2025 has been one of the best video game years ever. There have been so many (almost too many) top-quality game releases this year that it has been hard to keep up with which games you need to play.
Therefore, I have made this list of my Top 10 games of 2025. These are games that I have played this year — they are not all games that were released this year, as some of them came from my backlog.
However, many of them were released in 2025, which shows just how good this year has been for games.
I hope you find some games you may not have heard about before from this list. Let me know what your Top 10 games of 2025 are down in the comments below.
Please remember to subscribe and review the podcast with 5 stars if you enjoyed the episode.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeatYourBacklog
No. 1 Game Podcast Ep: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/bq3mIaSzhZb
No. 2 Game Podcast Ep: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ZGAwHhSzhZb
No. 3 Game Podcast Ep: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/E8GB5O3BhZb
All other links: https://linktr.ee/beatyourbacklog
Is this game indie Like a Dragon? Not quite, but it is still brilliant.In Promise Mascot Agency you play as Michi, a disgraced Yakuza sent to a cursed town in rural Kyushu to bail his family's failing 'Mascot Agency' out of bankruptcy.This game is one of the best I've played in 2025 and is one you must check out!Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BeatYourBacklogRandom Episode: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dv0m8lBBhZb
If you're a fan of 80s and 90s anime, you will love this game!
After five hours of playing, I thought it might be my Game of the Year. It didn't quite stay at that level throughout my 15 hour playthrough, but if you like anime and turn-based combat, Wander Stars is a game you need to add to your 'to-play' list.
If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and share.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeatYourBacklog
Episode 80: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/HtodaFjrFYb
Random episode: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/HtodaFjrFYb
This week I check out Double Fine's latest game, Keeper. The podcast leads to the question that if a game visually looks like a work of art but does not have that engaging gameplay, how good is the game?Find out what I think in this episode.Don't forget to like and subscribe for more!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeatYourBacklogKeeper Review: https://youtu.be/ONDEyKX-1zs?si=KEErqDJwOzbOeTnx
All eight episodes of Dispatch have released and I am happy to say it is one of the best Superhero games I have played.
Not just that, it is one of the best games I have played this year and it will be high up on my Game of the Year list.
Check out my Hades 2 episode: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/X88HJ4AcnYb
Dispatch Review: https://youtu.be/Cl042477pvE
Pokemon Legends: Z-A episode: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/1m0E22AcnYb
Patreon: patreon.com/beatyourbacklog
Pokémon Legends: Z-A seems to be a bit like Marmite- you either love it or hate it.
On this week's podcast I am join by Laimiba aka Barbara, the biggest Pokémon fan I know, to discuss why we love Pokémon Legends: Z-A and why we think it is one of the best Pokémon games of the Nintendo Switch era.
If you enjoyed the podcast, please subscribe and leave me a review.
Laimiba's BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/laimiba.bsky.social
Pokémon Legends: Arceus podcast: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/78EMt9nl5Xb
Pokémon Scarlet podcast: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/OvYHXopl5Xb
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BeatYourBacklog
Hades is one of my all time favourite games. Will Hades 2 live up to the hype of the first game? Can you improve on a game I already consider perfect? Let's find out in this week’s episode of the Beat Your Backlog Podcast.
If you enjoyed the video please consider supporting for FREE or monetarily here on Patreon.
Hades review: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hades-nintendo-119350629
Donkey Kong Bananza podcast: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/wdwHBWTnkXb
Mario Kart World podcast: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/v7N59YTnkXb
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.social
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
Did you know there was a Grand Theft Auto games on the Nintendo DS? Well, there is!
So how does a GTA game play on a Nintendo console and did Rockstar have to pull any punches when developing it?
Let's find out in this week's episode of the Beat Your Backlog Podcast.
Pokemon Ranger Ep: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Ingx4hpOtNp7jpWLSE4E2?si=43xGCMO9Q5OYWbS8d5pDuw
Pokemon White Ep: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/BC54vIF2tXb
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.social
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land worth $80? Probably not, but the game does look amazing.Let’s find out in this week’s episode of the Beat Your Backlog Podcast.Thank you to my Patrons for their support.Become a Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/BeatYourBacklogCheck out some of my other Nintendo content:Donkey Kong Bananza: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yNv0y9xzaMNvKUJoVwj9h?si=xda8KkmnSAOmbt-oZsjhzgMario Kart World: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nv7OID15dxUnsO0yUWVl2?si=ZS5XyUh8SmGj284T77Qy_wBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.socialDiscord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
What is Donkey Kong Bananza, has it converted me into a Donkey Kong fan and should you buy a Nintendo Switch 2 to play this game? Let’s find out in this week’s episode of the Beat Your Backlog Podcast.
Thank you to my Patrons for their support.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeatYourBacklog
Check out some of my other Nintendo content:
Mario Kart World: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/kkY03zvjBWb
Super Mario RPG: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/8BeNYgxjBWb
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.social
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
You've never played a game like this!
This week I check out Camille and Laura, a two hour point-and-click indie game about a single Mother dealing with the difficulties of her daughter's first week at a new school. Let me know if you will check out the game in the comments below.
Check out my other videos:
Spilled: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/7dYb2zYx0Vb
and Roger: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ZixNjTby0Vb
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.social
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
and Roger may be the first indie game hidden gem I have played in 2025.
You play as a little girl who wakes up in her house expecting to find her Father sleeping on the sofa but instead finds a stranger there.
Let's find out what happens in this week's episode of the Beat Your Backlog Podcast.
Become a Patron at the $2 or $5 tiers to get all of my content early!
Written Review of the game: https://www.patreon.com/posts/and-roger-switch-136146153
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.social
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
It has been 11 years since we got a new Mario Kart, is Mario Kart World worth the wait and should you be spending $90 on it? Let's find out in this week's Beat Your Backlog Podcast!Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/c/BeatYourBacklogWritten Review of the game: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mario-kart-world-135476023Super Mario RPG: https://youtu.be/NICexNrk_9w?si=mWG43SNif13cnS1KBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.socialDiscord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
This week I check out To a T by Uvula Studios, Annapurna Interactive and the legendary designer, Keita Takahashi.
But what is To a T, is it worth your time to play and is it as good as Katamari Damacy? Let's find out in this week's episode.
Thank you Patrons for supporting the show.
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.social
Become a Patron and get access to this exclusive episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/beat-your-bonus-134029679
Hariold Halibut: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/0KdBjZdWcVb
This week I reviewed an absolute gaming iconic, Chrono Trigger. It was recently voted as the best JRPG of all time on IGN. Let's find out if that is the case.
Thank you Patrons for supporting the show.
Become a Patron and get access to this exclusive episode:https://www.patreon.com/posts/beat-your-bonus-124864113
Super Mario RPG episode: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dFS8g8plTUb
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
I have been dreaming of a good football game that is not FIFA for years. I want something that explores the culture of football more than the simulation gameplay of FIFA. With its 89/100 Metacritic score, will despelote scratch that itch? Let's find out in this week's episode.
Thank you Patrons for supporting the show.
Support on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/BeatYourBacklog
Spilled episode: https://youtu.be/EfXtXAXXJlY?si=SY7krqKoWO4ZtgsP
Slay the Princess episode: https://youtu.be/XpaBYHyHBDg?si=-YZal_cfmHKdWPga
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.social
This week I go all the way back to 2007 and play Pokémon Ranger on the Nintendo DS.
But what is Pokémon Ranger, is it worth playing in 2025 and what makes it different from the main line Pokémon games?
Let's find out in this week's episode.
If you enjoyed the episode, please consider becoming a Patron today!
Thank you Patrons for supporting the show:
Hoppel
Kazapi
Gaming in the Wild
Pokemon Legends: Arceus review: https://www.patreon.com/posts/beat-your-55-122915285
Pokemon White review: https://www.patreon.com/posts/pokemon-white-119238407
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
This week Chris Brandrick from Switch Weekly joins me to talk about his Nintendo Switch Memories!
Chris's Links:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brandrick.bsky.social
Switch Weekly: https://switchweekly.com/
If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe for more and leave a 5 star review.
Thank you to my Patrons for supporting the show!
Hoppel
Kazapi
Gaming in the Wild
My Links:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bybpodcast.bsky.social
Discord: https://discord.gg/GwzyjN4
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BeatYourBacklog
If you enjoyed the episode and would like to listen to more Nintendo Switch content, check out episode 50 of the podcast, where I go through my Nintendo Switch 2 predictions. https://youtu.be/r1GvQ2H1E0A?si=c_x6dAA8IGgTnMIe
Adam's Backlog of shame: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S89jikBVn_0lI6JMMl88nts1v8IXhmLR28qdJFcX92E/edit?usp=sharing
This week I check out the short and sweet indie game Spilled! by Lente.
It's a game where you play as a cute boat that goes around cleaning up an oil spill after an environmental disaster.
Let me know if you have played the game or plan to play it here in the comments, on BlueSky or in the BYB Discord.
If you enjoy the podcast, please remember to leave a 5 star review and consider supporting us on Patreon.
Thank you Patrons for supporting the show:
Hoppel
Kazapi
Gaming in the Wild
If you’re in the mood to listen to more content about a great short indie game, check out episode 64 of the podcast about Monument Valley 1&2 https://www.patreon.com/posts/beat-your-64-1-2-127050552
Random Podcast episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/beat-your-62-cut-126385990?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Slay the Princess Play Through: https://youtu.be/6wbQHny2zKk
This week on the podcast I review two of the best puzzle games ever, Monument Valley 1 & 2.
Have you played Monument Valley 1 and/or 2? Is it still on your backlog? Will you be playing them on the Nintendo Switch? Do you have any other great mobile game suggestions I should play?
If you enjoy the podcast, please remember to leave a 5 star review and consider supporting us on Patreon.
Thank you Patrons for supporting the show:
Hoppel
Kazapi
Gaming in the Wild
If you’re in the mood to listen to more content about a great indie game, check out episode 41 of the podcast about Cat Quest III.