Japanese Game Makers Aim at E3

Is the country's influence waning? The big names are readying their titles to prove otherwise.

Scanning release lists and sales charts, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Japan's influence on Western gaming is on the slide, but this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo should show that there's still a lot that Japanese developers have to offer.

Final Fantasy XII is one of the biggest games coming

The latest issue of Japanese magazine Famitsu has released a list of just some of the games to watch for at this year show. The list, by way of news site Next Generation, features many of the biggest franchises in gaming including Final Fantasy, Tekken and Street Fighter.

Even more encouraging is the number of original titles coming for both current and next generation systems. Capcom and newly merged Namco Bandai lead the charge with games for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. And there are bound to be many announcements coming from the three companies' pre-show briefings.

Below is a list of some of the big games confirmed for the E3. Expect a whole lot more as company's reveal their games for this year and beyond at the show.

Atlus
• Devil Summoner (PS2)
• Persona 3 (PS2)
• Bumpy Trot (PS2)
• Rule of Rose (PS2)
• Yggdra Union (GBA)
• Contact (DS)

SNK PlayMore
• The King of Fighters XI (PS2)
• Metal Slug Anthology (PSP)
• Metal Slug 1 (DS)

Capcom
• Okami (PS2)
• God Hand (PS2)
• Street Fighter Zero: Fighters Generation (PS2)
• Dead Rising (X360)
• Lost Planet (X360)
• Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins (PSP)
• Monster Hunter Portable (PSP)
• Megaman Battle Network 6 (GBA)
• Megaman Zex (DS)

Koei
• Dynasty Warriors (DS)

Square Enix
• Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (PS2)
• Final Fantasy XII (PS2)
• Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria (PS2)

Tecmo
• Dead or Alive Extreme 2 (X360)

Namco Bandai
• IGPX (PS2)
• Eureka Seven: TR1: New Wave (PS2)
• Xenosaga III (PS2)
• .Hack GUI (PS2)
• Naruto (PS2)
• Gundam (PS3)
• Tekken 6 (PS3)
• Ridge Racer 7 (PS2)
• Gundam (X360)
• Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (PSP)
• Tekken Dark Resurrection (PSP)

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games