Upcoming Releases: April 2023

April is shaping up to be a fantastic month, especially for video game collectors and enthusiasts. Tons of highly anticipated video games and media are hitting the market, just in time to enjoy during those April showers. Here’s what Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) is looking forward to the most this month.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

April 5

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The famous plumber brothers have tackled world hopping, kart racing, tennis courts and art projects; now, it’s time for them to hit the big screen in one of the most anticipated movies of the year!

The Super Mario Bros. Movie — a collaboration effort between Nintendo and Illumination — tells the origin story of Mario and Luigi, two Italian plumbers who find themselves transported to the Mushroom Kingdom while working on a plumbing job. There, Luigi is kidnapped by the ruthless Bowser, and Mario must team up with Princess Peach, Toad and a host of other characters to rescue his brother and stop Bowser for good!

Though many video game fans have been wary of movie adaptations since the commercial failure of the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie, the resounding success of Jeff Fowler’s Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) has left video game and film enthusiasts alike brimming with hope and high expectations.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie jumps into theaters on April 5, 2023.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp & Dead Island 2

April 21

From tactical turn-based combat to zombie thriller survival, gamers have plenty to choose from toward the end of April!

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a remake of Advance Wars and Advance Wars: Black Hole Rising for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Players take on the role of a tactical advisor for the Orange Star Army by leading various characters in strategic, turn-based combat while they fight to defend their territory. The Nintendo Switch remake includes the story campaigns for both Advance Wars and Advance Wars: Black Hole Rising, as well as a new Versus mode for local and online multiplayer.

Meanwhile, Dead Island 2 presents the long-awaited sequel to 2011’s Dead Island, an open-world survival game in which players control four characters who are trying to survive and escape from the fictional island of Banoi. Dead Island 2 was originally announced in 2014, but switched developers several times, which caused a near ten-year delay in release.

Dead Island 2 takes place 10 years after the events of Dead Island, in an open-world Los Angeles and San Francisco. A new zombie outbreak forces the US government to shut down and quarantine California, and the player characters are forced to fight their way through the streets to escape. Dead Island 2 features a new combat system but sees returning features such as the crafting system and the “rage” mechanic.

Whether you’re into turn-based combat or open-world thrillers, you can enjoy both Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp and Dead Island 2 on April 21, 2023.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

April 28

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The anticipated sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is almost here!

Five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi Knight Cal Kestis continues to struggle to stay ahead of the Galactic Empire, which seeks to wipe out all of the remaining Jedi in the galaxy. As one of the last remaining following Order 66, Cal must go through trials and defeat several new adversaries, including an Imperial senator, to stay alive.

According to Respawn Entertainment, mechanics and gameplay from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order have been expanded and revised to create new “stances” for Cal, including a new dual-wield single blade attack and a Kylo Ren-style cross guard lightsaber stance. Players can also look forward to new Force abilities and updated graphics.

After a small delay, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will finally be available to play on April 28, 2023.

What are you looking forward to the most? CGC looks forward to continuing to serve collectors and dealers with expert certification, grading and encapsulation services throughout 2023 and beyond. To learn more about CGC, click here.