Record-breaking year for hole discoveries
▼ Summary
– Kart racers are making a comeback in 2025 with titles like *Mario Kart World*, *Sonic Crossworlds*, and *Kirby Air Riders* leading the trend.
– Soccer games are gaining popularity this year, highlighted by *Despelote* and *Rematch* as standout releases.
– Small co-op games like *Peak* are thriving, though the genre has been controversially labeled “friendslop.”
– Hole-digging games are a major 2025 trend, with hits like *A Game About Digging a Hole*, *Dig Dig Dino!*, and *Donkey Kong Bananza* driving the movement.
– Digging mechanics resonate with players due to their primal satisfaction and nostalgic appeal, as seen in the success of *Donkey Kong Bananza*.
This year marks an unprecedented surge in video games centered around one simple yet satisfying activity: digging holes. While 2025 has brought plenty of anticipated releases, from kart racers like Mario Kart World to soccer hits Despelote and Rematch, nothing has captured players’ imaginations quite like the humble act of excavation. Whether it’s uncovering dinosaur bones or tunneling through vibrant landscapes, digging mechanics are taking center stage in ways we haven’t seen since the heyday of Mr. Driller.
The trend kicked off earlier this year with A Game About Digging a Hole, a minimalist Steam title that became an unexpected hit. Its straightforward premise, digging deeper and deeper, resonated with players, sparking a wave of similar projects. The game’s success wasn’t just about its simplicity; it tapped into the same meditative satisfaction found in titles like Powerwash Simulator, where repetitive tasks become oddly compelling.
Then came Dig Dig Dino!, a charming Playdate game that turned archaeology into a bite-sized puzzle experience. Unearthing fossils layer by layer proved just as addictive as its Steam predecessor, proving that the appeal of digging isn’t limited to one platform or style. But the real game-changer arrived with Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo’s latest adventure that elevates hole-digging to blockbuster status. Beyond its vibrant world and collectibles, the sheer joy of smashing through terrain to create sprawling tunnels has become its biggest draw.
Why has digging suddenly become such a dominant mechanic? Psychologists suggest it ties into our innate desire for control and creation, something many of us first experienced as kids in sandboxes or backyard excavations. Games like Bananza amplify that nostalgia, rewarding players with instant gratification for every punch or shovel strike. It’s a primal loop, one that’s finally getting the spotlight it deserves.
With more digging-themed games on the horizon, this might just be the beginning of a golden age for virtual excavation. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned gamer, there’s something undeniably satisfying about leaving your mark, one hole at a time.
(Source: Polygon)
