The Most Anticipated Console-Exclusive Games

10 April 2025

Alright, gamers. Let’s be real for a second: nothing gets our thumbs twitching and our wallets sweating quite like the promise of a killer console-exclusive game. You know what I'm talking about—that sweet anticipation of playing something so mind-blowingly awesome that your non-console-owning friends will risk disowning you out of sheer envy. Gaming exclusives are like the fine dining of the industry; they’re not here to please everyone, but the flavor they deliver? Chef's kiss.

So, pull up a chair, grab your favorite gaming snack (chips, anyone?), and let's dive headfirst into the most anticipated console-exclusive games that are practically begging us to clear our calendars and ignore the world.

1. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (PS5)

Let’s swing right into this one.

Insomniac Games is back at it again with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and if you’re a fan of the first game or its equally awesome follow-up, Miles Morales, you’re probably already hyped beyond belief. This time, Peter Parker and Miles Morales are teaming up for some web-slinging co-op action (yes, you read that right).

What makes this game a total showstopper? Venom. Yep, the iconic symbiote is in the building, bringing all the drama and chaos you’d expect. And let’s not forget Insomniac has promised a bigger, badder New York City to explore, enhanced by the full power of the PS5’s hardware. Ray tracing, lightning-fast load times, and graphics slicker than a greased-up penguin—what’s not to love?

It’s shaping up to be the ultimate Spidey experience. So, if you’re Team PlayStation, congrats, you’re the cool kid on the block.

2. Starfield (Xbox Series X/S)

Houston, we have liftoff—Starfield is coming.

Xbox fans, your patience is finally paying off. Bethesda’s space-faring RPG, Starfield, is being hailed as “Skyrim in space,” which, let’s be honest, sounds like the nerdiest (and most awesome) pitch ever. Imagine exploring a galaxy filled with diverse planets, encountering alien civilizations, and building some jaw-dropping spaceships. Sounds good? Of course, it does.

But here’s the kicker: Starfield isn’t just about exploring space—it's about owning it. Think customizable characters, endless crafting options, and a story so deep it might make you question your existence. And with Todd Howard and the Bethesda crew at the helm, you know the gameplay is going to be ambitious AF.

Xbox has been a little dry on high-profile exclusives lately, but Starfield is set to rewrite the narrative and remind everyone why green is the superior Xbox color.

3. Final Fantasy XVI (PS5)

It’s a new chapter, but it still feels like coming home.

Square Enix is pulling out ALL the stops with Final Fantasy XVI. Set in the sprawling world of Valisthea, this JRPG promises a more mature tone and a darker story centered on dominance, warring nations, and powerful summons called Eikons. Oh, and did I mention the combat system looks ridiculously smooth? Think Devil May Cry, but covered in glittering Final Fantasy polish.

Gone are the turn-based battles (RIP, nostalgia), and in their place is a real-time combat system that looks faster than a chocobo on steroids. Add to that some emotionally charged storytelling and breathtaking visuals that make the PS5 show off like it’s on a first date, and Final Fantasy XVI is shaping up to be a banger.

PlayStation fans, this is YOUR year.

4. Fable (Xbox Series X/S)

The beloved fairy tale is ready for a glow-up.

Remember Fable? That cheeky, morally ambiguous action RPG that let you kick chickens and become a hero (or a total jerk)? Well, it’s back, baby. Playground Games—the creative geniuses behind Forza Horizon—are revamping this fan-favorite franchise, and honestly, the hype is real.

Details are scarce, but the teasers hint at a bigger, more magical interpretation of Albion, complete with humor, whimsy, and a healthy dash of British sarcasm. Whether you want to save the world or just, I don’t know, terrorize the locals, Fable is giving you the reins to carve your own destiny.

It’s been over a decade since we last visited this quirky universe, but Xbox’s exclusive revival has us chomping at the bit to jump back in.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch)

Buckle up, folks—Hyrule’s about to get emotional.

When The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild dropped in 2017, it redefined open-world gaming and stole our hearts. So, the sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, pretty much has the entire Nintendo fandom holding its collective breath.

This isn’t just a copy-paste sequel, though. Nintendo has hinted at a darker narrative (which is very Majora's Mask vibes, btw), new gameplay mechanics, and, of course, even more jaw-dropping environments to explore. And judging by the teasers, Link might be spending a lot more time in the clouds—literally.

If you’re not already saving your rupees for this one, what are you doing with your life?

6. Hellblade II: Senua's Saga (Xbox Series X/S)

Prepare to have your mind blown.

Ninja Theory is taking psychological horror to a whole new level with Hellblade II: Senua's Saga. The first game was nothing short of a masterpiece, blending haunting visuals, gut-punch storytelling, and an exploration of mental health that hit way too close to home.

This sequel is cranking everything up to eleven. From what we’ve seen so far, the graphics look so realistic they make real life seem low-res. Senua’s journey into madness and mythology promises to be more intense, gripping, and utterly unforgettable. Oh, and did I mention that audio design? You’ll probably want to play this with headphones unless you enjoy getting goosebumps in Dolby surround sound.

Xbox Series X/S owners, this one’s for you—and it’s going to get under your skin.

7. Metroid Prime 4 (Nintendo Switch)

Yes, it’s real, and no, we’re not okay.

After YEARS of radio silence, Nintendo fans finally got the confirmation they’ve been waiting for—Metroid Prime 4 is still a thing, and it’s coming to the Switch. If you’re into sci-fi adventure and first-person exploration, this is the game for you.

The Metroid Prime series has always been about atmospheric storytelling, brain-melting puzzles, and blasting alien baddies, and we have no doubt the fourth entry will continue that tradition. All I’m saying is: Samus is back, and she’s here to remind everyone why she’s the queen of space gaming.

Nintendo fans, it’s your time to shine.

8. Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X/S)

Start your engines—it’s almost race day.

Xbox is shifting into high gear with the next-gen Forza Motorsport. While the Forza Horizon series gets all the love for its open-world vibes, the Motorsport franchise is all about precision, realism, and giving car enthusiasts something to drool over.

The next entry promises a complete reinvention of the racing sim genre. Expect hyper-realistic visuals, an improved physics engine, and tracks so lifelike you’ll be tempted to buckle up in your gaming chair. And let’s not forget that sweet 4K resolution at 60fps on the Series X.

If speed is your middle name, this should be at the top of your wishlist.

The Console Wars: A Beautiful Mess

Now, before we wrap up, let’s address the elephant in the room: console exclusives are the ultimate flex in the so-called “console wars.” Whether you’re Team Sony, Team Microsoft, or proudly waving your Nintendo switcheroo flag, exclusives are what make your investment feel oh-so-worth-it.

But if we’re being honest here, all platforms are bringing their A-game, and none of us can truly lose in this golden age of gaming. So, let’s stop arguing in Reddit comments and start saving up for these bangers, okay?

Final Thoughts: Time To Level Up

There you have it, folks—the most anticipated console-exclusive games that you’ll be playing while ignoring calls, texts, and possibly your own hygiene. Whether you’re a PlayStation diehard, an Xbox loyalist, or a Nintendo aficionado, 2023 and beyond are shaping up to be a wild ride for gamers everywhere.

Now, go charge those controllers and prepare your backlog, because once these titles drop, free time is going to be a thing of the past.