Those who already got their hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 will be looking forward to the upcoming release ofDonkey Kong Bananza, but it’s far from the only must-play game in July 2025. The year has been stacked so far with new and old games alike, includingBlue Prince,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,Oblivion Remastered, andElden Ring Nightreign.
Below you’ll find more than just new releases, though. July 2025 has a slate that includes some important updates, expansions, and upgrades. No matter you’re preferred platform, whether PC or console, there are plenty of unmissable experiences to keep tabs on this month.
10No Man’s Sky: Beacon
Update 5.73, July 1
Yes,No Man’s Skyis still going. Its latest content drop, the Beacon update, technically came out in June, alongside support for the newly releasedNintendo Switch 2 version, butan update to version 5.73 was a key correction to some performance issuesthat cropped up, and it became available on July 1.
The Beacon update focuses on settlement building and managementin the effectively infinite game world ofNo Man’s Sky. Settlements have been in the game for a while, but Beacon deepens the mechanics associated with them and the NPCs that live there, alongside some new story content.No Man’s Skyis jam-packed full of content at this point, and the Beacon update is as good a time as any to either jump back in or pick up the game for the first time.
9Disney Dreamlight Valley – Storybook Vale: The Unwritten Realms
Expansion Update, July 9
The long-awaited second half ofDisney Dreamlight Valley’sStorybook Valeexpansion is finally landing on July 21, 2025.The Unwritten Realmsis focused almost entirely on characters fromSleeping Beauty, with a keen focus on Maleficent, who first appeared in the game near the end ofThe Storybook Vale’s first half. ThroughoutThe Unwritten Realms,you’ll help Maleficent unravel the mysteries surrounding Aurora, the sleeping princess.
If you already ownThe Storybook Vale, thenThe Unwritten Realmsis simply the second half of your purchase; the new content will become available to you upon an update. Players that haven’t yet boughtThe Storybook Valewill have to purchase the expansion to play the new content, and now that the second half is dropping, there should be plenty to play through.
8Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Remake Collection, July 11
Five whole years after the first two games were remade,Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4will finish the classics' comeback on July 11.Pro Skater 3and4came out all the way back in 2001 and 2002 respectively, and even though the remake collection modernizes most of its gameplay,Pro Skater 4’s full career mode has not been adapted.
While that may be a disappointment to longtime fans, there’s some consolation inTony Hawk personally advocating for Bam Margera’s inclusionafter the former professional skater andJackassstar was initially cut from3 + 4. A big improvement is theaddition of online multiplayer that supports cross-platform play, letting you join your friends in any of the classic skate parks, or ones that you make yourself in the Create-A-Park mode.
7Donkey Kong Bananza
New Release, July 17
Arguably the biggest video game release of July 2025,Donkey Kong Bananzawill be the second major first-party exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2after launch titleMario Kart World. A redesigned DK is joined by young Pauline on an adventure to the center of the planet, hoping to beat the villainous VoidCo. there to stop them from having their wish granted.
In animpressive Nintendo Direct,Donkey Kong Bananza’s gameplay was given a thorough showcase, showing itsfully destructible environmentsand the suite of abilities given to DK. It’s likely to be a wonderful showcase of the Switch 2’s capabilities – fully destructible levels are very rare, largely for their design challenges, butBananza’s breakable scenery appears far too ambitious for the original Switch.
6The Wandering Village
1.0 Release, July 17
The Wandering Villagehas been in early access for a few years now, but will finally see its long-awaited 1.0 release on July 17. Its off-beat premise has playersmanaging a city built on the back of a massive, ambling creature. The community and the creature form a symbiotic relationship, helping each other to survive a hostile landscape that continually scrolls by.
The 1.0 release was just recently preceded by a major update toThe Wandering Village’s story mode, which focuses on getting to the bottom of an infestation affecting the livelihood of the village and the creature, known to the denizens on its back as Onbu. Many decisions will have to be made while your village grows, and you don’t always have to work with Onbu’s best interests at heart.
5Shadow Labyrinth
New Release, July 18
Shadow Labyrinthis an unexpected new frontier for the iconicPac-Manseries. Rather than rushing around the well-known mazes of the arcade game,Shadow Labyrinthre-imagines Namco’s classic character into a companion known as Puck, who helps you navigate a side-scrolling, action-platforming, metroidvania-like experience.
It’s a definitively mature take on the typically fairly innocent Pac-Man, and is meant to be appealing to those outside of the series' usual fanbase. The metroidvania gameplay is accompanied by callbacks to classicPac-Manas well.The player character, Swordsman No. 8, can merge with Puck to traverse certain walls, and bespoke challenges will adapt the maze-running, ghost-eatingPac-Mangameplay into sections ofShadow Labyrinth.
4Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Upgrade + Expansion, July 24
Super Mario Party Jamboreeis the next Switch game set to receive a Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade – another premium one. To justify its price tag, though,Jamboreeis receiving an expansion calledJamboree TV, exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. In-game, Jamboree TV is a new game mode hosted by Toad with a distinct game-show flair. It includes mini-games only playable on the Switch 2 using its mouse controls and built-in microphone.
Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV: Nintendo Switch 2 Editionwill also include the expected perks of an upgraded Switch game. It boasts higher resolutions both docked and in handheld mode, higher frame rates, and Switch 2 Camera support. Because of the new content, though,Jamboree’s paid upgrade is $20, and does not appear to be included in Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, like the open-worldZeldaduology’s upgrades were.
3Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
New Release, July 24
Emboldened by the success ofBlack Myth: Wukong, another action-RPG is coming out of the rapidly expanding Chinese development scene:Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. Whereas the former tried to put some distance between it and soulslike comparisons,Wuchangdoes not such thing, so far being very upfront about the game being well within the subgenre.
You play as Bai Wuchang, a pirate in Ancient Shu during the late-era Ming Dynasty. IfBlack Myth: Wukong’s limited weapon options were a bummer,Wuchang: Fallen Feathersmight be worth a look, giving youthe option of 25 weapons across five different types, in addition to a suite of magical abilities.
2Tales Of The Shire: A Lord Of The Rings Game
New Release, July 29
Tales of the Shirehas been on the minds of cozy game fans for a long time, and July will finally see its highly anticipated release. The life and farming sim takes place in the eponymous Shire – the village of Bywater to be precise. Adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium,Tales of the Shireis between the events ofThe HobbitandLOTR, when the Bywater is a burgeoning community.
Players immerse themselves in the life of a Hobbit,doing chores, fishing, growing crops, chatting with neighbors, and decorating their Hobbit hole. The idyllic home of the Hobbits has long been the perfect setting for a cozy game, and it will now be a reality whenTales of the Shirereleases on July 29.
1Ninja Gaiden Ragebound
New Release, July 31
Ninja Gaidenis seeing a huge resurgence in 2025, first through the announcement and immediate release ofNinja Gaiden 2 Blackin January, and now withNinja Gaiden Ragebounddropping on the last day of July. Developer The Game Kitchen is taking the Koei Tecmo license and creating aside-scrolling, platforming entry to the iconic hack-and-slash series.
Rageboundis a throwback to the series' earliest entries, even re-adopting beautiful pixel artwork.This is the year ofNinja Gaiden’s big comeback, withBlack 2and nowRageboundpreceding the mainline series' decade-plus-in-the-making return withNinja Gaiden 4in October. First we’ve got to get through July, though, andRageboundrounds out a month full of must-play games likeShadow LabyrinthandDonkey Kong Bananza.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza marks the iconic ape’s triumphant return to 3D platforming, offering players an expansive underground world to explore. In this adventure, Donkey Kong embarks on a mission to retrieve stolen golden bananas from the nefarious VoidCo. Utilizing his formidable strength, he can demolish terrain to uncover hidden paths and secrets. The game introduces a new sidekick, Odd Rock, who assists in overcoming obstacles and navigating treacherous environments.
