From Hogwarts to Zelda: 5 upcoming video games dropping in 2023

Ivan Leonard, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·3 min read
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Feb. 5—Per Bonusinsider.com, 1,633 video game players were polled and the majority of gamers (52.5%) played 2 to 4 hours per session. While many people get images in their head of neckbeards in their mother's basements, only 2.3% of video game players registered sessions longer than 10 hours. I have not had a session like that since college when I was playing Halo from sun up to sun down during the summer months but time flies on the XBOX. If anyone is trying to get a game in on the XBOX or Nintendo Switch, hit me up for my gamer tag.

1. "Hogwarts Legacy"

Set in the 1890s, you take over as a fifth-year Hogwarts student ready to make a name at their school. In Hogwarts Legacy, players get to choose their appearance and sorting house and can visit areas such as the Forbidden Forest or Hogsmeade. Whether it is riding hippogriffs or learning defense, there are many options and areas to explore in the fictional Hogwarts. Though there were a few Harry Potter games released in the 2000s, they obviously lacked the power that the current consoles possess.

This game does not come without of course as the creator of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling has made controversial opinions on transgender people in the past. The game has also received criticism for having the player stop a goblin rebellion which has been linked to anti semitism so this game is not without debate. Drops on Friday, Feb. 10.

2. "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom"

Apologies to Luigi, but the coolest green character in the Nintendo world is back when the new Zelda drops on May 12, for the Nintendo Switch. This game is a sequel to "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," a 2017 release won multiple awards from the Game Critics Awards, SXSW Gaming Awards The Game Awards 2017 and more so this game likely will not disappoint.

3. "Street Fighter 6"

For all of my people out there, the best arcade game to ever exist is dropping a new console game this June 2, for Playstation and Xbox Series X. It is amazing to see how far this franchise has come but something about the arcade version is special in my opinion. This game features Fighting Ground, World Tour and Battle with similar 2D gameplay to previous Street Fighters. I have not played Street Fighter in a decade but if anyone wants to play a round, I call dibs on Dhalsim.

4. "Crash Team Rumble"

This year could shape up to be a banger for us washed folks as "Crash Bandicoot" is back with "Crash Team Rumble" set for a release later this year. This game is an online multiplayer battle arena match so you can team up with the squad and challenge foes from across the world. "Crash Team Rumble" also features cross-platform play in case you are an XBOX owner trying to get a game in with your buddy who has a PS5. Keep a lookout for it this year.

5. "Minecraft Legends"

Coming to stores this April 18, the new Minecraft is dropping on the Nintendo Switch, Playstation and Xbox. Minecraft Legends is set in the Minecraft universe during a piglins invasion and you are tasked with saving the Overworld. This game is an action-strategy video from a third-person perspective featuring cooperative and competitive gameplay.