Believe the hype — 2026 in video games is absolutely stacked. Even setting hit games from the first three months aside, like Crimson Desert, Resident Evil Requiem, and Pokemon Pokopia, the coming months are about to be full of highly-anticipated gaming releases of different genres, each trying to secure their audience before the monster GTA 6 release wraps up the year. Even though many 2026 games don’t have final release dates just yet, let’s not forget that numerous gaming showcases are still ahead, providing a chance for developers to draw attention to their upcoming games closer to launch.
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Players are the real winners here, as everyone can pick several major releases to pour free time into, especially given that some titles take literally over a hundred hours to complete. No matter one’s personal preferences, though, some upcoming 2026 games are so promising already that they look like absolute must-plays, presuming things don’t get really sideways at launch. Below are the hottest upcoming games for the rest of 2026 to keep an eye on… and who knows, there might even be several GOTY contenders.
For this list, I tried to go with highly anticipated games for a wide audience that either already have the 2026 release date set in stone or at least receive constant updates with the TBA 2026 release window, suggesting they are unlikely to be delayed into 2027. Still, take into account that neither of the listed games is guaranteed to launch in 2026.
Honorable mentions:
- LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight — May 22
- Beast of Reincarnation — August 4
- Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls — August 6
- The Blood of Dawnwalker — TBA 2026
- The Duskbloods — TBA 2026
- Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis — TBA 2026
- Kena: Scars of Kosmora — TBA 2026
- Lords of the Fallen 2 — TBA 2026
Forza Horizon 6
Coming: May 19
The king of open-world racing returns in just over a month, now moving the scene to one of the most wanted settings that fans have craved for years: Horizon Festival is finally coming to Japan. Ever since Forza Horizon 5 launched almost five years ago, no other competitor has been able to come close, so there’s little chance that Forza Horizon 6 will disappoint, especially given how dense and big its map is.
Forza Horizon 6 shapes up to be the most visually impressive racing game to date, but it’s not just that. Playground promised some serious changes to the game’s structure and progression to set it apart from 4 and 5 and to give a better sense of purpose to the players. For anyone who is into driving, Forza Horizon 6 is a major release not worth missing out on.
007 First Light
Coming: May 27
With a distinct lack of cinematic and linear action-adventure titles in the vein of Uncharted these days, 007 First Light is in a perfect spot to become a huge hit. The game could benefit greatly from two factors: the expertise of Hitman devs at the helm, as well as no active 007 on the big screen after Craig’s retirement, potentially drawing the eyes of a massive audience to Patrick Gibson’s portrayal, who is yet to earn the number in First Light.
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From what we’ve seen so far, 007 First Light looks absolutely stunning. Like the best Bond movies out there, players are in for a rich diversity of locations, cinematic presentation full of action and intrigue, hot car chases, and a multitude of approaches a la Hitman. The devs have already hinted that 007 First Light is just the beginning, potentially indicating follow-ups in the franchise, so it’s better not to miss this ambitious opening chapter.
Phantom Blade Zero
Coming: September 9
Ever since the announcement, Phantom Blade Zero has drawn attention for its incredibly fluid and cinematic combat that seemed almost too good to be true. The further details only added to the anticipation, as the devs revealed that Phantom Blade Zero is not a soulslike, but not a traditional action game either. Whatever this means remains to be seen, yet it’s undeniable that for sword-based combat lovers, the game looks phenomenal, and many can’t wait to play it.
While there has been no shortage of action-focused titles in the vein recently, both soulslike and action games, Phantom Blade Zero appears special enough to give it a shot. Creative and fast-paced choreography, brutal takedowns, stylish visuals, and soundtrack, the title undoubtedly knows how to sell itself to the public. Let’s hope the final result will live up to such high expectations.
Marvel’s Wolverine
Coming: September 15
On the other hand, Marvel’s Wolverine leaves almost no place for concern, given Insomniac Games’ expertise in superhero action titles of the highest quality, the scale of investments (according to reports, the project cost over $300 million, more than any X-Men movie ever), and the mind-blowing glimpses of what’s to come. A visually stunning cinematic adventure to outdo Hollywood takes on superheroes, coupled with unmatched brutality to live up to Wolverine’s legendary name — yes, please.
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We still know very little about Marvel’s Wolverine, so the easiest point of comparison here is, naturally, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, but without an open world, which is a plus for many. At the very least, fans can expect the highest quality at launch and yet another high bar for visuals and overall presentation. After all, we’re talking about the biggest PlayStation first-party title of the year, so it’s safe to assume the audience will be massive.
Grand Theft Auto 6
Coming: November 19
Not as massive as for this one, though. While the rest of the upcoming games below don’t have release dates just yet, it’s safe to assume that most will be out before Grand Theft Auto 6. After all, it’s impossible to expect anyone to be playing something else after November 19 (presuming there won’t be any more delays, so fingers crossed).
GTA 6 is already a record-breaking entertainment product even before launch, and easily the most anticipated video game ever, with unfathomable levels of hype. Even with all that, few doubt that Rockstar Games will deliver, or possibly even surpass all expectations. After all, the studio’s previous game, Red Dead Redemption 2, has already cemented itself as a legendary name in gaming. But how much bigger and better will Grand Theft Auto 6 be? Soon we’ll find out, but it’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event that no player wants to miss.
Fable
Coming: Fall 2026
Like the rest of the games below, Fable probably should be expected before GTA 6, yet for now, we only have a vague ‘Fall 2026’ release window for this ambitious open-world RPG. Nevertheless, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the game, aiming to revive the iconic Xbox RPG series with unmistakably British flair. Not as centered on combat as on adventure and social interactions, the world of Fable promises to shine with its reactive NPCs that feel alive and fleshed out, with their distinct traits, behavior, and voice-over.
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However, there’s also some caution about Fable, too, given it’s the first RPG for Playground Games, mostly known for the Forza Horizon racing series. From the looks of it, the studio is definitely passionate about Fable, which has spent years in development, and could be in the right spot to bring something fresh to the genre that the players haven’t experienced before. Not to mention how stunning the game looks, which isn’t surprising given the team’s expertise.
Gears of War: E-Day
Coming: TBA 2026
It’s hard to believe, but following Gears 5, the series has been quiet for almost six full years now. Instead of a direct sequel (Gears 5 ended on quite a cliffhanger), The Coalition decided to make a prequel to the entire action series, exploring the events before the 2006 Gears of War. Stepping into the shoes of young Marcus Fenix fighting alongside Dominic Santiago in their first battle against the Locust is definitely appealing, and it guarantees the attention of the long-term series’ fans for Gears of War: E-Day.
As one of the most prestigious Xbox gaming series ever, there’s little doubt about Gears of War: E-Day’s quality, possibly pushing the Unreal Engine 5 to its absolute limits and making it worth playing for its technical achievements alone. Despite the recent silence, the game is expected to be present during summer gaming showcases, so there’s a very high chance we’ll be playing it by the end of the year.
Control Resonant
Coming: TBA 2026
Despite its renowned legacy, Remedy’s games aren’t as massive hits as they deserve, yet every time the studio delivers something special and full of surprises for its fans. Just by looking at Control Resonant, its biggest and most ambitious game yet, it’s apparent that Remedy is trying something new once again here, unlike anything we’ve seen.
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The first melee-focused game for the studio, and one that features the biggest and most open urban levels too, with mind-bending verticality and creative boss fights, Control Resonant is shaping up to be very different from both the original and Alan Wake 2. It remains to be seen whether the experiment will prove successful and won’t lose the studio’s signature artistic and narrative strengths on its way to becoming an action-first title. In any case, fans don’t get too many superpower-based action games these days.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Coming: TBA 2026
Capcom’s action-adventure Onimusha series was established 25 years ago, and despite several major releases, it still hasn’t made it into the company’s major league, bound to live in the shadows of its other brand. While it’s unfair to expect Onimusha: Way of the Sword to single-handedly change that, coming 20 years after the latest mainline installment, the game shapes up to be a definitive sword-wielding action title this year that’s worth keeping an eye on.
The devs make it clear that delivering sword combat that feels right is their top priority, so players will have access to countless moves and finishers, while the enemies get sliced up in the best traditions of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Developed in RE Engine, Onimusha: Way of the Sword also seems to be quite a looker, possibly taking its place alongside Resident Evil Requiem as one of the most stunning releases of 2026.
Star Wars Zero Company
Coming: TBA 2026
There are never too many Star Wars games (especially set in the Clone Wars!), and Star Wars Zero Company might just be the most original in quite some time. While right from the announcement the game has often been called simply “Star Wars XCOM,” there’s seemingly much more to this single-player turn-based tactics game. For once, the devs said that it is also inspired by Mass Effect, featuring a strong narrative with long-lasting consequences and permadeath mechanics for key members of an elite squad under your command.
Outside of its tactical combat, Zero Company also features a classic third-person perspective for exploration, which is somewhat unusual for the genre. Coupled with stunning visuals and an authentic portrayal of the Clone Wars era, Star Wars Zero Company might be worth the attention not just for the power of the brand, and may well end up as one of the year’s biggest surprises — especially for fans who aren’t afraid of exploring new genres.
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