According to the report, there have been a total of 71 million games sold in 2025 across PC and consoles in Europe, which marks a 6 percent drop over the same period from 2024. This data accounts for sales having taken place up to July 28. Of the 71 million game sales, 52 million were digital copies, while 19.7 million were physical copies. These are 3 percent and 9 percent reductions over the previous year, and around 74 percent of games sold this year in Europe have been digital, which, when it comes to percentages, is a 2 percent rise from 2024.

The best-selling game in Europe in 2025 has been EA Sports FC 25. The title was released back in 2024, and taking it into account, Assassin’s Creed Shadows currently sits in the number 2 spot for game sales overall in Europe across PC and consoles. The top 20 sales chart, which you can check out below, also include other games released this year, including The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, Elden Ring: Nightreign, and Nintendo Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World. It is worth noting that digital sales data for Nintendo games hasn’t been revealed.

The data, coming from official European charts company GSD, also interestingly omits Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It was noted as being missing because publisher Kepler Interactive hasn’t shared sales data for the game with GSD. An analyst from GSD, Sam Naji, also revealed some details about how game spending has changed for PC and consoles over the year.

In his analysis, Naji said that the first 19 weeks of 2025 saw spending drop by 2 percent compared to 2024, down to €1.33 billion, while the number of copies sold dropped by 9 percent. He attributed this to the average price of games having gone up by around 8 percent, with gamers spending an average of €29 per game, when compared to 2024’s average of €27 per game. He also noted that digital spending had gone up by 8 percent compared to a 6 percent drop in number of units sold, attributing it to a 15 percent rise in average price for digital games – €22 to €25 per game.

Best Selling Games in Europe for 2025 Across PC and Consoles:

1. EA Sports FC 25 (EA)
2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Ubisoft)
3. Grand Theft Auto 5 (Rockstar)
4. Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar)
5. Hogwarts Legacy (Warner Bros)
6. Split Fiction (EA)
7. Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom)
8. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Activision Blizzard)
9. Mario Kart World (Nintendo)
10. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (Plaion)
11. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (Bethesda)
12. Star Wars Battlefront 2 (EA)
13. Elden Ring: Nightreign (Bandai Namco)
14. It Takes Two (EA)
15. Grand Theft Auto Online (Rockstar)
16. NBA 2K25 (2K Games)
17. F1 25 (EA)
18. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege (Ubisoft)
19. Mario Kart 8: Deluxe (Nintendo)
20. Battlefield 1 (EA)

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

Developer KT Racing’s most ambitious title to date has landed Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown a place on this rundown despite an onslaught of issues resulting predominantly from it’s always-online requirement. First, the good: Solar Crown’s Hong Kong open world is consistently complex and interesting, and the car feel – whilst not perfect – is a step up from Test Drive Unlimited 2. The bad however outweighs the good: time wasting bugs, server issues even when racing solely against AI, and inconsistent, non-adjustable difficulty settings makes Solar Crown a racer steeped in promise but with much to fix.

Several other titles previously received confirmation through their respective PlayStation Store listings. Check out the full list below:

• Alan Wake 2
• Albatroz
• Apex Legends
• Arma Reforger
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• EA Sports College Football 25
• Dead Island 2
• Demon’s Souls
• Diablo 4
  
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Dragon’s Dogma 2
• Dying Light 2 Reloaded Edition
• EA Sports FC 25
• Enlisted
• F1 24
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Fortnite
• God of War Ragnarök
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
• Kayak VR: Mirage
• Lies of P
• Madden NFL 25
• Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Naraka: Bladepoint
• NBA2K 25
• No Man’s Sky
• Palworld
• Paladin’s Passage
• Planet Coaster 2
• Professional Spirits Baseball 2024-2025
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Resident Evil 4
• Resident Evil Village
• Rise of the Ronin
• Rogue Flight
• Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
• Star Wars: Outlaws
• Stellar Blade
• Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown
• The Callisto Protocol
• The Crew Motorfest
• The Finals
• The First Descendant
• The Last of Us Part 1
  
• The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
• Until Dawn
• War Thunder
• Warframe
• World of Warships: Legends

The stand-outs include Star Wars: Outlaws, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (which could function similarly to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2), Assassin’s Creed Mirage, The Last of Us Part 1, Warframe, EA Sports College Football 25, etc. However, more were confirmed separately from the article’s publication, like Killing Floor 3, Starship Troopers: Extermination, and Off the Grid, though whether they’ll be enhanced at launch is unknown.

The PS5 Pro is available on November 7th for $699.99 worldwide. It doesn’t come with a vertical stand or Blu-ray disc drive – both must be purchased separately. Head here for more details.

Developed by Visual Concepts South, who also worked on The Track mini-game and LEGO 2K Drive, Gravity Ball costs $7.99. It’s an arcade-like basketball experience with support for 3v3 and 5v5 formats with Power-ups, unique cosmetic customization, and more. Furthermore, it provides Season XP and Virtual Credits for progressing in the base game.

It’s certainly an over-the-top addition to the game, that too for a price, but it could be an intriguing direction for the franchise, hosting other unique experiences. Stay tuned for more updates in the future.

NBA 2K25 is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Check out our review for the base game here.

Hopping into the game immediately thrusts you into the role of MP, fighting alongside your team of choice to win the NBA Finals. Of course, it’s revealed to be a visualization, a meditation exercise for what he wants to achieve. From there, you select the ideal position – I went with Power Forward for plenty of shooting opportunities close to the opposing net (many of which were botched, but we’ll get to that). After opting for the Los Angeles Lakers and going with Lebron James as my preferred style – ironic, because I would compete against him for a starting spot – the journey through The City and MyCareer began.

"Maybe your coach has some thoughts after your first game, or you hit the gym to improve stamina. It’s definitely a lot to take in, but the pacing is steady and involved, with characters feeling natural and grounded. "

Visual Concepts has hyped revamps and improvements to The City, and the attention to detail is certainly noteworthy. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the performance – 30 FPS, that too without the greatest fidelity or scale in the world. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means – just odd, considering how smooth the on-court gameplay is. From there, it’s a chat with Elite or Rise, joining either crew for, well, differing basketball courts.

There is an opportunity to earn REP and compete against the other side, but for now, it feels more like a cosmetic choice than anything else. I scoped out a few more locations, from The REC to Rise’s court. Overall, The City feels like a step up over last year – yes, there’s still an extensive amount of product placement, but it feels more natural and less contrived.

From there, it was a return to MyCareer, consulting with coaches, setting goals (surely winning the NBA Cup isn’t that difficult), and outlining media strategy. The professional hustle is pretty consistent – if you’re not meeting up with Patrick to discuss Endorsements, each bestowing VC based on the completion of their goals, there are interviews where your answers can garner more fans or build team chemistry.

Maybe your coach has some thoughts after your first game, or you hit the gym to improve stamina. It’s definitely a lot to take in, but the pacing is steady and involved, with characters feeling natural and grounded. The ability to play through my MP’s backstory to truly experience their journey to the NBA is also nice if not particularly revolutionary.

"The momentum and on-court movement feel natural, from the dribbling and weaving through defenders to sudden dashes leading to noteworthy fouls."

There is a lot of content available, whether you’re grinding out Badges or reaching 99 Overall by taking Danny Dunkman to town in The City or delving into different eras, experiencing the glory days of Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, and other legends. Nevertheless, the experience feels very approachable, aided by the new Learn 2K for drilling the fundamentals and the return of MyCourt, allowing you to sit back and perfect your movement and shot timing.

None of this would matter if the on-court action isn’t up to snuff, and NBA 2K25 mostly delivers on that. While the new Rhythm Shooting feels intriguing, the Shot Meter remains contentious. Shot Timing Profiles let you customize this like Normal Risk-Reward, which replicates previous games in the series.

There’s still plenty of practice required. Even when slightly early or slightly late, I felt like I whiffed more three-pointers than scored. Nevertheless, it feels solid, and I appreciated the custom visual cues, which made it easier to track cues and even my player on the court. Perhaps my only real issue is defense – blocking feels difficult and unrewarding. On top of that, it also doesn’t improve Teammate Grade, which is baffling. Seeing some of my teammates allowing attackers to waltz in for easy lay-ups was also annoying, though it didn’t occur too often to become rage-inducing.

The momentum and on-court movement feel natural, from the dribbling and weaving through defenders to sudden dashes leading to noteworthy fouls. Despite a few janky animations here and there, players move and feel lifelike, and all the little details, like the reaction animations or the sweat on players’ brows, are impressive.

"Considering you can outright buy VC to improve your character and trounce the opposition, the sheer amount of time and work required to remain competitive remains shady."

Of course, the presentation is on-point as ever, capturing that TV feel with lifelike commentary that naturally blends into the background with very few hiccups and excellent cinematography. The character models for certain NPCs in MyCareer aren’t always top-tier, but they still boast solid facial animations and movement to go with their exceptional voice work.

I didn’t mess with MyTeam too much – like Ultimate Team in EA’s titles, the prospect of building a roster, playing the market for better cards, earning card packs, and competing against others online didn’t appeal to me. Even if it doesn’t net the most VC in a period, I still found Breakout somewhat enjoyable. The board game layout, with its mix of teams, match types, and objectives with increasing challenges and rewards felt fun. How much of a lifespan it can have, especially without any real twists or new additions, remains to be seen.

Throughout NBA 2K25, there are numerous quests for that precious seasonal XP and VC. While you can take things at a relatively relaxed pace, the time-sink nature of it all doesn’t appeal to me like the drama and narrative beats of MyCareer.

Considering you can outright buy VC to improve your character and trounce the opposition, the sheer amount of time and work required to remain competitive remains shady. Say what you will about it and all the ways to grind out VC for free, but when multiplayer is pay-to-win, it kills my enthusiasm to engage with it in any shape or form. It may explain why I care so little about the game’s online component and MyTeam.

"As an overall package, NBA 2K25 is the premier basketball experience. There are plenty of areas to improve and grow over a longer period, but for fans of the sport, it remains the go-to choice."

A lot of what I’ve discussed and praised about NBA 2K25 traces back years for hardcore fans. The stellar visuals go beyond excellent character models and realistic animations to deliver a truly immersive NBA viewing experience. The commentary and sound effects offer a holistic audio experience without becoming overwhelming.

The gameplay, with its risk vs. reward shooting and natural movement, and a litany of options, even if some on-court aspects need to be improved (when have they not, though, right?). The extensive amount and range of content let you forge a path towards becoming the best in the NBA, fighting to make your mark as a rookie or experiencing the paths of Legends and their biggest moments.

All of this remains, and much of it improved over last year’s edition. And while it’s noteworthy for new players to experience – especially since there’s no competition in this space – I have to wonder how much longtime fans will appreciate it. As an overall package, NBA 2K25 is the premier basketball experience. There are plenty of areas to improve and grow over a longer period, but for fans of the sport, it remains the go-to choice.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Reaching 99 Overall as fast as possible is thus sought after by many players, especially this year with the Rebirth changes. What’s the best way to do so in this year’s edition? It may be easier than you think.

How to Quickly Reach 99 Overall

There are several methods to reach 99 Overall, whether by playing the game or grinding the same activity. The latter is more effective, especially in The City, so head to The Temple. Challenge Velvet, the weekly boss, to get him on your team. Select an opponent with the lowest three-point rating since he’ll be the easiest to deal with.

Enter a game, watch the opponent miss shots, and catch the rebound. Lob it to Velvet for the Alley-Oop (since he specializes in the same) and repeat. At the very minimum, you can earn at least 10,000 MyPoints this way. It’s also ideal for grinding out Badges, though remember that it will still take time to reach 99 Overall.

An alternative method, especially if you make a Center build, is to go to The Rec. It’s reportedly doling out much more MyPoints than expected when catching rebounds, so best to take advantage while it’s still effective.

MyCareer Teams

MyCareer allows you to live out those NBA fantasies, competing against the best in the world. After deciding which position to play, you must choose the ideal team. Top-tier choices include the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks for any position. If you’re keen on experimenting as a forward or guard, then the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder are worth checking out. New players can opt for the Lakers first and get a feel for the game before deciding on positions and teams to accommodate them.

Turn Off Adaptive Coaching (and Other Settings)

If you’re not keen on the CPU making decisions for your team, go to the Settings menu and search for Adaptive Coaching Engine. While you can set this to Offensive, Defensive or both, those who want to formulate their own plans should turn it off. Ensure that Substitutions, Timeouts, Defense Playcalling, Offense Playcalling, and Late-Game Fouling are set to Manual instead of Auto. It also prevents the CPU from making those decisions and grants you total control.

Adjust Shot Timing Profile

There have been some changes this year to shooting, and not all of them have been well-received. To make things feel similar to older titles, head to the settings and adjust the Shot Timing Profile to Normal Risk-Reward, which means your shot chance is affected normally by jump shots.

Set the Shot Timing Visual Cue to Set Point as well since it offers the most consistent method for releasing shots. For an additional boost, head into the Customize HUD menu and turn off Visibility for Shots on the Shot Meter.

Turn Off Passive Dribble Hand Switches

Passive Dribble Hand Switches is a new feature which sees your current player using random dribbling patterns. Since some combos rely on the hand that the ball is currently in, having it randomly switched around can mess up your overall rhythm. Turn it off to be safe and allow for more consistency.

Badge Performance Multipliers

If you’re not into grinding out The Dunes or The Temple in The City to level up your Badges, consider checking the Performance Multipliers tab in MyCareer. You must complete specific goals in different modes like Winner Takes All, which requires winning 30 NBA games after hearing from Mikal Bridges.

However, they provide passive increases to badge progression under certain conditions, like winning games, finishing with an A- Teammate Grade or higher, playing against Top 10 Power Ranking opponents, etc. These will also benefit the other grinding methods, so consider pursuing them ASAP.

The Fastest Ways to Earn VC

MyCareer and Endorsements

Perhaps the best and most basic option is to play MyCareer matches. Depending on the difficulty, the VC payouts will be higher, with Hall of Fame difficulty, the highest, granting 160 percent more VC. You’ll also want to pick up Endorsements – these grant VC if you fulfill specific goals, like being named to an All-Defensive Team. Additional Endorsements become available as you earn more fans.

Quests

The Quests tab is also a good source of VC, especially since the tasks are very straightforward, like completing a 5v5 Scrimmage, reaching 90 Overall and using Rebirth, etc. in The City. Regardless of whether you’re targeting specific tasks, check back for completed quests and VC.

Spend Real Money

If you’re looking for the absolute quickest method to get VC, it’s spending real money on Virtual Currency Packs. They range from $1.99 for 5,000 VC to $149.99 for 700,000 VC. Ultimately, it’s not recommended, because the very purpose of MyTeam is pushing you to spend more money. The alternative is to buy the Pro Pass ($9.99) or the Hall of Fame Pass ($19.99) to obtain the Premium Pass, which also contains VC, though you need to rank up the pass.

If you’re not too keen on the mode but still want the 100K Club Achievement/Trophy, you must have at least 100,000 MyTeam Points (MT) to unlock it. Here’s the fastest way to achieve that without playing the market.

How to Get 100,000 MyTeam Points Quickly

Domination

Divided into two categories – ’25 NBA and Eras – Domination is a great way to rack up MT. Earning three stars against each team isn’t difficult, and on reaching 15 stars for each division, you get a whopping 10,000 MT.

Reach 33 Stars in total for ’25 NBA, and you’ll receive 15,000 MT on top, though you can keep going and get an Amethyst Jalen Brunson with a 91 Overall Rating. Eras Domination offers 15,000 MT per division and is more challenging. You could complete one or two divisions and dip out if it becomes too much.

Sell Everything

On top of playing Showdown and Exhibition to earn MT (the latter especially so if you have the required players), you can also sell any unwanted Badges, logos, shoes, and whatnot, especially when racking up dupes. They only provide a handful of MT, but it all counts and adds to the total. You can sell any unwanted player cards to bump the total.

Badges have multiple tiers, but the main focus is on getting Gold. First, you need to meet the stat requirements. After that, fulfilling the badge’s requirement is necessary to rank it up – like mid-range shots on Deadeye or pass accuracy on Ball Out. You could just play the game, but there are quicker and more consistent ways to accomplish this.

How to Earn Gold Badges

Head to The Dunes in The City, located on the beach section of the map. Navigate over and watch the cutscene until the board opens up. It allows you to compete against different opponents in streetball. Go to Weekly Challenge and beat Dunkotron 5000 or Jukes the Clown to get them as teammates.

However, the main attraction is Danny Dunkman, who, compared to other players on the board, is pretty easy to deal with, whether you’re shooting against him or defending. You can thus make any plays that you want with little challenge involved. After completing a match, you’ll earn Virtual Currency and MyPoints for your rating alongside badge progress. Keep rematching against Danny until you’ve ranked up your badges as much as possible.

NBA 2K25 is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC.