PixlBit

A new year brings promise of new video games, so I thought I’d write about which ones I’m looking forward to this year.  Of course there will probably be some announcements of new games throughout the year (like at E3), as it’s a bit early.  And of course some things may be delayed, too.  But anyway, let’s take a look at what I’m looking forward to playing and reviewing this year. 

Nintendo Switch

Of course we gotta start with the Switch!  Especially since Nintendo had a big online presentation about it a little over a week ago.  I agree that the presentation was pretty bad, but I think it’s because Nintendo was trying to spread themselves too thin.  Usually when they do these presentations, they do three different ones for each main region (Japan, North America, and Europe).  But since they did all of it at once this time, there were some missteps.

So the Switch can be a home console or taken on the go.  Which is nice, but I don’t see myself taking it everywhere I go.  Honestly I don’t care what fancy things Nintendo’s consoles do.  As long as they provide me with fun games that suit my tastes (which they usually do), I’m fine with whatever.  I will say that I’m glad the Switch is region free.  So if Namco ever makes a Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko Drum Master) game on the Switch in Japan, I can import it (and considering they’ve released a few Taiko games on the Wii U, it seems pretty likely).  Needless to say, I do have my Switch and Zelda game preordered.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

I don’t think I have to say too much about this one.  It’s a Zelda game, and those rarely disappoint.  You have to admit, that last trailer during the Switch presentation looked really cool.  I like the thought that I’ll be playing this game in about a month.  I hope that I can get all the new Zelda amiibo figures, too!

Super Mario Odyssey

I do like Mario games and I’ve played and beaten most of them.  But believe it or not, I’m not that HUGE of a Mario fan.  There are other Nintendo properties I like way more, like Kirby, Zelda, Metroid, Animal Crossing, etc.  Heck, even when Super Mario Bros. came out, I didn’t want a NES right away.  I was perfectly happy playing Pengo on my Atari 5200.  But dang, that Super Mario Odyssey trailer looks AMAZING!  Sure, Mario doesn’t look like he quite fits in that city level, but it’s a video game so who cares?  I do like how that city level is called New Donk City, and has lots of Donkey Kong references.  Street signs are named things like Cranky Ave. and Dixie St., and there are posters advertising things like Diddy’s Mart.  I only wish they would change the title of the game.  Why?  Well, you know how we all have words that we just can’t spell, no matter how hard we try?  Well, Odyssey is that word for me.

Super Bomberman R

Bomberman games feature cutesy characters running around mazes.  You’d think I’d like them, right?  Well, strangely enough, I’ve never really been able to get into the series much.  I don’t HATE it, I just never got into it.  But I will say that I’m glad that Konami is doing something with their Hudson acquisition (about time).  I may not buy this game, but I may try and contact Konami to review it.  If Konami makes a Bonk game (or revives that Brink of Extinction Bonk game) on the Switch, I’d totally buy it!

1 2 Switch

I love quirky and unusual games, but I’m still on the fence about this one.  I’d like to try it out before buying it.  It really should’ve been a pack-in game with the Switch.  Wii Sports is my favorite sports game (it beat out Super Dodge Ball), but I probably wouldn’t have bought it either if it wasn’t a pack-in game with the Wii.

ARMS

It looks like a glorified Wii Sports boxing game with stretchy boxing gloves and arms.  I do like the colorful characters and graphics, but I don’t know if I’ll get this one right away.  I kind of wish they had Namco or Capcom work on this one, as those two game companies are good at bringing arcade style games to the home.  Plus, if Namco made this game, they could’ve put Bravoman in it, and if Capcom had it, they could put Spring Man from Mega Man 7 in it (there is actually a character in the game called Spring Man, that’s what gave me the idea).

Splatoon 2

I didn’t get into the first Splatoon quite as much as some others did, but I did enjoy it enough to give it my Game of the Year award in 2015.  It’s certainly a new Nintendo IP that can stand on its own two feet.  The new one looks like a lot of fun, too.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

I probably won’t get this game, at least not right away.  If only they added a few more things in it, I might.  I will say that this was a great Wii U game and had some of the best graphics on that system.

Puyo Puyo Tetris

Remember on the SNES when they made that Tetris vs. Dr. Mario game?  That’s what this reminds me of, except with Puyo Puyo.  I have a friend who preordered the Switch, and he’s really good at Puyo Puyo so I may get this game just to challenge him.  But we’ll see.

And those are all the announced Switch games that caught my eye.  I’m sure there’ll be more as the year goes on, and I bet there will be a lot of downloadable indie gems, too.  It is kind of sad to see the Wii U go, as I really liked that system.  But it has been dead for essentially a year, sadly.  I’ll probably write a Wii U tribute blog in the next month or so.  I’ll certainly keep my Wii U out and about, in case I get the opportunity to review some of the new LEGO Dimensions packs (the Knight Rider and LEGO Batman Movie packs are coming out soon).

3DS

Since the Switch can also be considered a portable system, I wonder if that means the 3DS is on its way out, too?  It certainly seems so.  But there are a few games in the upcoming 3DS lineup I’m interested in.

Poochy and Yoshi’s Woolly World

I put this on my list because I only wanted it as it comes with a Poochy yarn amiibo figure.  But I just found out that GameStop is selling the amiibo figure separately, so I went ahead and reserved just the figure, so I won’t be getting the game.  Yoshi’s Woolly World is a GREAT game, but I don’t feel the need to buy it on the 3DS when I have it on the Wii U.

Ever Oasis

This is a 3-D action RPG made by the same guy who did Secret of Mana, and it looks rather interesting.  Hope I have time for it!

Mario Sports Superstars

A lot of folks haven’t really given this game much favor, but the last time Nintendo made a Mario sports game that was a combination of many types of sports was Mario Sports Mix on the Wii, and I really liked that one.  So I’d like to give this one a try, too.  It has tennis, golf, baseball, some other sport I can’t remember, and…horse racing?!?  It’ll be funny to see Yoshi ride a horse.  What’s really cool about this game is that Camelot is working on the tennis and golf sections, and Namco is doing the baseball and horse racing parts.  So why should you care about that?  Well, Namco also does the Family Stadium baseball games (the first one was brought to the NES as R.B.I. Baseball), and they also did the other Mario baseball titles.  And Namco also makes the Final Furlong horse racing games!  So there’ll at least be some experienced game makers working on this one.

2-D Pikmin

I never could get into the Pikmin games, but since this one has more 2-D platforming in it, I might check it out.  Especially if it plays like Kirby Mass Attack.

PS4

So even though I’m pretty excited about the Switch, I’d like to also say I’m glad I got a PS4 when I did.  I got a good deal on one last November during a Black Friday sale.  And I have a feeling it’ll be my go-to console system until the Switch finds its feet.  And unless I just absolutely fall in love with the Switch and its controller, I’ll probably get most of the cross-platform games on the PS4, at least for now.  Unless of course, I get a review copy of something, then I’ll play it on whatever version they send me!  But anyway, I’m pretty happy with my PS4 so far, and I’m looking forward to playing new games on it this year, too.

Yooka-Laylee

Don’t get me wrong, I really liked Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, and it was one of my top favorite Xbox 360 games.  But I still would’ve liked to have a true Banjo 3-D platformer.  So I’m glad that Yooka-Laylee, the spiritual successor to Banjo, is coming out this year.  I only hope it feels like a full game, and not half of a game like so many other indie kickstarters feel like (Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, I’m looking at you!).

Gravity Rush 2

I enjoyed the first Gravity Rush on Vita.  It wasn’t my favorite game, but it was still fun and the main character was cute.  I know there is a remake of the first game on PS4, but I haven’t gotten it yet.  I may way for a price drop to get the sequel, but we’ll just see how this year goes.

LEGO Worlds

According to the press release I got, this is like a cross between a LEGO game and Minecraft.  I hope I get to review it.

Ys Origins

I’m not sure if I read the press release right, but either Ys Origins or a new Ys game is coming to PS4.  And I’ll totally get it, whatever it is, because Ys games are awesome!

Wonder Boy 3 Remake

Now this was a surprise!  I hope I get to review this one, too!

Sonic Mania

I played this at PAX, and not only does this look like a 2-D 16-bit Sonic game, it plays mostly like Sonic 3.  And since Sonic 3 is one of the few Sonic games I do like, I’m looking forward to this one, too.

Digimon World First Order

Not sure if I’ll really get this one or not, but I’ve always had a passing interest in Digimon.  I reviewed a ton of the Digimon games when I wrote for The Dallas Morning News, and I even watched the first few seasons of the cartoon, because it was actually halfway decent.

Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite

I love this fighting game series because it’s easy to get into, and as a fighting game novice I can appreciate that.  I think most of my knowledge of Marvel characters comes from these games.  Can’t wait to see which characters make it in here!  Can you guess who my favorite Marvel comics characters are?

Dragon Quest Heroes 2

I got the first game real cheap when I got my PS4, but I haven’t played it yet because right now I’m working on Dragon Quest Builders.  But if I like Dragon Quest Heroes enough, I may get the sequel.  Speaking of Square-Enix, do you think we’ll see Kingdom Hearts 3 this year?

Conclusions

And that’s all for now!  Let me know what you think of my list.  And if you know of any games that you think I would like that are coming out in 2017, and you didn’t see them on my list, please let me know, too!  And also let me know what games YOU’RE looking forward to in 2017!  Later!  --Cary