Now that we’re halfway through 2025, with the Switch 2 finally out and smashing records, it’s a good time to start looking ahead. Sure, 2025 still has great games coming up, like Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Borderlands 4, and Ghost of Yotei. But 2026 seems to continue raising the bar.
If things go as expected, 2026 might be one of those years we look back on as an all-time great for gaming, and picking a Game of the Year will definitely be a challenge. Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated games of 2026, and why you should definitely keep them on your radar.
15. Infinite Alliance
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- Developer: Critical Games
- Publisher: Electric Airship
Infinite Alliance is a massive indie crossover JRPG where heroes and villains from popular indie games fight in turn-based battles. The game features characters from over 13 indie RPGs, such as Chained Echoes, Quartet, Jack Move, 8-Bit Adventures 2, and Beloved Rapture. And the best part? It’s totally free on PC, and all purchases made on console will go to charity.
14. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Skydance Interactive
- Publisher: Plaion
Captain America is teaming up with Black Panther in nazi-occupied Paris to prevent the rise of the terrorist organization Hydra during World War II. Two of the most iconic Marvel heroes, fighting some of the most iconic villains in history–that already got me hooked.
Marvel Comics writer Marc Bernardin has been working on the scenario, with Skydance stating that Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is “a narrative-driven, blockbuster action-adventure game.” I’m usually a little on the fence with Marvel games, as they can be either great or complete letdowns, but I want to hope for the best with this one.
13. Mewgenics
- Release Date: February 10, 2026
- Platform: PC
- Developers: Edmund McMillen, Tyler Glaiel
- Publishers: Edmund McMillen, Tyler Glaiel
The creators of The Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy are back with a new “endless cat-breeding RPG” called Mewgenics. And if that sounds completely weird, just take a look at the trailer below and you’ll be even more confused, as Mewgenics might be the strangest RPG you’ll see in 2026.
Mewgenics was originally announced back in 2012 as a follow-up to Super Meat Boy, before being cancelled, and eventually brought back on track in 2018. The goal is to breed cats to form the best party possible, with each of the cats having a specific role like mage, healer, or hunter. This party then heads into battle, with the cats fighting their way through various enemies. Once back home, the cats can mate, hopefully to give birth to an even more powerful kitty.
12. Onimusha: Way of the Sword
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
Capcom is reviving its classic samurai-action series with Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Set in Japan’s early Edo period, players follow the tale of a samurai fending against monstrosities from the underworld with the Oni Gauntlet, a mystical artifact able to absorb demons’ souls. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is the first new Onimusha in over 20 years, reviving the popular franchise from the early 2000s.
11. Gears of War: E-Day
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developers: The Coalition, People Can Fly
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Gears E-Day is the next entry in the Gears of War franchise, and is set 14 years before the original game in the series. It follows the story of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago before they became some of the most popular heroes from the Gears series, as they must survive the very first emergence of the Locust Horde. This will be the next Gears campaign after seven years, and will mark the 20th anniversary of the franchise, so it’s definitely a must-play for Gears fans.
10. Fable
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Playground Games
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Back in 2004, Peter Molyneux’s Lionhead Studios released Fable, an action-RPG that soon became a staple for Xbox players. Fable II and Fable III, respectively released in 2008 and 2010, confirmed Fable’s status as one of the best action-RPG series available on Microsoft’s consoles. But things eventually went south for Lionhead, leading to the cancellation of Fable Legends and the studio closing its doors.
But that’s not the end of the story. Playground Games is reviving the series with a reboot of Fable, bringing improved graphics and gameplay to the 2004’s classic. Fable remains one of the best action-RPGs from the first Xbox era, and this reboot could be the beginning of a new adventure for the series.
9. Nioh 3
- Release Date: Early 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
- Developer: Team Ninja
- Publisher: Koei Tecmo
After Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty in 2023 and Rise of the Ronin in 2024, Team Ninja is back with another action-RPG set in Japan, and not just any RPG: Nioh 3. This new installment in the series takes place alongside the events of Nioh 2. For the first time in the series, players can swap between two combat styles, opting either for a tanky gameplay with Samurai Style or quicker gameplay with Ninja Style.
Nioh isn’t for the faint of heart, it’s challenging and takes a bit of time to master. But slashing yokai in a dark fantasy version of Japan is also incredibly satisfying.
8. Pragmata
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
Pragmata is the kind of game that’s so unique it’s hard to describe. Set in the near-future, it follows the story of Hugh and his android companion Diana, who are making their way through a cold lunar research station. Players will have to control both characters at the same time to overcome obstacles.
Capcom described Pragmata as “the PS5 game you’ve all been waiting for in 2026,” and at this point, it seems so quirky that it’s definitely on my watchlist.
7. Stranger Than Heaven
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher: Sega
Ryu Ga Gotoku, the studio behind the Yakuza and Judgment series, is back with a new standalone action-adventure game. Set in Japan between 1915 and 1943, Stranger Than Heaven follows detective Mako Daito as he’s trying to solve a mystery. The vibe is way darker than in the Yakuza and Judgment series, and I’m really curious to see what RGG has in store for us.
6. Marvel’s Wolverine
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Developer: Insomniac Games
- Publisher: Sony
Insomniac Games, the studio behind Marvel’s Spider-Man, is getting ready to release a standalone action game starring Wolverine. While it’s set in the same universe as Marvel’s Spider-Man games, this entry will focus on Logan, and seems more mature and violent than previous Insomniac titles.
A darker atmosphere seems like an ideal fit for Logan, which has the potential to bring both a great story and the kind of action that reminds us what makes Wolverine such an unforgettable character.
5. The Duskbloods
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Nintendo
Over the past decade, FromSoftware has been delivering some of the most challenging yet highly-acclaimed games, creating an entire new genre with millions of adepts. From the Dark Souls and Armored Core series, to 2022’s Game of the Year winner, Elden Ring, FromSoftware never disappoints. And in 2026, fans sure hope the studio will continue on this trend.
The Duskbloods is an entirely new multiplayer action game, set in a Victorian-era steampunk world filled with vampires. It will feature both PvP and PvE, for up to 8 players. While that seems like a must-have for FromSoftware’s enthusiasts, there’s a little catch: The Duskbloods will only be available on the Nintendo Switch 2.
4. Saros
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Developer: Housemarque
- Publisher: Sony
Saros is a new original game from Housemarque, the studio that made Returnal. This action-adventure game is set on a doomed off-world colony called Carcosa, during a giant eclipse. Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer, tries to make his way through this doomed world, only to die over and over again. And each time he dies, the world changes, but he also becomes more powerful. Saros seems like the kind of game you can’t forget, and I’m really eager to try it out.
3. The Elder Scrolls VI
- Release Date: 2026 (hopefully)
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls VI remains one of gaming’s biggest mysteries—but at least it has better odds of releasing than Half-Life 3. Announced with a teaser in 2018, it hasn’t been shown again. Bethesda has said only that it’s many years away. But documents from Microsoft suggest The Elder Scrolls VI may come out in 2026, so there’s hope for fans who’d like to live new adventures in Tamriel.
Very few details are known about The Elder Scrolls VI. What we do know is that it will use the same Creation Engine 2 as Starfield, and it will be a massive open-world fantasy RPG, like its predecessors, Skyrim and Oblivion. If it does come out in 2026, The Elder Scrolls VI will be one of the biggest hits of the year. However, we’re still waiting for Bethesda to confirm whether or not we can get our hopes high for an upcoming release date.
2. Resident Evil: Requiem
- Release Date: February 27, 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
Following many rumors regarding Resident Evil 9, Capcom shared the first trailer for Resident Evil Requiem during Summer Game Fest 2025. This new instalment in its flagship series will follow the adventures of FBI agent Grace Ashcroft after a series of mysterious deaths at a hotel. That name should ring a bell for Resident Evil fans: Grace is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a reporter from Raccoon City we first meet in 2004’s Resident Evil Outbreak.
What makes Resident Evil Requiem so exciting is that it’s taking the series back to where it all began: Raccoon City. Capcom promised that it would delve into “psychological horror with pulse-pounding action,” which is everything we can hope for in a Resident Evil game.
1. Grand Theft Auto VI
- Release Date: May 26, 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
- Developer: Rockstar Games
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
The most anticipated game of 2026 is, without a doubt, Grand Theft Auto VI. 13 years after the release of GTA V, Rockstar is bringing back its flagship series. The first trailers show a revamped version of Vice City, where crime and irony still seem to rule as kings. For the first time in the series, players can choose to play as either a male or female, leading to some already complaining that GTA VI is woke. Rockstar’s game isn’t out yet, and it’s already making the headlines, and hype—off the charts.
With a rumored development cost of over $1 billion, fans have high expectations for GTA VI. More than a game, it became a cultural phenomenon, and there is no doubt GTA VI will smash revenue records upon its release.
Clear your catalogue
Whether you’re a fan of massive open worlds, tough challenges, or just want to see what wild ideas developers are cooking up next, it feels like 2026 has many great games coming up. Let’s just hope 2026 turns out as good for gaming as it’s shaping up to be, and keep our fingers crossed for no additional delay for games with a vague “2026” release date.
I have no clue if GTA VI will swallow up my entire life, or if I’ll fall in love with the die-and-retry philosophy of Saros. Or maybe, Resident Evil Requiem will scare me way too much for me to touch a controller again. My best advice: Start clearing your backlog, because 2026 has something in store for all kinds of players.
