***UPDATE May 9: Gran Turismo Sport and Fire Emblem Warriors have been added to the list!***
It's rare that a year of games starts out this strong, with multiple GOTY contenders already out in the wild. The best games of 2017 so far have set quite a precedent - but there's still so much left to look forward to in the near and distant future. We've sifted through all the upcoming PS4 games, upcoming Xbox One games, and upcoming Nintendo Switch games to present you with the most exciting titles on the horizon, organized by release date so you can calculate just how soon you need to start saving up. Some are innovative new ideas, others are highly anticipated sequels; some have definitive release dates, while others might be over a year away. But whatever the case, we can't wait to play them.
Injustice 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One
Release date: May 16, 2017
Batman, Superman, and a slew of other heroes and villains are back to duke it out in Injustice 2, Netherrealm Studios' return to the slick new engine that powered Mortal Kombat X. There's a ton of fanservice in this 2.5D fighter for anyone with even the slightest knowledge of DC Comics, and Injustice 2 is taking an interesting gamble with the addition of gear in a fighting game, gathered over time to give your preferred character enhanced abilities and a personalized look.
The Surge
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: May 16, 2017
Take the fundamental framework of the Souls series, sprinkle in the targettable body parts of Monster Hunter, and coat it all in the aesthetic of the oft-forgotten Rise of the Robots. What you've concocted is a rough description of The Surge, a futuristic, third-person, action RPG from the developer behind Lords of the Fallen. Though your fleshy body is somewhat protected by a high-tech exoskeleton, you'll need to carefully time your strikes during combat against zombified industrial workers, aggro security bots, and enormous automatons gone haywire. Reckless players will be met with punishing death, but persevere and you'll be able to craft new armor with the metallic carcasses of your slain foes.
Star Trek: Bridge Crew
Platform(s): PSVR, Vive
Release date: May 30, 2017
Delayed from its original Nov 2016 launch window, this four-player VR game is basically your chance to play out the Kobayashi Maru simulation. Not sure if you can beat it, though. In Star Trek Bridge Crew you can assume various roles on the bridge of the Enterprise and actually wander around with your friends. In VR. As a piece of fan-service, this is looking absolutely stunning.
Rime
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Release date: May 2017
We were happy to see Rime reemerge after two years of silence, because its colorful landscapes and mysterious ruins look like a joy to explore. This third-person action adventure follows the journey of a young boy, who washes up on a beach after a storm at sea. He awakens to find an idyllic island dotted with ancient-looking marble ruins, the most notable of which is a giant tower at the center of them all. You'll seek out a path to said tower via platforming and puzzle-solving, guided along the way by the help of a fox companion (and probably stop frequently just to soak in the beautiful cel-shaded sights).
Tekken 7
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: June 2, 2017
Funnily enough, Tekken 7 has been in Japanese arcades since early 2015, and it's taking its sweet time in making the transition to Western consoles. But with any luck, that extra wait will be worth it. Tekken 7 is the next iteration of Bandai Namco's famed 3D fighting series, bringing back veterans from the King of Iron Fist tournament alongside some spiffy-looking newcomers - including Kazumi Mishima, Kazuya's mother who can perform literal tiger uppercuts with her beast companion. Expect plenty of heavy-hitting animations, devastating ground bounce combos, and bizarre backdrops.
Arms
Platform(s): Switch
Release date: June 16, 2017
Imagine a fighting game where everyone's got the stretchy arms of Dhalsim and the colossal fists of Potemkin, flinging punches and dodging haymakers in a 3D arena. That's the gist of Arms, Nintendo's inventive one-on-one fighter for the Switch, starring brawlers with coiled-spring biceps that look like hybrids of a Slinky and Stretch Armstrong. Think of it as a highly advanced version of Wii Boxing, where the twin Joy-Con controllers let you punch, dodge, and block as you duke it out. You can even control the curve of your extending arm as it sails across the obstacle-filled stages, or trigger a super combo with a flurry of real-world strikes, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure-style.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Platform(s): PS4
Release date: June 30, 2017
Rumors have swirled for years about a potential Crash Bandicoot revival, and the PS1-era marsupial is finally making his return in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. More remake than remaster, the N. Sane Trilogy compiles the once-famed PlayStation mascot's first three outings and completely overhauls them in 4K high-definition. The N. Sane Trilogy contains all the same enemy-bopping, fruit-collecting, and precision-jumping action fans have loved for years, while introducing all-new textures, animation, and art, as well as unifying the checkpoint and save systems to be consistent across all three games. Finally, Crash Bandicoot is getting the respect and attention he rightly deserves.
Splatoon 2
Platform(s): Switch
Release date: July 21, 2017
A decade ago, you'd be called a fool for saying Nintendo could make an amazing team-based shooter perfect for online competition - and yet, here we are getting a sequel to the Wii U's fantastic Splatoon. Those squid-kid Inklings are back for more 4v4 color-splashing warfare across a bevy of new stages, wielding fresh weapons like the twin-pistol Splat Dualies or refined versions of fan favorites like the Splat Roller. If you want to test your skills before going online, Splatoon 2 also allows for local multiplayer thanks to the Switch system link. And along with the extra precision provided by the controller's gyroscopic aiming, you'll have to master the added Dodge Roll maneuver to maximize your turf-tagging potential.
Agents of Mayhem
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: August 15, 2017
When you hear the name Volition, you know to expect something over-the-top and hilarious. After all, these are the people who gave us the crass glory that is Saints Row. They’re back in business with this new riff on the superhero game. Players can seamlessly switch between controlling the 12 larger-than-life characters. Pick three at a time and in an instant you’ll be able to equip yourself with a new set of superpowers and weapons. Which means so many combinations for fun, hilarity, and… well, mayhem.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: August 2017
The Tolkien's Creed open-world action in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor easily warranted a sequel - we just didn't know when it was coming, until now. Shadow of War brings back the undying ranger Talion and his fused wraith Celebrimbor, who have forged a new Ring of Power despite those things always ending in tears. The stellar Nemesis system will be making a return, where ordinary orcs may develop into bitter rivals over the course of many battles, and new Nemesis Fortresses serve as these villains’ imposing domains. But never fear - you'll have your own loyal army at your disposal to raid these strongholds - all good practice for when you finally have the forces you need to take on Sauron himself.
Click 'Next Page' below to see more great upcoming games in 2017 and beyond!