Introduction: What’s Fueling the Hype
A Snapshot of the Console Landscape in 2023
Console gaming in 2023 is firing on all cylinders. With new hardware cycles stabilizing and developers finally optimizing for next-gen systems, this year is shaping up to be one of the most jam-packed in recent memory. Whether you’re gaming on a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or Nintendo Switch, the landscape is rich with promise.
- PS5 and Xbox Series X/S hitting their stride with optimized exclusives and cross-gen support
- Nintendo Switch continuing its strong run with major first-party titles despite aging hardware
- Cross-play and digital marketplaces making multi-platform releases more accessible than ever
Why 2023 Matters
This isn’t just another year of sequels and updates. 2023 represents a pivotal mix of:
- Legacy returns: Beloved franchises are making high-stakes comebacks with bold design shifts and narrative ambition
- New IPs: Studios are finally rolling out original ideas now that pandemic-related delays have eased
- Genre exploration: Titles across the indie and AAA space are blurring lines and challenging what certain genres can be
In short, it’s a year of renewal—not just repetition.
What Gamers Want—and How Studios Are Responding
Today’s players aren’t just looking for bigger worlds or flashier graphics. They want:
- Deeper immersion: From rich lore to sophisticated combat systems
- Fresh gameplay mechanics: Traversal, customization, and combat with a twist
- Replay value: Whether through new game+ modes, branching narratives, or co-op options
Studios are responding by embracing creativity, investing in original ideas, and giving established series thoughtful evolution. The result? A 2023 lineup that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
This is the setup. What follows is a look at the standout games aiming to make the biggest impact this year.
Big Franchise Returns
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch)
Nintendo’s most iconic franchise is back with a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, and the expectations couldn’t be higher.
What’s New:
- Expanded open-world gameplay including vertical exploration above Hyrule
- New tools, puzzles, and abilities that redefine how players interact with the environment
- Evolved physics system encouraging creative problem-solving
Why It Matters: This isn’t just a rehash of a winning formula. Tears of the Kingdom builds on the freedom and mystery that made its predecessor a classic, while injecting bold new mechanics that promise to reshape open-world design yet again.
2. Final Fantasy XVI (PS5)
Square Enix is making a sharp pivot with the sixteenth entry in its legendary RPG series.
Key Highlights:
- A darker narrative tone rooted in political conflict and personal tragedy
- Real-time combat system—fast, fluid, and a major shift from turn-based tradition
- An overhauled summon system featuring battles between massive Eikons (summoned creatures)
What Fans Should Expect: This is more than a stylistic refresh. Final Fantasy XVI attempts to bridge cinematic storytelling with true action gameplay. It’s a bold step that could redefine what modern Final Fantasy looks and plays like.
3. Starfield (Xbox Series X/S)
Bethesda’s first new IP in over two decades is easily one of the most talked-about releases of the year.
What Sets It Apart:
- A sprawling sci-fi universe featuring over 1,000 planets to explore
- Deep ship customization letting players design and pilot their ideal spacecraft
- Classic Bethesda RPG depth: dialogue trees, faction choices, moral dilemmas
Under the Microscope: The studio behind Skyrim and Fallout 4 is no stranger to epic scale. But with the weight of those franchises behind it, Starfield carries enormous pressure to deliver not just a big game—but a defining one.
Will it soar to new heights, or buckle under expectations? That’s what all eyes will be watching when launch day arrives.
4. Hollow Knight: Silksong
For an indie sequel, Silksong generates the kind of anticipation usually reserved for AAA giants. It’s not just the art or the pedigree—it’s the promise of a deeper, sharper world that builds on what made Hollow Knight so beloved. Hornet takes center stage this time, bringing faster, more agile combat and a vertical map structure that dials up the challenge and variety.
There’s more story, more tools, and more emphasis on movement. The devs have expanded pretty much everything without bending the game’s soul. Fans aren’t just expecting more—they’re expecting smarter. And while the release has slipped multiple times, no one’s walking away. The chatter stays loud, the Reddit threads stay full, and players are still breaking down every dev note and trailer frame by frame.
If Silksong lands right, it’ll do more than scratch a long-standing itch. It could redefine what “indie scale” means in 2023.
Forspoken (PS5)
Forspoken isn’t trying to quietly blend in—it’s charging out of the gates with kinetic spell-flinging, magical parkour, and a world that pushes the PS5 to flex. Built from the ground up for next-gen, its visuals and fluid movement through a fantasy-meets-urban world are clear showcases for what the console can handle when a studio commits. Traversing cliffs, rooftop jumping, and chaining elemental spells together isn’t just flashy—it’s the core of the gameplay experience.
But Forspoken is also Square Enix wading into new territory. It’s a fresh IP with no nostalgia cushion, and that’s rare in a market full of sequels. The choice to lead with a brand-new protagonist, Frey, battling a strange world she’s thrown into, signals creative risk. Whether the bet pays off comes down to how well the combat loop holds up over time, how much exploration pays off, and whether that world stays interesting past the wow-factor intro.
In a year of safe plays and familiar faces, Forspoken is one of 2023’s true wildcards.
Street Fighter 6 – Fighting fans get a polished new contender
Capcom didn’t play it safe with Street Fighter 6. It’s not just a facelift; this is a full-package reinvention. The new Drive system brings risk/reward mechanics that refresh the series’ tempo without breaking what fans love. Visuals are crisp, combat is tight, and the onboarding tools make the game friendlier without dumbing it down. For veterans and newcomers alike, this is a high bar set for modern fighters.
Dead Space Remake – More than nostalgia, a rebuild with teeth
This isn’t just the original game with a new coat of paint. The Dead Space Remake adds depth where it matters—sound, lighting, and AI—and removes clunky bits that didn’t age well. Isaac speaks now, the Ishimura is seamless instead of level-based, and tension builds with smarter pacing. It’s the blueprint for how classic horror can reboot without losing its soul.
Spider-Man 2 – Expanding NYC with co-op potential on the PS5
Insomniac stretches its web even wider with Spider-Man 2. Dual protagonists—Peter and Miles—mean layered storytelling and fresh tag-team dynamics. The city is bigger, more alive, and it moves faster thanks to PS5 tech. Though full co-op isn’t confirmed, the setup teases at it hard. In any case, this sequel looks ready to swing above expectations.
The Takeaway
2023 isn’t just crowded—it’s eclectic. Console gaming this year isn’t dominated by one genre or franchise, and that’s exactly why it works. You’ve got heavy-hitting sequels from the likes of Zelda and Final Fantasy; experimental leaps like Alan Wake 2 and Forspoken; and indie standouts like Hollow Knight: Silksong that punch way above their budget lines.
Gamers are circling both comfort zones and question marks. Some will stick with familiar journeys through Hyrule or the stars of Starfield. Others are ready to gamble on narrative weirdness, brand-new mechanics, or the kind of pixel art that speaks louder than next-gen shadows ever could.
In short: it’s a year of balance. Blockbusters still rule, but the bold and the bizarre are carving room. Whether you’re looking for polished nostalgia or raw ambition, there’s something waiting on your console.
Stay tuned all year for reviews, recaps, and coverage of what’s next across console platforms.
Joan Holtezer played an essential role in shaping Console Power Up Daily into the engaging platform it is today. With a keen eye for detail and a strong passion for gaming, Joan contributed to building the site’s structure and ensuring its content resonates with the community. Her efforts in refining features and enhancing the user experience helped the project grow into a trusted source for gamers worldwide.