The year 2025 has drawn to a close, and Nintendo has unveiled its annual 'Year in Review' report, offering players a personalized breakdown of their gaming adventures. This insightful compilation details individual playtime, favored titles, and genre preferences across both the original Switch and the newer Switch 2 consoles. Several team members from a prominent gaming publication share their unique statistics, providing a diverse perspective on the year's most engaging digital experiences.
Unveiling a Year of Gaming: Nintendo's 2025 Retrospective
Nintendo's Grand Reveal: Your 2025 Gaming Journey Unpacked
Nintendo has officially rolled out its 2025 'Year in Review' feature, allowing players to delve into their comprehensive gaming statistics. This annual summary showcases every game enjoyed throughout the year, highlights the top three titles with the most invested hours, and presents a visual analysis of preferred gaming genres. A noteworthy addition this year is the inclusion of historical play data, stretching back to 2017, offering a nostalgic look at years of Nintendo adventures. Accessing this personalized report is straightforward: users simply need to visit the designated official Nintendo website and log in to explore their gaming legacy.
Jim Norman's Immersive Gaming Log: Unexpected Hours and Beloved Franchises
Jim Norman, a dedicated staff writer, reflects on his 2025 gaming activity, noting a substantial increase in playtime compared to previous years, particularly with the arrival of new console hardware. His most-played titles include "Donkey Kong Bananza," "Mario Kart World," and a surprising amount of time spent within the Nintendo Online Service's Game Boy library. Norman expresses astonishment at the 34 hours logged in the Game Boy collection, largely attributed to "Mario's Picross." His 68 hours in "Mario Kart World" were spent meticulously searching for in-game collectibles, while "Donkey Kong Bananza" commanded 112 hours, driven by review and guide creation. Despite significant Switch engagement, Norman also devoted substantial time to his PS5, anticipating even more gaming in 2026.
Ollie Reynolds' Deep Dive: Dominance of Metroid Prime 4 and Hidden Gems
Ollie Reynolds, another staff writer, discusses his 2025 gaming habits, dominated by "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition." Extensive hours were dedicated to reviewing the game and crafting a comprehensive completion guide. Surprisingly, "The Hundred Line - Last Defense Academy" closely followed, earning Reynolds' top pick for the year, almost surpassing "Metroid Prime 4" in playtime. "Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition" secured third place, benefiting from Reynolds' need to test various arcade controllers for the Switch 2. He also mentions "Resident Evil 6" as a near-miss for his top three, highlighting his fondness for its "The Mercenaries No Hope" mode.
Alana Hagues' Eclectic Playtime: Hello Kitty's Unexpected Reign and Massive RPGs
Deputy Editor Alana Hagues reveals an eclectic mix in her 2025 gaming recap. "Hello Kitty Island Adventure" unexpectedly topped her list with a staggering 173 hours, prompting self-reflection on her early-year habits. Her other top games, "Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition" (112 hours) and "Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" (94 hours), were more predictable, reflecting her enjoyment of expansive RPGs and guide work. Hagues notes her total playtime across both Switch consoles reached an impressive 1029 hours, significantly more than in 2024, though she anticipates a slight decrease in 2026 due to personal commitments.
Gavin Lane's Strategic Gaming: Completing Backlogs Before Sequels Arrive
Editor Gavin Lane focused his 2025 gaming efforts on clearing his backlog, particularly titles with impending sequels. "Hades" saw an additional 28 hours as he pursued its true ending, while "Hollow Knight," a long-purchased but unplayed title, received 35 hours, achieving 86% completion. "Donkey Kong Bananza" took the middle spot, despite his evolving sentiments toward the game, accumulating 32 hours. Lane's year involved 272 hours across 61 games, including first-time plays of classics and continued engagement with favorites like "Mario Kart World."
Mai Ladyman's Gaming Reawakening: Stardew Valley's Comfort and Switch 2's Appeal
Video Producer Mai Ladyman candidly admits to less gaming in 2025 due to life and work, alongside playing on other platforms. However, starting a new "Stardew Valley" save provided a comforting routine. The launch of the Switch 2 reignited her gaming passion, leading her to tackle her backlog of indie and cozy games. "Cyberpunk 2077" and "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" also saw significant play, with a new ACNH island being created. Despite missing out on her top three, "Pokémon Legends: Z-A" and "Persona 5 Royal" were played extensively in December, and Ladyman hopes to boost her gaming hours in 2026 as a new member of the Nintendo Life team.
PJ O'Reilly's Top Picks: Tactical RPGs and Roguelike Masterpieces
Staff Writer PJ O'Reilly expresses satisfaction with his 2025 top three, which closely aligns with his personal favorites. "Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles" emerged as a deeply beloved tactical RPG. "Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition," despite being partially influenced by review obligations, also earned a top spot, praised for its immersive world. "Hades 2," while not surpassing the original in his affections, was still recognized as a masterclass in its genre. O'Reilly also mentions significant playtime in "Donkey Kong Bananza," "Mario Kart World," and "Silksong," alongside a return to "Axiom Verge 2" and continued engagement with "Divinity Original Sin 2."
