Finished all the latest games and stuck on what to play next? There’s so many great upcoming games for you to chose from, but how can you chose when they all look so awesome? Never fear, here at BoxMash we’ve made a list of the 10 Best Upcoming Games in 2014 to help you find out which game tops your ‘Must Get’ list! From Mario to Spider-Man, find them all here.
#1 LEGO The Hobbit
Release Date: April 11th 2014
Console: Wii U, 3DS, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC
What is LEGO The Hobbit? Based on the first two Hobbit films, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: Desolation Of Smaug, this game allows you to play as Biblo, Gandalf and Thorin’s dwarves as you set off on your unexpected adventure. Prepare for lots of laughs, treasure, teamwork, and battles as you fight the Goblin King, face off against Orcs, and try all new building mini-games where you have to actually build the design using individual LEGO bricks. Special LEGO bricks mean some can only be smashed using the dwarves axes, and special blue bricks can only be destroyed with wizard magic. Each character – including every dwarf – will have his own unique ability: for example Bombur can use his belly as a trampoline. There’s also a suggestion that Minecraft like elements will feature in the game, with players mining for gems, discovering loot from enemies, crafting powerful magic items, and building awesome new LEGO structures.
Why we can’t wait for this game: This game has a new ‘buddy-up’ feature, meaning you get rewarded for playing with friends by unlocking all new special abilities and cool attack moves. Because every adventure is better with friends!
Want more? Check out the LEGO Hobbit Buddy-up trailer review, and more gameplay footage in our article LEGO The Hobbit gameplay videos.
#2 Fantasia: Music Evolved
Release Date: later this year
Consoles: Xbox 360 and Xbox One
What is Fantasia: Music Evolved? From the makers of Rock Band and Guitar Hero Harmonix comes this new awesome experience game themed around Disney’s Fantasia, which is part dance game, where your movement controls what happens; part adventure game, as you explore and fill out individual worlds; and another part DJ, using the dance elements to remix the songs with as many different instruments and styles as you can imagine!
Based on the Fantasia films, this game takes famous pieces of music and creates themed levels around them, all controlled through movement by using the Kinect. But this time there’s also some pop music thrown in, such as music by Bruno Mars and Fun. By controlling the music you create worlds or “realms” filled with creatures and objects such as fairies, mushrooms, and wood Elk, and each remix is different meaning there is an infinite amount of times you can complete it. You can also play with your friends, having two players shaking hands to start a multiplayer game, where you can go head-to-head with the player with the best moves controlling the song for the next section. Gameplay is all through movement—you must use your arms to control the music and creatures in the lands you create.
Why we can’t wait for this game: With every remix different, this game will never be boring, leaving lots of opportunities for you to explore different musical effects and create different realms!
Want more? Check out this Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved trailer.
#3 Kinect Sports Rivals
Release Date: April 11 2014
Consoles: Xbox One
What is Kinect Sports Rivals? Kinect Sports Rivals is a new sporting party game from Rare gaming which uses the amazing powers of Kinect 2.0. It’s the perfect game for the whole family to play: with lots of great multiplayer sports to try you can see if you are better than your mum at tennis or your brother at snowboarding! Kinect Sports Rivals features lots more gameplay modes and things to do than in the first game. Set on a tropical island, now there are three teams to join, meaning you’ll have two ‘rival’ teams to compete against in the sports. Some of your favourite games are back, like bowling and soccer, but there’s lots of new games like shooting, jet skiing, and rock climbing. All these games also require you to practise as they take skill to master. With the new Kinect you can also scan your face and play as a cartoon version of yourself in the game.
Why we can’t wait for this game: Apart from the new games such as jet skiing, with the new technology we can’t wait to play as a cartoon version of ourselves in the game!
Want more? To find out more about the game before its release check out these videos of Kinect Sports Rivals in action, an interview with Rare’s executive producer Danny Isaac who talks about the great technology behind the game, and an interview with Rare’s studio head Craig Duncan, who thinks Kinect Sports Rivals is the perfect family game.
#4 Sonic Boom
Release Date: later this year.
Consoles: Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
What is Sonic Boom? Sonic Boom is a new and different take on the Sonic the Hedgehog universe from Big Red Button Entertainment, with a fresh look to the characters and world. In the game you can play as Sonic and his three friends Tails, Amy and Knuckles. Sonic Boom is all about comedy and adventure, so you’ll have lots of fun with Sonic in his new journey, where you must explore, fight and speed through an undiscovered land.
What’s so awesome about this game is that it changes a bit from the previous Sonic games, making the game a story-driven action adventure game, rather than the traditional platform based games. You’ll see the whole world as you play through the amazing story. But don’t worry, the levels can be re-played over and over ’till your heart’s content!
The four main characters each have their own abilities, with Tails being the group’s pilot and mechanic, Amy has become very powerful with her hammer, while Knuckles will be the game’s strength, smashing through walls and enemies with a single knockout blow!
Why we can’t wait for this game: As Sonic Boom is also coming soon to Cartoon Network as a TV show and will have its own merchandise, we can’t wait to get our first proper look at this new Sonic universe.
Want more? For a sneak peak at some gameplay footage, check out this Sonic Boom making of video.
#5 Super Smash Bros.
Release Date: later this year
Consoles: Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
What is Super Smash Bros.? Super Smash Bros. is a multiplayer fighting game that features all of your favourite Nintendo characters from both console and handheld games. Up to four people can play together, and you have to knock everyone else out of the arena to be crowned the one true winner, and best Smash Bros. there is!
In the game you can play as one of many Nintendo characters such as Pikachu, Lucario, Mario, Luigi, Link, Samus, Kirby, Fox, Pikachu, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Pit, Olimar, Toon Link, Princess Peach, Sonic the Hedgehog, MegaMan, Wii Fit Trainer, Rosalina, Zelda, the Villager, King Dedede, Lucario, Little Mac, and Diddy Kong. Even more characters appear in the game as non-playable characters such as Dedenne who will be appearing as a Pokeball Pokemon attack in the game and Cucco from the Zelda games who might be appearing as a crazy stage hazard.
So many awesome stages for both Wii U and 3DS have already been announced, with the creator Masahiro Sakurai showing off new screenshots from the game every week. So far there have been stages such as Battlefield, WVBA Circuit (Punch Out), Skyloft, Smashville 2, Dr. Wily’s Castle, Wii Fit Room, Pyrosphere, Garden of Hope (Pikmin), Pilotwings, Windy Hill Zone (Sonic), Super Mario Galaxy Planet, Kid Icarus Palutena’s Temple Super Mario Land, Nintendogs Playroom, Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 7), Prism Tower in Lumiose City (Pokemon X/Y) and Bachelor Pad (Tomodachi Collection), with more to come!
Why we can’t wait for this game: Each character in the game has its own unique Final Smash move. This is the amazing finishing move that your Smash Bros. can do to cause massive damage when you have had uninterrupted hits on your opponent. We just can’t wait to see all the moves in action!
Want more? For more in-depth footage and photos of characters from the game check out our Super Smash Bros articles, or head over to the official Super Smash Bros playlist on YouTube to see loads more gameplay footage of the different stages.
#6 Transformers Universe
Release Date: Summer 2014
Consoles: PC
What is Transformers Universe? “Who doesn’t like huge robot warriors with fantastic and growing back stories that can kick ass?”, says the vice president of the Transfomers Universe David Nicholson, and boy is he right. For fans of Transformers new and old comes this great online multiplayer game from Jagex. Described as MOTA (Massively Online Tactical Action game) this game is all about team-playing and strategy where players command their robotic friends to defeat each other. It offers you the chance to collect your own team of great Transformers warriors and lead them into battle using weapons and abilities; featuring lots of different game modes to suit your own personal style of play. What’s awesome is that unlike a lot of online player games there are no subscriptions, meaning that you can play this game completely free with no in-game purchases.
Why we can’t wait for this game: There have been newly created Autobots and Decepticons that can only be found in the game, make this worth the play for any Transformers fan.
Want more? Check out this article on the Beta Test of Transformers Universe where you can see Autobot Front-Line and Decepticon Conduit up close and personal.
#7 Mario Kart 8
Release Date: May 30th 2014
Consoles: Wii U
What is Mario Kart 8? Of course we couldn’t make this list without including a classic racing game, and what better racing game than the new Mario Kart 8! Super Mario Kart 8 is simply a go-kart racing game featuring Mario and his friends who use items from the Mushroom Kingdom to help them win the race.
Depending on which character you pick, each has its own different strengths and weaknesses with speed, acceleration and weight. In addition to that, in single player mode you will have two specific rivals who will always cause you the most hassle, based upon your chosen character. The computer-controlled characters aren’t restricted to using items they pick up, but rather have a specific item based on who they are; Mario and Luigi can use invincibility, Peach and Toad throw mushrooms that shrink you, Koopa Trooper has Green Shells, Bowser has fireballs, Donkey Kong Jr. has bananas, and Yoshi chucks his eggs around.
The game has two separate modes, Single Player and Multiplayer. There are 20 courses to race through spread across four different Cups, each with multiple themes, from grassy Donut Hills to chocolate-coated Choco Mountain. Alongside this, Time Trial allows you to set various times on the courses, and, thanks to Miiverse, lets you share your top scores, see those set by others, and try to beat them.
Multiplayer is where the game really shines though, where you can play with up to twelve other players online. You’ll be causing all kinds of chaos with shells, mushrooms, and bullets, whilst trying to grab first position yourself. And you won’t just be using a kart; hangliders and motorbikes are in the game too, so you can race your way!
Why we can’t wait for this game: Unlike previous Mario Kart games, in Super Mario Kart 8 you are transported to the future, where gravity is not a barrier – by using zero-g boost pads you can race up the walls and ceilings, which should make for some awesome gameplay!
Want more? Check out this cool Mario Kart 8 race with pro commentary from Family Gamer TV to get a good look at the game in action.
#8 The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Release Date: April 29 2014
Consoles: Xbox One, PS4, 360, PS3, Wii U, Wii, 3DS, PC
What is The Amazing Spider-man 2?
From developer Beenox the next film tie-in, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, returns the webswinger to Manhattan in a prequel to the next Spider-Man 2 movie. That’s right, that means this is a completely new story for you to explore.
Real building-to-building web swings, expanded web-shooter abilities, and chemicals that allow you to freeze and blow up items on impact make Spider-Man 2’s combat really cool, with lots of flipping and twisting mid-air antics. Spidey can now hop around to take on multiple baddies without any break in the action. He will be fighting a range of colourful villains from the Spider-Man universe and the movie tie-ins, each with their own boss battle encounters. You can also get more up close and personal with the villains, hanging them from webs and targeting them from afar.
Why we can’t wait for this game: The new “Hero or Menace” system is a cool addition, rewarding you for acting as Spider-Man by stopping crime and saving citizens, but making you face the consequences if you don’t keep down crime rates.
Want more? Check out the First Gameplay Footage of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Game.
#9 Kirby Triple Deluxe
Release Date: May 16 2014
Consoles: 3DS
What is Kirby Triple Deluxe? Kirby’s back, and this time he’s got Deluxe Abilities! A sequel to the Wii’s Kirby Return to Dream Land, Kirby Triple Deluxe is exclusively for the 3DS and shows us Kirby as you’ve never seen him before in 3D, allowing you to explore new levels! Kirby has some awesome powers, such as using his trademark powerful breath to swallow up enemies and copy their abilities, and he can even fly by puffing himself up. With 25 different copying abilities for you to try out – such as word fighting or bomb blasting – this game has tonnes of fun, with 5 new abilities too! And if you gobble up a Miracle Fruit watch out because you’ve unlocked Kirby’s hidden potential where you can blow away the opposition with the new Hypernova ability, which temporarily turns Kirby’s powers into a gale force to be reckoned with. In this state, Kirby can suck up much larger objects, shift heavy items, and gulp on the go, allowing him to breeze right through any blockades! There’s also two special new modes where up to four players can fight each other in Kirby Fighters, or dance to the beat of Dedede’s Drum Dash, a rhythm action game that challenges you to jump in time to classic Kirby music while collecting plenty of coins!
Why we can’t wait for this game: What’s so cool about this game is that you can now not only scroll side to side but also shift back to front to discover hidden depths as Kirby leaps in and out of the background to explore new areas. But this also means that bad guys can attack from all directions, lying in wait both before and behind you as you try to solve puzzles!
Want more? Check out 30 minutes of Kirby: Triple Deluxe gameplay.
#10 LEGO Minifigures Online
Release Date: Summer 2014
Consoles: PC and Tablet
What is LEGO Minifigures Online? LEGO Minifigures Online is a new LEGO game by Funcom which you can play online! In this game you enter the universe of the Minifigures, who are in trouble and need your help on their epic adventure to them from the ultimate villain ‘The Stranger’, who is capturing Minifigures across all the different worlds. As you play you must find, collect, and use tonnes of cool Minifigures, each of which comes with their own awesome abilities. The more you play with the Minifigures, the more they learn, making this game worth putting in time and effort for. There are loads of Minifigures to collect such as the Ice Skater, the Chicken Suit Guy, the Roller Derby Girl, the Policeman and many, many more, and your job is to collect them all. Take control of the rocked-out DJ and literally drop your beats on the villains, or assume the role of the Aztec Warrior and go to battle making sure no one is spared your mighty spear!
Cool characters such as Zeus will help you and you will have lots of tasks to complete such as going to the Underworld to defeat the Medusa, and saving the King from Dragons and Wizards in Medieval World or exploring tropical islands, pirate ships and alien planets. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
You must also use the world around you by smashing and rebuilding the LEGO bricks to complete your quests. Smash an enemy turret, crates or treasure chests and re-build it to work for you, take down a wall to discover a hidden passage leading to great treasure, and even build machines to take down big bosses! Try to find stars which can be used to train your mini figures and make them as powerful they can be.
Why we can’t wait for this game: In this cool LEGO game you can play together with thousands of other players from all over the world! Whether it’s completing trials or going head-to-head with bosses; it never hurts to get a little help from your friends, and of course you can challenge them to battles too!
Want more? Head over to the official LEGO Minifigures Online site to discover more and sign up for the free Beta test, or you can check out our previous articles: LEGO Minifigures Online Trailer Sets Sail Pirate World and LEGO Minifigures Online First Trailer and Screenshots.
Still haven’t decided? Some other completely awesome games coming out soon include: Mario Golf World Tour, LEGO Ninjago Nindroids, and Fifa World Cup Brazil.
Let us know which game tops your list below, and follow us on Twitter for the most up to date gaming news!
