This week at E3, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are all unveiling new games for their respective systems in a bid to get you to buy an Xbox One X, PS4 Pro, or Switch. As we're now well into the lifecycle of the PS4 and Xbox One, and Nintendo's Switch is entering its second year, there's an abundance of new games to look forward to. But which ones do you want?
Below is a look at the big game announcements coming out of E3, an ever-evolving list of the top titles heading to all three consoles and PC. Watch all the trailers and decide which ones need to join your game collection.
(Editor's Note: This story was updated on 6/12 following Sony's presser and on 6/13 with details from Nintendo.)
Gears of War 5 (Xbox One)
Gears of War 5 will be welcome news to fans of the series, but it's also set to be a tech showcase on the Xbox One X. Microsoft is promising 4K Ultra HD visuals, 60 frames per second gameplay, HDR support, online play, and local co-op complete with split-screen play.
Halo Infinite (Xbox One, PC)
Regardless of how the Xbox One is doing compared to PS4, the announcement of a new Halo game is guaranteed to see a spike in sales for Microsoft. There are very few details beyond how great the visuals look in this new SlipSpace game engine. One surprise is the fact it isn't an Xbox One exclusive. Microsoft decided Windows 10 gamers will get to enjoy it, too.
Forza 4 (Xbox One, PC)
Just like with Halo, you can't expect Microsoft to turn up to E3 without mentioning a new Forza game, and this year is no exception. Arriving on Oct. 25, the arcade racer includes dynamic seasons, which is sure to have a big impact on how players drive the tracks. It's also promising to be a showcase for how good 4K gameplay on Xbox One X can look.
Battlefield 5 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
I think we've reached a point where gamers would be more surprised not to see a new Battlefield game launching regularly. IGN has a great write-up detailing the drastic and unexpected changes coming to the game. We can expect it to launch on Oct. 19, but pre-orders guarantee you access to the Open Beta before then.
Metro Exodus (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
A new entry in the Metro series and a chance to explore a vast post-apocalyptic Russia. As with all Metro games, it looks too good to run on anything other than the highest-spec PC, but you'll be able to play it on PS4 and Xbox One as well. The game launches on Feb. 22, 2019.
The Division 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Set in a transformed Washington D.C., The Division 2 is expected to continue from where The Division left off in terms of gameplay. In other words, no teething problems and frustrated players like when the original launched. We'll be waiting quite a while to play it, though, with the launch date set as March 15, 2019.
Dying Light 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Dying Light, the open world first-person survival horror from developer Techland, saw players fighting and scavenging their way through an infected population trying to survive. This second game is set 15 years after that outbreak. Not much is known beyond Chris Avellone (Fallout) handling narrative and the world reacting to the actions you take. One thing that is assured: there will be lots of zombies!
Kingdom Hearts III (PS4, Xbox One)
If you like RPGs, Disney characters, and are a fan of Square Enix, then the Kingdom Hearts games are for you. The first one arrived way back in 2002 and the second in 2005. Since then, there's been a confusing mix of releases. Now, some 13 years later, we have Kingdom Hearts III confirmed as launching on Jan. 25, 2019. I'm sure many who are familiar with the series are hoping this third game acts as a bit of a reset and we get more regular releases from now on.
Doom Eternal (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
It's been two years since Bethesda breathed new life into the Doom franchise. After that success, the studio is keen to follow up with another solid entry in the series. Doom Eternal is that next game, and it's a fully fledged sequel. The launch date is yet to be announced.
The Elder Scrolls VI (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Bethesda hasn't released any details about what The Elder Scrolls VI is beyond this teaser, but I doubt many fans care. The only important thing right now is the fact the game exists and we're going to get to play a brand new Elder Scrolls game in the (hopefully) not too distant future.
Fallout 76 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Is Fallout 76 a new, fully fledged game in the Fallout series? Yes... sort of. It's actually a multiplayer survival game, so not what most fans would expect from a new entry in the series. That's not to say it won't be extremely popular, though. We won't be kept waiting that long to play it, either. Bethesda has set the release date as Nov. 14 this year.
Prey: Mooncrash (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
This isn't a brand new game, instead Arkane Studios is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Prey's release with a huge, free update and Mooncrash DLC. There are three new modes including Story Mode, New Game+, and Survival. Mooncrash mixes things up by making the enemies, hazards, and loot different every time you play. The best news is, you can already play the updated version and DLC as it went live soon after the announcement.
Quake Champions (PC)
Bethesda decided it was about time Quake came back; id Software updated the multiplayer game, renamed is Quake Champions, and launched it for PC allowing you to play for free for a limited time. Early, free access is available until June 17.
Rage 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Most gameplay trailers we're seeing today are cinematics or short teasers. That's not the case for Rage 2. Sit back, relax, and enjoy nearly seven minutes of gameplay and gorgeous graphics.
Starfield (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Starfield counts as Bethesda's first, brand new IP in 25 years. We're not quite sure what the game is yet, but we've heard it described as a first-person shooter crossed with an RPG and set in space. As it's Bethesda, that might just work.
Wolfenstein 2: Youngblood (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Set in 1980, this is a co-op game that takes place in the Wolfenstein universe. It's sure to appeal to Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus players, but we'll know more closer to the launched planned for 2019.
Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt enjoys a very good reputation among gamers thanks in no small part to the Witcher series and in particular The Witcher 3. So when the team announce its next RPG is set in a futuristic world full of tech, it's hard not to get excited. This trailer launched at E3 does nothing to quell that excitement.
Tunic (PC, Xbox One)
Usually you have to rely on Nintendo for gorgeous, Zelda action RPGs, but independent developer Finji is set to give us a similar experience on Xbox One and PC with Tunic. It looks great and will be welcome relief from all the high-octane violent games that seem to dominate E3's announcements this year.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4, Xbox One)
FromSoftware, makers of the Dark Souls series, are set to give us yet another game that looks very Dark Souls-like. Tweaks to the formula include a Samurai theme and a useful-looking mechanical left arm that has multiple functions. Right now, the release window is simply set as 2019.
Devil May Cry 5 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Devil May Cry 5 looks like a bit of a reset for Capcom. It is a sequel to Devil May Cry 4 and ignores the DmC: Devil May Cry reboot. It also sees the return of game series director Hideaki Itsuno. So if you were a little disappointed with DmC, but love the series otherwise, this is a game to keep an eye on. Capcom is aiming for a Spring 2019 launch.
Death Stranding (PS4)
We finally get to see some in-game footage of Hideo Kojima's first game since leaving Konami. It left me with more questions than answers, though. Even so, the world looks stunning, the gameplay typically Kojima, and who'd seriously bet against this being worth waiting for? No release date, of course.
The Last of Us 2 (PS4)
Ellie is back for The Last of Us sequel with Naughty Dog presenting us with a trailer that's sure to get the pre-orders flooding in. They achieve a movie-like feel and quality with what looks to be edge-of-the-seat gameplay. Unfortunately, we don't have a release date yet.
Resident Evil 2 Remake (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Arriving Jan. 25, 2019, Capcom decided it was high time we got to enjoy Resident Evil 2 all over again on modern hardware. The camera looks to have been updated and the gore factor has increased substantially. Expect campaigns for both Leon and Claire.
Nioh 2 (PS4)
Nioh was released in February 2017 and went down very well with gamers, especially those who wanted more Dark Souls, but different. So it shouldn't be a surprise we're getting a second game from Team Ninja. Expect more of the same, but with visual enhancements and the extra power of the PS4 Pro being taken full advantage of.
Ghost of Tsushima (PS4)
We've already seen a Samurai-themed game coming from Dark Souls creator FromSoftware, now we have another from Sony first-party studio Sucker Punch. Ghost of Tsushima is described as an open-world action game set in 13th century Japan. Intelligent combat combined with stealth looks to be the focus, and it certainly looks promising. No release date has been announced.
Control (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Remedy Entertainment, which gave us Max Payne, Alan Wake, and Quantum Break, is back with a new third-person action-adventure called Control. The trailer gives very little away and it looks like there's still quite a bit of development to be done with the release window set as 2019 for now.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Odyssey is apparently Ubisoft's first AC game that has transitioned to a full RPG experience. This eight-minute gameplay walkthrough shows you exactly what that means. We can expect to be playing it on Oct. 5.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch)
It's a new Smash Bros. game, which includes every character to appear in previous Smash Bros. games. Nothing more needs to be said as this will clearly be one of the best selling games the Switch gets this year. It arrives Dec. 7.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch)
Fire Emblem fans will be happy to hear that the Switch is getting a fully fledged, top-down strategic Fire Emblem game next year on Nintendo's hybrid console. Originally expected to launch this year, Nintendo now says it will be out in the spring 2019.
Daemon X Machina (Switch)
Marvelous Entertainment is bringing customizable mech combat to the Switch courtesy of Armored Core developer Kenichiro Tsukuda. He also counts Lost Odyssey (Xbox 360) and Monster Hunter: Stories (3DS) among his credits, so there's understandably a lot of excitement about this game potentially being great. For now, the release window is set as 2019.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country (Switch)
Not a new game, but a DLC pack for Xenoblade Chronicles. The story expansion will launch on Sept. 14, and it forms part of the game's $29.99 expansion pass. You will be able to purchase it separately as long as you already own the main game.
Octopath Traveler (Switch)
There is already a lot of excitement surrounding Square Enix's very unique looking turn-based RPG Octopath Traveler. We only have to wait until July 13 to buy it, but Nintendo also announced that a new demo will be released on June 14.
Killer Queen Black (Switch, PC)
If you like to game with three friends all sitting in the same room, then Killer Queen Black is for you. It's a redesign of a unique arcade cabinet platformer/strategy game called Killer Queen. On Switch and PC it will offer local multiplayer for up to four players, with Switch owners getting it first and hopefully this year.
Super Mario Party (Switch)
If Killer Queen Black is a bit too fast-paced for your local multiplayer needs, Nintendo will gladly sell you a copy of Super Mario Party instead. It's a well-worn formula of a board game in video game form with an abundance of mini games to keep you entertained. The clever feature Nintendo added this time was the ability to lay down multiple Switch displays to form a giant game board. It arrives Oct. 5.
Hollow Knight (Switch)
It's unusual for a game announced during E3 to be immediately available, but that's the case with Hollow Knight. It's actually an older game released for PC back in 2017. The Switch version benefits from including all the expansion packs released to date, but will also get a further free expansion (also the game's biggest) called Gods & Glory later this year. You can pick Hollow Knight up right now for $15 in the eShop.
Fortnite (Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One)
It was rumored at the beginning of the month and got confirmed by Nintendo during E3. Fortnite is now available to play for free on Switch and should be available to download from the eShop.