The Summer Xbox Games Showcase is always one I look forward to, even though I haven’t owned an Xbox console since the Xbox 360. Even knowing that I won’t be able to play many of these games, I’m still curious to see what is on the horizon for all gaming platforms.

Things have changed in recent years with Xbox’s new strategy — We don’t care where you play our games, as long as you play them. Thanks to this new plan I was able to play through one of my favorite games from this year, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PlayStation 5.

The funny thing is that during PlayStation Showcases and State of Plays, they only mention which PlayStation platforms (PS4, PS5, or PSVR2) each game is coming to — even for games coming to PC, Xbox, Switch, or anywhere else. Xbox’s new strategy is to show that these games are coming to other platforms, while also revealing that all or most of these games will be playable day one on Xbox Game Pass.

This year’s Xbox Games Showcase had plenty of games to look forward to. I’m pretty sure I will have the chance to play all or most of my Top Five games from the Xbox Showcase on PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch 2, so let’s go over them:

1 | Super Meat Boy 3D

The original Super Meat Boy came out in 2010 and it is still one of my favorite indie games of all time. In fact, I own it on PC and almost every console since the Xbox 360. I have never reached the end of this punishingly hard platformer.

After the original, Team Meat brought us different iterations from the endless runner, Super Meat Boy Forever, to the match-4 puzzler, Dr. Fetus’ Mean Meat Machine. Super Meat Boy 3D seems to be a return to the original, but now as a 3D speedy platformer. I also love that they are bringing back the simultaneous instant replay montage of death after beating a level, which looks absolutely insane in 3D.

Super Meat Boy 3D is set to release in Early 2026.

2 | Clockwork Revolution

The Clockwork Revolution trailer began by introducing a diverse cast of characters, including a silly talking puppet. This was followed by some gameplay sequences which gave us glimpses of some of the features of this game.

There’s a neat time changing mechanic where the player may choose to rewind or fast forward through specific aspects of time. The weapon customization seems quite intricate as well.

Clockwork Revolution gives off some Bioshock vibes mixed in with The Outer Worlds to me. The game is coming out “In Due Time.”

3 | Aphelion

Don’t Nod has been killing it lately with their portfolio of games, and the variety of game genres. Aphelion is a space adventure where you crash land on a frozen planet and must explore to find your partner and deal with different obstacles.

The game is also backed by the ESA (European Space Agency), which makes it sound much more official. Aphelion will be released in 2026.

4 | Plant of Lana II: Children of the Leaf

The original Planet of Lana was such a beautifully laid out 2D platform puzzler. There is so much I love about that first game, and I still have a little bit left to finish the story.

I’m very happy that Lana and Mui will return for another adventure. The storytelling in the original was phenomenal, even with a made up language. I’m sure the sequel will uncover more secrets into what happened to this beautiful world.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is coming in 2026.

5 | Keeper

Keeper is a brand new title from Double Fine (creators of the Psychonauts series, Grim Fandango, and Brutal Legend). In Keeper you control an abandoned lighthouse with your companion, a seabird who woke you up. The world is very Tim Burton-esque, like with many Double Fine games.

This seems like a very silly and unique game, which is why I trust Double Fine with it. Keeper is coming out on October 17, 2025.

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Honorable Mention

I’ve always wanted to play High on Life, I even downloaded it to my PlayStation 5 a few weeks ago. Seeing the High on Life 2 trailer made me finally start playing the original this week.

The Blood of the Dawnwalker is almost like a 14th century Blade-like vampire story and the first game from the new RPG-loving studio, Rebel Wolves. I most recently have seen many modern or future vampire games, so it will be nice to try this out.

They also announced Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of the Giants DLC. I already mentioned that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was one of my favorite games I’ve played this year, and I’ve been looking for a reason to go back and complete more side quests.

We saw a couple of new fighting games during Summer Game Fest, and Invincible VS is another one I would probably be into if I played more fighting games.

A few weeks ago, Xbox announced that they are no longer working on a first-party Xbox handheld device. That was a strategic move to make way for the announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally. Being able to use it as your single, personal Xbox console would be neat — if that’s possible.

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If you missed the Xbox Games Showcase, you can watch it right here. I still have to watch the second part that was all about The Outer Worlds 2.