For AAA gaming, the highest of 2026 certain appears lots like the highest of 2025. Xbox is rebooting Fable. Bungie is rebooting Marathon. Captain America and Black Panther are headlining a Marvel sport. And every thing beneath the solar has to interrupt by beneath a Grand Theft Auto 6-sized shadow.
However the lesson of 2025, if there was one, was that indie video games are greater than up for filling the void — and the present online game launch calendar means that pattern will proceed into 2026. This 12 months, count on to see long-awaited follow-ups from the builders of Shovel Knight, Vampire Survivors, and The Binding of Isaac. Slay the Spire is lastly getting its sequel (RIP free time). Annapurna Interactive has a minimum of 5 visually hanging video games with revolutionary techniques in its 2026 pipeline.
Even the big-budget house is forging forward in uncharted territory: a brand new James Bond sport, a recent RPG from ex-Witcher devs, a stab at a Wolverine sport. Capcom is poised to dominate the 12 months, with entries in a few of its largest (and smallest) franchises, and what little Nintendo has shared to this point about its plans teases a continuation of the off-beat power that outlined the Swap 2’s launch 12 months.
Sooner or later into 2026, and we’re already exhausted — and excited! Herewith, as chosen by Polygon’s writers and editors, are the 50 most anticipated video games of 2026. What number of will make it to market? Nicely. Let’s test again in a 12 months.
1
007 First Gentle
Launch date: Could 27
The place to play: PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox Sequence X
GoldenEye apart, James Bond video games are not often good, however there are a few causes to suspect that IO Interactive’s take might be a minimize above the historic precedent. First, the happenstance of its timing — with Daniel Craig’s Bond years within the rearview, and Denis Villeneuve’s years sooner or later — offers the sport an enviable quantity of room to set up its personal id. Second, IO has pedigree, the liberty of self-published independence, and really related expertise because the kings of luxurious sneaking with the Hitman video games. Greatest case? That is the Batman: Arkham Asylum of Bond video games. —Oli Welsh
2
Ace Fight 8: Wings of Theve
Launch date: TBA
The place to play: PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox Sequence X
When you’ve by no means actually thought of Bandai Namco’s flight simulator collection earlier than, you’re most likely going to this 12 months. Following an exhilarating reveal on the 2025 Sport Awards, Ace Fight 8: Wings of Theve appears poised to raise a distinct segment collection to mainstream standing in 2026. The robust emphasis on its melodramatic story in its debut trailer feels prefer it’s designed for a post-High Gun: Maverick world. Flight simulators are a tricky promote exterior of the style’s most loyal followers, however I get the sense that in the present day’s Tom Cruise-worshipping gamers may simply be hungry for some high-octane dogfights. —Giovanni Colantonio
3
Blood of Dawnwalker
Launch date: TBA
The place to play: PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox Sequence X
Darkish fantasy followers, this open-world RPG is for you. The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by former CD Projekt Crimson staffers, is about in a medieval realm inhabited by people and vampires alike, and also you occur to be in each camps. It is an fascinating setup for quests, however beware that they seem to be a bit… totally different from what you are used to, as there isn’t any such factor as a “predominant quest” on this sport. Full vampiric freedom — appears like one thing you’d wish to sink your tooth into, does not it? —Marloes Valentina Stella
4
Bradley the Badger
Launch date: TBA
The place to play: Home windows PC
There are a number of video games you may describe as a “love letter” to different video games. Bradley the Badger is seeking to go one step additional: It’s a love letter to the artwork of making video games. Maybe a non secular successor to Conker’s Unhealthy Fur Day on some ranges, the upcoming platformer stars a wise-cracking mammal who doesn’t simply soar around the globe, but additionally applications his means by it. There’s a mysterious meta narrative to all of it, that appears prefer it’ll inform the story of an artist attempting to create the very sport you’re taking part in. As a cherry on prime, it options loads of references to video video games, like Bloodborne and The Final of Us. —Giovanni Colantonio
5
Cairn
Launch date: Jan. 29
The place to play: PlayStation 5, Home windows PC
Mountain climbing is without doubt one of the nice, underdeveloped premises for video video games. It’s often been accomplished effectively earlier than: within the easy fantasy exploration of Jusant, or the turn-based mountaineering ways of Insurmountable. Cairn is a hardcore, real looking, survivalist take: You must rigorously handle your energy, relaxation time, and sources like meals and pitons, in addition to manually choose each hand- and foothold, as you mount a freeform ascent of an intimidating peak. Like these different video games — and like the game itself — Cairn guarantees a rhythmic, meditative, solo problem. —Oli Welsh
6
Code Vein 2
Launch date: Jan. 30
The place to play: PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox Sequence X
At first, we have been just a little stunned that this anime Soulslike managed to get itself a sequel. Nevertheless, Bandai Namco’s clearly placing in a serious effort with this one, promising improved fight, a richer open world to discover, and time-travel hijinks. It’s indirectly related to the primary sport, so consider it as a gentle reboot. —Jen Glennon
7
Espresso Speak Tokyo
Launch date: March 5
The place to play: Swap, PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox Sequence S, Xbox Sequence X
Espresso Speak Tokyo follows the identical premise as its predecessor. You run a espresso store, and also you get to know your prospects by making their favourite drink with skilled precision and listening to their issues. However it’s, after all, set in Tokyo, and that opens up an entire new vary of potential personalities and issues to deal with, like burned-out workplace employees and folk attempting to determine tips on how to begin a brand new life after their outdated one falls aside (actually in a single case, with a newly useless patron who’s simply starting her afterlife). —Josh Broadwell
8
Management Resonant
Launch date: TBA
The place to play: PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox Sequence X
Following its disappointing FBC: Firebreak, Treatment Leisure is seeking to get again to what it does finest in 2026. Nicely, possibly? Management Resonant will lastly give us a correct sequel to 2019’s glorious Management, giving gamers the sort of out-there, single-player expertise they’ve come to count on out of Treatment. However what’s thrilling about it isn’t that it’s a dependable sequel to a terrific sport; it’s that it’s seemingly throwing its predecessor right into a blender. Moderately than making one other third-person telekinetic shooter starring Jesse Faden, Resonant mainly appears like Satan Could Cry set in New York Metropolis. We don’t know how effectively it’ll work, however Treatment’s very best quality is its willingness to attempt new issues. —Giovanni Colantonio
9
Crimson Desert
Launch date: March 19
The place to play: PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox Sequence X
Crimson Desert appears just like the final hurrah of the “let’s make a sport so massive solely 10 individuals will ever end it” design period. It appears completely gigantic, extra like Pearl Abyss’ MMO, Black Desert On-line, and it additionally appears bizarre. Clockwork dragons, little spacecraft-looking issues that shoot hearth, deer-headed warriors, and shadow demons all exist collectively, as a result of why would not they? And that is the sort of inside logic that I am hoping will make Crimson Desert as fascinating because the promise sounds. —Josh Broadwell
10
Denshattack!
Launch date: TBA
The place to play: PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox Sequence X
In Denshattack!, you’ll be able to kickflip a practice. That phrase alone needs to be sufficient to promote this 3D platformer about conducting a practice, through which you grind your means by railroads that criss-cross Japan, bringing new which means (and envy, for American gamers) to the time period “excessive pace rail.” Jet Set Radio-inspired visuals and a story about toppling a corrupt megacorp put it on the specific observe to greatness. I’m all aboard. —Ari Notis
