Welcome back to XP Drop, your weekly dose of gaming news, releases, and updates, everything that’s happened across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PC since last Monday.
No major showcases this week, but plenty of release updates, chart movers, Game Pass drops, and developer news to keep your XP bar ticking up.
Grab your controller (or coffee), and let’s get into it.
Xbox Update
Game Pass Price Hike Hits UK
Microsoft officially rolled out a major price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. In the UK, the subscription increased from £14.99 to £22.99 per month.
The jump, one of the largest since Game Pass launched, has triggered widespread backlash from players.
Across Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), users branded the change “not worth it” and flooded feeds with #CancelGamePass threads. Many subscribers said they plan to downgrade or cancel outright.
Microsoft responded via Xbox executive Dustin Blackwell, who acknowledged the reaction:
“Price increases are never fun for anybody… we’re listening to the feedback of players.”
The company maintains that added value is coming to justify the cost, with new day-one titles and expanded cloud support expected later this quarter.
What People Are Playing on Xbox
According to this week’s UK and US store rankings, EA Sports FC 26 and Call of Duty: Warzone remain the top-played titles on Xbox Series X|S, alongside ever-present staples Fortnite, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5.
The surprise story is Jump Space, a £16.75 indie exclusive that has rocketed to the top of the paid charts, sitting just below the AAA heavyweights. Its mix of gravity-bending puzzles and couch co-op has made it one of October’s breakout hits.
New and Notable on Xbox
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (Remastered) launched last week across Xbox, PS5, and PC, bringing modern visuals and refined tactical combat to a new generation.
Rock Band 4 Delisting - Harmonix began removing Rock Band 4 and its DLC from the Xbox Store starting 5 October 2025 due to expiring music licences. Existing owners keep full access to purchased content, but new buyers are out of luck.
Game Pass Additions (October Wave 1) - confirmed titles include Dead Space (2023 Remake), Slay the Spire 2, and Lies of P: Reforged, all hitting console, PC, and cloud during the first half of October.
Hardware & Rumours
Persistent rumours suggested Xbox might exit the hardware business, but Microsoft reiterated (in ongoing statements) that it remains “actively investing in future consoles and devices designed and built by Xbox.”
The company’s continued AMD partnership and next-gen R&D roadmap are cited as proof that Xbox hardware is here to stay.
Quick Take
It’s been a volatile week for Microsoft: the Game Pass price spike dominated headlines and dented goodwill, even as Jump Space and Final Fantasy Tactics gave Xbox’s store charts some life.
Rock Band 4’s delisting closes a nostalgic chapter, while Game Pass additions keep players engaged heading into the holiday quarter.
Behind the noise, Xbox insists its console future remains secure, but community sentiment on value is under the microscope.
New Releases & Updates
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Double Pack) – Released 2 October 2025 on Nintendo Switch. It’s available as a bundle and also sold individually on the eShop. Both titles include enhancements and a free Switch 2 upgrade for 4K support.
Ghost of Yōtei – Launched on 2 October 2025 for PS5. A day-one patch (version 1.006) was rolled out, addressing gameplay, UI, performance, and puzzle tweaks.
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Incoming “Legends” multiplayer mode confirmed for 2026, co-op and survival missions expanding the experience.
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UK boxed launch outsold expectations, reportedly it sold 3× the Galaxy double pack and topped the charts.
PlayStation Update
Firmware refresh, PS Plus October line-up, and quiet confidence before the holiday rush
What’s new on PS5 this week
Sony rolled out a new PS5 firmware update (version 25.06-12.02.00) on 1 October 2025, improving system stability, tightening security, and preparing backend changes for upcoming UI refinements.
It’s a small but important step in keeping consoles secure ahead of the year’s biggest releases.
At the same time, the October PlayStation Plus line-up was revealed, and it’s one of the strongest in months.
Subscribers can download:
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Alan Wake 2 – Remedy’s acclaimed horror thriller arrives just in time for spooky season.
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Goat Simulator 3 – chaotic, tongue-in-cheek sandbox fun.
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Cocoon – the BAFTA-winning puzzle adventure from Jeppe Carlson, now free for members.
All three titles go live from 7 October through 3 November.
Sony also confirmed six titles will leave PS Plus on 21 October, including two major horror games, giving subscribers a final chance to dive in before they disappear from the catalogue.
What people are playing
While Sony doesn’t share real-time digital charts, UK and EU retail data show EA Sports FC 26 and Helldivers II remain top sellers, with Baldur’s Gate 3 holding firm post-patch.
Discounts on Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition helped both swing back into the PS Store’s top 10.
Quick Take
It’s a quieter but solid week for PlayStation. A maintenance-focused firmware update keeps the PS5 running smoothly, and October’s PS Plus line-up delivers strong value.
With Alan Wake 2 headlining and year-end releases around the corner, Sony is holding steady before its next major showcase.
PC / Steam Update
Hades 2 1.0 Launch Breaks Records
Supergiant’s Hades 2 went fully live (exiting early access) and the results are explosive:
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It now boasts an “Overwhelmingly Positive” Steam rating.
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Peak concurrent players soared past 112,900, more than double the all-time high of the original Hades.
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Players also returned to Hades 1 in droves, hitting its highest concurrent player count in months.
This kind of launch performance for an indie sequel is rare, and it's reigniting buzz for roguelike and action-adventure games across PC.
Steam Client Update & Security Patch
On 2 October 2025, Steam rolled out a client update that includes a mitigation patch for Unity CVE-2025-59489, aimed at blocking a potential exploit attempt via Unity-based games.
Every user’s client will auto-update, improving security and reducing vulnerability exposure, an important move as more titles integrate indie Unity engines.
Top-Selling PC Titles & Steam Trends
From 29 Sept to 5 Oct 2025, these were the top revenue-generating games on Steam:
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Counter-Strike 2
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Battlefield 6
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Digimon Story Time Stranger
Battlefield 6 has especially grabbed attention ahead of its full release window, indicating strong interest in multiplayer war franchises returning to PC.
Other trends to note:
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Steam’s Autumn Sale has just wrapped, contributing to a spike in back catalogue purchases.
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The Steam Next Fest October edition is scheduled for 13–20 October, where hundreds of new demos and previews will drop.
Quick Take (PC)
PC gaming was marked this week by a massive launch - Hades 2’s breakout 1.0 debut - and a key Steam client patch improving overall platform security.
Meanwhile, Counter-Strike 2 and Battlefield 6 topped the revenue charts, confirming that competitive and tactical titles remain dominant.
As we head into Steam Next Fest, keep an eye on which demos make the splash.
Nintendo Update
What People Are Playing
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 entered the UK top 5 physical charts following its 2 October launch. Reviews praised the seamless remastering, responsive controls, and nostalgia factor driving strong week-one sales.
EA Sports FC 26 and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles also remained high in the Switch 2 eShop rankings, alongside evergreen hits like Street Fighter 6 and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
New Releases & Updates
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Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Double Pack) launched 2 October 2025 on Switch.
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Includes enhanced visuals, gyro-optimised controls, and a free Switch 2 upgrade supporting 4K output.
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£58.99 on the UK eShop.
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Persona 3 Reload (Switch 2) - Atlus confirmed that only the next-gen version will launch on 23 October 2025, citing optimisation priorities over the older hardware.
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Resident Evil Requiem (Switch 2) - Capcom reaffirmed the Switch 2 release is on schedule for 27 February 2026, with the team noting how Resident Evil Village’s strong performance on Nintendo hardware encouraged further development.
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Minecraft – “The Copper Age” update went live on 3 October 2025, adding new mobs, biomes, and crafting materials to the Switch edition, alongside parity features with PC and console versions.
Quick Take
Nintendo’s week was dominated by Mario Galaxy’s nostalgic comeback, cementing the franchise’s power as the Switch 2 generation looms.
Ongoing support for Minecraft and cross-platform content keeps Switch players active, while Persona 3 Reload and Resident Evil Requiem highlight third-party faith in Nintendo’s new hardware.
The message is clear, Switch 2 momentum is building, and Nintendo’s software line-up is confidently bridging the gap between generations.
TL;DR
PlayStation:
A quiet but solid week - Sony pushed a new PS5 firmware update improving security, and revealed a strong October PlayStation Plus lineup: Alan Wake 2, Goat Simulator 3, and Cocoon.
EA Sports FC 26 and Helldivers II stay top of the charts, while Spider-Man 2 climbs again after store discounts.
Xbox:
The big story was the Game Pass Ultimate UK price hike - jumping from £14.99 → £22.99 and sparking major backlash.
Microsoft says it’s “listening to feedback” and promises more value.
Meanwhile, Jump Space is this week’s breakout indie hit, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles landed on Xbox, and Rock Band 4 began its digital delisting.
Microsoft also reaffirmed its commitment to future consoles.
PC / Steam:
Hades 2 exploded out of early access with record numbers and “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews.
Steam rolled out a security patch for Unity-based games, while Counter-Strike 2 and Battlefield 6 topped the week’s sales charts.
Next stop: Steam Next Fest, starting 13 October, promising a flood of new demos.
Nintendo:
The Super Mario Galaxy + Galaxy 2 Double Pack launched on Switch (£58.99 eShop) with 4K Switch 2 upgrades baked in.
Persona 3 Reload confirmed exclusive for Switch 2 (23 Oct 2025), and Minecraft: The Copper Age update hit Switch bringing new mobs, biomes, and parity with PC features.
Nintendo’s momentum is all about the Switch → Switch 2 transition, with strong first-party and third-party support lining up.
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