Best of/2025

We cover a broad range of gear and releases around here, including everything from Nintendo, Pokémon, and LEGO, right through to the latest from Apple, Samsung, and more. So let’s take a look back at the most popular releases, leaks, and stories of the year before we head off into 2026. This is a collection of the top stories here at 9to5Toys from Switch 2 to AirPods Pro 3 right through to some teasers for releases that won’t even launch until next year.

Nintendo Switch 2

There’s not a whole lot to say about this one – Nintendo released its next-generation console this year and it was (obviously) the most popular thing going for more than a few months. We could have included quite a long list of top stories on this one, but here are just a few that topped the list.

Sony XM6 Headphones

Long awaited, oft-rumored, and now finally here, Sony’s next-generation XM6 were the most popular thing in over-ear headphones among 9to5Toys readers (and staffers). I loved them after getting a chance to test them out ahead of the official reveal, and I still love them now.

Black Friday 2025

Black Friday is a big deal around here, always has been, and was very much in 2025. Perhaps the only thing more popular than Nintendo Switch 2 for the 9to5Toys community, Black Friday did not disappoint this year with new all-time low pricing on just about all of the biggest ticket tech releases from Apple, Google, and a whole lot more.

Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

On the other hand, one of the more surprising top stories of the year landed when the Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered was officially revealed. After being hinted at in documents as part of the FTC’s case against Microsoft, followed by loads of leaks and actual images appearing online, Bethesda finally confimred its existence, and we were all pretty stoked about it.

Mario’s 40th Birthday!

This year was a big one for Mario, not only because of the launch of his new console, but it was also the 40th anniversary of the first Super Mario Bros. game releasing. Nintendo delivered all sorts of goodies to celebrate too: the reveal of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 bundle, Mario Tennis Fever, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park, and a Talking Flower collectible. 

Samsung Galaxy S25

At this point, we all know the new flagship Galaxy phones are landing in late January, and the S25 launch wasn’t much of a surprise. But with the gigantic discounts and promotions that came along with them, 9to5Toys readers picked these things up in droves along with all of the FREE buds and heavily discounted tablets that came with them.

Ankers 2025 Prime Charging Gear

Easily one of, if not, the most popular releases of the year in the charging space, Anker’s latest Prime lineup delivered one of the more impressive 25W MagSafe charging stands with an onboard display, alongside its Qi2.2 car charger and a host of display-laded power banks too.

Logitech MX Master 4

Sony’s new AMC headphones and Anker Prime gear led the pack in their respective categories, and Logitech turned heads with the latest iteration of its already very popular mouse. This time around packed with loads of customization features and, perhaps most notably, onboard haptic feedback, the MX Master 4 was the most popular computing peripheral of 2025 around here.

Official LEGO Pokémon

LEGO hasn’t even released its official Pokémon sets yet – it hasn’t even given us a look at them – and it was already the biggest brick-built announcement of the year at 9to5Toys. I think it’s safe to say the Toys staff is looking forward to these just as much as the rest of the community around here.

Nomad Tracking Card Pro

Nomad’s original Tracking Card was very popular among readers, and so was the launch of this year’s pro model. After just recently getting a chance to put it to the test for a couple months, it’s easy to see why – 16-month battery life, metal build, and a still relatively affordable price tag.

The first deals on AirPods Pro 3

Sony’s XM6 might have been the most popular thing in over-ears, but the first deals on Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, in combination with the all-time lows we tracked for Black Friday and in the lead up to the holidays, were easily the hottest in-ear release of the year.