E3 2017
Another year of E3 conferences are over! To celebrate this year’s event – we will be summarising which retro and classic game franchises are making a return to our modern-day consoles. As well as listing which games that we are most excited about.
Original Xbox Duke Controller:
As a homage to their original system, Xbox will be releasing a limited edition run of the classic ‘Duke Controller’ (which was originally bundled with the ‘Xbox’ on release). The nostalgic controller will be getting an update to suit the modern day, we are told. With the classic large, static Xbox logo being replaced with an LCD screen which will display the logo instead.
The news excited many Xbox fans and came alongside the announcement that many games for the original system would be backwards compatible with the Xbox One! Although a full list hasn’t been announced as of yet, we do know that the hit game ‘Crimson Skies’ is the first classic game planned for the next-gen console.
Shadow of the Colossus:
This year PlayStation has revived a collection of classic franchises for the PS4, which was good news for many long-time PS fans! The most exciting news of the night being that a ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ (PS2) remake is in the works for PS4 release.
The hit game doesn’t yet have a release date and has previously been re-mastered for the PS3. The same company that created the PS3 re-release are involved with this. However, Sony officials claim that the game will have an updated game-play style for those wanting to play as they do in modern games; as well as having the choice to play in the traditional game-play style.
You can find the trailer here.
Monster Hunter World:
Next, a game with a huge cult following will have a new addition to its series coming to the PS4 in the form of Monster Hunter World. The first game in the series, Monster Hunter, was released in 2004 for the PS2 and has since gained a widespread cult following and ports/sequels to almost every major console. This fantasy RPG can be expected early 2018.
You can find the trailer here.
God of War:
Since the games debut on the PS2, God of War has become of the biggest game franchises around. This year, Sony built on their promises for the eagerly awaited brand new instalment to the series and gave us a full-length trailer. Although going through major changes compared to the other games, the new direction of the franchise has been appraised across the board. With the new game-play focusing more on story and Kratos as a character.
You can find the trailer here.
Final Fantasy: Monster of the Deep:
Probably the oddest addition to this list, a VR spin-off of Final Fantasy XV will be coming to PSVR this September. With the first Final Fantasy game being released back in 1987 on the NES, it’s fair to say that the franchise has come a long way! The game-play is ultimately a first person fishing game, but the weird and wonderful creatures from the FF world makes the game look intense and a lot of fun!
You can see the trailer here.
Marvel VS Capcom:
Being a popular franchise with its first release in arcades (X-Men VS Street Fighter – 1996), a 6th instalment to the series is making its way to PS4, Xbox and PC this September. Now following a similar story to the MCU, the new game will take the retro game-play that we’re used to with the addition of ‘Infinity Stone’ power-ups. We can’t wait to play it!
You can see the trailer here.
Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy:
During E3, it was also announced that the upcoming Crash Bandicoot (N Sane Trilogy) remasters will allow the player to play as Coco Bandicoot in all 3 Crash games. Coming out at the end of this month (June 30th), it’s getting very close to the release and we can’t wait to see what else is in store.
You can find the trailer here.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle:
Mario first appeared on our arcade screens in 1981 (Donkey Kong) and the Rabbids in 2006 (in Rayman: Raving Rabbids). In this wacky and exciting looking game, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Yoshi will team up with Rabbids dressed as these characters in a new role-playing game.
The game looks odd, to say the least, but the merge of the crazy Rabbid universe combined with the actioned-packed Mushroom Kingdom looks like it will be the perfect match.
Kirby:
Taking the spotlight away from Mario for a short while, another of Nintendo’s staple franchises will make a return for the Switch. Kirby first jumped into our lives in 1992 for the Game Boy’s ‘Kirby’s Dream Land’ and will be returning this year to the Switch! Overall, not too much is currently known about the game. But there is no doubt that we are excited to make a return to the character and franchise. The trailer for the new Switch instalment comes right off the back of Nintendo announcing 3 new Kirby games for the 3DS! We’ll be seeing a lot of Kirby this year!
Pokémon RPG:
One of the most-loved franchises around the world, Pokémon debut an all-new RPG-styled main-story instalment for the Nintendo Switch. Pokémon currently stands as one of the largest gaming franchises today and was an instant hit when Pokémon Red, Blue and Green were first released in 1996. Today, the franchise has rapidly expanded with its two latest releases being mobile games (Pokémon Go and Magikarp Jump). The announcement of this all-new game is very exciting, though we may have to wait up to a year and a half for the game release.
Metroid 4 + Metroid: Samus Returns:
A big year for another of Nintendo’s classic franchises sees the release of 2 Metroid games. Metroid 4 is a new instalment into the series and it comes after 10 years of the release of Metroid 3! Again, not too much is known about this new instalment – but we can’t wait to find out more.
Another huge announcement for the series is that Metroid II: The Return of Samus is getting a re-make for the 3DS. Metroid fans are assured by the creators of the remake that it is, at its core, the same game. It has, however, been updated to suit modern day gameplay and utilises new technologies.
Yoshi:
Yoshi is now an integral part of the Super Mario franchise after we first saw the loveable dinosaur in Super Mario World for the SNES in 1990. Soon after, a prequel was released focusing more on the character (Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island). Which led to a whole host of Yoshi spin-off games starting with Yoshi’s Safari for the SNES.
Yoshi now has his own independent spin-off franchise and now a brand-new game has been announced for the Nintendo Switch.
Super Mario Odyssey:
Mario has come a long way from the first Donkey Kong arcade game in 1981, now being the world’s best-selling video-game franchise. In recent years, Nintendo have attempted to change the game-play from the standard side-scrolling platformers, and their new addition for the Switch is no different.
Controlling Mario in a 3D environment (like that of Super Mario 64), the levels seem to be free-roaming. Interestingly, Mario’s iconic hat plays an integral part in the game-play mechanics. As it is able to possess any object, be used to jump on to navigate as well as many other abilities.
This weird and wonderful game looks like an exciting and fresh take on the Super Mario series and we can’t wait to play it this October!
While you're waiting waiting for all the new games, how about checking out some retro gems with our great Arcade Machines!
