PlayStation, Xbox and Switch: The most anticipated games of 2021

It’s March, which — brace yourself — means we’re a quarter of the way through 2021. The year has already brought us some strong video game launches. Hitman 3 ended the trilogy on a high note, and Super Mario 3D World brought another excellent Wii U game to Switch. The next few months look even better, with games like Deathloop, New Pokemon Snap and Monster Hunter Rise on the horizon.

Unlike last year, 2021 doesn’t have any flashy new hardware to look forward to — other than maybe a 4K Switch — but there’s plenty of promising software to come. This sadly no longer includes Hogwarts Legacy or Gran Turismo 7, which will both now be released next year.

Capcom

Following the well-received Monster Hunter World, which launched on PS4 and Xbox One in 2018, and the porting of 3DS game Monster Hunter Generations to the Switch, Nintendo’s console is finally getting its own, brand-new Monster Hunter game. Like other games in the franchise, it promises a giant world and hundreds of hours of beast slaying.

The Pokemon Company/Screenshot by CNET

New Pokemon Snap is a much-demanded follow up to 1999 N64 favorite Pokemon Snap. The game, which was announced last summer, will include more than 200 Pokemon species from the series eight generations, and Professor Mirror will judge your photography skills as you travel through the region.

It should totally rock, taking a game idea from the N64 and adapting it to the Switch, which feels like a perfect console for Poketography. It launches April 30.

Capcom

Don’t let the name fool you: Resident Evil Village is really Resident Evil 8. It’s a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7’s story, but developers called it “Village” to signify how the village the game takes place in is a key element. Not so subtle — but sure to be scary. It looks to be big, too, as its developers have promised a larger game than Resident Evil 7.

Resident Evil Village is slated to launch May 7 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X|S and PC.

Bethesda

After years focusing mainly on Dishonored, developers Arkane Studios are moving onto a new IP in Deathloop. And it looks sick.

Here’s the idea: You’re an assassin trapped in a timeloop that resets after each day. In order to get out, you need to kill eight “visionaries” who are scattered around an island. The caveat is that you’ll need to do it within one timeloop. The second caveat is that, as you hunt for the eight visionaries, a rival assassin keeps herself busy by hunting you.

Deathloop will hit the PlayStation 5 and PC May 21, with an Xbox version probably coming next year (it has timed console exclusivity for one year).

EA/Velan Studios

The premise of Knockout City looks simple, and familiar. Teams of players running around a skatepunk-ish futuristic city, launching things at each other to get the win. Here, the things are dodgeballs. Knockout City, a cross between dodgeball and Splatoon, is all about multiplayer. It will support crossplay between PC, Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

Release date: June 11

Insomniac

The latest Ratchet and Clank game was meant to hit the PlayStation 5 during that console’s “launch window”, but when 2020 ended it still didn’t have a release date. After a few months of silence, it was revealed in February that Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart would release on June 11. This is a PlayStation 5 exclusive to look forward to.

Square Enix

Final Fantasy 7 Remake is coming to the PlayStation 5, but it’s not just getting the standard 60-frames-per-second at 4K treatment. Final Fantasy 7 Intergrade brings a new chapter to the story in which you play as Yuffie, a favorite from the original game.

Launching June 10, owners of 7 Remake on the PS4 will get a free upgrade.

Nintendo

Mario is dusting off his clubs for another 18 holes. Mario Golf: Super Rush reprises the N64’s Mario Golf, and is Mario’s third sports jaunt on the Switch after Tennis and the Winter Olympics (with Sonic). Super Rush includes a promising multiplayer mode, as well as a role-playing single player mode that stars your Mii.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is still coming along, but it looks a while away. In the meantime, Nintendo is reviving Skyward Sword, released in 2011 on the Wii, for the Switch. Skyward Sword HD will run at 60-frames-per-second, enjoy Amiibo support and use the Joy-Cons to control Link’s sword and shield.

Grasshopper Manufacture

No More Heroes is a hack-and-slash game series that began all the way back in 2008 on the Wii. It’s since amassed a considerable cult following, and has enjoyed strong critical acclaim. After a COVID-19 related delay, No More Heroes 3 will release on Switch on Aug. 27.

Stay in the know

Get the latest tech stories with CNET Daily News every weekday.

The Pokemon Company

Pokemon Red and Blue got a remake on Game Boy Advance (and later on the Switch), Silver and Gold on the DS, and Ruby and Sapphire on 3DS. Pearl and Diamond, originally released on the DS in 2007, are up next.

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are coming to Switch in “late 2021.”

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake

Release Date: 2021.

Ubisoft

Remasters are cool, but remakes can be truly magical. After Shadow of the Colossus, Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake, three fantastic remakes, 2021 brings Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Originally released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Ubisoft is giving the platformer a full 2021 do-over. Hopefully.

The game was originally slated for January 2021, but was then delayed to March. It’s been delayed again, but Ubsisoft hasn’t given it a new date yet.

Price of Persia: The Sands of Time is slated to launch on PC, Xbox One and PS4.

Warner Bros.

Lego Star Wars is back after five years. The last time we saw the franchise was with 2016’s The Force Awakens. This game seems far more ambitious: The Skywalker Saga Lego-izes all nine Star Wars films.

The Skywalker Saga doesn’t have a final release date just yet, but it’s expected in the first or second quarter. When it does release, it’ll hit PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and PC.

Far Cry 6

Release date: 2021

Ubisoft

Originally scheduled for February, Far Cry 6 has been delayed until an unknown date in 2021. But it’s set to be the biggest, most fully featured Far Cry yet and is set in the tropical region of Yara — loosely based on Cuba.

Not only will the game launch on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X|S, PC and Google Stadia, it’ll also come to Amazon’s Luna platform.

Microsoft

Halo Infinite was meant to be the big thing that launched alongside the Xbox Series X|S but, after poor fan response to a preview last year, it ended up delayed until fall of 2021. The Halo name alone makes this a must-play for most Xbox owners, and developers 343 Industries are trying something new by making the multiplayer free-to-play.

Lord of the Rings: Gollum

Release date: 2021

After the two Middle-Earth games showed that Lord of the Rings games can still rock, 2021 will bring another serving in the form of Lord of the Rings: Gollum. It won’t be the action RPG that the Middle-Earth games were, focusing instead on Gollum’s stealth and cunning, but it looks intriguing.

Lord of the Rings: Gollum will come to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X|S, Switch and PC.

Horizon Forbidden West

Release date: 2021

Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best games on the PlayStation 4, and its sequel is coming in 2021. Horizon Forbidden West tracks Aloy’s journey to 30th century Utah, Nevada and California as she tracks down the origins of a killer virus. Truly, a game for our times.

Horizon Forbidden West will launch on both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 this year.

God of War: Ragnarok

Release date: 2021

Sony Interactive

Speaking of outstanding PS4 games and their sequels, God of War: Ragnarok is also coming to PlayStation 4 and 5 this year.

That’s actually all we know about the game so far, as the teaser for the game contained only half a logo and the release window of 2021.