When the holidays are over and the first few New Year’s resolutions have already fallen by the wayside, the early-year blues can start to set in. Have no fear, though! The promise of great video games on the horizon is more than enough to lift our spirits. Here are the most anticipated video games of 2026.
What are the most anticipated upcoming video games of 2026?
2025 was a fantastic year for video games, with titles like Blue Prince, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and The Séance of Blake Manor, just to name a few of our favorites. But this year is already shaping up to be even better.
There are plenty of exciting games on the way, but we narrowed our list down to the ones we’re most excited about. Titles that didn’t quite make our official shortlist of five, but still rank near the very top, include Norse: Oath of Blood, Reanimal, Mixtape, and Coffee Talk Tokyo.
007: First Light
James Bond games have a reputation for being a bit of a mixed bag. GoldenEye is a certified classic, while NightFire was one of those games critics didn’t love, but fans had a great time playing. So yes, we’re glad a new Bond game is finally on the way, and First Light looks more than promising.
It’s also released in that in-between period between films, meaning the character isn’t tied to Daniel Craig’s likeness, or whoever will be our next 007. We get an original version with the character’s own agency. On top of that, it’s been fourteen years since we last got a proper James Bond game. We have a lot of faith in IO Interactive as the studio behind First Light, especially considering they’ve spent over 25 years perfecting the agent fantasy with Hitman. If any studio should take on the original spy, it’s IO. 007: First Light releases in late May.
Available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X
Blood of Dawnwalker
If Blood of Dawnwalker delivers on even half of its promise, it could be one of the most exciting new fantasy RPGs in years. Developed by Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by former The Witcher 3 leads, this is a debut title that already carries serious weight. From the moment it was revealed, the game has drawn comparisons to The Witcher, but it’s carving out a more morally complex identity of its own.
Set in a medieval world plagued by vampires, Blood of Dawnwalker gives us expansive open-world exploration with narrative-driven choices. Combat looks brutal and deliberate, and the game’s emphasis on story suggests an experience that prioritizes atmosphere just as much as action. We’re still waiting on a release date, but our fingers are itching.
Available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X
Crimson Desert
This epic open-world action-adventure from Pearl Abyss may be one of the most ambitious games of 2026. This one is absolutely swinging for the fences. What started life as a potential spin-off now looks determined to be something much bigger, and not just in terms of scale and spectacle. The game also teases no shortage of strange and intriguing elements. We get everything from anthropomorphic, deer-headed warriors and shadowy demons to the unexpected presence of spacecraft. Generally, we get the sense that this is a world built to be explored, though we’re not even sure who will be able to explore all of it.
Originally conceived as a prequel to Black Desert Online, the project ultimately shifted toward an intensive single-player experience set within the same universe. The story follows Cliff and his fellow Greymanes as conflict breaks out across Pywel against the rival faction, the Black Bears. Crimson Desert releases on March 19.
Available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X
The Duskbloods
The Duskbloods is going to be huge for Nintendo if reality meets expectations. It features player-vs-player or player-vs-environment gameplay for up to eight players, and it’s set to be a Switch 2 exclusive. From the creator of Elden Ring and Dark Souls, The Duskbloods should dose out exactly the kind of Victorian, vampire-steampunk vibe you might be looking for.
Available on Nintendo Switch 2
Fable
At this point, we’re well aware that this list is leaning heavily into fantasy RPG territory, but Fable looks really good, so we’re willing to make the exception. It’s also giving us a bit of hope for the state of Xbox as a whole, which, for this writer at least, was a first true gaming love. Back in the early 2000s, it mainly was Pizza Hut promo games on PlayStation — until Xbox entered the picture.
But setting Xbox nostalgia aside, Fable marks the long-awaited return of a beloved fantasy franchise that’s been sitting on the shelf for far too long. Playground Games is at the helm this time, and while we’re still waiting for a final release date. Everything shown so far suggests a reimagining that still gets what made Fable special in the first place. Whether this reboot lives up to the original trilogy remains to be seen.
Available on Windows PC and Xbox Series X
Grand Theft Auto VI
This one hardly needs an introduction. Grand Theft Auto VI is poised to be absolutely massive if it delivers on even a fraction of the hype surrounding it. Returning players to Vice City in a modern setting, the game promises Rockstar’s most ambitious open world yet. But you may have to let the anticipation build even longer, since it seems this one may have yet another release delay.
Available on PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X/S
Pokémon Pokopia
Amidst the action RPGs, creepy fantasy picks, and violence-heavy titles on this list, we can safely say we’re more than ready for Pokémon Pokopia. It’s a welcome change of pace. This spin-off of the Pokémon series looks to land somewhere between Pokémon and Animal Crossing, and it’s absolutely charming. Frankly, it might be one of the few things capable of pulling us out of the unceasing nightmares of the real world. Give us the cute.
Available on Nintendo Switch 2
pragmatic
Another Capcom release, Pragmata, is set on a lunar research station, where you’ll play in third person as spacefarer Hugh and his android companion, Diana. Together, they must survive and fight back against the hostile AI controlling the station as they attempt to return to Earth. Originally slated for release in 2022, the long delay has only made the anticipation more unbearable. We have a feeling this one is going to be worth the wait.
Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and the Nintendo Switch 2
Reanimal
Co-op horror games are some of our favorite game-playing experiences. It’s a great feeling to scream alongside whoever you’re playing with. The premise for Renanimal is fairly simple: a pair of siblings gets dropped into hell and has to make their way out of it. The atmosphere is fantastically spooky, there are creepy creatures around every corner, and enough puzzles to keep players on their toes. You can also check out the first five minutes of gameplay with developer commentary here. The release date has not yet been determined.
Available on Xbox Series X and Windows PC.
Resident Evil Requiem
February can’t come soon enough. And when it does, we know exactly where any free time will be spent. We’re heading back into horror territory with Resident Evil Requiem, the next entry in a franchise that never lets us stay comfortable. This one is shaping up to be another must-play for survivalist horror fans, with the potential to usher in a new era for the genre.
Available on PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC
How we picked the most anticipated games of 2026
There are a lot of great games out there, but these are the ones that have piqued our interest or are getting extra buzz right now.
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