The Biggest September 2022 Video Game Releases

This Bandai Namco-branded anime-based fighter was originally a Japanese PS3 exclusive. Then it finally made its way over to the States. And now, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is set to offer the definitive edition of one of the better JoJo games out there. The roster's now set to feature 50 characters, a new All Star Battle Mode has been inserted to incorporate dream battles between iconic characters from the series, and new gameplay mechanics have been thrown in to make the action feel a bit more hype. Fighting game fans will definitely appreciate this game's usage of assist attacks, hit stops, and jump dashes. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fans have plenty of reasons to return to this one.

The announcement of this one makes all the sense in the world since an HBO show based on Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic franchise is on the way. The origins of the close-knit relationship between Joel and Ellie and their harrowing journey come into focus here with a full-fledged remake of the first game. The Last of Us Part 1 will introduce several changes to the original game's gameplay, controls, performance, and accessibility options. And due to it being on PS5, 3D Audio and haptic feedback via the DualSense controller will be implemented. Based on the visuals alone, it's clear to see that this remake features a next-gen sheen that brings the PS3 original up to par with The Last of Us Part II. When it comes to September 2022 video game releases, this PS5 exclusive is certainly major.

Once the month of September rolls around on an annual basis, NBA 2K fans know what's in store - the latest iteration of the world's premiere NBA simulation game. NBA 2K23 is going out of its way to properly honor the past via two central modes - MyNBA and The Jordan Challenge. In the case of that first mode, it'll throw players into what-if scenarios, such as "what if the Houston Rockets chose Michael Jordan at the #1 overall pick in 1984?" As for the second game mode, MJ fans will get to relive his career highlights in playable form. The expected addition of graphical enhancements and gameplay improvements will also be on deck for the newest installment of NBA 2K action.

Be sure to check out our review for this game right here.

One of Nintendo's most recent successes as far as new IPs is concerned is the Splatoon series. After first launching on the Wii U, gamers flocked to the game's fun amalgamation of furious paintballing, extremely catchy tunes, and a vibrant world full of attitude and plenty of high fashion. Splatoon 3 is set to feature all that and plenty more for Switch owners this month. The online multiplayer Turf War mode is back in all its glory, Anarchy Battle challenges players to uphold their ranking, and Splatfest Events are back in full form. Splatoon 3's extensive single-player mode, horde mode-like Salmon Run, and wealth of new weapons/character customization items should keep Switch owners super satisfied for the foreseeable future.

Be sure to check out our review for this game right here.

Sonic the Hedgehog fans who hold the 16-bit games in the highest regard definitely loved what they got with the first Freedom Planet. And on this list of September 2022 video game releases, the much-anticipated sequel to that indie-made platformer looks to be a dark horse pick for the month's best game. Freedom Planet 2 gives fans four players to speed through wonderfully animated sprite-based stages with - those characters include the return of Lilac the Dragon and Carol the Wildcat, plus the fresh additions of Milla the Hound and Neera the Frost Knight. This sequel opens up the game's world even more via a new Adventure Mode, a challenge-based Battlesphere Arena, improved battle mechanics that now feature guarding, etc. Shout out to this sequel for also throwing in a revival system that gives players another chance at overcoming tough battles.

You know what's been a big trend lately? Rhythm-based first-person shooters! Recently announced games such as BPM: Bullets Per Minute and Gun Jam are among the titles attached to that growing sub-genre. And now, another game of that type is on its way. Metal: Hellinger mashes up the demon-blasting good times seen in DOOM with the type of hard rock tunes that you've mastered playing during your time spent with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. You'll need to stay on the beat as you wander through hellish landscapes and shoot through vicious demon hordes while songs produced by Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Matt Heafy (Trivium), and more blare in the background. Blasting and head banging are what's in store for everyone willing to take a chance on this one.

The Monkey Island series is one of the most revered point-and-click adventure games ever made. And during its time in the sun, it ruled alongside the rest of Lucasarts' collection of equally great releases within the genre. It's been a while since we last saw Guybrush Threepwood. Thankfully, he's returning to star in the latest entry in the Monkey Island franchise - Return to Monkey Island. This new series entry sports an entirely new art style, but features the same hilarious hijinks, clever brainteasers, and pirate-themed adventures of previous series entries. Return to Monkey Island looks to be a welcome comeback for one of the biggest pioneers of the 90s point-and-click adventure games boom period.

Soulstice looks like the love baby made between the Berserk manga/anime, Devil May Cry, and NieR:Automata. And that's why we're so geared up to take this brand new action game for a spin. When the Holy Kingdom of Keidas becomes ravaged by Wraiths, a Chimera warrior duo named Briar and Lute steps up to tear that overwhelming threat apart. Their crusade against the Wraiths entails a mixture of melee attacks that result in flashy combos and the usage of spiritual-based attacks that keep the combo meter flying high. The furious action on display in Soulstice looks like it'll be worth investing plenty of time and energy into.

One of the more unexpected genres the Mobile Suit Gundam anime has moved into lately is the realm of first-person shooters. Gundam Evolution is offering a six versus six team-based shooter where 12 different playable mobile suits will be available for your choosing at launch. Some of the playable units you can utilize include Unicorn Gundam, Zaku II (Melee Loadout), and Mahiroo. And the maps you'll be engaging in intense combat skirmishes in include Harbor City (Point Capture), Wilderness Mining Field (Point Capture), Guiana Highlands (Domination), and Security Terminal (Destruction). Before Overwatch 2 hits Early Access in October, you might want to get your team-based hero shooter fix here with Gundam Evolution.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater came back with a dope remake collection of the first two games, plus EA has a new Skate game in the works. For those looking for even more digital skateboarding sims to enjoy, Session: Skate Sim will provide all the rail grinding and flip tricks you need. What's on offer here are dual stick controls that replicate the real-life feel of trying to master the motion of riding on a skateboard, which skating aficionados will surely take great pleasure in. The 90s skate culture comes through so heavy here thanks to the abundance of throwback clothing brands and iconic locales you'll pull off tricks in. Session: Skate Sim totally does right by the extreme sport it's based on.

One of the September 2022 video game releases that's set to attract a ton of attention from tactical RPG fans is this one. Square Enix is dropping a lot of major games this year and that trend continues with the launch of The Diofield Chronicle. The plot centers around a mercenary group called the Blue Fox, who must embark on a mission to beat back the evil forces of a raging war. This strategy RPG (which has a demo out, by the way!) places its battle within battlefields that replicate diorama-style visuals, which is definitely a nice touch. Issuing orders, calculating units' strengths/weaknesses, and utilizing the right skills to attain victory are the types of SRPG mechanics fans are used to and will appreciate here.

Developer Yacht Club Games has been cooking up their next Shovel Knight game for the last five years, which alludes to their devotion to putting out nothing but quality products. Now, Shovel Knight Dig is ready to catch the same critical acclaim and fan adoration the series has regularly garnered. Drill Knight and his gang disrupt Shovel Knight and take his loot, which forces the blue armored hero to spring into action. This pixelated platformer is all about going deeper underground to battle new enemies, collect new goodies, and jam out to some new fire chiptune tunes. We can already tell this one's gonna be a hit!

Grounded has been in Early Access since 2020. But now, it's finally ready to enter its 1.0 phase by coming as a full-fledged final product. If you managed to miss out on this more whimsical survival game, here's the gist of it - you and a group of kids get shrunken down to the point where everything in your backyard is a lot larger and more threatening than you are. By playing in first- or third-person, you'll be able to navigate the great outdoors while trying to stay alive. Those massive bugs that come your way are way scarier than one might think! Gathering food and the items needed to build your own mini fort are just some of the activities at the heart of this addictive survival experience.

Anyone reading this right now remembers LET IT DIE? For those who never gave it a shot or never even heard of it, it was this cool little free-to-play action RPG that features "Soulslike" battle mechanics and a trippy theme that could only come from the creatives at Grasshopper Manufacture. Deathverse: Let It Die is a follow-up to that game that takes place hundreds of years after that chaotic time. What's being presented here is a free-to-play multiplayer survival action game that's filled with all sorts of weapons for you to head into battle with. Your little helper bot named "Wilson" will be able to transform into those weapons, which include hammers, knives, katanas, and more. It's time to brave the dangers of the new survival reality show, DEATH JAMBOREE!

Square Enix's series of Valkryie RPGs prospered on the original PlayStation and its hardware successor. The latest game in the series is going the action RPG route, but making sure to stick to the theme of the world possibly coming to an end via Ragnarök. Valkyrie Elysium cats you in the spot of a Valkyrie warrior who's been given the task of stopping that from happening. The All-Father Odin puts you on Earth to recruit Einherjar, which are battle-ready spirits that assist Valkyrie during combat. Saving the world from certain doom entails clashing with all sorts of mythical baddies from a third-person viewpoint while you and your allies hack and slash everything in sight.

The one sports franchise that seemingly goes triple platinum in the game sales chats every year is the soccer simulator known as FIFA. FIFA 23 hits the field this year with the expected amount of graphical polish fans have become accustomed to. As the final game release to come from the EA and FIFA partnership, it looks and sounds like this final franchise installment is going out with a bang. A new type of body movement system that makes all the onscreen action look far more realistic is being implemented and it's called "HyperMotion2." Turning and dribbling on the field also see an improvement via the "Technical Dribbling" feature. The women's side of the game will have their version of the World Cup featured, plus women’s club football leagues will be implemented in full for the first time in franchise history. This soccer sim has to be considered the most important when it comes to September 2022 video game releases.