Video Game Delays: Complete List for 2025 and Beyond
In the world of video games, some things are inevitable: thrilling new announcements, passionate fan communities, and the occasional, often necessary, delay. The year 2025 is shaping up to be a monumental one for gaming, but it's also seen its share of high-profile titles shifting their release dates. A delay can be disappointing, but it's often a sign of a development team's commitment to quality over speed.
To help you keep track of the ever-changing landscape, we've compiled a comprehensive list of every major game that has been delayed into 2025 and beyond. We'll keep this list updated as new information becomes available.
Grand Theft Auto VI
Original Release Target: Broadly 2025
New Release Window: Fall 2025
Perhaps the most anticipated video game of all time, the announcement of Grand Theft Auto VI sent shockwaves through the industry. Initially, developer Rockstar Games provided a wide-open release window of "2025." While not a delay in the traditional sense, a recent update from parent company Take-Two Interactive has narrowed that window specifically to "Fall 2025."
This clarification, while providing more certainty, effectively pushes the game out of the first half of the year, a period many fans had hoped for. The reasoning is clear: a project of this magnitude requires an immense amount of polish to meet the sky-high expectations set by its predecessors. A Fall 2025 launch positions it perfectly for the holiday season and gives the team the crucial extra months to ensure the world of Leonida is as detailed and groundbreaking as promised.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Original Release Target: TBA (Announced 2017)
New Release Window: 2025
The saga of Metroid Prime 4 is a legendary tale of development patience. First revealed with a simple logo back at E3 2017, the game went completely silent for years. In a rare moment of transparency in early 2019, Nintendo announced that development had been completely restarted from scratch. The project was moved back in-house to Retro Studios, the acclaimed team behind the original Metroid Prime trilogy.
After years of waiting, a recent Nintendo Direct finally re-revealed the game with a new title, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and stunning new gameplay footage. The confirmation of a "2025" release window marks the end of a long, uncertain road. This is the ultimate example of a publisher choosing to delay and reboot a project to guarantee it meets the franchise's revered quality standards.
Marvel's Wolverine
Original Release Target: Speculated 2024/2025
New Release Window: TBA (Likely 2025 or later)
When Insomniac Games, the studio behind the wildly successful Marvel's Spider-Man series, revealed a teaser for Marvel's Wolverine, the hype was instantaneous. While a firm release date was never officially announced, the studio's efficient development pace led many to hope for a release in late 2024 or early 2025.
However, recent information suggests that the project is a massive undertaking, and development will require more time to realize its ambitious vision for the character. The goal is to deliver a mature, narrative-driven experience that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with their Spider-Man titles. For now, the game remains without an official release window, making a launch in 2025 or even 2026 seem increasingly likely as the team takes the time needed to get Logan's adventure just right.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
Original Release Target: January 2021
New Release Window: 2026
Few games have had a more publicly troubled development cycle than the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Originally revealed in 2020 for a January 2021 release, the game's initial trailer was met with a mixed reception, with many criticizing its visual style. This feedback led to an initial delay to March 2021, which was followed by an indefinite delay.
In 2022, development was moved to Ubisoft Montréal, the studio that created the original beloved classic. The project was effectively rebooted. Recently, a brief update confirmed the game is very much alive but has been retargeted for a 2026 release, signaling a complete overhaul of the initial remake concept. This long journey is a testament to the publisher's desire to do right by a cherished franchise, even if it takes years longer than planned.
Beyond Good & Evil 2
Original Release Target: TBA (Re-Revealed 2017)
New Release Window: TBA
No list of delayed games would be complete without mentioning Beyond Good & Evil 2. This title officially holds the record for the longest development time for a AAA game, surpassing the previous record-holder, Duke Nukem Forever. After its spectacular re-reveal in 2017, promising a vast, seamless online universe, news has been sporadic at best.
The project has faced numerous challenges, including the departure of its original creative director, Michel Ancel. While Ubisoft periodically insists the game is still in development, there is no release window in sight. It remains a fascinating, ambitious, and deeply uncertain project, representing the peak of "development hell." Fans continue to hold out hope, but when or if we will ever explore its ambitious galaxy is anyone's guess.
Why Do Video Games Get Delayed?
Game delays can be frustrating, but they are an integral part of the creative process. They almost always happen for good reasons, including:
- Quality Assurance: The most common reason. Teams need more time to polish gameplay, fix bugs, and ensure the final product is stable and enjoyable.
- Scope Expansion: During development, new, exciting ideas can emerge. A team may decide to delay a game to implement a new feature that will significantly improve the experience.
- Technical Hurdles: Sometimes, the technology or game engine presents unforeseen challenges that take longer than expected to solve.
- Strategic Release Windows: Publishers often shift release dates to avoid competing with other massive titles or to align with a more favorable market period, like the holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Game Delays
Is a game delay a bad sign?
Not at all. In fact, it's usually a positive sign. It shows that the developer and publisher are prioritizing the quality of the final product over rushing it to market. A famous quote from Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto sums it up best: "A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad."
Which game has been delayed the longest?
Beyond Good & Evil 2 currently holds the informal record for the longest time a AAA game has spent in development since its announcement.
How will I know when these games get a firm release date?
The best way to stay informed is to follow the official announcements from the game developers and publishers. We will also update this article the moment any new, concrete information is released.