The dust has barely settled on GOTY season, and many gamers are probably still working their way through some of the best games of 2025, but our attention is shifting to the biggest upcoming games set to launch in 2026. The next 12 months looked very packed.
Whether it be new installments in huge franchises like Resident Evil and Tomb Raider, or new IPs from acclaimed studios like FromSoftware and Housemarque, 2026’s video game release schedule is already bursting with games that look essential. Oh, and there’s also the small matter of the long-awaited launch of Grand Theft Auto VI — it won’t get delayed again, right?
This week, I asked the Tom’s Guide team to pick out the upcoming games in 2026 that they can’t wait to play, and received picks that cover every platform, including PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC and Xbox Series X. These are the games we can’t wait to play in the months ahead.
Highguard (Jan. 26)
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Highguard was the final trailer shown at The Game Awards 2025 and immediately received near-universal backlash. I saw comments describing it as generic and that the “high fantasy but with guns” theming didn’t mesh together. I can concede all of that, but I still want to plant a flag for Highguard.
It’s made by a team of former Respawn Entertainment developers who worked on Titanfall and Apex Legends, a series and game that I’ve enjoyed immensely. This doesn’t immediately confer quality on Highguard, but I’m optimistic that it will feature great gunplay and smooth movement a la Apex and Titanfall. I’m curious about the siege breaker mechanic teased in the trailer. Perhaps this is the MOBA FPS that Smite dreamed of being? — Scott Younker
Reanimal (Feb. 13)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
Little Nightmares is one of my favorite game series, so when I heard the developers of the first two titles were creating a new game with equally eerie, dark fairytale vibes (but in a completely separate universe), I was sold instantly. Reanimal looks very much like a spiritual successor, carrying that same haunting tension and style, even though it’s an entirely original experience.
Players control a brother and sister duo trying to escape a nightmarish, twisted version of their home world while rescuing missing friends. Even from the gameplay trailer alone, it includes plenty of survival horror, stealth, and puzzle-solving, with a shared camera designed to keep tension high and support solo play (with AI controlling the partner) and local or online co-op.
I love that, freed from the constraints of other IP, Tarsier Studios can explore scarier, more mature themes this time around, and it all feels like a natural evolution of their style. I’m counting down the days until I can explore every sinister corner of Reanimal in mid-February. — Alix Blackburn
Resident Evil Requiem (Feb. 27)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, PC, Xbox Series X/S
Capcom’s iconic franchise is taking us back to Raccoon City for what looks to be another terrifying slice of survival horror, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what nightmares are lurking in Resident Evil Requiem.
This time around, we’re stepping into the shoes of Grace Ashcroft, an FBI technical analyst who is sent to inspect the Wrenwood Hotel while investigating deaths caused by a mysterious disease… and her findings lead her back to where this chaos all began. Resident Evil’s long-suffering action hero, Leon S. Kennedy, is also assigned to the same case after an officer goes missing. As their paths converge, they’ll uncover some truths behind the Raccoon City Incident that changed the world forever.
The game looks to offer a deadly new monster to avoid, plenty of thrills and chills en route, and the added option of tackling this mystery in third or first-person at will promises to get us up close with whatever terrors lie ahead. I can’t wait to be hiding behind my sofa when Resident Evil Requiem drops at the end of February. — Martin Shore
Pragmata (April 22)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
It’s not disingenuous to say I’ve had my eye on Pragmata for nearly six years at this point. It even made our games we can’t wait to play in 2024 list as my number one pick. That not only highlights my enduring excitement but also the many delays Pragmata has suffered since its initial 2020 debut.
My hands-on experience with Pragmata last year also only amplified my enthusiasm. Pragmata feels like one of the most original concepts to come out of the gaming industry in years, blending third-person shooting mechanics with real-time puzzle solving. It’s totally addicting, like Gears of War meets Tetris with a Dead Space and BioShock coat of paint.
While most of the game is played primarily from the perspective of its main character, system auditor Hugh Williams, you’re also controlling Diana at times. She’s a cybernetically-enhanced android who acts as both a McGuffin and a sidekick, allowing you to hack into enemies and the environment.
Pragmata feels like an exciting departure from the norm. It’s built on a variety of promising elements, like bespoke hack-and-shoot combat, puzzle-solving, and adventure, set in a future world riddled with intrigue. Plus, it has a head-thumping synth-laden score that will make any Armored Core and System Shock fans feel right at home. — Ryan Epps
Saros (April 30)
Platforms: PS5
Since beating (and loving) PS5 exclusive Returnal in 2021, I’ve yet to find another game that scratches the same itch for cinematic sci-fi and frantic bullet hell gameplay. So, it’s a good job that developer Housemarque has been working away on a spiritual follow-up for the last five years. Saros looks to take the brilliant bones of Returnal and refine them even further.
Like its spiritual predecessor, Saros is a third-person shooter that sees you taking down enemies while attempting to evade a screen full of glowing projectiles. It also incorporates rougelite elements, and from the slick gameplay we’ve seen, my thumbs are already twitching for its fast-paced action combat.
In fact, Saros looks so similar to Returnal, I’m a little perplexed why it’s not just a numbered sequel. Perhaps my only concern is the reports that Housemarque may have toned down the difficulty level, which would be a shame, as Returnal was such a thrilling experience because each glorious victory felt so hard-earned. — Rory Mellon
007: First Light (May 27)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
I genuinely can’t think of a developer/franchise pairing that makes more sense than IO Interactive and James Bond. Off the back of the Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy (and everything that we’ve seen from 007: First Light so far), I really do think the IO Interactive team appears to be the perfect stewards for the high-stakes spying that Ian Fleming’s iconic MI6 agent is known for.
Preview write-ups across the net have been pretty positive, and the big gameplay reveal that IO offered us a few months back suggests that they’ve really got the measure of what makes Bond tick. 007: First Light looks to be a globetrotting adventure that boasts tons of intense action and offers players the chance to put a brand-new Bond (“Dexter: Original Sin” star, Patrick Gibson) to full effect out in the field, however they see fit — and it’s doing all that with that distinctive Bond swagger.
While we’re still waiting to see what new Bond director Denis Villeneuve has in store for the spy on the big screen, 007: First Light absolutely looks like it’ll be a must-play when it arrives in May. — Martin Shore
Grand Theft Auto VI (Nov. 19)
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S
I don’t want to jinx it, but I’m pretty certain 2026 is finally going to see the long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto VI. I might need to fetch some clown makeup if it’s delayed yet again and slips into 2027, but for now, I’m very optimistic that pretty much every gamer on the planet is going to be spending the coming winter escaping to sun-soaked Leonida.
Grand Theft Auto VI is a video game that speaks for itself; there’s no need to justify my anticipation in this case. It’s the latest installment in the biggest gaming franchise around, and it’s a blockbuster title 13 years in the making.
Developer Rockstar is still keeping details largely under wraps. However, we know GTA 6 will star duo-protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, and is sure to offer the series’ signature open-world crime-fueled action with Rockstar’s industry-leading eye for detail. Let’s be honest, we don’t even need to see any more trailers or actual gameplay, practically everybody with a gaming console is going to be playing GTA 6 day one. — Rory Mellon
The Duskbloods (TBA 2026)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Despite being a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, FromSoftware’s next foray still seems like an utter melting pot of fun built on a Gothic, Victorian vibe similar to Bloodborne. However, unlike that cherished action-adventure RPG, The Duskbloods is a far different experience, blending Souls action with gameplay mechanics reminiscent of Escape From Tarkov.
Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki described Duskbloods as a PvPvE game, which largely focuses on online multiplayer functionality. You play as one of many “Bloodsworn,” a fancy word for vampires with special abilities, and your general task across missions will vary depending on the different “roles” you take going into a game. The primary objective is to rack up as many victory points as possible, whether by engaging online foes or by other means.
As a FromSoftware connoisseur, I’m desperately awaiting the release of this game. Duskbloods is shaping up to be something entirely fresh and exciting. I know many fans are put off by the fact that it’s a Switch 2 exclusive and focuses primarily on multiplayer, similar to Elden Ring: Nightreign. Still, I have a feeling Duskbloods will be quite the thrill ride, especially if you’re a big fan of Dark Souls PvP, Castlevania, and “Vampire Hunter D.” — Ryan Epps
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave (TBA 2026)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
I just don’t watch Nintendo Directs. I devour them. All so that I can learn one thing and one thing only — when can I play the next Fire Emblem? When next can I lose myself in a grid-based strategy RPG with classic anime visuals, stories of fallen kingdoms, black knights, interwoven personal relationships, and characters that can die forever?
So you can imagine the ungodly noise I made when, during the Nintendo Direct in September 2025, Nintendo announced Fortune’s Weave, the next in the long-running franchise. A could be sequel, could be prequel to Three Houses, a favorite for many fans of the series. I can’t wait.
It looks like we’ll be heading back to Fódlan, or somewhere nearby, with a story centered around some brutal-sounding gladiatorial games. We’ve met some characters, we’ve seen some gameplay. There’s apparently going to be a more open world as well, although how open remains to be seen.
Just one thing remains — the game card slotted into my Switch 2, so that I can descend once again into the depths of a Fire Emblem game and drink in every stressful moment of a character facing an onslaught of enemies. Cai, Leda, Theodora, Dietrich… I’m coming. — Tammy Rogers
Marvel’s Wolverine (TBA 2026)
Platforms: PS5
Wolverine is one of the most violent, bloodthirsty characters in the Marvel Universe, but more often than not, he’s portrayed without the requisite blood splatter. In some cases, this makes sense. When a Marvel game is targeted at families, having Logan rip the insides from his enemies isn’t the right call. But for us grownups, the violent Wolverine can be exactly what we’re looking for.
Thankfully, Marvel’s Wolverine is coming from Insomniac Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment to the PS5. The self-contained story shares continuity with Insomniac’s popular Spider-Man games, but with everyone’s favorite grumpy, hard-to-kill hero taking center stage. The upcoming M-rated game has me counting down the days until late 2026 when it’s scheduled to hit the market.
But it’s not just the violence and gore that have me excited — Insomniac’s pedigree with the incredible Spider-Man games has me confident that this game will be fun to play. The developer has a track record of releasing only quality games (Editor’s note: I guess Dave hasn’t played Fuse!), and I expect it to put the same level of care into Marvel’s Wolverine. — Dave LeClair
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (TBA 2026)
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Tomb Raider is one of those franchises that feels like a rite of passage in adventure gaming, so hearing that Lara Croft (now voiced by Alix Wilton Regan) is returning in a full reimagining of her very first adventure has me genuinely hyped. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis takes the 1996 classic and rebuilds it from the ground up with next‑gen visuals and modern gameplay powered by Unreal Engine 5.
In this updated journey, Lara travels through exotic jungles, ancient Mediterranean ruins, scorching deserts, and mysterious lost islands on the hunt for the Scion of Atlantis, a powerful artifact. And of course, in true Tomb Raider fashion, she’ll solve puzzles, avoid deadly traps, and face off with lethal predators along the way.
Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog are reimagining this iconic game by expanding the world in ways that weren’t possible back in ’96 and bringing a fresh (hopefully faithful) take on Lara’s origins that longtime fans and newcomers alike can dive into. I’m seriously excited to see this classic adventure reborn when Legacy of Atlantis launches in 2026. — Alix Blackburn
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies (TBA 2026)
Platforms: PC, PS5
I’ll admit, I’m more interested in Zero Parades from the remnants of ZA/UM because of the narrative around the game than the title itself. At first glance, Zero Parades essentially looks like Disco Elysium 2 with similar systems, graphics and a forlorn, broken lead character.
If you’re unaware of what’s happening with ZA/UM, I recommend the way too long but highly in-depth two-part report from People Make Games about the Disco Elysium maker’s controversial history, including financial men taking over the firm and ousting the writers and directors of the game.
Can Zero Parades stand on its own as a quality game? Or will the direct inspiration of one of the best games of the past decade and its surrounding issues drown it? I’m curious to find out in 2026. — Scott Younker
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve (TBA 2026)
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Am I good at playing flight combat simulators? No. Do I have to crank the difficulty down whenever I play? Yes. Has that ever stopped me from playing an Ace Combat game? Absolutely not, and Ace Combat 8 is going to be no different. Get me in an F-18 Super Hornet stat.
What do we know so far? We’re almost certainly going to be blessed with some delicious arcade flight combat, as we perform death-defying (and physics-breaking) stunts to get a missile lock on a rival jet. It’s going to be hard, because all Ace Combat games are, and it’s going to be pretty.
There are some interesting real-world parallels in the story. You awaken in the sea after a crash landing when your homeland is invaded, only to be yoinked aboard an aging aircraft carrier. The ship is the Endurance, the last bastion of Theve, your home City. Now, you’re to become the Wings of Theve, a made-up pilot used to bolster morale. Ring any bells?
There’s no clear release date for Wings of Theve, only that it is coming in 2026. I’ll be getting my flight helmet ready for another trip to the skies. I don’t expect I’ll be much good as the symbol of a nation’s defiance, but I’ll do my best. And isn’t that the most important thing? — Tammy Rogers
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
More from Tom’s Guide
