Funfani.com - Spreading Fun All Over!

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By most standards, 2007 was a pretty good year for gamers. Gamepad crushers feasted on the likes of The Orange Box, Crysis, Bio-Shock and who can forget the little matter of Halo 3 or the staggering success of the Nintendo Wii.

Sure, Hellgate: London was not exactly Diablo 3 and the PlayStation 3 was as heavy on the purse as on the specs (although it did serve up some stunning games).

All in all, if 2007 was a fish, gamers sure would not have chucked it back in the water. But, what about the year 2008?

Well, gaming pundits would have us believe that, although we might not see something as high-profile as the PS3 cantering down the gaming ramp, the year could be a busy one for gamers, with some rather interesting games and hardware due for release.

So, here we bring eight products that are going to give people reason to game on in 2008.

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Halo Wars

We knew they were kidding when they said that Halo 3 marked the end of the Halo trilogy. Well, it did -- in a manner of speaking -- but the developers have taken a leaf out of the George Lucas book of “How to extend Star Wars” and have now moved into prequel mode.

Halo Wars is basically going to look at what happened before all the drama in the original Halo, taking gamers into the roots of the UNSC- Convenant conflict. And it is going to be more strategy than action. What the heck, we would just like to see Master Chief without all the armour!

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Fallout 3

This one comes from Bethesda (the same folks who gave us the stunning Elder Scrolls) and is the third in one of the most famous role-playing and adventure game series of all times.

It will be set in an apocalyptic scenario and should involve as much thinking as button-mashing. Definitely one for those who prefer to exercise their grey cells, although we are fervently hoping that the rumours about it being turn-based are untrue! Although it is unlikely to sell millions of copies, we expect it to scoop up awards by the sackful.

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Nokia N-Gage

The rumour market had us believe that it would be released in August, then October, then December and now we are being told that Nokia’s much-hyped gaming platform will finally see the light of the day (or rather, of cellphone displays) in 2008.

While patience is running short in the mobile gaming community, that still does not undermine the potential of N-Gage. It could revolutionise mobile gaming by serving up stunning graphics and effects and more importantly, adding a community flavour to what has so far largely been a single-player phenomenon.

Will it manage to imitate the success of Xbox Live? Will it run on most phones or just a few select (read “expensive”) ones? We are keeping our fingers crossed. Mind you, another delay and we might uncross them!

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Burnout Paradise

PS3 and Xbox 360 users should fasten their seat belts for this racing feast -- it promises to look and feel more stunning than ever before.

The frontrunner for the racing game of 2008, Burnout Paradise, is expected to serve up yet more bursts of speed, bumps and crashes. We can already smell the rubber burning!

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Grand Theft Auto 4

One of the most famous -- and by far the most notorious -- games will be back with all-new graphics and a stunning soundtrack. Yep, we expect more shooting, racing, roaming around in this famous series.

Oh, and we forgot to mention, more controversy too. We doubt that the folks at Rockstar have made the game angelic!

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Metal Gear Solid 4

The Metal Gear Solid series has been to the PlayStation what Halo has been to the Xbox -- a cult.

And worshippers at the altar of this famous stealth will get a fourth blessing in 2008. There will be the usual sneaking around and sharp shooting, not to mention the odd spot of blowing up.

Of course, it will look gorgeous and be compelling. And of course, it will play only on the PS3!

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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

This one promises to well and truly bring the Force magic back to gaming. LucasArts are in charge of this game (which will run on most platforms) which will plonk gamers into the shoes of the ‘secret apprentice’ of (gulp) Darth Vader himself!

Does that mean that one has no option but to play the baddie? 2008 will tell. We are not complaining as long as we get a light sabre and some cool (really cool) Force powers. Die, Jedi!

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Sony PlayStation Phone

The PlayStation Portable (PSP) might not have got the kind of success that Sony had hoped for, but that has not stopped the electronics giant from eyeing the mobile gaming segment.

And if sources are to be believed, 2008 should see Sony venture into the minefield that so memorably blew up the original Nokia N-Gage -- that of the gaming phone.

Given Sony’s gaming legacy, this could well be the gaming product of 2008. We bet it will have terrific graphics and great sound, as well as an impressive library of games. Sony is keeping its lips sealed about this one, but we are betting they will unseal them before mid-2008.