daddy this time and come across a range of new weapons, abilities, and enemies. Now you can have weapons and plasmids at the ready simultaneously, allowing you to dish out punishment more rapidly, and more effectively combat some of the deadlier foes walking around.

Why It’s Hot: There are a few specific things I think work better in the sequel, particularly the research and the way Little Sisters are dealt with. Instead of simply snapping photos, now the camera has a basic video function. Start the camera before you start attacking and it’ll record the conflict and grade you based on performance, a system that lets you research without slowing down the action. The Little Sister mechanic has also been changed. Since you’re playing as a Big Daddy, you get the option to adopt the girls and walk around with them as they harvest Adam from corpses, adding a new dimension to one of the more peculiar and twisted relationships in videogames. Even with a number of improvements, will Rapture still be as interesting a place the second time through?
- Charles Onyett

What it Is: Think God of War meets Castlevania — that’s interesting enough to pay attention to, but Lords of Shadow also happens to be headed up by none other than Hideo Kojima of Metal Gear Solid fame. The footage that we’ve seen looks pretty intense, and any classic franchise that is helmed by the director of a second major franchise is going to get second and third looks, especially when it’s this pairing.

Why It’s Hot: Hideo Kojima working on a Castlevania game? What’s likely to be a good 3D Castlevania game? That’s pretty much all I needed to hear. Of course, I don’t simply want it to be God of War with a different art direction and Dracula; I’d love to see a 3D Castlevania game that has an interesting story, great presentation and combat that involves a number of new and unique twists. For my money, Kojima is one of the few that might be able to pull this off well, so I’m pretty excited about it.
- Chris Roper

What it Is: Remember when you bought that game Crackdown because it came with the Halo 3 beta only to find out that it was great? Yeah, that game is getting a sequel. The huge Pacific City has gone into disarray in your absence and it’s now up to you and a few friends to restore order in this massive, open-world cooperative action game. Add in some adversarial multiplayer, super-hero skills, and even a helicopter or two and you’ve got all of the toys you could ever want.

Why It’s Hot: Crackdown was a bit of a sleeper hit, but there is no way this sequel can hope to fly under the radar. The most intriguing part of this sequel is that it is being made under new management. A splinter group of developers from RealTime Worlds (the makers of the original Crackdown) left to form their own group, called Ruffian Games, to continue work on the franchise. Though there are plenty of Crackdown veterans working on the next installment, it will be interesting to see how it turns out. From what we’ve seen so far, the guys at Ruffian definitely know what made Crackdown a hit in the first place: freedom, action, awesome skill orbs to collect, and plenty of big explosions.
- Erik Brudvig

What it Is: Welcome to Fortune City. A bustling metropolis not too far removed from modern day Vegas, this epicenter of activity has a new attraction standing (or shuffling) at center stage: Zombies. Taking the role of Chuck – forget Frank. Frank… isn’t here. – players run rampaging through the streets of Fortune City to rid the world of the infected in this comedic survival horror game. The franchise is seeing a new lead character, an all new dev team under Capcom’s wing, and a whole lot of over-the-top action. You’ll have to wait until later this year to get it, but Dead Rising 2 is a no-brainer for everybody’s wishlist.

Why It’s Hot: Why is it hot? Is that really a question? Uh… the game is about chopping up zombies, running through Vegas (er… “Fortune City”) with create-your-own weapons and modded motorcycles that look like they’re pulled out of some freakish Harley Davidson-sponsored Death Race 2000. Yes, I’m anticipating this game. Hell I’m anticipating a real zombie apocalypse. Plus, after three days in Vegas you’re about ready to kill everything in sight as it is, am I right? Just bring on the American Gladiators Altraspheres and let’s do the damn thing already.
- Mark Bozon

What it Is: In the latest Fable, eventually you’ll be king of the land of Albion. First, though, you’ll need to prove your worth. The game will read your save, if you’ve still got it, from Fable II, and when you begin you’ll be playing as the son or daughter of the hero from Fable II. It sounds like in the opening sections of the game you’ll need to play the role of a politician, campaigning to the population and making promises of what you’ll do when you climb up to the throne. This will still be an action game, though, so don’t worry about your character getting all lazy and obese from sitting on the throne and downing beer and oversized chicken legs.

Why It’s Hot: In a role-playing game, it’s always interesting to see how your actions can affect the world around you. After all, more so than simply manipulating statistics and picking from amongst a selection of hats to put on your head, you’re supposed to step into a role. Are you a benevolent leader? A ruthless power monger? Or are you moody and unpredictable, tossing coins to the poor on one day and tossing cats off the roof the next? It sounds like the types of decisions you make in Fable III will go a long way to affecting the overall game world since you’ll actually be ruling the population and people tend to notice when things aren’t going so well. We’re all hoping for another winner from Lionhead.
- Charles Onyett

What it Is: The next Halo game from Bungie sounds like it could actually be the most interesting. In Halo: Reach, you’re part of a squad of Spartans battling the Covenant on the planet Reach. If you’re familiar with Halo fiction at all, you’ll know this means bad things are going to happen. Events on Reach didn’t exactly go so well for the forces of humanity, which then leads into the events of the first Halo game. With an all-new single-player mode and as-of-yet unannounced multiplayer features, this could be a Halo experience with a different kind of feel and combat on a gigantic scale.

Why it’s Hot: Well, it’s a Halo game made by Bungie. That pretty much guarantees it’ll be an entertaining game experience with tight and responsive controls, an excellent soundtrack, and robust multiplayer features. Bungie says it has made a lot of tweaks to the visual presentation of the game, which should help make this the prettiest Halo yet. Co-operative play through the single-player portion could also be really cool since it looks as though each Spartan is built as a specific class (heavy weapons guy, sniper guy) instead of each being a super powered, all-purpose soldier. Best Halo yet? I certainly hope so.
– Charles Onyett

Overview: Capcom brought classic 8-bit Mega Man action back with a vengeance in 2008, when Mega Man 9 blazed its way into the Wii Shop and reminded all of us gamers alive back in the ’80s what real challenge was all about. Mega Man 10 is the inevitable follow-up, scheduled to arrive this mark and keep the pain coming — unless you select the new Easy Mode. Yes, if you had trouble finishing 9, 10’s got you covered with a concession that should let you at least see all the new bosses. Like Sheep Man. Gotta love Sheep Man.

Why It’s Hot: After the rebirth of the Mega Man franchise with Mega Man 9 last year I started to wonder where Capcom would take their series next. Well, in typical fashion the company is out to sequel the hell out if its success, and I couldn’t be happier. Mega Man 9 kicked off the world of 8-bit action once again, and Mega Man 10 is following in its footsteps, allowing for three playable characters, a new group of hilariously awesome robot masters, and even more nostalgic old-school action. It’s more of the same, but when that “same” is responsible for many of the top titles in our industry’s past it’s hard not to get hyped for a little more 8-bit action from Capcom.
- Mark Bozon

Overview: Nintendo’s famous fighting femme fatale, Samus Aran, has concluded her adventures in the Metroid Prime trilogy– and now it’s time for something new. The alien-blasting bounty hunter will return this year in Metroid: Other M, an all-new and re-imagined take on her world developed in a new partnership between Nintendo and Tecmo’s Team Ninja. Early looks at the game from last year’s E3 suggest that the gameplay style of this next mission for Samus might be a mix between first-person 3D shooting and more traditional 2D exploration. We’re looking forward to finding that out for sure, later this year.

Why It’s Hot: It’s safe to say that nobody saw Metroid: Other M coming. As an all-new direction for one of Nintendo’s longest-running franchises, M is out to turn the Metroid series on its head. From what I’ve seen so far is already evidence of its evolution, mixing what looks to be sidescrolling action with first person boss fights and intense action. It’ll be tough to beat Retro’s Prime series, but Team Ninja has a rich history of beautiful CG and action, and that’s already evident in Other M’s debut trailer. There’s plenty of reasons to be excited for Other M’s release, but remember: Metroid has a rich history of delayed releases, so being true fans means we’ll be adding this little blurb every year until the game’s real release date surfaces. From the looks of it though, Nintendo’s latest Metroid offering looks to be well worth that wait.
- Mark Bozon

Overview: Very little is known about this upcoming first-party console RPG from Nintendo, but the trailer on display at last year’s E3 was enough to put it high up on our radar. Then, when we learned it’s being developed by Monolith Soft, we got even more excited — the same talented designers responsible for the Xenosaga and Baten Kaitos series, they’re a group that knows how to craft an epic role-playing experience. So keep your eyes peeled for more information as it becomes available on this one — it has all the markings of an under-the-radar sleeper hit from the Big N.

Why It’s Hot: Nobody is going to turn down a new RPG for the Wii, especially one coming from Monolith. Monado looked hot at E3 2009, what with a Cloud-like hero holding a sword that should weigh 400 pounds, slashing through monster after monster in a steampunk universe. Hopefully, as Nintendo localizes this RPG for other territories, the King Arthur-like story is fleshed out not with overly stilted dialogue, but with fast, smart exchanges that keep us interested in the characters. And sensible Wii Remote controls would be nice, too.
- Levi Buchanan

Overview: A major hit that’s been selling like crazy in Japan since last August, Monster Hunter Tri is the all-new, Wii-exclusive sequel to Capcom’s wildly popular action/adventure series. Well, wildly popular in Japan — it’s a franchise that hasn’t quite found its footing here in the States yet. All that could change in April, though, thanks to the incredible graphics, addictive gameplay and epic scope of this latest installment. It’ll help, too, that this new Monster Hunter will be available bundled with the new Classic Controller Pro — a stylish upgrade to Nintendo’s vintage gaming pad — for just 10 bucks more than buying the game disc by itself.

Why It’s Hot: The Monster Hunter franchise is massive… in Japan. Capcom’s action-adventure has a dedicated audience in other territories, but with 70 million Wiis now in households around the world, the developer hopes this is the game that makes it a global phenomenon. Everybody likes killing giant monsters, but we’ll see. Tri’s laundry list of improvements, such as better camera controls (a real frustration with previous chapters) and throttled-back difficulty for greater accessibility, should certainly enhance Monster Hunter’s fortunes. And if you dread going online with your Wii, you’ll be happy to know Capcom has ditched the madness of friend codes for an Xbox Live-like buddy list for easy online meet-ups.
- Levi Buchanan

Overview: Just announced as a Wii exclusive a couple of weeks ago, NBA Jam is an all-new revival of a classic arcade sports design that had nearly every gamer alive in the ’90s screaming “he’s on fire!” while pumping quarter after quarter into its original Midway-developed coin-op cabinet. This reboot is set to offer the same style of over-the-top two-on-two hoops action with real NBA all-stars, along with a new and compellingly absurd visual style that renders the players’ bodies in 3D, but uses comical photographic images for their faces. Sounds just like the sort of wackiness that’ll fit right in with classic NBA Jam gameplay.

Why It’s Hot: Back in the day NBA Jam introduced a new type of sports videogame that was based on fast-paced arcade action instead of realistic simulation. We played the holy heck out of the arcade original and can’t wait to get back on the court. The primary designer and programmer on the classic game, Mark Turmell, is back as a consultant on this Wii edition. Early screenshots give us hope that the team is trying to replicate the look of NBA Jam with a modern twist. Several classic games have found new life on the Wii, so we have high hopes for the return of this one.
- Daemon Hatfield

Overview: Originally intended to be a late 2009 release, Red Steel 2 is now scheduled to arrive and slice your mind in half this March. The MotionPlus-enhanced first-person shooter/slasher gives you control over a mercenary armed with both kinds of steel — gun and sword. Pointing and aiming the pistol is handled by IR while the MotionPlus kicks in to translate your sword swipes to the screen in the closest 1:1 control the Wii’s seen yet. And, if you don’t yet have a MotionPlus for some reason, the game will ship to stores with one in the box — ensuring you’ve got the right equipment to carve up some Jackals in old Caldera.

Why It’s Hot: After the disappointing release of the original game it’s safe to say I was very skeptical about Red Steel 2. Well, all skepticism left after my first playthrough the night before E3 kicked off. I played it, and then I played it again. And then again. And again. Red Steel 2 is an impressive FPS from top to bottom, as Ubisoft’s shooter hits 60 frames per second with smooth controls, has more customization than most Wii games out there (save for Medal of Honor Heroes 2 and The Conduit) and blends impressive shooting with MotionPlus swordplay. I’ve seen a few levels from front to back, and already I’m happily convinced. Everything from the new visual look, the pseudo-western theme, and revolutionary controls are priming Ubisoft’s second Red Steel for a successful Cinderella story.
- Mark Bozon

Overview: Just released in Japan this past October, Sin & Punishment 2 is the Wii-exclusive shooter sequel we never thought we’d see. The original Sin & Punishmentwas an incredible experience, an on-rails shooting design that tops the list of best games ever made for the Nintendo 64 — but it never came to America. It was only through the Virtual Console a couple of years ago that we finally got to play it here in the States. But with an appreciative audience now established, we can look forward to a localized release of the new, over-the-top, kill-everything-that-moves adventure coming very, very soon.

Why It’s Hot: What started as a Japan-only import from the N64 has since become one of the biggest fan-influenced moves I’ve seen from Nintendo in years. People begged for more, and the first acknowledgement of the fan support for Sin and Punishment came when Nintendo finally released the game stateside on October 1, 2007; seven years after its original Japan-only release. Momentum continued, with a partnership between Nintendo and Treasure unveiled a year ago with Sin and Punishment 2. Now US-bound, the long-awaited sequel is a nice little reminder that Nintendo still listens to its hardcore fan-base. I played it at E3 last year, and can’t wait to play more.
- Mark Bozon

Overview: Nintendo’s “other” upcoming MotionPlus-required console title (along with the next Zelda), Span Smasher was a surprise reveal on the show floor of last year’s E3. It’s kind of like Arkanoid (or Breakout, or Alleyway) in that you control a bouncing ball and have to bust through walls of bricks — only this time, the ball is a sentient tangerine called “The Smasher” who smiles and laughs as he blasts around the screen, and you control his movements by essentially smacking him around with the Wii Remote. It’s odd, it’s nearly unclassifiable, but it’s Nintendo. So it’s going to be fun.

Why It’s Hot: Wii MotionPlus has been underutilized by Nintendo so far, so we’re excited for more software like this that is designed around the peripheral. A simple little action game, Span Smasher is nonetheless addictive. The levels we’ve played were all pretty snazzy with impressive bosses. It was a fun surprise at E3 last year and a good example of what MotionPlus can do. Nintendo has been very quiet on this one, but whenever it finally surfaces we’re pretty sure it will be a delight.
- Daemon Hatfield

Overview: After the incredible success of Mario’s first trip out to outer space, Nintendo’s designers decided they weren’t quite done with the idea — so the plumber’s going galactic again. Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be a direct sequel to the 2007 original Mario Galaxy, and promises to include even more mind-bending gravity puzzles, brilliantly colorful environments and incredible music than before. New additions to the design, too, will make their debut — like Mario’s new drill item that lets him bore straight through to the other side of spherical planetoids and the highly anticipated return of Yoshi (who’ll have some brand-new tricks of his own).

Why It’s Hot: Super Mario Galaxy headlines our Top 25 Wii Games list, so obviously we’re hecka excited for the sequel. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime has told us that part two is being made for the hardcore Nintendo fans and will be a bit more challenging than the first game – which sounds great, considering so many Wii games are designed to be casual friendly. The first game is arguabl the prettiest on the system and the footage we’ve seen so far of Mario Galaxy 2 also looks beautiful. Plus, we haven’t seen Yoshi in a 3D Mario game for a while and we can’t wait to get back in the saddle.
- Daemon Hatfield

Overview: Claiming to be even more challenging than Capcom’s Mega Man revivals, Super Meat Boy is an upcoming WiiWare action/platformer where you’ll direct a living, leaping lump of raw, bleeding meat through environments filled with chainsaws, spikes and all other manner of painful pokey things. Even better than that concept, though, may be the name of the development team — Team Meat. They’re a crack squad of indie crazies who’ve been dedicating themselves to this project for over a year, and have leveraged their underground street cred to gain some fun in-game support — Super Meat Boy will contain cameos from several other indie gaming heroes.

Why It’s Hot: This is the business, folks. Super Meat Boy ignores the Wii’s often goofy motion controls, instead focusing on classic, brilliant, glorious 2D platforming. Every facet of the package, from the music to the hilarious gore to the tricky old school challenge, is being polished to perfection. You will die A LOT in this game, but you won’t be able to stop trying over and over until you finally make it over that buzz saw and complete the level. Unlockable characters from other indie games like Braid and Bit.Trip turn Super Meat Boy into a sort of meta celebration of the refreshing ideas you get from small teams of people. This is the one to watch this year.
- Daemon Hatfield

Overview: On its way exclusively to the Wii this April, Trauma Team is Atlus‘ latest in the line of impressive touch-controlled takes on being an emergency room doctor — only that’s not the only role this time. For Trauma Team, players will step into the shoes of six different medical professionals, each with his or her own unique job, responsibilities and gameplay. You’ll meet a surgeon serving a 250-year prison term, a ex-Special Forces agent looking for justice through orthopedics, a brooding forensic specialist serving as a coroner and more. We can’t wait to dial 911 and have these characters show up to save the day.

Why It’s Hot: The Trauma Center franchise started hot but like many quirky series, it lost its sense of freshness and whimsy after a few chapters. Trauma Team could be the defibrillator on this patient’s heart. You now control an entire team of doctors, each with individual specialties that are needed to address the maladies and life-threatening injuries that rush through the hospital doors. If Atlus can indeed use the Wii Remote to convey the actual use of medical instruments (and keep it fun), Trauma Team stands to jump-start the franchise that once had everybody talking about it.
- Levi Buchanan

Dave Mandel for Sherdog.comStill standing: Nick Diaz, left, emerged victorious after a back-and-forth brawl with Marius Zaromskis.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Nick Diaz captured the vacant Strikeforce welterweight championship in dramatic fashion Saturday at the BankAtlantic Center.

He rose from an early knockdown and stopped Lithuanian striker Marius Zaromskis with a short right hook in the “Strikeforce: Miami” main event.

Zaromskis, the reigning Dream champion, succumbed 4 minutes, 38 seconds into Round 1, as Diaz posted his sixth consecutive victory.

Diaz used his length to keep Zaromskis on the end of his punches but found himself on the wrong end of a clubbing right hand that put him on his seat midway through the first frame. Diaz avoided any of the significant follow-up shots Zaromskis lobbed his way and methodically worked his way back into the fight.

The tide began to turn in Diaz’s favor when he started going to the body of his fading opponent. The frenetic pace and digging body shots had Zaromskis teetering on the edge of exhaustion. Any hope he had vanished when Diaz planted him with the right hand.

Santos pounds out Coenen

Dave Mandel for Sherdog.com Cristiane Santos, right, was always one step ahead of Marloes Coenen.

Strikeforce women’s lightweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos stopped a game but overmatched Marloes Coenen in the third round of their title match, as she defended her crown for the first time.

Santos was in command throughout the bout, stopping all of her opponent’s takedowns and negating her perceived grappling advantage.

Coenen told reporters she would be more than happy to stand and trade with the champion, and she lived up to her promise. She delivered a number of clean, crisp punches, including a number of lead left hands, but Santos walked right through them. The difference in physicality and punching power was the deciding factor in the fight.

Santos employed a powerful striking game, on the feet and on the ground, and eventually wore down Coenen. The end came in the third round, when Santos took up dominant position after a weary Coenen pulled guard. She pounded away with punches until referee Jorge Ortiz rescued the Dutch fighter. The end came 3 minutes, 40 seconds into the first round.

“I’m very happy,” Santos said. “I prepared myself very much. I trained a lot.”

Santos admitted Coenen was probably her toughest test to date.

“She has a lot of game in her,” Santos said. “She has a lot of techniques, and she’s got a great heart.”

Walker makes successful debut

Dave Mandel for Sherdog.com Herschel Walker controlled nearly every minute of every round against Greg Nagy.

In his professional MMA debut, former NFL and college football star Herschel Walker controlled Greg Nagy and took home a third-round technical knockout victory by strikes.

Walker displayed an unorthodox striking style, standing upright and shimmying as he looked for an opening. It would not matter much because the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner from Georgia repeatedly took the fight to the ground, where he was clearly more comfortable.

Using a front headlock to wrangle Nagy, Walker transitioned from North-South to side control and to the back mount at will, punching his opponent at every opening. At 47 years of age, Walker showed an impressive fitness level as he outworked his much younger opponent and eventually wore him out.

Nagy tried to work his ground game, but ultimately, he could not keep up and seemed to give up near the end of the second round. Referee Troy Waugh seemed to be contemplating stopping the bout late in the frame, as Walker pounded away at Nagy from back control.

The third round was a near replica of the first two. Walker scored with the takedown, a slam from the clinch and took Nagy’s back. From there, he punched his way to the stoppage while Nagy offered little resistance. The end came 2 minutes, 17 seconds into the final round.

“This was very tough,” Walker said. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Walker indicated he would allow his American Kickboxing Academy trainers to determine whether or not he would fight again.

“I’ve got to come back and train,” Walker said. “They’ve got to make that decision for me.”

Lawler outguns Manhoef

Dave Mandel for Sherdog.com One punch was all it took for Robbie Lawler to turn the tide against Melvin Manhoef.

Robbie Lawler rescued a spectacular victory from what looked like impending doom when he knocked out Melvin Manhoef with a blistering overhand right that froze the Dutchman and sent him tumbling to the canvas.

Lawler, who was on the receiving end of a vicious leg attack, did not muster a single meaningful shot until the fight-changing punch. It appeared as if he was going to be outclassed.

Manhoef stalked him around the cage and repeatedly sent him pirouetting away after each successive kick to his lead right leg. Manhoef, known for his explosive striking game, landed at will and had Lawler on the run when, in an instant, the fight was over.

Lawler, backing away and covering up, exploded with the powerful right that scrambled Manhoef. Once he hit the ground, Lawler made sure he would not get back up, as he landed a pair of punches, a left followed by a right.

“This guy’s a killer,” Lawler said. “He was coming after me. I kept my hands up, and I knew I was going to catch him. I just didn’t want to get overextended. I knew I’d have a chance to catch him. His hands seemed to drop once he goes to finish guys, and that’s what I wanted to wait for.”

The stoppage came 3 minutes, 33 seconds into the first round and seemingly puts Lawler in line for another shot at the Strikeforce middleweight title.

“I’m going to take this win,” Lawler said. “I’m going to run with it, rest my leg. He was kicking the crap out of my leg. We’ll see what happens.”

Lashley lays out Sims

Dave Mandel for Sherdog.com Wes Sims found himself outmatched and overpowered by Bobby Lashley on the ground.

Bobby Lashley dominated an overmatched Wes Sims, stopping him via strikes midway through the first round of their heavyweight showdown. Lashley easily took the fight to the ground, where he controlled Sims and battered him with punches from within the big man’s guard.

After a rapid-fire series of right hands forced Sims to turn his back, Lashley finished the job by flattening him out and pounding away until referee Troy Waugh saw fit to end the carnage 2 minutes, 6 seconds into the first round.

Sims, always the entertainer, had tried to goad Lashley, who also works as a professional wrestler, into a World Wrestling Entertainment-style clinch to start the match. Lashley refused to engage and took Sims right to the mat as soon as he could.

“Anytime you go in there and you come out victorious,” Lashley said, “you have to be satisfied.”

The Nintendo Wii is currently the top console on the market this generation, and Nintendo and its third-party publishers are going to make sure that it stays on top of the game. There will be plenty of new titles to play this year — sequels to popular franchises as well as new IPs, both on retail disk as well as digital download — so don’t think for a second that it’ll be a “sparse” and “light” 2010 when it comes to Wii gaming.

Here’s a quick look at the games we’re most looking forward to seeing on Nintendo’s unstoppable platform this year:

Overview: Winner of our “Best Wii RPG” award at last year’s E3, Arc Rise Fantasia went through a publisher transition recently, as it was originally going to be brought to the States by XSEED — but Ignition Entertainment’s handling it now. We’re just happy that it’s coming at all, as the Wii library could certainly use a fresh, traditional Japanese RPG. You’ll get all your favorite features here — a party of diverse heroes, a menu-driven battle system, a fantasy-themed world with a storyline focused on a dragon invasion and, maybe best of all, traditional control. You can plug in a Wii Classic Controller and be taken back to the past, to the days when great JRPGs were a dime a dozen on Nintendo’s systems. We can’t wait for the trip.

Why It’s Hot: When Daemon played Arc Rise Fantasia at the Tokyo Game Show last year, he described it as feeling a lot like Final Fantasy. Admit it, that pricks up your ears. Arc Rise Fantasia combines some very traditional RPG elements with a handful of new systems, such as an ability point pool your party draws from to fight battles and crystals that appear on the battlefield that can be attacked to earn power boosts. And really, thank the maker you can see monsters on the overworld – no more random encounters!
- Levi Buchanan

Overview: The fourth installment in Gaijin Games‘ highly addictive Bit.Trip series, Bit.Trip Runner will take the signature low-res, super-retro visual style of the franchise and apply it for the first time to a platforming game design. Commander Video, the series mascot, will be more active than ever before as he takes the leading role — running, jumping and defeating foes in his best impression of Super Mario. The first three Bit.Trip games, Beat, Core and Void, have all been solid games — so you can safely get yourself hyped up for Runner, with confidence it’ll be worth your Wii Points as well.

Why It’s Hot: With three retro-cool Bit.Trip games under its belt, Gaijin Games has cemented itself as one of our favorite Wii developers. Its next game in the series, Bit.Trip Runner, is still a bit of a mystery, but we have been promised another throwback to bygone gaming eras. We know it’s a platformer and expect it to utilize music in a big way, as previous Bit.Trip games do. But while previous efforts were rather modest (but nonetheless awesome) affairs, Runner supposedly has 50+ levels of platforming action, making it sound like Gaijin Games’ biggest effort yet. Chiptune rock band Anamanaguchi will be lending its signature sound to the game.
- Daemon Hatfield

Overview: It’s become a weekly ritual. The Nintendo Download press release goes out every Monday morning, you readers see that Cave Story isn’t in it, and the Comments box explodes with unbridled rage and anti-Nintendo sentiment. Truly, this game is the most anticipated WiiWare release there is — and it’s easy to see why. Cave Story started out as a freeware PC game back a half decade ago, and grew a strong cult following on the Internet. Now this WiiWare edition has been on the way for over a year, promising upgraded visuals and sound, and people literally can’t wait for it to appear. Soon, friends. Soon.

Why It’s Hot: Wait, isn’t Cave Story a free web game from a few years back — why should we pay for it now? How about because you should support great, indie game design if you want to keep the scene vibrant? And if that doesn’t work on you, then consider that all of the reasons Cave Story was such a hit – great retro art style, Metroid-style exploration, and Master Blaster-esque action – are front-and-center in Nicalis‘ WiiWare update. Definitely check out the web game to get an idea of what Cave Story is all about, but also set aside some Nintendo Points for this download when it drops in the next few months.
- Levi Buchanan

Overview: Video games are most often associated with fast action, high intensity and constant tension meant to get your blood pumping faster and faster — so it was quite a shock when Nintendo introduced a game that tried a completely different approach and succeeded so well. 2008’s Endless Ocean was a tranquil, calming, soothing-to-play underwater exploration experience, as it was a joy to just spend some time kicking around under the waves. Blue World, the upcoming sequel, is set to offer more of the same — but with lots of improvements. Enhanced graphics, two-player online co-op and WiiSpeak support are just a few of the new additions you’ll find when you dive in to relax a second time.

Why It’s Hot: The first Endless Ocean came out of nowhere for me. What seemed like a casual-only, lackluster little diving game turned out to be a true sleeper hit, and I spent hours upon hours diving in multiplayer, snapping pictures of rare fish, evolving the story through side-quests, and taking on night excursions in Nintendo’s innovative underwater adventure. We (myself and dive buddy Matt Casamassina) begged for more and the Big N has answered, bringing new dangers, more dive locations (including both fresh water and saltwater areas), and online Wii Speak support for a stronger multiplayer experience. Endless Ocean may not seem like the token “hardcore game” we often endorse, but trust me when I say you’ll get pulled in by its strangely addictive design.
- Mark Bozon

Overview: Already on the radar of the mainstream public thanks to an early wave of hype hitting such traditional news outlets as CNN, Disney Interactive’s upcoming Epic Mickey is primed to bring the world’s most iconic mouse back to video games in a big way. Everything has been re-imagined here — Disney’s classic cartoon mascots are broken and broody, the worlds are ruined renditions of signature theme park attractions, and Mickey himself has gained a bit of an attitude. It’s all thanks to the plot of revenge being put into play by long-lost character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who’s angry at Mickey for shoving him out of the spotlight decades ago. Wii owners, though, will be the real lucky ones.

Why It’s Hot: With so many developers and publishers half-assing their Wii efforts, it’s nice to see a truly ambitious project like Epic Mickey. This game has some impressive pedigree working on it that gives us hope it will live up to those ambitions. Warren Spector is one of the great designers in the industry, having previously delivered Thief and Deus Ex. Spector is working with developer Junction Point to deliver a “whimsically twisted Disney game world.” Sounds great. We’re also excited to get to play around with an earlier version of Mickey Mouse, as opposed to the more congenial mascot he eventually became.
- Daemon Hatfield

Overview: The first quarter of 2010 seems to be marked most by games we never thought we’d get to see in the States — The Sky Crawlers, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom and Shiren the Wanderer were all very Japanese games we didn’t expect to see localized, and even Fatal Frame IV has been getting English language love courtesy of some dedicated fans out there. Capping off the quarter will be perhaps the most exciting project of them all though — Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon. This RPG/adventure set in a post-apocalyptic vision of Japan puts you in control of Seto, a boy who’s all alone in a world seemingly devoid of an other human beings. Will you be able to reunite him with another living person?

Why It’s Hot: Farewell Ruins of the Moon Imagine a world with no more humans. It’s just you… and a bunch of ghosts and monsters. Fragile Dreams drops you in this nightmare, but dangles the promise of finding other survivors to make your stay during the last days a little less lonely. The Wii Remote doubles as a flashlight in Fragile Dreams, which is one of the first things a lot of gamers imagined doing with the motion controller when the Wii was announced. Hopefully, XSEED will do a bang-up job on the localization because Fragile Dreams has an intriguing cast. With the right words to keep you hooked and not laughing, this could be one of the better Wii adventures of 2010.
- Levi Buchanan

Overview: Developer High Voltage Software made its mark on the Wii library in early ‘09 with the release of The Conduit, and now the same team of developers is hard at work on this grim and gruesome follow-up project. The Grinder pits you and a friend (through online co-op) against an army of the undead, and anything else that goes bump in the night. Vampires, werewolves, zombies — they’re all here, and they’re all waiting to have their heads blown off by your double-barreled shotgun. The Grinder still needs to find a publisher before it can make it out to market, but with the team’s track record we’ve got no doubt that’ll happen — and we’ll be hunting monsters before year’s end.

Why It’s Hot: Developer High Voltage Software, makers of The Conduit, are back again this year with their Left 4 Dead-inspired zombie/vampire shooter The Grinder. Mixing in co-op multiplayer with a “you vs. the horde” gameplay hook, The Grinder brings back the impressive first-person engine developed for The Conduit and pushes it to new heights. The game features a fresh list of weapons, dozens of enemies on-screen at once, and some truly inspired locales and enemies. What I’ve seen so far has been sparse, but already High Voltage Software’s latest shooter looks to be a huge step in the right direction for Wii’s currently-lackluster online catalog.
- Mark Bozon

Overview: The Wii system launched alongside the last console Zelda title, the GameCube-converted Twilight Princess, back in the Fall of 2006 — but rumor has it this Wii-specific installment in the series had already been in development for some time even before then. Not much is known about the next big Zelda game quite yet, but it is confirmed that it will require the MotionPlus peripheral for Link’s swordplay and that it’s supposed to be coming out this year — Reggie’s promising it’s going to be perfect, too. We can’t wait to learn the identity of the mysterious girl and all the other details of what will surely be one of the biggest Wii releases ever.

Why It’s Hot: We are already getting mixed messages from Nintendo on the latest Legend of Zelda for Wii. We’ve been told the game is hitting this year, but then later countered by statements that “It’ll come when it’s perfect.” Regardless of when we truly do get the next Zelda, it should come as no surprise that it’ll be a game-changer, and one Nintendo fans can anticipate without worry of disappointment. Miyamoto and company have mentioned that the next Zelda will be a break from the formula, and a truly innovative affair. I’d expect Nintendo’s latest tech advancement Wii MotionPlus will be a focal point, and with as much talk as there was about unused Wii horsepower in Twilight Princess I also expect Link’s next adventure to be a feast for the eyes. If it’s even Link, that is…
- Mark Bozon

Overview: A crazily colorful, fantastically frantic, ridiculously animated multiplayer beat-’em-up game, Line Attack Heroes is about as unique as a game can be. The brawler puts you initially in command of a single hero character — but, after attacking and defeating enemies, you can recruit them into your ranks. You eventually end up with a huge line of heroes all running along and fighting together, and the more recruits you have, the more powerful your attacks — using their bodies. The Wii Remote swing the line of characters around like a whip, smashes them like a hammer and more. It’s wacky, it’s wonderful, and it’s scheduled to launch later this year.

Why It’s Hot: We had a great time playing Line Attack Heroes at E3 last year. The bright and colorful fantasy world has us smiling and the controls felt great. We had our troops towing the line and acting out our whims within seconds of picking up the controls. The action is simple but that just means you can jump right to the fun. Line Attack Heroes is quite a departure from Koichi Ishii’s RPG-heavy past, but the quality so far is right in line with what we’d expect from the man behind the Mana series.
- Daemon Hatfield

Director Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, Green Lantern) revisits the Edge of Darkness in this truncated, Americanized retelling of the award-winning British TV miniseries he directed back in 1985. The original miniseries was one of a number of UK political thrillers, including Defence of the Realm and Hidden Agenda, made during and commenting on the Thatcher era. The feature film remake keeps the basic premise of the small screen original — a cop uncovers political intrigue and corporate corruption while investigating the murder of his daughter — while updating what the villains are up to.

Veteran homicide detective Tom Craven (Mel Gibson) is delighted when his twenty-something daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) comes home to Boston for the weekend, but she’s fatigued, sick and somewhat aloof. Something is clearly wrong with her, but before Tom can learn what that is she is gunned down in what everyone initially assumes was a hit meant for him. Everything changes, however, when Tom finds a Geiger counter and handgun among Emma’s belongings. She worked for Northmoor, a private firm with shady government contracts, and Tom comes to suspect that they were behind her death.

Tom is soon visited by Darius Jedburgh (Ray Winstone, who replaced Robert De Niro), a British “cleaner” for the U.S. government who is, curiously, as helpful in Craven’s search for the truth as he is vaguely threatening. What did Emma find out about Northmoor that got her killed? And who else was she mixed up with? These are the questions that drive an increasingly desperate and violent Craven to take the fight right to the bad guys’ door.

Mel Gibson hasn’t been seen on-screen as a leading man since 2002’s Signs, but you’d never know he hadn’t acted in front of a camera for the better part of a decade while watching Edge of Darkness. Gibson delivers one of his most restrained and potent performances here, channeling the righteous, vengeful fury we’ve come to expect from “Mad Mel” while also conveying a world-weariness befitting the role of an aging single dad mourning the loss of his only child. Gibson’s subtle performance helps elevate the film from being just another revenge movie or political thriller. (And, as a native Bostonian, I can attest that Gibson does a fine job with the accent, nailing the inflections and attitude.)

Check out our video interviews and clips from Edge of Darkness.

The rest of the cast is solid. Winstone is both gruffly sophisticated and subtly sinister as the enigmatic Jedburgh, whose loyalties and agenda are almost as murky as his past. Winstone damn near the steals the show from Gibson. Danny Huston plays his latest villain with a sense of entitlement and white collar aloofness that epitomizes the old line about the banality of evil. Ditto Denis O’Hare as a government stooge and Damian Young as a soulless senator. Jay O. Sanders delivers in his few scenes as a cop colleague of Craven’s. Novakovic isn’t in the movie quite enough to really make too much of a lasting impression, while Shawn Roberts, who is a dead ringer for young David Keith, is a bit forced as Emma’s paranoid boyfriend-colleague.

The screenplay adaptation by Oscar-winner William Monahan and Andrew Bovell has more shadings and nuanced characters than other genre movies of this stripe. (Monahan, a Boston native who scripted The Departed, also brings a lot of local flavor to the piece.) There’s a shorthand used in the depiction of Craven’s relationship with his daughter that’s simple but effective; his flashback to teaching a very young Emma how to shave is both sweet and moving, and will surely pull on the heartstrings of daddy’s girls everywhere. This becomes all the more poignant when Craven finally realizes he didn’t really know her as well as he thought.

Also especially effective are the exchanges between Craven and Jedburgh that mix tension, humor and even a bit of pathos as the latter begins to take stock of his own life while learning more about the former. The dialogue, especially Jedburgh’s doublespeak, is brandished like a weapon by hero and villain alike to threaten people and “clarify” increasingly complicated situations for them. But when words aren’t vicious enough, there are moments of brutality here that prove screen violence can still have genuine emotional impact and shock value.

With Edge of Darkness, director Martin Campbell, the screenwriters and Mel Gibson have delivered a thriller that is, oddly enough, as energetic as it is melancholy, a film that’s rife with political intrigue, populated with captivating characters and punctuated by sporadic bursts of startling violence.

Overview: Ace Combat returns to the PSP in Joint Assault. The game’s design really highlights the multiplayer aspect by allowing you to play cooperatively with up to three other players, including missions where you’ll break off into two teams that can influence each others’ levels. We haven’t seen the game in action yet, but the promise is high.

Why It’s Hot: Any Ace Combat game always has the possibility of greatness. Not all of them have been, of course, but there’s always that chance. The multiplayer setup sounds like it could be pretty slick, especially if the team stuff actually makes a big influence on what’s happening. The PSP could use some good flight games (particularly since Ace Combat has been off the RADAR for a while), so let’s hope it makes a safe landing.
- Chris Roper

Overview: Dante’s Inferno is essentially EA’s attempt at creating an action-filled third-person title akin to God of War. What’s impressive is that the portable version seems to be a fantastic port of the console game, which is certainly no small feat. The title loosely follows the original poem, taking players through the circles of Hell, one by one. It’s a very, very M-rated game, which may be a plus or minus for you.

Why It’s Hot: I think that the console game seems like it could be pretty fun (I’ve only played small portions thus far), but I was actually more impressed with the PSP version when I got my hands on it a couple months back. For a PSP game, it looks really, really good, and it also plays quite well. I don’t know that you’ll want both this and the console version as they’re essentially the same game, but if you’re looking for a good action title on the PSP, this may just fit the bill.
- Chris Roper

Overview: This is basically the portable version of Dead or Alive Extreme. Rather than a fighting title, you can play a series of mini-games with the girls, buy them presents, take them to photo shoots and even play some poker. It might not be the most action-packed game around, but the DOA Extreme franchise has found a fairly dedicated following due to its quirkiness.

Why It’s Hot: What’s important about this game for me is that it’s a conversation piece. Some people like it, some people hate it, but most everyone will argue about it one way or another. That’s the sort of thing the PSP needs these days, making this a great addition to the library. In terms of the game, I hope the team spends more time making the stuff that you actually do more fun than it’s been in the past. If so, it could sort of work as an entertaining mini-game collection.
- Chris Roper

Overview: Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is a remake of the SEGA CD classic RPG. Harmony tells the story of Alex, a young boy that wants to follow in his hero’s footsteps. Along with his best friends, he embarks on a quest that soon takes him across the land and pits him against the Magic Emperor, who wants to control the entire world. The PSP version of the game has been re-mastered with a new visual presentation and soundtrack, additional gameplay features and new story elements.

Why It’s Hot: A kid who wants to be just like his hero follows his dream and saves the world. There’s a reason why Lunar’s story is so familiar, and the latest version, Silver Star Harmony, could be the best one yet. The enhanced visuals pop on the PSP’s screen, and the addition of new story elements as well as a re-mastered soundtrack make this a classic that RPG fans will love.
- Jeff Haynes

Overview: After the events of Metal Gear Solid 3, Naked Snake — AKA Big Boss – has gone to the rainy shores of Colombia to train his “military without borders.” In the midst of an average session, a man shows up and claims to be a professor from Costa Rica. It seems a military force has invaded the defenseless country, and he’s here to beg Snake for his help. Of course, there’s going to be much, much more to this story. We know a young Master Miller is going to be back, and there’s a girl named Paz. There are also guns, Metal Gears, and crazy co-op!

Why It’s Hot: Metal Gear games are usually good, but this one looks very good. First, the graphics look amazing for a PSP game, but more importantly, it looks like this title is giving us four-player co-op for stealth espionage action. That’s never happened before. There are armor loadouts, swank weapons, and another chapter in the Metal Gear Solid saga. Lots of people have been wondering about the gap between the last time we saw Naked Snake and the jaded Big Boss in the original Metal Gear game. This title should help answer what happened to our hero.
- Greg Miller

Overview: The latest installment of the critically acclaimed franchise, MLB ‘10: The Show brings a ton of new features to this year’s gameplay, making this one of the largest yet. The popular Road to the Show mode has been expanded to include the Catcher position. A new movie maker feature allows you to save and highlight your favorite plays. New fan and park details add to the presentation of each game. Catchers can also provide pep talks to boost the energy of your pitcher during a close game.

Why It’s Hot: The Show has been the best baseball series for years because of its attention to detail and focus on the fundamentals of the sport. MLB ‘10: The Show should be the strongest chapter yet. Playing as a catcher in Road to the Show adds a brand new dimension to this already awesome mode, particularly when it comes to calling pitches during each inning. A new movie maker and sharper visuals that improve the excellent television-styled presentation make this game a must for any baseball fan.
- Jeff Haynes

Overview: The mission seems simple – an operative is behind enemy lines, and every person sent to make contact with the agent is never heard from again. As Wraith, leader of an elite SEALs team, you’ll take three squad members into battle in a mission that’s off the books. There’s no HQ to rely on; it’s up to you and your team to get in, get the target, and get out with minimal impact. If only it was ever that easy. Play alone, play against others online, play co-op ad-hoc and online, and shoot the hell out of bad guys.

Why It’s Hot: I haven’t been excited for a SOCOM in years. Fireteam Bravo 3 does it for me because it’s more action than tactical – at least that’s how it is when I play. Sure, you can use the simplified menus to order your team into cover, to take out targets, and so on, but I play it like an action game. I’ll tell the team to hold, I’ll stealth kill for a while, and when I’m found, I tell everyone to fire at will and we clean the bad guys’ clocks. You can play the game how you like, and the ability to play co-op through the campaign with my buddies across the country sure is enticing.
- Greg Miller

Overview: The original Valkyria Chronicles was an incredible gem for the PlayStation 3. Combining turn-based strategy gameplay with third-person shooting, Valkyria Chronicles told the story of a brave, independent nation swept up in a global conflict. PSP owners can thankfully join in on the action with Valkyria Chronicles 2, the sequel to SEGAs strategy role-playing game. In Valkyria Chronicles 2, players will take control of a group of young adults enrolled at the Lanseal Royal Military Academy. Although heroes like Welkin and Alicia from the first game will make cameo appearances, the cast of Valkyria Chronicles 2 is almost entirely new. Hopefully this will be a great continuation to the PS3 classic.

Why It’s Hot: I was a tremendous fan of the original Valkyria Chronicles, so I was ecstatic to hear that a sequel was in the works. When I found out that it was a PSP game, however, I was somewhat less enthused. After all, the original game was beautiful on the PS3 and controlled brilliantly, so I can only hope that the experience is preserved when SEGA moves it to Sony’s portable. Welkin and Alicia (and the rest of the fantastic cast) were highlights of the original Valkyria Chronicles, so the new characters have quite a bit to live up to.
- Ryan Clements