2025 has a fairly full schedule, whereas 2024 provided a lot of great gameplay but also a few disappointments. 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 could change for some titles, with what we know so far about what’s coming this year, this year could be a strong one 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:
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Nintendo Switch successor
New Nintendo hardware is coming this year. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said in May that the company will announce the successor to the Switch “within the fiscal year,” which ends in March. The new console will be backward compatible, the company said.
The Switch was first released in 2017 and is one of the top-selling gaming consoles globally, with more than 143 million units sold as of October 2024.
The Sims 25th anniversary
The ultimate life-sim game, The Sims, turns 25 on Feb. 4, and Electronic Arts will be celebrating in the weeks leading up to the anniversary with kits (three are releasing Jan. 16), limited events, a 25-hour livestream, a free content update for The Sims 4 base game, which 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 battle monsters while facing environmental challenges during the hunts. Monster Hunter: World, the previous game in the series, was released in 2018. Release date: Feb. 28
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PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S Series Carmen Sandiego
In this new installment in the iconic adventure series, players will get a chance to play as the titular Carmen Sandiego for the first time. The game, which builds on the “Carmen Sandiego” Netflix animated series (2019-2021), will have players travel to locations around the world, solve puzzles, engage in stealth and espionage and outsmart the villain 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 Jan. 28 before launching globally in March for consoles and PC.
Release date: March 4 (Jan. 28 on iOS/Android via Netflix)
Platforms: Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, mobile/Netflix
Shadows in Assassin’s Creed In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players will parkour around and explore feudal Japan as either a samurai or a shinobi assassin.
The upcoming series installment from Ubisoft will be open world, with weather, seasons and responsive environments, and players will build combat skills and collect weapons to take on enemies.
Release date: March 20
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Tales of the Shire
Here’s your chance to settle down in Hobbiton.
Tales of the Shire is an upcoming cozy life-sim from developer Wētā Workshop set in the Middle Earth universe 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 release in 2025.
This entry in the franchise is set in the fictional state of Leonida and follows the criminal couple Lucia, the first female protagonist in the series since 2000, and her partner.
The expansive open-world game from developer Rockstar Games will have a modern setting and parody contemporary culture, such as references to Internet memes and influencer culture.
Date of release: TBA in 2025 Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
There’s tension in this team-up. 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 setting, characters and storyline 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
TBA platforms Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Professor Hershel Layton is back and on the case along with his assistant Luke in the upcoming 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
Samus, the best bounty hunter in the galaxy, returns for a new mission in this upcoming Metroid Prime installment, which has been in the works for a long time. The first-person action-adventure game was developed by Retro Studios and will be published by Nintendo.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: Switch
Shadow Labyrinth
Bandai Namco’s 2D action platformer takes a darker approach to Pac-Man. Players will explore a mysterious, war-ravaged planet in Shadow Labyrinth, a grim and gritty reimagining of the classic franchise, accompanied by a floating orb known as Puck. The video game is connected to an episode of Prime Video’s animated anthology series “Secret Level,” which features stories adapted from and inspired by video games.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Wylde Society
Wylde Society is set on the island of Fairhaven at the turn of the 20th century and is a prequel to the 2022 cozy life-sim Wylde Flowers, from developer Studio Drydock. And like its successor, this upcoming game will feature magical aspects and witchy things.
Players will take on the role of Vivian Wylde, running a magical boarding house, including customizing and decorating the house, caring for tenants and hosting social events.
Release date: TBA 2025
Platforms: TBA
After the weekend’s college football bowl game extravaganza, the Monday schedule might seem a little light. There is in fact just one contest on the docket for New Year’s Eve eve, but one is always better than none, right?
As we inch closer to 2025 the lone Monday matinee probably won’t have anything resembling a playoff vibe, but it does feature a potentially interesting matchup of SEC vs. Big Ten, providing another datapoint in the seemingly endless debate among conference advocates. It’s in an SEC city, but we’ll see if that really means more.
Here’s a quick look at the showdown.
Music City Bowl – No. 20 Missouri vs. Iowa
Time/TV/location: 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Nashville, Tenn
Why watch: A pair of flagship institutions from bordering states should make for a compelling viewing experience with both programs wanting to put their best foot forward. Regrettably, a significant number of key contributors will be absent from both squads, including Missouri WR Luther Burden III and Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson who will be in draft preparation. The good news for the Tigers is QB Brady Cook should be available after being banged up for much of the season.
He should also have top RB Nate Noel and WR Theo Wease Jr. in his arsenal. Iowa QB Brendan Sullivan looks set to start, but he must count on freshman RB Kamari Moulton to do the heavy lifting on the ground.
Why it could disappoint: If you like defense, well, you’re probably an Iowa fan so this game might appeal to you. But the fact is the Hawkeyes probably need to make this a slog in order to keep it close.
That’s just the team’s identity, and such games often feature plenty of fourth-quarter drama. Getting there could be a tough watch, but we’ve already witnessed unusual events in these bowls, so embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride.
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