Last year was absolutely stacked with massive video game releases. Sure, we didn’t get Grand Theft Auto 6 but we did get to finally play Hollow Knight: Silksong and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond after years of waiting.
There were also surprise hits in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Silent Hill f and Donkey Kong: Bananza – three very different titles which all offered a refreshingly new take on a classic genre.
It looks like 2026 is going to be even more exciting. From buzzy new franchises to hotly anticipated sequels, get your mitts on these upcoming games ASAP.
Release date: February 12
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Developer: Camelot Software
The world’s most famous plumber is set for another busy year. Not only is he starring in blockbuster sequel The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, he’s also on court for sports sim Mario Tennis Fever. If it’s anything like his previous athletic endeavours (including football, golf, athletics and baseball), we’re in for some colourful and chaotic head-to-head action. Serve’s up!
Release date: February 13
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
Developer: Squanch Games
What better way to prepare for Valentine’s Day than with the crass humour and cartoon violence of High On Life 2. The original game featured talking guns, an alien invasion and the oddest team of bounty hunters this side of Star Wars. The sequel looks to take that enjoyable weirdness to gleeful new extremes. Players will be able to “shoot, stab, and skate” their way to saving humanity from a new intergalactic conspiracy, in this mash-up of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Rick & Morty and Borderlands.
Release date: February 27
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
Developer: Capcom
The horror revival shows no signs of slowing down in 2026. The ninth mainline Resident Evil game will see the return of fan-favourite zombie slayer Leon alongside FBI analyst newcomer Grace Ashcroft. Missions will switch between combat and survival horror as the pair return to the sprawling, zombie-infested Raccoon City to work out who (or what) is behind a number of mysterious, gory deaths. We know who our money’s on…
Release date: March 5
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Developer: Omega Force
It seems absolutely bonkers that we’re 30 years into Pokémon but only just getting an Animal Crossing-style cosy game set amid its charming universe of cute AF creatures. In Pokopia, out March, you’ll play as a shapeshifting Ditto who’s got away from the gym battles and Poké-napping villains of the main games. Instead, your job is to create a paradise for you and your fellow ‘mons to hang out in, via farming, house building, crafting and collecting. Be prepared to sink hundreds of hours into this promising life sim.
Release date: May 27
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
Developer: IO Interactive
We’re still a few years away from a new James Bond movie but 007 First Light might help scratch that secret agent itch. Created by the team behind beloved stealth franchise Hitman, 007 First Light is an original origin story that follows Bond as he’s earning his license to kill via a series of death-defying missions. The rookie spy will be played by acclaimed Irish actor Patrick Gibson (The OA, Dexter: Original Sin) while rock and roll legend Lenny Kravitz takes on the role of, ahem, Pirate King Bawma.
Release date: May 29
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
Developer: Traveller’s Tales
LEGO have contorted countless classic franchises into silly masterpieces over the years, but introducing the oh-so-serious Caped Crusader to their garish, blocky world remains a series high point. Their fourth collab, Legacy Of The Dark Knight, features an open-world version of Gotham City to explore alongside a rogue’s gallery of Batman’s greatest hits – Heath Ledger’s Joker, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr Freeze, Danny DeVito’s Penguin. The whole comic book adventure is described as a “love letter” to Batman and we can’t wait to swoop in.
Release date: November 19 (apparently)
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
Developer: Rockstar Games
Perhaps the most anticipated video game of all time, Grand Theft Auto fans have been waiting more than a decade for the sequel to smash hit GTA 5. Since GTA 6 was officially revealed at the end of 2023, the game has been delayed twice already – but that hasn’t stopped the outrageous levels of excitement from continuing to build. Will it live up to the hype? Only time will tell…
Release date: 2026 TBC
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Developer: FromSoftware
Elden Ring fans rejoice. Creator Hidetaka Miyazaki’s follow-up to the sprawling open-world epic is a multiplayer vampire fantasy with plenty of bite. You can choose from one of several blood-sucking warriors to compete in grisly battles against fellow players and computer enemies alike. As with all FromSoftware titles, expect a lot of rich lore as well as some button-bashing chaos.
Release date: late 2026
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
Developer: TBC
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 was seen by many as a rare misstep in the biggest selling shooter franchise of all time. It wasn’t terrible but the follow-up to 2024’s Black Ops 6 played things far too safe – and bosses have been scrambling to put things right ever since. It’s why the more optimistic half of the COD fanbase are hoping that this year’s annual release will be a refreshing reboot. And it needs to be good, especially if it’s going up against the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6.
Release date: 2026 TBC
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
Developer: Rebel Wolves
The Blood Of Dawnwalker is the first game from new studio Rebel Wolves. Made up of designers who worked on immersive adventures such as Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, the upstart developers’ ambitious roleplaying game has some understandably lofty expectations to live up to. Set in medieval Europe and inspired by local folklore, it’s a race against the clock to save your family from the villainous vampire Brencis and his gang of toothy enforcers.
Release date: 2026 TBC
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
Developer: Remedy
Resonant is the sequel to 2019’s cult reality-bender Control. Rather than more of the same third-person shooting though, Resonant provides an action role-playing experience focusing on discovery. Armed with a shapeshifting melee weapon known as the Aberrant and a few supernatural abilities, protagonist Dylan must hunt down his missing sister Jesse while trying to save the world from otherworldly forces who’ve escaped a nearby government facility. Prepare for your mind to be boggled.
Release date: 2026 TBC
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
Developer: Fuse Games
Released way back in 1999, Episode One: Racer is still one of the best-ever Star Wars titles 27 years later (and holds the record for biggest-selling sci-fi racing game). Galactic Racer is the spiritual successor to that podracing masterpiece. Set in the Outer Rim after the events of Return Of The Jedi, players can zoom about in sleek spaceships as they compete in the high-octane Galactic League. Developers have promised the game will include “No Force and no prophecy,” so you can focus on tearing about alien worlds without worrying about all those silly Sith Lords.
Release date: 2026 TBC
Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Tomb Raider fans have been waiting a long time to see more of Lara Croft – and now they’re getting two games at once! First up is Legacy Of Atlantis, a full-blown remaster of the original, groundbreaking 1996 debut with “modern game design, stunning graphics and new surprises”. Then, in 2027, the next brand new adventure after 2018’s Shadow Of The Tomb Raider will hit shelves. That’s called Tomb Raider: Catalyst – and it sounds very exciting indeed.
Release date: late 2026
Platform: PS5
Developer: Insomniac Games
After the incredible Marvel’s Spider-Man and its equally-excellent 2023 sequel, Insomniac are turning their attention to gruff, buff and oh-so-violent Wolverine. Details about the game’s story and setting are yet to be officially announced, but you can expect plenty of carnage at the claws of this indestructible mutant. According to rumours, this is the first in a trilogy of planned X-Men games so a few more familiar faces might make appearances as well.
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