Despite the lack of a proper E3 event in 2022, big names in the industry have presentations nonetheless. The Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase is on everyone's radar, set to air tomorrow. After the Bethesda acquisition deal, so many properties are under one roof that excitement is understandably high for what could be in store. While little has been confirmed, many expect Starfield, Gears of War and Forza to be among the heavy hitters present.
While these are safe bets, there is always the possibility for surprises. The Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase will be a lengthy event with plenty of time for quick reveals and deep-dive gameplay previews alike. With so many franchises under Xbox's umbrella, something completely out of left field could appear. It's important to note that the following are based on fun speculation, but it would certainly raise a few eyebrows to see some of these games make an appearance.
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Conker's Bad Fur Day
Microsoft's acquisition of Rare in the early 2000s has been met with its fair share of criticism for not fully utilizing the studio's talents. In more recent years, things have looked better than ever with Sea of Thieves finding its footing and Everwild looking like a promising new IP. That being said, Rare's N64 swan song Conker's Bad Fur Day is cited by many as one of the best game it ever produced, and a more unique experience on the Nintendo 64.
Outside smaller projects and inclusions on Rare Replay and Project Spark for Kinect, Conker has been absent from the gaming scene for some time and is due for a comeback. If Microsoft wants to shock everyone, it could present a trailer that seems like a new glimpse at Everwild before revealing the crass squirrel.
Fallout: New Vegas Sequel or Remake
Even with the disastrous launch of Fallout 76, this post-apocalyptic RPG franchise is still considered among gaming's best. A large part of this is due to the success of 2008's Fallout 3, however there are many who swear by Fallout: New Vegas as the true peak of the series. With Fallout 5 already seven years old, it's likely the next proper mainline entry in the franchise has been discussed at Bethesda.
While a sixth numerical entry would be expected, it would be much more surprising to announce a return to the world of Fallout: New Vegas, expanding on its narrative, characters and mechanics. While a sequel would be the more desired outcome, even a remake taking advantage of modern technology would be embraced by many fans.
MechAssault
Whenever a discussion arises about the glory days of Xbox Live, many will praise Halo: Combat Evolved and all it did for online multiplayer. While this cannot be denied, there were other games that helped push this narrative on the original Xbox, one of which being MechAssault. As its name would suggest, the game was an action-packed experience pitting players against each other in command of giant metal weapons of war.
Bringing this long-dormant franchise back would be an intriguing concept, as the power of the Xbox Series X console could render more detailed mechs and onscreen carnage. Furthermore, this could be another weapon in Microsoft's arsenal to make its exclusive multiplayer offerings more appealing.
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Blinx: The Time Sweeper
While Nintendo is the king of platforming mascots, and PlayStation has popular mascots like Ratchet and Clank, Microsoft has dipped its toes into this arena as well. Blinx: The Time Sweeper was an Xbox exclusive in 2002, diversifying the console's portfolio and offering titles more suitable for younger audiences. While it was decently received and had some neat ideas, it did not lead to a lengthy franchise.
Stranger things have happened, like Nintendo and Ubisoft teaming up to create Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. If Microsoft chose to dig up this obscure platformer for either a remaster or a full-on sequel, it's safe to say nobody would see it coming.
Rage 3
While the Rage series is more modern than other properties, it would still be a surprise to see a third entry announced. Rage 2 wasn't a massive hit, with reception being mixed and criticism aimed at gameplay and design elements. It was by no means a bad game, but it seemed to dampen the odds of a potential follow-up.
That being said, first-person shooters and open-world games are still all the rage in the gaming industry. Microsoft and Bethesda may see an opportunity to utilize this IP, perhaps with a fresh spin to its formula. Of course, players will just have to wait for Xbox and Bethesda to pull back the curtain tomorrow.
Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase is set for June 12.