X Marks the Spot: Launch Guide Part 4

Patrick Ц Dead or Alive 3
This was a hard choice, between DOA3 and Halo Ц which am I anticipating the most? Ultimately, I have to go with DOA3 as my most wanted Xbox launch title. I have always been a fan of DOA, all the way back to the original on the PSX. When DOA2 came along, again, I was hooked. Now, DOA3 is just about here, and I am going nuts. Those stages, OMG. I am going to pop that bad boy in as soon as I get it home. Need more controllers though. Well, that, and a 24 pack of JOLT baby.
Runners up: Halo: Combat Evolved, Project Gotham Racing

Ryan Ц Halo: Combat Evolved
For everyone who knows me, this should come as no surprise. Halo, which is not only my most anticipated Xbox launch title, but also probably one of my most anticipated games in my 15 years of gaming, looks to easily be the most impressive launch title for Microsoft's super-system. In fact, this game is all I've been thinking about for the past few weeks, I think I'm obsessed. So what should you expect when you receive your new shiny copy of Halo? Well, a lot Ц high-octane FPS action (with vehicles), unprecedented computer A.I., huge, expansive missions, an engrossing sci-fi story, the most gorgeous graphics ever seen, enthralling music/ sound effects, and lastly, a massive amount of multiplayer options (co-op mode baby!). Like I said, a lot. Ever since I played GoldenEye 007 for hours at a time back in '96, I've been searching for a FPS that could match it in terms of its single-player and multiplayer experience. Looks like I finally found it. Just too bad the online modes didn't make the cut, but trust me, I'm in no way complaining Ц Halo is going to be about as close to perfection as you're going to get (editor's note: Perfect Dark Zero!). Buy it.
Runners up: Dead Or Alive 3 (duh!), Project Gotham Racing

Daniel "monk" Pelfrey Ц Fuzion Frenzy
When asked which game I most look forward to at launch, I am at a loss for words. There are several games that I look forward to getting, but not for the traditional reasons, such as Уthis will be the best fighting game everФ or "this game will have the most detailed car physics ever". No, when I eagerly anticipate a game, it is for how much fun I expect to get out of it. It is with this mindset that I take on the task of selecting my one most anticipated game for the Xbox launch. Fuzion Frenzy may be an odd choice of games to be my first pick, but having a multi-player party game that doesn't follow the УMario PartyФ mold appeals to me. Sure there are other multi-player games out there I could get, but if I have 15 minutes to kill, this is the game. Fuzion Frenzy is a massive collection of mini-games set in a futuristic competition. Choose your player, watch the intro telling you why that person is competing (ala Dead or Alive, albeit in a family friendly way) and then get ready for some living room trash talk with three of your friends. Or family. That's what I'm getting at. I like games that appeal to a wide variety of gamers.
Runners up: Mad Dash Racing, Star Wars Starfighter: Special Edition

The Xbox staff isn't the only bunch anticipating Xbox gaming goodness. A few others are also interested in the console. Check out these comments from Nintendo Target Associative Editor, Daniel Ekman, and Sony Target Editor-In-Chief, Adam Woolcott.

Daniel Ekman Ц Dead Or Alive 3
Previous to Soul Blade, I disliked fighting games. As a matter of fact, they held no appeal whatsoever to me. Then Super Smash Brothers came along, totally altering my notion of a fun fighting game. After that, Soul Calibur arrived and I was overjoyed. Since then, however, there hasn't been a single brawler that has drawn my attention in the way Dead or Alive 3 has. I can't really tell if it's the gorgeous women, the terrific attention to detail, or the exciting fighting arenas that made this title stand out. A bit of everything, perhaps? In any case, even if I'm not a great supporter of the Xbox, hell, I usually even make fun of it, I must say that I await this launch title with bathed breath.
Runners up: Halo: Combat Evolved, Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding

Adam Woolcott Ц NFL Fever 2002
24 hours before I'm writing this, NFL Fever wasn't even on this list. What a difference a day and 30 minutes of gameplay can do for you. I didn't give Fever much of a chance with Madden and NFL 2K2 on the horizon for Xbox, I figured it would be outclassed. A mediocre PC version of Fever from 1999 didn't exactly raise my anticipation. Yet, after just a short period of time playing the game, NFL Fever has surprised, shocked, and amazed me. Best described as a mix of Madden's great presentation and sim-like feel, and NFL 2K's arcadey, yet more hands-on control, Fever blends them both together to create a football sim that just might be Microsoft's NFL Gameday of the PSOne (minus the horrific updates and whatnot that killed that series, hopefully). The game is beautiful to look at, with great player animations and a presentation that truly rivals television. Compared to Fever, Madden looks dated (which is saying something because Madden looks great). But the gameplay is the star, with seemingly very smart AI that will kill you if you run the same play 3 times in a row, and a smart secondary that will pick off errant and wild passes (3 interceptions in a 3 minute quarter is all I needed to know that). Not to mention the talented computer offense, which balances plays pretty well. NFL Fever is a pleasant surprise from what I've played and I'm looking forward to playing it more, once I get off my duff and buy an Xbox. Fever has done a good job making me feel the need to get one sooner, rather than later. If you're debating football games for your new Xbox, you might want to check out Fever because it just might be what you're looking for in the genre.
Runners up: Dead Or Alive 3, Project Gotham Racing

Final Note
Well, that wraps up our feature for the launch of the most awesome console yet to be seen. From here on out, it's all about the games. So enjoy those Xboxes, and please, whatever you do, be nice to the PS2 owners out there. It's not their fault they can't enjoy these amazing games that we'll be experiencing tomorrow. Happy gaming!