The Octopath Traveler series has officially surpassed 6 million units sold, a significant milestone for Square Enix. This impressive figure includes both physical shipments and digital downloads of the original Octopath Traveler, its sequel, Octopath Traveler II, and the newly introduced Octopath Traveler 0. This achievement comes just a year after the series celebrated reaching 5 million sales, showcasing the growing popularity of these titles among gamers worldwide. The first game in the series, which launched to critical acclaim, has sold over 3 million units since its release, while Octopath Traveler II has made its mark with 1 million units sold by June 2023.

In an exciting turn of events for retro gaming enthusiasts, the long-lost NES puzzle game Xcavator, originally developed by Chris Oberth in 1991, is making a comeback. This revival is the result of a collaboration between iam8bit and the Video Game History Foundation, culminating in a fully polished cartridge edition set to release in 2025. Priced at $100, this edition not only includes an authentic NES cartridge but also a detailed manual that dives into the game’s troubled history and Oberth’s career, shedding light on the broader challenges of preserving 8-bit gaming history.

At the Golden Joystick Awards 2025, “Ghost of Yotei” has taken the crown as the Console Game of the Year, showcasing the continued evolution of storytelling and gameplay in the gaming industry. Developed by Sucker Punch Productions, this action-adventure game serves as a standalone sequel to the critically acclaimed “Ghost of Tsushima,” but with a fresh perspective as players step into the shoes of Atsu, a mercenary driven by vengeance.

The beloved universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender is set for an exciting expansion with the announcement of a new fighting video game and an animated YouTube series, both launching in 2026. This dual release promises to bring fresh content to fans who have cherished the franchise for over two decades. The upcoming fighting game, tentatively titled Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, is scheduled for a Summer 2026 release on consoles and PC.

The excitement is building for the upcoming NASCAR 25 console game, developed by iRacing, as they recently unveiled the complete driver roster. This highly anticipated game, set to release on October 14 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, features a staggering 176 real-world NASCAR drivers across various series, including the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Among the notable names included are fan favorites like Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson, but the roster does have some surprising omissions, such as Katherine Legge.

A new video game based on the iconic Friday the 13th franchise is officially in the works, reigniting excitement among fans of horror gaming. Announced during a San Diego Comic-Con panel, Robert Barsamian, executive vice president at Horror Inc, confirmed that both a sequel game and a new movie are top priorities for the franchise, which has been dormant for years. While details remain scarce, Barsamian hinted that the upcoming game may not be a direct follow-up to 2017’s Friday the 13th: The Game, which was a hit among fans for its asymmetrical multiplayer gameplay.

The ongoing debate surrounding the preservation of video games has taken a significant turn as the EU lobby group Video Games Europe has responded to the Stop Killing Games petition. This movement, which has garnered over 1.2 million signatures, aims to protect consumers by ensuring that publishers provide offline alternatives for online games that are taken offline. The lobby group argues that enforcing such measures would make the development of live service titles prohibitively expensive, potentially stifling innovation in the gaming industry.

The gaming world is buzzing as the Nintendo Switch 2 has officially set a new benchmark, achieving the largest launch week for any gaming hardware in US history. With an impressive 1.1 million units sold in its debut week, the Switch 2 has outpaced the previous record held by the PS4, signaling a monumental shift in the console market. Notably, nearly 80% of buyers opted for Mario Kart World, showcasing the strong synergy between hardware and software sales.

The gaming world is buzzing with excitement as IO Interactive gears up for its inaugural IOI Showcase, set to unveil the highly anticipated 007: First Light. This showcase marks a significant moment for fans of the iconic spy franchise, as it promises to reveal more about a game that has been shrouded in mystery until now. The new title, previously known as Project 007, is expected to deliver a fresh take on the Bond universe with an original origin story that allows players to step into the shoes of the world’s most famous secret agent.