November 2025 Gaming Lineup
November typically sees fewer game releases, but this year brings several notable titles despite Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 dominating the month. The strategy of other publishers seems to be avoiding direct competition with the annual blockbuster, which explains why September and October were so crowded. Still, there’s quite a diverse selection coming across various platforms.
What strikes me about this lineup is the mix of established franchises and fresh concepts. We’re seeing updated versions of beloved games like Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 coming to Nintendo Switch 2, plus Fallout 4’s Anniversary Edition that bundles all DLC content. These re-releases often provide good value for players who missed them the first time around.
Notable New Releases
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment arrives on November 6th exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. This one interests me because it addresses a common complaint about the previous Hyrule Warriors game—the lack of canonical storytelling. This installment actually serves as an official prequel to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which should please Zelda lore enthusiasts. The game features battles in both surface and underground areas, incorporates some Zonai devices, and notably puts Zelda herself in the lead role.
Lumines Arise launches on November 11th for PC, PS5, and PS VR2. It’s been fourteen years since the last new Lumines game, which feels like an eternity in gaming terms. The series has always been known for its addictive puzzle mechanics synchronized with music, and this version includes 35 new levels plus 60 training levels. The daily leaderboard updates sound promising, though I’m a bit skeptical about whether they’ll remain cheat-free for long.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 hits on November 13th across all major platforms. Honestly, if you’re familiar with the Call of Duty franchise, you probably already know whether this interests you. The campaign continues the Black Ops storyline, set in 2035 as a direct sequel to Black Ops 2. The multiplayer component adds two large 20v20 skirmish maps alongside the traditional 6v6 offerings.
Surprising Standouts
Where Winds Meet releases on November 14th as a free-to-play action RPG set in 10th-century China. The Wuxia martial arts style looks visually impressive from what I’ve seen, and the promise of 150 hours of solo gameplay seems ambitious for a free title. The four-player co-op feature could be interesting, though I’m always cautious about how monetization might affect free-to-play experiences.
Marvel’s Deadpool VR arrives on November 18th exclusively for Meta Quest headsets. Neil Patrick Harris voicing Deadpool instead of Ryan Reynolds feels like an interesting choice—I’m curious how fans will react. The game promises both ranged and melee combat with the character’s signature fourth-wall breaking humor intact.
Kirby Air Riders launches on November 20th for Nintendo Switch 2, marking the return of Kirby racing games after more than two decades. The original Air Ride was surprisingly fun, so this could be a welcome revival. It’s a bit odd timing given Mario Kart World’s recent release, but different enough to potentially coexist peacefully.
Terminator 2D: No Fate closes out the month on November 25th. This one caught my attention because licensed games used to be notoriously bad back in the day. This retro-style game actually recreates scenes from the film while adding “what if” scenarios and multiple endings. It might finally deliver the quality Terminator gaming experience that fans have wanted since the 1990s.
Overall, November 2025 offers something for most gaming tastes, from blockbuster shooters to niche puzzle games and everything in between. The variety is actually better than I would have expected given Call of Duty’s presence.
