10 Upcoming 2026 Video Games You Cannot Miss

by

2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for video games! Even if we just look at the first few months, with games like Crimson Desert, Resident Evil Requiem, and Pokemon Pokopia already on the horizon, the rest of the year promises a ton of exciting releases across all genres. Developers are eager to capture players’ attention before the massive launch of GTA 6 at the end of the year. While many 2026 games don’t have firm release dates yet, we can expect more details and announcements at upcoming gaming events.

Gamers are the ones who truly benefit, with so many exciting new games coming out offering hours – even over a hundred – of gameplay. Whatever you enjoy, several games slated for release later in 2026 look incredibly promising and could be instant classics, assuming they launch smoothly. Here’s a look at the most anticipated upcoming games for the rest of the year – and some might even be contenders for Game of the Year awards.

I’ve put together a list of games that are expected to come out in 2026 and should appeal to many players. These games either have confirmed 2026 release dates or are regularly updated with information pointing to a 2026 launch, making delays to 2027 seem unlikely. However, it’s important to remember that release dates can change, and none of these games are guaranteed to come out 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 popular open-world racing series is back next month, and this time it’s set in Japan – a location fans have been requesting for years! With Forza Horizon 5 still dominating the genre after almost five years, expectations are high for Forza Horizon 6, and the impressively large and detailed map suggests it won’t disappoint.

Forza Horizon 6 is looking like the most beautiful racing game ever made, and it’s more than just a pretty face. The developers have made significant changes to how the game is structured and how you progress, aiming to give players a clearer sense of direction and purpose. If you enjoy racing games, Forza Horizon 6 is a must-play title.

007 First Light

Coming: May 27

There aren’t many action-adventure games like Uncharted being made right now, which gives 007 First Light a great opportunity to succeed. The game will be developed by the team behind Hitman, known for their skill, and with Daniel Craig no longer playing James Bond in movies, many fans might be eager to see Patrick Gibson take on the role in First Light.

Early looks at 007 First Light are incredibly promising. It appears to offer everything fans expect from a great Bond film – exciting action, a compelling story, diverse locations, and thrilling car chases. It also seems to borrow the open-ended gameplay of Hitman, letting players tackle missions in multiple ways. The developers suggest this is just the first game in a potential series, making it a title you won’t want to skip.

Phantom Blade Zero

Coming: September 9

Since it was announced, Phantom Blade Zero has been turning heads with its stunning, movie-like combat – it looked almost unreal! The developers have clarified it’s not a typical “soulslike” game, nor a standard action title, leaving players curious about what exactly it is. However, one thing is clear: if you enjoy sword fighting games, Phantom Blade Zero looks incredible, and many are eagerly awaiting its release.

Recently, we’ve seen a lot of action games, including those inspired by the ‘souls-like’ genre. However, Phantom Blade Zero stands out and seems worth checking out. It boasts impressive, quick combat, satisfying finishing moves, a cool art style, and a great soundtrack – it definitely knows how to grab attention. Hopefully, the finished game will be as good as it looks.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Coming: September 15

There’s little to worry about with Marvel’s Wolverine. Insomniac Games has a proven track record of making excellent superhero games, and this project has received massive investment – reportedly over $300 million, exceeding the budget of any previous X-Men film. Early previews suggest a visually impressive and incredibly brutal experience, aiming to deliver a cinematic adventure that surpasses typical superhero movies and truly embodies the spirit of Wolverine. It looks incredibly promising.

Details about Marvel’s Wolverine are still scarce, so it’s easiest to compare it to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. However, Wolverine won’t have an open world, which many players will appreciate. We can expect a polished, high-quality game at launch with impressive graphics and presentation. As one of PlayStation’s biggest releases this year, Wolverine is sure to attract a large audience.

Grand Theft Auto 6

Coming: November 19

These other games aren’t quite as big, but they’re likely to be released before Grand Theft Auto 6. It’s hard to imagine anyone will be focused on anything else after November 19th, assuming the release date stays the same – let’s hope it does!

Even before it’s released, GTA 6 is breaking records and is easily the most hyped video game of all time. Most people are confident Rockstar Games will deliver an amazing experience, possibly even exceeding expectations, especially considering the success of their previous game, Red Dead Redemption 2, which is now considered a classic. Just how much better Grand Theft Auto 6 will be remains to be seen, but its launch is shaping up to be a monumental event that gamers won’t want to miss.

Fable

Coming: Fall 2026

Similar to the other games listed, a new Fable is likely to come out before GTA 6, but currently, it only has a general release window of Fall 2026. Despite this, there’s a lot to look forward to with this ambitious open-world RPG, which aims to bring back the beloved Xbox series with a distinctly British style. Fable will focus more on exploration and interacting with people than on fighting, and promises a world filled with realistic characters who feel truly alive, each with their own unique personalities and voices.

While there’s excitement around Fable, it’s worth noting this is Playground Games’ first role-playing game – they’re best known for the Forza Horizon racing series. The studio clearly cares deeply about Fable, and after years of development, they seem poised to offer a unique experience to players. Plus, given their background, the game looks fantastic!

Gears of War: E-Day

Coming: TBA 2026

It’s been nearly six years since Gears 5, and surprisingly, there hasn’t been a direct sequel – despite the game’s cliffhanger ending. Instead, The Coalition is taking the series back to its roots with a prequel set before the original Gears of War from 2006. Players will experience a young Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in their first fight against the Locust, which is sure to excite longtime fans of the series and generate buzz for Gears of War: E-Day.

The upcoming Gears of War: E-Day is shaping up to be a standout title in the long-running Xbox series. It’s likely to be a visually stunning game, really showcasing the power of the Unreal Engine 5, and could be worth playing just for that. Although we haven’t heard much lately, it’s expected to be revealed at upcoming gaming events, and most likely released before the end of the year.

Control Resonant

Coming: TBA 2026

I’ve always been a huge fan of Remedy, but it feels like their games don’t quite get the recognition they deserve. Still, they consistently deliver something amazing and unexpected for us fans. Their latest, Control Resonant, is their biggest swing yet, and it’s clear they’re really pushing boundaries and trying something totally new – honestly, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever played!

Unlike previous games from the studio, including the original Control and Alan Wake 2, Control Resonant is a melee-focused action game set in large, open city environments with a lot of verticality and unique boss battles. It’s a bit of a departure, and it remains to be seen if this new direction will work while still maintaining the studio’s artistic style and storytelling. However, exciting, superpower-driven action games are rare, so it’s definitely something to watch.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Coming: TBA 2026

Capcom launched the action-adventure series Onimusha 25 years ago, but it hasn’t become one of the company’s biggest franchises, often overshadowed by other popular titles. While it’s unrealistic to expect Onimusha: Way of the Sword to instantly change that – especially after a 20-year gap since the last main game – it looks set to be a standout sword-fighting action game this year and is definitely worth watching.

The developers are focusing on making the sword combat feel fantastic, offering players a huge variety of moves and powerful finishing blows. Enemies will be defeated in a similar, visually impressive style to Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Built with the RE Engine, Onimusha: Way of the Sword also looks incredible and could become one of the best-looking games of 2026, alongside Resident Evil Requiem.

Star Wars Zero Company

Coming: TBA 2026

You can never have too many Star Wars games, and especially not ones during the Clone Wars! Star Wars Zero Company looks like one of the freshest titles in a while. Though many have called it Star Wars XCOM, it’s actually a deeper, single-player game with turn-based combat. The developers have also drawn inspiration from Mass Effect, promising a compelling story where your choices matter and important squad members can permanently die.

Okay, so Zero Company isn’t just about the intense, tactical battles. You actually get to explore in a classic third-person view, which is kinda cool and not something you see a lot in these types of games. Honestly, the graphics are gorgeous, and they really nailed the look and feel of the Clone Wars. This game could be a real standout this year – it’s not just riding on the Star Wars name, you know? If you’re a Star Wars fan who’s open to trying something a little different, this one might seriously surprise you.

Read More

2026-04-12 00:06