The Most Anticipated Video Games of 2008

We've given you the lowdown on 2007's hits and misses, so now we'returning our gaze to the future and the 10 most anticipated games of2008.

First we gave you the Top 10 Games of 2007. Then wegave you the 10 worst. We even dug up some hidden gems, games that flewunder the radar but are still well worth a try.

Now, with 2007 pretty well covered, it's time to turn our gaze to allthe great, big budget titles we have to look forward to. So, with aneye to the future, here are the 10 most anticipated games of 2008:

10. Wii Fit (Wii)

This isn't really a game, which is why it ranks so low on my list, butWii Fit is definitely an anticipated title. It brings one of the mostdifferent peripherals ever seen -- the Wii Balance Board -- andpromises to be the best way to make a workout fun since the debut ofWii Sports in November of last year.

9. Soul Calibur IV (PS3, Xbox 360)

Not necessarily a revolution of the genre like II was, but thisincarnation of Soul Calibur is the first next-gen and the screen grabsthat Namco Bandai are releasing look incredible. Never have thecharacters' clothes looked more realistic, and if they've taken a cuefrom the audience reaction to Soul Calibur III, this could be a returnto form for the series. Definitely a must play for me.

8. Mario Kart (Wii)

Mario Kart is a series that has always delivered quality with thenotable exception of Double Dash. Going back to the single riderformula that was incredibly successful in Super Mario Kart, Super MarioKart 64 and Super Mario Kart for the DS, this looks to be a greatmultiplayer experience. As of now, Nintendo is still calling this a16-player online multiplayer endeavor, and the inclusion of motorcyclescould make or break the game. This could be the best Mario Kart yet, orit could just be another gimmick.

7. GTA IV (PS3, Xbox 360)

The Grand Theft Auto series, like Mario Kart and Soul Calibur, hasn'tseen a ton of change over the years, but it's the way this game looksthat could be the difference. Like the other two, this is the firstnext-gen game for the series and this could be the prettiest we've everseen Liberty City look. Expect controversy around this game, and a funexperience, if not a predictable one.

6. Burnout Paradise (PS3, Xbox 360)

Thegraphics I've seen from Burnout Paradise have been amazing. This is aseries that has produced one fun game after another, and has had theability to make it feel fresh and new each time. If there was one gameon this list that I could endorse as a 'must buy', this would have tobe it. Burnout Revenge was and is one of my most played games and thisone shouldn't be any different. What other racing game rewardsvehicular malfeasance with turbo?

5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)

There has been more press on this game than almost any other, asNintendo has shifted the hype train into full speed for Brawl's 2008appearance. Originally this was scheduled to be released much earlier-- like this Christmas -- but was delayed until 2008 to give it thatextra polish. But don't worry about this one, I can only expect it tobe as addictive and fun a party fighter as the last two were. Theinclusion of Pit from Kid Icarus, Snake from Metal Gear Solid and Sonicfrom Sonic the Hedgehog can't hurt either.

4. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PSP, NDS, N-Gage)

This is a biggie for me, as a huge fan of the Dark Forces series, sinceLucasarts has touted this as the biggest and most fantastic Jedi gameyet. It's taking the force powers to a whole new level, and from thelittle I've seen of the game, it looks 'impressive, most impressive.'Sorry, geek moment there. You get to play as Anakin Skywalker's -- seeDarth Vader -- padewan that no one knew about. But seriously, in thetrailer, the protagonist is pulling a Star Destroyer out of the sky andcrashing it into the earth in front of him. Yeah. It should be verycool. *I previously reported that this was concept art but got ane-mail correction from Lucasarts that this is indeed a screenshot!Still, don't forget to check out the official Force Unleashed trailer for a bigger taste.

3. Fallout 3 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Fallout 3 makes the list purely because it looks like Bethesda has thisone cooking as a pet project. All I can say is that from reading theirdevelopment blogs and seeing screenshots of the ongoing project, thislooks like a game that has been made from the ground up for the realfans of the Fallout series. While it is a departure from thethree-quarter perspective, turn-based adventure that was the first twogames, released 10 years ago, it looks like this game will staycompletely faithful to the post-apocalyptic environment and quirkydialog that made the series so great. The contest they held for fans tobe able to create a perk for the game just shows how much they careabout the community created with the first two games.

2. Resident Evil 5 (PS3, Xbox 360)

While it is another next-gen incarnation of a beloved series, ResidentEvil 5 looks to make a step in a different direction in both gameplayand graphics. The trailer to this game alone scares me, so I have noidea how I'll be able to play it. Probably lights on, with a fewfriends present, but it's the new gameplay elements that could makethis an instant classic like its forbear, Resident Evil 4. It's set inthe desert, so if you stay outside in the sunshine for too long, you'lltake damage from the extreme temperature. But if you go inside, youface zombies, in the dark, at close quarters. Should be a challenge anda great game to play.

1. Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)

Out of all the games on this list, I feel like I know the most aboutthis one which makes it an easier choice for number one. EverythingI've seen -- and I do mean everything -- has looked incredible. Notonly does it look like a next-gen game should look, but the way Konamihas enhanced the controls for Solid Snake is ridiculous. It's not thatthe first three games handled poorly, but Snake is seeing an enhancedsneak suit, complete camouflage, targeted attacks, a robot dronescout...I mean the list goes on and on. The trailers look infinitelycool and it's probably the only game on this list where you play as anold man, which doesn't seem cool until you see just how well it plays.I watched the E3 coverage of this, along with the breakdown of the newcontrols, and it looks like they've taken this series and the entireespionage genre to a new level. This is also one of the few PS3 consoleexclusives, but the real question is, how long will it stay that way?