By Dean Moses
Video game developers and publishers often push to release their most anticipated titles just before the holiday season to capitalize on as many sales as possible. While this provides gamers with a slew of options to choose from when it comes to brand new titles, by the time the new year rolls around players are often left in somewhat of a video game drought.
While this is primarily true in 2025, January still has a slew of video games on all major consoles to be excited for, including the return of classic characters and fresh faces.
Game: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Rating: E for Everyone
Cost: $59.99
Release: Jan. 16
Already released at the time of publication, Donkey Kong Returns HD, well, returns. A remaster of the 2010 Wii classic, this 3D, side-scrolling classic gets a shiny new makeover for a new generation. While there is not an overhaul of new content here, with the most notable new additions being the inclusion of eight levels from the 3DS version of the game, there is still a lot of fun to be had here. While visually not on par with more recently released games, the graphical makeover goes a long way to make this older game more appealing. Not only that, playing co-op with a friend or family member truly enhances the experience.
Game: Dynasty Warriors: Origins
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Rating: T for Teen
Cost: $69.99
Release: Jan. 17
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the newest iteration in a franchise that has been running since the heyday of the original PlayStation in the 1990s. What began in the one-on-one fighting genre transformed into a massive crowd-combat game that pitted players against armies battling in China during the Three Kingdoms.
Game: Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Rating: T for Teen
Cost: $19.99
Release: Jan. 23
It’s the return of the classic Jedi game, but this time improved for smoother and faster lightsaber battles. Players can choose to be Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Adi Gallia, or Qui-Gon Jinn and battle against droids and other familiar foes from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in this side-scrolling game. There is also an option now for gamers to play as Darth Maul, Captain Panaka, Queen Amidala, Ki-Adi Mundi, and the Battle Droid.
