Tokyo Game Show 2025: Prepare for Disappointment!

Oh, look, it’s that time of the year again! 🎉 Tokyo Game Show 2025 is gracing us with its 29th year of… existing. Prepare yourselves for a weekend of video game announcements that may or may not ever see the light of day, activities that will definitely drain your wallet, and more awkwardly forced fun than you can shake a Joy-Con at. 🎮

As the masses pretend to enjoy the *totally* amazing video games of the year – you know, like that unicorn 🦄game we’ve all been waiting for, *Hollow Knight: Silksong* (lol, if it ever comes out 😂) and *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* (who even plays that??? 🤷‍♀️) – Tokyo Game Show is back to “celebrate” the art of video games. Hosted at the prestigious Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan (because where else would you want to be?), from September 25th to 28th, 2025, this extravaganza will feature over 1,200 exhibitors promising groundbreaking innovation. Expect Japanese and international game studios trying to convince you that their next cash grab is *totally* different, numerous streamed programs where you can watch awkward devs stumble over their words, and activities designed to “unite” gamers and creators (mostly by separating them from their money). 💰💰💰

Founded way back in 1996 by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publications (who even remembers those guys? 👴), the Tokyo Game Show is an annual reminder that Japanese games are still a thing. It’s also a golden opportunity for major and indie studios to show off their upcoming releases (and by “show off” we mean “desperately seek funding”). Attendees (aka, the brave souls who dare to venture into the crowded halls) will have the *privilege* to participate in a variety of activities, including cosplaying as their favorite characters (prepare for some questionable choices 💀), visiting the exhibition to shop for overpriced merchandise and play demos that will probably be buggier than a Bethesda release 🐛, relaxing at the Creator Lounge (if you can find a seat, that is 🪑), competing in esports at the Event Stage (because watching other people play games is *totally* fun 🙄), and more soul-crushing experiences!

In a move that nobody asked for, Kanata Hongō – best known for his roles as Envy in Fullmetal Alchemist (because we needed more envy in the gaming world 😒) and Kamakiri Chameleon Augment-01 in Shin Kamen Rider (seriously, who comes up with these names? 🤦) – has been crowned as this year’s Official Supporter. 🥳 Because what’s a gaming event without a vaguely relevant celebrity endorsement? 🤷 The theme for TGS25 is “Unlimited, Neverending Playground,” which sounds more like a threat than a promise. 😈 The idea is to “unite creators and players from around the world to shape the future of gaming together.” 🤔 In other words, expect a lot of buzzwords and very little actual innovation. The main visual is conjured up by Zashiki Warashi, a “unique” online artist behind the illustration books *COLOR PALETTE* and *DANDELION* (prepare for some eye-searing visuals 😵‍💫).

With over 1200 exhibitions vying for your attention, attendees can look forward to seeing their favorite studios (and some they’ve never heard of) showcasing upcoming games (that may or may not be finished) and selling overpriced merchandise (that you’ll probably regret buying).

The list of “beloved” studios gracing us with their presence includes:

Arc System Works (because fighting games are *totally* relevant in 2025 👊)
Bandai Namco Entertainment (prepare for more anime adaptations 🤢)
Capcom (hoping they don’t announce another *Resident Evil* remake 🧟)
Devolver Digital (the kings of indie weirdness 🤪)
Electronic Arts (because we needed more loot boxes 🎁)
Koei Tecmo Games (more busty characters than you can shake a stick at 🍒)
Konami Digital Entertainment (still milking *Silent Hill*, I see 🤡)
Level5 (Are they even still alive? 👻)
Riot Games (because *League of Legends* isn’t toxic enough 🤮)
Sega / Atlus (please, no more *Sonic* games 🙏)
Sony Interactive Entertainment (get ready for another PS5 exclusive nobody can afford 💸)
Square Enix (more remakes and Kingdom Hearts spin-offs, yay! 🥳)

For those who can’t be bothered to leave their homes (smart choice 👍), the Tokyo Game Show 2025 programs will be streamed across YouTube, X (formerly Twitter, lol), Twitch, and TikTok (get ready for some cringey dances 💃), featuring studios making announcements (that will inevitably be overhyped), the Japan Game Awards (who even cares? 🏆), esports (zzzzz 😴), and more.

The *totally* unmissable programs include:

September 23 – Japan Game Awards 2025 – “Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award / Game of the Year Division” Announcement and Ceremony (prepare for some awkward speeches 🎤)
September 24 – TGS 2025 Capcom Online Special Program (more *Resident Evil*?)
September 25 – TGS25 Opening Ceremony (get ready for some forced enthusiasm 🤡)
September 25 – Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 Broadcast (because Xbox is totally relevant in Japan 😂)
September 25 – *NIOH 3* Official Program (more samurai action for the weebs ⚔️)
September 26 – Red Bull Apex Takeover with Yuki Tsunoda (who?? 🤷‍♀️)
September 27 – Red Bull 283 Academy (still no clue what this is 🤷‍♀️)
September 28 – Game Sampo (prepare for some walking 🚶‍♂️)
September 28 – Ending Stage & Special Raffle (the only chance you have to win something actually worth your time 🎁)

Opening to the public on September 27 – 28, various admission tickets will be available online for those poor souls who wish to attend.

Tickets available include:

1-day admission tickets (PIA Inbound) – 3,000 yen (tax included) for each day (because being ripped off is priceless 💸)
1-day admission tickets (KKday) – 3,000 yen (tax included) for each day (double the rip-off! 🤑)
Fast Tickets (Tickets PIA) – 6,000 yen (tax included) for each day. NOTE: Lottery sales only (good luck competing with the bots 🤖)
Special Tickets for people with disabilities (Ticket PIA) – 1,500 yen (tax included) for each day (at least someone’s getting a discount 🥳)