June was a very busy month for us, with the release of the Switch 2, Mario Kart World, Dune: Awakening, Magic x Final Fantasy, Persona5: The Phantom X, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. I’m still making my way through Kojima’s latest creation and checking out what Persona5: The Phantom X has to offer, but much of my free time has gone to opening packs of Magic x Final Fantasy. But now that I’ve practically run out of money for cards, I’m back to focusing on games and what’s releasing in July.
I’m extremely excited to check out Donkey Kong Bananza, but the game we’re most excited to play as a group is the recently announced surprise Grounded 2. We loved our experience with the original Grounded as it went through its Early Access period, and we can’t wait to dive into its sequel. It’ll be a nice break from the sandy dunes of Arrakis, as we’ve spent hundreds of hours in Dune: Awakening in the past few weeks. I’m also looking forward to Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, a soulslike game from China. You’ll find our picks for the top games to play in July 2025 below.
EA Sports College Football 26
The world of college football has changed significantly in the last few years, as players can now get paid. As a result, we’re finally able to play college football games again. Last year, EA Sports College Football 25 ended a very long drought that had lasted since the release of NCAA Football 14. Now, true to EA Sports tradition, we’ll be getting a new entry each year with an updated roster and some new features. Considering last year’s release was the first of the College Football series, we expect more meaningful changes than what you’d typically expect from say, an iteration of Madden NFL.
EA Sports College Football 26 releases on July 10, 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Patapon 1+2 Replay
I still have memories of playing the original Patapon on the PlayStation Portable, and I can’t wait to hear those drum beats again with Patapon 1+2 Replay. This bundle features remastered versions of Patapon (2007) and Patapon 2 (2008), rhythm action-adventure games that will have you humming pata-pata-pata-pon in no time. The game has players rhythmically hitting four drums: pata, pon, don, and chaka. The Patapons attack according to the drum beats, and there’s a layer of strategy since there are different classes of Patapons to choose from when assembling the team. If you love rhythm games, Patapon is one of the best in the genre.
Patapon 1+2 Replay releases on July 15, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Very few games have managed to replicate the success of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, so it’s no surprise we’ve gotten remastered versions. In 2023, Vicarious Visions and Iron Galaxy Studios launched Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, and now Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 are getting a similar treatment. Along with updated 4K visuals, this bundle includes revamped skaters, new parks, crazier tricks, and more. This also marks the first time players are able to create custom goals to share with friends, expanding on the Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park modes.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 releases on July 11, 2025 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, and PC.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo’s first-party games are rarely a miss, and everything we’ve seen about Donkey Kong Bananza suggests it’s going to be a huge hit. It’s been a while since Donkey Kong has gone on a 3D adventure, and it appears Nintendo pulled out all the stops to make it a memorable one. Donkey Kong Bananza will be the Switch 2’s second exclusive from Nintendo, and will likely showcase the new console’s capabilities better than Mario Kart World. That’s because Donkey Kong Bananza features destructible environments where Donkey Kong can wreak havoc and make his own way to the Planet Core alongside a young Pauline. I am, however, most looking forward to seeing what other Bananza Transformations are being kept a secret after Nintendo revealed Zebra and Ostrich Bananzas in the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct.
Donkey Kong Bananza releases on July 17, 2025 for Switch 2.
Wildgate
Even we’re a bit exhausted by all the team-based PvP multiplayer shooters that have entered the market looking for the same level of success as games like Team Fortress 2 and Overwatch. Concord’s recent failure indicates gamers are getting tired of them too, especially when some of these team-based games don’t bring anything new to the table. Well, that changes with Wildgate, which comes from Moonshot Games and is published by Dreamhaven. Moonshot Games is a team of former Blizzard developers, and Wildgate’s gameplay and art direction reflect just that. We played several matches during the game’s beta and found it surprisingly fun. It’s not your standard team-based shooter, as there are PvE elements as well as ship-to-ship combat to keep everyone on their toes. If you’ve got friends to coordinate with and are looking for something new, give it a shot.
Wildgate releases on July 22, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Killing Floor 3
After a last-minute delay in March, just weeks ahead of its launch, Killing Floor 3 will make another attempt to release in July. As the third entry in what has been considered a successful series thus far, it’s a surprise that Tripwire Interactive is running into issues getting Killing Floor 3 to feel just right. Hopefully the delay did some good for the game, which is set in 2091 and in which megacorp Horzine has produced the ultimate army of zeds. We’ve enjoyed stints of Killing Floor and Killing Floor 2, so we’re really hoping Killing Floor 3 can live up to some of its expectations.
Killing Floor 3 releases on July 24, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
Technically this isn’t a new game, but Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV has new features and enhancements compared to the original 2024 release. The updates are designed to take advantage of the Switch 2 console’s capabilities, like connecting a webcam to use CameraPlay, so all your former friends can give you dirty looks as friendships are ruined in the pursuit of collecting Stars. Mario Party Mode also gets two new rulesets: Tag-Team Rules and Frenzy Rules, while Bowser Live lets players appear on stage as they compete in a series of minigames and challenges. Another new mode is Carnival Coaster, which adds five thrill rides that take advantage of HD Rumble 2 and mouse controls.
Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV releases on July 24, 2025 for Switch 2.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
Genshin Impact’s success proved that Chinese developers have what it takes to make a hit game, but Black Myth: Wukong really put the country on the map when it comes to AAA development. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is looking to follow up on that success and is another soulslike action RPG that draws from Chinese history and lore. Wuchang is a skilled pirate warrior who is struck by amnesia and sets off to explore the land of Shu to discover the truth behind her curse, a horrific feathering disease. While I wouldn’t consider myself a soulslike fan, the recent Elden Ring Nightreign proved I can enjoy the genre with faster-paced combat, which is what Wuchang: Fallen Feathers looks to deliver.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers releases on July 24, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Grounded 2 (Early Access)
Grounded 2 was my biggest surprise announcement from this year’s summer gaming events, and it was made even better knowing it’s launching into Early Access (Game Preview) in late July. The sequel comes from both Obsidian Entertainment and Eidos-Montréal, as the teams look to build an even larger world for our shrunken protagonists. Grounded 2 aims to improve on everything the original Grounded has to offer, with some highly requested features including mounts. We really enjoyed our time with the original Grounded, revisiting it every year until its full release, and we can’t wait to see what Grounded 2 has in store for us.
Grounded 2 (Early Access) releases on July 29, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game
Another title that has seen delays, Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, looks to finally have its release date set. It’s a cozy life game set in Tolkien’s fantasy world of Middle-earth, where players can live the life of their own customized Hobbit in the Shire. Like many other games in the genre, Tales of the Shire lets players decorate their own Hobbit hole, tend a garden, fish, harvest fruits and herbs, and make lasting friendships with the townsfolk. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Hobbit game without food and there’s plenty of it, with players cooking meals and partaking in second breakfast with invited guests.
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game releases on July 29, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
The Ninja Gaiden franchise is seeing a resurgence, with the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4 launching on October 21 from developers Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. Before that, though, players can go back to the wonderful world of 2D side-scrolling action with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. It comes from The Game Kitchen, the same developers behind the wonderful Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound stars another protagonist, Kenji Mozu, a young ninja from Hayabusa Village. Joining Mozu on this adventure is the skilled assassin Kumori, which gives players two powerful ninjas to control. The game currently has a demo, which you can check out ahead of its release.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound releases on July 31, 2025 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
