Tokyo Game Show 2012
So another Tokyo Game Show (TGS) has come and gone, and this time around there didn’t seem to be a clear focus, just a glimpse of the amazing expansion of the games we’ll see in the near future. The number of attendees for this year was a record 223,753 – almost 1,100 more than last year! On top of the impressive title lineup (and a little off the subject), it was exciting to see the launch of the iPhone 5 in the midst of Tokyo.
First off, Sony announced a new, thinner PlayStation 3 (PS3) with 250GB and 500GB. It features a smaller, streamlined design that is approximately 25 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than the current PS3. The 250GB model will be available immediately for $270 as a part of a limited edition bundle featuring UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception: Game of the Year Edition (plus a $30 voucher worth of digital content for the game). Then the 500GB/$300 version will release Oct. 30 in conjunction with Assassin’s Creed III, one of the most anticipated games for this holiday season.
Sony also featured the HMZ-T2 3D visor. I can see this $900 piece of headgear becoming uncomfortable after long periods of use. Although the display sits right on your face, its visual effect creates the illusion of a large 3-D television four to six feet in front of you. This model is 20 percent lighter than the previous models and supposedly more comfortable.
As for the other big names, neither Microsoft nor Nintendo bothered to show up at TGS, but at least Nintendo released details of its new Wii U home console and groundbreaking touchscreen Wii U GamePad controller in conjunction with the show.
This new HD system can revolutionize not only the way you play video games, but the way you find and watch TV and video content. The console is slated to come out Nov. 18 in the U.S. and Dec. 8 in Japan. During the launch window, more than 50 games will be available, including Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros., LEGO City: Undercover, BAYONETTA 2, The Wonderful 101, Call of Duty: Black Ops II and more. There will be two iterations of the Wii U: Basic Set 8GB/$300 and Deluxe Set 32GB/$350.
Complementing Nintendo’s Wii U is TVii, an application that will let you find, watch and engage with your favorite video entertainment in fun new ways. Using your GamePad controller,TVii lets you seamlessly explore available video content from a variety of sources, including live TV, your TiVo DVR and video-on-demand services (i.e. Netflix or Hulu) – all in an easy-to-use interface. This steps up Nintendo’s game, as it sounds very similar to what you can already do on the PS3 or Xbox 360.
By far, Capcom had the best game lineup at TGS. Devil May Cry, Lost Planet 3, Biohazard 6 (Resident Evil in the U.S.), Monster Hunter 4 for the 3DS, and Okami HD were among my favorites there. Other notable titles include Metal Gear Solid (Konami) and Final Fantasy XIV (Square Enix).
Of course, there are too many games to mention, but those are the ones that caught my attention.
Most of these games are slated to be released in time for the holidays. Stay tuned for my coming reviews.
