2025 is upon us, and while many may choose to spend the last day of the year with family or a bottle of champagne all to themselves (or both, especially if your family is anything like mine), some of us like to cozy up in front of the bright lights of our television screen and play a good ol’ video game until (and well after) the blares of the fireworks go off at midnight. If you’re such a person and would like some recommendations on what to play tonight, then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are five titles we think are a solid fit to end the year with a bang.

Batman: Arkham Origins – Christmas In Gotham

Arguably the most underrated game in the Arkham series, Arkham Origins takes place on Christmas Eve and has you take control of a younger Batman who must thwart the sinister plans of Joker and his goons (what else is new). Throughout the game, you’ll beat up classic Batman baddies and traverse a snow-covered Gotham City that makes everything feel aptly cozy and befitting of the holiday spirit–just with a little more Gotham City grit and grime.

Metal Gear Solid – Happy New Year Snaaake!

Hear me out. Yes, Metal Gear Solid isn’t exactly the first game that comes to mind when thinking about the holidays, but there’s something about Kojima’s 1998 breakout hit on the PS1 that simply feels right to play on such a day. Whether it’s the slightly campy but oh-so-entertaining geopolitical story of nuclear cataclysm, the stealth espionage gameplay, the classic heart-pumping soundtrack, or the cast of ridiculously memorable characters, MGS1 brings all the adrenaline in the same way Die Hard does, and I propose we gamers collectively make MGS1 the official New Year’s Eve game.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales – I Ended The Year As A Superhero, What’d You Do?

Another game set around Christmastime, Miles Morales has you swinging through Manhattan during the greatest time of the year. Insomniac did a phenomenal job recreating New York City, and being able to leap and fling across the rooftops of Harlem during the winter with all the holiday decorations lighting up the buildings is an absolute joy. It also helps that the game itself is a ton of fun, with combat introducing new electric abilities for Miles and a story that’s beautifully intimate and engaging.

Kingdom Hearts 2 – Play For The Joy, Don’t Mind The Story

Speaking of joy, if there was any game that was the embodiment of the word, then Square Enix’s sequel to their Final Fantasy-cross-Disney fan-fiction would absolutely be it and is a perfect game to get lost in this evening. Leap from the classic Disney worlds like Agrabah and Atlantica, and aid beloved characters like Jack Skellington through some wonderfully original – albeit a little simple – stories. Just don’t fuss too much over the overarching story of Nobodies, Keyblades, and The Seeker of Darkness, and you’re good. If you do end up falling off the deep end, I apologize.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon – Celebrate The New Years…In Jail!

The Yakuza series is one of the longest-running video game franchises of all time with some of the best stories this medium has to offer. Thankfully, you don’t need to play the seven games prior to Like A Dragon to enjoy it. Fittingly, the game starts you off on New Year’s Eve in the year 2000. All may seem well and good for the series’ new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, that is until certain events have him end up in jail. Not the best way to start the New Year, but you’ll eventually find your way back on your feet and meet a cast of terrific characters, with whom you’ll tackle an array of hilarious side-quests and a captivating story that’ll have you up until the wee hours of January 1st.

What are some of your favourite games to cap off the year with? Let us know in the comments below! Wishing you all a great 2025 filled with a lot more gaming — Happy New Year!