Our man in Japan takes a closer look at some of the hits...

This year’s Tokyo Game Show was an especially strong exhibition. The games displayed were generally of an exceptionally high standard, and the PlayStation Portable was shown to be even more impressive than we had anticipated.

With the exception of Nintendo, the majority of Japan’s videogame giants were present at this year’s TGS.

Sony had the strongest presence. Its huge area of booths was filled with hot new PS2 games, as well as the PSP hardware and many portable games for the new system. Gran Turismo 4 was the one game everybody wanted to play – particularly as Sony revealed that the game would finally hit Japanese stores on December 3rd; thankfully it was well worth queuing to play GT4. Sony’s racer has come a long way since we last played it. The current build is much more impressive than the slightly disappointing Gran Turismo 4: Prologue Edition teaser released earlier in the year. (Check out our new preview later in the week to find out why.)

Elsewhere in Sony’s space, Genji showed great promise. The game is a new samurai adventure for the PS2 from Game Republic. Its cinematic design is fluid and effective, cutting from one scene to another is a seamless transition, and the gameplay is tight and intuitive. (Also look out for our preview of this hot new title.)

Sony’s designated PSP area was understandably the most popular part of this year’s TGS. The new handheld is a superb machine, both technically and in terms of style. The PSP’s ergonomics are more impressive, too, as it rests naturally in the palms.

Many PSP titles were playable at the Tokyo Game Show. NAMCO’s Ridge Racer was one of the smoothest, showing visuals which outshine even the PS2 version of Ridge Racer V. Metal Gear Acid also impressed with its near PS2 level of graphical detail. (Preview to come.)

Other noteworthy PSP titles included: Lumines, a cool puzzle game from the producer of REZ and Space Channel 5, which plays on themes of light and audio (preview to follow); Armored Core Formula Front, which makes portable the successful robot battle series; a new multiplayer Ape Escape party game which is great fun (check back for a preview); and Everybody’s Golf rounds out the PSP’s highlights with a relaxing simulation of everybody’s favourite pastime.

SEGA-Sammy Holdings first Tokyo Game Show together was an interesting one. The newly merged company presented an array of high-quality titles for all formats. The Rumblefish, from Sammy’s side of the partnership, offers a comical twist on its own successful Guilty Gear series of 2D fighters. (There’s a character named Boyd, for goodness’ sake.)

SEGA Rally 2005 is the rebirth of Sega’s famous rally driving arcade series – as a PS2 exclusive. Due in 2005 and only 30% complete at this stage, the game definitely needs some work if it’s to compete with Richard Burns Rally and the Colin McRae series; however, it does show great signs of promise, most notably thanks to its responsive and immediate controls. (We’ll have a full preview of SEGA Rally 2005 later in the week.)

Over at Konami’s stand, Metal Gear Solid 3 was – not surprisingly – the main attraction. New video footage on a huge cinema screen held the attention of huge crowds, while playable demo pods attracted players in spite of hour-long waits for a single play. The game launches in Japan on the 16th of December and, from the reaction it received at TGS, it’s safe to say that Snake Eater will be one of the year’s biggest hits.

Capcom chose the Tokyo Game Show to show off playable versions of Viewtiful Joe 2 (on both the PS2 and GameCube) along with Devil May Cry 3. These two titles were hugely popular. Joe 2 is everything the original game was, and much more – more set-pieces, even smoother action and more varied locations – while DMC 3 provides an even grittier take on Dante’s Inferno.

Capcom didn’t settle with that formidable duo, however. BioHazard 4 (aka Resident Evil 4) was demonstrated to awed masses of Japanese show-goers, and preview DVDs were handed out freely from Capcom’s buzzing, fluorescent stand. BioHazard 4 will give the GameCube a great boost in the Japanese market; that much is for sure.

The award for ‘Stand with the Most’, though, must go to Square Enix. The so-called “Compilation of Final Fantasy VII”, a trinity of products designed to expand/complete the epic FFVII world, was particularly conspicuous. Advent Children was previewed in a 3D cinema environment and, in parts, was truly amazing; Before Crisis is a nifty game for iMode phones; and Dirge of Cerberus could re-establish FFVII in the PS2 world.

Kingdom Hearts, too, was the recipient of some updating. Chain of Memories, a new GBA installment in the Square-Disney series, plays very nicely, whilst Kingdom Hearts II on the PS2 was also shown to advance the series in a very stylish direction. Square Enix also had Front Mission Online on display, showing off the potential for strategic mecha battles on the PS2’s PlayOnline network. With Dragon Quest VIII causing a stir among Japanese gamers, Square Enix’ lead into 2005 is very strong.

Other exhibitors also paraded some notable wares. Dead or Alive: Ultimate graced TECMO’s booth, whilst Microsoft had a complete playable version of Phantom Dust, a new action/adventure developed by Microsoft Japan targeted towards the region. Meanwhile NAMCO had Tekken 5 arcade cabinets to display the potential of its latest fighting opus, which is bound for the PS2 next year.

Everyone had something to shout about, and most of the games we played were enjoyable. Dud titles were few and far between.

Stay with us as we bring you detailed previews of the Tokyo Game Show’s hottest games.