Xbox Durango: Top 10 Launch Games… We Want

The initial success of any console is tied almost directly to its price, general functionality and above anything else, its games. Microsoft made a big splash with the 360, launching alongside an impressive 20 titles – more than any console in history.

With that in mind, we’ve taken out the crystal ball, had a good old look at our own warped reflections, and complied a list of games we’d love to see launch alongside a new console. Microsoft made it happen before, perhaps it can do it again?

And before you start, these are nothing but pure speculation…

Project Gotham Racing 5

The Project Gotham series has helped enormously to garner core gamer’s attentions when Microsoft launched both the original Xbox and the 360. It would make a welcome addition to the launch of any new machine, but there’s only one slight problem. PGR developer, Bizarre Creations, is sadly no more. If we assume Microsoft still owns the licence, there’s no reason another high profile racing studio couldn’t pick up where it left off. Turn 10, anyone?

Call Of Duty

This generation has become synonymous with the popularity of one series – Call Of Duty. A next-gen COD would no doubt help encourage the masses into upgrading to a new machine would be a wise choice, but back when the 360 launched, COD 2 was already showing that the series had the power to pull in the big crowds. Call Of Duty also has the power to cross the generations, too. A number of games could end up having two iterations on both consoles, just like what happened with GUN when the 360 launched. Don’t laugh, it could totally happen…

Halo 4

Halo 4 has been announced for the Xbox 360, we know. But, just like COD, it could work as a cross platform showcase immediately highlighting the benefits and power of a new machine. It would be the perfect advert! ‘Want Halo 4? Of course you do, well here it is on the 360. Looks good right? Wrong, it doesn’t look anywhere near as good as it looks on the Durango! Schwing!’

Gears Of War 4

Considering Epic has just finished its Gears Of War series with the last game in its trilogy and has already stated its keen to move away from it for a bit – with game like Fortnite – this might be a bit of stretch. That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be totally amazing, though.

  Forza 5

We know, Forza 4 has only just come out (sort of). But just imagine what Turn 10 could do with the power of a new machine powering its driving sim. Forza already looks close to photo-real anyway, especially in the Auto Vista mode. A new Forza game would wipe the floor with any and all racers that have come before and would convince any seasoned gamer/driver that a new machine would a worthy purchase.

Crysis 3

Rumours have already begun to surface that EA and Crytek are in talks to bring a new Crysis to the world; why not make it a next-gen entry? It would make sense, as great as Crysis 2 looked, and as much power Crytek managed to draw out of Microsoft’s aging machine, a new console would give it seemingly unlimited power. It would be the perfect accompaniment for any new machine and the best way to evolve Crytek’s excellent series.

Samaritan

Epic’s as good as said its next-gen tech demo is ready to evolve into a game, but the Samaritan only hints at what will be possible on a new machine. If Microsoft has begun shipping out test units and accurate tech specs (warning: massive rumour) then Epic will be able to take its new engine and turn everything up to 11, maybe even 12. Then we’ll see something impressive.

GTA V

We know, GTA V is another game scheduled for this year, but we refer you back to our previous statement; why couldn’t it be a cross platform release? A lot of engine technology is sophisticated enough to scale to certain parameters and if it’s a simple case of tinkering behind the hood, next-gen versions of lots of current games could easily make the switch. Having GTA V ‘Next-gen’ next to your new machine would be enough to make hardened gamers cry.

Dragon Age III

BioWare made a bit of miss-step with Dragon Age II. After Origins showed just how great a traditional RPG could be, its sequel turned into one long mash X-fest where you visited the same three rooms over and over. A slight exaggeration, we know, but it was a frustrating experience. BioWare aren’t ones to let its mistakes get in the way though, and it’ll have learned some valuable lessons. Enter Dragon Age III, with shiny new next-gen visuals and an awesome new story. It’d be hard to resist.

Kameo: Elements Of Power 2

This won’t happen and we’re not sure we’d even want it to. But, the idea of another Kameo makes us smile because it sends our minds hurtling back to the launch of the 360. We remeber fanboys desperately tried to defend its below average gameplay because it was, one, a new game on new hardware and, two, a Rare title. Bless ‘em.

Related Articles

• Xbox Next-Gen Console In 2012
• 5 Names For The New Xbox
• Next Gen: 5 Ways It’s Going To Rip You Off
• The Xbox 720 Won’t Stream Games Online

If you liked this article, there’s plenty more where that came from. You can download the latest issue of 360 Magazine (also available in all good newsagents) through iTunes to your iPad or iPhone for just £1.99 per issue. Bargain!

Or go here for the United States iTunes store version.