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Late Night Consoling

by Alec Matias, Aug 24, 2004 8:00pm PDT
Related Topics – Capcom, Sony, Games: Console

Can you feel it? The fall is fast approaching and with it the biggest titles of the year. Today's Fable gone gold announcement could be seen as the kickoff; in less than three weeks, we will all be enjoying one of the most anticipated games of this console generation. Then they start rolling out in bunches; Paper Mario 2, Metroid Prime 2, Halo 2, San Andreas, etc. It feels like we're about to experience history; that console gamers will always talk about the holiday season of 2004, much like PC gamers consider 1998 to be the year of PC gaming. I can only hope I'll have enough time to enjoy it all.

Xbox Fable Goes Gold The RPG most gamers have been waiting for, dubbed by its creator as the "best RPG ever," Fable, has reached gold status and is on a definite track for shipment on September 14. First confirmation was found on Big Blue Box's forums, where it was noticed that a developer's webcam had a disc marked "Fable Gold!" This marks the completition of an intense journey for the game and the studio, which has endured four years of development.
PS2 SmackDown! vs. Raw Goes Online THQ exclusively revealed to IGN tonight that their upcoming brawler, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw, will be an online capable game for the PS2. Sony had been conducting a 4,000-player online beta test to see if the mode would make the final cut and it appears everything is go. While this is big news, there are many unknowns at this point. What modes are online, is it dial-up capable or broadband only, etc. These, and others, should be answered shortly at a press event.
Xbox Guilty Gear Isuka Landing on Xbox Another fighter finds a new home as the previously PS2-only title, Guilty Gear Isuka, will now make a showing on Microsoft's Xbox in Japan. Online play will be available for the title via Xbox Live. While US gamers are still awaiting the game's release on the PS2 in November, it may not be long before American Xbox owners get the good news.
ps2 Sony Shows Their Hand Sony Computer Entertainment announced a list of their console titles they'll be showing at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show. Prepare to be underwhelmed; it's only five games: Arc The Lad Generation, Bakufu Slash KIZNA, Gran Turismo 4, Pride of the Dragon Peace, and Ratchet & Clank 3. Sony will most undoubtedly use the TGS to highlight the PSP and its software, as the handheld is still set for a Japanese launch this year.
PS2 Xbox GCN New Releases This Week A relatively light week in releases with PS2 and Xbox landing Test Drive: Eve of Destruction and two outdoor sporting titles, Rapala Pro Fishing and Cabela's Deer Hunt 2005. The PS2 finally sees Viewtiful Joe while the GameCube ships Amazing Island and Starsky & Hutch.
PS2 Xbox GCN Misc. Q&As/Features Game Informer highlights parts of a teleconference with two developers of Pikmin 2. GameSpot speaks with Rumble Roses product manager, Rob Goff. TeamXbox speaks with EA's Tim Tschirner, producer on NBA Live 2005. GameZone speaks with FIFA Soccer 2005's Dean Richards.
  Misc. Media/Previews
PS2 GameSpot has an exclusive hands-on of Katamari Damacy. RPGFan takes a stab at previewing Wild ARMs Alter Code: F. IGN has a lengthy preview of Time Crisis: Crisis Zone, complete with new media.
Xbox At FileShack, you'll find a 20 minute direct feed of Halo 2 showcasing the multiplayer map Zanzibar. A new official movie of Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone is at GameSpot tonight.
GCN IGN sports gameplay footage of Mario Tennis, Pikmin 2, and Metroid Prime 2 Echoes for us. They also put up some new screens of Resident Evil 4. More WWE Day of Reckoning screenshot goodness at GameSpot this evening.
GBA N-Gage Three shots of Roots: Gates of Chaos (NG) are at GameSpot. At The Magic Box are screens of Mario Pinball Land (GBA). Plenty of new images for Kingdom Hearts: Chains of Memories (GBA) can be found at GameSpy.
PS2 Xbox GCN An exclusive hands-on of Mortal Kombat: Deception (PS2, Xbox, GCN) can be found at GameSpot. They also have the first official trailer of Oddworld Stranger (PS2, Xbox) and screens of ESPN NHL 2K5 (PS2, Xbox). Game Informer leads the way to new media of Backyard Wrestling 2 (PS2, Xbox). GamerFeed bounce passes us previews of ESPN NBA 2K5 (PS2, Xbox) and Winning Eleven 8 (PS2, Xbox). TeamXbox goes hands-on with Midway Arcade Treasures 2 (PS2, Xbox, GCN). GameSpy shares new images of The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (PS2, Xbox, GCN). Blackhole Motorsports chimes in with a preview of Richard Burns Rally (PS2, Xbox). IGN shows a new video of NHL 2005 (PS2, Xbox, GCN)and plenty of footage for SNK vs. Capcom SVC Chaos (PS2, Xbox).
Console Game of the Evening: Sub Rebellion for the PlayStation 2. "Irem's spiritual successor to In The Hunt. Rebel against the evil empire in an expertly balanced mix of arcade action and underwater exploration set against the backdrop of a flooded post-apocalyptic earth. Truly a diamond in the current bargain bin." (submitted by roushimsx).


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