PixlBit

Mmm... those shiny Platinums.  It definitely is funning picking them up while playing through a game you enjoy, while also adding that extra bit of closure to the experience.  I actually crossed that milestone not too long ago myself with Dungeon Siege III.  Still, much like you, I'm trying to figure out how to reach 30.  All I have left are 100+ hour games, like Demon's/Dark Souls, a bunch of NISA games (including Disgaea 3), the whopper known as Star Ocean: The Last Hope, the glitchy Sacred 2, and 3D Dot Game Heroes.  I think I might need more games if I'm going to reach that goal!  Anyway, good luck towards your journey to get there, and I hope you don't come across any stinkers along the way.

From what has been made public, Capcom was quite pleased with the sales of both Mega Man 9 & 10.  Inti Creates has a substantial amount of experience with the series now, having helmed the four Zero game, ZX/Advent, and 9/10, so I don't know why Capcom didn't continue to tap them for more games.  If the Zero series is anything to go by, Mega Man games are cheap to produce (I'd be surprised if they cost $1 million at this point) and can still make good money.  Especially if they continued the digital release trend.  Granted, these games are not going to shatter sales records, but they could have been a consistent source of revenue (and kept the series alive) as long as they were well made.

If all they are after is million-seller after million-seller, though, that leaves little room for smaller projects.  Of course, Mega Man could be put in that position again.  But, Capcom would have to expend a considerable amount of effort (and money in their marketing department) to get him there.

I know that goes against the core design.  But, that doesn't stop me from wanting a game in the genre to scale back certain player-abusing randomized elements (like Izuna's fire trap).  Most of what is found in these games is fine and acceptable (enemy ambushes), as it is necessary to create the proper tension and atmosphere.  Yet, I would like to play these games without checking every tile for traps or cutting a run short because the game refused to give me food.  If these games disrepect my time that much, then I have no reason to give it to them.

Decisions, decisions.  In the end I went with Mega Man ZX.  Even though it's going to take me a while to work my way up to that game (I aim to replay it this year), I'd like to hear other opinions about it.  Mega Man ZX seems to be widely overlooked, even by fans of the franchise, and covering it might remind others that it exists.

I'll have to pay attention to the amount of backtracking when I get around to playing Monster Tale.  As of now, I have no idea how the size of the game compares to something like Portrait of Ruin or Zero Mission, but I'm hoping it has enough unique areas to explore.

In regards to the upcoming consoles, the whole situation is going to be interesting to watch.  I can't say who will thrive, survive, or simply disappear, but I do know there will be major changes in the coming generation.  Also, that always-online design has got to go.  I will simply ignore any game that makes use of it, or the whole console if it is implemented at the system level.

I wish I could find Amazing Tater for $3!  As much as I liked Kwirk, it wasn't until a few months ago that I discovered that it was part of the Puzzle Boy series, as well as the predecessor to Amazing Tater.  That's one of those games I would love to play, but not for $150.

Anyway, going back to your collection: You definitely have time to wait and to see how things turn out in the future.  With all the games you own, you have plenty to occupy yourself with while you shop for the remaining games over the next few years.

The way some of these games are priced is frustrating.  It's fine if you have to do it once or twice (I've paid over $50 for used games online, too).  But, when you look at the rest of the games you need to acquire it's exasperating, especially if you have to turn to the auction sites where nothing is certain.  It involves so much time (and money) that is better spent actually playing the games.  Did you ever put together a price estimation for the games you have left to collect?

I ran into the same trouble with every Fushigi no Dungeon game I have played.  Torneko, Druaga, Shiren, Izuna.  I really want to like this genre, but the random nature of enemy and trap placement can completely destroy a game session through no fault of the player.  That just doesn't sit well with me, yet it's a cornerstone of the genre that is never going to change (while also being one that its fans enjoy).

Anyway, if Gates to Infinity maintains the status quo, I'll stick with the other games I already own.  These games don't change all that much and I don't particularly care for the Pokemon theme.

Too much can go wrong at this point in time.  The gaming climate is vastly different than what it was in 2005, and consumers want inexpensive entertainment now.  To be completely honest, of the options you expanded on, I think the current consoles will provide the biggest competition.  If you look at how well the 360 has been selling in the US these past few months, with good deals on the hardware and a tremendous amount of inexpensive software, the upcoming consoles have a great deal to compete with.  Now, this happened already during the overlap with the PS2, 360, and PS3, as the PS2 continued to sell tremendously well due to its price and the strength of its library.  Its impact can't be underestimated (especially when you compare sales date of the three consoles), because their is a possibility that it did much to hinder adoption rates of the new systems.  And I can easily see that happening again, especially now that there is less money to go around.

I had a feeling Mega Man was going to be on your list.  After seeing what they accomplished in Vanquish, they could do the series justice.  Plus, I'd like to see how they would handle the boss encounters and designs.

Also, I could easily imagine that Star Wars game.  I mean, the first Force Unleashed came close (and the second game made improvements to the combat system), but it was missing solid level design.  That's something that Platinum could definitely address.  Or, they could just take their expertise and make the next Battlefront game.  Actually, I would take both games from them.