26 Must-Play Video Games Coming in 2026

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to look ahead to what the gaming world has in store for us in 2026. While there will certainly be more than 26 worthwhile titles to play in the coming year, these are the ones front and center on my radar.

Before we begin, a couple of disclaimers. First, the focus here is console gaming, so you won’t see any PC exclusives. Second, I’ve tried to stay away from games that could come out in 2026 that have seen extended delays or have no real timetable for when they’ll actually release. That means games like Judas, Tides of Annihilation, and Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra aren’t on the list, though I’d be thrilled if they land in 2026.

Without further ado, here are the 26 video games I can’t wait to play in 2026:

26) Mouse: P.I. For Hire / Mio: Memories in Orbit / Marathon (tie)

I narrowed my initial list of 50-plus titles to 28, but I couldn’t decide on the final spot, so I’m copping out and going with a three-way tie. Mouse: P.I. For Hire looks like a first-person shooter version of Cuphead. Mio is giving me serious Ori vibes with a dash of Hollow Knight. And call me a sucker, but Bungie made Halo and Destiny, so I’m willing to see what they do with Marathon.

25) Lords of the Fallen II

It was a near thing, but I gave Lords of the Fallen II the nod for this Soulslike spot ahead of a few other sequels—Mortal Shell 2, Code Vein 2, and Nioh 3—as well as Beast of Reincarnation. The original had strong action with the cool hook of changing between two versions of its world. Let’s hope the sequel builds on those strengths.

24) Witchbrook

A cutesy marriage of Stardew Valley and Hogwarts. A decade after it was announced, we’ll soon be able to accio Witchbrook!

23) No Law

The Game Awards trailer got me hyped up for the setting, but I remain guarded based on Neon Giant’s first game, The Ascent, which has an awesome look but forgettable characters and a lackluster story. Here’s hoping it all comes together with No Law.

22) Onimusha: Way of the Sword

It’s been over 20 years since we got an Onimusha game. The samurai action-adventure series burned brightly when it launched but went dormant quickly with every game coming out on the PlayStation 2. Let’s see what Capcom can do with current-gen hardware.

21) Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf

I played the original Planet of Lana on Xbox Game Pass this year and enjoyed it. It scratched the same itch that games like LIMBO and Inside did, and I’m very excited for the sequel.

20) LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Traditionally, LEGO games are high-floor, low-ceiling affairs. Can delving into the rich history of Batman elevate it above its contemporaries? I’m cautiously optimistic.

19) Forza Horizon 6

While I’m far from the biggest racing fan, the Forza Horizon series has always been enjoyable, presenting exquisite graphics and an arcade style that fits my preferences. Setting this one in Japan makes it all the more appealing.

18) The Duskbloods

Anytime FromSoftware develops a game, there’s buzz. When it’s their first fantasy-style effort since Elden Ring, that buzz grows even louder. While its exclusivity to the Nintendo Switch 2 is a bit disappointing based on that system’s limitations, fans will take what they can get.

17) Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

Ever since dropping an announcement trailer back in June, it’s been radio silence for the third installment of the Plague Tale series. We know it’s a prequel, and it looks like there might be a heavier focus on combat. And yes, there will probably be rats, lots of them.

Related: Top 10 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2026

16) Call of Duty (Title TBA)

This is a bit of a cheat since there’s been no official announcement, but we all know there are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and an annual Call of Duty game. Following the backlash to Black Ops 7 and success of Battlefield 6, this is a big year for one of gaming’s biggest franchises. I’m anxious to see how they respond.

15) STAR WARS Zero Company

A turn-based strategy game set in the world of Star Wars. There hasn’t been much about Zero Company beyond the announce trailer, but on the surface, it’s checking a lot of boxes for me.

14) Reanimal

A new title from the studio behind the first two Little Nightmare games that’s supposed to have a greater focus on horror elements. Yes, please.

13) Pragmata

Originally announced in June 2020, Pragmata reemerged with a trailer at The Game Awards, looking like an interesting shooter/action game with a bit of graphical Death Stranding DNA.

12) Phantom Blade Zero

In Phantom Blade you play as an assassin framed for killing his master, and you’ll need to solve the mystery behind the murder while fending off your former associates. The trailers show exceptional graphics and lightning-quick combat. There’s a high ceiling here.

11) Saros

The next bad game developer Housemarque makes will be the first. It’s been five years since they wowed with Returnal. Saros looks like it could be bigger and better.

10) Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Lara Croft is going back to where it all began with the Legacy of Atlantis remake. The trailer hit all the right nostalgic notes, and it has me primed for some dual-wielding goodness.

9) Crimson Desert

Probably the most ambitious title of 2026 is Crimson Desert, an open-world, single-player fantasy game from the team behind the MMORPG Black Desert. If it can stick the landing, expect to see Crimson Desert get a lot of early GOTY buzz.

8) Fable

Fable was something of a poster boy for overpromising when it originally launched in 2004, but it set the stage for a pair of solid sequels. While the series has been on ice for over 15 years at this point, what’s been shared for the upcoming Fable has generated a lot of excitement that Xbox’s RPG can ascend back to a position of prominence in 2026.

Related: My 10 Favorite Video Games of 2025—and Why You May Love Them, Too

7) Replaced

Another game with a lengthy development cycle, Replaced was first announced at E3 2021. It’s set for launch in March, and the most recent trailers have me at a fever pitch. The 2.5D cyberpunk art style looks amazing, and I cannot wait to play it.

6) Control Resonant

Alan Wake was good. Control was great. Alan Wake II was excellent. It follows then that Control Resonant will be utterly brilliant. Right?

5) Halo: Campaign Evolved

Few games stir the type of fond memories that Halo: Combat Evolved does. The remaster breathed new life into it, and the Master Chief Collection remains one of the best values in all of gaming. Campaign Evolved looks amazing, and the promise of quality-of-life updates, new weapons, and all-new levels with Sgt. Johnson just add to the hype. As excited as I am, I have to ask: can Halo 3 get the same treatment at some point?

4) Resident Evil Requiem

I am 100% of the belief that Resident Evil should be a third-person game. RE7 and Village were both solid, and certainly a cut above RE6, but the first, second, and fourth installments remain the standard bearers. With Requiem introducing dual protagonists and the ability to switch between first- and third-person, I am more than ready to return to Raccoon City.

3) 007 First Light

A James Bond origin story developed by the people behind the Hitman games. Say less.

2) Gears of War: E-Day

While Halo is Microsoft’s signature shooter, Gears of War isn’t far behind. I’ve enjoyed all five mainline games, and it defies belief that Gears has been on the shelf since 2019. While I have mixed feelings about getting a prequel instead of Gears 6, the prospect of a true next-gen installment in the series has me revving up my lancer.

1) Grand Theft Auto VI

I mean, you knew this was going to top the list, right? Thirteen years will have passed between the release of GTA V and November’s Grand Theft Auto VI. Rockstar has delivered some of my favorite games of all-time, and my expectations are through the roof for this one.