Whether you’re an Xbox One loyalist, a hardcore PS4 gamer, or a Nintendo Switch fanatic, everyone in the console wars won this year. Each of the big three scored big with their exclusive releases. Exclusive releases mean that these titles won’t be available on other systems.
Just this year, Xbox One released Gears 5, the newest installation in the Gears of War Franchise. The PS4 also isn’t shy about releasing exclusive content on their consoles. Even though Days Gone was a hit or miss for the PS4 this year, console exclusives such as God of War and Spiderman are still making huge sales.
On Nintendo’s side, they pretty much conquered the handheld platform. Many notable games such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are making the transition to the handheld system. The Nintendo Switch also had exclusive games such as Octopath Traveller and the much anticipated Pokemon Sword and Shield. If you thought 2019 was a good year for games, wait till you enter 2020.
2020 will see the release of many anticipated games. Aside from those releases, Microsoft(Xbox) and Sony(PS4) will be releasing their next-gen consoles. 2020 will also see entries from old favorites such as Atari and Intellivision. To know more about these consoles read on:
PS5 – Sony
Sony promises its loyal gamers a year of wonderful surprises. Springing up from rumors, Sony has confirmed that the PS5 will available for purchase sometime between October to December of 2020. The specifications of the all-new PS5 were also revealed.
The PS5 will use an AMD Ryzen processor, which will have 8 cores/16 threads. Its GPU will also come from AMD. The Radeon Navi GPU will allow the PS5 to support real-time ray tracing rendering. The PS5 will also support 8k. Aside from the traditional HDD, the PS5 will use an SSD, which will significantly shorten loading times.
More features are also being integrated into the PS5. On this console, owners will now have a say on what parts of a game they can install. For example, an owner can choose between installing a single-player campaign, the multiplayer feature, or both. This feature can significantly help owners to conserve space on their SSDs.
Improvements with the PS5 will enable the console to consume less power than the PS4 when suspending an app or a game. The DUALSHOCK controller for the PS5 will also be revamped with stronger haptic feedback, an improved speaker, and a higher rated battery. Perhaps the most awaited feature of the PS5 is its backward compatibility with PS VR and PS4 games.
Anticipated Console Exclusive Releases:
The Last of Us 2
Nioh 2
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Ghost of Tsushima
Iron Man VR
Switch 2 – Nintendo
Although the Switch is just two years into its lifecycle, Nintendo is rumored to release the Switch 2 sometime in 2020. The Switch 2 isn’t actually a new handheld console but is instead an improved Switch, which will be full of new and improved features.
Nintendo is known for their long list of the best Wii u games, so it’s no secret that the games they’ll release this year on the Switch will also be great.
Here are some of their exclusives:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
Metroid Prime 4
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha And Bravo
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Project Scarlett – Microsoft
Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s PS5 is a next-gen console named “Project Scarlett.” Although speculations of a name change are inevitable, Scarlett will undoubtedly be released this 2020. Experts and avid Xbox gamers are expecting the console to arrive in time for the Holiday season this coming 2020. The specs for Project Scarlett are:
Processor – 1.6GHz AMD Ryzen Zen 2
Graphics – AMD Arcturus GPU
Storage – 1TB SSD
Little is known about the Scarlett as Microsoft is keeping tight on the specifications that the next-gen console will have. Users don’t have to fret though, Phil Spencer, the head of the Xbox division, assures gamers that Project Scarlett will be 4x more powerful than the Xbox One.
Here’s a list of Microsoft Xbox exclusives this 2020:
Halo Infinite
Grounded
Everwild
Tell Me Why
Bleeding Edge
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Other Notable Console Releases in 2020
Intellivision Amico
Developed by Intellivision, the Amico will see an October release this 2020. The price of the console is around $200. Considering that the console has five pre-loaded games, Amico is the perfect gift for your kids. All games that come on the Amico are 2D and is rated E for everyone.
Atari VCS
After years of quietly being in the background, the Atari is making a comeback with the VCS. Due for a March 2020 release, the VCS is reportedly a hybrid between a console and a gaming pc. One of the best features that the VCS has is that it’s compatible with almost any PC peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, etc. via Bluetooth and USB 3.0.
Panic Playdate
Although not as powerful as the Switch, Panic’s Playdate is a handheld system reminiscent of the old Gameboy systems. The handheld system features a 1bit screen, 2 game buttons, a directional pad, and crank on the side. The games available on the system will be released in 12 game “seasons.”
Takeaway
2020 will be another excellent year for console gaming. Anticipated game titles such as The Last of Us 2, Halo Infinite, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, gamers will have no shortage of fun.
Aside from the games, Sony and Microsoft will release their next-gen consoles. Nintendo will also release the Switch 2, which is a significant upgrade to the Switch. Expect 2020 to be full of fun and excitement when these releases are made available.