I remember one January a few years back where the most exciting game that released was Sega's Zombie Revenge for the Dreamcast. The first quarter of the year has always been a rest stop of sorts, a way for consumers to catch their breath after a crazy holiday season, but in 2005 all we're going to do is gasp, because ladies and gentleman, THE CUP HATH RUNNETH OVER! In what can only be described as ridiculously insane, numerous high profile games are going to flood store shelves this winter, and I don't mean returned gifts from 2004. Zelda, Resident Evil, and Mega Man are but a few of the popular game series that'll see new additions to their respective libraries, and to help you out I've compiled a list of what I believe to be the most important games of January 2005, so get some paper and a pen and count that holiday cash, because like potato chips (and keeping in mind that eating games isn't recommended), you can't buy just one.

Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: January 11, 2005

Best. Portable Zelda game. Ever? Nintendo certainly thinks so, and I'm not about to disagree. Capcom's masterful work with the critically-acclaimed Oracle of Ages/Seasons has apparently carried over to Minish Cap, except that it's been multiplied three times over! Part of what makes Link's latest adventure so appealing is its unique graphical style and tried and true Zelda gameplay, but it's the Alice in Wonderland gimmick that makes this game so charming. With an evil sorcerer on the loose, Link must enlist the help of the Minish people, a tiny race of microscopic Hyrulian dwellers. In order to learn their secrets, Link (with the help of his talking cap Ezlo), shrinks, making this gorgeous "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" adventure one of 2005's best and brightest. To say it's a must buy is an understatement. Leading the post holiday charge, Minish Cap is the first game you should pick up.

Tork: Prehistoric Punk
Platform: Xbox
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release: January 12, 2005

Microsoft's loss is Ubisoft's gain as Tork, the long awaited Xbox platform game, will finally be released and at the budget price of $19.99. As the rough and tough cave boy Tork, you must rescue your father from evil's clutches by making use of several special abilities. Shape shift into animals such as a Yeti or flying Squirrel and use various weapons to strike down an army of robots, dinosaurs, and other assorted enemies. The game's absolutely gorgeous and features many environmental effects such as exploding volcanoes and avalanches, and Tork is the cutest tough-kid character since Bonk (providing you know who Bonk is). Whether it's a good game or not is the real question, but all eyes will be on Prehistoric Punk when it releases mid January. Personally, I'm going to say that if Ubi's backing it, Tork's definitely worth a look.

Suikoden IV
Platform: PlayStation 2
Publisher: Konami
Release: January 12, 2005

Take to the high seas in Konami's latest addition to its hit RPG series. Playing as a knight whose life is being slowly drained by a mysterious Rune, you'll battle a plethora of monsters and meet all sorts of interesting characters, and all this is complemented by a top notch presentation, highly detailed graphics, and improved animation.

Virtua Quest
Platform: PlayStation 2, GameCube
Publisher: Sega
Release: January 12, 2005

Although Virtua Quest isn't necessarily a hot game per se, it's certainly grabbed my attention because of its Virtua Fighter influence. This action RPG fuses character development and item collecting with punching and kicking, while at the same time incorporating one of Sega's most beloved franchises into the mix. As a young boy named Sei, you'll go to battle against the evil gang known as Judgment 6, and to beat the snot out of his foes Sei stumbles across Virtua Souls, data clusters that contain signature moves from characters in the Virtua Fighter series! How everything will tie together is anyone's guess, but I'm really excited at what Sega's put together.

Mercenaries
Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox
Publisher: LucasArts
Release: January 12, 2005

Mercenaries is a third person action adventure game that puts you in the role of one of three guns for hire who've been given the green light to capture over 50 of the world's most wanted criminals. The game's got my attention not only because it's gorgeous but also because of the wanton destruction that ensues, or lack thereof. Each mission can be completed in several different ways, so you can go in guns blazing, pick off your foes from a distance, or employ stealth tactics. Plus, you can commandeer numerous vehicles including tanks, jeeps, and helicopters, and everything in the gameplay environment is destructible. The game is truly one giant sand box, and I don't intend on playing nice.

Resident Evil 4
Platform: GameCube (PlayStation 2 in fourth quarter 2005)
Publisher: Capcom
Release: January 12, 2005

Simply put, Resident Evil 4 is THE GAME of January 2005, a beautiful-looking pulse-pounding survival horror adventure that introduces many firsts in the popular zombie series. After wandering into a mysterious European village, Leon Kennedy finds himself on the run from crazed villagers and other abominations in the most intense Resident Evil yet! The game promises scares a plenty, but it also introduces several gameplay enhancements including an over the shoulder perspective, the ability to shoot knives out of the air, the chance to make quick escapes by diving out windows, and advanced AI that will relentlessly pursue you throughout the game's creepy environments.

Based on what I've played RE4 is going to be one of if not THE BEST game in the series, and GameCube owners are going to be more than pleased. Also, to celebrate the release of the game, Nubytech is releasing an exclusive chainsaw controller that comes spattered in fake blood.

Getaway: Black Monday
Platform: PlayStation 2
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Release: January 12, 2005

Sony's crime drama, The Getaway had some issues but that didn't stop it from selling a bagillion copies, so it goes without saying that a sequel was well-deserved and it's nearly upon us. In Getaway: Black Monday, you'll play as 3 different characters and the outcome of the story is completely up to you. The game's 22 missions take place all over London, and once again the gorgeous city has been painstakingly recreated but the sense of scale is even more unbelievable. The 25 square miles include 17 new landmarks and locations, and let's not forget about the improved graphics, new vehicles, smoother controls, and tons and tons of shooting. Yeah, methinks you should keep an eye on this one.

Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Publisher: Capcom
Release: January 16, 2005

MMAC made a splash on the PS2 and GameCube and now you can lead the Blue Bomber to victory in the GBA version. This portable compilation includes colorized versions of the five Mega Man games released for Nintendo's Game Boy, and should provide you with hours upon hours of fun beating bosses whose names end in "man."

Close Combat: First to Fight
Platform: PC, Xbox
Publisher: Globalstar
Release: January 18, 2005 (Xbox on January 26)

Don't lie. You know you gobble up these military-themed first person shooters like Super Mario Bros. cereal (R.I.P.), but forget everything you know about tactics and realistic combat, because Close Combat: First to Fight will forever change squad-based urban warfare. Co-developed by the US Marine Corps, First to Fight features incredible graphics, advanced AI the likes of which you've never experienced, and intense firefights. You don't have to baby sit your buddies (because they behave as they're supposed to), and you can actually break the enemy's will. Overwhelm them and the pansies will actually surrender!

Ever since checking out some videos of this game I've been hotly anticipating it. I know it looks very similar to other games on the market but I don't care. Hey Rainbow Six 3! Eat your heart out!

The Punisher
Platform: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Publisher: THQ
Release: January 18, 2005

Now here's a guilty pleasure if I ever saw one. THQ's The Punisher looks like it's going to be an intense action-packed blast fest full of gruesome death and rock solid gameplay. Written by Punisher writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Garth Ennis and published by THQ, you'll hop into the shoes of the famous comic character, a "normal guy" who's decided to take justice into his own hands. The game features numerous weapons and deadly maneuvers, and based on what I've seen it's going to be one ridiculously brutal third person shooter. But will it be better than Punisher on the Sega Genesis? Hmmmm.

SSX Out of Bounds
Platform: N-Gage
Publisher: Nokia
Release: January 19, 2005

Nokia's N-Gage is heating up and SSX: Out of Bounds is leading the cool game charge. Essentially a port of SSX3, Out of Bounds retains all of the characters, options, and licensed music from the console original while presenting you with a smooth gameplay experience that looks and plays quite well for a hand held. Grind on rails, catch big air, and perform all sorts of tricks by pressing various buttons on the N-Gage's keypad. Also, up to four players can compete via Bluetooth!

FullMetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel
Platform: PlayStation 2
Publisher: Square Enix
Release: January 19, 2005

Based on the hit Japanese series, FullMetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel tells the story of two brothers who, after failing to raise their mom from the dead, find themselves in a precarious situation. Edward (who you play as) lost an arm and a leg, and his brother Alphonse lost his entire body (his soul is stuck in a suit of armor), so the boys embark on a quest to locate the Philosopher's Stone which seems to be the only thing that can return them back to their normal state. Of course, along the way they'll encounter monsters and come across all sorts of weapons to dispatch them with. All I know is, after Brave Fencer Musashi, whenever Square Enix publishes an action
RPG I take notice. You should too.

King of Fighters
Platform: N-Gage
Publisher: Nokia
Release: January 19, 2005

SNK's long-running fighting series comes to N-Gage, complete with wireless multiplayer via Bluetooth. Thus far it looks promising, but how it'll control using the system's complex keypad is anyone's guess.

Worms World Party
Platform: N-Gage
Publisher: Nokia
Release: January 26, 2005

Those sneaky worms are inching their way onto the N-Gage in what appears to be a fun turn-based war game that's chock full of options. Featuring 10 wormy teams, over 40 weapons, numerous and fully destructible environments, and the option to customize just about everything, this may be the premier strategy game on Nokia's hand held.

Playboy: The Mansion
Platform: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Publisher: Arush Entertainment
Release: January 26, 2005

Hugh Hefner's one of the world's most successful media moguls and you'll get a chance to see what it's like to rule the publishing industry in Playboy: The Mansion, a Sims-style game where you must make Playboy the most amazing magazine on the planet. Schedule photo shoots, throw extravagant parties, and shmooze with numerous real-life celebrities such as Carmen Electra in the famous Playboy mansion, but this game isn't all eye candy. You'll need to manage your crack editorial staff to ensure that the magazine has tons of interesting articles and monitor consumer trends, but I'm sure there will be tons of fun along the way. It's unknown whether Playboy: The Mansion's gameplay will rise above its scantily clad playmates, but this game's definitely worth a look, whether you love drooling over enhanced polygons or aspire to be the person behind the most successful magazine ever published...or both!

Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition
Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release: January 26, 2005

Dub I dub? Like those squad-based shooters, street racing games are a dime a dozen, but Rockstar is trying to distinguish MC3 from the competition. In conjunction with DUB Magazine, the developers have crafted a gorgeous racing game that features a deep customization system as well as online play for up to 8 racers across such locations as San Diego, Atlanta, and...Detroit! I don't know if MC3 will be able to beat Need for Speed Underground 2, but the series has always interested me because of the freedom to drive anywhere. Seeing as how this is the only big name racing title coming out in January, I'll see you online!

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath
Platform: Xbox
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release: January 26, 2005

Oddworld goes Boba Fett in Stranger's Wrath, a third and first person action adventure where you play as a bounty hunter who's out to collect. With the option to pick and choose your prey, the game gives you a higher level of freedom than in past Oddworld games, and while on the hunt, you've got a myriad of different weapons, including the ability to unleash animals upon your opponents! I think the game looks great and it's a perfect fit for the Xbox since the system needs more quality games of this type. Hopefully, it'll live up to my expectations.

So there you have it! Tons of early 2005 gaming goodness, but don't relax just yet because February's even crazier, with Doom 3 Xbox, Forza Motorsports, KOTOR II PC, Heritage of Kings, NBA Street Volume 3, Death by Degrees, Shadow of Rome, and Ys Mark of Napishtim all releasing within the first two weeks (with Wario Ware DS to follow)! Either this sudden switch in game releases is merely a blip on the radar or we're experiencing a new shift in the industry. Either way, I'm going to be broke! It may get to the point where a few delays are actually a good thing, but I can't complain, because this benefits us (you know, gamers) the most. Just keep in mind that it's not my fault if some of these games suck, so buy at your own risk! I know I will.

* Please note that all release dates are subject to change, and that this list of games doesn't cover all of the titles releasing January 2005.