July is right here, and it is a busy month for online game releases. 2026 has been the yr of high quality launches, and the Sport of the 12 months discipline is already stacked. Final month, Loss of life Stranding 2 launched completely on PS5 and have become one of many highest rated video games of the yr. This month’s greatest launch is a Nintendo Change 2 unique. Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo’s second main first-party launch on the Change 2, arrives July 17.
Slightly earlier than that, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4 arrives on PC and consoles on July 11. The sport bundles remakes of two traditional Tony Hawk Professional Skater titles in a single bundle. The skateboarding title will even be out there on Sport Go day one. Microsoft’s recreation subscription service will even get Grounded 2 later this month. Sequel to 2022’s Grounded, the action-adventure recreation will probably be launched in early entry on July 29.
Different releases in June embrace Tremendous Mario Celebration Jamboree + Jamboree TV, which brings the celebration recreation launched on the unique Change in 2024 to the Change 2 in an upgraded version. A brand new Lord of the Rings recreation arrives this month, as properly. Tales of the Shire is a life simulation recreation set between the occasions of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. July will even see the launch of Wuchang: Fallen Options, a Soulslike motion title from Chinese language developer Leenzee. The sport arrives on PC, PS5 and Xbox Sequence S/X on July 24. Here is our picks for the most important video games of July throughout PC, PlayStation Xbox and Change.
Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4
When: July 11
The place: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence S/X, Nintendo Change, Nintendo Change 2
Identical to 2020’s Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 1 + 2 earlier than it, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4 overhauls two traditional Tony Hawk titles for contemporary platforms. Professional Skater 3 and 4 have been remade, that includes mechanical and graphical enhancements. The sport options all the unique maps, plus some new ones. Gamers can create their customized skate parks, as properly, now with extra design instruments at their disposal.
The arcade strategy to core skateboarding gameplay stays the identical. Gamers should carry out a mix of methods, flips, grinds and different flashy strikes to rack up factors in a degree. The aim is to look as cool as doable and pull off the slickest strikes. Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4 is ready to be a nostalgic return to the skate park.
Patapon 1 + 2 Replay
When: July 11
The place: Nintendo Change, PS5, PC
Dive into this common rhythm-based motion journey from Sony, which helps you to play because the Patapon tribe, struggle different armies and monsters, within the quest to seek out Earthend. You may be marching to the beat with Patapon 1 + 2 Replay, which provides gorgeous 4K visuals and enhanced audio of the unique title and its sequel. For those who’ve performed Patapon titles earlier than, you already know the drill. You could management your Patapon warriors utilizing drum instructions, which have to be timed completely.
Over the course of the sport, you may acquire entry to new Patapon lessons, highly effective weapons and armour. It’s also possible to customise your military primarily based on upcoming challenges. Whether or not you are a seasoned Patapon strategist or making an attempt out the sport for the primary time, the remastered Patapon 1 + 2 Replay may have you yelling “pata-pata-pata-pon!” very quickly.
Donkey Kong Bananza
When: July 17
The place: Nintendo Change 2
The Change 2 went on sale in June with just one main first-party title out there at launch: Mario Kart World. This month, the brand new console is getting Donkey Kong Bananza, an action-adventure platformer that options destructible environments. That is the primary Donkey Kong recreation since 2014’s Donkey Kong Nation: Tropical Freeze and the expectations could not be greater. It has been developed by the identical Nintendo EPD crew that made Tremendous Mario Odyssey, which stays top-of-the-line video games of the 2010s. And with the dearth of latest video games on the Change 2, Donkey Kong Bananza is ready to turn out to be the flagship title on the platform.
At its core, it is a 3D platformer with a concentrate on puzzles and destructible environments. As Donkey Kong, you possibly can smash via terrain and chart your solution to hidden areas of the map to seek out collectibles and tackle new challenges. The aim is to gather as many Banandium Gems as doable whereas exploring every degree. In some ways, the sport appears to be a religious successor to Tremendous Mario Odyssey. That is a comparability that solely bodes properly for the upcoming recreation. If Donkey Kong Bananza manages to seize the magic of Tremendous Mario Odyssey, it would doubtless find yourself being the most effective recreation of 2025.
Shadow Labyrinth
When: July 18
The place: PS5, Xbox Sequence S/X, Change, PC
For many years, Namco’s Pac-Man has been a fan favorite amongst players of all ages, cementing its standing as one of the crucial iconic arcade video games of all time. Shadow Labyrinth, developed by Bandai Namco Studios, reimagines the beloved traditional with a darkish, genre-blending twist. You play as Swordsman No. 8, revived by Puck (sure, the acquainted floating yellow orb) on a desolate alien world. To evolve from prey to predator, you should observe Puck’s will, main you to uncover hidden truths and devour your enemies.
To outlive within the hostile world of Shadow Labyrinth, you may must study the historical past of a long-forgotten interstellar warfare, unlock highly effective talents, and grasp fast-paced fight to form your individual combating type. As you carve your path ahead with Puck, you may finally confront Puck to uncover its true motives and the explanation behind your resurrection.
Monument Valley 3
When: July 22
The place: PS5, PS4, Xbox Sequence S/X, Change, PC
Developed by Ustwo Video games, Monument Valley 3 permits gamers to step into the function of Noor, an apprentice on a mission to push again a creeping darkness over the world and uncover the secrets and techniques of the mysterious “Sacred Gentle.” Alongside the way in which, Noor should rescue misplaced souls and convey them to a seaside village that serves as a house base. Dominated by a towering lighthouse, this refuge holds hidden secrets and techniques of its personal.
The sport preserves the franchise’s signature artwork type, soothing soundtrack, and intuitive contact controls. As you information Noor on her quest to cease the world from slipping into darkness, you may navigate mind-bending optical illusions and resolve intricate puzzles. Alongside the way in which, new mechanics turn out to be out there, permitting you to discover geometric landscapes and reshape structure to disclose hidden paths.
Tremendous Mario Celebration Jamboree Change 2 Version + Jamboree TV
When: July 24
The place: Nintendo Change 2
The Nintendo Change 2 is just a few months previous, and we have seen a gradual stream of latest titles for the hand held console. The Mario celebration is ready to get larger with Nintendo’s Tremendous Mario Celebration Jamboree + Jamboree TV, which is coming to the Change 2 later this month. It options 5 recreation boards, together with a vibrant theme park and a pirate ship. You may additionally really feel nostalgic, due to boards from earlier Mario Celebration titles which might be additionally a part of this launch.
With the Jamboree TV on-line mode, you possibly can compete in over 110 mini video games with as much as 20 gamers within the high-stakes Bowser’s Gauntlet problem. You’ll be able to problem your folks domestically, or make it a world celebration, full of chaos and pleasure. For those who just lately bought a Change 2, that is the Mario celebration expertise that you simply may wish to strive in your new console.
Killing Ground 3
When: July 24
The place: PS5, Xbox Sequence S/X, PC
Developed by Tripwire Interactive, Killing Ground 3 is a first-person survival horror recreation, just like its predecessors. It’s promised to present us extra gore, with extra destruction and extra bloodshed than ever earlier than. The sport was initially deliberate to launch in March this yr, however the builders delayed it to account for suggestions from a closed beta check group. The refreshed product, due to this fact, is excessive on the radar for followers of the franchise and common gaming fanatics alike.
On this recreation, set within the yr 2091, you end up battling towards developed and obedient bioengineered zeds, deadlier than ever, with extra energy and resilience. As a member of the Dusk resistance, you’ll crew up with as much as 5 allies to defend the final remnants of humanity. To do this, you should have a various vary of weapons. Additionally, you will be capable to customise your arsenal with completely different modifications.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
When: July 24
The place: PS5, Xbox Sequence S/X, PC
The seek for the following problem is one thing each Soulslike fan understands. Final yr, Black Fantasy Wukong scratched that itch for a lot of players with its heavy storyline-focused narrative. However for those who’ve mastered all of the strikes and memorised all of the assault patterns of the bosses, there’s a new problem on the town. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is ready in late Ming Dynasty China and brings a darkish and supernatural twist.
Developed by Leenzee (Chengdu) and revealed by 505 Video games, the sport places you within the sneakers of Bai Wuchang, a feminine pirate warrior who’s affected by the mysterious Feathering illness. This illness can also be a brand new gameplay ingredient, and when you’re by it, you get additional energy but additionally take extra injury.
Since it’s a Soulslike, the first recreation mechanic relies on precision fight with a concentrate on dodging (just like Black Fantasy Wukong), and there are 25 completely different weapons and greater than 40 spells to decide on your playstyle. Other than that, there’s a person talent tree to grind for, and a cool recreation mechanic that permits you to harvest enemy energy by killing them. Stockpiling talents have by no means been this enjoyable! So, for those who’re in search of your subsequent Soulslike journey, Wuchang simply could be it.
Grounded 2
When: July 29
The place: PC, Xbox Sequence S/X
Introduced finally month’s Xbox Video games Showcase, Grounded 2 arrives in early entry on PC and Xbox Sequence S/X later this month. Whereas a full launch will come later, the early entry model ought to give gamers a well-rounded expertise with the sequel. Identical to the primary recreation, Grounded 2 is actually Honey, I Shrunk the Children, the online game. Gamers will take management of tiny people who should survive the regular-sized risks of the world that seem gigantic to them.
Grounded 2 takes place in Brookhollow Park, a fictional suburban setting from the Nineties. This time, gamers will be capable to tame and trip big bugs. You’ll be able to bounce in solo or play with associates in co-op, craft weapons and construct a base, Grounded 2 will even be out there on Sport Go when it arrives in early entry on July 29.
Tales of the Shire
When: July 29
The place: PC, PS5, Xbox Sequence X, Xbox Sequence S, Nintendo Change
Set on the planet of J R R Tolkien’s Center Earth, Tales of the Shire is a simulation recreation that permits you to step into the sneakers of a Hobbit, and spend your days within the Shire. You may get an opportunity to customize your character, earlier than you start your life within the Bywater village, positioned within the Shire. After that is performed, there’s plenty of work to do, together with tending to your backyard, going fishing, and even cooking some meals after gathering components.
Over the course of time, you possibly can customise and personalise your house, as you agree into your life within the village. Tales of the Shire provides you the prospect to befriend acquainted characters and help them, or take part in native festivals. For those who’re a Lord of the Rings fan and wished you could possibly dwell within the Shire, this title may lastly provide the alternative to begin your individual Hobbit journey.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
When: July 31
The place: PS5, PS4, Xbox Sequence S/X, Xbox One, Change, PC
For those who keep in mind the unique NES trilogy, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound will certainly tickle your fancy. Developed by The Sport Kitchen and revealed by Dotemu, the brand new installment of the sport comes 34 years after the final recreation. Ragebound follows proper after the trilogy as Ryu Hayabusa departs for America, forsaking his village susceptible to demonic invasion.
The first protagonist of the story is Kenji Mozu, a younger ninja from the Hayabusa Clan who was skilled by Ryu, and now he should rise to the event and shield the village. The 2D side-scrolling motion platformer options recreation mechanics akin to precision fight, wall-climbs, ceiling traversal, dodge rolls,
With Ragebound, players will even discover dual-character combats with weapon sharing, and a Ki-based Ragebound state that lets you fuse the 2 characters. So, for those who’re a fan of pixel-art and fluid frame-to-frame transitions, and reminisce concerning the unique NES trilogy, you’ll positively love taking part in this recreation.