The inevitable has arrived: GTA 6's release date has officially been pushed back. While initially slated for a 2025 launch, the most highly anticipated video game in history will now debut on May 26, 2026.
But don't write off 2025 as a lackluster year for gaming. We've already seen standout releases like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Blue Prince, and Split Fiction – with countless more exciting titles on the way. Whether you're craving samurai action in Ghost of Yotei, chaotic co-op gameplay in Borderlands 4, or Nintendo's next-generation console reveal, there's no shortage of gaming highlights to anticipate.
Here's your guide to the most exciting 2025 releases that don't include "Grand Theft Auto 6" in their names.
Upcoming Highlights
With GTA 6 postponed, you've suddenly got room in your gaming schedule. Fortunately, several major releases are right around the corner. Doom: The Dark Ages launches May 15 across Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, offering a stunning Gothic reinvention of the beloved shooter franchise. Soulslike fans won't want to miss Elden Ring Nightreign on May 30 – FromSoftware's first cooperative roguelike promises fresh twists on their signature formula.
June brings Hideo Kojima's surreal sequel Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PS5 exclusive on June 26), featuring even more boundary-pushing concepts than its predecessor. Survival MMO fans should mark June 10 for Dune: Awakening on PC – just remember to stay hydrated and watch your step in those deadly sands.
Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 launch on June 5 now stands as 2025's most anticipated gaming event. Alongside flagship title Mario Kart World, enhanced Switch 2 versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will showcase improved performance. The console debuts with diverse software including Hogwarts Legacy, Street Fighter 6, and Cyberpunk 2077, plus Nintendo's interactive Welcome Tour tutorial.
The momentum continues with Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17), followed by major titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. And yes – Hollow Knight: Silksong might finally release this year after all.
Major Releases
The holiday season wouldn't be complete without blockbuster releases. While unconfirmed, we expect new Call of Duty and EA Sports FC 26 installments.
September delivers shooter fans both Borderlands 4 (September 12) with improved loot mechanics and Bungie's intriguing extraction shooter Marathon (September 23). October 2 brings Ghost of Yotei, continuing PlayStation's samurai epic with fresh vengeance themes.
Anticipated titles like The Outer Worlds 2 and Crimson Desert will likely round out the year, though exact dates remain unconfirmed.
2025 Release Timeline
This overview just scratches the surface. Below you'll find a comprehensive schedule of major confirmed releases for the remainder of 2025.
Doom the Dark Ages - May 15
Blades of Fire - May 22
Elden Ring Nightreign - May 30
F1 25 - May 30
Mario Kart World - June 5
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - June 5
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - June 5
Deltarune: Chapter 3 + 4 - June 5
Dune Awakening - June 10
FBC: Firebreak - June 17
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - June 26
Tamagotchi Plaza - June 27
EA Sports College Football 26 - July 10
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 - July 11
Donkey Kong Bananza - July 17
Shadow Labyrinth - July 18
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - July 24
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game - July 29
Mafia: The Old Country - August 8
Madden NFL 26 - August 14
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater - August 28
Lost Soul Aside - August 29
Hell Is Us - September 4
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion - September 5
Terminator 2D: No Fate - September 5
Borderlands 4 - September 12
Marathon - September 23
Ghost of Yotei - October 2
Directive 8020 - October 2
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 - October 2025
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - Winter 2025
Crimson Desert - Q4 2025
Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Late 2025
Little Nightmares 3 - 2025
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - 2025
Kirby Air Ride - 2025
Dying Light: The Beast - 2025
Hollow Knight Silksong - 2025
Ninja Gaiden 4 - 2025
The Outer Worlds 2 - 2025
Cronos: The New Dawn - 2025
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam - 2025
Witchbrook - 2025
