A Gaming Goldmine: Plugged In’s Year End Picks

Frankly, 2025 was a pretty outstanding year for video games. There were lots of entries that had gamers rubbing their hands together and limbering up their button-mashing digits in eager anticipation. And the collective output was so solid—from both independent and AAA studios—that even the “all-knowing” gaming pundits have had a hard time picking their favorites.

That said, here’s a list of some pretty sweet games that Plugged In reviewed this past year. They’re all easy for family members to slip into without having to shut the door and turn down the volume. They’re available on a variety of consoles. And each one is fun and challenging in its own way.

So, which ones have you already played?

Blue Prince

(Everyone; Action/ Adventure, Puzzle; PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X)

Blue Prince is a new adventure puzzle game that’s harder than it looks. But it looks great! Gamers play as a teenage grandnephew challenged to earn his inheritance: a massive mansion filled with secrets. But first you need to plot out the blueprints (get it?) of this strange, ever-changing house and find the mysterious 46^th room. In that pursuit, you must solve word-association puzzles, mathematic challenges, techy-terminal twists, handwriting analyses, color coordination and so much more. Blue Prince gives players equal measures of sweet charm and steep challenge. Younger players may find that frustrating. But strategic-minded puzzle lovers will rejoice.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

(Everyone 10+; Arcade/Platform, Combat; Mac, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)

This indie-created platforming battler is rated E10+, but it’s the most adult of this list when it comes to its gaming challenge. Silksong is all about exploration and combat set in an impressive, hand-drawn kingdom filled with boss-bug battles and creepy curses. Gamers grapple, dash and float from ledge to ledge—avoiding spikes, slashing bones, flowing lava and other dangers at every turn. And, of course, there are the many insect foes to best—armored roaches, bladed beetles, bone-clad ants, etc. Dying repeatedly is part of the game’s sticky web. But if that’s your vibe, this game may hit your Metroidvania bull’s-eye. It’s sure pretty to look at.

Mario Kart World

(Everyone; Racing; Nintendo Switch 2)

This is the only true multiplayer game on this list. In fact, this classic gather-the-crew racing game is begging you to call in as many Switch 2 users as possible. The goals are pretty much the same as always: Drive your favorite Mario character in a quirky little cart around cartoony courses while seeking out speed boosts and bombing your opponents with turtle shells, fireballs, boomerangs and the like. (For new, young players, Mario Kart World offers gaming assists such as smart steering and auto acceleration.) There are 30 very colorful and fun racetracks to enjoy, and a connecting world to motor through and snap pictures of. This is a super-fun family game that expands its familiar formula in crowd-pleasing ways.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

(Everyone 10+; Action/Adventure, Combat, Role-Playing; Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2)

Pokémon games have long been a Nintendo console staple for both kids and adults. And Legends: Z-A is the latest iteration of that gotta-catch-‘em-all joy. The game carries on the classic formula of building a team of Poké creatures and taking them into battles, this time confining all their action to a large, multi-zoned, Paris-like city. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is packed with tons of colorful adventuring and creature collecting. But, thanks to a new real-time battle system, this title can be harder than it looks for younger players, and it could require a bit of help from a Poké-playful parent. So, it may be time to reunite with your favorite Charmander or Pikachu, Dad.

Split Fiction

(Teen; Action/Adventure, Arcade/Platform, Puzzle, Shooter, Strategy; PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X)

Here’s Hazelight Studios’ newest co-op only adventure game. Which means you’ll have to find a willing partner if you want to play it at all. It focuses on a pair of wannabe writers who accidentally get stuck in digitalized “simulations” of their own submitted storylines. They have to make their way past splashy sci-fi shootouts, raging trolls and gigantic dragons—all while trying to best the CEO, who wants to steal their writing gold. It’s all really fun, but there are some perilous situations and a little light language to navigate with this T-rater.