XBox - The Games of Summer 2006

While Microsoft has forgotten about the Xbox and moved on to the 360, uber-publisher Electronic Arts is sticking right with the big black box and releasing three football games this summer. Sure, football's a fall sport, but there is perhaps no bigger event for sports gamers than the release of the next Madden NFL game. Circle August 22 on your calendars. EA is also putting out the next NCAA Football, an IGN office favorite, and NFL Head Coach, the first ever professional football role playing game. It's an ambitious effort geared for hardcore football fans and another way EA is using its exclusive third-party NFL license.

Being the Xbox and all, it wouldn't be summer without a new first-person shooter, and you'll have two good ones to play. Both Painkiller: Hell Wars and Urban Chaos: Riot Response are slated to hit shelves and each offer their own unique brands of gameplay. These titles should be enough this summer while you flip burgers, hoping to save up for a 360 and the games of fall. Did someone say Gears of War? Enjoy the Xbox Games of Summer, 2006.