Biggest Upcoming PlayStation Exclusives Coming Before April 2026

While the PS5 didn’t have a huge number of exclusive games in 2025, the ones it did receive were excellent. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach offered a compelling open world with deep building features, and Ghost of Yotei delivered a fast-paced, open-world story of revenge. Both were high-quality games from major developers. Looking ahead to 2026, Marvel’s Wolverine is the one PS5 game generating the most anticipation.

Okay, so we don’t have an exact date for the Wolverine game yet, just Fall 2026, but honestly, that’s fine by me – Insomniac Games almost always delivers! And it’s not just their games, the PS5 is going to have a ton of big releases like Grand Theft Auto 6, Resident Evil Requiem, and 007 First Light. If you’re really into PS5 exclusives though, you should definitely check out these games coming out before May. A few of them might even hit PC, but one thing’s for certain: you won’t be playing them on Xbox or Switch anytime soon!

Code Violet

Delayed Horror

Planned Release Date: 1/10/26
Planned Systems: PC and PS5

For PlayStation 5 owners, Code Violet is a new action horror game coming out in early January. Players will spend a lot of time fighting dinosaurs! If you’ve been hoping Capcom would revisit the style of Dino Crisis – a blend of Resident Evil and Jurassic Park – this game is the closest you’ll get. However, if you’re familiar with games made by TeamKill Media, be aware that this title shares some similarities with their previous work.

Considering the reception of their previous games – like Kings of Lorn: The Fall of Ebris, Quantum Error, and Son and Bone – there’s reason to be cautious about Code Violet, as those titles received mostly mixed or negative reviews. However, game developers often improve with each project, and Code Violet looks visually appealing and creatively interesting. Plus, a horror game featuring dinosaurs is a fairly unique concept, and the game’s costumes and weapon collecting suggest it could be a standout title when it releases in early 2026.

Cairn

Climbing To The Peak

Planned Release Date: 1/29/26
Planned Systems: PC and PS5

If you enjoyed the climbing in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you might like Cairn. It’s coming to PC and PlayStation 5 in late January 2026, and a free demo is available now on Steam and the PlayStation Network. Cairn’s climbing is more challenging than Breath of the Wild – it’s closer to the feel of a difficult game like Baby Steps. You can climb almost anything in the game’s large world. Players switch between using their hands and feet, and press the Square button (on PS5) to confirm each hold.

The game continues by selecting each limb one after another. Getting limbs tangled will drain your stamina faster. The demo is quite difficult to learn and play, though an easier mode will be available when the full game releases. If you enjoyed challenging climbing games like Breath of the Wild or Peak, Cairn could be a good fit. The Game Bakers, the developers, have a history of creating quality games, including the fast-paced boss-rush game Furi and the co-op RPG Haven.

Nioh 3

Beware Of Japanese Demons

Planned Release Date: 2/6/26
Planned Systems: PC and PS5

The Nioh series, created by Team Ninja, first gained popularity in 2017 as a challenging, samurai-themed take on the popular ‘Souls-like’ genre – a type of game the developers proved they excelled at with the Ninja Gaiden series. After the last Nioh game in 2020, a third installment is now in development. A recent beta release has given PlayStation 5 players a good idea of what to expect: more of the same intense action. Players will create their own character and then battle demons either solo or with friends. What really makes Nioh unique is its loot system, where enemies frequently drop new gear, similar to games like Diablo, rather than the more sparse rewards found in games like Dark Souls.

Nioh 3 introduces a unique ‘Familiar’ system where players can equip spirits to boost their combat abilities – enhancing damage, healing, or defense. The game will feature larger, more explorable areas than previous installments, though it won’t be a fully open world like Elden Ring. The beta version showed levels that allow for more freedom in how players progress. Nioh 3 is launching in early February for PC and PlayStation 5, making it the first big Soulslike release of 2026.

Tokyo Xtreme Racer

Racing Onto Consoles

Planned Release Date: 2/25/26
Planned Systems: PS5

Released on PC platforms like Steam in 2025, Tokyo Xtreme Racer has been well-received by players. While it might not be as well-known as racing games like Forza or Gran Turismo, this series from Genki has a dedicated following. Now, PS5 players will be able to experience the game starting in late February 2026. Tokyo Xtreme Racer differs from other racing games by focusing on authentic street racing challenges set in the vibrant city of Tokyo.

Players can compete against the computer in challenging races and personalize their cars. The series started in 1994 with Shutoko Battle ’94: Drift King, and before this PC version, a mobile game called Shutoko Battle Xtreme was released in 2017. This return of Tokyo Xtreme Racer has been a long time coming, and it’s fantastic that it was well-received in 2025. Beyond racing, Genki has also created other interesting games that PlayStation fans might remember, like the Jade Cocoon RPGs and Katamari Forever. This shows Genki has a diverse and consistently high-quality history of game development.

Saros

Bring Back The Sun

Planned Release Date: 4/30/26
Planned Systems: PS5

I’ve been a fan of Housemarque for years! They were known for these awesome, fast-paced arcade-style games, especially on PlayStation – things like Super Stardust HD, Alienation, and Resogun were seriously addictive. Then in 2021, they really blew everyone away with Returnal, a story-driven roguelike shooter that was one of the first killer apps for the PS5. Now, they’re working on a new game called Saros, which feels like a spiritual successor to Returnal, and it’s coming out in late April 2026. The really cool part? Rahul Kohli, who you might recognize from shows like The Fall of the House of Usher or Midnight Mass, is the lead actor!

Saros takes place on a distant planet where the sun is fading, and death means starting over. However, players can improve their abilities with each death, though the exact mechanics aren’t fully known yet. Early looks suggest you’ll be able to revive at least once per playthrough. You’ll also find weapons and shields to help you fight enemies. As a third-person shooter, Saros appears to be a particularly challenging and fast-paced game, and it’s shaping up to be one of Sony’s biggest PlayStation 5 exclusives, expected in early 2026. We can expect more details and possibly a demo before its release.

2025-12-17 04:07