September was so packed with new releases that we didn’t get to every game we planned to play. We ended up sinking dozens of hours into Borderlands 4, Dying Light: The Beast, and Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles, while the rest of the internet was enjoying Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades II. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough of a gap between major releases for us to dig into those great indie titles, but we’re hoping to enjoy them if things slow down in November.
Personally, I’ll be starting off the month with what is already looking to be another Game of the Year contender, Ghost of Yōtei. Afterward, I have Pokémon Legends: Z-A on my schedule and possibly Ninja Gaiden 4, depending on how things go. I’d love to carve out time for Jurassic World Evolution 3, since I enjoyed the original but skipped the second entry in the series. I’m actually hoping to sacrifice one of October’s releases to get back to Hades II.
Ghost of Yōtei
It’s not a direct sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, but all the positive reviews for Ghost of Yōtei suggest it’ll be a worthy successor. The game is set 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima and follows the story of Atsu. Set in the 1600s in rural Japan, Atsu seeks revenge against the Yōtei Six, and her quest will take her across Ezo, where she’ll find more than just vengeance. Developer Sucker Punch has shared plenty of trailers for the game, and I’m looking forward to exploring the diverse combat system.
Ghost of Yōtei releases on October 2, 2025 for PlayStation 5.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2
There really isn’t much to say about Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, two classic 3D platformers coming to Switch and Switch 2 in October. Super Mario Galaxy was originally released in November 2007 for the Wii, while its sequel arrived in 2010 on the same platform. In Super Mario Galaxy, Mario once again sets off to rescue Princess Peach and meets Rosalina, while Super Mario Galaxy 2 brings back Yoshi as Mario travels across the universe aboard Starship Mario. These two games are likely heading to Switch and Switch 2 because the next Super Mario Bros. film is titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 releases on October 2, 2025 for Switch and Switch 2.
Digimon Story Time Stranger
The Digimon Story series is finally getting a new entry, and it looks to be a great one. From Media.Vision, Digimon Story Time Stranger takes players on a monster-taming journey to unravel the mystery behind the world’s collapse. This adventure spans the human world and the Digital World: Iliad, where Digimon live. The game features dynamic turn-based combat, further bolstered by over 450 Digimon to collect and customize. Digimon Story Time Stranger has a demo if you want to check it out ahead of launch, and we’re hoping it’ll be successful to nudge the Pokémon franchise forward a bit.
Digimon Story Time Stranger releases on October 3, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Battlefield 6
One franchise in gaming that needs no introduction is Battlefield, and Battlefield 6 is shaping up to be a return to form. The next entry from Battlefield Studios was built with extensive community feedback through Battlefield Labs. That collaboration seems to be paying off for the teams at Criterion Games, DICE, Ripple Effect, and Motive, which together make up Battlefield Studios. While multiplayer remains the focus for Battlefield 6, the game will bring back a campaign in which players join an elite squad of Marine Raiders fighting to save a world on the brink of collapse.
Battlefield 6 releases on October 10, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Little Nightmares III
Officially announced at Gamescom 2023, Little Nightmares III was originally set to launch in 2024. After a delay, the title appears set to launch in October. Development comes from Supermassive Games, not Tarsier Studios, which created the first two Little Nightmares games. It’ll be interesting to see whether the team at Supermassive Games can capture the atmosphere that made the series iconic. Little Nightmares III also has a demo available if you want to see how it’s shaping up before release.
Little Nightmares III releases on October 10, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, and PC.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
I’m pretty much a casual Pokémon fan and don’t follow the series too religiously. I enjoyed my time with Pokémon Sword and Shield, but I really liked what Pokémon Legends: Arceus had to offer even more. That’s the main reason I’ll be spending time with Pokémon Legends: Z-A in October, which is set in Lumiose City. While the Pokémon video game franchise may not be evolving at the pace many fans want to see, these games continue to be best sellers for Nintendo. Hopefully, Pokémon Legends: Z-A will at least feel like a noticeable step forward for the franchise.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases on October 16, 2025 for Switch and Switch 2.
Jurassic World Evolution 3
I spent dozens of hours with the original Jurassic World Evolution when it released in 2018 and found it to be a fun enough sim set in the Jurassic World universe. I skipped the sequel when it launched in 2021, but I’ve been keeping a close eye on Jurassic World Evolution 3. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a simulation/management game, and if I can find the time, I’d love to see how Jurassic World Evolution 3 has improved on the formula. For those who just want to build and manage a park full of dinosaurs, this is likely still the best option.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 releases on October 21, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Ninja Gaiden 4
I have a lot of memories of playing the original Ninja Gaiden on the NES, a brutally hard side-scroller that set the tone for the entire franchise. While my last experience with the series was the 2004 Ninja Gaiden reboot, I’m excited to see it’s back and looks to be in solid form. Action games have come a long way over the last decade, and while it’s clearly not a Soulslike (thank goodness), Ninja Gaiden 4 doesn’t look like a walk in the park either. I’m also excited about this entry because of PlatinumGames’ involvement, as the developer has a track record of fun combat systems.
Ninja Gaiden 4 releases on October 21, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Many believed Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 would never be released, and it’s understandable given what occurred during development. A sequel to 2004’s Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, the game was initially developed by Hardsuit Labs, but the studio was removed from the project in 2021 when The Chinese Room took over. The title was originally set to launch in March 2020, but it underwent several delays before the developer switch. When it resurfaced, Paradox Interactive aimed for a fall 2024 launch, but even that was delayed. Hopefully, this time it’s real, and players can finally get their hands on it in time for Halloween.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 releases on October 21, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Persona 3 Reload (Switch 2)
One of my favorite games of 2024, Persona 3 Reload is heading to the Switch 2 in October. I’ve long considered the third mainline entry in the series my favorite for its more mature, darker themes. As great as the cast is in Persona 5, I’ve always found Persona 3’s cast to be the most memorable. It’s a great RPG, but it’s long and includes some outdated mechanics that haven’t aged well. But as I said in my Persona 3 Reload review, it’s a game I passionately recommend to all RPG fans and a must-play if you’ve recently been introduced to the Persona series through Persona 5.
Persona 3 Reload releases on October 23, 2025 for Switch 2.
The Outer Worlds 2
Obsidian Entertainment has been on a roll lately, having released Avowed and Grounded 2 in Early Access (which we enjoyed) this year alone. The developer is going for a hat trick with the launch of The Outer Worlds 2. As a sequel to 2019’s The Outer Worlds, The Outer Worlds 2 continues the zany, first-person sci-fi RPG adventure, starring a new crew in a new colony and featuring new weapons to take on new enemies. Those who loved the original will surely have plenty to look forward to with the sequel.
The Outer Worlds 2 releases on October 29, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Arc Raiders
Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders checks every buzzword box as a multiplayer extraction shooter with both PvP and PvE elements. Even so, it looks promising, with a compelling loop that shifts between a surface ruled by lethal machines and the vibrant underground society of Speranza. Arc Raiders will offer solo play and parties of up to three, launching with four distinct maps and more to come. The game will also feature extensive crafting of weapons, gadgets, and gear, with players getting their own upgradable workshop stations and blueprints. Like many modern games, Arc Raiders will also have a skill tree with three branches: Survival, Mobility, and Conditioning. This one’s worth a look, even if you’re a bit tired of the genre.
Arc Raiders releases on October 30, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake turned out to be a great success last year, selling over two million units worldwide by December. While it carries “III” in its title, the story is actually the first in the Erdrick Trilogy, which is why Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is coming in October 2025. The original Dragon Quest launched in Japan in May 1986, and I can’t wait to see how well it translates to Square Enix’s iconic HD-2D art style. These two titles put players in the roles of the descendants of Erdrick, and it’s great that an entirely new generation can experience some of the most iconic RPGs in history.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake releases on October 30, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, and PC.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
Speaking of history, Mortal Kombat is preserving its legacy with the launch of Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection. The collection will launch digitally first, with a retail version coming in December. It’ll include the original Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Mortal Kombat 4, Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, Mortal Kombat Special Forces, Mortal Kombat Advance, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, and Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition. It’s also worth mentioning this version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is the long-lost WaveNet edition. Die-hard Mortal Kombat fans will want to get ahold of this, especially since they’ll get to experience a version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 that very few have ever played.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection releases on October 30, 2025 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, and PC.
Tales of Xillia Remastered
While we continue to wait for the next all-new entry in the Tales series, we’ll have to settle for Tales of Xillia Remastered. Announced in August, Tales of Xillia Remastered adds graphical upgrades and quality-of-life improvements, similar to those we’ve seen in other remastered Tales games. Tales of Xillia was originally released in Japan in 2011 before heading to other regions in 2013. It stars Milla Maxwell and Jude Mathis, who adventure in the world of Rieze Maxia, where humans and spirits coexist in harmony. Enhancements in the remaster include autosave, the option to disable enemy encounters, a battle retry, subtitles in battle scenes, a dash toggle, destination markers, skippable cutscenes, and more. The only disappointing part is that no remaster was announced for the sequel, Tales of Xillia 2. Chances are it’s in the works, but we’ll have to wait for official confirmation.
Tales of Xillia Remastered releases on October 31, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
