We are now solidly into 2020. Awards season is over. And we're starting to see some of the big, feature video game titles that will be up for Game of the Year consideration at the end of this calendar year.
Doom, Half-Life and Animal Crossing have new entries in their respective franchises. Atari throws its hat in the ring with a brand new console. And one of the best games of 2016 gets some long overdue DLC.
Here is your video game news round-up for March 2020.
XBox Gold Free Games
Xbox One
Batman: The Enemy Within (March 1 - March 31)
This is a Telltale game, which means that you'll be doing a lot of pointing and clicking as the world's greatest detective. Negotiate the relationships and trust with your allies while protecting Gotham City from The Riddler, Harley Quinn, The Joker, and more.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (March 16 - April 15)
In this game, you play as a genie who uses her hair as a weapon and also casts magic; she can transform into an elephant, a monkey, and more to get to places where her human self can't.
Xbox 360
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 (March 1 - March 15)
In Lords of Shadow 2, you play as Gabriel Belmont, better known as Dracula, who's trying to protect his family and save the world. Your adventures lead you to an apocalyptic final battle, where you square off against Satan himself.
Sonic Generations (March 16 - March 31)
First released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, Sonic Generations lets you play both "Classic" Sonic levels (which are side-scrolling) and "Modern" Sonic levels (which are three-dimensional).
Playstation Plus Free Games
Shadow of the Colossus (March 3 - April 6
One of the most critically acclaimed video games ever made, Shadow of the Colossus is a beautiful fantasy game pits you against a series of massive, lumbering giants, each with a weak point and a unique strategy to defeat it.
Sonic Forces (March 3 - April 6)
Released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, Sonic Forces, like Sonic Generations, allows you to play both Classic and Modern Sonic levels. It also adds a third level type; in these "Avatar" levels, you use a player-designed character (with a range of different animal abilities) to reach the goal.
Google Stadia Free Games
Grid (March 1)
A realistic racing game, Grid touts its AI; the opponents' cars get more aggressive with you if you decide to bump or jostle them around.
SteamWorld Dig 2 (March 1)
You play a steam powered robot that explores a massive underground area, where you defeat enemies, gather resources, and convert them to cash to purchase new abilities and upgrades.
SteamWorld Quest (March 1)
An RPG card game set in the SteamWorld universe (it's pitched as a fairy tale bedtime story), SteamWorld Quest lets you build a turn-based deck to battle enemies. With five characters per party and eight cards per character, the possibilities are extremely customizable and endless.
Atari VCS (March)
The last time Atari dominated the video game landscape was in the 1980's, thanks to the Atari 2600. Now, Atari is releasing the Atari VCS console. It has the wood finish of the 2600, but also has the capabilities and controllers of a more advanced console. It launches with classic games pre-installed. After the initial hype goes down, we'll if this console continues to sell, or if it becomes, like the NES and SNES Classic, a nostalgic curiosity.
PAX East (March 1)
The last day of the PAX East showcase is the first day of March. So far, we've already seen extended gameplay and trailers for Doom Eternal, Animal Crossing, and Streets of Rage 4. No doubt, there will be more surprises for the showcase's grand finale.
ibb & obb (March 5)
A co-op puzzle game with a ton of heart, ibb & obb came out in 2013, but it's getting a release on the Switch, where its emphasis on gameplay and cleverness make it a perfect fit for the Nintendo brand.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (March 6)
A remake of the 2005 games Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, this game has gorgeous style that makes it look hand-drawn. You play a human who is transformed into a Pokémon, and must team up with other Pokémon to complete dungeon quests.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (March 11)
Another game with a pretty, hand-painted look, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an exploratory platform game, and serves as a sequel to the critically acclaimed Ori and the Blind Forest. The game features puzzles, massive boss battles, and of course Ori, a glowing guardian spirit.
My Hero One’s Justice 2 (March 13)
Based on the hit anime series My Hero Academia, My Hero One’s Justice 2 is for all the 3D fighting game fans out there, and it is a direct sequel to 2018's My Hero One’s Justice. Choose from over 30 characters (both heroes and villains) to do battle.
Game Developers Conference (March 16 - March 20)
A professional conference featuring and educating about all manner of video game creation, the GDC in San Francisco is a great way to play the latest indie games and explore some of the cutting edge technology currently in development.
MLB The Show 20 (March 17)
The definitive baseball simulator has always hit a home run with gameplay. But for the first time in the game franchise's history, minor league ball players are fully licensed. So instead of seeing generic faces, you'll see the real athletes. If you ever wanted to play as Tim Tebow in a New York Mets baseball uniform, now's your chance.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (March 20)
In the latest entry in the Animal Crossing franchise, your character moves to a deserted island and slowly develops it into a thriving, lively community. Be prepared to lose many, many hours of your life come March 20. And remember: if you leave the game and stop playing it for a few months, the characters continue their lives without you.
Doom Eternal (March 20)
The 2016 reboot of DOOM was an inspired take, combining old, new, and massive spider demons into something unique and exciting. Doom Eternal, the sequel to that great start, adds new features to the gameplay like double jumping, air dashing, and wall climbing. Hell Demons, beware.
Half-Life Alyx (March 23)
Set before the events of Half-Life 2, this game stars Alyx, the daughter of character Dr. Eli Vance. The two Vances stage a resistance against the Combine, an alien race of beings that is occupying Earth. Half-Life 2 was a groundbreaking title in the first-person shooter genre. Let's hope the prequel lives up to those expectations.
Persona 5 Royal (March 31)
Persona 5, one of the standout games from 2016, is getting a re-released, expanded edition. New characters. New gameplay. New storylines. New weapons. And a massive overhaul to the persona system; every character's persona now has a third tier form. This is a must-purchase, not only for fans of the original game, but also for newcomers who can experience this game's definitive version for the first time.
