1. Super Mario Odyssey (Switch): I'm still humming "One Up Girl", and until late October this game will be on my mind. To be honest I'm more of a fan of the Galaxy/3D styled games compared to the more open ended 64/Sunshine school of design. That said, Odyssey looks to be Mario's biggest and grandest adventure yet, and I have absolutely *no* reason to doubt the incredible developers of Nintendo EPD.
2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch): After the series turn into the open world, mmo-like X, I'm happy to see the series return to a more focused story and character driven experience. I'm a bit amused at the total 180 this game has pulled when comparing its hype cycle to X. Still can't believe we're getting it this year *knocks on wood*, and I know it'll be a fantastic action RPG gamers will talk about for years to come.
3. Splatoon 2 (Switch): Multiplayer will be frantic fun as usual, Salmon Run looks like coop mayhem, and single player looks to continue the series' penchant for quirky innovative fun. None of it is necessarily surprising or mind blowing, but thats not to say the game wont be incredibly fun!
4. South Park: The Fractured But Whole (PC/PS4/XBO): I'm a big fan of The Stick of Truth, and I'm so very happy to see TFBW with a solid release date. I can't to dive back in the zany world of South Park to save the day!
5. Sea of Thieves (XBO): It was somewhat amusing watching the reaction to Skull and Bones reveal, with some saying that the very similar Sea od Thieves was now dead in the water (that said, I do appreciate the appropriate phrasing). Sea of Thieves sets itself apart with its wit and whimsy, trading the seriousness and competitivness for humor and joy of piracy. Though its development has been long in the tooth and it has some tough competition, I hope that players can experience its fun soon.
6. Anthem (PC/PS4/XBO)
7. Metroid: Samus Returns (3DS)
8. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (Switch)
9. Yoshi (Switch)
10. Sonic Mania (PC/PS4/Switch/XBO)