2023 still has some way to go, but we’ve already some fantastic console game titles that define the year. And as a new generation of consoles on which to play these great games arrive thick and fast, who knows what’s coming next?
But if you’re just getting your head around Angry Birds on your smartphone, this surge in the popularity of gaming may come as a surprise. Especially as it’s not just one genre of game that’s good to go.
These days you can choose between action, adventure, simulation, shoot-‘em-ups, and role-playing and that’s just for starters. There are now more options than ever at online casinos too, with a variety of online casino games to choose from. Poker has become one of the most popular games with players having many poker gaming options to choose from to put their poker hands skills to the test, including Texas Hold em’ and Five card poker games.
This enormous choice may explain why there are 3.09 billion active video gamers worldwide, a figure that has risen by over one billion in seven years. That’s a 32% increase before you get your calculator out and by the end of 2023 that 3.09 could reach a whopping 3.32 billion!
No wonder then that gaming and console manufacturers are falling over themselves to bring you the best games they can. But what are the best games in the here and now?
Let’s take a look at five, all released in the first half of 2032, counting down to the overall winner.
5. Dead Island 2 – (21st April) Dambuster Studios – Deep Silver
An entertaining sequel to the 2011 original, Dead Island 2 is a thoroughly entertaining, gore-soaked romp around California. There’s not much in the way of a story, basically, you play one of six virus-resistant survivors, but who cares, this is all about the action.
There are better zombie games out there but if you’re looking to spend thirty hours smashing up the living dead, then you’ll love this.
4. Resident Evil 4 2023 – (23 March) Capcom
Putting the former into some sort of perspective is the remake of the original 2005 Resident Evil 4. Some of us remember this now modern classic when it first came out, still, nothing can quite prepare you for this.
It’s terrifying, almost unplayable at night with headphones on, made somehow even more chilling by its Spanish setting. One of the best zombie games ever is now even better, just be ready for what’s coming.
3. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – (28 April) Respawn – EA Entertainment
For Star Wars fans, this might be as good as it gets. This excellent adventure game mixes some fancy fighting with the odd puzzle for a rounded trip into outer space.
The highlights revolve around the fantastic battles with the lightsaber, and you don’t need to spend hours getting the movements spot on for a kill. Survivor is all about having fun, it’s not too taxing on the grey matter yet it’s thoroughly absorbing as well.
A worthy addition to the Star Wars gaming franchise
2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (12 May) Nintendo
Can you believe that Zelda is almost forty years old? You would have thought that, by now, we were sick to death at the sight of her.
That last sentiment couldn’t be further from the truth. Tears of the Kingdom is nothing short of brilliant and that’s taking into consideration The Breath of Wild, maybe one of the best games ever.
We won’t talk about the plot for fear of revealing spoilers, that alone should give some indication of how seriously we should take the game. But we can talk about this absorbing open world that’s populated by magic, mystery and adventure.
Is it the best Zelda game to date? It’s certainly right up there, but saying it’s the best is, well, time will tell.
1. Hogwarts Legacy. (7 February) – Avalanche Software – Warner Bros. Games.
More open-world action in the latest series of Harry Potter games. But this role-playing game (RPG) isn’t just a mere addition to the franchise, it towers above the rest like Rubeus Hagrid.
Despite the great storytelling that made the Harry Potter books such a success, there is a distinct lack of it in Hogwarts Legacy. But that doesn’t matter, this is all about crafting stuff, casting spells and hanging out with the other characters.
Sure, it’s a little clunky to look at in places, but we can forgive it that too. Hogwarts Legacy is loads of fun and at 12 plus, you don’t need to be a grown-up with nerves of steel to enjoy it either.
So, there you have it, the top five best-selling console games of 2023 and that’s just the first half of the year taken care of. With more high-profile releases expected before the end of 2023, this list may well change.
Not that the makers of Hogwarts Legacy mind. It’s already made $1,000,000,000, $300 million more than Tears of the Kingdom.
