Upcoming 2026 Games You Should NOT Preorder

Preordering video games has both benefits and risks. It’s great to guarantee you’ll get a popular new game, but it can be risky to spend money on something you haven’t tried yet. If the game doesn’t live up to expectations, you might regret your purchase.

2026 promises a ton of exciting new games, like Marvel’s Wolverine and Resident Evil: Requiem, leaving players with more options than ever. However, there are a few upcoming titles it’s best to hold off on preordering. It’s not that these games look bad, but they’re taking such unique and untested approaches that it’s hard to predict whether they’ll deliver on their potential, so waiting for more information is a good idea.

We’re focusing on physical copies for game consoles. Preordering doesn’t make much sense if you plan to buy the game digitally on platforms like Steam or other online stores.

Pragmata

Capcom Is Taking A Risk With A Distinct New IP

When a major company like Capcom creates a completely new game, it’s worth taking notice, and Pragmata is a prime example. This upcoming third-person shooter features a unique mechanic: the player is joined by a little android girl who can hack and control enemy machines during combat.

The core idea behind this game is really imaginative and has a lot of promise. However, switching from fast-action fights to solving puzzles could feel disruptive and make the game feel overstuffed. Luckily, a demo of Pragmata is available now on Steam and has been getting good feedback, so interested players can try it out before its planned release in April 2026.

The Pragmata Sketchbook – Demo focuses on showcasing the game’s combat. If your computer can handle it, we recommend trying the demo to see if the gameplay is a good fit for you.

Pokemon Pokopia

“Pokemon Meets Animal Crossing” Is A Bizarre Formula

The Pokemon series has seen its share of successes and disappointments, but a new game for home consoles always generates excitement among fans. Pokemon Pokopia is particularly interesting: players will control a Ditto that transforms into a human and works with other Pokemon to create and manage a village, free from trainers.

Pokemon Pokopia is a life simulation game that blends the worlds of Pokemon and Animal Crossing, and it sounds like a lot of fun! However, details are still scarce, so it’s tough to say if the gameplay will be as engaging as Animal Crossing. Pokemon spin-off games have been hit or miss in the past, meaning Pokopia could be amazing or disappointing.

Romeo Is A Dead Man

Suda51 Is The King Of Making Brilliant Games That Are Not For Everyone

Suda51, the developer known for unique and stylish action games like No More Heroes, Lollipop Chainsaw, Killer7, and Killer is Dead, is releasing a new hack-and-slash game called Romeo is Dead Man. Early trailers suggest the game will be full of visual flair and exciting battles against unusual bosses, which is great news for fans.

Suda51’s games often get mixed reactions – they’re not for everyone. Games like Killer is Dead and Lollipop Chainsaw were criticized for having simple, not very challenging combat, and his new game, Romeo is a Dead Man, might be similar. His collaboration with Swery on Hotel Barcelona last year was also quite divisive and didn’t fully satisfy many players. Suda51 is known for being unpredictable, so even dedicated fans should probably wait for some reviews before deciding whether to try Romeo is a Dead Man.

007 First Light

The First AAA James Bond Game In 14 Years

For decades, James Bond fans have hoped for a video game that could top GoldenEye 007. The upcoming game, 007 First Light from IO Interactive, seems poised to do just that. It boasts stunning graphics and is being created by the studio behind the recent Hitman games, known for their expertise in stealth gameplay.

The upcoming game, 007 First Light, was made with a large budget and has been in development for some time. So far, previews suggest it’s a standard third-person shooter, which wouldn’t be bad, but some James Bond fans might be hoping for something more unique. The good news is that IO Interactive has pushed the release date from March to May 2026, giving them extra time to refine the game and hopefully deliver a truly polished experience.

Phantom Blade Zero

Is It A Hack-And-Slash? Is It A Soulslike? Or Is It Both?

There’s always excitement around new game ideas, and Phantom Blade Zero recently caught a lot of attention. Developed by the Chinese studio S-GAME, early trailers made it seem like a standard action game with close-quarters combat and a somewhat plain look. But the latest trailer was a big step up, revealing fast-paced action and spectacular boss battles in colorful settings.

Okay, so Phantom Blade Zero looks amazing, but I’m still trying to figure out exactly what kind of game it is. Sometimes it feels like a slower, more methodical Soulslike, and other times it’s all about fast-paced, combo-heavy action like Devil May Cry or Bayonetta. It could end up being a really cool mix of both, kind of like Stellar Blade, but honestly, if you’re a die-hard fan of either Soulslikes or hack-and-slash games, I’d say hold off on pre-ordering until we get some reviews or, even better, a demo to try it out ourselves.

The Duskbloods

FromSoftware’s Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive Has A Major Drawback

Nintendo hasn’t revealed the exact release date for The Duskbloods, the upcoming Switch 2 game from FromSoftware, but it’s currently planned for 2026. The game generated a lot of excitement during the April 2025 Nintendo Direct, appearing to be a spiritual successor to Bloodborne, featuring similar Lovecraftian themes and monster hunting gameplay.

Some dedicated fans of FromSoftware games aren’t happy that The Duskbloods might only be available on the Nintendo Switch 2. But there’s another reason gamers should think twice before preordering: The Duskbloods is a multiplayer game, much like Elden Ring Nightreign. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, many FromSoftware fans enjoy single-player experiences, so this new game might not appeal to them.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

What Exactly Is A Video Game Reimagining?

In 2026, the popular Tomb Raider series will celebrate its 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Crystal Dynamics is releasing a new game called Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. Revealed at The Game Awards in 2025, this game is a fresh take on the original Tomb Raider from 1996, featuring updated graphics and easier-to-use controls for today’s players.

Legacy of Atlantis looks promising and could be the excellent reboot the Tomb Raider series has been waiting for. However, it’s unclear exactly what changes the game will bring, especially considering the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, which already divided fans. Therefore, Tomb Raider fans should hold off on preordering and wait for more details about Legacy of Atlantis before making a decision.

Grand Theft Auto 6

The Most Anticipated Video Game Of All Time

It’s likely many of you have already preordered or plan to buy Grand Theft Auto 6 as soon as it’s released, and for good reason. The gaming community has been eagerly awaiting a new GTA game since 2013, and the trailers and images released so far suggest GTA 6 will be a massive, incredibly detailed open-world experience unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Even though it’s a bit discouraging to say, players might want to temper their excitement for the new Grand Theft Auto game. The anticipation is incredibly high, and it might be unrealistic for Rockstar to fully deliver on everything people are hoping for. They’ve already delayed the game twice to make sure it’s polished, but we haven’t seen much of it in action yet. While Rockstar usually makes amazing games, there are no guarantees in the gaming world.

2026-01-17 01:15