What will the year 2007 bring for Xbox 360 fans?  Will there be another 3 million title seller this year as there was with 2006’s Untouchable of the Year winner, Gears of War? 

I’ll give you a rundown of my 11 most anticipated releases this year.  If you’re an Xbox 360 owner, then you’re in for a treat in 2007.  If you’re not, then you should head out to the nearest retail store and hop on the train!

Halo 3 - With news circulating about the public beta of Halo 3, I believe the ball is just starting to roll with Halo 3 mania.  What will the Master Chief aim to do in what has been billed as his final chapter?  New weapons.  New vehicles.  It’s the story of Halo with the power of the 360 behind it and it will surely be a sight to see and an event to play.  And I know everyone is itching to find out about this ‘X’ button that changes the way we play right?

BioShock - It was a dark, lonely night when I downloaded the BioShock trailer from X06.  Since then, I’ve been counting the days until I would have the chance to play this underwater epic.  2K has already gone on record saying their focus is completely on delivering an outstanding single campaign/story.  It better be one hell of a story to please all the multiplayer heads out there who won’t get to go head up against anyone on Xbox Live.

Guitar Hero 2 - Yes, that’s right.  Ever since I saw someone rocking on this game, I’ve been hooked.  If for no other reason than to fulfill my destiny as lead guitar in a rock band, this game will own!  Ok, maybe that destiny is a little far-fetched.  I can’t wait to play some tunes.

Alan Wake - Let’s just hope this game makes it this year.  I was so excited when Microsoft Game Studios picked this title up to secure a release for it.  The tornado demo was amazing!  It seems like it has a real thrilling story as well.  ‘Wake’ me up as I sleep the nights away trying to get to the release date for this title!

Mass Effect - History tells us that BioWare brings the heat but can they continue with Mass Effect?  Ofcourse they can!  The game is already perhaps the most impressive you’ll see visually on the Xbox 360 and the story seems to be as impressive.  It’s looking like an RPG that will battle for the Untouchable of the Year 2007 for sure.

Crackdown - It’s coming soon.  The demo is already up on the Xbox Live Marketplace.  Since the hype started around the Halo 3 beta invitation, I’ve been digging around for more on Crackdown and I like what I’ve seen.  The visual style of it seems to be bringing something new to the genre and the custom game types just might separate it altogether from those similar in gameplay.  It’s the only time I can say “I want Crack” and get away with it.

John Woo Presents Stranglehold - I know not many of you are following this game but the action sequences I’ve seen in it are pretty incredible.  I love John Woo films and I like Chow Yun Fat so hopefully the marriage will work when translated to video games.  Midway is a solid company so I’m expecting a solid delivery with this action shooter.  I’m ready to start some chaos!

Assassin’s Creed - Ubisoft and its Prince of Persia series has been great.  I can’t help but get the same good vibes for Assassin’s Creed.  The main character looks wicked and the demo they showed at X06 was pretty nice.  The movement through the crowd is what sold me on this game.  But I wonder how people will react with the one strike kill system.

Shadowrun - It’s the first chance we’ll be able to see Live Anywhere in action.  If that’s not reason enough to be on this list, then who knows what is.  I hope the current beta participants are doing their jobs because there’s a lot riding on this game.  PC and Xbox 360 owners alike should mark this title down as a must-own right now.  It may just change the way we play.

Army of Two - It’s EA’s first new intellectual property (IP) in a long time.  It promises to bring new meaning to co-op play and from what I’ve seen, it just might deliver.  The communication system is something I think will add to the overall concept of the game.  There’s also a unique revival element that just might be cool.

Def Jam: Icon - I loved Vendetta and Fight For New York.  The fighting engine in the Def Jam series has been pretty good and playing with today’s hottest hip hop stars is a blast.  The only images I’ve seen of it really show what the next generation of console hardware allows developers to create.  I’m ready to get my blingage and beat down on with Icon!

There are plenty additional games that I’m eagerly waiting for so don’t think this list is the final word on what I’m anticipating.  What say you?