Attracting record attendances of over 200,000, this year's Tokyo Game Show seemed a joyous riposte to those doom-mongers who insist that the games industry is dying in Japan. It's not. But it is having to evolve in order to serve the contemporary global audience – an audience that hasn't been brought up in arcades playing the giant Sega, Namco, Capcom and Konami coin-ops.
However, evolution doesn't necessarily mean abandoning the inherent game design principles, or the long-running series', we know and love. TGS 2010 revelled in classic names, as well as introducing some interesting new 'IP'.
So, in case you missed them, here are the five big revelations, as well as ten notable gaming announcements…
The return of Radiant Silvergun
In 1998, Japanese shoot-'em-up specialist Treasure released this awesome vertical scroller into the arcades, employing the Sega Titan coin-op technology, effectively a souped-up Sega Saturn console. The later Saturn conversion was heralded as one of the finest games on the system, but it never received an official western release – we had to wait for its successor, Ikaruga. But during Microsoft's TGC conference, it was announced that Radiant will be coming to Xbox Live next year, complete with enhanced visuals and online co-op.
Xbox 360 is certainly turning into the platform of choice for fans of Japanese shmups. Ikaurga is already on Live, and Treasure's Bangai-O HD is arriving in November. Meanwhile, maker of insane 'bullet hell' epics Cave, is bringing several fresh titles and arcade conversions over to the format for both retail and digital release. Deathsmiles and Espgaluda II are out (though not in the UK at present) with Guwange coming to Xbox Live worldwide soon.
Mikami + Suda 51 = Shadows of the Damned
It's long been known that Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami has been collaborating with Grasshopper Manufacture, the crazed developer behind Killer 7 and No more Heroes; and at TGS we discovered the project. Due to be published by EA next year, Shadows of the Damned is described as a psychological action thriller, follow hard-bitten, motorbike-riding demon hunter Garcia as he rides into Hell to save his lover.
Okay, so it sounds a little like Devil May Cry meets Ghost Rider, but with Mikami and Suda 51 at the helm, we can at least expect stylised visuals, weird ideas and gore aplenty. Plus, revered Silent Hill scorer Akira Yamaoka is providing the soundtrack. There's a trailer here.
The Japanese Kinect exclusives
Microsoft hit TGS with some style and purpose this year, announcing a string of fresh Kinect titles. At the top of the list for many will be Codename D, another dark, offbeat project from Suda 51, set in an evil amusement park. Judging by the brief trailer – it couldn't be more unlike the family-friendly daytime fun we're getting from most Kinect developers.
Also sounding promising is Haunt, due out next year from NanaOn-Sha, the studio run by Pa Rappa creator, Masaya Matsuura. From the trailer, it looks to be a haunted house adventure, with the player challenging cartoon ghosts with a torch. Project Zero meets Luigi's Mansion? Stranger things have happened. It's out next year.
Then we have Project Draco, a new dragon-riding game from Yukio Futatsugi, who previously worked on the legendary Panzer Dragoon series of on-rails, erm, dragon-riding shooters. It's out next year. And finally, Body and Brain Connection is a motion controlled brain training game from Namco, which combines physical and mental exercises – so if solving logic, memory and maths problems wasn't always fun enough, next year you'll be able do it by waving your arms about and jumping up and down. Is anyone else thinking of Dr Magnus Pyke or are you all too young?
The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus collection
Greg covered this last week, but just to re-cap, Team Ico announced that it would be releasing the catchily titled 'Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection', containing the developer's two wondrous adventures, now re-mastered in HD. You do know that drool will eventually damage your keyboard don't you?
The thing about Yakuza and zombies
Fans of Sega's Yakuza series didn't know what to do with themselves when the publisher announced the latest iteration in the series, subtitled 'Of The End'. Instead of a contemporary drama of gangland strife, it'll be set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, infested with zombies. The game still stars orphanage-owning hard nut Kazuma and will feature the trademark mini-games… but now they're mini-games with zombies. Incredible.
Ten more TGS announcements
A glance at the other new stuff shown off on the show floor.
Ninja Gaiden 3
There are no details yet on the latest title in Team Ninja's hardcore action adventure series, save that it'll be darker and more violent than ever. Oooh.
Dead or Alive: Dimensions
It's a new Nintendo 3DS instalment in the girl-obsessed fighting game series. And if we know Team Ninja, the Dimensions will be in the region of 40-24-36.
Official website
Steel Battalion: Heavy Armour
Capcom's mech shooter returns, but this time as a Kinect title.
TGS trailer
Dead Rising 2: Code West
An Xbox Live exclusive epilogue to Dead Rising 2, starring the hero of the first game, Frank West. Apparently, he'll co-op with Chuck Greene from DR2.
Devil May Cry (DmC)
Demon hunter Dante is getting a new look for this reboot of the series, titled 'DmC'. It's being co-developed by Capcom USA and Ninja Theory, the Cambridge-based developer behind Heavenly Sword and Enslaved.
TGS trailer
Asura's Wrath
Another one from Capcom, this time a brand new third-person action adventure in which players take control of an angry and aggressive god. It's something we've all fantasised about, right?
TGS trailer
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
Namco Bandai said during TGS that this is coming to arcades next year. No word on home conversions just yet.
TGS trailer
Disgaea 4
Nippon Ichi Software revealed that its charming strategy RPG series is getting a fourth title. It's out next February in Japan, with a worldwide release to follow.
TGS trailer
Fire Pro Wrestling
The latest wrestle-'em-up from genre veteran Spike. It's coming out on Xbox Live, and the cool bit is, you and your chums will be able to wrestle each other using your Xbox avatars.
Valkyria Chronicles 3
UK gamers are only just getting to grips with the excellent second title, but number three is coming out in Japan next January.
Official Website
