The 20 games that will save Xmas 2012

Christopher Dring:

UK games buyers have chosen the 20 games they think will be the biggest blockbusters this Christmas.

These are the releases that are crucial in retail’s bid to reduce the 33 per cent drop in sales that the boxed market has suffered so far this year.

In fact, these 20 titles could be worth a combined value of over £320m.

This year’s list is notable for being more family friendly than in previous years. Moshi Monsters, Skylanders, LEGO, Mario, Pokémon and Sony’s Wonderbook all make the Top 20

[MultiConsoleGamer]

It's going to be an expensive holiday season.

[Bobby Kotex]

AC3 and Dishonored are in my must buy pile. I might get Hitman and Halo if I decide to dust off my Xbox from the closet. I'm actually going to buy far fewer games this year.

[badz149]

seriously...
even christmas needs saving now? I know about 'savings' for the slew of games coming out every freaking end of the year but 'saving' christmas? apparently it's in danger it seems. I didn't know

[HammadTheOne]

lol Exactly what I was going to say. Theres tons of games coming out in the next few months.

[cgoodno]

Okay, first, what is #17 game supposed to be? The blue generic PS box image?

Second, I kind of hope RE6 doesn't do well. I think that franchise needs a kick in the nuts to get it back to its roots and more in line with today's gaming at the same time. It feels like the teams behind this game, Operation Racoon City, and RE6 don't really have a cohesive idea of what they're doing. Now they're trying to give us three different types of RE games in one? Very weird.

Third, I guess if by "save" you mean sell >1m in the first two-three months, most of those might be fine. In all honesty, 3 of those will likely take up at least half of the sales and therefore overall value (Halo 4, CoDBO2, and AC3). Add in DLC for Halo 4 and CODBO2, they're likely going to be more profitable than all the others combined.

[RockmanII7]

#17 is Sony's Wonderbook

[guitarded77]

I wonder why they put Wonderbook and not PlayStation All Stars or LBP Karting... they should both be out for the holiday, and are much bigger games.

[schlanz]

I think RE6 will be amazing. Of course, I really enjoyed 4 and even 5 (move + online co-op = superfuntime) and RE Revelations on 3DS was *quite* good and was split between 2 distinct styles and stories.. I see no reason why that formula should fail on a console.

The RE series does not need to go back to its roots and frankly it never will, it's seen far too much success in its current TPS format, though I would like to see more of the horror element reinstated (and I believe RE6 is doing that what with the multiple story arcs) I am pretty satisfied with the current approach to combat.

[Xandet]

Borderlands 2, ACIII, Sleeping Dogs, Halo 4 (console) and NHL 13 are the only sure things for me. Still on the fence with FC3, Hitman, MoH/BO2, RE6 and Dishonored. Regardless, my wallet will be enduring its annual holiday rape.

[schlanz]

Mark me down for Borderlands, AC3, Dishonored, and RE6. Only game I'm on the fence with is Hitman.

[schlanz]

Wonderbook, really

[Hicken]

Christmas isn't just for the hardcore gamers, you know. I'm not exactly fond of it- at least not how much time they spent on it at E3- but it stands to be rather successful with kids and families.

It has that POTENTIAL, anyway.

So yes. Wonderbook. Really.

[schlanz]

Nevermind the fact that PS3 is hardly a resounding success with kids and families. Pretty sure Wii and Kinect have that market cornered.

[HammadTheOne]

Mom: Hey son, guess what I got you?

Son: OMG OMG BLACK OPS TEW?!

Mom: Nope, a nice new book.

Son: NOOOOOOooooooooQQ

Mom: Dont be silly, its a WONDABOOK!

Son: lolwut?

[Bonerrr]

Agreed, it looks pathetic.

[SegaKnuckles86]

Stupid shit like this ruined the PS3 for me and drove me back to PC gaming.

[RockmanII7]

No love for Fall of Cybertron, Sleeping Dogs, or Darksiders 2?

[Man_Among_Mice]

This is talking about Christmas 2012, the three games you mentioned? They come out in the next three weeks...kinda hard to save Christmas in August.

[RockmanII7]

New Super Mario Bros 2 comes out August 19th, which is less than a week after Sleeping Dogs and Darksiders 2 and is before Fall of Cybertron.

[Krimmson]

Oh God, it's the Blunderbook!