I turned the porch light off and heard my controller buzzing on the coffee table. You can feel the weekend as a small treasure chest of choices waiting to be opened. I’ll point you to six releases worth staying up for.
The streets are full of carved pumpkins and storefronts are quiet — 6 New Games to Play This Halloween Weekend (Oct 31 – Nov 1)
I filtered the week’s drops across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC so you don’t waste time installing duds. You want scares that linger, co-op silliness, or a compact RPG you can sink into between parties—I’ll tell you which ones actually deliver.
What new games are coming out this Halloween weekend?
Short answer: there’s a retro-fantasy Action RPG, two atmospheric horrors ported to consoles, a family-friendly party title, a rhythm-driven platformer, and a warm-hearted sci‑fi platformer hitting Switch. Developers like Freshly Baked Games, Senscape, Tathvamasi, and Casual Brothers are in the roster, and most of these are available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2), and PC via Steam.
Queen’s Domain
Genre: Action RPG — Platforms: PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S
I played the opening hours to see if Freshly Baked Games had the combat and exploration balance that matters. Queen’s Domain drops you on the Isle of Neasied to chase the disappearance of a father and the stirring of a sleeping Queen. Expect interconnected maps, secret paths, charged attacks, and a holy weapon that lets you cross gaps and reach hidden rooms.
If you like methodical combat with movement rewards—think Hollow Knight Silksong energy but with a retro-fantasy sheen—this one will keep you hunting for every hidden corridor.
The Cat in the Hat: Rainy Day Mayhem
Genre: Party / Family — Platforms: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series X/S
If you want something to run on the TV while guests eat candy, this is it. The Cat in the Hat: Rainy Day Mayhem collects 18 mini-games and supports up to four local players. You play as Sally, Johnny, Thing 1, Thing 2, and more—there’s a Find the Cat hide-and-seek mode, difficulty options, and simple controls that mean younger players can jump in without you babysitting the controller.
What are the must-play horror releases this Halloween weekend?
If you’re reaching for chills, prioritize titles that build atmosphere and reward patience. Two console ports stand out: Senscape’s Asylum and Francis Coulombe’s Look Outside—both originally PC releases that now let console players feel the dread without mod menus.
Asylum
Genre: Horror / Adventure — Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Senscape’s Hanwell Mental Institute is a pressure cooker of dread; the game’s strength is slow-burn psychological horror, not jump-scare spam. You play an ex-patient digging through records, dark corridors, and visions to piece together what happened here. If Silent Hill fans crave atmosphere over action, this port delivers the tone and sweating tension.
Look Outside
Genre: Horror / Narrative / Indie — Platforms: PS5, PS4, Switch, Switch 2
One apartment block is all you get in Look Outside, and that limitation makes player choices meaningful. A mysterious event turns anyone who peers out the window into a grotesque threat; you scavenge, trade with survivors, and fight in turn-based encounters where positioning matters. It’s smaller in scope than some AAA horrors, but tight design makes every corridor feel dangerous.
Suri: The Seventh Note
Genre: Adventure / Platformer — Platforms: PS5, PC
Music is the mechanic here. You control Ajira as she searches for a cure for her ailing mother while fixing the island’s fractured rhythm. The platforming responds to beats, so timing matters as much as jump precision. If you like rhythm games with narrative nails, Suri leans into emotion and melody in equal measure.
Goodboy Galaxy
Genre: Platformer — Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Maxwell the space dog returns to Switch after PC and Game Boy Advance appearances. The adventure trades complex systems for charm: blaster upgrades, bosses, and multiple routes across strange planets. If you want a cozy platformer between scares and party games, this one scratches the itch.
Want to pick quickly? I’d test Asylum or Look Outside for a proper horror night, bring friends to The Cat in the Hat for instant laughs, and save Queen’s Domain for late-night exploration. Which of these will you install first?