Sony and PlayStation have undoubtedly built a name for themselves thanks to their high-profile blockbuster video games. The likes of Uncharted, The Last of Us, God of War, Spider-Man, and more have become gaming tentpoles.
That being said, Microsoft through the Xbox One, Series X|S, and PC as well as Nintendo through the bestselling Switch console have plenty to add to the diverse pool of gaming IPs. In recent years, sequels, remasters, and remakes have become bigger contributors to the industry, and there are plenty of big-name sequels on the way to systems outside of the PS4 or 5.
The Elder Scrolls VI
Even though the video game landmark that was The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was released nearly 11 years ago, Bethesda's sixth mainline entry is still not even close to launching. The most that fans have to go on is a brief, unrevealing teaser from Bethesda's E3 2018 showcase that was mostly to confirm that it exists.
However, that doesn't change it from being one of the most hotly-anticipated video game sequels (somewhere) on the horizon. Skyrim was acclaimed for how it revolutionized open-world settings and dense RPG fantasy storytelling, worldbuilding, and player freedom. It makes fans salivate at what VI will have in store for the modern gaming scene. The Elder Scrolls VI will release on Xbox Series X|S and PC at an undisclosed date.
Fable 4
While Bethesda has arguably planted the biggest flag in the western fantasy RPG genre, it isn't the only role-playing IP on the way. The Fable series was a beloved RPG franchise from the original Xbox and Xbox 360 console generation, but it's sadly seen a tumble in quality and relevance.
It's set to try and get a second lease on life, though, as Playground Games revealed before the Series X|S or PS5 even launched that the series will get a reboot. There's also very little known about the game -- and even "Fable 4" is just a colloquial title -- but longtime fans will be hoping it's a long-awaited reinvigoration. The Fable reboot is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
The Outer Worlds 2
Developers Obsidian Entertainment (of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II and Fallout: New Vegas fame) took their spin on the sci-fi dystopian RPG formula from Fallout in The Outer Worlds. The game was well-received for its darkly satirical story, humorous characters, and player customization.
At Xbox's showcase from E3 2021, the studio confirmed that The Outer Worlds 2 is in early development -- on top of their other RPG Avowed. Fans who don't already play on Xbox or PC will have to look into one if they want to play this sequel, as, despite the original being available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, The Outer Worlds 2 will come exclusively to Series X|S and PC.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
Ninja Theory's Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice was one of the most inventive and psychologically gripping games ever made. The game took place in a dark fantasy world where the titular warrior Senua was on a bloody quest to save the soul of her dead lover from Hela, the Norse god of the underworld.
It featured intense and challenging combat, elements of horror, and compelling and tactful exploration of the psyche and mental health. Senua's Saga: Hellblade II will drive the narrative forward, featuring stunning motion capture and graphics like its predecessor. The game is in a similar situation to the aforementioned The Outer Worlds, as the original was eventually released on PS4 and Switch, but the sequel will be exclusive to Series X|S and PC.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Though the Xenoblade franchise technically stemmed from Square Enix's old Xenogears series, Monolith Soft has fleshed out this JRPG property into a Nintendo tentpole. The original was praised for its open-world setting and real-time-action combat, as well as the anthology-style approach to its fantasy universes and stories.
Monolith Soft has become a beloved studio for the quality and efficiency in developing these games, which led to fan delight at this year's reveal of Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Fans have been even happier to hear that the original September release date was moved up to July 29th, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Sequel
Though it hasn't been in limbo for as long as something like The Elder Scrolls VI, the sequel to 2017's acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is another game that many players feel is eluding their grasp.
It was revealed at Nintendo's E3 2019 Direct and instantly become one of the most highly-anticipated games -- and still is -- but news on the game has been an agonizing drip-feed. So much of the game is still a mystery to the point that fans don't even know its actual name. Breath of the Wild's sequel was recently delayed to the first half of 2023.
Splatoon 3
Nintendo's resident shooter franchise has been a successful way for the largely family-friendly publisher to work in this competitive genre. Splatoon takes paintballing and endearing fantastical character designs and blends them for an engaging third-person shooter experience, with the second game showing how the developers can keep the concept fresh.
Splatoon 3 aims to build on the friendly competitive side of the game -- along with a shared co-op mode -- while also having a solid, story-focused single-player mode. Splatoon 3 will release on the Switch on September 9th.
Bayonetta 3
After spending years in radio silence, developers Platinum Games finally revealed more about the upcoming Bayonetta 3. The game was announced a staggering five years ago before getting its first gameplay trailer just last year.
Bayonetta has become a cult-classic series for fully embracing the bombastic story and high-octane action from the 2000s era of PS2 games like Devil May Cry. The series' protagonist has since become an icon in her own right, and while the first game was released on Xbox and PlayStation consoles, Bayonetta 3 is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch sometime this year.
Metroid Prime 4
Staying with games plagued by development limbo, the coveted Metroid Prime 4 has had a rocky road behind the scenes. The game was also announced back in 2017, under the reported development of Bandai Namco Studios, however, it was internally rebooted in 2019 under original Prime developers Retro Studios.
Fans have reason to be more optimistic, though, as the recent critically-praised hit Metroid Dread revitalized the bounty hunter Samus Aran's popularity to deserved new heights. Prime 4 still doesn't have a release window -- let alone a hard date -- but will be released exclusively for the Switch.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
After spending several of the last generations in the 3D space becoming progressively staler, Game Freak's recent Pokémon Legends: Arceus finally broke the monotony with an addictively charming (semi) open-world RPG. Part Monster Hunter and part Breath of the Wild, this new formula for the franchise will be carried over and fleshed out in the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
This time, the game will be one vast and seamless open-world region taking the next step from Legends' Monster Hunter-like zones. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are inviting laundry lists of hopes from fans, and hopefully, Game Freak continues to make good on the series' new direction come late 2022.