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1983 All Over Again? The November Release Log Jam
Unlike most of you, I was alive in 1983. During this unforgettable year, I watched a TV show called Falcon Crest, I was the first to jump on the 3D bandwagon by seeing Jaws 3D in a theater, and I shed a tear when I learned that Deloreans were no longer being produced. For gamers, 1983 will likely be remembered most for the video game market crash. A glut of poorly-produced Atari 2600 titles flooded the market, leaving millions of gamers burned and disinterested in the sub-par standard in the industry. The lack of consumer interest resulted in a bloodbath for publishers, leading many into bankruptcy.
I'm not an oracle -- and the odds of me picking a winning horse at the track are probably the lowest on the planet -- but I have a feeling that November 2 is going to be a disaster for many of these publishers. Publishers always bog down November with new releases, but I can't recall a day quite like this one. The thing that sticks out the most is the high concentration of Wii games (which I've bolded). No way all these games will even see the light of day on retail shelves. Who is going to buy them?
November 2
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Back to School (Wii, DS)
Atari’s Greatest Hits Volume 1 (DS)
Babysitting Mama (Wii)
Bakugan II (PS3, 360, PSP, DS)
Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Defenders of the Core (DS)
Beyblade: Metal Fusion Battle Fortress (Wii, DS)
The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout (Wii)
California Sports (Wii)
Chevrolet Camaro (Wii)
The Conduit 2 (Wii)
Dance Dance Revolution (PS3, Wii)
DC Universe Online (PS3, PC)
Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (PS3, 360)
EyePet (PS3)
FlingSmash (Wii)
Get Fit (PS3, 360, Wii)
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (DS)
God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP)
Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)
James Bond: Blood Stone (PS3, 360, PC, DS)
James Bond: Goldeneye 007 (Wii, DS)
Jeopardy (Wii, DS)
Karaoke Revolution Glee (Wii)
Mathews Bow Hunting (Wii)
Megamind: The Blue Defender (PSP, DS)
Megamind: Ultimate Showdown (PS3, 360)
Minute to Win It (Wii)
Patapon 3 (PSP)
Penguins of Madagascar (DS)
Pocoyo Racing (Wii)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 (PS3, 360, Wii, PS2, PSP)
Silly Bandz (DS)
SingStar Dance (PS3)
Split/Second (PSP)
Tron: Evolution (PS3, 360)
True Crime (PS3, 360)
Wheel of Fortune (Wii, DS)
November 4
Kinect (360)
The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout (360)
Dance Central (360)
Kinect Adventures (360)
Kinectimals (360)
Kinect Joy Ride (360)
Your Shape Fitness Evolved (360)
November 9
Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, 360, Wii, DS)
Deadliest Catch: Sea of Chaos (PS3, 360, Wii)
Hasbro Family Game Night 1 & 2 Bundle (Wii)
HAWX 2 (Wii)
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Miniland Mayhem (DS)
Monster Jam 3 (Wii, PSP, DS)
MySims Bundle (Wii)
Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time (Wii)
The Sims (Wii)
November 16
999: 9 Hours, 9 People, 9 Doors (DS)
Apache (PS3, 360)
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (PS3, 360, PC)
Barbie Groom and Glam Pups (Wii, DS)
Brunswick Pro Bowling (360)
Create (PS3, 360, Wii, PC)
Death Drive (PS3, 360)
EA Sports Active 2 (PS3, 360, Wii)
EA Sports Active: NFL Training Camp (Wii)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (PS3, 360, DS, PC)
Human Body (PS3, 360, Wii, DS)
iCarly 2 (Wii, DS)
I-Sing (Wii)
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 (Wii)
Learn Math Genius Edition (DS)
Learn Math Advance (DS)
Learn Music (DS)
Learn Science (DS)
Learn Words & Numbers (DS)
LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)
Man vs Wild (PS3, 360, Wii)
Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet (PS3, 360, Wii, DS)
Naruto Shippuden: Dragon Blade Chronicles (Wii)
Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs Sasuke (DS)
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (PS3, 360, Wii)
Pac-Man 30th Anniversary Party (Wii)
Pictionary (Wii, DS)
Sonic Colors (Wii, DS)
uDraw Tablet (Wii)
Wicked Monster Blast! (Wii)
Wizards of Waverly Place: Spellbound (DS)
November 23
Disney Tangled: The Video Game (Wii, DS)
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)
Dood’s Big Adventure (Wii)
Driver: San Francisco (PS3, 360, Wii, PC)
Hot Wheels: Track Attack (Wii, DS)
Rec Room (DS)
Splatterhouse (PS3, 360)
November 30
God Eater Burst (PSP)
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom (PS3, 360)
That's nearly 50 releases for the Wii alone in the span of one month. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these games don't even ring up 100 sales. Obviously, publishers still have time to adjust their release schedules. I may be overreacting here, but this list gives me that Atari 2600 chill. And this extensive list doesn't even take into account DLGs. If you had the funds available to buy what you wanted, which of these games would you pick up?
[Release date info via GameStop]
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