Are you finding yourself replaying a game you’ve played five times in a row and can do it with one eye closed? Then it’s time to look out for something fresh ahead.

 
Aaron Gray

So what can we expect out of game developers this year? A lot, but due to space constraints, I will only highlight the top most anticipated titles for each game console. Take a look below and be warned: salivating onto this page will not do the magazine any good.

Nokia N-Gage
Spirits
The official N-Gage website listed Spirits as a multiplayer online (MMO) game. Peace once ruled on Earth as mankind lived in harmony with nature and all the inhabitants of the planet; including the spirit beings born out of the four elements – Water, Wind, Fire and Earth. But all this changed when a doomsday sect, CUT, prepares a mass massacre by creating natural disasters to control overpopulation of the Earth. As the unwitting hero of Spirits, you will have to hunt and collect spirits, test your skills in duels, perform rituals and take on challenging missions to save the world from killing itself… literally. No launch date yet, but is one of the N-Gage’s most wanted MMO games after HinterWars.

Sony PlayStation Portable
Gran Turismo 4 Mobile
This racing simulation game has been delayed for almost a year now. But according to the latest update on the Sony Computer Entertainment’s upcoming game schedule, Polyphony Digital has finally set a release date somewhere in the spring of 2006. Known to be one of PSP’s most anticipated (and highly secretive) racing simulation games, the tentatively titled Gran Turismo 4 Mobile would be released in Japanese language, followed by an English version later. If there’s anything to go by with the last release of GT4 on the PS2, we can expect more realistic GT cars played out in style on this handheld system.




Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Naruto: Ninja Council
Naruto: Ninja Council is a side-scrolling beat-’em-up game with some light platforming elements. Naruto and his rival, Sasuke, are competing to determine who the most powerful ninja in school is. Both are available for players to choose right from the start. They are guided by their teacher, Kakashi, who dispenses advice and tries to teach the two students the way of the ninja. Gameplay wise, you get to move from left to right beating up enemies, and every once in a while you encounter a boss fight. The fighting in the game is divided between basic melee combat and ranged attacks. Clearly a game made for fans, Naruto: Ninja Council will be available in February.

Nintendo DS
Metroid Prime: Hunters
Metroid Prime: Hunters will launch in the first quarter of 2006, complete with access to Nintendo upcoming online gaming service via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The story: A mysterious and suspicious message from a long perished mighty race to various inhabited planets is intercepted by the Galactic Federation. The best bounty hunter around, Samus Aran, is enlisted to discover the truth about this mysterious message. She is charged with protecting the place of origin against any potential threats, and to keep the ultimate secret of the ancient empire from falling into the wrong hands. The DS’s touchscreen allows you to aim your gun’s reticule with the stylus for more precise shooting in this first-person shooter game.