The Seven Samurai - Top Gaming Picks for '07
By: VGGEN StaffOther "7 for '07" Articles
7 for '07 - PlayStation 37 for '07 - Xbox 360
7 for '07 - Nintendo Wii
7 for '07 - PlayStation 2
7 for '07 - Nintendo DS
7 for '07 Index
Any longtime gamer can tell you that these past few years have been both an interesting and a difficult time to be a consumer. The competition was perhaps as fierce and numerous as ever, and all of it in the hopes of getting your money. Yet, as we cross the threshold into 2007, leaving behind many fond memories and just as many (if not more) regrets, we've reached a turning point in the console war. A few of the systems have fallen along the way, while there are still those that, however unlikely, have defied the odds and persevered. And, yes, some of them are on their way out, but others, their way in. And, now, seven stand before us. Seven systems, seven choices, seven...samurai? That's right, in looking at the contenders, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, we here at Video Game Generation can't help but liken them to the stars of Akira Kurosawa's classic film Seven Samurai.
Sony's PlayStation 2, being the clear-cut winner last generation is like Kambei, the leader of this ragtag band of warriors. Microsoft may have been the last of the big three to throw its hat into the console ring with the original Xbox, but with the Xbox 360 (and a substantial lead right now) it hopes to usurp the PS2 as king of the hill, making it much like Kambei's eager young disciple, Katsushiro. More skilled than any of the others, the self-sure Kyuzo reminds us most of the supercharged PS3. Then there's the Wii, which like Heihachi, is not as powerful as the others, yet still seems to come through when it counts.
Of course, we can't forget about the handhelds! The Nintendo DS is doing quite well by anybody's standards, topping sales charts wherever it goes, its success and popularity putting it just behind the PS2. Thus, it seems to be the Gorobei of this bunch, Kambei's second in command. Then there's the PSP, which, while not new to the market, still has a lot of fighting to do, similar to Kambei's old war buddy Shichiroji. And, finally, not a traditional console and certainly not a handheld, the PC's need to prove itself against a new wave of consoles echoes the internal struggle of the farmer-cum-samurai Kikuchiyo.
In keeping with the whole seven theme (seven systems in 2007), we've decided to spotlight what we think are the seven most interesting games for five of those systems, with an explanation of each choice of course. Some of these may not end up being the "best" games of the year, but there's no real way to know that until they're actually released. Still, these are the games we see as the ones to keep an eye on, and in most cases the must-play titles of 2007.
Posted: 02/24/2007