Hollow Knight: Silksongfans have grown used to waiting. With the game being announced in 2019, players looking forward to news from Team Cherry have dealt with a range of emotions: hope, anxiety, and fears wrought by the gut-wrenching silence. But that patience may finally pay off. During the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, Microsoft revealed the holiday 2025 release window for the ROG Xbox Ally and standard ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds. And while most of the showcase focused on fascinating hardware details, one moment caused a ripple of excitement among longtime fans of Team Cherry’s elusive Metroidvania sequel.Hollow Knight:Silksongmade a brief appearance in the showcase reel, sparking immediate speculation that it might be launching alongside the new handheld.

For a game with such a long and unpredictable development timeline, even a few seconds of footage was enough to set the community ablaze. The community was already excited aboutSwitch 2’s list of releases, but the ROG Xbox Ally’s announcement cemented certainty. Fans speculated whetherSilksongwould be a day-one title for the ROG Xbox Ally, and emitted sighs of relief when considering that their almost eight-year wait could be over soon. As it turns out, the answer is more nuanced than expected—but no less meaningful to a fandom that, for so many years, relied on hope.

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Team Cherry Confirms Silksong Will Arrive Before the ROG Xbox Ally

Following the showcase Xbox Games Showcase, Team Cherry’s marketing manager Matthew “Leth” Griffin stepped in to address some rumors concerning Silksong’s launch date, stemming from the Xbox Games Showcase. Posting on the game’s official Discord, Griffin responded to the rumors with a brief but illuminating message: “I confirmed BEFORE Holiday,” he said, in reference toSilksong’s expected release date. He added, “We are not tied to a console release,” dispelling any theories that the game was being strategically withheld for the ROG Xbox Ally or other hardware reveals.

This clarification may not have included a specific date, but it did something arguably better: it narrowed the window with real certainty. TheHollow Knight: Silksongrelease dateis certainly before the 2025 holiday season. That means no more guessing about 2026 delays or launch-day tie-ins with new consoles - the game is on track to land within the next six months.

Silksong’s dev’s sharing of information about the release datemarks one of the most substantial updates in years. Since its announcement,Silksonghas developed a reputation for disappearing from the spotlight, often going months—if not years—without an update. In a sea of silence, a statement like this from Team Cherry carries weight. It’s also a rare example of some clarity in a marketing landscape that often leans heavily on vague timelines and shifting expectations. While theSilksongteam has been relatively quiet, they’ve also remained consistent in their transparency, and this moment is no exception.

The ROG Xbox Ally Showcase Still Matters

The originalHollow Knightdebuted to widespread acclaim, blending tight combat, mysterious worldbuilding, and haunting visual design into a near-instant cult classic.Silksongis expected to build on that legacy by introducing new movement mechanics, a new protagonist in the form of Hornet, and even more ambitious environmental storytelling. The weight of expectation has only grown in the years since its reveal, placingSilksongalongside 2025’s pantheon of long-awaited releases. Now that the window is more defined, that anticipation feels more grounded and more exciting.

Although it won’t be a launch title for the ROG Xbox Ally,Hollow Knight: Silsong’s inclusion in the 2025 Xbox Games Showcaseis still meaningful. It suggests that Microsoft and ASUS see the game as a significant draw for players interested in high-performance portable gaming. The fact that the game was shown at all implies a level of confidence in its progress and relevance to the 2025 release calendar. It’s also another indication thatSilksongmay be available across a wide range of platforms. With PC and Xbox already confirmed, and possible inclusion in Game Pass still rumored, there’s every reason to believe that Team Cherry wants the game to reach as many players as possible, as soon as it’s ready.

A Final Countdown That Finally Feels Real

There are still plenty of questions surroundingHollow Knight: Silksong. But for once, fans have a definitive window to look toward. Not tied to a hardware release, not bound by rumor - just a clear, developer-confirmed timeframe. In an industry known for delays and shifting release targets, that’s no small feat. For those who’ve been tracking everyHollow Knight:Silksongleakand whisper since 2019, this feels like a turning point. The wait isn’t over yet, but it finally has a tangible endpoint.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

WHERE TO PLAY

Play as Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, and adventure through a whole new kingdom ruled by silk and song! Captured and brought to this unfamiliar world, Hornet must battle foes and solve mysteries as she ascends on a deadly pilgrimage to the kingdom’s peak.Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure. As the lethal hunter Hornet, journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover ancient secrets tied to your nature and your past.