Q2 2011: Notable Releases

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Last Updated: 4/28/11 (Updated 3DS releases: Splinter Cell, BlazBlue, OoT, F3AR delayed)

Note: This release only covers releases in North America. Some European dates may or may not be similar.

This is the time of year where flowers bloom, the days get longer, the snow melts away and mother nature’s beauty starts to come out of hiding. In gaming, however, springtime has proven to be a slow time of year, smack dab in the middle of the holiday season and summertime. As most of us focus on getting through the rest of the school year or putting together our vacation plans, devs are hard at work developing their blockbuster titles… for later this year.

The first quarter was a bit more lively that usual, with some hard hitters out there. Combo kings were delighted with the long overdue coming of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, space pirate wannabes were challenged to “kill with skill” in Bulletstorm, the third dimenson was on full display in Killzone 3, families were trying to best each other in the latest Mario sports title, Mario Sports Mix, and we were once again tasked with “catching ‘em all” in Pokémon Black/White.

Though the second quarter often starts to see the usual slowdown that we’ve come to expect at this time of year, it begins with a big bang and then keeps a steady stream of good titles throughout. In the next three months we’ve been promised no-glasses 3D, balls of steel, and yes, even some cake.

How does the gaming industry plan to keep you busy?

Obviously, the big one starting this quarter is Nintendo’s new, no-glasses 3D handheld: the 3DS. Launching this Sunday alongside a launch lineup of 16 games, the 3DS has been toted as a revolutionary device whose main feature is a top screen that can display in parallax 3D viewable to the naked eye. Also noted in the new handheld is the addition of an analog pad, Miis, and enhanced wireless communication including “Streetpass”, their fancy tag mode that allows you to exchange data and Miis between systems as you walk by them. Though the 3DS is bound to be a hit, not every has been biting just yet because of what they claim is a lackluster launch game lineup, on top of the reports on the system’s poor battery life.

The next biggest has to be one that the world has been waiting 14 years for. In this day and age it’s hard to believe that this game would ever be released, but Duke Nukem Forever will be ready to kick ass and chew bubble gum (and it’s all out of gum) on May 3rd (EDIT: In a “shocking” twist of Nukem fate, Duke has now been pushed back to June 14). Started by 3D Realms in 1997 then passed onto Triptych in 2009 until they closed down, Gearbox picked up the slack and surprised everyone at PAX Prime 2010 with a playable demo of the game. Sadly, I hadn’t ever really expressed much interest in Duke Nukem; that’s more of my friend’s thing, so there’s not much I can tell you rather than to get your duke boots ready.

Finally, Valve makes its way onto the “ones to watch” list with Portal 2, the sequel to its highly regarded 2007 ancestor. Portal 2 takes the concept from the original Portal and expands on it, making a full length game, adding new puzzle elements and co-op multiplayer. This game also marks Valve trying to make amends with Sony; after denouncing their console for so long, they seem to have made a complete 180 by releasing it on the PlayStation 3 and even giving people who buy it on PS3 a free copy of the game for PC as well. Apparently in Sony’s world, you can have your cake and can eat it too. Portal 2 drops on April 18th in the US and follows in Europe on the 22nd.

A quick poll of the community shows that other games like LA Noire and Alice: Madness Returns are up there with these big three; two games that I might be interested in picking up myself as well. F3AR, Brink, Red Faction Armageddon and The Witcher 2 also rank up high on a few wish lists among TGH members.

Here’s a quick rundown on what to expect until the end of June 2011. Again, this list only covers North America. European dates may be similar to or far away from these dates:

XBOX 360

3/22: Crysis 2
3/29: Shift 2 Unleashed: Need for Speed, Dynasty Warriors 7
4/12: Michael Jackson: The Experience
4/18: Portal 2
4/19: Mortal Kombat
4/30: Driver: San Francisco
5/3: Duke Nukem Forever
5/17: Brink, LA Noire
5/31: Red Faction Armageddon
6/14: Duke Nukem Forever
6/14: Alice: Madness Returns

PlayStation 3

3/22: Crysis 2, PlayStation Move Heroes
3/29: Shift 2 Unleashed: Need for Speed, Dynasty Warriors 7
4/12: Michael Jackson: The Experience
4/18: Portal 2
4/19: Mortal Kombat, SOCOM 4
4/30: Driver: San Francisco
5/3: Duke Nukem Forever
5/17: Brink, LA Noire
5/24: DiRT 3, F3AR
6/7: inFamous 2
6/14: Duke Nukem Forever
6/14: Alice: Madness Returns
6/21: F3AR

Nintendo Wii

4/19: Conduit 2
4/30: Driver: San Francisco

Nintendo 3DS

Launch day 3/27
3/27: Launch lineup
*Asphalt 3D: Nitro Racing
*Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
*Ridge Racer 3D
*Rayman 3D
*Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
*Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
*Bust-a-Move Universe
*Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
*Madden NFL Football
*Nintendogs + Cats
*Pilotwings Resort
*Samurai Warriors Chronicles
*Steel Diver
*Super Monkey Ball 3D
*Super Street Fighter 4 3D Edition
*The Sims 3

4/10: Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D
5/17: Dead or Alive Dimensions
5/24: Blazblue: Continuum Shift
6/19: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

6/28: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked

Nintendo DS

Nothing of note this quarter, likely because of the 3DS launch. This may or may not be an indicator that the DS is already being phased out.

Sony PSP

3/22: Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy
3/29: The 3rd Birthday
4/12: Patapon 3
4/19: Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection

PC

3/22: Crysis 2, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
3/29: Darkspore, Shift 2 Unleashed: Need for Speed
4/18: Portal 2
4/30: Driver: San Francisco
5/3: Duke Nukem Forever
5/6: Fable III
5/17: Brink, The Witcher 2
5/24: F3AR
5/31: Red Faction: Armageddon
6/14: Duke Nukem Forever
6/14: Alice: Madness Returns
6/21: F3AR

So what games are you most looking forward to? Make sure you head over to the forums and join in the discussion!

This post was submitted by Adam.