While updating the E3 thread I came across a few games for the Wii and DS that look like they have the potential to be fun sleeper hits, but which in all likelihood will receive little to no media attention. Let me be clear about a few things: these games are not surefire hits, and they're certainly not going to be winning any game of the year awards, but they'll probably go on to sell fewer copies than they deserve due to under-exposure.
These are the ones I think meet the criteria: feel free to add any you think do as well, or to disagree with what's posted (a request though: if you're doing the latter, please give reasons. Shockingly, I've noticed that "lol wut" doesn't advance discussion much.
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3168231&p=39
A tower defense-esque game, one in which you assign and train ninja villagers to defend the village from your enemies. Different ninjas have different strengths and abilities, although some are limited to their dojos (towers), so place them accordingly. 1up's play-through was mostly positive, although it was only based on a single level. It comes out in October in the U.S. In the end, I can see this as being great for frantic pick-up-and-play sessions, although there's a lot we don't know yet, so it could end up being repetitive.
http://ds.ign.com/articles/855/855028p1.html
Developed by Treasure, Bangai-O Spirits is a frantic shoot-'em-up with puzzle and strategic elements mixed in. It's a remake of a 90's Treasure game, Bangai-O, but this game features an all-new level editor, wi-fi co-op for up to four players, and a revolutionary new feature: the ability to transfer your stages to other DS' via sound (just put your speaker next to their microphone, hit the button, and voila!). Levels can also be downloaded online. Combined with the fact that this is considered a classic shoot-'em-up with Treasure's trademark frantic style, it looks like DS owners are in for a real treat this August. Because it's Treasure, it won't be completely ignored on teh internet, but it probably won't get as much exposure as it should because it will run up against other August/September games.
http://www.kotaku.com.au/games/2008/05/ubisoft_brings_easyway_to_stop_smoking_to_ds_months_late-2.html
Actually an intriguing concept from Ubisoft, Allen Car's Easy Way to Stop Smoking is a game designed to benefit you in real life by helping you quit the habit. Allen Car is a self-help guru whose methods supposedly have a 90% success rate when it comes to quitting smoking, and Ubisoft wants to implement it into this game, which will let players keep track of their nicotine use and progress. It releases in October. This game will probably be mocked endlessly on internet sites and forums as shovelware, but be bought in droves by the masses.
http://ds.ign.com/articles/821/821442p1.html
Continuing the renaissance point and click adventure games have been enjoying recently is Time Hollow. The story revolves around Japanese high-schoolers, but more intriguing is that players can use the stylus to manipulate time itself, letting the player set right to wrongs in two distinct timelines. It releases in October. As an adventure game aficianado, I'm especially looking forward to this one, as the plot and premise both sound promising. Of course, the trick is always in the execution...
http://www.dsfanboy.com/2008/07/03/wind-of-nostalgia-keeps-sounding-better-and-better/
Announced just a few days ago, Tecmo's Winds of Nostalgia is an RPG for the DS being developed by the same people who made the Final Fantasy III and IV remakes for that system. Players take control of 19th century Londoners in an RPG which includes ground-and-airship battles. We probably won't be seeing it at E3, though, as it's not going to be released in Japan until late this year, has so far only had a magazine announcement, and is not confirmed for localization. I've got some mild hopes for this one as a spiritual sequel to Skies of Arcadia. The developer certainly seems competent, but then they were working off an established game with established characters.
So. Comments. Thoughts. Proposals. Feel free to chime in with what you think of these games, or to add your own.
