Nintendo recently held a 40-minute livestream to showcase the upcoming games for the Switch console before the end of the year. Nintendo’s summer gaming showcase came after PlayStation’s on May 24 and Xbox’s on June 11. Now that all the major players have revealed their plans for 2023 and beyond, let’s rank them and give each a grade based on our excitement level.
3. PlayStation Showcase
- Best announcements: Fairgame$, Helldivers 2, Marathon, Project Q
- Score: C
Despite the success of the PlayStation 5 since its launch in 2020, Sony’s summer showcase didn’t quite live up to expectations. 2022 was packed with PS5 exclusive titles like Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarök, and Gran Turismo 7. The first half of 2023 brought a new PlayStation VR headset and accompanying games, including Final Fantasy XVI. However, a lull in releases is inevitable.
The bright spot for the PS5 in the upcoming holiday season is the release of Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The game features a map twice the size of its predecessor and the ability to switch between Peter Parker and Miles Morales. We’re also curious to learn more about Project Q, a streaming portable console, although we were hoping for a PS Vita 2. Additionally, we eagerly anticipate more information on the competitive shooter Fairgame$, as the trailer provided only CGI footage.
2. Xbox Games Showcase
- Best announcements: Starfield, Dungeons of Hinterberg, Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Score: B+
The only reason Xbox doesn’t tie or surpass Nintendo is because we’re unsure about the release dates for most of the showcased games. Bethesda’s massive open-world sci-fi RPG Starfield is set to launch on September 6, and Forza Motorsport arrives on October 10. These are the only Xbox exclusives with confirmed release dates, while the rest are scheduled for 2024 and beyond.
That being said, the showcased games look promising. Fable captures the tone of the older entries, Avowed has the potential to be a Skyrim-like game, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is even more stunning than its predecessor, and the anticipation for South of Midnight and Hellblade 2 continues to grow. Additionally, we have high hopes for games like Perfect Dark, Everwild, and State of Decay 3 that were not shown. The future looks bright for Xbox, but without more confirmed release dates, we remain cautiously optimistic.
1. Nintendo Direct
- Best announcements: Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Super Mario RPG, Pikmin 1 + Pikmin 2, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, WarioWare: Move it!
- Score: A
Before the Nintendo Direct on June 21, the Switch release schedule for 2023 seemed quite sparse. Only Pikmin 4 and Everybody 1-2-Switch were confirmed as first-party releases, both slated for release before the end of July. However, the Direct revealed the exciting lineup for the holiday season.
During the fall, Nintendo plans to launch Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a new 2D Mario game, a visually enhanced version of Super Mario RPG, a new WarioWare, the long-awaited sequel to Detective Pikachu, and a new Dragon Quest Monsters. The only disappointment was the absence of Metroid Prime 4, which we suspect may be a launch title for Nintendo Switch 2. Despite the success of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo is delivering one of the most substantial holiday lineups since the Switch’s launch.
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
