Summary
- Shadow-dropping games generates hype instantly.
- Known franchises or special events enhance surprise releases.
- The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered immediately won the hearts of many after years of fans begging.
Most games typically release a first look or a trailer months or even years ahead of their actual launch date. This strategy generates hype and increases the likelihood of pre-orders. However, some developers have surprised gamers by announcing and releasing their games on the same day, creating a whirlwind of excitement.
8 Best Video Game Console Reveals Of All Time, Ranked
It's not every day that brand-new video game consoles are shown off. These are the best video game console reveals of all time.
Also known as shadow-dropping, revealing and releasing a video game on the same day is a bold move, but it has resulted in several instant hits, thanks to their connections to iconic franchises or being revealed at special events. From unexpected indie hits to blockbuster titles, these games not only caught players off guard but also delivered unforgettable experiences right out of the gate.
7 Fallout Shelter
Being An Overseer Is Not Always Easy
Fallout Shelter
- Released
- June 14, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes, Alcohol Reference
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
A companion game to Fallout 4, Fallout Shelter has the player managing a vault and the survivors living inside, all presented in the Vault-Tech Pip-Boy art style. Players must expand the shelter itself to provide a home and work for the inhabitants while also accomplishing missions out in the wasteland, creating a fun micromanagement game that is good for those who just want to play for a few minutes a day.
Fallout Shelter released just months before Fallout 4, allowing players to get a feel for the game while also tiding them over in anticipation of the long-awaited sequel. It was revealed at E3 2015, and anybody who finished seeing the announcement trailer at the convention or online was able to immediately download it on PC, console, or mobile devices to play it.
6 Unravel Two
Two People Can Play As Yarny And Tangle
Unravel Two
- Released
- June 9, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Platformer
Unravel was already an impressive puzzle game, featuring a character made of yarn going on a fun, visually stunning, and challenging platforming adventure that made the player feel small. The biggest problem was that its concept was ideal for co-op gameplay, and the sequel, Unravel Two, fixed that complaint to create a familiar yet fresh experience.
8 Best Co-Op Games That Explore Mature Themes
While these co-op games are a lot of fun for one or more friends, they also involve story elements intended for older audiences.
Platforming puzzles are even more creative in Unravel Two, with Yarny and Tangle going on another miniature adventure that feels like a precursor to games like It Takes Two and Split Fiction. Players can climb, wrap, jump, swing, and manipulate the world in various ways to reunite with their owner. Unravel Two was announced during EA Play in June 2018 and was released for PS4, Xbox One, and PC the same day.
5 Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
This Game Dropped Out Of The Shadows Like A Ninja
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
- Released
- January 23, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
The hack-and-slash genre hasn’t seen the spotlight in some time, with even the later God of War games embracing more of a third-person RPG style. However, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black brings that classic genre back, with Ryu Hayabusa slaughtering every enemy who appears, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 to recreate the 2008 hack-and-slash game from top to bottom.
Like the stealthy ninja that stars in it, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black appeared out of nowhere the same day gamers got a trailer for it. There were no teasers for it or rumors, which helped make the surprise even better. While the original release of Ninja Gaiden 2 had impressive visuals for its time, Unreal Engine 5 enables the game to look even prettier and run smoother than ever before.
4 Metroid Prime Remastered
Old-School First-Person Shooter With Modern Visuals
Metroid Prime Remastered
- Released
- February 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Animated Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Metroidvania
Metroid Prime Remastered was a pleasant surprise for everyone , as many felt that Nintendo had abandoned the Metroid Prime games. Fortunately, the remaster came along, delivering the same iconic first-person shooter Metroidvania experience but with enhanced visuals and smoother controls on the Nintendo Switch.
The surprise shadow-drop on the same day as its announcement proved to be effective, with longtime fans being able to play a beloved title while also introducing new fans to the rebooted version of Samus Aran. The success of Metroid Prime Remastered would end up paving the way for the long-awaited sequel, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, for the Nintendo Switch 2.
3 Hi-Fi Rush
Makes Players Want To Dance And Fight At The Same Time
Hi-Fi Rush
- Released
- January 25, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language
- Genre(s)
- Action
Tango Gameworks had made a name for itself in the horror genre with The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo, so few expected their next project to be a rhythm-based action game where everything in the world is set to the beat of the music, even the combat. It allowed Hi-Fi Rush to be a surprise gem that seemingly came out of nowhere as an Xbox and PC exclusive.
It was released after being revealed during the 2023 Xbox Bethesda Developer Direct and went on to become an award-winning game, so popular that it eventually made its way to the PlayStation 5. Hi-Fi Rush forces the player to learn timing, with every jump and action best executed in sync with the EDM soundtrack to deal extra damage and perform parries.
2 Apex Legends
Respawn Created An Instant Hit With This Battle Royale Game
Apex Legends
- Released
- February 4, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale, First-Person Shooter
Set in the same world as the Titanfall games, Apex Legends was released during a time when many companies were dipping their toes into the Battle Royale genre. It could have fallen apart like many others did, but Apex Legends instead exploded into the mainstream and remains a consistently updated live-service title that keeps up with, and has even surpassed, the likes of Fortnite and PUBG.
Apex Legends: Best Mixtape Mode Maps
Ready to dominate? These Apex Legends Mixtape mode maps are perfect for fast-paced action.
Apex Legends was revealed and released in 2019 by Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts, providing familiar Battle Royale gameplay with a first-person hero shooter twist. It utilizes many gameplay aspects from Titanfall, such as fast movement speed, various weapons, and traversal, to create hectic battles that are both challenging and enjoyable.
1 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
Years Of Fans Begging For A Remake Paid Off
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Released
- April 22, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
With how many times The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim has been remastered and re-released, fans of the series were starting to think Bethesda had forgotten its predecessor, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. However, fans got lucky on April 22, 2025, with the reveal and shadow-drop release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered after months of rumors and leaks.
A game like Oblivion could have simply been polished and re-released, but instead, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is more of a remake that was rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. Virtuos Studios remade everything down to the smallest detail and improved the visuals, audio, and gameplay, while still retaining the quirks that made fans love the original fantasy RPG so much.
Oblivion: Remastered - 10 Tips & Tricks
First time playing Oblivion Remastered? These essential tips help new players explore, fight, and grow stronger fast.