"GTA 6 Delayed to 2026: Top Games to Play in 2025"

The inevitable has occurred: GTA 6 has been delayed. Initially set to launch in 2025, this eagerly awaited title, which many consider to be the most anticipated game ever, will now hit the shelves on May 26, 2026. But fear not, 2025 is shaping up to be a stellar year for gaming, with a lineup of phenomenal releases that have already started to roll out. From Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Blue Prince, and Split Fiction, the year is packed with exciting titles. Looking ahead, there are numerous games on the horizon, including Ghost of Yotei for samurai enthusiasts, Borderlands 4 for co-op lovers, and a new console launch from Nintendo with its accompanying games.

Here’s a comprehensive look at what you can expect in the rest of 2025, beyond the world of Grand Theft Auto 6.

What’s next?

With GTA 6 originally slated for later in the year, you might not have reserved space in your gaming schedule. But if you did, you're in luck because some major titles are dropping soon. Doom: The Dark Ages arrives on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC on May 15, promising a gothic twist on the beloved shooter. Following closely, Elden Ring Nightreign launches on May 30 across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. This co-op roguelike offers a fresh take on FromSoftware's iconic formula, perfect for those seeking a new multiplayer experience.

Fast forward to June, and you can dive into Hideo Kojima’s latest mind-bending adventure with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, exclusive to PS5 on June 26. Its trailers tease a world filled with innovative and bizarre concepts, poised to redefine the boundaries set by its predecessor. Meanwhile, if you're ready for an epic journey across treacherous landscapes, Dune: Awakening lands on PC on June 10. Just remember to stay hydrated and watch out for those sandworms.

Switch 2

With GTA 6 out of the picture, the spotlight shines on the Nintendo Switch 2. Set to launch on June 5, it will debut with its flagship title, Mario Kart World. On the same day, you can also enjoy enhanced versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, boasting improved resolutions and frame rates. The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will serve as an engaging tutorial, introducing you to the console's capabilities. Additionally, a variety of third-party titles will be available at launch, including Hogwarts Legacy, Spit Fiction, Street Fighter 6, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, and Fortnite.

June is just the beginning, with Donkey Kong Bananza arriving on July 17, ensuring the Switch 2 has a robust 3D platformer in its library. Later in the year, look forward to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. And let's not forget Hollow Knight: Silksong, which is finally set to release on the Switch 2 and other platforms this year.

Big Hitters

As the year winds down, expect a flurry of blockbuster releases leading into the holiday season. While not officially announced, we anticipate new entries in the Call of Duty and EA Sports FC 26 franchises.

September kicks off with two massive shooters: Borderlands 4 on the 12th, promising even more chaotic fun with enhanced gun drops, and Marathon on the 23rd, an extraction shooter from the creators of Destiny that's definitely worth keeping an eye on.

PlayStation fans can mark their calendars for October 2, when Ghost of Yotei arrives, offering a gripping tale of vengeance against shadowy masked samurai. This game is poised to satisfy those who enjoyed the narrative of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Other highly anticipated titles expected to release towards the end of 2025 include The Outer Worlds 2 and Crimson Desert.

2025 Release Timeline

Here’s a comprehensive list of key releases scheduled 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