Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

The holidays are quickly approaching and no matter where you live, it’s always a great time to be a gamer. You might be catching up on budget or greatest hits titles, or maybe popping in some of the latest games from the next gen consoles. In honor of the upcoming holiday season, many of the writers here at Aeropause have gotten together and voted for our most anticipated titles scheduled for release this holiday season. It turned out to be a fun and occasionally shameful (DOAExtreme Nick?) look into the heart of what makes our staff so…special.

The criteria was to focus on games scheduled for release between 10/10/06 and 12/31/06, voting on our most anticipated titles across all current platforms that we enjoy the most. When there’s an overwhelming favorite, it hit the top of the list. While this list initially was supposed to include the Xbox and Gamecube, neither received any substantial interest from our crew aside of skimming the clearance racks.

Welcome to our Top Holiday Season Titles of 2006, sorted by console, in no particular order.

Final Fantasy XII
Release Date: October 31, 2006
Developer: Square Enix

The last hurrah for Square Enix’s epic collection of PS2 RPG’s will launch on October 31st. Final Fantasy was a mainstay for Sony in the last two generations and as Sony shifts their focus onto their 3rd Generation Playstation, we can focus our attention on what is apparently one of the greatest RPG’s ever made. It’s also one of the last great titles for the PS2.

James (Writer): “Whoever out there actually gets their hands on a PS3 will probably be playing FFXII on it for hours upon hours upon hours. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the #1 holiday PS2 release, with Guitar Hero 2 coming in a close second. It might even be the #1 holiday release across all the platforms.” Other Favorites: Guitar Hero 2

Kat (Writer): “Everybody loves the next Final Fantasy game!” Other Favorites: Karaoke Revolution: American Idol

Resistance: Fall of Man
Release Date: November 17, 2006
Developer: Insomniac Games

Motorstorm
Release Date: Q4 2006
Developer: Evolution Studios

A tie on the next gen launch titles isn’t as special as you might think. As with the Xbox 360 from a year ago, the PS3 and Wii are devoid of any true next gen pull. (Zelda’s great, but it’s a current gen port) We’ll see what they have to offer in the near future for us, but the two titles above are the ones our staff had the most interest in. If it tells you anything, Sonic the Hedgehog was a close second.

Richard (Assist. Editor) on Motorstorm: “I love a good racer and MotorStorm looks no less then amazing! The thought of racing with so many different types of vehicles just looks like a lot of fun. If the gameplay can match the graphics then MotorStorm should be a must have launch title for the PS3.”

James (Writer) on Motorstorm: “Motorstorm really looks like a lot of fun and a great showpiece for the system on a high-def set. Time will tell how much replayability is actually included on that disc, though.”

Kat (Writer) on Resistance: “Sounds like an interesting story.”

James (Writer) on Resistance: “I’m looking forward to seeing what new gamplay, if any, Insomniac has planned for the FPS genre.”

Nick (Writer) on Resistance:“I don’t want to keep playing them, but I just can’t keep away from First Person Shooters! “

Every Extend Extra
Release Date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Q Entertainment

Surprisingly this was the most diverse vote in the list. With a full-fledged MGS title en route and Killzone Liberation looking like a winner, Every Extend Extra wins out. Why? Simple is good and that is exactly what Every Extend Extra is, simple and good. Music games rule on the PSP and this one should be no different, all for $29.

James (Writer): “Hard to vote against MGS and Killzone, but I’m looking forward to chilling out with Every Extend Extra when it hits the states in November. The DS and PSP are our last hopes to have a great time gaming and not spend $60 a pop. Oh yeah, the box art is boss.” Other Favorites: Killzone Liberation, MGS: Portable Ops, PSOne Emulator

Kat (Writer):“I’ve heard there’s a high learning curve, but once you get into it this is a great shoot-em-up title.” Other Favorites: Lumines 2

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Release Date: November 19, 2006
Developer: Nintendo of America

The premier launch title for the Wii, Twilight Princess is going to be yet another awesome chapter in Zelda’s diary. This one hit everyone’s list and while they tried to deny it’s pull, everyone mentioned it and that’s why it’s number one. After Wii Sports wears thin and Excite Truck’s tires run flat, you can be damn sure Zelda will be waiting.

Nick (Writer): “I’m confident that this is *the game* that will sap away many of my holiday hours.”

James (Writer): “No contest here.”

Final Fantasy V Advance
Release Date: November 6, 2006
Developer: Square Enix

It seems Kat is the only one of us who hasn’t retired their GBA and with retro remakes like FFV and FFVI hitting the system, I can’t blame her. The greatest handheld of all time still has plenty of life left.

Kat (Writer): Who doesn’t love Final Fantasy titles? Now we can play these in handheld form!

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
Release Date: December 1, 2006
Developer: Square Enix

While the next gen consoles seem to be having all the fun lately, don’t forget the handhelds. For the DS, it’s hard to deny Crystal Chronicles from snagging our top spot this holiday season. The sequel to Crystal Chronicles is sure to be a hit for DS fans everywhere. WiFi multiplayer is going to make an appearance in this action-RPG. Not many details have been released about the game and fans seem to like it that way.

Kat (Writer): “What’s better than Final Fantasy with WiFi?” Other Favorites: Yoshi’s Island DS

James (Writer): “My Fiance is looking forward to a fun, high-quality, action RPG and this will fit quite nicely.” Other Favorites: Final Fantasy III

Nick Lowe (Writer): “I probably would have chosen Rings of Face, but there isn’t enough information on it out yet.” Other Favorites: Children of Mana

Gears Of War
Release Date: November 12, 2006
Developer: Epic Games

Microsoft has one shot left in their cannon before the PS3 and Wii launch mid-November, Gears of War. It’s impossible to mention the Xbox 360 to someone lately and not have the conversation stray to whether it will live up to the hype. While it’ll be hard pressed to match the massive hype Microsoft’s built, overall we voted this one as our most anticipated Xbox 360 title this holiday season.

Shane (Editor): “All the hype this title has received might be there for good reason. If not, it will sure let a lot of folks down. But from what I’ve seen, It’s a step in the right direction to getting out of the same old repetitive genre releases. Other Favorites: Call of Duty 3

Richard (Assist. Editor): “I had a lot of questions running through my head about this game, but after playing it recently, I have to say this title looks to keep me busy with its amazing Multiplayer for quite some time.” Other Favorites: Call of Duty 3, Rainbow 6 Vegas, and Star Trek: Legacy

George (Writer): “This promises to be the game which defines, in my opinion, the next generation. It’s going to be the standard which all other games and consoles are going to be measured. Well, that is if you believe the hype. But hey, at least it still has on-line cooperative play, unlike SOME Xbox 360 games… Splinter Cell: Double Agent, I’m looking at you!” Other Favorites: Call of Duty 3

James (Writer): “I love cover-based gameplay ever since playing Killzone. Gears of War
looks even more visceral. Combine that with the polish you can expect from Epic and you have one hot title.”

James (Writer): “This is going to be (it better be) the next great multiplayer title for the 360 since GRAW. I haven’t found a 360 fanboy who isn’t soiling himself over every screenshot and gameplay video released, it’s going to sell tons and tons of copies and most definitely one to me.” Other Favorites: Rainbow 6 Vegas

Star Trek Legacy
Release Date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Mad Doc Software

Barely squeezing past Half Life 2: Episode 2, I was absolutely pumped when Star Trek Legacy turned out to be the most popular PC title across our crew here at Aeropause. While it might not get the attention it deserves with heavyweights like Battlefield 2142 and Burning Crusade taking all the spotlight, if it’s done right it could be one of the best Star Trek games we’ve seen in a long while. Excellent multiplayer, rankings, stat tracking and all the original voice actors? Sold.

George (Writer): I’m looking forward to this one because I’m interested to see how a Star Trek PC game turns out when published by Bethesda. Even though they aren’t developing it, only plublishing it, I can’t imagine them stamping their name on it without being sure it’s a good product. In a rather lackluster catalog of licensed Trek games, it’s about time for something quasi-decent to be released. Other Favorites: WoW: Burning Crusade, Neverwinter Nights 2

Kat (Writer):“The fact that all the original actors voice the captains will get people to pick this one up, even if it’s not stellar”

That’s a wrap! Thanks to the writers, Shane, Richard, George, Nick, Kat, Xaq and Matt, for taking the time to contribute your bits. I’ve got a pile of pretty hilarious quotes from all of you, so I’ll put it together in a follow up.

Aeropause wouldn’t be what it is without all of you, so please toss together your own upcoming favorites and make yourself heard in the comments section below.