NXT IN GAMES

August 2025 brings a diverse lineup of games, from sports simulations and retro collections. You could be strategizing on the football field, piloting through space, managing a supermarket, or mastering ninja arts. This month's releases offer something for every gamer.

- BY CLARISSA TAN

MADDEN NFL 26
14 August
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2

EA Sports' Madden NFL 26 introduces significant advancements in football simulation. The game features a new AI-powered machine learning system trained on thousands of real NFL plays, delivering more explosive gameplay with player-specific traits and adaptive strategies. Franchise Mode has been overhauled, offering enhanced depth charts, new positional roles, and a Wear & Tear system that adds strategic layers to roster management. Presentation upgrades include dynamic halftime shows hosted by Scott Hanson and game-impacting weather conditions that affect gameplay. Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition by July 24 grants early access starting August 11, along with bonuses like 4,600 Madden Points and exclusive player items. Notably, this installment marks the series' return to a Nintendo console with its release on Switch 2.