Sure. Many of us consider September 2023 to be one of the biggest months for gaming this year. However, October 2023 pretty much took that said, “Hold my game; I’m going to show you how it’s done.” Let’s just look at what was released this month; Forza Motorsport, Lords of the Fallen (2023), Honkai: Star Rail for the PS5, Wizard with a Gun, and most recently, Sonic Superstars. Yet, as good as these games are, none of these games can hold a candle to what we’re about to experience on October 20, 2023.
In one corner, we have Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for the PlayStation 5, which has not only been reviewed amazingly but has excited fans of Spider-Man. Between its fast travel, the spectacular combat, and its visuals putting the last two Spider-Man games to shame, fans are salivating and waiting for the game to be released, which won’t be too long now. People can’t say enough good things about it, and it looks to be Insomniac Games’ biggest and most successful game, which is saying something. As a massive Spider-Man fan and have been ever since my late father introduced me to comics, I’m one of those who can’t wait to play this game. But perhaps something bigger lurks and drops on the same day.
In the other corner, we have a juggernaut in its own right, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Which is perhaps more significant as it marks Nintendo’s latest foray into the world of 2D Super Mario Bros. For those not keeping score, the last time we received a new 2D Super Mario Bros. game was back in 2012 with the release of New Super Mario Bros. U, which was released for the Wii U back in 2012! That’s over a decade and a long time for Nintendo and an even longer time for Super Bros. fans. And no, I don’t count New Super Bros. U Deluxe since it was a port of a game with some added features and wasn’t a new game.
That’s right, it’s been a decade since we’ve had a new 2D Super Mario Bros. game, and I’m sure Nintendo is going to be bringing the heat with this one. Sadly, we didn’t get access to the game, so we can’t tell you how good it is going to be. However, I did spend about an hour at a local Gamestop, as it had a kiosk with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. I just couldn’t get off, as the game did recapture that magic that I’ve missed from a Mario game, and I’m pretty sure I pissed off a few kids who wanted to play it but didn’t want to ask me to get off.
Regardless, it’s going to be a good time for gamers, and the only question is, which game are you going to be picking up? Obviously, if you only have a PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch, then the choice is made for you. But if you’re a gamer who has access to all the platforms, you have a choice to make. Is it the webslinger and crew or Mario’s new 2D adventure? Or perhaps, both? That’s what I plan on doing; I can’t wait to play Mario with my family and then don my superhero mask and take on the bad guys as only Spider-Men can do.
Either way, October 20th, 2023, is going to be a fantastic day for gamers, and we’ll need to embrace both games instead of tossing negative comments because we think our plastic box is best. Because, frankly, I’m tired of that mess, and any rational gamer should be as well.
Of course, we have that black horse, Alan Wake 2, that is waiting for both games and drops on October 27, another title that I’m very much looking forward to, but that’s a topic for another time.
