Microsoft delivers a strong TGS keynote

Microsoft just finished their keynote at the Tokyo Game Show and they delivered a strong one announcing hardcore title after hardcore title.

They first showed off a Last Remnant trailer and reminds everyone of 360 timed exclusivity on November 20 (Japan date?).

A new trailer is shown for Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope with a February release in Japan and a March 3rd release for the U.S.

Next up is Resident Evil 5 (I put up the trailer in an earlier post, so check that.

Then MS announced some surprising games, first of which being Ninety-Nine Nights 2 for a 2009 release. I didn't this one coming since the first game wasn't really that good. Their second game would piss off Sony fanboys as Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion is also coming to the 360 in fall 2009. I guess this is why the console versions are taking forever to come out since Namco are busy with both PS3 and 360 versions along with putting in the BR content. The 360 is quickly becoming a fighters box with this, Street Fighter IV (new trailer above with Dan, Sakura), and others out next year.

The new stash of Live Arcade games MS announced for next year is crazy with games I want to see on the service. Space Invaders Extreme (previously on DS and PSP), Arkanoid Live, Metal Slug 7 (Yes!!!), King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match (Yes!!), and R-Type Dimensions. That alone is from Japan, which is nuts. I'm pretty sure I'm buying all of these.

The Next Xbox Experience in final form is shown with a November 19 release date. Cool stuff that I'm interested to mess with is the new 3D themes, using Marketplace on the PC, and the new menus as a whole. I don't mind the avatars, but at least this thing has a release and Xbox Live is going to get rocked that day with people DLing that update.

Microsoft concluded the keynote with Halo stuff starting with Halo Wars. I'm still skeptical on this RTS, but it is still out next year. The Flood did make its debut in the new demo they showed off. Finally, Bungie answered some questions from that crazy "Keep It Clean" teaser for the Halo 3 expansion, now called Halo 3: Recon. This prologue to Halo 3 stars an ODST Marine instead of Master Chief (He's still in that ship coming toe Earth). This campaign expansion will be out in fall 2009 (kind of a long time). If its DLC (likely), this thing is going to be a GB+, but it could be retail as well.



That's it from Microsoft's keynote and they delivered a strong lineup that will satisfy the hardcore. Some surprises happened while I've been waiting to Namco to admit a 360 version of Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion and they did. Of course, they want more money and seeing Soul Calibur IV's success on 360, this is a no brainer to release Tekken. It would be cool if Namco releases an old Tekken game on XBLA as a teaser for T6 BR like Tekken Tag with online play.

This post will be updated with new clips, but a "Clips of TGS" post will start tomorrow.

Another saving grace for Wii? No More Heroes sequel announced

A surprise announcement at TGS as a debut for No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle has surfaced. I didn't a sequel this early, but its worth it since the hardcore audience that played the first game earlier this year really liked it. Grasshopper is handling the project again, so some improvements could make this game another possible saving grace for the Wii next year along with Nintendo's big hitters.

A new Resident Evil 5 Trailer for TGS

First premiered on 1up about two hours ago, this new trailer for Resident Evil 5 has surfaced for TGS. This new clip is another reason why it is still on my top 10 most wanted list of games because it just looks stunning. A little more of the story as well as a returning character from the franchise is the focus of this clip. In addition, Chris and Sheva's partnership becomes more of a vital point for the game too. The RE4 reference is also crazy when mentioned in this trailer. RE5 will be out in March 09 for PS3 and 360 (plus new hands-on footage will surface from TGS in the coming days).

Another trailer showed up on Gamevideos, which is the one shown at the MS Keynote.

Another returning character in Street Fighter IV

The console versions of Street Fighter IV are being shown at this week's Tokyo Game Show and Famitsu has already revealed one of the console exclusive characters, which is Sakura, from the Alpha games. I don't mind her in the game anyway, but at least more ladies in SF IV. The final boss Seth is also hinted of being playable for the console versions (not yet on arcades). Another rumor is the Super SFII characters will also be playable (T. Hawk and Dee Jay along with Cammy and Fei Long) and some characters from SF III, which are Hugo and Ibuki. If true, the character roster could be 30+ (Dan and Akuma also playable in console versions), which is crazy.



Here's her debut trailer courtesy of IGN.