From indies like Blue Prince to big console exclusives like Donkey Kong Bananza, NPR staff and contributors round up their favorite games of the year so far.

The best games of 2025 (so far) Blue Prince, Clair Obscur, and other attention-demanding offerings from young studios show why 2025 is the year of the new blood.

Homecomings for Marner, Marchand and Toews. Rematches of the back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists. Check out next season's ...