If you thought 2007 was a kick-ass year for playing video games, you were right. And guess what? Things aren't going to slow down in 2008. The year 2007 saw numerous delays of major titles, and all those bad boys are coming out in 2008. We're counting down our 10 most wanted games of the year. For a game to have been considered in our top 10, it must be a console/handheld game, officially announced and set with a release date for 2008 in North America. Without further ado, grab a bag of popcorn and join us as we count down to our most wanted game of 2008.


10) Ninja Gaiden II

Team Ninja's anticipated sequel to Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) is set to hit Xbox 360 in 2008, and as expected, it looks to be every bit as gorgeous as an Itagaki game should be. The bloody action game comes with new weapons, areas, enemies, bosses and an all-new storyline following Ryu's mission to save the race of humanity from extinction. Additionally, Ninja Gaiden II is expected to be the bloodiest and goriest in the series, so far, and like its predecessor, it's only on Microsoft's system.


9) LittleBigPlanet

Since its unveiling at GDC last year, we've been intrigued and excited about Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet. The social platformer lets you create your own levels and share them with other gamers. This imaginative platformer looks more like something Shigeru Miyamoto would think up, but it is in fact a PlayStation 3 exclusive, and sure enough one of our most-wanted games of the year. In fact, it won our Game of Show award at E3 2007.


8) Killzone 2

At E3 2005, Sony showed to the gaming world a trailer for a little game called Killzone 2. This trailer blew the collective mind of the gaming industry, and even years later, people reference the trailer, talking about its impressive, CG-like graphics. The following E3, Sony was mum on Killzone 2, and the industry assumed the trailer from the year prior was in fact pre-rendered and the game not as far into development (or as good-looking) as Sony would have liked us all to believe. But at E3 2007, Sony and Guerilla Games lifted the curtain for Killzone 2 once again, giving us a peek at the PS3-only shooter. This time, we saw a gameplay demonstration, and while it doesn't look as good as that trailer from E3 2005, Killzone 2 looks incredibly cinematic and immersive. It will likely be one of the biggest games of fall 2008, when it is expected to launch.


7) Fable 2

Peter Molyneux can hype a game unlike any other developer out there. This much we're sure of. We're also pretty sure – if the original Fable is any indication of things to come – that Fable 2 will be one of the best games of 2008. Unfortunately, Molyneux has been rather quiet about the RPG sequel. We do know that in it, you will have a pet dog, and that you'll grow to love your pet dog, and that your pet dog will eventually die (spoilers, Molyneux, spoilers?). But, other than that, there's not much information out there. But that's not stopping us from wanting it. Will it be the "best RPG ever," as Molyneux once claimed in regards to the original Fable? Unlikely, but we're sure as hell looking forward to seeing what the ambitious game-maker does with this sequel.


6) Mario Kart Wii

Nintendo fans sure do love themselves some Mario Kart action, and considering we too are Nintendo fans, so do we. Mario Kart Wii is a historical step for the series. Not only is it the first Mario Kart game for Nintendo's fandangled Wii system, it's the first console iteration of the long-running racer to feature online play. Expect new characters, karts, maps, modes, items and much more, as well. Mario Kart Wii is looking to be one of Wii's most promising games in 2008.


5) Street Fighter IV

It has been 10 years since Street Fighter III released, the last numbered installment in the beloved Street Fighter franchise. Thankfully, the wait for Street Fighter IV is nearly over – sort of. Capcom plans to release Street Fighter IV sometime in 2008, according to rumors, although no official release date is set. The game will feature new stages, moves, online play and more. Although the title will employ the use of 3D graphics, its gameplay style will remain true to the series' 2D roots. Unfortunately, we don't know what platform(s) the game will release on. When we do, though, we'll be sure to let you know.


4) Fallout 3

Many console gamers might not be familiar with the Fallout franchise, but that's no reason they shouldn't anticipate Fallout 3. The open-ended RPG is being developed by Bethesda, the same team responsible for the awesome Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. We sat in on a behind-closed-doors Fallout 3 demonstration by executive producer Todd Howard at E3 2007 and were blown away. Imagine the same framework of Oblivion, only replace the fantasy setting with a post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. that resembles a nuclear wasteland, and you've got a good idea of what to expect.


3) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is finally releasing this year, and of course, we'll be buying it on day one. With an all-new cut-scene-packed storyline, Snake's new OctoCamo suit, bizarre boss fights (that only the mind of Kojima could cook up) and a new close quarters combat system, MGS4 looks to be the reason to pick up a PlayStation 3 in 2008. Plus, with rumors going around that this could be Kojima's last Metal Gear Solid title, how could you not want to play this game?


2) Grand Theft Auto IV

Plain and simple, stealing cars, killing random NPCs for the heck of it, blowing $#%& up and doing missions for the mafia is fun. Sure, Jack Thompson probably thinks we're the scum of society for saying all this, but truth is, we'd never do these things in real life – because, Jack, despite what you think, we do have some morals. Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series, though, allows you to do all these things and more, and from what we can tell, it's looking to be the best GTA ever.


1) Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Hands down, Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii is our most-wanted game of 2008. How couldn't it be? We've wanted this game since it was announced nearly two years ago. In fact, we've actually wanted this game long before it was announced – going as far back to the late GameCube days, when we started to dream of playing Super Smash Bros. online. Finally, ladies and gents, that day is right around the corner.



Honorable Mentions
These are the games that didn't make our list either because they are not officially announced, are not coming out in 2008 or because they just didn't quite make the cut. Whatever the individual reason, we're also looking forward to these games (and many others, which we're undoubtedly overlooking):

Alan Wake, Animal Crossing Wii, Army of Two, Banjo, Kazooie 3, Borderlands, Brutal Legend, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Far Cry 2, Gears of War 2 (unconfirmed), God of War: Chains of Olympus, Gran Turismo 5, Lost Odyssey, Professor, Layton and the Curious Village, Resident Evil 5, Resistance 2, Patapon, Spore, Soul Calibur IV, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction, Too Human, White Knight Chronicles.

So, did we forget a game? Agree with our list? Disagree? Speak your mind in the comments section below.