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

The inevitable has occurred: the release of GTA 6 has been pushed back. Initially slated for a 2025 launch, this eagerly awaited game is now set to hit the shelves on May 26, 2026. Despite this delay, 2025 promises to be anything but a letdown in the world of gaming. We've already been treated to stellar releases such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Blue Prince, and Split Fiction, with many more exciting titles on the horizon. From Ghost of Yotei for your samurai cravings to Borderlands 4 for co-op action, and even a new console and games from Nintendo, 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for gamers. Here's a glimpse at what awaits in the rest of 2025, minus the "Grand Theft Auto 6" buzz.

What’s next?

With GTA 6 originally planned for a later release, you might not have cleared your gaming schedule for the coming months. But if you did, brace yourself for some major releases. Doom: The Dark Ages will launch on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC on May 15, offering a gothic twist on the beloved shooter. Shortly after, on May 30, Elden Ring Nightreign will drop for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. This co-op roguelike from FromSoft introduces a fresh take on their signature gameplay, perfect for your multiplayer evenings.

Fast forward to June, and you'll find yourself immersed in Hideo Kojima's latest masterpiece, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, set to release exclusively for PS5 on June 26. Expect the unexpected, as its trailers hint at a wild departure from its predecessor. For fans of treacherous landscapes, Dune: Awakening will be available on PC starting June 10. Remember to stay hydrated and keep an eye 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. Accompanying the console will be its flagship title, Mario Kart World, along with enhanced editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These classics will run at higher resolutions and smoother frame rates. The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will serve as an engaging tutorial, while a plethora of third-party titles like Hogwarts Legacy, Spit Fiction, Street Fighter 6, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, and Fortnite will be available at launch.

The excitement doesn't end there. Donkey Kong Bananza is set to arrive on July 17, promising a delightful 3D platforming experience. Later in the year, look forward to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong, all of which are slated for a Switch 2 release.

Big Hitters

As the year winds down, expect a flurry of big releases leading up to the holiday season. Although not officially announced, we can anticipate new entries like Call of Duty and EA Sports FC 26 around that time.

September brings two major shooters: Borderlands 4 on the 12th and Marathon on the 23rd. Borderlands 4 promises even better gun drops and the quirky fun you love, while Marathon, an extraction shooter from the creators of Destiny, is one to watch.

On October 2, PlayStation fans can dive into Ghost of Yotei, a follow-up to Tsushima that explores a tale of vengeance against shadowy samurai. If you enjoyed this year's Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you're in for a treat.

Keep an eye out for other anticipated titles such as The Outer Worlds 2 and Crimson Desert, expected to launch later in the year.

2025 Release Timeline

Here's a comprehensive timeline of the major games set to release in the remaining months 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