The video gaming market has entered a new generation once more and with that shift there’s been a realignment in the expectations of games and the general influx of gaming into the mainstream. The last generation was the first true mainstreaming of the video gaming sphere as more than 2000 games saw release for the major consoles in the 5 years they were on the market. With the 2005 release of the Xbox 360 and the 2006 release of the Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 an entirely different approach to the art of gaming has come as well.

Not only are games bigger and more impressive than ever before, they’re more innovative, opening up entire new genres (the Wii has more than a few all by itself) and making online gaming more than a novelty, but an integral part of all games the world over. We’ve yet to see what will really come out of this generation, but we do get to speculate. There are hundreds of top tier titles waiting on the horizon for all the major consoles, games that none of us can wait for.

Microsoft learned a lot of lessons from its first console launch and got out of the gate early this time around. To say they utilized it to the best of their advantage would be an overstatement, but now that the early months of lame software titles are behind them, the slew of top notch games is coming steadily and quickly making the 360 a console to own. Already seeing major releases like Gears of War and Lost Planet, the Xbox 360 has more than a few more major titles around the corner that will push some fans over the edge to buying one.

Forza 2 – April – The first Forza Motorsport almost got it right. As Microsoft’s attempt to enter the racing simulator field it was a good first try, if not nearly up to Gran Turismo standards, but now there’s no competition as a Gran Turismo V is likely years away and the HD promise of IV was turned into a tiny little demo (although a very sweet demo). If they can fix some of the less desirable problems of the first one, this will be one incredible game.

Bioshock – Everything about this game looks amazing. From the incredible new AI to the alteration of your form and the interaction level of the game itself. You can tinker and mess around with the options to your heart’s content, and the story sounds pretty damn interesting too. This is easily number one or two on the list. Too bad we don’t know when it’s coming.

Mass Effect – A new Bioware RPG set in the future with a distinct action orientation. Yes, this is the new generation of RPG gaming and everyone is interested to see how it works out. Game of the show at E3 last year and now one of the most anticipated of 07.

Blue Dragon – June – The makers of some of the greatest RPGs of all time leave Square and make Blue Dragon for the Xbox 360? Yup, and it looks amazing. Toriyama lends his artistic sight to this pretty RPG and boy does it look huge. Microsoft will actually have a Japanese RPG for their console before Sony, and that’s something to brag about.

Halo 3 – November (we hope) – Halo 3 is the deal breaker of them all, and when the beta goes out this spring for online play we’ll know for sure by how much. We’re all waiting after that godawful Halo 2 ending for the final chapter in the series, and the next upgrade in Xbox Live gameplay. November is too far away.