January and February are typically pretty slow when it comes to new video game releases, with things picking up in March every year. 2021 is no exception, with a number of high profile video game releases currently scheduled for the month. And while unforeseen delays may push a couple of these games to sometime later in the year, it should be a solid month regardless.
In March, gamers can look forward to some brand new IP making its debut in the form of games like Maquette and It Takes Two. New entries in established franchises will also be featured, such as Monster Hunter Rise. All kinds of genres and gaming platforms are represented, so there should be something for everyone in March.
Here are all the big new video game releases for March 2021.
Maquette (March 2)
Since the launch of the PlayStation 5, Sony has made it a habit to add PS5 games to PlayStation Plus on the same day that they launch. It did this with Bugsnax, Worms Rumble, and Destruction AllStars, with the trend continuing in March. The free PS Plus games for March 2021 will include the puzzle game Maquette, which will be published by Annapurna Interactive after a lengthy development cycle. Maquette has potential to be the next big puzzle game when it launches next week, and it has Hollywood talent like Bryce Dallas Howard to help lend it even more credibility. Puzzle game fans will definitely want to keep an eye on it when it launches for PC, PS4, and PS5 on March 2.
Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition (March 4)
Since FromSoftware's Dark Souls games rose in popularity, there have been countless games that have taken direct inspiration, dubbed Souls-like games by fans. One of the more recent Souls-like games is Mortal Shell. The original release of Mortal Shell earned somewhat mixed reviews from critics, but the game will have a second chance in the spotlight soon enough. Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on March 4, bringing with it a number of enhancements that will make a next-gen revisit worthwhile.
Apex Legends (March 9)
Respawn Entertainment first launched Apex Legends in 2019, with the battle royale game dropping out of nowhere. Plans for an Apex Legends Switch port have been known for quite some time now, and it's finally happening on March 9. Apex Legends on the Nintendo Switch should be the same experience that fans of the battle royale game have come to expect, but with the option to play in handheld mode. Whether or not the Switch version of Apex Legends is able to draw as much of an audience as the original is up in the air, but fans will find out if it pays off sooner rather than later.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (March 12)
One of the highest-rated games of 2020 was Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, the long-awaited sequel to the classic Crash Bandicoot games. Crash Bandicoot 4 was praised by fans and critics alike, and now it's set to be even better than it was before. Activision has announced a next-gen upgrade for Crash Bandicoot 4 that's dropping on March 12, with the next-gen version of the game having a much more stable frame rate and improved resolution when compared to its last-gen counterpart. Crash Bandicoot 4 on next-gen consoles will also have much faster load times, which should help make some of the more challenging sections of the game a little less frustrating for returning players. March 12 is also when the game is coming to the Nintendo Switch, so fans of Nintendo's home console/handheld hybrid can look forward to that as well, though they should keep in mind that the Switch version will not have all the bells and whistles as the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of the game.
Marvel's Avengers (March 18)
Another next-gen upgrade coming in March is Marvel's Avengers. Like most other next-gen upgrades, Marvel's Avengers will have improved frame rate, resolution, and load times when played on the new consoles. Those that already own Marvel's Avengers on older consoles will be able to upgrade to the next-gen version for free, which is a major plus as well. Marvel's Avengers on next-gen consoles will be launching alongside the new Hawkeye DLC on March 18, so it may mark the perfect opportunity for lapsed players to jump back in and give it a second chance.
Balan Wonderworld (March 26)
The creators of Sonic the Hedgehog and Nights into Dreams are reuniting for the bizarre 3D platformer Balan Wonderworld. The Balan Wonderworld demo has been met with some seriously mixed reactions so far, but it remains to be seen if the final product is able to defy expectations. Balan Wonderworld is going to be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on March 26, so 3D platformer fans will be able to check it out regardless of their platform of choice.
It Takes Two (March 26)
March 26 is a particularly busy day for gaming fans. Besides Balan Wonderworld, March 26 is also the release date for It Takes Two, which is in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Developed by Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios, the team behind A Way Out, It Takes Two is an impressive-looking game built entirely around split-screen co-op gameplay. In It Takes Two, players take on the role of Cody and May, a married couple on the brink of divorce who get transformed into dolls. They then have to work together to not only survive their unique ordeal, but also repair their marriage. Fares is so confident in the game that he has said he would pay $1,000 to anyone that claims they're bored by it. Fares has a proven track record of delivering high quality games, so hopefully It Takes Two lives up to the hype.
Monster Hunter Rise (March 26)
The third big game coming March 26 is the latest entry in Capcom's long-running Monster Hunter franchise. While it will eventually be released for PC, Monster Hunter Rise is a timed-exclusive on the Nintendo Switch, and it is bringing with it some notable innovations on the franchise's established formula. This includes some new maneuverability options, plus the addition of Palamutes, new dog-like companions that players can ride throughout the game world. Monster Hunter Rise is one of the most highly-anticipated Nintendo Switch games for the first half of 2021, and with more Monster Hunter fans today than ever before, one has to imagine that it will have a particularly big launch.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (March 26)
Crash Bandicoot 4 and Marvel's Avengers aren't the only games getting next-gen upgrades in March. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is also getting the next-gen upgrade treatment, though fans will have to pay a $10 fee if they want to upgrade to the new version. Like other next-gen upgrades, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 on PS5 and Xbox Series X will be aiming to provide a generally superior experience to the original version when it launches on March 26. A Nintendo Switch port of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is also in the works, but Nintendo Switch owners will have to wait a bit longer to get their hands on the game.
Evil Genius 2: World Domination (March 30)
2004's Evil Genius became a cult classic game, and now roughly 17 years later, Evil Genius 2: World Domination is finally launching. Developed by Rebellion Developments, Evil Genius 2 is once again about players taking on the role of a villain. A mix of the real-time strategy and simulation genres, Evil Genius 2: World Domination has a lot to live up to, but hopefully it's able to capture the magic of the 2004 original.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (TBA)
One of the biggest indie games of 2019 was Disco Elysium, with the game earning near-universal critical acclaim and taking home countless awards that year. Unfortunately, Disco Elysium has been trapped on PCs since launch, with no version of it available on other platforms - until March, that is. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Stadia in March, with plans to bring to the game to Switch and Xbox consoles later this year as well. A specific release date has not been confirmed for Disco Elysium: The Final Cut at the time of this writing, but fans should keep an eye out for more information on that front coming sooner rather than later.