Switch 2 sales are slowing down after a strong launch, partly due to the continued popularity of the original Switch and a lack of major exclusive titles to drive holiday sales. Nintendo's upcoming software lineup for 2026 currently features sequels and re-releases, with potential for new system-selling exclusives to boost sales. The company may need a hit similar to Super Mario Odyssey to regain momentum.
The article discusses PlayStation's upcoming plans for 2026, highlighting new game releases such as Marvel's Wolverine, Nioh 3, Phantom Blade Zero, and Marathon, as well as third-party titles like GTA 6 and Star Wars: Galactic Racer. It also touches on potential hardware developments, including the possibility of a new PlayStation handheld and the PlayStation 6, though no concrete details are confirmed. Overall, 2026 looks promising with a mix of exclusive and multiplatform games, despite a relatively quiet 2025.
The article previews the biggest PlayStation games expected in 2026, including Saros, Marvel’s Wolverine, and Nioh 3, highlighting the decline of exclusives and the anticipation for major titles like GTA 6, Resident Evil Requiem, and Halo on PS5, with a focus on upcoming releases and industry trends.
In 2025, Sony continues to focus on high-quality exclusives for the PS5, despite the trend of multiplatform releases, and has enhanced its ecosystem with the PlayStation Portal, a device that allows cloud streaming and portable gameplay for over 2,000 games, making it a significant addition for PlayStation users.
The PlayStation 6 faces challenges such as a decline in first-party exclusives compared to previous generations and the difficulty in surpassing current high standards of graphics, which may result in a minimal generational leap and impact consumer interest and pricing strategies.
The article reviews the top-rated PS5 games of 2025 according to Metacritic, highlighting a mix of exclusive titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yotei, as well as notable cross-platform releases such as Forza Horizon 5 and Death Stranding 2, emphasizing the console's strong performance and diverse game library in 2025.
The article highlights the top exclusive games of 2025 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Mario Kart World, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, Hades 2, and Donkey Kong Bananza, emphasizing their gameplay and significance for the console launches.
Loulan: The Cursed Sand is an upcoming PS5 exclusive from ChillyMoon, featuring a dark, isometric action game with a tragic love story, fast-paced combat, and puzzle-solving, set in a fallen kingdom with a unique skeletal warrior protagonist. No release date has been announced yet.
Xbox president Sarah Bond described console exclusives as 'antiquated,' sparking debate with ex-Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, who defended Nintendo's successful strategy of exclusivity, emphasizing its role in Nintendo's dominance with outstanding games. The discussion highlights shifting perspectives on platform exclusivity in the gaming industry.
Sony has announced a shift away from a hardware-centric business model towards a platform-focused approach, emphasizing community and engagement, driven by increased profits from third-party software sales and a move towards more cross-platform releases, including some first-party titles on Xbox and PC, which has sparked concern among gamers about the future of PlayStation exclusives.
Sony is exploring a strategy to expand its first-party games to multiple platforms beyond PlayStation, including Xbox, Nintendo, and mobile, as indicated by a new job listing. While this suggests a potential shift towards more cross-platform releases, Sony remains cautious about diluting its ecosystem, and the move may simply be an extension of its current PC and porting efforts. The industry is watching to see if this signals a broader change in Sony's approach to exclusivity and platform strategy.
Sony is seeking a director to lead its strategy for expanding PlayStation titles across multiple platforms beyond PS5, including PC, Xbox, and Nintendo, indicating a potential shift away from console exclusivity and towards broader multi-platform releases.
Sony is increasingly adopting a multiplatform strategy, potentially porting more PlayStation exclusives to Xbox and Nintendo consoles, as indicated by recent game launches and a job listing for a role focused on expanding PlayStation Studios titles across various digital platforms beyond PlayStation hardware.
The article criticizes Xbox's lack of strong exclusive games, which has hindered its success compared to PlayStation, highlighting the importance of first-party titles for a console's appeal and the ongoing struggles Xbox faces in delivering compelling exclusives.
Nintendo announced that its wheelchair basketball game Drag x Drive will be released on August 14th for the Switch 2, adding to the console's growing lineup of first-party exclusives, with the game highlighting new mouse controls and costing $19.99.
