UPDATE: Ninjala has since been delayed until June 24, and Star Wars Episode I: Racer has been delayed indefinitely. Both have been removed from this list.
May was initially set to be a banner month for video games, but delays of triple-A titles like The Last of Us Part II and Marvel’s Avengers have left us with a relatively sparse release schedule consisting mostly of remasters, repackages and smaller indie titles to hold gamers over until the summer. That doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to play, however, as several of these critically-acclaimed franchises are hitting their respective platforms for the first time, along with a handful of exciting digital titles that are sure to find success while everyone is cooped up inside.
So whether you’re looking for a JRPG cult-classic, blocky top-down dungeon crawler or nostalgic sci-fi racer, May’s line-up has got you covered. Just keep in mind that these release dates could change at any time, given the current uncertainty in the industry and world as a whole.
The Wonderful 101: Remastered
Releasing for PC, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on May 12
First released for Nintendo’s Wii U back in 2013, Platinum’s The Wonderful 101 was a quirky action-adventure game that allowed players to control an ever-expanding group of superheroes all at once while defending citizens from evil. These heroes could combine their powers into something called a “Unite Morph” which allowed them to transform into different objects depending on the characters involved, increasing their powers and giving the game an added level of depth and discovery.
Director Hideki Kamiya expressed his team’s interest in bringing the title to the Nintendo Switch as early as 2018 and, earlier this year, launched a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign that hit every stretch goal within hours. With the game now coming to PC and PlayStation 4 as well as the Switch, a whole new audience can now experience this over-the-top adventure with improved graphics, a spin-off side-scroller and downloadable content.
Maneater
Releasing for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on May 22
Developed by the folks behind the Killing Floor series, Tripwire Interactive’s Maneater sees players assume control of a baby bull shark on a quest for revenge against the fisherman who killed its mother. The shark is able to evolve and grow while exploring a vast open-world, allowing it to take on larger and more dangerous foes all while leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. It’s all framed by the narration of an in-game reality host, who tracks your shark’s escapades and relays them to his viewers in graphic detail.
While Maneater seems like a campy take on the open-world action game, it also features a surprising level of depth; players are able to hunt and consume fish, turtles and other wildlife in order to accumulate the nutrients required to learn new skills and mutate into a more powerful killer. Maneater looks to be a distinctly fresh take on one of gaming’s most popular genres, as there aren’t many games out there that let you assume the role of a massive megalodon shark hell-bent on destruction.
Saints Row: The Third Remastered
Releasing for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on May 22
For a more traditional yet equally zany take on the open-world action game, 2011’s Saints Row: The Third returns on May 22 with upgraded visuals, a new lighting engine and all three expansion packs included right out of the gate. The original story followed a player-created gang boss who butts heads with a dangerous crime syndicate, introducing a wide range of over-the-top weapons and outlandish supporting characters as a turf war erupts between the two factions.
Saints Row: The Third’s narrative was an entertaining commentary on the open-world genre, poking fun at games like Grand Theft Auto while establishing itself as something distinctly different. So if you missed out the first time or skipped the Switch version that launched last year, Saints Row: The Third Remastered may be a great point to jump in.
Minecraft Dungeons
Releasing for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch on May 26
In the nine years since it first released, Minecraft has gone on to become the best-selling video game of all-time, with over 180 million copies sold across every platform. The game’s monstrous success has since produced several spin-off entries, but none have garnered as much buzz and fan interest as the upcoming top-down dungeon crawler Minecraft Dungeons.
Fans of the block-based building and exploration game were surprised to learn that Minecraft Dungeons features no resource-gathering or crafting. Instead, players can team up with four friends to explore randomly generated dungeons, discovering new weapons, armor and treasure as they work together to solve puzzles and defeat iconic monsters. It’s shaping up to be the same charming, laid-back and endless co-op experience that made the original game so charming.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Releasing for Nintendo Switch on May 29
The original Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii quickly became a cult classic following its 2010 release in Japan, inspiring a dedicated fan campaign for its release in the West and receiving critical acclaim from across the industry. It’s since been re-released on the 3DS and as a digital-only title on Wii U’s eShop, and main character Shulk has even managed to make his way into Nintendo’s blockbuster Super Smash Bros. franchise as a playable fighter.
Yet Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is poised to be the title’s most ambitious version yet, featuring high definition visuals, reworked music and a host of other UI and gameplay-related improvements. Most enticingly, the game features a brand new epilogue titled “Future Connected” that returning players can hop right into without replaying the entire game. Xenoblade Chronicles is a must-play for fans of the genre, and there's no better way to experience it than this new edition of the JRPG classic.