There’s no doubt that 2025 has been a wild year, as there have been many great moments. Some were laughable, while a few were jaw-dropping. Regardless of all, this has been one of the best years in gaming altogether. Let’s take a look back at some of the best highlights from 2025.
20. Schedule 1 Beating AC: Shadows Player Count
Image Credit: TVGS
The first-ever showcase of Indie games dominating the gaming industry in 2025 came with Schedule 1. While AC: Shadows was hovering at around ten thousand players, the indie release was soaring into the hundreds of thousands, proving just how strongly smaller projects resonated with audiences that year. Both had a similar release period, and TGVS dominated the “AAAA blockbuster” like nobody’s business.
19. Valve Revealing a New Hardware Line-Up
Image Credit: Valve
On a random Wednesday, Valve decided to reveal new hardware it had been working on, namely the Steam Machine, controller, and the Frame VR. No one saw it coming, and it shook the gaming hardware market for good.
18. Megabonk Dropping Out of TGA Sparking Debate
Image Credit: Vedinad
As surprising as it gets, Megabonk was the top contender in the Debut Indie Game category at The Game Awards, but the developer, Vedinad, dropped out. The reason is that it’s not their first debut game. The decision was respected, which led fans to believe Vedinad is actually Danidev (famous YouTuber) in disguise.
17. Counter-Strike 2 Knife Market Crash
Image Credit: Valve
Counter-Strike 2 had one of the wildest years as players saw the knife market crash. A market that was once valued at $6 billion suddenly fell to $2 billion, which shook multiple traders and caused a lot of distress.
16. Reaching the Summit in PEAK
Image Credit: Landfall Games
PEAK certainly took the show as well in 2025, and nothing beat the feeling of reaching the summit with your friends. The journey was tough but not impossible, thanks to teamwork and all the shenanigans that happened on the way.
15. Revelation of Leon’s Return to Resident Evil
Image Credit: Capcom
The Game Awards 2025 gave the first look at Leon in Resident Evil: Requiem, and how it’s fitting to have him back in Raccoon City. The character’s return is one of the most celebrated, and nobody saw it coming in 2025. Technically, the game is coming in 2026, but still, the memory is etched.
14. R.E.P.O – Chest Pain Meme
“I love” is stuck in every R.E.P.O fan, and that one chip showcases how hilarious the in-game voice chat could be. A random guy singing in the most perilous situation is peak comedy, which gets supercharged with violation.
13. What If? – The Alters
Image Credit: 11Bit Studios
One of the most heart-warming moments in gaming has to go with The Alters, as multiple variants of Jan Dolski jam together. The scene shines out because it showcases how he’s only being saved by himself.
12. Donkey Kong Returns in 3D After 15 Years
Image Credit: Nintendo
Donkey Kong Bananza was memorable for fans because the franchise was returning in 3D after 15 years. That’s right, Donkey Kong Country Returns is that old now, and everyone is happy to see our beloved gorilla return.
11. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Shadow Drop
Image Credit: Bethesda
With no announcement or promotion, Bethesda did the unthinkable with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. The re-release of the game was not seen for, and it managed to shake the gaming world in 2025.
10. Dispatch Housewarming Party
Image Credit: AdHoc Studio
Image Credit: AdHoc Studio
Image Credit: AdHoc Studio
Image Credit: AdHoc Studio
Image Credit: AdHoc Studio
Dispatch got a lot of praise for its narrative, and especially the bar fight scene that slaps. Yet, the best moment remains to be the housewarming party, because Robert’s life got a new light with all the misfits at the SDN.
9. Gen.G Taking the Crown at EWC 2025
Image Credit: Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup was one of the most memorable as Gen.G secured the winner spot after a tough head-on battle against AG.AL. The thrill of that match will be remembered by League of Legends fans.
8. RAM Prices Reaching the Sky
Image Credit: ASUS
One of the biggest plot twists of this year was the increased demand for DRAM chips for various technologies. The worst part is, it’s not ending anytime soon, and the prices are expected to touch the ceiling for quite a while.
7. Hollow Knight: Silksong Surprise Release
Image Credit: Team Cherry
Hollow Knight: Silksong was anticipated for a long time, and Team Cherry didn’t bother to open their mouths in any way. Then, out of nowhere in September 2025, the studio finally broke its silence, revealing that the game would be released in just a matter of weeks.
6. Team Vitality Dominating Budapest Major 2025
Image Credit: Valve/ESL
Team Vitality got the Best Esports Team award at The Game Awards 2025, and it’s all for good reasons. Take a look at the Budapest Major 2025, because they dominated the playoffs and the finals.
5. Battlefield 6 Flexing Its Muscle
Image Credit: Electronic Arts
Call of Duty has been dominating the market with arcade shooters until Battlefield 6 arrived with a promise of returning to its roots. Naturally, it got a lot of positive response, because Activision hasn’t been paying attention to what fans want.
4. GTA 6 Gets Delayed
Image Credit: Rockstar Games
Image Credit: Rockstar Games
Image Credit: Rockstar Games
Image Credit: Rockstar Games
Image Credit: Rockstar Games
Image Credit: Rockstar Games
GTA 6 was supposed to launch in 2025; however, Rockstar decided to turn back and delay it. It’s said that the delays are only happening because of polishing reasons, but it did break a lot of hearts.
3. Nintendo Starting a New Pricing Trend
Image Credit: Nintendo
Game prices were increasing steadily over the years; however, Nintendo took the bold step of increasing prices once again. Xbox tried to follow in the same direction, too, but met a lot of criticism.
2. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Making History at the Game Awards
Image Credit: Sandfall Interactive
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was not only one of the biggest game debuts in 2025, but also created history at The Game Awards 2025. Right now, the RPG is the only game with the highest game awards, beating The Last of Us: Part 2.
1. Split Fiction Final Level
Image Credit: Electronic Arts
It goes without saying, but the final level of Split Fiction takes the crown in 2025. Mixing two genres into one single level, which feels seamless, is peak game design and will be remembered forever.
Those were some of the best moments in gaming in 2025. Of course, there are many more memorable moments this year, so how about you share yours? The comment section is right below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
