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HOTTEST Game Release Dates

2025‘s HOTTEST Game Release Dates: 100+ Must-Play

Table Of Contents

I’ve been gaming for over two decades, and let me tell you – 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most incredible years in gaming history. Between the launch of Nintendo’s Switch 2 and some absolutely massive sequels dropping, my wallet is already crying.

As someone who’s been tracking release dates obsessively (yes, I have spreadsheets), I wanted to create the ultimate guide to every major game launching in 2025. Whether you’re team PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or PC Master Race, I’ve got you covered.

January 2025: Starting Strong

January kicked things off with some serious heavy hitters that immediately caught my attention:

Dynasty Warriors Origins (January 17) – The latest entry in this hack-and-slash franchise looks absolutely stunning on current-gen consoles. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy for PS5.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23) – Finally coming to PC! After being a PlayStation exclusive, I’m excited to see how this looks with RTX enabled.

Sniper Elite: Resistance (January 30) – Another entry in the tactical shooting series that I absolutely love for its authentic WWII setting.

February 2025: The Month of Blockbusters

February is where things get seriously exciting. I’m calling it now – this might be the strongest February lineup ever.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (February 4) – The medieval RPG sequel I’ve been waiting years for. The first game was incredible, and this one promises even more historical authenticity.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (February 11) – As a longtime Civ addict, I’ve already cleared my schedule for this one. Just one more turn, right?

Avowed (February 18) – Obsidian’s fantasy RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. This could be my Game of the Year contender.

Monster Hunter Wilds (February 28) – Capcom’s biggest release of the year, and honestly, probably the game I’m most hyped about. The beta was incredible.

March 2025: Console Wars Heat Up

March brings us some massive exclusives and cross-platform hits:

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20) – Set in feudal Japan, this is the AC game fans have been demanding for years. I’m ready to become a samurai.

WWE 2K25 (March 14) – The wrestling franchise continues, and I’m hoping they’ve fixed the issues from previous entries.

The First Berserker: Khazan (March 27) – This action RPG from Neople looks like it could be a sleeper hit.

April 2025: Spring Gaming Renaissance

South of Midnight (April 8) – This atmospheric adventure from Compulsion Games has me intrigued with its unique art style.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (April 21) – SNK’s fighting game revival continues, and I can’t wait to jump back into this legendary series.

May 2025: The Juggernauts Arrive

Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15) – id Software is taking us medieval, and I’m here for every brutal second of it.

Elden Ring: Nightreign (May 30) – More FromSoftware content? Yes, please. I’m still recovering from the base game.

June 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Launch

This is the big one, folks. Nintendo’s launching their next-gen console, and the lineup is impressive:

Nintendo Switch 2 (June 5) – The console launch includes some massive games:

  • Mario Kart World
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (enhanced version)
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
  • Street Fighter 6

I’m definitely camping out for this launch. The backward compatibility alone makes it a day-one purchase for me.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (June 26) – Kojima’s latest mind-bender exclusively for PS5. I have no idea what to expect, but I’m ready for the weirdness.

July – August 2025: Summer Gaming Overload

Killing Floor 3 (July 24) – The cooperative zombie shooter returns, and my gaming group is already planning our sessions.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28) – The remake of one of the greatest games ever made. I’ve beaten the original countless times, but I’m ready to do it again.

Mafia: The Old Country (August 8) – 2K’s crime saga goes back to its roots in Sicily. The trailers alone have me hooked.

September 2025: The Fall Gaming Season Begins

Hollow Knight: Silksong (September 4) – After years of waiting, Team Cherry finally delivered a release date. This indie sequel is going to be special.

Hell is Us (September 4) – This action RPG from Rogue Factor looks like it could be a surprise hit.

Borderlands 4 (September 12) – Gearbox brings us back to Pandora, and I’m ready to hunt some vaults with my friends.

October 2025: Horror Season and Heavy Hitters

Ghost of Yotei (October 2) – Sucker Punch’s samurai epic gets a sequel, this time following a female protagonist. Day one purchase for me.

Little Nightmares 3 (October 10) – The creepy puzzle-platformer series continues, perfect timing for Halloween season.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A (October 16) – Game Freak’s next Pokemon adventure takes us to Kalos region with a fresh twist.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 21) – After years in development hell, this RPG sequel is finally happening.

November – December 2025: Holiday Blockbusters

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (November 14) – Activision’s yearly shooter, though I’m more excited about the campaign than multiplayer this time.

Anno 117: Pax Romana (November 13) – Ubisoft’s city-building series goes back to ancient Rome. Perfect for my strategy gaming sessions.

Platform Breakdown: What I’m Playing Where

PlayStation 5 Exclusives I’m Hyped For:

  • Ghost of Yotei
  • Death Stranding 2
  • Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (technically a timed exclusive)

Xbox Series X/S Must-Haves:

  • Avowed
  • South of Midnight
  • Doom: The Dark Ages

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Titles:

  • Mario Kart World
  • The new Zelda experiences
  • All those enhanced ports

PC Gaming Highlights:

  • Civilization VII (this is where strategy games belong)
  • Monster Hunter Wilds (for that 4K experience)
  • Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hidden Gems I’m Watching

Not every great game gets a massive marketing budget. Here are some smaller titles on my radar:

  • Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter – The sequel to one of my favorite indie games
  • The Siege and the Sandfox – This Metroidvania looks incredible
  • Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer – Point-and-click adventures are making a comeback

Games That Could Be Delayed (But I Hope Not)

Let’s be real – game delays happen. These are the titles I’m worried might slip:

  • Hollow Knight: Silksong (please don’t delay again)
  • Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
  • Any of the major Nintendo Switch 2 launch titles

My 2025 Gaming Budget Reality Check

With games now costing $60-$70 each, plus special editions running $100+, I’ve had to prioritize. Here’s my strategy:

Day One Purchases:

  • Monster Hunter Wilds
  • Ghost of Yotei
  • Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World
  • Civilization VII

Wait for Sales:

  • Most of the smaller indie titles
  • Games I’m unsure about
  • Anything launching in December (Holiday sales incoming)

Game Pass/Subscription Plays:

  • South of Midnight (coming to Game Pass)
  • Avowed (also Game Pass day one)

Platform Wars: Where to Play What?

This year’s particularly interesting because of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. Here’s where I think each game plays best:

PC Master Race Moments:

  • Strategy games like Civilization VII
  • Any game with mod support
  • Titles that benefit from high refresh rates

Console Exclusives Worth Buying Hardware For:

  • Ghost of Yotei (PS5 only)
  • Mario Kart World (Switch 2 exclusive)
  • Avowed (Xbox/PC only)

The Nintendo Switch 2 Factor

Nintendo’s new console is the wild card of 2025. Based on what I’ve seen:

  • Backward compatibility with original Switch games
  • Enhanced versions of popular titles
  • New exclusive experiences
  • Better performance for demanding games

I’m betting this becomes the hottest gaming item of the year, possibly harder to find than PS5s were at launch.

What This Means for Gaming?

2025 represents a fascinating transition year. We’re seeing:

  • Current-gen consoles hitting their stride
  • Nintendo launching new hardware
  • Major franchises returning after long breaks
  • Indie games getting bigger budgets and marketing

As someone who’s watched the industry evolve for decades, this feels like one of those special years where everything comes together.

My Final 2025 Predictions

Game of the Year Contenders:

  1. Monster Hunter Wilds
  2. Ghost of Yotei
  3. Civilization VII
  4. Hollow Knight: Silksong
  5. Death Stranding 2

Biggest Surprises:

  • Some indie game we’re not talking about yet will become huge
  • At least one major AAA title will disappoint
  • Nintendo Switch 2 will be impossible to buy until 2026

Biggest Disappointments:

  • Something will get delayed to 2026 (my money’s on Vampire: Bloodlines 2)
  • One of the major sequels won’t live up to expectations

How I’m Staying Updated

Game release dates change constantly. Here’s how I keep track:

  • Following developers on social media
  • Checking gaming news sites weekly
  • Maintaining my personal spreadsheet (yes, really)
  • Setting calendar reminders for major releases

Wrapping Up: My 2025 Gaming Journey

Looking at this massive list of games, I’m genuinely excited about the year ahead. Between major sequels, new hardware launches, and some incredible-looking indie titles, there’s something for every type of gamer.

My advice? Pick your must-have titles early, budget accordingly, and don’t try to play everything at launch. Some of my best gaming experiences have come from discovering hidden gems months after release.

What games are you most excited about in 2025? Are you planning to get a Nintendo Switch 2? Let me know in the comments – I love talking about upcoming releases with fellow gaming enthusiasts.

This is going to be an expensive year for our hobby, but honestly? Looking at this lineup, it’s going to be worth every penny.

Last updated: September 2025. Release dates are subject to change – I’ll keep this post updated as new information becomes available.

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