With all the critically acclaimed games of last year, 2026 has mighty shoes to fill.
And yet, there's already a string of must-play games announced that should have everyone excited for the weeks and months ahead. And we’re only getting started.
So what big titles do we know of now that you should keep an eye out for? While dates can change on the fly, and many developers are trying their best to avoid the Grand Theft Auto VI build-up, below is a quick snapshot of games to look forward to in 2026.
My advice? Clear your backlog now, while you can.
Resident Evil: Requiem (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC)
Prepare to take another heart-stopping trip back to Raccoon City in Resident Evil: Requiem, the highly anticipated ninth main game in the survival horror series. Set some 30 years after the destruction of the city, mysterious deaths and the shady actions of Umbrella compel players once again to face all manner of horrifying monsters.
In the game, you’ll take on the roles of newcomer FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and zombie-slaying veteran Leon S. Kennedy. Both are said to offer very distinct gameplay, with bookworm Grace focusing on pure survival instincts, while Leon promises more action-packed levels that force you to confront fears face-on. Expect Requiem to raise your heart rate and haunt your nightmares when it releases on February 27th.
007 First Light (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC)
While the movie industry still wrestles with who will be next to step into the role of 007, gaming is firing on all cylinders, set to deliver a brand-new action-adventure starring James Bond as you’ve never seen (or played) him before.
007 First Light is an original take on the early years of Bond. Played by Irishman Patrick Gibson, the 26-year-old fledgling recruit must make a name for himself to rise through the ranks of the M16 training programme. With your help, of course.
Made by IO Interactive (the makers of Hitman), expect plenty of stealth, explosive shootouts, close combat and gadgets galore. The game is slated for a release date of May 27th, which, quite frankly, can’t come quickly enough.
Pokémon Pokopia (Switch 2)
Pokémon is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, so expect endless new announcements, game events and more in the weeks and months ahead. While information on the next Generation of mainline games is still hush-hush, fans should still look forward to the brand new Pokémon Pokopia, releasing on March 5th.
Think Animal Crossing, but with all your favourite Pokémon to befriend instead. You play as a Ditto transformed into a human, who must try their best to transform a barren landscape into a vibrant town, decorating and designing to your heart's content, all the while.
If its success is even remotely like Animal Crossing, expect this to sell out on day one.
Marvel’s Wolverine (PS5)
If the calibre of Spider-Man games is anything to go by, the future of Marvel is in video games. Well, 2026 is now the time for one of the most popular superheroes of all time to finally have his big moment in gaming: Wolverine.
The game promises an altogether new take on the iconic Logan, with age-old rivals like Mystique and Omega Red appearing throughout. From the viral trailer alone, expect a bloodthirsty, action-packed and utterly violent adventure, as players help the living weapon that is Wolverine search for answers about his past.
If everything goes to plan (fingers crossed), expect to play Marvel’s Wolverine on your PlayStation 5 in the 3rd or 4th quarter of the year.
Game of Thrones: War for Westeros (PC)
Like many people around the world, I’d love nothing more than a chance to rewrite 'that’ ending to the world-famous Game of Thrones series. Even after all these years, it just doesn’t sit right.
Well, with War for Westeros, that possibility could become a reality. This is a hotly anticipated real-time strategy set in the Seven Kingdoms, where you command great houses in the hopes of seizing control of the Iron Throne.
The best part? In true Game of Thrones fashion and as a multiplayer game, you can forge strategic alliances, betray comrades at a moment’s notice, with the help of armies, giants and a dragon or two. While there’s no confirmed release as of yet, expect this game to pick up heat as the brand new TV show A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms debuts in January.
Saros (PS5)
To this day, my view is that 2021’s Returnal remains one of the PlayStation 5’s best games to play. So when developer Housemarque announced their next game, Saros, you best believe I was hooked from the outset.
Saros looks to be just as mysterious as its predecessor, showcasing another solo astronaut exploring an off-world colony where anything that moves will no doubt try to kill him.
Gameplay is described as ‘bullet ballet’, where you’ll unleash a high-tech arsenal of weapons, dodge, shield, parry and everything else just to survive in a world that is constantly remapping and changing with every playthrough. Look forward to Saros when it releases on the 30th of April.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC)
LEGO games are in a league of their own when it comes to fun, family-friendly gaming. And no matter the topic, they’re sure to win over even the most passive gamer with their signature nostalgia and slapstick humour.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is an open-world game that draws on over 86 years of Batman’s legacy across films, TV shows, comic books, and other video games. With over seven playable characters, hundreds of Batman suits, vehicles and more, it’s sure to grip fans of both LEGO and DC comics when it releases on May 29th.
Reanimal (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC)
2026 is certainly not short on psychological horror, as the makers of the Little Nightmares series are back, promising an even darker, more sinister adventure for you and your friends.
Reanimal sees you and a friend take on the role of brother and sister, who traverse through Hell on a mission to rescue their missing friends. By working together and using your wits, you may just make it out alive.
There’s an emphasis on tension and atmosphere with each level, and a shared screen adds an unhealthy dose of claustrophobia to each and every level. You’ll find out more when the game releases on February 13th.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
One of the highlights of the 2025 Game Awards was the announcement of not one, but two Lara Croft games – one of which has a 2026 release date. Legacy of Atlantis is said to be a reimagining of Lara Croft’s 1996 genre-defining game, with a distinct modern flair and plenty of new surprises for veteran adventurers.
From the jungles of Peru to Egyptian deserts, the gameplay trailer is beyond impressive, showcasing pristine visuals, high-octane action, and promising a much-needed return to form for the criminally overlooked heroine.
Halo: Campaign Evolved (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Halo: Campaign Evolved is tipped as a faithful, modern remake of the original Halo title from 2001. It caused massive waves upon announcement and was credited with finally ending the console wars, as it is set to cross over onto rival console PlayStation.
Rebuilt using high-definition visuals and updated cinematics, expect the game to reintroduce Master Chief and co. to an entirely new legion of fans, both young and old, who’ve otherwise been locked out by console exclusivity. While there’s no official release date set yet, expect news of its release to reignite online debate in the coming months.
Pragmata (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC)
Pragmata is a futuristic action-adventure game from Capcom, whose visuals alone will leave a lasting impression on you. Set on a distant lunar research station, you play as both spacefarer Hugh and a mysterious android girl named Diana.
Both must work together to overcome the many threats at the remote facility, which, of course, is not as deserted as it may appear. Gameplay includes hacking enemy systems to expose weaknesses and using a variety of firearms and special abilities to survive. Could this be the arrival of gaming’s best father-daughter styled duos? Time will tell when Pragmata releases on April 24th.
Grand Theft Auto VI (PS5, Xbox Series X/S)
We’re experiencing a bit of déjà vu, but Grand Theft Auto VI is back once more as the most anticipated game to play in the year ahead. After several delays that have thrown the internet into a spiral, developer Rockstar Games is committing to a November 19th launch.
Here’s hoping that sticks.
The game follows the criminal duo of Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos in the fictional US state of Leonida, based on Florida. As an open-world game, players will be able to map out their own adventure across Vice City, in a game that is expected to redefine gaming and break every single record imaginable.
With the trailers alone netting over 270 million views, it’s little wonder every other studio is trying desperately to avoid competing against it. So here’s a vital reminder to save that precious annual leave for when/if it releases in the latter parts of the year.
