February Overview: What's Coming Out
Added 01/18/2007 by Dakota Grabowski
The New Year started out with a bang as Microsoft and Epic released two maps for Gears of War. Even Activision joined the party releasing a map for Call of Duty 3. With all the enjoyment on Xbox Live, gamers are still looking down the pipeline to see what the future holds for the Xbox 360.
With that being said, we'll kick off our overview of February with two games that are being released prior to February 1st. One is on behalf of Microsoft and the other is Eidos jumping back into the game with their fifth Xbox 360 game. Without further ado, here’s the release list for February (and the last week of January):
January 30th – Fuzion Frenzy 2
Microsoft is putting their faith into Hudson Soft to create the sequel to Fuzion Frenzy. Hudson Soft’s only other title on the Xbox 360 happens to be one of the worst – Bomberman: Act Zero. Should we, as gamers, put faith into Hudson Soft to create our only party game on the Xbox 360 to date? I sure hope this franchise doesn’t go down the drain after Fuzion Frenzy 2’s release.
January 30th – Battlestations: Midway
The other worthy mention for the end of January is Eidos’ Battlestations: Midway. Don’t confuse this title for another Blazing Angels flight-action game. Battlestations puts you in control of submarines, warships and other vehicles in addition to planes. Currently slated for Xbox Live multiplayer action is the ability to dogfight with up to seven players online.
With that being said, we'll kick off our overview of February with two games that are being released prior to February 1st. One is on behalf of Microsoft and the other is Eidos jumping back into the game with their fifth Xbox 360 game. Without further ado, here’s the release list for February (and the last week of January):
January 30th – Fuzion Frenzy 2
Microsoft is putting their faith into Hudson Soft to create the sequel to Fuzion Frenzy. Hudson Soft’s only other title on the Xbox 360 happens to be one of the worst – Bomberman: Act Zero. Should we, as gamers, put faith into Hudson Soft to create our only party game on the Xbox 360 to date? I sure hope this franchise doesn’t go down the drain after Fuzion Frenzy 2’s release.
January 30th – Battlestations: Midway
The other worthy mention for the end of January is Eidos’ Battlestations: Midway. Don’t confuse this title for another Blazing Angels flight-action game. Battlestations puts you in control of submarines, warships and other vehicles in addition to planes. Currently slated for Xbox Live multiplayer action is the ability to dogfight with up to seven players online.
February 5th – Rapala Tournament Fishing
At a lower price of $39.99, gamers of the hunting and fishing orientation will jump on board for the only game of its kind to be found on the Xbox 360. This being the unrivaled fishing game on the Xbox 360 leaves gamers with no other option than picking up Rapala if they want to fish.
February 6th – Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows
This doesn’t directly affect the Xbox 360 and its platform, but it gives gamers an opportunity to use their wireless accessories and controllers from the Xbox 360 on their own PCs. Wireless headsets, wireless racing wheels and the wireless Xbox 360 controllers are the items you can use currently, but in the future more will be accessible to the gaming receiver.
February 6th – Winning Eleven: Pro Soccer 2007
If you want to play Winning Eleven in 2007, you’ll have to own an Xbox 360. Winning Eleven: Pro soccer 2007 is also the series' first appearance on the Xbox 360 console. FIFA has reigned supreme on the Xbox 360 thus far, but Konami is hoping Winning Eleven catches on fire and attracts the attention of gamers. For Microsoft’s sake, they are hoping Europe is paying attention as well since this could turn out to sell a million copies.
February 20th – Crackdown w/ Halo 3 Beta
I hope many of those buying Crackdown are buying it for Crackdown alone. But, I know gamers will be buying this for the Halo 3 Beta opportunity. I know my advice will be overlooked, but after playing it at E3 last year, I feel Crackdown is a good game on its own merit. If there are no Halo 3 Beta copies left, I suggest still picking up Crackdown.
At a lower price of $39.99, gamers of the hunting and fishing orientation will jump on board for the only game of its kind to be found on the Xbox 360. This being the unrivaled fishing game on the Xbox 360 leaves gamers with no other option than picking up Rapala if they want to fish.
February 6th – Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows
This doesn’t directly affect the Xbox 360 and its platform, but it gives gamers an opportunity to use their wireless accessories and controllers from the Xbox 360 on their own PCs. Wireless headsets, wireless racing wheels and the wireless Xbox 360 controllers are the items you can use currently, but in the future more will be accessible to the gaming receiver.
February 6th – Winning Eleven: Pro Soccer 2007
If you want to play Winning Eleven in 2007, you’ll have to own an Xbox 360. Winning Eleven: Pro soccer 2007 is also the series' first appearance on the Xbox 360 console. FIFA has reigned supreme on the Xbox 360 thus far, but Konami is hoping Winning Eleven catches on fire and attracts the attention of gamers. For Microsoft’s sake, they are hoping Europe is paying attention as well since this could turn out to sell a million copies.
February 20th – Crackdown w/ Halo 3 Beta
I hope many of those buying Crackdown are buying it for Crackdown alone. But, I know gamers will be buying this for the Halo 3 Beta opportunity. I know my advice will be overlooked, but after playing it at E3 last year, I feel Crackdown is a good game on its own merit. If there are no Halo 3 Beta copies left, I suggest still picking up Crackdown.
February 20th – NBA Street Homecourt
EA is releasing their fourth ‘NBA Street’ title and they are crossing their fingers it sells like hotcakes like Fight Night Round 3 did on the Xbox 360. The graphics are a sure treat themselves and combining them with the new gameplay techniques, this could turn out to be the game of the month.
February 27th – Bullet Witch
Atari is picking up the localization of Bullet Witch for North America. Bullet Witch follows the story of a woman trying to protect all of humanity before they become extinct. The woman, named Alicia, carries around a weapon called the Gun Rod that has dual abilities of a sword and a gun. Alicia also possesses supernatural powers to further aid her on her mission to save mankind.
EA is releasing their fourth ‘NBA Street’ title and they are crossing their fingers it sells like hotcakes like Fight Night Round 3 did on the Xbox 360. The graphics are a sure treat themselves and combining them with the new gameplay techniques, this could turn out to be the game of the month.
February 27th – Bullet Witch
Atari is picking up the localization of Bullet Witch for North America. Bullet Witch follows the story of a woman trying to protect all of humanity before they become extinct. The woman, named Alicia, carries around a weapon called the Gun Rod that has dual abilities of a sword and a gun. Alicia also possesses supernatural powers to further aid her on her mission to save mankind.
February 27th – Dance Dance Revolution: Universe
Just like Winning Eleven, Konami is bringing another franchise for the first time to the Xbox 360. Dance Dance Revolution is a renowned franchise that has appeal for all ages. Microsoft should be thanking Konami for their continuous support of the Xbox 360 in 2007. Now if they could only swing Metal Gear Solid in their favor, Microsoft would be set.
February 27th – Samurai Warriors 2: Empires
Add this to the list of Japanese developers and publishers that are continuing to support the Xbox 360. Koei wasn’t one of the biggest supporters of the original Xbox, but Samurai Warriors 2: Empires will be its fourth game in little under a year and a half. Koei, in the future, has two more titles lined up for the Xbox 360 with Fatal Inertia and Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War.
February TBA (XBLA) – Castlevania: Symphony of Night, Worms, Mad Tracks, Castle Crashers
With four Wednesdays in February, these may very well end up being the four that are released. Castlevania is the only one confirmed for sure as Konami promised it would be released sometime within the month. Worms is close to completion and was rumored to be released after CES (Consumer Electronics Show). Both Mad Tracks and Castle Crashers are slated for the first quarter of 2007 and are expected to be released before March.
Just like Winning Eleven, Konami is bringing another franchise for the first time to the Xbox 360. Dance Dance Revolution is a renowned franchise that has appeal for all ages. Microsoft should be thanking Konami for their continuous support of the Xbox 360 in 2007. Now if they could only swing Metal Gear Solid in their favor, Microsoft would be set.
February 27th – Samurai Warriors 2: Empires
Add this to the list of Japanese developers and publishers that are continuing to support the Xbox 360. Koei wasn’t one of the biggest supporters of the original Xbox, but Samurai Warriors 2: Empires will be its fourth game in little under a year and a half. Koei, in the future, has two more titles lined up for the Xbox 360 with Fatal Inertia and Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War.
February TBA (XBLA) – Castlevania: Symphony of Night, Worms, Mad Tracks, Castle Crashers
With four Wednesdays in February, these may very well end up being the four that are released. Castlevania is the only one confirmed for sure as Konami promised it would be released sometime within the month. Worms is close to completion and was rumored to be released after CES (Consumer Electronics Show). Both Mad Tracks and Castle Crashers are slated for the first quarter of 2007 and are expected to be released before March.
