The year in gaming has once again seen no shortage of exceptionally high-quality releases and strong Game of the Year (GOTY) contenders. Looking ahead, there are many highly anticipated games scheduled to launch throughout 2026. How well will they ultimately score when they finally arrive?
Falling below that particular score threshold does not mean a game is not worth your valuable time. Millions of players regularly discover titles that entertain them for hours on end, provided they can overlook a few notable narrative or mechanical flaws. We will also be tracking those specific titles lower down on the page. For now, the entire focus here is strictly on the unmissable, must-play masterpieces.
To keep things as simple as possible for our readers, we have organized the games below alphabetically, grouped neatly by their final review scores.
Games Scoring a Perfect 9 (Superb)
Cairn
Cairn represents a spectacular new peak for mountain-climbing games, successfully fusing a vivid sense of environmental wonder with a lingering feeling of true peril. The core experience is entirely you against the unforgiving world as you guide the pro protagonist, Aava, up exceptionally steep cliffs. Throughout the journey, you must constantly search for that one reliable handhold that won’t spell certain doom the exact moment you shift your body weight.
With managing equilibrium being a key component of the gameplay, Cairn also knows exactly when to let players take a breath. It regularly offers beautiful moments of quiet reflection as a peaceful counterbalance to the times you hit a metaphorical—and literal—rock wall during your grueling ascent.
Platforms: PC, PS5
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
Major Diablo expansions are always a big deal in the community, as these massive add-ons have historically given rise to some of the absolute best moments in the entire franchise. Lord of Hatred can proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with legendary expansions like Lord of Destruction and Reaper of Souls. It brings fantastic quality-of-life improvements, a thrilling narrative, and two brand-new classes that make you feel like an absolute powerhouse.
The expansion brings Diablo 4’s sweeping Hatred Saga to an immensely satisfying conclusion. Meanwhile, the explosive fun of the new Warlock and Paladin classes is expertly honed by major, welcome changes made to the core gameplay loop.
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Esoteric Ebb
What exactly happens when you combine a traditional tabletop Dungeons & Dragons session with the unique mechanics of Disco Elysium? You get Esoteric Ebb, a charming fantasy game where sweat-inducing die rolls entirely govern your ultimate fate. Set within an original fantasy world that is absolutely brimming with personality, Esoteric Ebb is incredibly charming and surprisingly hilarious. You don the heavy chainmail of an absolute idiot who happens to possess a remarkable talent for magic, all wrapped up with a killer soundtrack.
Platforms: PC
Marathon
Marathon is admittedly a lot to take in the very first time you boot it up. However, if you stick with it, you will find a stellar extraction shooter that perfectly captures both the exhilarating highs and devastating lows of the genre. The art direction is an absolute visual feast, the gunplay packs an incredible punch, and there is a surprising amount of tactical depth hidden within each 20-minute excursion to Tau Ceti IV.
How Marathon will shape up over the long term remains to be seen, but Bungie has delivered an exciting game with strong fundamentals, rich world lore, and gameplay that could get even better with post-launch DLC drops.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Mewgenics
Offering all the pure joy of breeding a massive army of cats with absolutely none of the real-life responsibility of spending a fortune on food and kitty litter, Mewgenics is a challenging experience with unparalleled mechanical depth. The Binding of Isaac and The End is Nigh developers Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel have delivered an incredibly complex game. It beautifully balances the casual joy of managing an ever-growing collection of felines with the nail-biting, “just one more run” energy you expect from the best roguelites.
Platforms: PC
Mixtape
This year is undoubtedly going to go down as one of the best in history for video games with a distinct musical bend, thanks in large part to standout titles like Mixtape. Providing a sincere, nostalgic look at the horrors of growing up, Australian developer Beethoven & Dinosaur has crafted a heartfelt coming-of-age story. Music and memories collide in grand fashion, backed by one of the absolute best licensed soundtracks of the year so far.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
GameSpot
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection proves just how good a spin-off from a mainline gaming series can be when handled with care. This charming threequel checks multiple boxes for a great gaming experience, featuring a compelling story, a colorful cast of characters, and a flashy turn-based combat system. It successfully stands tall next to several of the best mainline entries in the franchise, cementing itself as an all-time classic Monster Hunter game.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Nioh 3
Team Ninja’s souls-like Nioh games have firmly established themselves as fast-paced, punishing, and deeply rewarding adventures. Nioh 3 doesn’t stray from that successful, established formula, but it does add compelling new features and refinements that sharpen the overall experience. With rock-solid combat, massive quality-of-life enhancements, and the introduction of a brilliant “open-field” design that adds a layer of exploration and discovery, Nioh 3 is Team Ninja at its absolute best.
Platforms: PC, PS5
Pokemon Pokopia
The idea of a Pokemon-themed cozy life simulator sounds like an interesting concept for a spin-off, and it is one that has been expertly realized in Pokemon Pokopia. It serves as a well-executed combination of the casual design sensibilities of Animal Crossing and Dragon Quest Builders, mixed with some clear Viva Piñata inspiration. The final result is an elegant, incredibly comforting celebration of the Pokemon franchise’s milestone 30th anniversary.
Platforms: Switch 2
Pragmata
Emerging as one of the top contenders for 2026’s Game of the Year, Pragmata is a refreshingly original IP in a modern landscape filled with endless sequels and remakes. It is certainly no one-trick pony; the constantly evolving hacking minigames, a heartfelt narrative, and challenging gameplay that escalates the more you play make for a standout experience on both PC and console.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Saros
Housemarque knows a thing or two about crafting roguelite bullet-hell adventures that keep you permanently glued to your screen. Saros builds beautifully on Returnal’s rock-solid foundation to deliver an absolute rollercoaster of fun and mechanical challenge. While it isn’t quite as completely unforgiving as Returnal, you should still prepare to die and try again as you master the exquisitely aggressive gameplay loop. The game successfully flips Housemarque’s established formula on its head, delivering an intoxicating rush of power when the stars align.
Platforms: PS5
Games Scoring an 8 (Great)
Big Hops
What exactly happens when Super Mario meets the expansive philosophy of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? You get Big Hops, which stands as one of the very first great games of 2026. A 3D platformer bursting with charm and heart, Big Hops keeps its core mechanics simple and highly polished as it confidently hops into vibrant worlds. That makes it an incredibly approachable game for players of all ages, offering a constantly satisfying adventure.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch
Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 doesn’t stray far from the open-world formula it has been meticulously fine-tuning since 2012, but it honestly doesn’t need to either. Instead, Forza Horizon’s gorgeous tour of Japan serves as a breathtaking celebration of car culture that is constantly rewarding and looks as stunning as a million-dollar supercar. The open-world spin-off series has officially become Microsoft’s champion racing franchise, and this entry fires on all cylinders with its mix of fast cars, wild showdown events, and intelligently designed progression systems.
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
The Caped Crusader is certainly no stranger to the world of Lego, having headlined several incredibly popular games in the past. However, this new entry is much more than just a standard toybox of destructible environments and cheeky humor. It acts as a massive celebration of Batman’s rich legacy, playing like the high-quality Arkham sequel fans have been waiting over a decade to experience. Full of heart and charm, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight keeps your eyes glued to the screen with highly enjoyable gameplay, hidden Easter eggs, and a playful take on Gotham’s vigilante.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Mario Tennis Fever
Mario has developed into quite the versatile sportsman over the years, and Mario Tennis Fever might just be his best athletic adventure yet. While the core mechanics of the tennis gameplay remain largely unchanged, it is the addition of the incredibly fun and flexible Fever Rackets that serve up great content, adding a layer of unpredictability to every match. Alongside the highly enjoyable Adventure Mode, unique challenges, and special game types, it is a grand slam winner for console owners.
Platforms: Switch 2
Mouse: P.I. For Hire
With a stylized game like Mouse: P.I. For Hire, visual looks absolutely matter. Those looks are delivered as an exquisite throwback to the iconic rubber hose aesthetic of classic 1930s cartoons, wrapped tightly in a gritty film noir atmosphere. Far from being just a visually engaging novelty, Mouse: P.I. For Hire also flexes some beefy gameplay muscles, featuring highly kinetic gunplay and creative weapons that deliver gloriously silly slapstick violence.
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2, Switch
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf sticks close to the winning formula established by the original indie hit, giving players a staggeringly beautiful world to explore thanks to its strong art direction and fantastic cinematic soundtrack. While it admittedly takes a bit of time for the narrative to truly get going, the second half of this adventure is a bold, stunning collection of fascinating puzzles and platforming built around a central mystery.
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2, Switch
Reanimal
Critics of modern co-op horror games often argue that the intense terror of the original Little Nightmares has been somewhat muted in its direct sequels. If you share that feeling, you will absolutely want to check out Reanimal. More than living up to the genre’s legacy, this spiritual successor surpasses it with an unsettling world design that makes exploration thoroughly enjoyable. While the environmental puzzles aren’t overly challenging, the nightmarish imagery leaves a lasting impression.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Resident Evil Requiem
Imagine Resident Evil’s greatest historical hits bundled into one delightfully macabre, polished package, and you have Resident Evil Requiem. Serving as a spectacular highlight reel of the heart-pounding horror and action that has defined the iconic series for 30 years, Requiem beautifully refines the classic survival-horror formula. It polishes the experience with small but thoughtful gameplay additions to create a gorgeously gruesome time.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Vampire Crawlers
Roguelike deckbuilders can easily feel like an oversaturated genre these days, but Vampire Survivors developer Poncle puts a brilliant fresh spin on the concept with an addictive spin-off game. Capturing all the bullet-heaven magic of its original breakout hit and reimagining it as an approachable deckbuilder that gets better with every single run, Vampire Crawlers delivers an intense “just one more turn” energy that will keep you awake way past your bedtime.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
World of Warcraft: Midnight
Midnight marks the 11th major expansion for World of Warcraft, and it continues to implement massive foundational changes to Blizzard’s legendary MMO. Packed with enough fresh content to cater equally to veteran players and returning newcomers, Midnight builds great momentum. It introduces challenging new endgame activities, welcome overhauls to the user interface, and a robust player housing system that gives you the opportunity to turn a slice of Azeroth into a dream home.
Platforms: PC
WWE 2K26
WWE 2K26 doesn’t offer a massive overhaul to the bread-and-butter simulation gameplay of previous annual releases, but this year’s entry in the long-running sports entertainment series does successfully address a long list of legacy issues. A clear focus on quality-of-life improvements makes each match feel smoother and more fun than ever before. Added layers of mechanical polish, brand-new match types, an extensive story mode focused on CM Punk, and an overhauled Island mode put WWE 2K26 firmly in the main event spotlight.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch 2
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies
Any spiritual successor aiming to replicate the magic of Disco Elysium certainly has its work cut out for it. While Zero Parades: For Dead Spies doesn’t quite reach that legendary narrative benchmark, it remains a powerhouse spy thriller full of incredibly interesting ideas. Featuring razor-sharp writing and deeply fascinating characters, Zero Parades delivers a clandestine tale of espionage backed by rich RPG systems that encourage you to creatively fail upwards.
Platforms: PC