Best Console Game Releases for January: Monster Hunter, Street Fighter Arcade, more

January is typically a slow month for game releases, and 2018 is no different, but it won’t be much longer before the highly anticipated Monster Hunter: World releases for consoles. We are also seeing what appears to be the version of Street Fighter V fans have been waiting for as well as some notable Nintendo Switch and 3DS releases.

Last month’s lineup was headlined by the launch of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for Switch along with Okami HD and Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds. But for everything you should be keeping an eye on this month, head down below…

Street Fighter V Arcade Edition PS4/PC – Jan 16th

With many already suggesting this is the way the game should have been released in the first place, Street Fighter V Arcade Edition is clearly the definitive version of the popular fighting game. A full two years after the original release, this edition brings the full package together with story and arcade modes, all 12 DLC fighters, new skills for everyone and some visual touch-ups.

Whether you have already invested time and some money in the DLC for the initial release or not, this is certainly the version of the game to own and likely the way Capcom should have released it back in 2016.

The update also includes balance changes and a second V-Trigger for all 28 characters, further expanding the combat systems. Disc owners of SFV: Arcade Edition can also redeem a code for all 12 Season 1 and 2 characters via a code inside the box.

Season 3 begins with Sakura, but will also include familiar faces Blanka, Cody and Sagat, as well as newcomers Falke and G. The remaining characters arrive throughout 2018, so pick up the Season 3 Character Pass to stay updated all year!

Street Fighter V Arcade Edition $40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zStuuC9SATo

Kirby Battle Royale 3DS – Jan 19th

Okay 3DS fans, Kirby Battle Royale is out today! The new mobile brawler essentially pits the titular character against loads of different versions of himself in 10 different game modes. Y0u’ll find everything from online, top-down battles against 3 other players to various mini games, and boss battles. Check it out in action above. 

Kirby Battle Royale $40

Monster Hunter: World PS4/Xbox One – Jan 26th

This month’s major release is clearly Monster Hunter: World. The highly anticipated title is finally making a triumphant return to Sony (and Xbox) hardware in true AAA fashion. A perfect starting point for newcomers of the series and seasoned hunters alike, we have seen a good deal of the game thus far and it has mostly blown us away.

For those that aren’t familiar, we are talking about a semi-open world rife with dangerous (and massive) creatures that need to be hunted. The RPG-meets-action game will have you taking down monsters in order to both progress the story and enable you to level-up your gear and weapons along the way.

Past iterations have brought epic battles against giant mythological creatures at best, and some addictive grinding at worst. Needless to say, we are excited for this one.

Here’s 40 minutes of gameplay against Anjanath, Barroth and Diablos.

Monster Hunter: World $60 or $48 for Prime

Some honorable mentions for this month go to The Escapists 2 for Nintendo Switch that hit on the 11th, Dragon Ball FighterZ for PC, PS4 and Xbox One on the 26th and finally, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT for PS4 on the 30th to round out the month.

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