New year, new games.
While 2024 offered plenty of great games (and some disappointments), 2025 has a pretty full schedule.
Expected releases this year include long-awaited and long-promised sequels, new entries in major franchises, and even a new Nintendo console.
While release dates may vary for some titles, with what we know so far about what’s coming this year, this could be a strong year for gaming fans and a successful one for developers.
Here are some of the biggest video games and gaming things we’re looking forward to in 2025:
The successor to the Nintendo Switch
New Nintendo hardware coming this year. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said in May that the company would make an announcement about the Switch’s successor “within the fiscal year,” which ends in March. The new console will be backwards compatible, the company said.
The Switch was first released in 2017 and is one of the best-selling gaming consoles globally, with more than 143 million units sold as of October 2024.
The Sims 25th Anniversary
The latest life-sim game, The Sims, turns 25 on February 4, and Electronic Arts will celebrate in the weeks leading up to the anniversary with kits (three of which will be released on January 16), limited events, a live stream 25- hours , a free content update for The Sims 4 base game that will feature more than 70 new items and more.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds, from developer and publisher Capcom, is an upcoming action RPG where players will track and fight monsters while facing environmental challenges while hunting. The game follows the previous entry in the series, 2018’s Monster Hunter: World.
Release date: February 28
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Carmen Sandiego
In this new installment in the iconic adventure series, players will have a chance to play as the titular Carmen Sandiego for the first time. The game, which is based on the Netflix animated series “Carmen Sandiego” (2019-2021), will have players travel to locations around the world, solve puzzles, engage in theft and espionage, and outwit the villainous organization.
The upcoming reboot from Gameloft helps celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic series and will be released on iOS/Android via Netflix on January 28 before launching globally in March for consoles and PC.
Release date: March 4 (January 28 on iOS/Android via Netflix)
Platforms: Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, Mobile/Netflix
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players will park around and explore feudal Japan as a samurai or a shinobi assassin. The upcoming series from Ubisoft will be open-world, with responsive weather, seasons and environments, and players will build combat skills and collect weapons to face enemies.
Release date: March 20
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Tales of Shiri
Here’s your chance to settle in Hobbiton. Tales of the Shire is a new cozy future life from developer Wētā Workshop set in the universe of Middle Earth from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Players can explore the Shire, interact with other Hobbits, decorate their homes, garden, fish, cook and more.
Release date: March 25
Platforms: Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PC
GTA6
Grand Theft Auto 6, one of the most anticipated video games in recent years, is (finally) expected to be released in 2025.
This entry in the franchise is set in the fictional state of Leonidas and follows criminal couple Lucia, the series’ first female protagonist since 2000, and her partner. The sprawling open-world game from developer Rockstar Games will feature a modern setting and parody contemporary culture, such as references to internet memes and influencer culture.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
There is tension in this team. A young Steve Rogers (Captain America) and T’Challa’s grandfather Azzuri (the Black Panther of his era) put aside their differences to take on HYDRA in this upcoming action-adventure game from Skydance and Marvel Games.
The historical location, characters and story in Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra appear to be inspired by the Marvel Comics limited series “Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers”.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: TBA
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Professor Hershel Layton is back and on the case alongside his assistant Luke in the next installment in the puzzle-adventure series from developer/publisher Level-5.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam takes place one year after the end of Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (released in 2010 in North America) and will have a steampunk aesthetic.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: switch
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
In this upcoming, long-awaited installment in the Metroid Prime series, Samus – the best bounty hunter in the galaxy – is back for a new mission. The first-person action-adventure game is developed by Retro Studios and will be published by Nintendo.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: switch
The Shadow Labyrinth
This 2D action platformer from Bandai Namco is a darker take on Pac-Man. In Shadow Labyrinth, a grim and gritty reimagining of the classic franchise, players will explore a mysterious, war-torn planet accompanied by a floating orb, Puck.
The video game is tied to an episode of the animated Prime Video anthology series Secret Level, which features stories adapted from and inspired by the video games.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PC
The Wylde Society
The Wylde Society is set on Fairhaven Island at the turn of the 20th century and is a precursor to the 2022 cozy life Wylde Flowers, from developer Studio Drydock. And like its successor, this upcoming game will feature magical aspects and magical things.
Players will take on the role of Vivian Wylde, running a magical boarding house, including personalizing and decorating the house, looking after tenants and organizing social events.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: TBA
