This is a personal favorite of mine. Mega Man 9 was such a huge success among fans of the “returning” series and the confirmation of a sequel at CES was truly exciting. Mega Man 10 plans to pick up on that 8-bit glory while changing some of the gameplay elements to further improve the overall experience. Mega Man 9 left newcomers crying across the country due to the excruciating difficulty that the series brings back from its roots in the older titles. To them I say, suck it up and earn the M. Buster. Capcom, however, has taken a more sympathetic approach and is bringing you a brand new Mega Man.

The difficulty levels of Mega Man 10 offers a more varied experience in response to the overwhelming obstacles in its predecessor. Each of the 5 difficulties, ranging from ‘Very Easy’ to ‘Very Difficult,’ change the level entirely. Capcom does this by adding new enemies, fewer platforms, and even alters your opponents’ attacks. This new style assures that everyone can beat the level. More experienced gamers will come back to these levels on more aggressive settings just to see how hard a level can get.

In addition, Mega Man 10 now offers the ability to begin story mode as either Mega Man or the prototype before him, Proto Man. This is great since you previously couldn’t use Proto Man unless you purchased him as downloadable content (DLC) in Mega Man 9. The plot will have more depth since it incorporates both these heroes’ story lines as well. Also, a secret third playable character was mentioned, but hasn’t yet been revealed. I’m crossing my fingers to see Zero in 8-bit, but with that said, it’s much more likely that Bass will be available. He did, after all, make a guest appearance at the end of Mega Man 9.

This time around, Mega Man 10 further adds to its replay value with new modes for players to struggle through. You will definitely be getting your money’s worth with modes like Mega Man Challenges that demand quick responses and even quicker footwork to complete. Also, even more achievements will be available to assure that you will want to come back for more. You are assured there will be much more to look forward to with this game even after you think you’ve mastered it.

This game is definitely one to look out for when it becomes available in March 2010 as a digital download on Wii Ware, Xbox Live, and PlayStation Network. Although unannounced, it is expected that pricing will be around the same as the wide range of DLC. Mega Man 10 is looking like it’s going to deliver quite well on the promised nostalgia and difficulty its unique gameplay provides.

Links: Capcom.com Mega Man 10

Best Overall Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the sequel to the popular game Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. MW2 is one of the most talked about games of the year. Having sold over 4.7 million copies on opening day and over 9 million copies in the first 5 days, it’s broken all sales records for video games.

Buy: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Second Choice: Assassin’s Creed II

Assassin’s Creed II is the sequel to the popular 2007 game Assassin’s Creed. It picks up merely seconds after the first game ends. You play as an incarnate of an assassin named Ezio who was betrayed by a rival ruling family during the Renaissance era in Italy. It will not disappoint.

Buy: Assassin’s Creed II

Third Choice: Batman: Arkham Asylum

Batman has been gaining popularity since the Batman Begins movie in 2005 followed by The Dark Knight which broke all sorts of records after reaching theaters. In Batman: Arkham Asylum, you continue the story after the movie The Dark Knight. You assume the role of Batman as he brings The Joker to Arkham Asylum. While in Arkham Asylum, the super-villians set a trap for Batman.

Buy: Batman: Arkham Asylum

This Gift Guide is a part of our ongoing Skatter Tech Holiday Gift Guide.

With the sleuth of new games this month, it appears as though the holiday season is upon us and game publishers are starting to let loose all of the major titles. With the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 with major titles coming out: Resistance 2 and Gears of War 2, respectively, it looks like this is going to be another exciting holiday season for gamers.

Nintendo Wii:

• Shaun White SnowBoarding – Ubisoft
• Cooking Mama: World Kitchen – Majesco
• Need for Speed: Undercover – Electronic Arts
• Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party – Ubisoft
• WordJong Party – Destineer
• Animal Crossing: City Folk – Nintendo
• Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars – Gamecock Media Group
• Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels – LucasArts
• Imagine Party Babyz – Ubisoft
• Candace Kane’s Candy Factory – Destineer
• Rock Revolution – Konami
• Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World – Namco Bandai
• Pet Pals: Animal Doctor – Legacy Interactive
• Mortimer Beckett and the Secrets of Spooky Manor – RealNetworks
• PopStar Guitar – XS Games
• WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2009 – THQ
• Madagascar Escape 2 Africa – Activision
• James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace – Activision
• Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors – Activision
• Monster Lab – Eidos Interactive
• Alien Crush Returns – Hudson Entertainment
• Home Sweet Home – Big Blue Bubble

Play Station 3:

• Resistance 2 – SCEA
• Tom Clancy’s EndWar – Ubisoft
• Valkyra Chronicles – Sega
• Quantum of Solace: The Game – Activision
• Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm – Namco Bandai
• WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2009 – THQ
• Mirror’s Edge – EA
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 – Konami
• Call of Duty: World at War – Activision
• Shaun White Snowboarding – Ubisoft
• Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe – Midway
• NCAA Basketball 09 – Electronic Arts

Xbox 360:

• Gears of War 2 – Microsoft
• Call of Duty: World at War – Activision
• Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 – Electronic Arts
• Mirror’s Edge – Electronic Arts
• Mortal Kombat Vs DC – Midway
• Shaun White Snowboarding – Ubisoft
• Naruto: The Broken Bond – Ubisoft
• Need for Speed Undercover – Electronic Arts
• Left 4 Dead – Electronic Arts
• The Last Remnant – Square Enix
• Quantum of Solace – Activision
• Tom Clancy’s Endwar – Ubisoft

Games List: Nintendo Wii | Sony PS3 | Microsoft Xbox 360
Purchase Games: Amazon’s Selection (ships free + no tax)

It looks as though if April is going to be another slow month for game releases. However there are three high anticipated games arriving. The Wii will be getting the Prince of Persia: Rival Swords, which now has better graphics, and Super Paper Mario, which brings back the popular traditional Nintendo characters. Finally, F.E.A.R., a popular PC and Xbox game will be hitting the Sony PlayStation 3!

Wii:

• Prince of Persia: Rival Swords – Ubisoft
• Bust-A-Move Bash! – Majesco Sales Inc
• Super Paper Mario – Nintendo

PlayStation 3: F.E.A.R. – Vivendi Games

Xbox 360: 2006 FIFA World Cup – EA Sports

Game Lists: Nintendo Wii | Sony PS3 | Microsoft Xbox 360
Related: Upcoming PS3, Wii, & 360 Games: March

This month Wii owners will rejoice with the arrival of four highly anticipated games. We are looking forward to how games like The Godfather: Blackhand Edition will work with the Wii controls. The PS3 will face some great games like Oblivion and Rainbow Six: Vegas this month, but unfortunately rather than MotorStorm they are all ports from the Xbox 360. Finally on the Xbox 360 we are looking forward to Armored Core 4.

Wii:

• Medal of Honor Vanguard – EA
• Prince of Persia: Rival Swords – Ubisoft
• The Godfather: Blackhand Edition - EA
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 – EA

PlayStation 3:

• MotorStorm - SCEA
• F.E.A.R - Vivendi Games
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Bethesda Softworks
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas – Ubisoft

Xbox 360:

• Def Jam: Icon – EA
• Virtua Tennis 3 – SEGA
• Armored Core 4 – Sega of America

Game Lists: Nintendo Wii | Sony PS3 | Microsoft Xbox 360
Related: Upcoming PS3, Wii, & 360 Games: Feburary

Unlike the last month, there will be a few more games released this month (February). PS3 and the Xbox 360 are getting a few, but the Wii seems to be getting only one game. In addition most of the games seem to be quite boring. The flOw for the PS3 seems to be quite similar to the highly anticipated Spore. Other than that, Forumla One might be good for HDTV sets. Wii owners planning to purchase another controller should purcahse Wii Play package since it will include a controller ($40) and a game for $50.

Playstation 3:

• Virtua Fighter 5 – Sega
• College Hoops 2K7 – Take Two
• flOw – SCEA
• Formula One Champion Edition – SCEA

Wii:

• Bust-A-Move Bash! – Majesco Sales Inc.
• Wii Play – Nintendo

Xbox 360:

• Dance Dance Revolution Universe – Konami
• Crackdown – Real Time Worlds
• Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 – Konami

Note: The items mentioned above are games for the PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 are planned to be launched in February 2006. The list is accurate as of 02/05/07, however games may be added or removed. Therefore check with Nintendo, Sony, and/or Microsoft for changes.

Links: Nintendo Wii List | Sony PS3 List | Microsoft Xbox 360 List
Related: Upcoming PS3, Wii, & 360 Games: January

Bill Gates started off the Microsoft CES keynote with his thoughts on the rapid advancement that the technology market has undergone in recent years, and quickly tied it all into the release of Windows Vista and the importance of the new operating system. Other than Vista’s features, the keynote included information about their new Windows Home Server, Live Anywhere, Xbox IPTV, and a big deal with Ford Motors.

Vista’s ShadowCopy:
A neat feature, showcased by Justin Hutchinson, is called ShadowCopy, which in essence provides Vista with another safety net from human error. In short, it allows users who accidentally saved an incorrect version of a document or overwrote the wrong file to “restore previous versions of [the] document with just a couple of clicks” The feature is a lot like the current System Restore, but works on an individual file level. “It’s better than going back in time,” joked Justin (referring to OSX’s Time Machine).

Vista’s GroupShot:
Continuing with Vista, Hutchinson described how the Ultimate version of Vista will include downloadable extras for those of us willing to shell out the extra money for this particular version. One of the more impressive downloadable programs is Groupshot, which allows users to select parts of different pictures and combine them into one for a better overall image. The aim of this program is to fix awkward facial expressions of an individual in a series of group shots, where the face of a person in one image can be transplanted over onto his or her face in another image.

DreamScene Backgrounds:
Another Ultimate Extra is found in the form of DreamScene, which allows users to use full motion video as a desktop background. This feature will probably only be recommendable for those who have enough graphics horsepower to spare after having turned on Aero Glass, not to mention the patience to deal with a distracting video playing in the background.

Virtual Earth 3D:
After a brief Vista discussion, the topic changed to the Virtual Earth 3D technology that’s part of the Windows Live network. Using an Xbox 360 controller, Hutchinson was able to fly a camera around in a fully three dimensional recreation of Sin City. The concept felt a lot like Google Earth with SketchUp, but it’s always nice to see competition.

Windows Home Server:
The next item of interest was the mention of a project that Microsoft has worked on with HP, called Windows Home Server. As the name implies, this will be network attached device that will be available to multiple PCs, Xbox consoles, the Zune music players and any other compatible devices. They can be used for backups or additional storage. Expect to see the HP Media Smart Server in stores later on in the second half of this year.

“Live” Anywhere:
With Windows Vista, Microsoft will be introducing the concept of Live Anywhere, which basically amounts to being able to play a game, like Uno, on your Vista machine with someone else playing on their Xbox 360, and vice versa. In the future the service will support more “hardcore games.”

Xbox 360 Gets TV:
The entertainment experience doesn’t stop with Live Anywhere. Microsoft also plans to provide its customers with a wide variety of TV content, which it will soon be offering in four different ways.

• 1) HD-DVD – the new addon for the Xbox 360 will provide HD video. More units will be shipped out since they are in “incredibly high” demand.
• 2) Media Center PC – recorded and live TV content can be accessed on the Xbox 360 by networking it with one of these PCs.
• 3) Xbox Live Video – the recently launched service allows users to download HD and SD movies onto the console. The service already has a thousand hours of content. And it’s really simple, because the Xbox is already on the internet and, it’s connected to a big [screen].
• 4) IPTV – with just a simple internet connection and a Xbox 360, you soon can receive standard TV channels (live) over the internet. Microsoft is planning on turning the 360 into a Top Set Box soon after gaining support from third-party telephony companies such as AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, C-Com and SwissCom.

The new IPTV service will be able to handle both standard and high definition streaming for a variety of different channels. The software includes picture-in-picture support, recording, and other TiVo-type features. The service will NOT be free, but will be much cheaper than paying regular cable and extra equipment. (great for college students)

Ford Motors:
The final major announcement to come forth from the CES keynote was that Microsoft has partnered up with the Ford Motor Company to offer a “fully integrated, voice activated, in-car communications and entertainment system for mobile phones and digital music players.” This Ford exclusive, called “Synch”, will support Bluetooth, phone book syncing, three way calling, and text-to-speech reading for text messages. Not only will it be compatible with the Zune and the iPod, but as a bonus there will also be a USB port for Flash Thumb Drives.

Watch: Bill Gates’s Keynote (requires Windows Media Player)
Links: Microsoft at CES 2007
Related: CES: Verizon – Mobile TV

January will be another slow month for new game releases for ALL the next generation gaming consoles. There will only be one game available for the PS3 and two games for each the Wii and 360. If you are waiting for new games to purchase, you might as well go pickup a currently available one unless you find something on the list below interesting. From our perspective, the only games worth purchasing this month are Sonic The Hedgehog for the PS3 and Fuzion Frenzy for the Xbox 360.

PlayStation 3:

• Sonic The Hedgehog – Sega

Wii:

• Baseball – Nintendo
• Urban Champions – Nintendo

Xbox 360:

• Fuzion Frenzy 2 – Microsoft
• Dance Dance Revolution Universe – Konami

Note: The items mentioned above are games for the PlayStation 3 and Wii that are planned to be launched in December 2006. The list is accurate as of 11/30/06, however game may be added or removed. Therefore check Nintendo’s and/or Sony’s webpage for any changes.

What console do you own? Purchase any games recently? – let us know!

Links: Nintendo Wii List | Sony PS3 List | Microsoft Xbox 360 List
Related: Upcoming PS3 & Wii Games: December