My thoughts on Tokyo Game Show

So last week was Tokyo Game Show in Japan, and after watching a good amount of coverage I feel it warrants a blog about it. There were some things that stood out to me this year then previous Tokyo Game Show's over the years. For starters it was much smaller then last year, and part of the reason was because of the terrible Tsunami that hit Japan this past year. The other reason is because I been seeing more and more companies setting up their own media day rather then going to these trade shows to show off their games to the press. In many ways this is probably better for the companies to show off their games without no competition and still get the big announcements you would of seen at Tokyo Game Show or E3. Still even with the minor setbacks Tokyo Game Show still had the big companies came to the event like Sony and Nintendo. One of the big announcements was that Sony announcing the games and prices for the PlayStation Vita.

I be honest with you, I wasn't quite sold on the Vita yet. I seen it, I know its price, and saw a few games for it. I wasn't really sold until this Tokyo Game Show. There were games that were announce during the press conference that got me excited for the Vita. One of which is Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 for the Vita. I am already a huge fan of the game and seeing it on the Vita only got me imagining of me connecting a joystick to it and training away from home at any given time.

There were other games that got me excited as well as the ability to use your to still play your old PSP games on the Vita. Also knowing that the Metal Gear HD collection and the Zone of the Enders collection is also headed to the Vita only made me realize that Sony Vita's launch library line up is looking mighty good compared to the 3DS. Even though its not a big deal and a cool partnership in my opinion is Nico Nico teaming up with Sony for their video service. I am not sure how it will work out but Nico Nico is a good video site and host of many Vocoloid music videos and original Vocoloid music. The only downside to all of this is that the Vita is only three to five hour battery life. I am hoping they have something to increase the amount of life on the Vita, besides this just reminds me of what happen with the original PSP when that launch with low battery life as well.

---

Aside from Vita there were some games that I am very much looking forward to to come out. Much of which is of course Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but also other games like Asura's Wrath, Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden 3, Dead or Alive 5, Street Fighter X Tekken, SouCalibur V, Steel Battalion, and many others. I try not to say the games that was already on my list for the sake of those games didn't come out during Tokyo Game Show but just rather showed new footage of the games I am already excited for. Asura's Wrath has been a game I been keeping a close eye on since its first announcement trailer with its over the top anime action sequences and combat. I love how the game is coming together and how over the top it is. Its like Dragon Ball Z, but just glossed over with other anime bits.

Like I said there were already some games I am excited for there to show off more footage. Some of which were like Lollipop Chainsaw, Halo Anniversary, Battlefield 3, Call of Duty, Batman Arkham City, Final Fantasy III-2, and so on. Overall I feel that even with the smaller presences then previous years at Tokyo Game Show, Japanese games still have a important role in the video game industry. Sure some of their designs are outdated and some are being too conservative and only appeasing the Japanese game market, but I feel they are slowly getting their ideas together to appeal not only japan but also the U.S states too.

-Anthony Beanes

---