The 10 most anticipated video games of 2026

2025 has been a year full of great video gamesBut 2026 is already shaping up to be a great year if we take a look at what we know is coming. Some dates are already confirmed; others have been delayed and are now expected in the coming months. There are also titles announced with very little information released, but they all have in common that they have generated a lot of excitement among millions of players worldwide. Let's review the most anticipated video games of this year.

The first big releases of the year

The ninth installment of the legendary survival horror saga from Japanese company Capcom arrives, after Resident Evil Village (2021). We require It introduces a new protagonist, an FBI analyst named Grace Ashcroft, who isn't known for her combat skills but will prove to be very resourceful. One of the game's strongest points, especially for fans, is that the iconic agent Leon S. Kennedy appears as a co-protagonist to investigate Raccoon City. The graphics look very promising, based on what we've seen so far, and the game is scheduled for release at the end of February on all current platforms.

Developed by a division of Koei Tecmo and published by Nintendo, a new Pokémon game arrives exclusively for the brand's new console. In this case, it's a spin-off It's a simulation, management, and building game with a welcoming atmosphere, where the player takes on the role of a Ditto—the shape-shifting Pokémon—transformed into a human. The game is also noteworthy because it's being released so close to the 30th anniversary of the well-known franchise, which is expected to soon share news about the future of its main series.

The Koreans, creators of the well known Black Desert Online In 2014, they started a new project with the idea of replicating the success of an online multiplayer game. Ultimately, the development has been very different. Crimson Desert It arrives in players' hands – after some delays – as a single-player action-adventure title, but with the medieval fantasy setting of its predecessor. The game's highlights include its visuals and highly cinematic combat, as well as the vast scale of the world and the various ways to traverse it. It is scheduled for release in March on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

The first major title arriving this year under the PlayStation Studios label is a spiritual sequel to the excellent Returnal (2021), from the same Finnish studio. The game combines third-person action elements roguelike and a bullet hell that, together, offers tense and demanding combat that requires precision from the player. The studio wanted to expand the gameplay possibilities of Returnal and continue exploring the same narrative style, but with a different intellectual property. Thus, with a completely new universe and characters, Saros It will be familiar to players who have already experienced Housemarque's previous title.

More big releases planned

The studio responsible for the saga Hitman It already has a wealth of experience narrating the experiences of a secret agent, but this time it will do so with the license of the well-known James Bond. Despite including stealth and investigation mechanics typical of the original saga, the game will also incorporate action sequences reminiscent of adventures like those ofUncharted. Now that Daniel Craig is no longer the 007 of the big screen and? Director Denis Villeneuve has no new Agent film in development, First Light It could define a unique identity within the franchise. To further polish the title, the studio postponed the initial release, planned for March, until May, at which point it will arrive on all current platforms.

A Chinese title that has garnered attention since its announcement, both for its setting and its dynamic and intense combat. The acrobatic action and art direction are reminiscent of Black Myth: Wukong, a title also developed in China. This game triumphed in the summer of 2024 and became one of the first cases of massive international success for a Chinese video game of this type. We'll have to see more details, but the first reviews highlight the good balance of gameplay between the frenetic pace of a Ninja Gaiden and the tactic of a Dark SoulsIt is expected that, for the time being, Phantom Blade Zero It will arrive on PC and PS5 this September.

Indeed, it is once again the most anticipated video game on the planet. Rockstar Games postponed the release date a couple of times, claiming they needed more time to polish the game and ensure a quality that met expectations. The new GTA It aims to be bigger and better, with a graphic realism that promises to far surpass the studio's last work, Red Dead Redemption 2Expectations are so high that the rest of the industry is closely watching the final release date to avoid overlap and being overwhelmed in an already highly competitive market. Will this November finally be the month this industry titan sees the light of day?

No date set

The developers of some of the best superhero games of recent times They leave Spider-Man behind to venture into another iconic character from the Marvel label. The protagonist is the beloved WolverineLogan, also known as the iconic superhero known for his razor-sharp metal claws – “snikt” – is the subject of Insomniac’s new project, which explores a much darker and more mature side of the genre, featuring a grittier plot and scenes of explicit violence. The game doesn’t yet have a release date, but Sony anticipates a PS5 exclusive this fall, and it’s expected to be the console’s flagship title of 2026.

Also known as Control 2 Remedy continues to expand its paranormal universe. Following the sequel toAlan WakeFollowing the release of the original game in 2023, the focus now shifts to the character of Dylan Faden, the brother of Jesse, the protagonist of the original title. Dylan also possesses supernatural abilities and wields a transforming weapon, but this time melee combat takes center stage. One of the few details known so far is that the action will unfold in a Manhattan altered by paranormal events. It is expected to arrive on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S sometime that year.

The new title from FromSoftware, creators of Dark Souls and Elden RingIt will be released exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Although few details have been revealed since its surprise announcement coinciding with the console's launch, it has already been confirmed that it will be a multiplayer game. Both the director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, and Nintendo itself have confirmed that it will arrive sometime in 2026. We'll have to keep an eye out.

Bonus level!

A quick overview with brief synopses of other releases planned for 2026, to make...

• Denshattack! | A game Arcadian where the player controls trains on the Japanese rail network in impossible levels while performing all kinds of stunts and tricks. Developed by the Catalan studio Undercoders.
• Pragmata Action and adventure with a new science fiction setting, developed by Capcom. Set on a lunar station, the protagonist is accompanied by a peculiar robot girl.
• No Rest for the Wicked | Moon Studios, the creators of the saga OriThey explore dark fantasy with a new action RPG that aims to redefine the genre. Available in early access on PC for over a year, the final version is expected to arrive on other platforms sooner or later.
• Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight | A new game with the plastic blocks but within the universe of DC's dark knight, with plenty of content and the usual charismatic touch of Lego titles.
• Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis | One remake of the tomb Raider original, which arrives thirty years after its debut and paves the way for Lara Croft's return with Tomb Raider: Catalyst, scheduled for 2027.
• Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls A new fighting video game inspired by the Marvel universe. Developed by Arc System Works and published by Sony, it promises to be relevant for fans of the genre.
• Nioh 3 | A new installment in Team Ninja's well-known action role-playing saga, very demanding in its combat, and coming soon this February.
• Halo: Campaign Evolved | The campaign of the first Halo (2001) returns with this faithful remakeHowever, the most noteworthy aspect is that the saga is coming to PlayStation for the first time.
• The Blood of the Dawnwalker | Rebel Wolves, a new studio formed by veterans of CD Projekt RED (The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077), presents a new action role-playing game with a dark fantasy setting.
• Star Wars: Zero Company | Developed by Respawn (Star Wars Jedi) and Bit Reactor, with former developers of the saga XCOMExplore turn-based tactical combat in the universe of Star Wars.
• Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault The Valencian company Digital Sun has begun an early access period this November for the sequel to its acclaimed game. Moonlighter (2018). Let's see if version 1.0 arrives in 2026.
• Gears of War: E-Day The legendary Xbox Studios saga receives a new chapter in the form of a prequel to the original title, in which the origin of some of its protagonists can be learned.
• Tides of Annihilation | A new action and fantasy adventure title of Chinese origin, which stands out for its spectacular nature and for the English dubbing of its protagonist, by Jennifer English, linked to important awards within the sector.
• Star Wars: Galactic Racer Fans of the galactic saga are in luck, as a new high-speed racing title inspired by its universe is coming.
• Super Meat Boy 3D The iconic saga of challenging platforms, which originated as a browser game for Flash in 2008, makes the leap to three dimensions.
• Beast of Reincarnation | An action role-playing game developed by Game Freak, which is the studio's first AAA title outside of the series Pokémon since its creation in 1989.
• Reanimal | Tarsier Studios, the Swedish creators of the saga Little NightmaresThey try their luck with a new adventure of stealth, horror and puzzles.
• Lords of the Fallen 2 | A bold and bloody sequel to the dark fantasy action role-playing game released in 2023.
• Replaced | One thriller cinematic and retrofuturistic set in a dystopian 1980s America, with striking 2.5D graphics.
• Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve | The continuation of Bandai Namco's aerial combat saga, which has been around for over 30 years.
• Kingdom Hearts IV | A new installment in the action-adventure saga that combines Square Enix's experience in video game development and the characters of the Disney universe.
• Gothic 1 Remake | One remake from the eponymous 2001 video game, published by THQ Nordic and developed by the Barcelona-based studio Alkimia Interactive.
• Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection | The series spin-off Capcom's monster-hunting franchise receives a new episode that maintains turn-based combat.
• Marathon | The return of the universe created by Bungie, responsible for achievements like the saga Destination or the first steps of Halo, in the format of a multiplayer shooting game.
• Max Payne 1 & 2 Remake | The updated return of one of the most influential action titles of the early 2000s, which comes as a result of the collaboration between Remedy and Rockstar.
• Judas | A new work from developer Ken Levine, creator of the saga BioShock, which was supposed to arrive sometime in 2025 but has been silent for a while.