For now, 2019 is having a blast in terms of video games, pumping out amazing titles that captivate the public with their addictive gameplay and rich narratives. Sekiro gave a new spin on the RPG genre, while games like A Plague Tale Innocence and Katana Zero, proved that not all games need to come from AAA studios.
It has also been an interesting year for the fighting game genre, with Mortal Kombat 11 pushing the boundaries of what a fighter should be, and Samurai Shodown reassuring us that SNK is still devoted to their franchises. Nevertheless, I am still left with a somber tone due to the lack of more fighting games, which is why we will look at these six upcoming releases, that you should consider in the future.
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
When it comes to the Power Rangers, the franchise as a whole tends to be polarizing. However, when it comes to the Power Rangers video games, they outright suck. There were only a couple of great titles on the SNES and NES, and even they were only slightly above average in terms of gameplay. That being said, I am a big fan of the series and am looking forward to this release.
Looking at it a bit closer, the game resembles an android port of Power Rangers Legacy Wars. But with a bit of polish and tweaking, it just might have enough to stand on its own. The only complaint we can find about this game is its small roster comprised of a total of just 16 characters. Come on guys, you have 25 years of amazing Power Rangers to choose from! You can add a few more.
Release: September 24, 2019 (PC).
Shovel Knight Showdown
It seems that nowadays the simple formula of Super Smash Bros. has opened a pathway to multiple copy cats trying to capitalize on its success. Shovel Knight was at first conceived as a platformer, with simple sprite animations and filled with memorable boss battles and challenging gameplay. Yet, it always had the potential to morph into a fighter because of its simplicity.
It does take inspiration from Nintendo’s behemoth, but it doesn’t copy it like it’s some high school homework. And on top of all of that, it retains its charm. If you’re a big fan of free-for-all fighting games and Shovel Knight in general, you should unquestionably keep your eye on this in the future.
Release: December 2019 (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch).
One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows
Bandai Namco has been dabbling in anime fighting games for quite some time now, with titles such as Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm, Dragon Ball FighterZ and My Hero One’s Justice, just to name a few. So it should come as no surprise that the publishers would like a video game adaptation of the currently most popular Seinen anime and manga.
Besides fan favorites, Saitama and Genos, the players were promised several characters from both seasons of the anime, as well as some new original ones. While the title should seem familiar to all those who played previous Bandai Namco fighting games, we sincerely hope it will distinguish itself from the others, especially after what we saw at Gamescom 2019.
Release: Unknown (PC, PS4, Xbox One).
Metal Revolution
It seems like wherever you turn these days when mentioning cyberpunk, you’re probably gonna either talk about CDPR’s upcoming game or Keanu Reeves. It is a rare occasion when somebody mentions Metal Revolution, and to be honest we didn’t know about it up until the time of writing. The game was first revealed in February, and since then it has been reworked and polished with better graphics, controls, new characters, stages, and more.
The idea of letting a colorful cast of robots battle it out in a cyberpunk setting has been attempted before, but never to this degree. And never by a small and unknown developer. Next Studio has a great chance to deliver a competitive fighter that could rub shoulders with some other AAA titles, and we sure hope it turns out like that.
Release: Unknown (PC, PS4).
Guilty Gear
This epic series needs no introduction, Guilty Gear is a well-established series by fighting game veterans Arc System Works. Known for its anime-styled fighters, Arc has perfected the genre and is still pushing forward its most beloved series to new generations of players and consoles. In its current state, the franchise doesn’t seem to have a conclusion to its story, and to be honest it doesn’t need it.
Players just want another excuse to jump right back into the shoes of their favorite characters and beat the living crap out of each other. The only details we know from the series developers, for now, is that it is scheduled for release the following year and that it will be an entirely different experience from the previous entries in the series.
Release: 2020 (PS4).
The King of Fighters XV
The sole purpose for creating this list is mostly due to this game. The gaming industry was overjoyed when at this year’s EVO after the reveal of DLC characters for Samurai Shodown, a small teaser for the upcoming King of Fighters was showed to the crowd. A few years back after the release of the fourteenth game, the developers stated that a new game would hit the scene somewhere in 2020, and this only confirms our suspicions.
Many here at the office considered the previous game an underrated one, being overshadowed by Street Fighter V, which released the same year. With a bit of luck, SNK’s crown jewel will finally get the spotlight it deserves, and a spectacular addition to their already amazing library.
Release: Unknown.
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