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

The inevitable has finally come to pass: GTA 6, arguably the most anticipated game of all time, has been delayed. Originally slated for a 2025 release, fans will now have to wait until May 26, 2026, to dive into the next chapter of the iconic series. But don't despair—2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for gaming, with a slew of top-tier titles ready to fill the void left by the delay.

Already this year, we've seen remarkable releases like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Blue Prince, and Split Fiction. And the excitement doesn't stop there. With dozens of games on the horizon, including Ghost of Yotei for your samurai cravings, Borderlands 4 for co-op chaos, and new releases from Nintendo, 2025 promises to be a banner year for gamers.

Here’s a rundown of what you can look forward to in the rest of 2025, minus the GTA 6 buzz.

What’s Next?

With GTA 6 originally scheduled for later in the year, you might not have planned for anything in the coming months. But there are some massive releases on the horizon. Doom: The Dark Ages hits Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC on May 15, promising a thrilling gothic reimagining of the beloved shooter. Just a few weeks later, on May 30, Elden Ring Nightreign arrives for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. This co-op roguelike from FromSoft is set to offer a fresh take on the studio's iconic formula, perfect for your multiplayer nights.

June brings Hideo Kojima's next masterpiece, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, exclusively to PS5 on June 26. With trailers already showcasing its wild and innovative concepts, it's poised to push boundaries beyond its predecessor. Meanwhile, on June 10, Dune: Awakening lands on PC, promising a challenging experience filled with sandworms and survival elements.

Switch 2

With GTA 6 out of the picture, the Nintendo Switch 2 emerges as the year's biggest event. Launching on June 5, it comes with its first major title, Mario Kart World. On the same day, you'll find enhanced versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, offering better resolutions and frame rates. The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour serves as a fun, mini-game-based tutorial, and a host of third-party games will also be available, including Hogwarts Legacy, Spit Fiction, Street Fighter 6, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, and, of course, Fortnite.

The excitement continues into July with Donkey Kong Bananza on July 17, a must-play 3D platformer. Later in the year, look out for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. And don't forget Hollow Knight: Silksong, which is finally set to arrive on Switch 2 and other platforms.

Big Hitters

As we approach the holiday season, expect a flurry of major releases. While not officially announced, a new Call of Duty and EA Sports FC 26 are likely to drop around this time.

In September, get ready for two blockbuster shooters: Borderlands 4 on the 12th and Marathon on the 23rd. Borderlands 4 promises even more kooky, violent fun with enhanced gun drops, while Marathon, an extraction shooter from the creators of Destiny, is definitely one to watch.

On October 2, PlayStation's long-awaited follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei, arrives, bringing a tale of vengeance against shadowy masked samurai. And if Assassin’s Creed Shadows left you craving more of this narrative, Ghost of Yotei should satisfy that hunger.

Other highly anticipated titles expected in the latter part of 2025 include The Outer Worlds 2 and Crimson Desert, though exact dates are yet to be confirmed.

2025 Release Timeline

Here's a more comprehensive list 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