The most anticipated games of 2026 are already taking shape on the gaming horizon, promising a year packed with adventures. With the dust barely settled from the 2025 Game Awards, the attention of the gaming community and specialized media — like the team at Tom's Guide — is turning to the next 12 months. In 2026, a diverse lineup of titles for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and Xbox Series X/S awaits players, with releases ranging from blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto VI to brand-new intellectual properties from acclaimed studios. The significance of this calendar is huge, as it represents the evolution of the industry and the materialization of projects announced years ago — some marked by delays that only heighten the anticipation.
How this selection was made follows a clear editorial criterion: the Tom's Guide team gathered the personal picks of its experts, resulting in a curated list that spans all genres and platforms. The importance of these releases lies not only in their entertainment value but also in their potential to set technical and narrative trends for the next generation. From the long-awaited return of Lara Croft in a modern reimagining to FromSoftware's new multiplayer venture, the year promises experiences for those seeking immersive stories as well as fans of competitive action. In this way, 2026 shapes up to be a crucial year for solidifying the current console cycle and showcasing the power of the anticipated Switch 2.
From action to horror: something for everyone
The list of anticipated games for 2026 is a true buffet of experiences. On one hand, established franchises are set to return in full force, such as Resident Evil Requiem, which takes players back to Raccoon City in February, and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a complete rebuild of the 1996 classic. But fans of new IPs also have plenty of reasons to be excited. Studios like Housemarque, of Returnal fame, are preparing Saros, a spiritual successor promising frantic action, while FromSoftware is betting on The Duskbloods, a PvPvE experience featuring vampires on the Nintendo Switch 2. Additionally, IO Interactive aims to finally do justice to the James Bond mythos with 007: First Light, a spy game slated for a May release.
And we can't ignore the two elephants in the room: Grand Theft Auto VI and Marvel's Wolverine. The former is the successor to one of the biggest pop culture phenomena, in development for 13 years at Rockstar, and is expected to dominate conversations late in the year. The latter, from Insomniac Games — the studio behind the excellent Spider-Man games — promises a violent, mature take on the most famous mutant, exclusively for PS5. So no matter your platform or favorite genre, 2026 seems determined to offer something special. The wait for many of these projects has been long, but if previews and trailers are any indication, the year will deliver rewards worthy of fans' patience.