All Game August Releases: Mafia, Metal Gear, Lost Soul and Shinobi

August 2025 is bringing a wave of games that cover just about every style and genre. Sports fans are getting their annual football fix, story lovers are diving into a mob prequel, stealth veterans are reuniting with Snake, and action players have several new playgrounds to explore. This month also sees the return of some legendary names, the debut of a franchise on a new console, and the arrival of long-anticipated projects that have been in development for years.

This year’s been packed with big hits like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Mario Kart World. August keeps the streak going, with fresh releases landing on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Here’s the expanded guide to every major title dropping this month, plus some context on why each game matters in the current gaming scene.

Mafia: The Old Country

Release Date: August 8, 2025

The Mafia series has always been known for its storytelling, usually set against the backdrop of American organized crime. The first three games took players through fictional U.S. cities inspired by Chicago, New York, and Las Vegas. But Mafia: The Old Country changes that formula completely.

This prequel takes place in Sicily in the early 1900s, long before the rise of Prohibition-era gangs in America. The shift in location isn’t just a cosmetic change — it’s deeply tied to the narrative. Players will witness the roots of Mafia culture, seeing the traditions, codes, and conflicts that would eventually cross the ocean.

It’s also ditching the open-world format for a more streamlined, linear adventure. That’s a big departure from the open exploration of Mafia III, and it could be a smart move. A tighter focus often means more control over pacing, stronger set pieces, and richer character moments. For players who love cinematic crime dramas, this one’s built to be consumed like a gripping series rather than an open sandbox.

Drag x Drive

Release Date: August 14, 2025

Nintendo has always been known for odd, experimental ideas alongside its big, familiar franchises. Drag x Drive is one of those small-but-striking experiments.

This Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive centers on wheelchair basketball, a sport rarely represented in mainstream gaming. The big hook here is the use of Joy-Con mouse controllers — not the usual stick-and-button setup — to simulate the movement and mechanics of the sport.

Visually, it’s not trying to compete with blockbuster Switch titles like Donkey Kong Bananza. Instead, it focuses on gameplay feel. The unusual control scheme could either make it an instant cult favorite or something that gets overlooked. Either way, Nintendo is giving the Switch 2 more variety, and that’s always a plus for a console’s library.

Madden NFL 26

Release Date: August 14, 2025

The Madden NFL series is one of gaming’s longest-running annual traditions, dating back to the late ’80s. Madden NFL 26 continues that streak, launching on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

This year, the cover features Saquon Barkley, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, marking a nod to one of the league’s most explosive running backs. While the core Madden formula doesn’t change drastically from year to year, EA Sports often uses new hardware to enhance realism — from player movement to stadium atmosphere.

The inclusion of Nintendo Switch 2 in the lineup is notable. In the past, Nintendo consoles sometimes got stripped-down versions of Madden. With the Switch 2’s improved hardware, this year’s edition aims to deliver the full experience without big compromises.

Gears of War: Reloaded

Release Date: August 26, 2025

The original Gears of War helped define Xbox 360 gaming in the mid-2000s with its cover-based shooting and gritty sci-fi warfare. It’s been re-released before — most notably as the Ultimate Edition — but Gears of War: Reloaded pushes further.

Built for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Reloaded isn’t just a graphical polish. It’s tuned for high frame rates, detailed textures, and updated lighting systems that give the battlefields a fresh intensity.

The real headline here? This is the first time Gears of War is launching on PlayStation. For years, Gears was a flagship Xbox exclusive. Its debut on Sony’s console is a sign of how first-party strategies are evolving, with more franchises crossing old platform lines.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Release Date: August 28, 2025

Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) is often considered one of the greatest stealth-action games ever made. It was both a prequel to the rest of the series and a gameplay shift toward survival elements like camouflage, hunting, and stamina management.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a full remake of that classic, rebuilt with modern visuals and controls while keeping the story and mission structure intact. It’s set in the 1960s, in the middle of Cold War espionage, with protagonist Naked Snake tasked with preventing a nuclear crisis in a jungle environment.

Because it’s the first story in the series timeline, new players can start here without confusion. Veterans, meanwhile, get to see one of gaming’s most famous boss fights and story twists brought to life with today’s tech.

Destiny: Rising

Release Date: August 28, 2025

The Destiny franchise from Bungie is known for massive, shared-world FPS experiences. But until now, it’s been limited to consoles and PC. Destiny: Rising changes that, bringing the universe to mobile.

It’s a free-to-play spin-off for Android and iOS that keeps core elements like loot grinding, shooting, and gear collection. Players can switch between first-person and third-person views, which is unusual for the series but makes sense for mobile play.

It’s not aiming to replace Destiny 2, but to complement it. The mobile focus means shorter, more frequent play sessions and the ability to earn or test gear on the go. It’s another example of big franchises trying to break into the mobile market in a meaningful way.

Lost Soul Aside

Release Date: August 29, 2025

Few games have a backstory as fascinating as Lost Soul Aside. It started nearly a decade ago as a solo project by Chinese developer Yang Bing, who was inspired by Final Fantasy XV. His early gameplay clips went viral, catching Sony’s attention.

Now, after years of development with a larger team, the game is ready for PC and PlayStation 5. It’s an action RPG with flashy, fast-paced combat and a blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements.

Lost Soul Aside is also significant because it’s part of Sony’s push to support Chinese game development. Success here could open the door for more Eastern developers to make a splash in the global market.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Release Date: August 29, 2025

Sega’s Shinobi franchise dates back to the late ’80s arcade scene, and while it’s had multiple sequels and reboots, it’s been quiet for years. That changes with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance.

Developed by the team behind Streets of Rage 4, it’s a side-scrolling ninja action game that blends the classic look of the originals with fluid, modern animation. Previews have already praised its style and responsive combat.

It’s launching on just about everything — Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC — meaning almost no one is left out. If it delivers on the promise of tight gameplay and stylish presentation, it could revive the series for a new generation.

What to play in August 2025?

August 2025’s releases show how varied the gaming landscape has become. Big-budget remakes sit next to experimental sports titles, long-running sports sims, mobile spin-offs, and indie-to-blockbuster success stories. Whether you’re here for story, competition, nostalgia, or pure action, there’s something hitting shelves or download queues this month that’s likely to pull you in.