Author: Nacho Requena Molina

If just a few hours before the Three Wise Men arrive you still don’t know what their majesties are going to give, with this article you will clear up any doubts. At Softonic, we take up the sack and fill it with gifts so you can go straight to the point. Here, there are no doubts anymore.

Here are 7 must-have video games of 2024 to gift on Three Kings Day. With this, you won’t go wrong.

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EA Sports FC 25

The one that never fails, the one that’s always there to get you out of any trouble: EA Sports FC 25, in other words, the classic FIFA. If that person likes football, the EA Sports video game is a gift that is usually a sure hit. Moreover, during Christmas, it is often discounted as it is a common gift for these holidays. Naturally, of course, since every good football fan likes to have a little Christmas match.

Astro Bot

The best video game of 2024 at the The Game Awards is a perfect gift for any lover of the industry. Astro Bot has been a surprise – quite literally – thanks to its fun proposal, where through a classic genre like platformers, we need to find all the bots. If the person is a regular gamer, you’re sure to bring a smile to their face, as there are dozens and dozens of nods to very famous video games, especially from PlayStation’s history.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

A light, charming adventure with which that person will have a very pleasant time. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom puts us in the role of Zelda and not Link, and it also has a particularity: we will have to “create” various objects to overcome the obstacles that arise along the way. Different and original. One of the must-haves for Switch in 2024.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Just like with “FIFA”, another great gift for Three Kings Day is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The annual installment of Activision Blizzard’s shooter features an interesting campaign, along with a signature multiplayer mode that leaves no doubt. We include the fail-proof condition: if the person you’re gifting enjoys shooting in video games, this title won’t disappoint.

Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO

It is far from being the best of 2024 – and even from being among the best – but Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO recaptures the classic essence of the Budokai Tenkaichi in a new installment. Any Dragon Ball lover will crack a wide smile when they have dozens and dozens of fighters from the entire history of the manga/anime at their disposal. The rest, you know: Kame Hame Ha.

Tekken 8

A classic fighting game perfect for anyone who enjoys a good brawl: Tekken 8. After years and years of development, Bandai Namco has delivered an outstanding game with the eighth numbered installment of its fighting game. It’s important to note that the studio continuously provides updates, so you can rest assured in that regard. Considering that Tekken 7 had almost a year of support, we expect almost the same with this one.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Do you know if that person likes role-playing games? If the answer is yes, give them this: Metaphor: ReFantazio. The creators of Persona 3, 4, and 5 have embarked on this new production, one that captures the best of current Japanese role-playing with its turn-based combat system, a very interesting story, and dozens of hours ahead. The rest, enjoy!

Here are 7 video games that you won’t go wrong with this Christmas if you give them as gifts – as long as the recipient likes the genre, of course. May their majesties have it a bit easier.

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The year 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in terms of video games in recent times. There are dozens and dozens of high-caliber titles planned for the upcoming year, so at Softonic, we have decided to make a list of those we most eagerly anticipate.

Here are the 10 most anticipated video games of 2025. Many do not have a final release date assigned, but they will be released during this new year.

1. Grand Theft Auto VI

With total and absolute difference, the most anticipated game of 2025: GTA 6. The day the Rockstar Games title hits the market, the rest of the dates will be empty in the face of the incredible earthquake it will cause. With only one trailer released so far, it hasn’t needed anything else to create all the possible anticipation. It’s GTA, after all.

• Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S and PC (the latter not confirmed).
• Date: 2025 (second half).

2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Although Assassin’s Creed Mirage was released in 2023, the next major game in the Assassin’s Creed saga after Valhalla is this Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Ubisoft has been working for almost half a decade on the long-awaited arrival of the franchise to feudal Japan, a setting that players have been demanding almost since its inception. With controversy surrounding it, time will tell if this has happened too late or just in time.

• Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.
• Date: February 14, 2025.

3. Borderlands 4

The famous IP from Take-Two returns with a new iteration full of hype for the most die-hard fans. Hardly anything has been known about this new installment, which is why the secret remains well-guarded within the company’s walls. However, it is known that the more carefree action and many customization options will return. Borderlands 4 promises a lot.

• Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S and PC.
• Date: End of 2025.

4. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

It has taken us almost six years to see the second part of Death Stranding, a more than prolonged time due to the team working on other projects, as well as different versions of the first Death Stranding. The proposal of this second game is exactly the same as its predecessor: it’s about connecting the world. How to do it is another matter.

• Platform: PlayStation 5.
• Date: 2025 (exact day not confirmed).

5. Ghost of Yotei

After surprising everyone with Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch returns with Ghost of Yotei. The new samurai video game exclusive to PlayStation will take us to a new time frame (300 years later) and against new enemies. There is a lot of anticipation to get our hands on it.

• Platform: PlayStation 5.
• Date: 2025 (to be definitively confirmed).

6. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Its first installment surprised everyone with its great medieval recreation, which is why Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is eagerly awaited. Warhorse returns with an RPG where all the actions taken during the first part will have repercussions in this second one. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?

• Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.
• Date: February 4, 2025.

7. Monster Hunter Wilds

Along with Hollow Knight: Silksong, the most desired video game on Steam right now: Monster Hunter Wilds. Capcom’s franchise gathers millions of fans worldwide, to the point that its previous installment is the best-selling production in the history of the Japanese brand. It’s time to hunt more monsters while making friends along the way.

• Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.
• Date: February 28.

8. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

There comes a point where each year we enjoy a new installment of Like a Dragon, but each game is better than the last. This time, it’s the turn of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, an installment where we will control the incredible Goro Majima while having a pirate aesthetic and naval battles. There is a lot of excitement.

• Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.
• Date: February 21.

9. Doom: The Dark Ages

After Doom: Eternal, the people at ID Software return with Doom: The Dark Ages, a video game in the series that takes us to a dark fantasy setting. The franchise completely abandons the more futuristic aesthetic to take a leap back in time. The idea is to bring the most frenetic and intense action of all the installments.

• Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.
• Date: 2025 (day not confirmed).

10. Nintendo Switch 2

Yes, this is not a video game, we know, but it is one of the most anticipated releases in the video game world: Nintendo Switch 2. It is known that the Japanese company must announce its console before March 31, meaning we are just weeks away from meeting its successor. Additionally, it should be noted that its commercialization would also be during 2025. We still need to know which games it will come with, but there is excitement.

• Platform: Nintendo Switch 2.
• Date: 2025

Up to here is this list with the most anticipated of 2025. Which one do you miss and which one do you choose from those mentioned?

Marvel Rivals has become one of the major phenomena of late 2024. The multiplayer video game was released this December, gaining millions of players and breaking some Steam records. As in any good multiplayer game, there are characters that are more popular than others, but what happens in Marvel Rivals?

Marvel Rivals DOWNLOAD

Marvel Rivals is a thrilling, team-based PvP game that brings the expansive Marvel universe to life in a dynamic and engaging way. This action game allows players to assemble their dream teams from a wide array of beloved Marvel characters, including heroes and villains from the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and more.

The website Rivals Codex has released information about which heroes and villains are most used in Marvel Rivals. Depending on whether you play “Normal” or “Ranked” (ranking system), the choice of one character or another varies, so it is important to keep this in mind.

In the case of “Normal” mode, the chosen characters are clear:

1. Jeff The Land Shark with a 55% and a 48.1% win rate.
2. Cloak & Dagger with a 49% and a 52.8% win rate.
3. Luna Snow with a 41% and a 53.7% win rate.
4. Mantis with a 39% and a 58.7% win rate.
5. Venom with a 37% and a 54.3% win rate.

But what happens in the “ranked”? Well, almost everything remains the same, but in a different order:

1. Cloak & Dagger with a 62% and a 49.9% win rate.
2. Mantis with a 53% and a 59% win rate.
3. Luna Snow with a 51% and a 53.1% win rate.
4. Jeff The Land Shark with a 44% and a 48.2% win rate.
5. Peni Parker with a 42% and a 58.4% win rate.

Okay, we already have the most popular ones, but which are the most “hated”? Although it may be hard to believe, they are very popular characters in the comics:

Normal:

1. Storm with a 9% and a 48.3% win rate.
2. Namor with a 12% and a 51.8% win rate.
3. Wolverine with a 13% and a 53.1% win rate.
4. Black Widow with a 14% and a 47.8% win rate.
5. Black Panther with a 14% and a 53% win rate.

Ranked:

1. Storm with a 2% and a 56% win rate.
2. Black Widow with a 3% and a 50.8% win rate.
3. Wolverine with a 5% and a 54.7% win rate.
4. Squirrel Girl with a 10% and a 52.5% win rate.
5. Black Panther with a 12% and a 57% win rate.

Did you expect these results?

Marvel Rivals DOWNLOAD

Marvel Rivals is a thrilling, team-based PvP game that brings the expansive Marvel universe to life in a dynamic and engaging way. This action game allows players to assemble their dream teams from a wide array of beloved Marvel characters, including heroes and villains from the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and more.

Nintendo has kicked off its “Holiday Offers” Promotion. Behind this campaign lies, as one might imagine, a large number of discounts available within the Nintendo Switch eShop. Thanks to this, players will be able to get hundreds of video games at a cheaper price with up to 75% off.

Nintendo Switch Online DOWNLOAD

The Christmas promotional campaign started just a few days ago and will last until next January 12, although with a peculiarity: on December 24 and 30, more offers are added to all those already available, hence this article.

There are many discounts, but here we want to highlight the following:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: from 59.99 euros to 39.99 euros.
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe extra track pass: from 59.99 euros to 39.99 euros.
• Nintendo Switch Sports: from 39.99 euros to 27.99 euros.
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons, from 59.99 euros to 39.99 euros.
• Hogwarts Legacy Digital Deluxe Edition, starting from 59.99 euros.
• Overcooked: Special Edition, from 19.99 euros to 3.99 euros.
• LEGO Harry Potter Collection, from 29.99 euros to 5.99 euros.
• Among Us, from 4.29 euros to 2.57 euros.
• Jurassic World Evolution: Complete Edition, from 59.99 euros to 5.99 euros.
• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, from 59.99 euros to 19.79 euros.
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, from 29.99 euros to 2.99 euros.
• The Smurfs – Mission Vileaf, from 39.99 euros to 3.99 euros.
• Splatoon 3, from 59.99 euros to 39.99 euros.
• Asterix & Obelix XXL 2, from 14.99 euros to 0.99 euros.
• Okami HD, from 19.99 euros to 4.99 euros.
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, from 39.99 euros to 4.39 euros.
• Final Fantasy VII, from 15.99 euros to 6.39 euros.
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, from 39.99 euros to 19.99 euros.
• Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, from 29.99 euros to 9.89 euros.
• Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition, from 19.99 euros to 6.59 euros.

Nintendo Switch Online DOWNLOAD

Do you like driving? This iconic question -asked by a famous car brand- is the one we borrow for today. The reason is very simple: the free trial of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is now available.

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The video game by Nacon and KT Racing can be downloaded from the PlayStation Store on PlayStation 5. Thanks to this, players will be able to play at no cost until the next December 31, that is, almost five whole days where everyone can get a great idea of what the proposal brings.

The open-world driving game recently received the Season 2 content, whose main attraction was the arrival of a new location well known to everyone: Ibiza. In this free trial, players will be able to enjoy the island at no cost, as well as Hong Kong, which has been available since the beginning of the game itself.

Starting January 7, just a few days after the free trial ends, the game will be available with a 40% discount on its different editions to encourage its purchase.

It goes without saying that Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown can also be enjoyed both on Xbox Series X | S and on PC. However, the free trial for these different platforms will not be available until later (the studio has not specified which day or month it will be released, so we just have to wait until that moment comes).

As soon as we have official confirmation from the studio, you’ll be the first to know here. In the meantime, PS5 player, take advantage of this free trial, as five days to try a game is plenty of time to know if you like it or not.

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Now that 2024 is ending and we are during Christmas, there’s nothing better than dedicating ourselves to watching the best animes we’ve had during this year 2024. There are many we can highlight, but at Softonic, we’ve made a small selection for you to go straight to the point.

Here are the 7 animes of 2024 that you shouldn’t miss. Get your usual streaming platforms ready.

Crunchyroll DOWNLOAD

Crunchyroll is a free application that allows streaming of anime and drama shows.

Dandadan

It is impossible to start with any anime other than Dandadan. The manga already warned us that we were going to have a real hit… and so it has been. The story couldn’t be simpler: Momo Ayase and Okarun fight ghosts and aliens in equal measure while Okarun has to recover his testicles and penis (this is completely serious). You can watch it on both Netflix and Crunchyroll. Every Thursday, a new episode.

Sand Land

This manga by the master Akira Toriyama has been around for a while, but it has now been adapted into an anime in an incredible production. All the magic that appears on the pages is masterfully transferred to the audiovisual format, always with the same plot: in a world where water reserves are scarce, the demon Beelzebub, a sheriff, and a thief seek to solve this problem. An impressive adventure worth watching. Available on Disney+.

Solo Leveling

If we don’t include this anime, someone will surely kill us. Solo Leveling is the most popular production on Crunchyroll, the platform where it is available. With entertaining action, the South Korean story has been adapted into anime by a Japanese studio, covering almost the same story: Jinwoo Sung is an adventurer who does not stand out for his strength. However, thanks to some mysterious abilities he suddenly acquires, he begins to grow stronger and stronger to venture into the existing dungeons.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

The manga by Kanehito Yamada has become one of the great surprises of 2024 in the anime scene: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Its plot goes beyond the fantasy it presents to discuss deep themes such as death, the loved ones around us, or what we are during life. As we said, an atypical fantasy series that you can already watch on Crunchyroll.

Gluttons and Dungeons

We don’t know if it’s “the best” of 2024, but there’s no doubt that Tragones y mazmorras is indeed “among the best”. This hilarious anime bases its entire universe, as one might guess, on Dungeons and Dragons, but with one main difference: the group keeps eating all the monsters they kill. Cooking meets adventure in a series that is available on Netflix.

The Apothecary’s Diaries

A mystery plot, but with a somewhat peculiar background. The Apothecary Diaries tells the adventures of an apothecary who is kidnapped and forced to work inside an imperial palace. However, within the walls of this palace, events of very questionable taste keep happening. There is no choice but to explore everything that happens while the data is collected in the diary. Available on Crunchyroll.

Kaiju No. 8

We close this article with Kaiju No. 8, an anime that was eagerly anticipated thanks to a premise that is beloved in Japan: the Kaiju, gigantic monsters, are destroying the population and humanity must defend itself. Some young people enlist in the defense forces to protect civilization, with the peculiarity that one of them acquires powers after obtaining them from a kaiju. You can watch it on Crunchyroll.

And here are these 7 animes you can watch during this Christmas (or when 2025 starts). Which one catches your attention the most? The writer here loves Dandadan.

Crunchyroll DOWNLOAD

Crunchyroll is a free application that allows streaming of anime and drama shows.

First, it was a report from Bloomberg, and then we had confirmation from Kadokawa. The news was the same: Sony wanted to acquire the famous Japanese multinational, owner, among many other things, of From Software, the creators of Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and more games. Only one unknown remained in the equation: Sony itself.

Elden Ring DOWNLOAD

Elden Ring is an open-world role-playing game created by FromSoftware. The highly anticipated video game was the result of a collaboration between Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin. This game takes cues from both of their works — realized fantasy world and beautifully terrifying art design and scope.

In a recent statement, Sony has confirmed “that it is true that we have made an initial statement of intent.” They added “we would appreciate it if you would allow us to refrain from commenting,” and these brief statements concluded.

Thanks to this, the other party involved in this whole movement has already revealed their first words. And yes, it was the confirmation of what we all knew.

If you want to know more about Kadokawa, we invite you to read this comprehensive article where we explain the giant business it has, where video games are just another leg of a huge bench.

Elden Ring DOWNLOAD

Elden Ring is an open-world role-playing game created by FromSoftware. The highly anticipated video game was the result of a collaboration between Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin. This game takes cues from both of their works — realized fantasy world and beautifully terrifying art design and scope.

Astro Bot has become one of the best video games of the year thanks to its originality. It has left all players wanting more, which is why Sony has understood the message and given us what we all want: more hours of gameplay with a new update.

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Under the name Winter Wonder, this new update is completely free and can now be downloaded on your PlayStation 5. What does it offer? Well, although Sony wants to keep all the new features a secret to surprise the player, the new level promises “a unique and festive experience,” with the idea of obtaining “shiny gifts, Christmas melodies” and “adding new bots to the crew.”

The update is intended for all those players who have completed the game. Therefore, if you haven’t finished Astro Bot yet, you should be aware that the update will indeed download, but you won’t be able to play it.

“We had a lot of fun preparing this special gift, and we hope you enjoy it a lot too,” highlighted a team member. Considering that the 30th anniversary of PlayStation has just been celebrated, it might be related to this.

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Pokémon TCG Pocket has been one of the big surprises that the mobile market has given us this year. The game has accumulated millions of downloads worldwide since it was launched just a few weeks ago, something that has made the development team more aware than ever that it is necessary to nurture it with more content. How? With updates.

Pokemon TCG Pocket DOWNLOAD

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is updated with the Singular Island, an expansion that will be available from December 17 on Android and iOS (next week, indeed).

To begin with, one of the great surprises of this expansion is a famous and mythical Pokémon like Mew. The “EX” version includes an attack (Genome Hack) that for three generic energies allows you to choose an attack from the opponent’s active Pokémon to return it. It has 130 health points.

As for the other big surprise, the protagonist is Vaporeon. With an impressive full art card, its special ability “Clean Up” allows you to move a water-type energy from one of your Benched water-type Pokémon to your active water Pokémon as many times as you want during your turn. It has 120 health points and its attack is “Wavy Splash,” which deals “only” 60 health points. It’s less damaging, but it complements its special ability, after all.

All these cards can be obtained by waiting for the rotation of two free packs daily, using pack hourglasses, through magical selections, or by spending pack-opening points. The Formidable Genes packs, their previous expansion, will still be available and their packs can be opened without any problem.

Pokemon TCG Pocket DOWNLOAD

It was known that we were going to have a trailer for Mafia: The Old Country during tonight at The Game Awards. It was one of the big surprises of the gala, but it has already been revealed… and in the most absurd way!

Mafia: Definitive Edition DOWNLOAD

Mafia: Definitive Edition is the ultimate remaster of Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven, the title that gave rise to this iconic saga developed by Hangar 13 and marketed by 2K studios. It is an action-adventure game inspired by Chicago during the thirties.

Throughout the day today, numerous players have been able to see the trailer for Mafia: The Old Country in advertisements. Broadcasted in the ads that appear before YouTube videos, users were quick to capture what was shown, and even record the video. After all, it is material that was going to be shown early this morning during the event.

Beyond this error, the trailer has also helped us find out the release date of Mafia: The Old Country. It will be released during the summer of 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.

Developed by Hangar 13, in this adventure we go back to the early 20th century in Sicily. The idea is to explore the origins of the Mafia and its subsequent expansion not only throughout the country, but also how it made the leap to the United States and other parts of the world.

Mafia: The Old Country is not a new game. The development studio confirmed years ago that they were working on a new installment, although they never clarified which one it was. It wasn’t until this summer when the development of this installment was confirmed.

Mafia: Definitive Edition DOWNLOAD

Mafia: Definitive Edition is the ultimate remaster of Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven, the title that originated this iconic saga developed by Hangar 13 and marketed by 2K studios. It is an action-adventure game inspired by Chicago during the thirties.