2013 is only 1/12th over. With 11 months left and new console news on the horizon, Weekly Famitsu asked its readers what games they were looking forward to for this year. Here’s a list of the top 30 anticipated upcoming games for 2013 (note: All publishers and release dates are for Japanese release versions):
30
Disgaea D2
Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software
Platform: PS3
Release Date: March 20th
74 votes. The new Disgaea featuring the characters from the original in an all new story.
29
Phantasy Star Online 2
Publisher: Sega
Platform: PS Vita
Release Date: February 28th
75 votes. Sega’s free-to-play MMORPG. The Vita version boasts compatibility with the already released PC version.
28
Sword Art Online -Infinity Moment-
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Platform: PSP
Release Date: March 14th
77 votes. Based on the popular novel series that spawned an anime, the game will explore beyond the original story.
27
Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library and the Seal of the Demons
Publisher: Aquaplus
Platform: PSP
Release Date: March 28th
78 votes. The sequel to the dungeon exploring RPG that featured characters from adventure game To Heart 2. This sequel will feature its own original characters.
26
Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Platform: PS3
Release Date: February 28th
80 votes. The 30th anniversary Macross game that features characters from all the Macross series.
25
The Last of Us
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Platform: PS3
Release Date: May
82 votes. The highly anticipated post-apocalyptic survival game that wowed us all with its gameplay demo and ugly as Hell creatures.
24
7th Dragon 2020-II
Publisher: Sega
Platform: PSP
Release Date: April 18th
84 votes. Sequel to the dragon hunting RPG with the cutesy characters.
23
Shining Arc
Publisher: Sega
Platform: PSP
Release Date: February 28th
90 votes. The latest game in Sega’s Shining series.
22
Professor Layton and the Legacy of the Advanced Civilization A
Publisher: Level 5
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: February 28th
92 votes. The final adventure of the top hat wearing English gentleman.
21
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Publisher: Capcom
Platform: PS3/Xbox 360
Release Date: April 25th
105 votes. Capcom’s open world RPG with additional quests.
20
Tomodachi Collection (Not official title)
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: Spring
106 votes. Sequel to the original 2009 game, Tomodachi Collection. The game is a sort of Sims game for your Mii.
19
Pikmin 3
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Wii U
Release Date: Spring-Summer
113 votes. The 3rd iteration of the classic GameCube game where you lead hordes of strange sentient plant life to perform tasks for you.
18
God Eater 2
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Platform: PS Vita/PSP
Release Date: 2013
116 votes. Sequel to the original God Eater, a Monster Hunter-like game with an actual plot.
17
Tales of Hearts R
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Platform: PS Vita
Release Date: March 7th
123 votes. PS Vita remake of the original 2008 Tales of Hearts game.
16
Killer is Dead
Publisher: Kadokawa Games
Platform: PS3/Xbox 360
Release Date: Summer
127 votes. The latest game from the mind of Suda 51.
15
Soul Sacrifice
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Platform: PS Vita
Release Date: March 7th
130 votes. The game that lets you pull out your own spine to use as a sword.
14
Hatsune Miku Project Diva F
Publisher: Sega
Platform: PS3
Release Date: March 7th
138 votes. The PS3 upgrade version to the PS Vita rhythm game.
13
Ace Attorney 5
Publisher: Capcom
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: 2013
146 votes. The 5th game in the Ace Attorney series (not including spinoffs), which sees the return of Phoenix Wright as the main protagonist.
12
Super Robot Wars UX
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: March 14th
157 votes. The ever popular tactical simulation game series that takes robots from multiple franchises and brings them together in what is often a quite convoluted story.
11
Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus
Publisher: Marvelous AQL
Platform: PS Vita
Release Date: February 28th
165 votes. The 3rd Senran Kagura featuring the regular tropes of busty ninjas and break-away clothing. (They lose their underwear too this time)
10
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure All Star Battle
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Platform: PS3
Release Date: 2013
170 votes. The fighting game featuring the ever-stylistic characters from all chapters of the JoJo series.
9
Grand Theft Auto 5
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platform: PS3/Xbox 360
Release Date: Fall
174 votes. The latest chapter in the ever popular open world crime mayhem game series.
8
Luigi Mansion 2
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: March 20th
176 votes. Mario’s often-underappreciated brother’s game.
7
Shin Megami Tensei 4
Publisher: Atlus
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: 2013
180 votes. Considering the series is over 20 years old and in the current world of infinite sequels, it’s pretty amazing that only 4 main Shin Megami Tensei games have come out. Speaking of which…
6
Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII
Publisher: Square Enix
Platform: PS3/Xbox 360
Release Date: Fall
198 votes. The third and final chapter in the Lightning saga.
5
Shin Sangoku Musou 7
Publisher: Tecmo Koei
Platform: PS3
Release Date: February 28th
204 votes. Better known in the west as Dynasty Warriors 8.
4
Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 Remix-
Publisher: Square Enix
Platform: PS3
Release Date: March 14th
217 votes. The HD version of 3 of the Kingdom Hearts games as well as a video digest of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.
3
Metal Gear Rising Revengeance
Publisher: Konami
Platform: PS3
Release Date: February 21st
293 votes. The latest slice-em-up game from Platinum Games featuring the further adventures of the sword-swinging cyborg, Raiden.
2
Monster Hunter 4
Publisher: Capcom
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: Summer
367 votes. The ever-popular (in Japan) giant monster hunting game series strikes again.
1
Dragon Quest 7 Warriors of Eden
Publisher: Square Enix
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: February 7th
545 votes. The 3DS remake of the PlayStation game from 2000.
Dragon Quest 7 hit the shelves today, so I guess it means that the most anticipated game of 2013 in Japan is already out and it’s nothing but downhill from here… Just kidding. It’s natural for games to increase in popularity as their release approaches and they become more imbedded into the public consciousness. Still, this is a good indicator of where each of these upcoming games are in the minds of the general gaming public.
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