With over 300 games to choose from, the biggest challenge with the Mario franchise is deciding where to begin. Mario has appeared in all kinds of games – from classic platformers and kart racers to role-playing games and party titles. While there’s plenty to pick from, only a select few Mario games truly stand out as perfect masterpieces that everyone should play at least once.
It’s understandable why some might question the need for a sequel to Satisfactory. The first game is already very successful and well-loved. Any follow-up would have to live up to incredibly high expectations – it’s hard to recreate that initial magic. However, even with all its praise, the original Satisfactory isn’t perfect. A sequel could build on what the first game did well and address its weaknesses. But to truly stand out and be considered Satisfactory 2, it would also need to introduce significant new ideas and avoid simply being an incremental update.
Last month, Nintendo Switch Online added profile icons based on Pokemon: Pokopia. Since then, subscribers have also gotten limited-time icons from games like Animal Crossing, Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, Kirby’s Dream Land, and Kirby and the Amazing Mirror. Some icons require you to do something specific in a game to unlock them. There are even a few inspired by the Switch 2’s GameChat feature, but you need to have it set up first to claim those.
Recently, the Elbaf arc of One Piece has introduced a pair of fighters who are significantly stronger than Zoro and Sanji. This powerful duo, known as Nika and Nidhoggr, has a history stretching back thousands of years – even before the events of the Void Century, all the way to the dawn of the world.
Although the intense, over-the-top style known as nekketsu isn’t as common as it once was, some manga series still capture its spirit. A prime example is Baki the Grappler, a fighting manga that’s recently become more popular thanks to its anime on Netflix. It looks like the series is also planning a new partnership with McDonald’s Japan.
Xbox Game Pass started strong, but recently people have begun to question how long it can last. Price hikes and reports of lost income from including games in the service have led to worries about whether it still offers good value, especially to attract new players and keep existing ones. Because of this, Xbox needs to demonstrate that Game Pass is a worthwhile investment, particularly with a new console, Project Helix, on the horizon.
Crimson Desert offers a huge variety of things to do, all within a massive, open world built for exploration and freedom. Players can follow the main story and fight epic bosses, or they can venture off the path to discover hidden areas, tackle challenges, or enjoy relaxing activities like fishing and crafting. However, this abundance of options can sometimes be overwhelming – players may not know where to begin, and it’s even possible to get lost while trying to reach their destination.
Even though it’s just getting started, Witch Hat Atelier is quickly becoming a top contender for Anime of the Year thanks to its fantastic story and beautiful animation by Bug Films. Fans are loving its originality, memorable characters, and how well it’s been adapted from the source material.
Whether you’re a fan of anime or not, Doraemon is a name most people recognize. This beloved series has become a classic, largely thanks to its memorable main character. The original Doraemon manga ran in Shogakukan magazine from 1969 to 1996, meaning the main story concluded three decades ago. However, the series recently gained new life with a reprint in CoroCoro Comic magazine, which proved incredibly popular in Japan. For millions worldwide, Doraemon evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and comfort, so the conclusion of this recent reprint has been disappointing for many fans.
Let’s look at the most visually stunning open-world games, considering how they appear in 2026. This includes games from any era – even older titles can compete if they still look great or have a unique art style. When making this list, I focused on all aspects of visual presentation, not just the latest technology. While powerful graphics are important, strong artistic choices and a cohesive style can make a game beautiful even with older technology. So, here’s a look at the most beautiful open-world games ever created.