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Jared is a writer, editor, and Communications Studies graduate who loves popular nerd culture (almost anything to do with Marvel, DC, Star Wars, or The Lord of the Rings) and the interactive storytelling medium. Jared's first console was the PS1, wherein he fell for Spider-Man, Spyro the Dragon, and Crash Bandicoot.
Against all odds, such as delays or other unforeseen circumstances that may strike, each year does manage to boast a wide variety of fantastic video games that everyone should play, and 2026 is bound to do the same. With titans like Grand Theft Auto 6 on the horizon, 2026 appears to be the culmination of several delays, as well as the release of some highly anticipated new IPs and legacy sequels. Not every 2026-slated game has a release date yet — even the ones that do aren’t invulnerable to delays, anyway — but this year is currently brimming with heavy hitters.
Some games releasing this year definitely will not be to everyone’s taste. Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival could be a phenomenal horror game tied to a classic IP, for example, but it may be a hard sell outside that niche, especially if players are squeamish. There are plenty of 2026 games, however, that are sure to be must-plays across any genre or style due to their high hype and industry-defining potential.
Reanimal
Reanimal may seem like a Little Nightmares clone to the uninitiated. But, being developed by the same studio as Little Nightmares — Tarsier Studios — Reanimal is actually an arresting and dreary new IP that may have an opportunity to stretch its disfigured limbs in ways that Little Nightmares hasn’t.
Reanimal’s playable demo alone demonstrates that Little Nightmares’ whimsy is almost entirely abandoned for a grimmer atmosphere, and any other similarities or differences between two of horror’s most fascinating and unique IPs nowadays will be interesting to parse when Reanimal launches next month. If nothing else, Tarsier has proven itself as one of the most creative and bold developers in the realm of horror, and its upcoming game is sure to reiterate that.
Systems
Released February 13, 2026
Developer(s) Tarsier Studios
Publisher(s) THQ Nordic
Engine Unreal Engine 5
Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Number of Players 1-2 players
Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem is leaning as heavily as possible into nostalgia and legacy with the reveal of Leon S. Kennedy as a playable protagonist, Grace Ashcroft as the daughter of Resident Evil Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft, and a possible visit to the ruins of Raccoon City. In a year that’s already spoiled for colossal horror releases, Resident Evil Requiem is expected to challenge the franchise’s status quo while also illustrating why the rich and storied series has been so successful and beloved for the last 30 years.
With Grace’s gameplay being survival horror-oriented and Leon’s gameplay being action-oriented, Requiem could also be one of the most controversial Resident Evil games since Resident Evil 6.
Systems
Released February 27, 2026
ESRB Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases
Engine RE Engine
LEGO Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight
Anyone who’s mourned the Batman: Arkham franchise’s flatscreen entries and either did or didn’t play the Meta Quest 3/3S-exclusive Batman: Arkham Shadow probably owes it to themselves to play LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight when it releases this spring. LEGO games may not inherently be everyone’s cup of tea, yet Legacy of the Dark Knight arguably looks more like a spiritual Arkham Knight sequel than anything else, and bears a lot of the Arkham games’ same mechanics and quirks.
As a hodgepodge of iconic Batman influences across all media, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will undoubtedly be vital for anyone who considers themselves a DC or Batman enthusiast, and it may be what finally turns the tide for DC games’ soured reputation. Plus, jokingly or not, it’s already rivaling Grand Theft Auto 6 as one of the most highly anticipated games of 2026.
Systems
Developer(s) TT Games
Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Interactive
007 First Light
James Bond’s first outing since the emotional conclusion of Daniel Craig’s theatrical run will be in 007 First Light, an origin story of sorts that could be a perfect jumping-on point for the character and a unique, niche gameplay design made legendary by IO Interactive. In many ways, 007 First Light can realize Hitman’s fullest potential with a suite of Q-branch gadgetry, as well as a story- and character-driven emphasis that isn’t as readily prevalent in the latter.
How the 007 mythology and Hitman’s gameplay are folded into one another should make for an engrossing experience, and may well define 007 in games for the foreseeable future. If so, 007 could be elevated far beyond the typical, elementary shooter gameplay that its games have been limited to before now.
Systems
Released March 27, 2026
ESRB Teen / Blood, Language, Violence
Developer(s) IO Interactive
Publisher(s) IO Interactive
Number of Players Single-player
Halo: Campaign Evolved
Though technically not a ‘new game’ per se, Halo: Campaign Evolved seems far more nuanced and sophisticated than an ordinary remake or reimagining ought to be. Halo: Campaign Evolved is an ‘evolution,’ to be sure, as it is modernizing gameplay with quality-of-life sensibilities inherited from later games in the series, expanding the lore with brand-new content, and delivering an early look at the Halo franchise on Unreal Engine 5.
Systems
Released 2026
Developer(s) Halo Studios
Publisher(s) Microsoft Studios
Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play Yes - all platforms
Cross Save Yes - all platforms
Marvel’s Wolverine
Besides maybe some critical opinions of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s story and Insomniac’s writing habits, the Marvel’s Spider-Man series has been one of the best superhero video game franchises in a hot minute. Considering the quality and speed of output that Insomniac is known for, Marvel’s Wolverine is sure to be a must-play game this year (assuming it isn’t delayed to 2027).
Depending on its success and what Insomniac’s plans actually are, it’s possible that Marvel’s Wolverine could precipitate a slew of brand-new X-Men games with a wholly original universe and continuity in the future. As Marvel’s Spider-Man presumably prepares to conclude its story with its next entry, Marvel’s Wolverine is preparing to begin a whole new one.
Released 2026
Developer(s) Insomniac Games
Publisher(s) Sony
Franchise Marvel
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will be the second remake of the original Tomb Raider after Tomb Raider: Anniversary. And, like Anniversary, Legacy of Atlantis is inviting players to once again witness the beginning of a new Tomb Raider era.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is the first foray into Unreal Engine 5 for Lara Croft, and it will be succeeded by the ongoing mainline franchise’s ninth installment, Tomb Raider: Catalyst, only a year later.
Systems
Released 2026
Developer(s) Crystal Dynamics, Flying Wild Hog
Number of Players Single-player
Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown
Ontos
Shoulder-to-shoulder with high-profile titles like Outlast and Alien: Isolation that are masterpieces in their pocket of stealth-centered, first-person horror, Frictional Games’ Soma followed the studio’s work on the seminal Amnesia series to delve into claustrophobic, psychological sci-fi horror. More than a decade later, Frictional will now be repeating history by following Amnesia: Rebirth and Amnesia: The Bunker with its newest sci-fi horror IP, Ontos, which bears resemblances to Soma.
Systems
Released September 15, 2015
ESRB t
Developer(s) Frictional Games
Publisher(s) Frictional Games
Engine hpl engine
Star Wars Zero Company
A spiritual successor to XCOM set in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars Zero Company is a daring swing as a tactical turn-based RPG. Indeed, even if they’ve largely been hit-or-miss for a few decades, Star Wars games have covered basically every gameplay genre imaginable.
Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi series is in its own twilight period, the Star Wars Battlefront franchise is on ice, and Star Wars Outlaws was not received all that positively.
Zero Company has the added luster of taking place at the twilight of Star Wars’ Clone Wars era, too, and reportedly exercises complete player freedom concerning the squads players build. Star Wars Zero Company and the newly announced Star Wars: Galactic Racer will have to uphold the reputation of Star Wars video games this year, and until the far-future releases of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s sequel, Star Wars Eclipse, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’s remake, and Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic.
Systems
Released 2026
Developer(s) Bit Reactor
Franchise Star Wars
Grand Theft Auto 6
With a degree of anticipation putting that of Hollow Knight: Silksong or a hypothetical Bloodborne port/remaster/remake/sequel to shame, Grand Theft Auto 6’s delay from May 26 to November 19 was a tough pill to swallow. Now, it’s anyone’s guess whether a holiday release window is at all reliable or feasible, especially with rumors circulating that suggest GTA 6 could launch in 2027 instead.
If it does launch this year, however, Grand Theft Auto 6's release will surely be one of the most biblical events in the history of the video game industry — a truly unprecedented occasion that no self-proclaimed gamer can afford to miss out on.
Released November 19, 2026
ESRB Rating Pending - Likely Mature 17+
Engine Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE)
Multiplayer Online Multiplayer
English (US) ·