The post is a the latest iteration of the Xbox Excellence Awards, which was created last year to celebrate how players engaged with various releases on Xbox. The Store Rating category lists 2025 games with the best ratings on the Microsoft Store, with an added requirement of the title having at least 500 ratings. Player Engagements is about the average number of hours spent on a game by each player within the first six weeks of a game’s release. Daily Active Users celebrates titles, expansions or updates with the highest single-day active users throughout the year. And finally Units Sold is fairly self-explanatory.

Going down the lists, you’ll find many of the biggest releases of the year, from ARC Raiders and Battlefield 6, as well as award-winning RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Indie titles have also been well-represented, with games like Crime Scene Cleaner and Satisfactory making it into the lists. There also doesn’t seem to have been a singular genre to dominate the lists, since everything from sports games like EA Sports Madden NFL 26, to fantasy adventure life sims like Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, and even fighting games like Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics are well represented.

Curiously, none of the games was present in all four of the categories. At most, we got to see titles like Borderlands 4 being able to make it on to three of them: Player Engagement, Daily Active Users and Units Sold. Even ARC Raiders, which has seen quite a bit of success, is only on the Units Sold and Daily Active Users lists.

Microsoft has also emphasized that the lists represent a diverse collection of games developed by studios of varying sizes. All in all, it represents 48 unique developers based out of 13 countries, with 24 publishers having had a hand in their release. 19 of the games were self-published. “Taken as a whole, it’s an encapsulation of development on Xbox – we want gaming to reach you wherever you are, and for the teams making those games to find you from wherever they are,” wrote the company.

Full list of games:

Store Rating:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Crime Scene Cleaner
• Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2
• Digimon Story: Time Stranger
• Dreamcore
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins
• Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
• Final Fantasy XVI
• Lies of P: Overture
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• Little Nightmares III
• Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
• Minami Lane
• Mullet MadJack
• Poppy Playtime Chapter 4
• Satisfactory
• Silent Hill 2
• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
• The First Berserker: Khazan

Player Engagement:

• Borderlands 4
• Digimon Story: Time Stranger
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins
• EA Sports College Football 26
• EA Sports FC 26
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
• Farm Together 2
• Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles
• Helldivers 2
• Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• MLB The Show 25
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• NBA 2K26
• NHL 26
• Rust
• Satisfactory
• The First Berserker: Khazan

Daily Active Users:

• Arc Raiders
• Avowed
• Battlefield 6
• Borderlands 4
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• DOOM: The Dark Ages
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Fortnite
• Forza Horizon 5
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Grounded 2
• Helldivers 2
• Marvel Rivals
• Minecraft
• NBA 2K26
• Rematch
• Roblox
• Rocket League
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Units Sold:

• Arc Raiders
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows
• Battlefield 6
• Borderlands 4
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• EA Sports Madden NFL 26
• EA Sports College Football 26
• EA Sports FC 26
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Helldivers 2
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• MLB The Show 25
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• NBA 2K26
• PGA Tour 2K25
• Ready or Not
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
• WWE 2K25

Taking a closer look at software sales for the month of December, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 took the lead, with Battlefield 6 being ranked third. Other titles in the best-seller charts for the month are a mix of newer games like Donkey Kong Bananza and older titles like Grand Theft Auto 5, Minecraft and Red Dead Redemption 2.

While other console makers might have started struggling with console sales last year, Nintendo has been doing quite well with the release of the Switch 2. Piscatella had confirmed, the Switch 2 ended up being the best-selling console of the year in the US, with the country accounting for 4.4 million units. Along with this, the new console is also noted as selling faster than the original Switch from back in 2017.

As he noted, the Switch 2’s hardware sales single-handedly managed to offset industry-wide downward trends in console hardware sales. Sony’s PS5 ranked second for the period. The Switch 2 has also been described by Piscatella as being the “fastest selling video game console hardware platform” in history so far.

While things might be going well for Nintendo for the time being, research firm Niko Partners has predicted that the company will end up raising the price of the Switch 2 thanks to the worldwide memory shortages affecting manufacturing. The firm noted that, while the Switch 2 is priced competitively when compared to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo might have to bring its latest console in line with its competitors to maintain profitability.

In the meantime, Battlefield Studios has been working hard on creating and testing more content for the upcoming second season of Battlefield 6. While it hasn’t yet revealed too many details aside from its February 17 launch date, the developers provided a few hints about what kind of content we can expect when Season 2 of Battlefield 6 is kicked off.

Among the new content coming to the game is a brand new map, dubbed Contagion, that will also feature its own unique gameplay mechanics. No details have been provided about these mechanics, aside from vague hints about players needing to use equipment to interact with them, a soldier wearing a gas mask in the teaser trailer, and the fact that the map’s name implies some sort of contagious infection will be involved.

Battlefield 6 is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more details, check out our review from back when it first came out.

2025 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games – U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content)

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2026-01-22T14:00:07.506Z

December 2025 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games – U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content)

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2026-01-22T14:00:07.505Z

Even just the title of the job listing indicates that Sony is looking to bring the baseball game franchise to PC in the future, and further descriptions of the job indicate that the company wants to ensure that it is a solid port, complete with support for features from both Nvidia and AMD.

The main responsibility of the Senior Graphics PC Programmer would revolve around “writing and optimizing our PC engine, debugging performance issues, implementing new graphics features, and ensuring the game takes full advantage of platform specific technologies offered by Nvidia and AMD.” While the listing doesn’t really mention MLB The Show by name, it is referred to throughout the description as a AAA PC title.

“We are seeking a Senior PC Graphics Programmer to join our team in advancing the visual and technical quality of a AAA PC title,” reads the job listing. “In this role, you will be responsible for developing and optimizing real-time graphics systems specifically for PC, ensuring robust performance and high visual fidelity across a wide range of hardware configurations.”

As part of the responsibilities of the role, Sony also notes that the person taking up the job should also be able to “ensure compatibility and performance” across a wide range of PC hardware, for audiences on both higher-end systems as well low-specced PCs. Along with this, the PC port of MLB The Show will also seemingly feature technologies like ray tracing and variable rate shading, among other things.

The most recent title in the franchise was MLB The Show 25, which was released earlier this year on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch. It also happened be the first title in the franchise to not be a cross-generation release that also made its way on to PS4 and Xbox One. The game features Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson as its cover athletes.

Among the host of new features that were brought to the series with MLB The Show 25 include new gameplay options like advanced movement, fielding animations and fielding changes courtesy of revamps to physics-based player movements. The title also brought with it the new Ambush Hitting mechanic which the studio has described as emulating a real Major League hitter. Players after a more immersive experience can also make use of the new first-person view available in the Road to the Show mode.

All of these features, among many others, were wrapped in a graphical overhaul over the game’s predecessors thanks to more realistic lighting, sharper textures, and a higher level of detail in player models. For more details about MLB The Show 25, check out our review.

MLB The Show 25, Sony San Diego Studio’s premier flagship franchise, understands this. In terms of recreating the magic, the atmosphere, the drama, and the rich history that the sport has to offer, very few titles have been able to match it. This year marks some much-needed improvements and new additions, to say nothing of the incredible animations, but it’s still very much an evolutionary upgrade rather than a sweeping revolution. Not that there’s anything wrong with that since its gameplay and presentation are some of the most polished available despite some quirks.

"Storylines enters Season 3 and focuses on several more legendary African-American players, including James “Cool Papa” Bell, Wilber “Bullet Joe” Rogan, and Norman “Turkey” Stearnes."

If you’re making the jump from MLB The Show 24, much of this will look familiar. Road to the Show returns, this time allowing players to start from high school, finishing strong in that playoffs to hopefully get scouted from a worthwhile college. Dynamic Challenges spice things up, introducing new goals to complete for more rewards, including Tokens, which are used to upgrade different Tools representing your player’s various talents. You can also modify the respective attributes in each if you really want to min-max in a specific field. It’s a noteworthy addition, and despite not breaking new ground or overhauling things, Road to the Show suffices as a decent career mode.

March to October still allows for taking a team, be it underdogs and diamonds in the rough to fan favorites and rising stars, through an entire season with high stakes and drama. Diamond Dynasty introduces a new rogue-like mode, Diamond Quest, for those keen on even more single-player action. You essentially assemble your squad of players on board with random tiles, take any number of steps, and complete the required challenges, including boss showdowns. Failing means receiving penalties that impact your performance, and you can also earn Peanuts to purchase boons. Though it’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea, I find the mode novel, but after spending dozens of hours grinding Simulated Universe, I would expect a much faster flow.

Storylines enters Season 3 and focuses on several more legendary African-American players, including James “Cool Papa” Bell, Wilber “Bullet Joe” Rogan, and Norman “Turkey” Stearnes. It doesn’t take too long to navigate the various episodes, but it’s arguably the highlight of MLB The Show 25. Completing challenges as each legend at different stages of their careers with real-life quotes, live-action footage, and even animated illustrations is a magical experience. You truly gain a new appreciation for the sheer talent and excitement that existed outside of the big leagues at the time.

From the outset, jumping in and customizing my preferred control schemes for each aspect of the sports from fielding and batting to pitching and running, couldn’t have been easier. The Plate Coverage Indicator seemed the best option initially for precisely lining up hits. After extensive failures with that and the timed button presses, I eventually settled on the right analog stick for swings. The feedback is still immediate and extensive with precise data on late and early hits on top of details on preferred pitching spots from the opposition.

"It’s somewhat of a shame that the graphics haven’t evolved much. Compared side by side to MLB The Show 24, players look pretty much identical, save for some missing facial hair."

Finding the right timing can be challenging, even if a simple bunt is enough to create an opportunity. Still, the sheer amount of outfielders who capably caught my Power shots felt a little too high, even on lower difficulties. It wasn’t enough to stifle the tension, but the AI is unusually on point more often than I’d like. They’re not typically as capable in batting, but maybe it was because I took more comfortably to the meter-based approach. The fact that well-timed pitches could still be successfully hit and the key lay in keeping my opponents guessing, at times intentionally pitching early or late, made for some fun strategizing.

Regardless of your approach and control scheme, there’s no denying that MLB The Show 25 nails it in terms of atmosphere. The commentary can repeat some lines on occasion (hello, “Swing and a ground ball base hit, right field,” my old friend). However, it still flows naturally, especially in Storylines when offering up facts about each player.

The excitement of the crowd, coupled with the broadcast-style presentation, the electric organ, the choice songs, and the bated breath between each pitch – everything meshes together to create this infectious atmosphere. There’s also no denying the sheer tension when it’s the bottom of the ninth (or close enough), the bases are full (or nearly), and you need that one solid hit to send the crowd home happy. Conversely, missing everything and giving away runs feels about as awful as it would in real life.

However, it’s somewhat of a shame that the graphics haven’t evolved much. Compared side by side to MLB The Show 24, players look pretty much identical, save for some missing facial hair. Don’t fix what isn’t broken, and all that, and the animation quality is still extremely well done, though avoid paying too much attention to the facial animations in Road to the Show. Even the stadiums look incredibly detailed, despite a few inaccuracies here and there, but if you’ve been waiting years for a true jump in visual fidelity, this isn’t it. For what it’s worth, this is still a good-looking game, but we’re a long way from the series heralded for its earth-shattering fidelity.

"Time will tell if San Diego Studio truly overhauls the formula next year or sticks to its guns, offering up more of the same quality content with its own hiccups."

Despite both long-running complaints, MLB The Show is still the premier baseball series, even if this year’s iteration isn’t the undisputed king. The unmistakable atmosphere, combined with the sound design, signature movements and details unique to each player, and smooth controls make it worth experiencing, hiccups and all. Maybe not as much for those burned out on last year’s iteration or expecting massive changes, but it feels like an essential experience for any baseball fan.

The sheer love and enthusiasm seen in Storylines, which dives into some of the biggest legends of the sport; the robust Road to the Show and March to October; the new Diamond Quest; and much more all come together into a solid baseball sim with the same solid gameplay that fans know, love, and are probably sick of. Time will tell if San Diego Studio truly overhauls the formula next year or sticks to its guns, offering up more of the same quality content with its own hiccups. But as it stands, MLB The Show 25 does a pretty good job holding down the fort.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

Biggest year-on-year improvement

According to a report by Forbes, sources close to MLB The Show 25 developer San Diego Studio have heard ‘loud and clear’ the criticism levied at its 2024 effort and have vowed to make this year’s iteration feel “like a fan-appreciation version” of the long-running baseball sim, promising the biggest leap in year-on-year improvement since the series began. Showing confidence in their efforts, the studio has opted not to release The Show 25 day one on Game Pass, the idea presumably to capitalise on predicted sales. Of course, there is potential Sony is reluctant to list 25 on Game Pass but, given SD Studio’s optimism, it’s absence might be the former.

Graphical overhaul

MLB The Show isn’t a series renowned for graphical improvements year-on-year, so with The Show 25 SD Studio have opted to give on-field fidelity some overdue care and attention by crafting more realistic lighting, sharpening textures, and enhancing detail in player models. These graphical licks of paint can be seen in dynamically swaying jersey fabric and the intricate stitching on balls and gloves. An upgraded stadium environment brings the atmosphere of onlooking fans closer to the real thing too.

Gameplay updates 1 – Advanced movement, fielding animations, and fielding changes

Alongside graphical overhauls, SD Studio have placed player movement – particularly fielding animations – under the microscope, revamping player physics via fine-tuning motion capture and by including hundreds of new animations – robbing home runs, diving catches, quick base tags, and hotshot catches, and more. Of the gameplay footage shared thus far we can see player movement is more naturally fluid than previous entries, but furthermore these animation advances translate to refinements in gameplay via new infielder reaction time animations, with three tiers of movements – from sluggish to quick – depending on fielder reaction attributes. Coloured arrows at the fielder’s feet indicate what kind of jump they’ll do alongside their reaction times too: yellow for okay, green for good, blue for perfect.

Gameplay updates 2 – Ambush Hitting

Amongst the most notable gameplay updates coming to MLB The Show 25 is the all-new Ambush Hitting, a new mechanic SD Studio claim emulates a real Major League hitter. From the batter’s box, you’ll choose which side of the home plate the pitcher is going to attack. Guess correctly and the plate coverage indicator grows granting more opportunity to hit the PCI sweet spot via reducing overall difficulty settings. Guess wrong and the opposite occurs: perfect swings become tougher to execute via larger PCI penalties and reduced timing windows.

Gameplay updates 3 – First-person view

MLB The Show 25’s Road to the Show, this year, will add a first-person perspective to fielding so you can experience through the eyes what it’s like to line up a cut-off throw from the outfield, outing a runner with a precise, well-paced lob to your basemen. This feature can be toggled on and off with ease, and functions when you are locked into a player. Numerous player-lock moments for baserunners and catchers exist, with cut off control and quick time events sharpening up gameplay.

Gameplay updates 4 – Smarter AI

In an effort to minimise predictable play patterns MLB The Show 25 harbours smarter AI.
Your team will dynamically adjust to your playstyle, making better baserunning and fielding decisions which will boost immersion whilst reducing frustration.

Road to the Show

Road to the Show promises to be a deeper and more personal experience in MLB The Show 25. The game introduces Path to 99 Progression, which grants full control of your custom character progression from the moment they first step out onto the pitch to their Hall of Fame induction. Playing games earns tokens which can be invested into specific attributes. Succeed in key moments and you’ll unlock always on perks which can be enhanced by pairing with equipment. Numerous career paths can be unlocked based on in-game actions, training, and interviews, influencing college teams and future draft picks. The journey to the top is in your hands.

Franchise mode updates

At the time of this feature’s creation SD Studio are still to reveal all that they have in store for MLB The Show 25’s Franchise Mode but what we know so far is the front office experience has received some refinement, especially during off-season with players able to manage dynamic sponsorship deals, stadium upgrades, and balance budgets against real-world economic challenges. New analytical data showcasing player form and stadium attendance now exists to aid better financial decision making.

Expanded Diamond Dynasty

The historic line-ups comprising Diamond Dynasty have been expanded with teams and legends from the 1950s to 1970s offering new ways to construct your dream roster. Further revamps are coming in the shape of sets and seasons being removed, bringing the experience closer to other sports sims like Madden or NBA 2K, alongside two new game modes: Diamond Quest and Weekend Classic, the former being a highly competitive multiplayer mode for experienced players.

New difficulty setting: G.O.A.T.

Yeah, using the term GOAT is a tad cringy in 2025 but, alas, The Show 25 features a brand new, ultra-tricky difficulty setting dubbed GOAT. Promising to challenge you in ways that have never occurred before: faster fast balls, tighter swing timing windows, bigger breaks of off-speed pitches, and The Show’s smallest ever PCI are here to separate the exceptional from the great.

Negro Leagues season 3

Narrated by Hall of Fame legend Bob Kendrick, Negro Leagues returns for its third season this year, with its strapline to tell the stories of “some of the greatest players you’ve never heard of” truer than ever thanks to enhanced storylines – a chance to learn history through interacting gameplay and narrative.

Pre-order bundles

As always, there’re numerous editions which are available for pre-order now. MLB The Show 25’s standard edition is priced at $69.99 and comes with the base game plus five The Show packs to use in Diamond Dynasty mode. For the same price, there is also a limited-edition physical copy which alongside the standard digital edition includes a trading card featuring one of the game’s three cover stars. The $99.99 digital deluxe edition features double daily rewards, twenty show packs, one anniversary pack, one diamond choice packs, five gold choice packs, an equipment pack, a cover athlete bat skin, 20k stubs, plus 4-day early access. Note, the Nintendo Switch versions are priced at a tenner cheaper than those already quoted. There’s even a $129.99 Collector’s Edition available which includes physical collectibles and premium digital bonuses.

In-game microtransactions

Stubs, packs, and other in-game features will be purchasable via microtransactions in MLB The Show 25, and whilst not mandatory, or indeed pay-to-win, competitive players might get some mileage out of these micro purchases to enhance their team quicker than earning all the extras organically. Special themed packs tied to MLB history might be worth the punt if they’re especially desirable and rare.

Trio of cover athletes

This year, the main cover athlete is standout infielder Gunnar Henderson, and the ultra-popular player is a firm choice for MLB The Show 25 given his pedigree as a serial winner and future face of the sport. Alongside Henderson is up-and-comer Elly De La Cruz and commanding pitcher Paul Skenes.

Release date and platforms

MLB The Show 25 is set to release March 18^th, with early access coming four days earlier on March 14^th for those who’ve pre-ordered. Playable platforms include PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Currently, there is no PC version.

FragPunk

Bad Guitar Studio’s free-to-play competitive shooter Fragpunk finally arrives on March 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC and caters to the Valorant crowd. That is if Valorant had an even more bombastic art style and cards that introduce modifiers, from larger heads to flipping the level upside down. As far-fetched as it seems, Fragpunk’s mix of abilities and cards is endearing – here’s hoping it’s also long-lasting.

Split Fiction

Better than It Takes Two (according to director Josef Fares) and promising to blow people away (again, according to Fares). Regardless of the signature hyperbole, Hazelight’s latest co-op adventure looks quite good. As Mio and Zoe, two writers stuck in a simulation, players venture across sci-fi and fantasy worlds with a ridiculous number of gameplay mechanics. Mechs, gravity changes, dragon-riding, spacewalks, even sausage making (turned terrifying) – it’s all here and out on March 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. And only one person needs to own a copy to play with a friend, thanks to the Friend’s Pass.

Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster

Launching on March 6th for all platforms, Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster is exactly what it says – a remastered compilation of Konami’s first two award-winning role-playing games with updated effects and HD backgrounds. Quality-of-life features like a conversation log, auto-save and Fast Forward for combat should make the journeys to gather all 108 Stars of Destiny much smoother. If you enjoyed Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes and always wanted to experience its inspiration, now’s the time.

WWE 2K25

With Cody Rhodes finishing his story, the past year or so of WWE has focused heavily on the Bloodline. So it should come as no surprise that the new Showcase in WWE 2K25, out on March 14th, is all about the faction, incorporating past and present Samoan wrestlers while debuting a new social space called The Island for players to hang out. With over 300 wrestlers, a new unified MyRISE mode, online multiplayer for MyGM and new match types, there’s quite a lot on the card.

MLB The Show 25

The show never truly ends for Sony San Diego Studio. and this year, it’s looking to implement major improvements based on fan feedback. Road to Show is revamped, offering eight licensed teams while still following the Path to 99 progression. Diamond Dynasty dabbles with rogue-like mechanics, Storylines continue, and the gameplay has seen numerous improvements. MLB The Show 25 launches on March 18th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, though unfortunately, not for Game Pass.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

After months of delays, rumors, and extensive gameplay showings, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised for release on March 20th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Ubisoft is mixing up quite a bit with its dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, but also returning to its stealth action roots while revamping the parkour and adding seasons. Between the base-building, scouting, loot, and late Sengoku era intrigue, there’s tons to unpack, but can it revive the publisher’s fortunes? That’s the million-dollar question.

Rise of the Rōnin (PC)

Insert a joke about playing a better open-world action RPG set in Japan. But in all seriousness, Rise of the Ronin’s PC version is worth looking forward to. It not only features ray tracing, up to 8K, 120 FPS, support for various upscalers and more, but it comes packed with all the post-launch updates, including more challenging missions and new loot. It arrives on March 11th via Steam.

Killing Floor 3

Killing Zeds in 2091, where Horzine has spliced the undead with cybernetic technology to craft new horrors. As a Specialist of Nightfall, it’s your job to resist, undertaking missions with up to five other players. All the tenets of Killing Floor are present, from highly customizable weapons and wave-based combat to modifiers on higher difficulties and Grindhouse levels of gore. The far future premise may turn some off, but after playing the closed beta, the full game may be the bloodiest of good times when it launches on March 25th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Atomfall

Survival sandbox post-Windscale fire disaster set in and around an isolated village. A somewhat despotic military, cults, bandits, mysterious bunkers, mutants, and naturally, a voice in a telephone booth telling you to kill someone. Rebellion Developments’ Atomfall is certainly something, to the extent that even its lead designer is intrigued at how it may or may not work out. It launches on March 27th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC, so it won’t take long for us to find out.

The First Berserker: Khazan

When the Les Pollos Empire – and the world at large – faced disaster at the hands of the Berserk Dragon, it turned to one legendary general to save it. However, after being forsaken by his king, Khazan would be badly wounded and exiled…that is, until the Blade Phantom took up residence in his body, offering a path to revenge. Regardless of your connection to the Dungeon and Fighter lore, there’s no denying the brutal yet responsive combat or the stunning world design. The First Berserker: Khazan arrives on March 27th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Two Point Museum

If managing a hospital and a university wasn’t enough, Two Point Studios is dooming human culture further by placing you in charge of a museum. Organize exhibits and tours, manage guests, decorate the floor, and even send expeditions to garner artifacts. With five museum locations and a sandbox mode, there’s plenty of room – and challenges – to become the perfect curator. Two Point Museum arrives on March 4th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

AI Limit

Another Souls-like anime-style action RPG, this one offers a post-apocalyptic world not unlike that of Code Vein (minus the vampires). As a Blader arriving in mankind’s last standing city, Havenswell, it’s your job to repair the Branches. Be careful, as massive beasts, ravenous warriors, and terrifying monsters roam the city, seeking your end. Launching on March 27th, AI Limit will be available for PS5 and PC.

Wreckfest 2

Through various trials and tribulations, Flatout’s spiritual successor Wreckfest underwent four years of early access before releasing to strong critical praise. It’s finally getting a sequel in the form of Wreckfest 2, which is also going the early access route on March 20th. Overhauled physics, more “intense” crashes – Bugbear promises it all and then some, including a forthcoming revamp of career mode. There’s a lot of content coming later, but at launch, it should be yet another smash hit.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone

If you had to order someone to dimension-hop and steal the precious MacGuffin-like Chernobylite, who else to send but Cole Grey, even if he does get stranded? Though the sequel embraces more action RPG-esque combat and multiple classes, you’ll still have to gather materials and survive across irradiated landscapes, with or without companions. With about 30 percent of the full game, Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone will launch on March 6th for PC via early access.

Details on this year’s improvements haven’t yet been revealed. Sony has confirmed, however, that Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson will serve as this year’s cover athletes. The trio will adorn the game’s covers to commemorate the MLB The Show series’ 20th anniversary. Check out the cover athlete reveal trailer below. 

MLB The Show 25 will launch for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on March 18. Unlike previous years, it won’t be a cross-gen release nor available via Game Pass day and date. However, those who purchase the Digital Edition can start playing the game four days before release, on March 14.