Feature: PS3 vs Xbox 360: The release calendar showdown

While the Nintendo Wii is off and running in a different direction (quite successfully), the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are left in a shootout for honor... and exclusive games. A few months ago, we began to notice a shift in the tides after Microsoft unloaded a volley of its biggest exclusive games: games like Halo 3, Mass Effect, and BioShock.

But now it's 2008, and Sony's poised to win the year with a huge list of compelling PlayStation 3 exclusives. Curious to see how the fight will pan out, we formulated a list of exclusive titles for the PS3 and Xbox 360 coming in 2008 and 2009. With Wikipedia and our own notes as sources, we've constructed the definitive release calendar comparison.

But first, a few ground rules. This list will not include multiplatform games, sports titles, or downloadable software; we're focused on exclusive retail games. That means Grand Theft Auto IV is not a factor on this list, so go read about it here.

The Games
Xbox 360 (All on this page):

1. Ninja Gaiden 2
2. Left 4 Dead
3. Too Human
4. Gears of War 2 (SYSTEM SELLER)
5. Fable 2 (SYSTEM SELLER)
6. Halo Wars
7. Splinter Cell Conviction
8. Alan Wake
9. Banjo Kazooie
10. Halo Chronicles

PS3:

1. Gran Turismo 5 (SYSTEM SELLER)
2. Haze
3. Metal Gear Solid 4 (SYSTEM SELLER)
4. Metal Gear Online
5. Singstar
6. LittleBigPlanet
7. Resistance 2
8. Killzone 2
9. Motorstorm 2
10. SOCOM Confrontation
11. InFamous
12. The Agency
13. Final Fantasy XIII (SYSTEM SELLER)
14. God of War III (SYSTEM SELLER)
15. Tekken 6
16. Twisted Metal