It's times like these I wish I hadn't spent all that donation money on Canadian smack. What began as an innocent look at EB's release list ended with me whimpering on the floor, wondering where it all went wrong. Rather than curl up in my closet again (longest November ever, last year) I figured a look at the "big ones" hitting the shelves before the end of the year and some bold predictions were in order. The best thing about most of my predicitons is that I don't visit other gaming sites and get bogged down with "facts" or "information" like so many do. Pure conjecture is the way to go this season, it makes everything more fun!

Game of the year? Rumble Roses thanks to the winning combination of mud and various wrestling moves that involve crotch twirling.


Halo 2 (Nov 9) Xbox

If not for Half-Life 2 this would easily be the biggest FPS released this year. I predict it will be a very good game but I'm not convinced the online portion will be the pure heaven some hope for.

Everquest 2 (Nov 9) PC

It won't be ready and there will be many who buy it regardless. Too many new features are being slapped in during their mad dash to beat Blizzard to the punch. I predict a surprisingly smooth launch and six months later, an EQ2 quite different from the one we see next week.

Jak 3 (Nov 9) PS2

These 3D platform titles just never get old do they? I predict it will continue the quality we've seen in the last two games.

Need for Speed Underground 2 (Nov 9) Xbox, PS2, GC, PC

With the promise of a city to explore and real cars to drive I predict those who enjoyed the original will find more to like here. Too bad it's online for the PS2 only.

Medal of Honor Pacific Assault (Nov 9) PC

The "director's cut" is actually out this week. Gamespot gave the game an 8.3 for this new PC exclusive Medal of Honor title. I predict decent sales but nothing that will encourage EA to continue exclusive FPS content for the PC.

Painkiller: Battle out of Hell (Nov 14) PC

I predict pain"… times two!

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Nov 15) GC

I won't lie to you, the first one didn't light my fire. The controls never felt right to me and I just didn't carry enough of a Metroid hard-on to carry me past that obstacle. Word on the street is the multiplayer modes are pretty fun this go around. I predict the game will be the same high quality effort the last one was, like it or not.

Half-Life 2 (Nov 15) PC

Oh Half-Life 2. Your development has been a roller coaster or Steam scandals, publisher issues and delayed dates. The only constant seems to be that the actual game is utterly fantastic. That's good for gamers, so it is. I predict Half-Life 2 will rock your socks.

Joint Operations: Escalation Expansion (Nov 16) PC

Secret insiders (Reaper) tell me the expansion is great and the new armors, weapons and vehicles add to the experience a great deal. I predict it will propel the fine Thursday night Joint Ops tradition well into 2005.

Vampire: The Masquerade (Nov 16) PC

I love vampires and the slaying of them. I also enjoy talking to vampire sluts. So far so good! I predict enjoyable gameplay although I don't think the game will use the Source engine to full effect. Let's hope this isn't a bug ridden mess, it's not like Troika didn't have extra time!

Ghost Recon 2 (Nov 16) Xbox (Nov 30) PS2

Only the console versions will see release this year and that scares me. The only bright side is that the PC version won't ship for a few months yet so hopefully they can shave off all the console bits and leave us with a more realistic shooter. I predict the console versions will have their following but won't make much noise thanks to Halo 2.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Nov 17) PS2

This game can't help but sell well. Although the PS2 will see a lot of titles as usual not many have the name recognition that Solid Snake offers. I predict the game will be rife with even more lame plot devices and fans will eat it up. I also predict the sun will rise tomorrow.

GoldenEye: Rogue Agent (Nov 17) GC, Xbox, PS2

A developer friend of mine once told me that if they screw this up Goldeneye fans will crucify them. I predict the game's quality will save them from that fate but against the nostalgia directed towards the original none can truly succeed.

Viewtiful Joe 2 (Nov 18) GC (Dec 7) PS2

I enjoyed the first one, it was a real breath of fresh air. That is, until the final boss(s) rolled around. I predict they will either make the game tougher or easier depending on how seriously they took the complaints. Either way, they can't win.

Nintendo DS (Nov 20) $149.99

- Super Mario 64 DS $29.99

$29.99 for a DS game isn't bad, neither is the $149 price point. If all the wi-fi features and cool applications manage to coalesce into something neat I predict brisk sales but nothing ground breaking. If anything, I'm almost getting a Virtua Boy vibe off this one, we'll see.

ESPN College Hoops (Nov 22) Xbox, PS2

Considering the issues with this year's regular ESPN basketball and NBA Live games College Hoops may be our last hope for great basketball. I predict it will be the best this year has to offer based on no information what-so-ever. Woo!

Sid Meier's Pirates (Nov 22) PC

Well aren't you quietly slipping into port Sid? Pirates holds a special place in most every older gamers heart and I think that will translate to good Christmas sales. The graphics won't be mind blowing but since when did Sid's games need them?

World of Warcraft (Nov 22) PC

I predict a happy wife and many a happy gamer in our forums. The conformity rate will be astonishing, which pleases me.

Lord of the Rings: Battle For Middle Earth (Dec 6) PC

The marketing for this game pisses me off to no end. At no point have we had a clear over-all look at what the nuts and bolts gameplay will entail. It LOOKS sexy as all hell but dammit, I want details! I predict a fairly linear RTS game that exudes sexy geek battles that will wear thin after ten hours. I hope I'm wrong.

Prince of Persia Warrior Within (Dec 6) PC, GC, PS2, Xbox

I predict the "dark" and "edgy" rocker prince style of the game will throw off fans of the original. I also expect combat to feel even more repetitive considering we've already played through ten hours of it in the first one.

Mario Party 6 (Dec 6) GC

I predict it will be like Mario Party 5, only this time with a 6!

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II (Dec 6) Xbox

It was delayed for more polish time, that's the good news. Despite that, I predict that it won't live up to the Bioware developed original in almost every way. Some new features will make combat easier but some bloat will ruin the flow of the game.

Gran Turismo 4 (Dec 14) PS2

I can imagine PS2 owners humping their machines in anticipation. I predict a lot of humping.

MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf (Dec 28)

I predict an even more arcade-style MechWarrior than the last one. Breaks my heart.

Feel free to make your own predicitons but remember, mine are always right.

- Certis