Friends, gamers and enthusiasts – 2017 is almost over here in just a short few days. With the ending of 2017 begins our adventure at the first titles to make their way into our homes in 2018. Some of those titles are ones that we’ve highly anticipated in recent months and some that we just can’t seem to get enough of since their beta’s launched.

So guess what? We’re here to help you get started so that you know just when the games come out, what they are and what platform’s they’ll be available on. So lets get started.

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition | PC, PS4 | Jan. 16

Since its release, Street Fighter V has quickly become a widely accepted title by fans of the franchise. It served as the very title that would revitalize the fighting franchise and would even serve as a means to introduce both characters new and old to the world. Serving as an ultimate edition of the game, Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition will launch with all previously released content from the original game while also featuring brand new gameplay-related content including a newly released Arcade Mode, Extra Battle Mode, Gallery, V-Triggers, a redesigned UI and plenty more.

It will also feature all Season 1 and 2 Character Pass Content, which brings in 12 playable characters, 12 premium costumes, and plenty more for fans to enjoy. If you already own the base version, all you need to is update your game in order to obtain the newly released content as the Arcade Edition will be available to all who have previously purchased the base title.

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition will include everything from the original release of Street Fighter V, along with the addition of brand new gameplay-related content including Arcade Mode, Extra Battle Mode, Gallery, New V-Triggers, a completely redesigned User Interface and more. Current Street Fighter V players will also receive all of this new content for free via an in-game update when Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition releases.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory | PS4, PS Vita | Jan. 19

Set in the same world as Digimon Story: Cybersleuth, A Hacker’s Memory will take place in a near-future version of Shibuya, Japan. In this period a highly advanced form of the internet has come to exist in a location known as Cyberspace Eden, a place where users can physically enter the internet itself.  In this upcoming title, players will take on the role of Keisuke Amazawa, a young man whom has had the unfortunate circumstance of his Eden Account having been hacked in a phishing attack.

After being accused by the one who hacked him, Keisuke must provide proof that this hacker is falsely accusing him. In his quest, you will join a group known as “Hudie” as you delve into the darkest depths of Eden in order to find your accuser. Along the way, fans will have a chance to befriend over 300+ Digimon, digital creatures that just happen to call Cyberspace Eden home while encountering previously known characters such as Fei and TigerVespamon as well as the hacker group Zaxon themselves.

Kirby Battle Royale | Nintendo 3DS | Jan. 19

It’s hard to imagine Nintendo having a Kirby multiplayer-focused title. A title that would focus on our favorite little pink puffball running about in order to take out various other versions of himself. This rather delightful spin-ff release is finally ready to make its debut on the Nintendo 3DS in mid January, having already released in Europe on Nov. 3, 2017.

This cute little game is entirely different than previous titles as it’s entirely focused as a minigame collection, one that focuses upon its multiple variations and twists in order to offer a rather fun and enjoyable experience. As a spin-off from its 2D platforming siblings, Kirby Battle Royale will offer an entirely new experience for North American Kirby fans.

Lost Sphear | PC, PS4, Switch | Jan. 23

Lost Sphear is an upcoming classic JRPG style game, one that will allow players to enjoy both RPG and strategy elements all at once. Let alone with this new Enhanced ATB Battle System allow you to move your party, it will also give you a chance to setup strategic attacks, party arrangement and the use of abilities.

As a modern game, players will be able to seamlessly transfer between combat and overworld exploration while playing the game. If you decide to pre-order today through the Square Enix Online Store, you can get your hands on some exclusive content when the game releases.

The Inpatient | PSVR | Jan. 23

Set sixty years before the events of the 2016 BAFTA award-winning title Until Dawn, players will get to experience where it all began, where the horrors started and just how far people will go in order to cover up their doings. With players being thrust into the world of The Inpatient through VR, they will find themselves taking on the role of an amnesiac, one that could very well tell them just what is going on as they explore the Sanatorium.

Following the steps of Until Dawn, players will get to experience a story that branches off in multiple directions, offering them a chance to see every choice they make influence the games narrative and ultimate outcome. With every choice drastically effecting the game, no one experience will ever remain the same as players strive to survive and uncover the truth about the world around them.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia | PS4 | Jan. 25

Taking place in the Kingdom of Lioness, The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia is set to let players assemble the Seven Deadly Sins as they must fight to save the kingdom from destruction. Based on the smash-hit anime series, The Seven Deadly Fans by Nabaka Suzuki, players will get to enjoy stories as well as adventures through the world about them.

As players dart through some of the franchises most memorable fights while they are joined by Meliodas, Elizabeth, Hawk, and many others, fans will get to see the world of Seven Deadly Sins in an entirely new light. Combat will be fast, it will be furious, and with the power of the PlayStation 4, it’ll be one of the best for quite some time.

Dragon Ball FighterZ | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Jan. 26

Set in the magnificent world of Dragon Ball Z, players will get to take on a fighting game, one that can easily be compared to past fighting games of the franchise such as Ultimate Battle 22. With combat heading to the 2.5D elements, Dragon Ball FighterZ is about to take the franchise into a familiar turn we’ve seen with some of this years biggest titles. With new assist moves, allowing for players to execute an amazing Marvel vs Capcom style execution, there’s no end to what the possibilities of these neck breaking combos are possible of.

With the team system, players will have to readjust to the idea of eliminating multiple opponent characters in order to win. Teams can vary in origin, allegiance and even fighting styles. This could quite easily be one of the best fighting games of 2018 next to DISSIDIA Final Fantasy NT.

Monster Hunter: World | PS4, Xbox One | Jan. 26

It’s been a long time since a Monster Hunter title appeared on a platform other than a Nintendo one. With the upcoming release of Monster Hunter: World, fans both new and old are preparing to go on one of the franchises largest adventures yet. As a semi-open world hunting game, fans will take on familiar creatures such as Rathalos, Rathian, Barrioth, but even face off with some newer faces such as the ferociously deceptive Great Jagras.

As a multi-platform release, Monster Hunter: World could quite possible be one of the biggest in the franchise and even offer experiences unlike any other before. To help grow the game, the company has even announced that post-release content will remain free, giving fans new missions, new creatures to hunt and even more fearsome foes to take on in the following months, weeks or even years. Unfortunately, the PC version will be available later in 2018 at an undisclosed date.

DISSIDIA Final Fantasy NT | PS4 | Jan. 30

DISSIDIA Final Fantasy NT, a game that could be considered the apex between RPG and fighting games. A game that will bring about some of the strongest warriors of light, some of the strongest warriors of darkness, and ultimately a title that will see their weapons clash in a battle for the ages.

As a PlayStation 4 exclusive, DISSIDIA Final Fantasy NT is the first title released since DISSIDIA Final Fantasy Duodecim for the PlayStation Portable handheld. Featuring characters scattered across the Final Fantasy franchise, fans will get to take on one of the most epic tales to date and even see some of their fan favorites clash in a heated battle. This will certainly be a battle for the ages.

Closing Thoughts

So far, it looks like 2018 is off to a solid start. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that Nintendo is prepared to unleash a barrage of Nintendo Switch titles to get the ball rolling. However, we do know the company already has quite a few titles in the works and we couldn’t be anymore excited for them compared to what we already are. With titles like Monster Hunter: World on the way, we can only hope that 2018 will continue to be as exciting as 2017 was.

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About the Writer:

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.