13 Most Anticipated Games of 2026 for PS5, Switch 2, PC, and Xbox

The most anticipated games of 2026 are already appearing on the horizon, promising a year packed with adventure. With the dust barely settled from the 2025 Game of the Year awards, the gaming community and outlets like the team at Tom's Guide are already looking ahead 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, ranging from massive blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto VI to new IPs from acclaimed studios. The significance of this calendar is immense, as it represents the evolution of the industry and the culmination of projects announced years ago—some delayed, which has only heightened the anticipation.

The process behind this selection follows a clear editorial standard: the Tom's Guide team gathered personal picks from their experts, resulting in a curation that spans every genre and platform. The importance of these releases lies not just in their entertainment value, but 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 gamble, the year promises to deliver experiences for both narrative-driven players and competitive action fans. In this sense, 2026 stands as a pivotal year to solidify the current console cycle and showcase the power of the upcoming Switch 2.

From action to horror: a variety for every taste

The list of anticipated games for 2026 is a true buffet of experiences. On one hand, established franchises are returning in full force, such as Resident Evil Requiem, which brings players back to Raccoon City in February, and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a complete rebuild of the 1996 classic. However, fans of new experiences have plenty to be excited about as well. Studios like Housemarque, of Returnal fame, are preparing Saros, a spiritual successor that promises frenetic action, while FromSoftware is betting on The Duskbloods, a PvPvE vampire experience for the Nintendo Switch 2. Additionally, IO Interactive aims to finally do justice to the James Bond mythos with 007: First Light, a spy thriller slated for a May release.

Furthermore, we cannot 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 history—in development at Rockstar for 13 years—and is expected to dominate the conversation by the end of the year. The latter, coming from Insomniac Games, the studio behind the excellent Spider-Man titles, promises a gritty, mature take on the most famous mutant, exclusive to PS5. So, regardless of your platform or favorite genre, 2026 seems determined to offer something special. The wait for many of these projects has been long, but if the previews and trailers are anything to go by, the year will reward fans for their patience.