Gaming in 2025: Unveiling the Future of the Industry’s Most Anticipated Year

Prior to delving into the reasons why 2025 might be the most significant year in video game history, I must extend an apology. 

A year ago, in my forecasts for 2024, I stated, “After numerous years of conjecture, all signs indicate that 2024 will be the year when Nintendo finally reveals the successor to its extraordinarily successful console, the Nintendo Switch.” I even suggested that a 2024 announcement was “unavoidable.” But… not a clue. Not even amidst the vibrant speculation. Apart from affirming that a new device is forthcoming, the house of Mario remained utterly silent. My sincerest apologies.

Now, here we are, a year later, and I am making the following prediction: All signs indicate that 2025 will be the year when Nintendo finally unveils the successor to its immensely successful console, the Nintendo Switch.

No, hold on; listen to me. Nintendo has actually scheduled an announcement. The company has stated it will unveil its new system before the conclusion of the fiscal year. This indicates a March 2025 reveal at the very latest. And while I will refrain from ever using the term “inevitable” regarding Nintendo again, it appears probable that they will make the new system available for purchase within a few months of the announcement, correct? Correct?

Consequently, the inquiry arises, what will the yet-to-be-named system entail? And what type of games will accompany its launch? 

Hints of Switch 2

As 2024 came to an end, console accessory manufacturer Dbrand began promoting its own protective cases for the successor of the Switch. The company states that these cases are based on the actual measurements of the device. Other concept designs have also surfaced online, showcasing a similar aesthetic. 

If we are to trust this information, the new console will retain the hybrid home console/handheld format of the Switch (a smart move indeed). However, it is expected to feature a slightly larger body and display. Additionally, Joy-Cons will attach to the main unit using powerful magnets as opposed to the current system’s noisy rails.

This development is encouraging and aligns with Nintendo’s statements that current Switch games will transition to the new console. It also supports the continuation of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. In the meantime, we anticipate that the Switch 2 will boast superior specifications, offering games enhanced visual fidelity and framerate performance compared to the now-dated Switch.

Price Considerations

The cost is anyone’s speculation. In the past year, we have witnessed the global economy incite price increases for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. This could imply a higher price point for the upcoming Nintendo console as well. Nonetheless, Nintendo specializes in crafting family-friendly consoles at accessible price points. For that reason, I believe the company is more inclined to scale back the specs to provide a more affordable price. 

As such, I anticipate the new console will debut at $349.99 USD or ¥37,980 JPY, matching the price of its most premium current model. Meanwhile, the existing Switch consoles should see a corresponding price drop.

New Console Titles

Regarding games, Nintendo’s in-house studios have been rather quiet throughout 2024 and are undoubtedly diligently developing titles for the new system. 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of Mario, and we are well overdue for a new 3D Mario title. Therefore, I am confident we will receive at least one new Mario platformer at or around the console’s release. 

As the top sellers of the Switch, Mario Kart and Smash Bros will undoubtedly also see new versions launched this year. I hope to see beloved Switch classics like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild upgraded to leverage the enhanced hardware. Additionally, I expect that Metroid Prime 4 will also be accessible on the new console, along with the older one. 

Nintendo has been heavily promoting Donkey Kong over the last couple of years. With his presence in The Super Mario Brothers Movie and Universal Studios Japan, it appears probable that Nintendo will unveil a brand-new DK game in 2025.

Pokémon and Additional Second-party Games

Nintendo-associated second-party titles like Pokémon Legends Z-A are expected to expand upon the semi-open world established in 2022’s Legends: Arceus.

Moreover, the remarkable success of the Switch means that additional publishers are likely queuing up to bring their games to its successor. Consequently, this year we should see numerous new game releases and ported titles from Nintendo’s collaborators. 

Could Capcom finally deliver Monster Hunter World to Nintendo hardware? Or, could it announce a sequel to Monster Hunter Rise? Might Ubisoft, which is consistently present during new hardware launches, bring its recent…

Star Wars Outlaws or an Assassin’s Creed title on the horizon? Will Sega extend its successful Like a Dragon franchise to the new platform, especially now that the initial installment, Yakuza Kiwami, is accessible on Switch?

Microsoft has announced its intention to eventually introduce Call of Duty titles to Nintendo systems. So, might we expect Black Ops 6 or Warzone? What about long-standing favorites like Minecraft, Apex Legends, and Fortnite? I’ll venture a prediction for all of these, though possibly not all in this year!

Largest Game Release

Though the debut of a new gaming console is always major news, there’s much more to anticipate in 2025. Possibly heralding the biggest game release ever, Grand Theft Auto VI is slated for launch at some point this year.

Initially launched in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, GTA 5 has appear consistently in the monthly sales rankings in the US and other areas, amassing an impressive 205 million copies worldwide. It stands as the second-highest-selling game of all time, just behind Minecraft. And after 12 years, the enthusiasm for its follow-up is at an all-time high.

Set in the fictitious state of Leonida, modeled after Florida, GTA 6 will feature the Miami-inspired Vice City known from earlier installments. Within its expansive open world, players can expect unprecedented freedom to fulfill their ideal thug-life dream. Additionally, enjoy satirical takes and parodies reflecting modern American and online culture, ranging from social networks to internet memes.

Massive Hit: Monster Hunter Wilds

Another massive success is bound to be Monster Hunter Wilds. Initially overlooked by global audiences despite its acclaim in Japan, the series has evolved into Capcom’s top-selling franchise worldwide, even surpassing Resident Evil and Street Fighter.

Wilds marks the first development for next-gen hardware, showcasing a vast, dynamic ecosystem of monsters that roam in groups. Early previews have teased a visual and technical spectacle delivering hundreds of hours of hunting gameplay. Its launch on February 28 is expected to be a significant event of the year.

Valentine’s ‘Shadows’

I’m genuinely eager to finally engage with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set to release on Valentine’s Day. This title, taking place in feudal Japan, portrays a historical fiction narrative featuring twin protagonists embodying distinct gameplay styles: Yasuke, a samurai who employs raw power for brutal close combat; and Naoe, a shinobi who harnesses covert stealth.

The game’s incorporation of changing seasons will provide stunning glimpses of Japan, while also impacting gameplay, as ice can make stealth approaches on rooftops perilous and lakes unreachable, with summer sun pushing away shadows. Traditionally, Assassin’s Creed titles have excelled in merging authentic historical elements with fantasy, and despite initial online discourse, I’m inclined to grant Shadows a chance to impress.

In the Year of the Snake

The year 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, hence it is appropriate that the much-awaited release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is planned for this year. The original Snake Eater from 2004 remains one of the most beloved titles in the Metal Gear franchise. This complete remake promises an authentic rendition of Hideo Kojima’s spy narrative with updated visuals and gameplay.

What we’ve witnessed so far looks promising. Additionally, Konami garnered significant trust from fans with the impressive remake of Silent Hill 2 in 2024. Therefore, expectations are high for the return of the young Big Boss.

Meanwhile, Kojima himself is preparing to unveil his own highly anticipated new project, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, sometime in 2025. This installment features a new and intriguingly bizarre supernatural sci-fi narrative.

Additional Fan Favorites

Keep an eye out for other notable games in 2025, such as the February 21 release of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This spinoff from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth follows beloved antihero Goro Majima on his adventures across Hawaiian waters. Another exciting title is Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra. This game marks the return of Uncharted creator Amy Hennig with a high-budget Marvel escapade featuring Captain America and Black Panther.

There’s also Showa American Story, a wildly imaginative action game from China that reinterprets 1980s America as a territory of Japan, filled with referential nods to the era.

and low-budget comedy.

A unique surge of prominent games from South Korea is also anticipated, starting with the Soulslike action title The First Berserker: Khazan, set for March 27. This is quickly followed by the hyper-realistic simulation game inZOI on March 28. Moreover, action-packed Crimson Desert is projected for release later this year.

Independent Launches

Let’s not overlook the indie games! This year, I’m looking forward to KISS: K-pop Idol StorieS – Road To Debut, where you take charge of a K-pop girl group. Another intriguing title is Lost and Found Co, a “Where’s Waldo”-like interactive picture book packed with concealed objects. Additionally, Coffee Talk Tokyo is also on the horizon. This marks a new entry based in Japan to the beloved series of coffee-themed visual novels. And there’s so much more to come.

If all of this seems overwhelming, don’t fret – my Gamer’s World column will guide you through what could likely be the most monumental year in gaming history, as we navigate the Year of the Snake together.

Be sure to follow our special New Year’s series, Predictions 2025.

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Author: Daniel Robson

Daniel Robson serves as the chief editor at the gaming news platform IGN Japan. Check out his segment Gamer’s World on JAPAN Forward, and connect with him on X (formerly Twitter).