We’re closing out on the first quarter of 2026, and releases like Resident Evil Requiem suggest that the year is going to be a blockbuster one for major AAA titles. While some of these games are set to be PlayStation exclusives, others will be available on all popular platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2.
Over the past few years, AAA game releases have been underwhelming, with many PS5 exclusive titles not meeting the pre-launch hype after their release. Even on PC, launch day bugs have invited the ire of players around the globe. That hasn’t been the case so far, so it’ll be worth seeing how the rest of the year pans out with the following releases.
Key Takeaways
- From Forza Horizon 6 to GTA 6, 2026 features some major releases.
- Most of these games are set to arrive on every platform, but some of them could be platform exclusives at launch.
- Some of these games could also be available on Xbox Game Pass, so there’s a chance that you might be able to play without purchasing them, as long as you have a subscription.
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
The most anticipated games of 2026 span across multiple genres. Some of them have already been showcased last year at Gamescom or even The Game Awards, and have managed to attract the audience based on their gameplay and action sequences. Although it’s hard to judge the quality of a game based on just the trailer or showcased content, some of these games have been in development for a while, so it’s not wrong to expect them to be anything short of spectacular.
Grand Theft Auto 6
GTA 6 has been in development for a while now, and it’s been twice that Rockstar has postponed the release date. The developers have released only two trailers so far, and that has created a buzz that hasn’t been seen before so far.
From a vast city to multiple playable characters, GTA 6 is probably one of the most anticipated titles of this year. There has been a lot of hype around this game ever since it was announced, so it’ll be worth seeing if it’s able to live up to the reputation that it has created for itself.
Control Resonant
Remedy’s space-time bending action is back once again this year in the form of Control Resonant. While many believed this to be a soulslike entry, it’s unlikely to fall within the boundaries of that genre.
For this title, you’ll be put in the shoes of Dylan Faden, the younger brother of the first game’s protagonist, Jesse Faden. Although he was central to the plot in the previous title, having him as the playable character in Resonant is bound to give the series a fresh feel.
Marvel’s Wolverine
From the studio that gave us the Spider-Man titles comes another mutant adventure behind one of the most popular characters in the X-Men universe. Marvel’s Wolverine will be a PlayStation 5 exclusive at launch, with a potential PC release at a later date.
Yes, there’s been a Wolverine game back in the day, but it flew under the radar, so Insomniac is likely to try and build on the hype that the character has been receiving over the past few years.
Forza Horizon 6
For sim racing fans, 2026 is going to be a massive year, thanks to the latest Forza entry coming in later this year. With Need For Speed temporarily on hold, Forza Horizon is the only franchise that racing fans have to turn to. This year, Forza Horizon heads to Japan and will explore the vibrant car culture the country is known for.
Set to release later this year, Horizon 6 will feature iconic cars and locations for you to explore. You’ll also have the opportunity to use the massive roster of customization options to build the racing machine of your dreams. However, there’s a chance that it’ll be very hardware-intensive, so you might need a high-end system to run this game effortlessly.
007 First Light
The wait for 007 First Light has been excruciating. Now, IO Interactive announced this title back in 2020, but very little has been revealed about it since then. Fast forward to 2026, and the studio behind the Hitman franchise is finally pulling the curtains off their upcoming action shooter title.
In this game, you’ll be following the footsteps of a young James Bond, who hasn’t earned the 007 status yet, so it will give you a brand new look into the world of a spy with a cult-like following in pop culture.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
I’ve been a huge fan of the Batman Arkham series, so personally, I do have a lot of expectations from the Legacy of the Dark Knight. Yes, this has a LEGO twist to it, but it’s that very aesthetic that makes it a bit more appealing.
Given that there haven’t been many Batman games of late, there’s a void that hopefully LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight needs to fill. A lot is riding on this game, and it’s something that almost every Batman fan on the planet is looking forward to.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is one of the most anticipated DLCs that’s scheduled to launch in April this year. Diablo is a very popular action RPG, and it’s been a while since the game saw a brand new DLC.
This expansion will continue the story from where Vessel of Hatred left off, and will follow the footsteps of Mephisto, who’s currently taken over the body of Akarat. This new DLC is expected to bring forth new classes too, expanding the current roster of available characters for you to select from. It should bring back more players into Sanctuary, as everyone gears up to face one of the deadliest Prime Evils.
Wolfhound
If you prefer side-scrolling Metroidvanias, then Wolfhound is the perfect one for you. This game was scheduled to release last year, but for whatever reason, it didn’t hit the stores. It’s expected to be released this year, but there’s no release date so far.
The aesthetic of this title is very similar to the 2D Prince of Persia games, so it’s meant for a very niche audience. That aside, considering that the game features pixelated graphics, you don’t need a very powerful system to run it. Set during World War II, this game will transport you into an Axis Base deep within the Bermuda Triangle, and you’ll need to shoot your way out of it. It does have promise, but it’ll have to be released to make a good impact.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls
For all the fighting game fans out there, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is something that you can look forward to. Coming from the developers behind the Guilty Gear series, this game features characters from the Marvel universe.
It’s unclear if it’ll follow any particular storyline like the Injustice games, but that’s something to keep an eye out for. Sony choosing to partner with Marvel for a 2.5D fighting game stems from the success that the company had with the three Spider-Man games, all of which were PlayStation exclusives at launch. Considering that the fighting game audience is large, it might not be locked to a single console at launch.
Subnautica 2
If you’re into open-world survival games, then Subnautica 2 is something that you should be looking forward to. Despite being the third game in the franchise, this is the first one to feature co-op multiplayer and supports up to four players at the same time.
From new vehicles and creatures to a unique DNA modification system, the game will launch in early-access on PC and the Xbox Series X and S. It’s believed that the game won’t be available on PlayStation 5 at launch, making it an Xbox exclusive. Given the multiplayer aspects, there was a lot of backlash initially about microtransactions, but the developers have confirmed that there won’t be any live-service elements associated with it.
Every single game on this list is unique in what it has to offer players. 2026 is also a year that is stacked with games across multiple genres, so even if you don’t like one entry, there’s something else that you can potentially look forward to. Most of these games are premium AAA titles, so you might have to spend quite an amount to get your hands on all of them. However, given how popular the Xbox Game Pass has become, there’s a chance that you might find some of these releases as a part of your monthly subscription.
Either way, you shouldn’t restrict yourself to one genre. If you have a Game Pass subscription, it’ll let you try out different games this year, without having to spend too much out of your pocket.
FAQs
Will these games be available on PS5 and Xbox?
Most of these games will be available on PS5 and Xbox, barring the console exclusives. For example, Marvel Tokon could be a PlayStation 5 exclusive, so you might not see it on the Xbox. Forza, on the other hand, could be an Xbox exclusive, so chances of seeing it on the PlayStation 5 at launch are slim.
What is the 40-second rule in gaming?
The 40-second rule in gaming suggests that in an open-world game, players need to encounter something interesting or something lootable every 40 seconds that they explore an area.
Will the 2026 games support cross-platform multiplayer?
Yes, most 2026 games are likely to support cross-platform multiplayer. Some of them might also follow a live-service model, allowing players across different platforms to play together. Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is a prime example of this.
