With the ramp up to Christmas behind us, it's time to focus on what lies ahead - and boy, what lies ahead for the Xbox is some of the HOTTEST gaming action ever seen. No matter which genre you prefer, chances are real good that there is something coming to satiate your every desire. Check 'em out!!

    * Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (February)
    The legendary series from Midway returns - and boy oh boy, is it looking super hot. After taking a lot of flack over the recent additions to the series, MK:DA has been totally revamped and designed with fighting gamers in mind. Extreme, weapons-based combat merged with the ability to actually kill your opponent in fully interactive and gorgeous environments? Yes please - this looks like a winner!
    * Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball (Late January)
    Hot babes that are... er... anatomically... er... accurate, at least, where the... er... bouncing is concerned... playing volleyball? Where do I sign? A dead-set winner and Xbox exclusive. A no-brainer for all but the well and truly whipped. If you know what I mean... ;)
    * House of the Dead III (Late February)
    Sega's zombie-killer franchies makes its Xbox-exclusive return and this is looking AMAZING! The branching, light-gun based shooter features frantic and gory gameplay like none before - complete with super cheesy (with extra cheese!) story line. The lightgun game to own.
    * Panzer Dragoon Orta (March)
    Words are tough to find when describing the latest incarnation of Sega's legendary shooter series, previously only seen on the Saturn console. While the concept (3D shooter) may sound fairly simplistic, the execution and sheer mastery with which this title is presented is beyond description. Pre-order this and be prepared to say "wow!" - a lot. And some other words, which aren't really fit for publication here. This is looking to be THE game of 2003.
    * Steel Batallion (April)
    There is no firm commitment to publish this game in New Zealand, but if you are very very lucky, it might just make it. Why in doubt? Well, in addition to the fancy mech-based action shooter gameplay, this title comes with a controller that is three times the size of the (already quite large) Xbox console itself. Read that again. That's one VERY large controller and contributes to the very expensive price of the game. Worth every penny, we can only hope that Microsoft are as keen as we are to release a game that could very well cost north of $400.
    * Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War (March/April)
    A PC-port? In the list of games to look out for? Yep - and for good reason. The original game on the PC was such an impressive revisiting of the original first person shooter that one cannot help but pay attention when the game is announced for the Xbox. Add in the fact that the game features numerous improvements and additions since it's release on PC and you have yourself a genuine reason to get excited - keep an eye on this one, it looks like a winner!!

All in all, the first part of 2003 is shaping up very well indeed for Xbox owners - save your pennies folks, there are lots of games just over the horizon and plenty more just behind them!