Looking for a new game this Presidents' Day? Time to boot up, log in and get your game on! (Photo: Amazon)
Gamers, start your engines! Presidents' Day video game sales have begun! These deals — combined with Punxsutawney Phil's prediction of a long winter — create an airtight case for making a few choice purchases. Catch deep discounts on Nintendo Switch games like Pokemon Violet. Explore the dark world of Bayonetta 3 while saving 10 bucks. And roll around at the speed of sound with Sonic Frontiers, at nearly 40% off. Ready? Scroll to snag the best deals this holiday weekend for Nintendo Switch, Playstation and XBox.
The Last of Us: Part II picks up where the first game ended, continuing the epic story of friendship, survival and found family. This No. 1 bestselling title is popular for a lot of reasons — no wonder HBO snapped it up for a (critically acclaimed) TV adaptation.
"I loved the original — not only for its great scares, but also its surprisingly potent storytelling. Who knew you could become emotionally invested in a couple of video game characters like this? Then I heard there was controversy about how the sequel ended," said one impressed gamer. "After playing it, I'm guessing the whiners just don't get nuance and probably wanted a typical final boss battle. Instead, they got a poignant tale about redemption and the futility of revenge; and, man, there are some terrifying sequences in here. This game is pretty great (even if the ability to hide in 12-inch-tall grass is a bit overpowered)."
Few games capture fast-paced action as well as Bayonetta 3, and if you're a long-time fan of the franchise, you'll love kicking, stomping and shooting your way through waves of foes. The story isn't anything to scoff at, either! You'll find other forms of Bayonetta, unleash her inner powers to launch devastating attacks and much more.
"This game is over-the-top and insane.... The gameplay is pure perfection.... Definitely the best action game released this year. The combat is extremely deep, with tons of combos and weapons, not to mention some of the new mechanics, like Demon Slave. The soundtrack is also superb," one fan raved. "If you love games like Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden or action games in general, then this is a must-buy to add to your collection!"
NBA 2K23 packs everything basketball fans know and expect into one tight, streamlined experience. You'll feel the rush of sinking three-pointers in the role of your favorite players. Play through career mode and forge a legend for yourself, or take part in the Jordan Challenge and follow MJ's star-studded career from the ground up. Basically, whatever you want to do and whoever you want to play as is on offer.
This gift-giver may have actually gotten more than she bargained for: "I was finally able to get my husband the PS5, so this game was amongst the five that I brought him...and I haven’t seen him since Christmas because he has hidden away with this game, LOL, but he is happy."
Start your engines! If you need a game that's approachable (and appropriate) for all ages, look no further than Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Originally launched on the Wii U, this hit cart racer is back with a huge amount of content. The bonus map packs bring back courses from a wide range of Mario Kart games and ensure you won't get bored anytime soon.
"This is by far my son’s favorite game on the Switch. The graphics are amazing and the choices of cars and characters is fantastic. There so many more courses and so many variations — it is simply awesome. Highly recommend this game," said one dad.
Will you choose the Fire Croc Fuecoco, the Water-type Quaxley or the Grass-type Sprigatito? All three are adorable, and all three are viable options. Whichever you pick, you'll get a similar experience with both Pokémon Violet and Pokémon Scarlet. There are a few differences between these games, but that's part of the fun!
"This new open world Pokemon game is awesome! I’ve been so busy exploring that by the time I hit my second badge my team was already in the level 60s 🤣. There’s three storylines.... Highly recommend this new gen," said one gamer.
This is a brand-new interpretation of Sonic the Hedgehog in an open-world setting. So if you're a fan of Sonic-style 3D platforming, this is the game for you. If you're a fan of Sonic-style 2D platforming, this is also the game for you. It's got a bit of something for everyone.
One fan called this a new era of Sonic. "I'm still in the middle of playing this game, but the level design is mostly well-thought-out and the character interactions are so much better now than in years past. There are true connections from Sonic to each one of the characters, and the boss fights are an interesting, outlandish take. However, it works well with what this story conveys. Highly recommend!"
Like Lego? Like Star Wars? Then putting the two of them together is a surefire win. Play through the story of Star Wars and experience every planet in a whole new way. Explore different lands and pilot all the different vehicles with one of literally hundreds of playable characters.
"Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is one of those games that you pick up and don't want to put down.... like, ever! The newest game in the long-running Lego series offers players the chance to play across nine Star Wars movies. Travel across 20 iconic planets with hundreds of unlockable characters and vehicles as well as action-packed battles and epic cut scenes!" said one ecstatic fan.
With nine characters to choose from, you can build a team of three to help you fight the forces of evil and save the galaxy by rescuing the scattered Sparks. Utilize cover, employ unique abilities and think through every move — you can be sure your enemies will, too!
It's even impressive to people who aren't fans of strategy games. "This game was loads of fun. I never played the first one and thought that I'd be lost and clueless on certain aspects of the game, but it's its own standalone story. Each of the characters and star Sparks have unique abilities, so playing is a breeze. Turn-based strategy usually bores me and feels like a drag, but this game was fun and accessible."
Anyone who's a fan of Fire Emblem: Three Houses can get more of the universe they love in this musou-style interpretation. Fight your way across massive battlefields with action-adventure gameplay. Don't worry, though; it doesn't do away completely with that classic Fire Emblem strategy — employing unique twists on gameplay to keep you on your toes.
One player said, "This game is a fantastic addition to Fire Emblem: Three Houses lore. If you enjoyed Three Houses and don't mind a small mixture of warriors gameplay, this is a must-play. This game also would have been welcome as a mainstream Fire Emblem title."
With five classic playfields from previous Mario Party games, Mario Party Superstars has plenty of nostalgia for long-time players along with tons of new content to experience. You can play online with friends across the globe — or on the couch sitting with your family. It's a blast for everyone, no matter their proficiency with a game controller.
One player said their entire family loved it. "Mario Party Superstars has a great mix of classic Mario Party games. Everyone from my 5-year-old to my husband can find a game they like. Some games are very simple and others require more skill. We've had a lot of fun family game nights with this one."
With Giancarlo Esposito starring as the iconic villain in the game, Far Cry 6 comes out swinging with a huge cast. It's the biggest adventure yet, and you can join the revolution to free the nation of Yara and fight against the forces of Anton Castillo, the man who rules the nation with an iron grip. Trust us, you won't forget the experience — but parents, note that this one is absolutely not for the kids.
"The best installment yet of a great game franchise!" said one happy fan. "They outdid themselves on this one, especially with Giancarlo Esposito's acting as the main 'bad guy.' I'm loving this game!"
Marvel's Midnight Suns isn't a hack-and-slash melee like so many others in the Marvel library; instead, it's a tactical strategy game that requires the player to carefully think through their actions and the potential consequences. Does the enemy have a clear line of sight? If you move here, will they flank you? These thoughts have to be part of your gameplay if you hope to succeed and defeat the forces of evil.
"A perfect blend of Bioware style character interactions and card-based tactics. It has an explorable hub, the Abbey, where dialogue and social events with the roster of superheroes unfold. It is kind of like the school in Fire Emblem: Three Houses but the activities don't feel superfluous and tacked together. The combat is turn-based tactics but with card deck-building. I enjoy this mixture of dynamics a lot, as it feels like the best parts of Fire Emblem, a Bioware RPG, and Slay the Spire put together. And the sum is greater than its parts. The low reviews seem to be coming from people who expected a typical action/adventure game and aren't used to deck-builders, social life sims, and tactical RPGs," said one happy gamer.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
