Here Are the Games We’re Excited to Play in August

By Garrett Martin and Elijah Gonzalez | August 1, 2025 | 5:00pm

Video Games Features new games

Here Are the Games We’re Excited to Play in August

A new month means new games. Here’s what Endless Mode‘s editors Garrett Martin and Elijah Gonzalez are looking forward to in August, from returning ’80s legends to mysterious new journeys.

Gradius Origins

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
Release Date: August 7

Konami’s formative shmup gets a deluxe bundle in honor of its 40th anniversary, with multiple different versions of six Gradius and Salamander games. Ever wonder what the differences are between Salamander and Life Force, its slightly altered American version? Or how the original Gradius was changed when it was localized for the West? Gradius Origins will make it easy to compare and contrast. More importantly, though, it also includes one brand new game, Salamander III, which aspires to look and feel like it was made in ‘98 or ‘99 as an official sequel to Salamander II. That alone would make this a must-buy for Gradius or shmup fans, even if they already own every legacy game included here. It’s all being handled by M2, who are revered for their fantastic ShotTriggers reissues of classic shmups. The shoot ‘em up genre has been a niche for decades now, but the earliest games in this compilation date back to when it was one of the biggest genres in the business, and Gradius itself is at the top of the list when it comes to popularity and influence, especially in the West. If you’ve ever been curious about shmups, this will probably be a good way to test the waters.

Drag x Drive

Platform: Switch 2
Release Date: August 14

Drag x Drive was an unexpected highlight of Nintendo’s Switch 2 preview event back in April. It’s basically a wheelchair basketball game, using the new Joy-Con’s mouse controls to replicate the motions of spinning wheels by hand. To toss or take a shot, you pick up a Joy-Con and flick your wrist like you were handling an actual ball. Games are fast and short, but controlling your character is physically arduous and quickly taxes the arms and shoulders—which might give you a new respect for the strength and resilience of wheelchair users everywhere. Only the fourth first-party game for the Switch 2, Drag x Drive looks like a unique and fascinating game that might make you feel something sports games almost never do: empathy.

Off

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: August 15

As an RPG that inspired games like Undertale, the upcoming remaster of Off is one to look out for. First released in 2008 by Belgian team Unproductive Fun Time, the game later received an English language fan-translation in 2011 that gave it a cult following. It stars a character called the Batter who is on a vaguely described quest to “purify” the world, something they do through turn-based RPG gameplay. The original release is known for its compelling storytelling, odd tone, challenging puzzles, and evocative setting. As for this remaster, it was built in Unity and will feature guest composers, like Toby Fox, as the original composer declined to participate in the new project. While on the one hand, this is yet another remaster in a game industry increasingly full of them, this release will mark the first time Off gets an official English-language translation, likely bringing it to many who never even heard of the original.—Elijah Gonzalez

Sword of the Sea

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
Release Date: August 19

I wrote a whole piece about Sword of the Sea after Summer Game Fest back in June, and hopefully that’s gotten you as excited for Giant Squid’s new game as I am. Imagine if Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater had a level based on the esoteric classic Journey, but with a giant sword instead of a skateboard and without any scores or obvious goals. I played over an hour of this one in a loud, busy warehouse full of people playing other games, and was so transfixed that all that noise and distraction faded away. It was just me and the game, as it’ll be once again when I dive back into it later this month.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: August 28

The Metal Gear Solid series is returning this August, albeit without its original creator involved. Konami is releasing Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, an Unreal Engine 5 remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 that will feature updates like third-person aiming and other changes introduced in Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker. Set before the events of the rest of the mainline series, the original Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is considered by many to be one of the greatest games ever made thanks to its stealth gameplay, storytelling, and soundtrack. Seemingly aware of this legacy, Konami has said they’re making minimal changes to the game beyond quality-of-life updates, and even many of these will be optional thanks to the “Legacy Style” toggle, which reproduces the original game’s controls and camera. It will be interesting to see how the remake lands with newcomers and series diehards when it comes out later this month.—Elijah Gonzalez

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release Date: August 29

Shinobi wasn’t quite as beloved as Ninja Gaiden back in the day, but the ninja actioner was still a major series for Sega in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Joe Musashi, the original star of the series, was even one of Sega’s short-lived mascots in the pre-Sonic era. Art of Vengeance is the first new Shinobi game since a middling 3DS joint from 2011, and marks the ninja master Musashi’s return after a 30-year absence; he was last seen in 1993’s Genesis game Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master. It returns the series to its side-scrolling platformer roots, although with some Metroid-y search action elements. We just saw one legendary ‘80s video game ninja return with yesterday’s excellent Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. If Shinobi’s reappearance is as good as that one, we’ll be begging for new Ninja Spirit and Ninja Warriors games next.

Editor-in-chief Garrett Martin writes about video games, theme parks, pinball, travel, and more. Find him on Bluesky.

Elijah Gonzalez is an associate editor for Endless Mode. In addition to playing the latest, he also loves anime, movies, and dreaming of the day he finally gets through all the Like a Dragon games. You can follow him on Bluesky @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social.