Next year should see some long-awaited franchise installments alongside exciting revivals and new titles
2026 is already shaping up to be an incredible year for video games. In 2025, we’ve seen groundbreaking new RPGs including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, thrilling co-op experiences in games like Split Fiction, and fresh takes on beloved franchises such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Mario Kart World. Indie games are better than they’ve ever been, with landmark titles like Blue Prince and Citizen Sleeper 2 seeing mass acclaim. More is yet to come through the rest of the year, but even more is just over the horizon.
What makes 2026 so special? Developers are finally unleashing the full power of the ninth generation of game consoles. Games are pushing the boundaries of realism with ray tracing, complex NPCs, and immersive haptic feedback. Cross-platform play is leading to greater community connection and subscription services are upping their offerings in order to compete.
The gaming market is already estimated at around $269 billion in 2025, and is expected to increase over the next few years as the industry surges. There are currently more than 3.3 billion gamers, over 40% of the world’s total population.
Clear some space on your SSD and continue reading to see the top eight most anticipated games slated for 2026.
2 / 9
1. Grand Theft Auto VI
Originally announced in December 2023, the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV is currently set for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S on May 26, 2026 after being delayed earlier this year.
3 / 9
2. Resident Evil Requiem
Revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025, Resident Evil: Requiem is the ninth mainline entry in the franchise and is scheduled to drop on February 27, 2026, featuring a new protagonist and a return to Raccoon City.
4 / 9
3. Fable
The Fable reboot by Playground Games was due in 2025, but it’s now slated for release in 2026, a whole six years after its initial announcement in 2020.
5 / 9
4. Nioh 3
Unveiled during Sony’s State of Play in June 2025, Nioh 3 introduces open-field exploration and dual combat styles, and is set for an early 2026 release on PlayStation 5 and PC.
6 / 9
5. Code Vein II
Showcased at Summer Game Fest 2025, Code Vein II is a sequel to the 2019 anime Soulslike and is set for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
7 / 9
6. Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Revealed at The Game Awards 2024 and showcased again at Summer Game Fest 2025, Capcom’s samurai action revival is set in Edo-period Kyoto and is scheduled for release on December 31, 2026.
8 / 9
7. 007 First Light
IO Interactive officially unveiled its James Bond origin story game during Sony’s State of Play on June 4, 2025, announcing a 2026 release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
9 / 9
8. Pragmata
Capcom first announced its new sci-fi action-adventure IP in 2020 with a 2022 target, though the company recently confirmed its new release target of 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.