I sometimes lose track of all of the games I hope to pick up before the year is out and figure here's as good a place as any to start a list.  Feel free to offer non-zombie-related suggestions, or tell me where I'm going wrong.  Looking at this first draft I'm already surprised by the lack of DS, Wii, and (to a lesser extent) PSP games.

Must-Buys:
Fallout 3 - I've never played a Fallout game but I'm way into their style and humor. Sign me up.
Gears of War 2 - The only other true no-brainer for me. The original wasn't flawless, but it was long on fun.
Rock Band 2 bundle - When Rock Band came out I was living in a new city and didn't have enough local friends to merit spending so much cash on it. Now it's a  year later and Alex is here, so at least I'll have a drummer. Sold!
Mirror's Edge - I have been looking for a new work bag for weeks. You know, something waterproof and messenger-y, with enough size for sneakers or a laptop. I thought my search was over when EA announced their Mirror's Edge bundle with Timbuk2. I was even halfway through the purchase process when I realized their sweet red number was totally ruined by that giant girl face printed on the interior.  The search for a bag continues, but the game looks awesome. While I wouldn't be surprised if I fired up a demo and found its first-person camera style extremely nauseating, until that happens I'm trusting DICE to deliver.

Hard to Say No:
PS3??? - The big question for me, is now finally the time to get a PS3? LittleBigPlanet and Resistance 2 look fun, and the system has a solid enough back catalog. But it's still expensive, and to be honest I don't feel like I've really missed out on anything by not owning one, except for possibly Metal Gear Solid 4. So let's say I break down and get one, which model do I go for? Is it worth tracking down one of the older backwards-compatible systems?  Hmmmm....
Call of Duty: World at War - I play too much Call of Duty 4, and as a result feel some sort of strange loyalty to Infinity Ward. Does this mean I shouldn't play World at War, as Activision continues to allow another developer to share custody of IW's baby? Not really. But after so much Modern Warfare, I didn't see how I could ever go back to a World War II shooter until previews for this game rolled out.
Saints Row 2 - I was a huge fan of Saints Row and even middling reviews will be enough for me to jump back in for more. This game's story and characters are beginning to look just plain silly, and I approve.
Blitz: The League II - Maybe this time around I'll have the courage to put the needle to my brother. In the original Blitz: The League, I was starting at middle linebacker and surrounded myself with a created team of friends and family. Every game, without fail, my wide receiver of a brother got injured, yet I refused to allow him to take short cuts to recovery. The risk of a career-ending injury was just too great. I don't think I actually finished the season, but our front office remains strong on principles.
Far Cry 2 - Brad sure makes it sound fun.
Need for Speed Undercover - YES.

Waiting for the Reviews
Prince of Persia - I like the art style, but I'm not convinced just yet. I'll wait for word from the pros.
A snowboarding game? - I still play Amped 3 from time to time.  Something about shooshing down the virtual slopes can be very relaxing to me.  There are a couple snowboarding games coming out, maybe one of them will be good?
Fable 2 - Not too much interest in this one, but if everybody ends up thinking it's amazing, I'd have to give it a shot.

So what did I miss? Hopefully not too much, my bank account is looking nervous... Also, because I realize I haven't written about it anywhere, it was an absolute blast meeting so many of you at PAX last month. See you again next year?

Good first draft lol, Prince of Persia looks good.

Your bank account sounds like its going to have a fun couple of months!

I think you have a very nice list of games on your "to get" list. I've been for another Fallout title. The fact that Bethesda has done a great job already combined with their experience with FPS games like SkyNet makes me feel confident that Fallout 3 will be a fantastic experience. I do not really think Gears of War 2 needs any explanation; that is going to be a must have title. I'm psyched about Blitz: The League 2 and wonder what kinds of crazy stuff they're going to throw in this one. As for Mirror's Edge... I have never been for excited for a game since Wipeout 2097. If the two trailers featuring the in-game footage of the main focus for Mirror's Edge were meant to fool the public, then they succeeded with me. This game comes off as being a game like Oni except it meets the standards of modern gaming and is being represented for a new generation.
I hope you are enjoying your work and most of all I hope you are enjoying life back in New England. I don't know about you, but I love New England. I'm personally from the wicked awesome granite state (I am assuming you got that joke and reference to NH). Boston is a fine place, even if it does cost an arm and a leg just for public parking. I miss home. Do you know that crazy arcade place called The Funspot?? You know, the place famous because of that American flag tie weilding madman Billy Mitchell. Yeah, for fun once a friend and I went to the Funspot and yanked the power cable on the PacMan arcade cabinet that HAD Billy Mitchell's high score. He was pissed...
Anyway, hope you love your job and your home in Boston. Take care of yourself Mr. Gallup

Dead Space? Guitar Hero World Tour? Brothers In Arms?

nice list rich.  something i should do too since it's going to be a LONG time before i get to play games again.

what about red alert 3?

With you on the COD subject. Just keep playing COD4, World at War is just a step back right?.. unless they have futuristic weapons in it which would be plain stupid.

And ye, you should consider RA3 as well I think.

Except for Fable 2 (which is on my Must Buy list), I completely agree.

Remove Mirror's Edge and add Dead Space and you've got my list.  Although, I already have a PS3, so buying another one would be a waste of money.  More than it was the first time.

Funny, because all my maybes are the same as you. And all my must buys are the same as you. (minus the bundle on Rockband.) Great list, I think your in the right on almost all of it. Good to hear from you rich. 

Hmm about which PS3 model... I have a EU 60 and while BC is nice, I really don't use it... And I really never used it on the PS2, so I think you should ask yourself how many PS1 games you played on the PS2... Hope that helps a little to make up your mind, Rich...

Where are Prototype, Dead Space, Midnight Club: LA, Legendary, Banjo-Kazooie, GTA: Chinatown Wars (rofl) and Sonic Unleashed!!!

I'd personally go with Madden 09 over Blitz 2 and get Fable 2 for sure because the first one was immense.

Looks good Rich. I plan on getting a lot of the games on your list as well.

Since you seemed to enjoy Puzzle Quest so much, I think Galactrix should be up there. I don't think its coming to the PSP at first though.

Your list is the same as mine. Good taste!

Rich, I tell you, LittleBigPlanet (beta) makes my tummy go funny every time I play it. It's magical :) I think the PS3 has plenty exclusive games to be worth buying now, and it's a great media center. However, I am biased as it is my only proper console, I undertand the reluctance due to already having a 360. As for getting a backwards compatible one... It's a lot more expensive and for the rare occasions that you will play a PS2 game again, I'd think that the PS2 slim would be a better choice.

My list is very similar to yours RIch. 

Nice list here, Rich.
I'm definitely on-board with you on Fallout 3 and Gears, even Blitz:The League II I'm getting hyped about after I was so soured by this year's Madden.
I can see where you're coming from on Fable 2, because I was once there.  However, nowadays I've pretty much invested in the game so there's no real turning back.  However, if my already 400 coin in debt is any indication of my experience with the game proper, I'm a little bit worried.

I'd have to agree with Fable 2. I had no chance of ever playing the first game because I never owned an Xbox. So now that the sequel is neigh upon us, it has completely slipped under my radar. I only just recently realized "wait, I can buy this game if I wanted to," but since it isn't on my list of must-haves, and because I'm a little skeptical about the quality of it, I've been waiting for some reviews to crop up besides Peter Molyneux's own praise.

Hey Rich, if you preorder Mirror's Edge at GameStop, you get a little more incognito bag that you might enjoy: http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=70962

Five Grand. FIVE GRAND! 

Give WaW a chance I say, I think many will be pleasantly surprised by just how good it is. Treyarch are well aware of the criticisms leveled at them in the past and aim to change that with this game. Brad is right, it was he also that got be keen on FarCry2 after he came back from GDC and was raving about it.

I remember you digging baseball games way back on Gamespot. I can't believe you haven't picked up a PS3 for MLB 08: The Show! It's the best baseball that's ever been put into video game form. Both gameplay and presentation -- it's incredible.

Plus the Blu-Ray is a nice throw-in. But seriously -- MLB The Show. You will be amazed.

The best model is the MGS4 / 80GB / DS3 bundle if you can still find one.

what about Dead Space?