Over the past few years, Microsoft has claimed a sizable presence at the Tokyo Game Show (known as TGS). Even so it seems as though in Japan, they’ve always been in last place for both the original Xbox and the Xbox 360. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Microsoft has tried to make their presence known within the “Great Console War.” Today (also the beginning of TGS 2009), we are going to discuss what we think Microsoft should do to steal the thunder back from its rivals and continue pushing forward with their support of the Japanese market. Taking a quick look at Microsoft’s short history at TGS since 2005, it’s evident they have been up and down the past few years with their conferences. In 2005, Microsoft used the Tokyo Game Show as a platform to showcase their launch titles for the Xbox 360 and announce Ninety-Nine Nights (N3). The following year, Microsoft stepped up their game and showed off Blue Dragon to the masses. Not only was their showing of Blue Dragon successful, but it helped give Microsoft a better image on the role-playing game front.
It wasn’t all about Blue Dragon though, Microsoft provided the date and pricing for the unsuccessful Xbox 360 HD-DVD player, along with taking their time to present Eternal Sonata (or as they call it in Japan, Trusty Bell) and Infinite Undiscovery. At TGS 2007, Microsoft gave the audience a close look at Lost Odyssey. As the second published project from Mistwalker Studios, it once again improved the once slighted image of Microsoft in Japan. It wasn’t the only thing to be announced that was exciting; Microsoft debuted Ninja Gaiden II and a handful of Xbox Live Arcade games such as: Rez HD, Ikaruga, Omega Five, Every Extend Extra Extreme (E4), Trigger Heart Exelica, and Exit. It was also detailed that Infinite Undiscovery would become a joint project between Microsoft and Square-Enix. As for last year, it proved to be a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of a show. To much surprise, Tekken 6 and Ninety-Nine Nights II were announced; The Last Remnant and Star Ocean: The Last Hope were focal points with demonstrations; and lastly, in terms of good news, Space Invaders Extreme, Arkanoid Live, King of Fighters Ultimate 98, Metal Slug 7 (which has yet to be released), and R-Type were made known for the Xbox Live Arcade.
But the biggest question mark of the event was Microsoft’s time spent on showcasing Halo Wars and Halo 3: ODST; two titles that don’t exactly receive a lot of fanfare in Japan. Still, even with a few shortcomings in years past, Microsoft has done an overall good job at raising the stakes in the “console war.” With everything considered though, Microsoft is going to have to improve their show in 2009 by at least twofold since Sony has started to gain ground on Microsoft’s green and white box. The usual formula of showing a few third-party games and one or two first-party games isn’t going to cut it this year. For 2009 to excel, Microsoft, for the first time, is going to have to show their hand way ahead of time when it comes to software since doubts are being cast upon their portfolio with a lack of a first-party line-up and future exclusives. Without any more delay here is our proposed line-up for Microsoft at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show.
First-Party Line-Up and/or Xbox 360 exclusives that should be shown at TGS 2009 by Microsoft:
- Lost Odyssey II
- Blue Dragon II
- Ninety-Nine Nights II
- Halo Anime
- Forza Motorsport 3
- Phantom Brave II
- Persona 5
- Team Itagaki’s Project
This feature article will continue on the next page, please click below to continue with the story.
