Upcoming Gaming Releases to Watch Out For

Giovannia Edwards-Campbell, Quantitative Insight Executive, Beano Brain

I've been gaming for over 15 years now, exploring everything from platform, simulation to battle-royale games. Recently, I’ve been enjoying the comfort of games like The Sims 4 and light-hearted fun with Among Us. And with autumn around the corner, there are several exciting new releases to look forward to.

Here’s a look at six game releases to keep an eye on.

EA Sports FC 25

EA Sports FC 25 is the football simulation game everyone’s waiting for! It allows players to experience life as a footballer as well as a manager with the ability to manage clubs, develop players, and create their dream squad using Ultimate Team. This is the second title release since the rebranding from FIFA and EA promises gameplay improvements with better ball physics and smarter AI on the field. There’s also talk of new online features, including co-op options for Ultimate Team and expanded cross-play. This is due to be a huge hit with kids and teens

Brain rating: 4.5/5 for getting together with mates.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

The Call of Duty annual series is a first-person shooter game popular for its fast-paced action. With a PEGI 16 rating we still find that younger kids (especially in the US) love COD. Set in a modern and historical military settings, gamers play as soldiers in different conflicts. COD 6 is rumoured to include a few new twists including a more tactical single-player campaign with developing narratives, allowing players to shape the story as they progress. The addition of more advanced AI is also expected to shake up multiplayer and Zombies modes. Black Ops 6 will be looking to rebound after players called for a more developed storyline.

Brain rating: 3.5/5 for US fans of military action

NBA 2K25

The NBA 2K series is a basketball simulation game which delivers a realistic, immersive experience of the NBA (National Basketball Association). Gamers can create their own custom player and experience through their own basketball journey. The game features dream team (My Team) and player (MyCareer) modes and has introduced new developments such as enhancing the off-the-court storylines in My Career allowing more control over your player’s journey. There’s also talk about integrating real-life NBA events into the game, which could make things more dynamic. Basketball fans will love this release especially of it taps into real-life dramas

Brain rating: 3.5/5 for fans living out their basketball dreams

Super Mario Party: Jamboree

Super Mario Party Jamboree is set to release late October 2024. The multiplayer game is set in a vibrant world of Mario and his friends. Kids enjoy playing the board-game style features, along with the extravagant mini games where they can compete to collect stars and coins and with the introduction of a new online mode, kids can join remotely making it even more accessible. Players can design their own interactive game boards with the ability to set traps, bonuses or special titles making each game unique. And the game retains character-specific abilities, classic element to the Mario series.

Brain rating: 4.5/5 for younger kids and family gameplay

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

For kids and teens who love action-adventure games, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is one of the most anticipated releases. This latest entry in the beloved franchise is rumoured to be released late 2024 and will continue to explore a vast open world, featuring puzzle-solving, combat, and exploration with story-driven quests. An open-world format lets kids explore at their own pace. New features include an even more expansive world map which is rumoured to include new regions with diverse ecosystems and weather dynamics as well as cooperative gameplay which allows players to explore the world with a friend - something the series has yet to fully embrace! Rumours of new companion creatures and mounts is also creating a buzz.

Brain rating: 4.5/5 for adventure fans