TOP 10: Anticipated Games of 2025
Of all the pop-culture media, video-game releases are the most unserious. Games are announced years before they will ever be released. Trailers are dropped along with projected release dates. Again and again those are delayed and delayed. It must be incredibly frustrating to be a serious gamer waiting for long-promised new titles, and I literally do not understand how some of these companies stay afloat given development windows that can stretch literally 5+ years. Insane!
Regardless, 2025 is poised to be a big year for gaming. Even if half the games on this list don’t release — which is frankly likely — if even half of these show up, gamers will be fed.
Did we miss your most-anticipated video game? Drop your picks in the comments below.
You Might Also Like…
Honorable Mentions:
Double Dragon Revive (10/23/2025)
Doom: The Dark Ages (Release TBD)
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra (Release TBD)
Fable Remake (Release TBD)
Sword of the Sea (Release TBD)
Crowsworn (Release TBD)
Shadow Labyrinth (Release TBD)
10. Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (February 11; iOS, Linux, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox S|X)
The Civilization series of strategy games dates back to 1991. This new edition will make some thoughtful changes to the usual gameplay, including expanding the concept of civilization “leaders” beyond rulers and warriors to include philosophers, scientists, and religious leaders.
9. Assassin’s Creed Shadows (February 14; iOS, PC, PS5, Xbox S|X)
The 14th main installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise takes the action to 16th Century Japan, and will allow players to control two protagonists: a female shinobi (ninja) and a male samurai from Africa, inspired by a similar historical figure. As you can imagine, the gaming community has reacted to these protagonist choices in a totally respectful and mature way. /s
8. Perfect Dark (Release TBD; PC, Xbox S|X)
We have no idea if this remake of the immersive shooter will release next year, but it would make sense. First, 2025 will mark the 25th anniversary of the first game to feature protagonist Joanna Dark. Secondly, this game was announced five years ago, so it has to come out at some point. Right?
7. Hollow Knight: Silksong (Release TBD; PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox S|X)
..or maybe not, because fans are still waiting for THIS sequel to 2017’s Hollow Knight, originally intended to be DLC for the first game but expanded to a sequel in 2019, then first promised in 2022, and delayed multiple times since then. But this will definitely be the year it comes out. Probably. Maybe.
6. The Witcher IV (Release TBD; PC, PS5, Xbox S|X)
It has been 10 years since the release of Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, and the first trailer for this sequel – and first entry in a new trilogy – dropped in December 2024. That has people hopeful for a 2025 release. But of course, there is controversy: in this game you will play Ciri, not Geralt of Rivia. Playing a game with a GIRL protagonist? How could they do this to you, gamers?! /s
5. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (Release TBD; PC, PS5, Xbox S|X)
With all of these heavily delayed, much-anticipated games, how does the gaming industry keep the masses fed? By going back to the well with remakes of popular games from years past, of course. Konami gets into that game with this redo of the game from 2004, which will be the first major Metal Gear game since 2018.
4. Elden Ring: Nightrein (Release TBD; PC, PS5, Xbox S|X)
Elden Ring blew away expectations when it was released in 2022. Since then the Soulslike game with a story and setting conceived in part by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin has had a DLC expansion, and now a spinoff in this cooperative game in which teams of three work together to hunt down monsters in Limgrave.
3. Hades II (Release TBD; Platforms TBD)
In some ways, Hades II is already out – the sequel to 2020’s Supergiant smash roguelike has been in early access on PC and iOS for more than half a year. The reception to the early version of the game has been positive, as players have enjoyed getting to know new protagonist Melinoe and the game’s new wrinkles, including a focus on magic, and branching paths.
2. Grand Theft Auto VI (Release TVD; PS5, Xbox S|X)
Of all the long-gestating or delayed games on this list, probably none is more anticipated than Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto VI. The last game was released in 2013. To give you a sense of how long it has been, a child entering kindergarten when GTAV was released will be a senior in high school when this game releases (allegedly) in fall 2025. Insane. This installment will focus the action on a Miami-like setting, which feels like the exact right place to boost cars, commit crimes, and assault sex workers. As you do while playing Grand Theft Auto.
1. Switch 2 (Release TBD)
Without question, the most-anticipated gaming release of 2025 isn’t a single game, it is the almost-certain release of Nintendo’s successor to the wildly successful Switch console. As I write this, Reddit is ablaze with alleged photos and spec leaks of the new system, and industry buzz is that Nintendo is moving up the announcement and release to as soon as possible. The Switch has had a great eight-year run, but it is absolutely time for a new Nintendo system. It’s also high time for new entries in some of the company’s most iconic franchises. We haven’t had a new 3D Mario platformer since 2017; a new Mario Kart since 2017 (and Deluxe was just a re-release of a game from 2014!); a new Smash Bros. since 2018; a new Animal Crossing since 2020; etc. And let’s not talk about Metroid, F-Zero, Kid Icarus, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, etc. To quote every Gen Z gamer: Let’s Goooooo!
Which games are YOU looking forward to in 2025? Leave a comment below!
