There has always been a little bit of conflict regarding preordering games. Some players love to secure a copy in advance, while some others see it as something unnecessary or risky. Some gamers will go ahead and preorder those titles they are somewhat sure of, whereas others will only decide to order upon seeing reviews.
In fact, preorders aren’t as straightforward as they used to be anymore. It made sense when everyone was buying discs because stores could sell out. A situation that almost never happens with digital downloads now. So if games don’t really “sell out” anymore, then what’s the point of preordering?
Turns out, there are still good reasons to do this. This includes early access, bonus materials, and collector editions, lots to recommend that a player go for it. The downside is that sometimes these games will launch buggy or get delayed. I’ll weigh both sides and point out which upcoming game preorders deserve attention.
What’s the Deal with Preorders Really?
Back in the day of physical discs, preordering meant you secured a copy before launch day, which is super helpful when games sold out fast. But today, with digital downloads taking over, games rarely run out. So if nothing else was offered, why even bother preordering?
Well, turns out publishers and retailers sweeten the deal with preorder bonuses, special in-game items, exclusive cosmetics, physical goodies, and early access; the list goes on.
How Preorders Work (and Why That Can Be Nice)
Here’s how the process typically goes:
- You can pre-order digitally, sometimes just pay a deposit, sometimes get billed closer to release, and then the game shows up in your library.
- Pre-loading lets you download the game early, so you can jump in the second it becomes playable, great if your internet is slow or the file is huge.
- For example, some preorders will grant early access and allow playing several days before everyone else, especially in deluxe or collector’s editions, which come with physical extras that double as gaming accessories.
The Upsides: What Makes Preorders Actually Good
1. Exclusive Stuff You Won’t Get Later
This could be anything from additional missions with skins, in-game cash, and even some real-life collectibles such as art books or figurines. For fans who crave that extra immersion, this is huge.
2. Play Faster: No Download Wait!
With pre-load, you don’t wait to download on the actual launch date. Who wouldn’t want to hop straight into Assassin’s Creed Shadows at the moment of launch and not spend a single minute waiting?
3. Skip the Lines, Secure Your Copy
Especially for the physical limited editions, preordering means you are not left empty-handed when they sell out.
4. Feel Good Supporting Developers
If you’re hyped for a game, preordering says, “I believe in you.” That early support can help devs keep creating games you love.
5. Stream, Share, and Shine
Content creators sometimes preorder so they can deliver fresh content first and get a head start on streams or reviews.
The Catch: Why Some Gamers Say “Not So Fast”
Risk of Disappointment or Bugs
Some titles launch with bugs, missing content, or don’t live up to the hype. There’s always the gamble you might regret buying early.
Delays Happen… A Lot
Turns out, almost half of all games get delayed. Steam data shows about 48%, with the typical delay being two weeks. That headache of waiting while your preorder sits there unplayed? Real talk.
Feels Like FOMO Fuel
A lot of excitement around preorders comes from FOMO (fear of missing out). Some describe preorder bonuses as just dangling incentives to get you to buy early.
Can Be Expensive for Early Access
Getting those coveted days early? Often costs extra. For instance, Starfield’s premium edition gave five days of early access, but for a price bump. Sometimes that early access doesn’t even go smoothly, imagine paying more, then dealing with server issues so you can’t play anyway.
Real Gamer Voices: What the Reddit Crowd Says
On r/gaming, gamers get real about preorders. One user broke it down simply: “For the most part, there isn’t one. Pre-order bonuses are almost always worse than anything you can find in game…”.
Another put it bluntly: “I pre-purchased 20 games this year … Reasons can vary … hype, wanted pre-order bonuses, wanted to support the game.”
Makes sense if you really want it, you go for it.
So, When Should You Preorder?
When should you hit that preorder button? So here are a few cases when you should consider it, and those that deserve waiting:
- A strong track record by the developer: Preordering from known studios or publishers is usually a safer bet.
- For collectors’ editions: Those can sometimes get very scarce very quickly, and preordering might be the best bet on getting them at all.
- If you want to play the moment the game releases: Preloads mean there is no waiting game on launch day.
- For content creators or streamers who are looking to monetize gaming: You can also get a head start on coverage, reviews, or streams with early access.
- If you’re really not sure about the quality of the game: It is better to resist because waiting for reviews can save you from disappointment.
- It’s just a digital standard, no preorder benefits attached: So why not wait, or maybe even catch a discount?
What Upcoming Preorders Are Worth Watching?
The most crucial games awaiting their releases in September 2025 are listed here, along with the preorder options when available.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (Sept. 4, Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)
After an agonizingly long wait, Hollow Knight: Silksong will launch this September. Players will be the Hornet, exploring the kingdom of Pharloom in this critically acclaimed follow-up to the Metroidvania.
Most platforms don’t have traditional preorder options, but gaming subscription services like Xbox Game Pass allow users to pre-install the game now. To do this, go into the Xbox App, select the Game Pass tab, scroll down to Coming to Game Pass, tap Hollow Knight: Silksong, and you will find the pre-install option. This way, it’s immediately ready for you to play when it launches.
Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition (Sept. 4, Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S)
The game, as you already know, is set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. This is the very first open-world Star Wars game. You will play as Kay Vess, a scoundrel making her way through the underworld of the galaxy. The Gold Edition is an improvement over the standard edition, which includes access to new content and DLC down the road, making it the go-to preorder for fans who want the complete package.
NBA 2K26 (Sept. 5, Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)
Annual basketball simulation with advanced MyCAREER, roster updates, and a new season of MyTEAM. The usual preorder bonuses might come in the form of a little bit of VC (virtual currency) and MyTEAM packs, giving players an early start.
Note: If you’re planning to play upcoming releases on the go, it’s worth checking out the best gaming laptops 2025 lists to make sure your system can handle them.
Borderlands 4 (Sept. 23, Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2)
The newest chapter in the looter-shooter franchise offers fresh Vault Hunters, chaotic gunplay, and a story that balances humor underneath some deeper ideas. Additionally, preorders have already opened up for several editions, with cosmetics packs like Gilded Glory set as bonuses.
Other prominent September pre-orders include:
- Hell is Us (Sept. 4)
- Cronos: The New Dawn (Sept. 5)
- Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion (Sept. 5)
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Sept. 25)
- PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC (Sept. 26)
Not just these, a lot of the best VR games 2025 are also releasing this year, and you can also pre-order them for early benefits and review.
Final Thoughts
Preordering can be very beneficial when what you derive from it aligns with what you value, such as early access to gameplay, exclusive bonus content, collector’s goodies, and supporting your favorite creators. However, there is definitely wisdom to waiting if one is cautious about bugs, hype overload, or too much cost.
Games get delayed, reviews count, and prices drop. So if you are not sold on it and just going for a basic digital release, it’s often just smarter to wait and save your pennies (and sanity). In the end, it’s up to you if you preorder the game or not. Don’t let it be something you feel pressured into.
For more informative and exciting gaming blogs, keep checking back on Route Shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the biggest upcoming game releases 2025?
There are many games that will excite people this year. A couple of the big titles people are talking about are:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (April 24)
- Blue Prince (April 10)
- Split Fiction (March 6)
- Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17)
Also, if you’re on PC, make sure your setup is ready for these big releases. A solid build gaming PC guide can help you future-proof your rig for 2025 titles.
What is the top 1 game on PS5?
No surprise here, Fortnite still reigns as the top title on PS5. Updates and new seasons just keep pulling players back in. GTA V fought its way back into the top three, EA Sports FC 25 is still holding up, and while Minecraft took a little dip in popularity, it still remains as loved as ever.
When can you pre-order GTA 6?
Preorders for GTA 6 have not yet begun at Rockstar Games. It is one of the most anticipated game releases. Most people expect that preorders will start sometime late in 2026, probably November or December. So we’ll need to be patient a little longer.
Do games still do pre-orders?
Yes, they do, but nowadays, things are pieced together a bit differently. Some stores, like GAME in the UK, have stopped taking any in-store preorders for games scheduled for release any time after January 2025. Digital preorders, however, are pretty standard on the PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and a couple of other platforms. On a side note, Game Pass sometimes allows you to pre-install a game, so you can play it on day one even without paying extra.