The year 2020 is set to be seismic for the world of video games thanks to the impending release of major new home consoles.
Both Sony and Microsoft are releasing new machines in time for the busy Christmas season and each company has come up with two options to give gamers more choice.
Microsoft’s latest Xbox will be available as either the Xbox Series X or the Xbox Series S while Sony is releasing its new PS5 with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and a version without this.
While there will be a longer wait for the Nintendo Switch Pro, an arrival of a new generation of consoles is always exciting and will allow game developers to push the envelope in terms of what is possible, with new genres of games potentially coming.
For now, though, gamers will have their old favorite types of video games. Here are ours!
Fighting games
One of the oldest types of games is the fighting genre, which can be traced back to early arcade titles, but there is still nothing quite like obliterating an opponent with ferocious button-bashing.
The Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter series are two of the longest-lasting in the games world and they continue to be popular to this day, though it is arguable new innovation is needed.
Fighting games can be ideal for parties due to the short and sharp nature of the battles, giving plenty of opportunities for people to take their turn.
Override 2: Super Mech League is an upcoming fighting game we definitely have an eye on.
Online slot games
Some gamers may not agree with online slots being included as a type of game, but the fact is new slots are closer to video games than ever before.
Some people play slots just for experience provided by the graphics and sounds. Instead of signing up to an online casino you can simply play free slot games at sites like CasinosCA. These games are demo versions of the real thing and, bonus, you can play anonymously.
Developers are using the same systems as in video games to create the latest online slots and the boundaries between the two are likely to become increasingly blurred in the future.
After all, many believe the loot boxes found in games such as the FIFA football franchise from EA is a form of gambling, so the link between slots and games is getting even closer.
Shooting games
It is clear shooting games have come a long way since the arcade days, with titles like Valorant taking the genre on to a whole new level during 2020.
Indeed, many people think Valorant is going to be the next big thing in the world of esports, which is another area where games have taken huge strides over the past few years.
Shooting games come in a few different forms and can include everything from Space Invaders to Fortnite, with Call of Duty, Half-Life and Halo some of the most popular modern series.
Generally speaking, the genre of shooting games can be split into two broad categories: those that are first-person and those that are third-person. We love both and we are excited to see what will be coming next for this type of game on the new PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Platform games
It is fair to say platform games are not as popular as they once were, but the best of them can still provide an extremely exciting experience.
Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros were two of the earliest platform games to capture the imagination of the public and innovation in platformers has come from series such as Jak and Daxter and Ratchet & Clank.
Sony has confirmed that Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will be coming to the PS5 and this is likely to be one of the most eagerly awaited titles for the new console.
Sports games
It is often the case that some of the top-sellers are sports games, with the aforementioned FIFA a giant of the industry – the series has sold nearly 300 million copies since it was launched.
EA is without a doubt the key developer when it comes to sports games, with its Madden and NHL series among the key titles to look out for.
Popular 2020 games in the sports genre include EA Sports UFC 4 and Mutant Football League.
Those who prefer a simulation style of game can spend endless hours getting lost in their own world by playing Football Manager 2020 or Out of the Park Baseball 2021.
