2025: A Brief Year in Review and a new Era of Nintendo
2025 will be remembered as the year the gaming industry rediscovered the power of refinement. While blockbuster franchises made their expected appearances, it was the AA innovators and indie studios that truly shaped the year’s critical landscape. Across Impulse Gamer’s highest-rated titles, a clear pattern emerged: developers prioritized deep, satisfying gameplay loops over spectacle. The result was a collection of games that felt confident, polished and unmistakably joyful to play.
Leading the charge were standout titles that defined our coverage such as Two Point Museum (5/5) which perfected the whimsical tycoon formula with its most visually impressive and mechanically robust entry yet, blending humour and financial depth to captivate both newcomers and seasoned management fans.
Dawnfolk (5/5) proved that city builders don’t need sprawling menus or overwhelming systems to be compelling, embracing a minimalist approach that delivered instant gratification without sacrificing strategic nuance.
Reignbreakers carried the roguelike torch with an 5/5 score, drawing inspiration from Hades while carving out its own identity through a gritty medieval punk aesthetic and a more forgiving, yet equally addictive, gameplay loop.
Bloodthief (5/5) pushed the action FPS genre forward with blistering movement, razor-sharp combat, and a soundtrack that elevated every encounter.
Meanwhile, Marvel Cosmic Invasion reminded us that retro brawlers still have plenty of fight left, combining gorgeous sprite work with modern tag-team mechanics to deliver one of the most satisfying beat-’em-ups in years.
Beyond the headline acts, 2025 also delivered one of its most pleasant surprises: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Arriving with high anticipation, it quickly gained traction among players and critics alike. Its atmospheric storytelling, clever puzzle design, and emotionally resonant character work turned it into a genuine hit, earning a 4.5 out of 5 from our team. What began as a promising project evolved into one of the year’s most talked-about experiences, securing its place among 2025’s most memorable releases.
The year also marked a major hardware milestone with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5. Rather than simply iterating on its wildly successful predecessor, the NS2 redefined what hybrid gaming could be. Impulse Gamer’s deep-dive hardware review described it as a console that “levels up the original” and finally delivers a next-gen experience that bridges portable convenience with home console power. The new 7.9-inch HDR display brought unprecedented clarity to handheld play, while docked mode pushed crisp 4K resolution, allowing Nintendo’s trademark art direction to shine with modern sharpness and colour depth.
Hardware refinements extended beyond visuals. The redesigned Pro Controller 2 — dubbed the “Tanooki Suit of controllers” — retained the familiar layout while introducing sturdier analog sticks, smoother motion, and a dedicated GameChat button that signalled Nintendo’s long-awaited commitment to modern online communication. The addition of spatial 3D audio and a built-in microphone further elevated the experience, giving the NS2 a level of connectivity and social integration absent from previous generations. For many fans, it felt like Nintendo had finally embraced the expectations of contemporary gaming — without sacrificing its identity.
The launch lineup reinforced the console’s ambitions. Mario Kart World arrived as the crown jewel, earning the title of “undeniable king of kart games” from Impulse Gamer. Featuring over thirty tracks — a mix of reimagined classics and expansive new environments — and a Free Roam mode that let players drift seamlessly into open-world exploration, it marked the series’ most significant evolution in years. The NS2’s enhanced lighting and clarity made every race spectacular, turning chaotic, item-fuelled mayhem into a visual showcase for the hardware.
Just as surprising was the arrival of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition — a port once thought impossible. Thanks to the NS2’s modern architecture and DLSS support, Night City ran impressively well, achieving a perceived 1080p resolution in docked mode and outperforming the Steam Deck in texture detail and frame stability. For many players, it was the first time Cyberpunk felt truly portable — without compromise.
With major titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Kirby Air Riders rounding out the 2025 release calendar, the Switch 2 quickly silenced any lingering skepticism. It emerged as a console that honoured Nintendo’s past while boldly pursuing the future of high-end hybrid gaming. As the Impulse Gamer editorial team concluded in their hardware verdict: “The Switch 2 is the perfect hybrid device — finally arrived to claim its throne.”
Looking across the broader landscape, 2025 wasn’t defined by reinvention, but by mastery. The year’s finest games didn’t try to rewrite the rulebook — they executed their visions with exceptional clarity and polish. Whether it was the chaotic pixel-art mayhem of Marvel’s latest brawler, the meditative city-building of Dawnfolk, the brilliance of indie sensations, or the hardware leap delivered by the Switch 2, the industry returned to its most fundamental purpose … Creating experiences that are undeniably fun to play.
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
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