2023 is shaping up to be one of the best years for video game releases, with a host of quality titles across a variety of genres. September, in particular, was stacked full of huge releases with the likes of Starfield, Mortal Kombat 1 and Baldur's Gate 3's PS5 version all launching in the same month to name just a few.
October looks set to continue that form with another catalog of mega releases. These include some first-party blockbusters, as well as the return of some hugely popular franchises like Sonic, Super Mario Bros. and Marvel's Spider-Man, adding to the nine biggest video games releasing in October 2023.
9 Assassin's Creed Mirage
Coming October 5 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
2017's Assassin's Creed Origins was a reboot of sorts for the franchise, moving away from its iconic stealth-focused gameplay and bringing it closer to an open-world action RPG. This new formula remained throughout both Odyssey and the franchise's latest installment, Valhalla. However, many have argued that the games have become too big, too similar and a little stale. As a result, Assassin's Creed Mirage could be a significant release for the series.
Ubisoft has said that Mirage will be more akin to the franchise's earlier entries. It will bring back the free-running parkour, assassinations and stealth-focused gameplay that originally made the games so popular. Fans will be hoping it can revive the iconic franchise and deliver a modern experience that also brings back the best features from its past.
8 Detective Pikachu Returns
Coming October 6 for Nintendo Switch
Detective Pikachu Returns is the sequel to the 3DS's Detective Pikachu. It will reunite the iconic yellow Pokémon with his friend, Tim Goodman as they solve more mysteries, including the disappearance of Tim's father.
The game gives fans an alternate way to explore the Pokémon universe, with gameplay that's more focused on exploration, character interaction and clue-finding than on the Pokémon battles that the franchise is so well-known for. It looks set to be an enticing and wholesome experience that fans of both detective games and the wider Pokémon franchise should certainly check out.
7 Forza Motorsport
Coming October 10 for Xbox Series X/S and PC
Microsoft has been heavily criticized for its lack of quality first-party output for several years now, but with the recent success of Starfield, the quality on offer from Game Pass and the upcoming release of Forza Motorsport, it's making a strong comeback.
The racing sim promises fans the chance to race over 500 cars around a variety of real-world tracks, with stunning graphics to bring it all together. The game also aims to add immersion through new features which include enhanced weather systems, tire degradation, damage, and dirt accumulation. It's certainly one racing fans won't want to miss.
6 Lord of the Fallen
Coming October 13 for PS5, Xbox Series S/X and PC
The Soulslike genre has boomed in popularity, with many smaller developers continuing the example set by FromSoftware and their blockbuster hit Elden Ring. Although far smaller in scale, the likes of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Lies of P have had success already this year and Lords of the Fallen looks like it could be the next in line to excite fans of the notoriously tough, but rewarding genre.
A little confusingly, perhaps, Lords of the Fallen is the sequel to 2014's Lords of the Fallen, despite being developed by a new team. The dark-fantasy action-RPG will see fans exploring a world that's five times larger than the original. Players will take on challenging enemies and epic bosses as the resurrection of the demon God, Adyr, draws ever closer to test their skills to the limit.
5 Sonic Superstars
Coming October 17 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch Switch and PC
Fans of the 1990's Sonic the Hedgehog games will be delighted to know that Sonic Superstars is filled with a strong dose of those classic 2D platformers. Players can choose to play as one of four iconic characters from the franchise -- Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy -- as they traverse the Northstar Islands at blistering pace.
The game will also introduce new powers and abilities to keep the gameplay fresh. For example, players will be able to swim up waterfalls or change form to overcome different obstacles and ultimately defeat Dr. Eggman, Fang and a new antagonist yet to be revealed. Sonic Superstars could be a popular return for the blue hedgehog.
4 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Coming October 20 for PS5
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 looks set to really make the most of the PS5's power, bringing fans a fully current-gen experience. It's the sequel to 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man and 2020's Spider-Man: Miles Morales. It will continue the dual-Spidey gameplay brought in by the latter, with players able to switch between controlling Peter Parker and Miles Morales almost seamlessly.
Spider-Man 2 also looks set to add several significant new features, including an expanded map that will include Queens, Brooklyn and Coney Island for the first time. It also introduces new combat abilities, gadgets, suits and traversal mechanics to keep the gameplay fresh. Spider-Man 2 is arguably PlayStation's biggest game of the year, so it's definitely one to be excited for.
3 Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Coming October 20 for Nintendo Switch
The Super Mario Bros. franchise is arguably gaming's most iconic. It's been a mainstay hit since the Italian plumber's first eponymous outing in 1985 and has gone from strength to strength recently, culminating with this year's blockbuster movie release. Fans of the more traditional side-scrolling action have been left out, though, having not had a new release of a side-scrolling Mario game since 2012's Super Mario Bros. U.
Thankfully, Super Mario Bros. Wonder promises to change that. It marks the franchise's return to smooth and joyful side-scrolling platforming action, with a host of new features for fans to look forward to. For example, Super Mario Bros. Wonder will have six new enemy types, a new playable character and three new power-ups for fans to experiment with. It looks set to be yet another brilliant outing for Nintendo's famous mascot and friends.
2 Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1
Coming October 24 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 is a collection of games for modern consoles and PC which bundles together classic entries from the iconic stealth-based franchise. It will include the original Metal Gear as well as Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
Fans have the option to purchase individual copies of the three Metal Gear Solid games digitally, but will miss out on the bundle bonus which includes two other unique titles: the NES' Metal Gear and its sequel, Snake's Revenge. This compilation will be perfect both for fans wanting to relive these legendary games, and newcomers to the franchise.
1 Alan Wake 2
Coming October 27 for PS5, Xbox Series S/X and PC
Alan Wake 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the 2010 cult classic. It once again follows the story of the eponymous crime novelist protagonist as he attempts to escape the alternate dimension in which he's been trapped for the past 13 years. To do so, he writes a new story, with an FBI agent named Saga Anderson as the lead. Players can play through both Alan's and Saga's stories separately in whichever order they choose.
The gameplay revolves around the use of a flashlight, alongside more traditional weaponry, to fight enemies and progress through the haunting environment. Whereas its predecessor was an action-adventure game primarily, Alan Wake 2 will fully lean into the survival horror genre. This highly-anticipated sequel is certainly an exciting one for horror fans.