Controller Crusade’s Most Anticipated Games Of 2017

Earlier this month we reflected on the year that was 2016, and all the games that stood tall above the rest of the heap. Now it’s time to look ahead to 2017. We’re almost a month into the new year, and 2017 looks to be another excellent year in gaming with a solid mix of AAA titles, a new console release, and plenty of excellent-looking indies. Here are our top picks for the most anticipated games of 2017.

Farpoint

We weren’t really sold on Virtual Reality gaming until we got our hands on Farpoint last year. The short demo was enough to make the game stick in our minds for weeks after playing, and this game alone has the potential to sell PS VR headsets. Farpoint features an extremely immersive space environment, and addicting FPS gameplay using the Playstation Move Sharp Shooter. Farpoint will revolutionize the FPS genre, and that’s why it’s one of my most anticipated games of 2017.

Super Mario Odyssey

What would a new Nintendo console be without the announcement of a new game featuring everyone’s favorite plumber? The Super Mario Odyssey announcement trailer showcased several new locations, including city streets, forests, and deserts, all while performing new platforming techniques we have yet to see from a Super Mario title. We won’t see Super Mario Odyssey at the Nintendo Switch launch, but the word is it will arrive just in time for the holiday season this year.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles immediately caught our eyes when the trailer was first released with its beautiful art style. The game is in development by Prideful Sloth, a team that consists of three veteran AAA developers: Cheryl Vance, Joel Styles, and John Northwood. Yonder explores the stunning island of Gemea, where players will join forces with island locals and contribute to the community by means of farming, crafting, cooking, fishing, and brewing. Yonder is sure to satisfy fans of series such as Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley, and Rune Factory. We can’t wait to explore Gemea in Q2 of this year.

Yooka-Laylee

With well over 3 million dollars in Kickstarter pledges and being hyped as the spiritual successor of the beloved platformer, Banjo-Kazooie, that may seem like a lot of pressure for a chameleon and a bat. From what we’ve seen so far, Playtonic games have perfectly captured the platforming nostalgia that made the Banjo-Kazooie games so great on the N64. If you didn’t happen to back the Yooka-Laylee Kickstarter campaign, there’s still a chance to try out the Toybox beta if you pre-order a digital copy of the game. With a new cast of lovable characters, and what should be another outstanding soundtrack from Grant Kirkhope and David Wise, Yooka-Laylee will be sure to revive the platformer genre when it releases on April 11th.

The Last Of Us Part II

One of the most highly anticipated sequels, The Last of Us Part II was finally announced earlier this year at the Playstation Experience. The trailer reveals a much older Ellie, who seems dead set on revenge. It was also revealed that Ellie, not Joel, will be the playable character in The Last of Us Part II. If this trailer doesn’t give you goosebumps then you better check your pulse. There is no official word as of yet about a release date for The Last of Us Part II.

Spider-Man

Spider-Man fans have been dying for a solid game featuring the web slinger, and they just might get their wish with Insomniac’s Spider-Man. After years of mediocre titles, Spider-Man is in good hands with Insomniac Games, who have produced some excellent titles in the last few years such as Ratchet & Clank and Sunset Overdrive. There is no official word as of yet on Spider-Man‘s release date.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole

The sequel to the surprisingly great role playing game, The Stick of Truth, South Park: The Fractured But Whole takes place shortly after the events of the first game. The children of South Park have moved on from pretending to be mages, warriors, and wizards, and now have switched gears to super heroes. Along with the genre change, the combat system will be revamped with a much more tactical-style approach. We can’t wait to see how the new kid in South Park fits in the Civil War when The Fractured But Whole is released some time in Q1 of this year.

Injustice 2

Who doesn’t love a good fighting game? Especially one developed by NetherRealm Studios, one of the top fighting game creators of all time. The heroes and villains of the DC Universe duke it out once again in Injustice 2, which had a new trailer drop earlier this week revealing the story’s main villain, as well as several new playable characters. Injustice 2 launches worldwide on May 16th, 2017.

Disc Jam

If you’re a fan of old school couch co-op action you’ll definitely want to check out Disc Jam in 2017. Disc Jam is an action sports arcade game that is essentially an amalgamation of frisbee, tennis, and air hockey. The game can be experienced in either singles or doubles matches, and you can even try it out right now during the Disc Jam beta. Head over to Disc Jam’s dev website, highhorseentertainment.com, or hit them up on their twitter page for a beta key so you can give it a try before it releases in Q1 this year.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

It’s been a long time coming for Zelda fans, but Breath of the Wild is just around the corner with a release date of March 3rd, 2017. Nintendo looks to mix things up and take a different approach to The Legend of Zelda franchise, in what is their most ambitious game to date. By adding more RPG elements, a vibrant art style, and even voice acting (something many people thought would ever be in a Zelda game), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild looks to make a massive splash for the upcoming Nintendo Switch launch.

What games are you excited for this year? Let us know in the comment section below, or hit us up on our Twitter or Facebook page!