It seems I overlooked Batman: Arkham Asylum

With positive reviews coming out left and right and podcast hype higher than I've seen in ages, Batman: Arkham Asylum has been unleashed upon the world.

I have the demo on my PS3 and haven't played it yet, but honestly I have to wonder how the game is gonna sell. Because of the movie series reboot, interest in Batman is at an all time high (even though he was killed in the comics recently, wasn't he?). That seems to bode well for the game.

However, the game is fan service to old school fans. The voice cast from the excellent Batman: The Animated Series, and obscure villians from Batman's absurb rogues gallery. Are these things going to resonate with the audience who just wants to see a crazy and dark Joker? Or whose villian knowledge might include Harley Quinn?

I see big sales numbers (360 leading by about 2 to 1 over PS3). But if you want the game then I'd hold off. This is gonna flood Gamestop shelves in time for Christmas and drop the used price because of supply. I think it will show up in the middle to top of the August charts. Expect podcast NPD discussions to say it's a suprise that it wasn't either higher or lower than it placed and comment on PS3 vs. 360 sales.

Large drop off in September, 360 between 7 to 10, PS3 gone from charts. Expect a great deal on a new copy on Black Friday, or potentially a price drop to attempt to respur sales. If there's a sequel announced it will be pawned off on another developer, which will likely make it the last game in the franchise because it will be far lower in quality (or at least percieved as such).