GTA 6 is without doubt one of the most hyped video games of all time and headlines a packed 2026 gaming line-up (Image: Rockstar Games/AFP by way of Getty Ima)
After 12 months in gaming that included among the most hyped video games of all time, 2025 goes to be a tough act to observe. We players have been blessed with long-awaited sequels which have been within the works for years.
The likes of Hollow Knight: Silksong and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond each lastly arrived, and we additionally received some improbable new IPs like Game of the Year winner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Needless to say, 2026 goes to need to be fairly particular if it is going to be anyplace close to pretty much as good as 2025.
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Thankfully, there are some main releases coming over the close to 12 months, together with the return of a number of big-name franchises.
Of course, all eyes are on Grand Theft Auto 6, which regardless of being pushed again time and time once more, appears virtually sure to see the sunshine of day earlier than 2026 ends. The new Resident Evil sport appears to be like to deliver the franchise again to its Racoon City origins, hopefully persevering with a flurry of wonderful entries within the long-running horror sequence.
So with out additional ado, listed here are ten of 2026’s most hotly-anticipated video games – and why you ought to be enthusiastic about them.
GTA 6 must be arriving in 2026 – at lengthy, lengthy final (Image: Rockstar Games)
GTA 6
Where else are you able to begin discussing 2026’s most anticipated video games? GTA 6 has received an award twice in a row for being simply that, by no means thoughts the actual fact its lengthy improvement time has turn into a meme.
Having been deliberate to return out in 2025, GTA 6 was pushed again by Rockstar Games to May 2026 earlier than being delayed additional to November. It means there might be a 13-year hole since GTA 5 was launched again in 2013.
The newest entry within the sequence will deliver gamers again to the fictional state of Leonida, a satirical tackle Florida, and the long-lasting Vice City with it. The sport’s story options two protagonists, Jason and Lucia, however at present we’re mild on particulars as to what precisely the pair will rise up to.
GTA 6 releases on November 19 (hopefully) on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
007 First Light might have been delayed however followers will not have to attend till the summer time to play (Image: IO Interactive)
007 First Light
James Bond is heading again to our consoles and PC as soon as once more – though the upcoming shooter was additionally pushed again by devs. Initially deliberate for March 27, IO Interactive introduced that it’ll now land on May 27.
Set throughout Bond’s early days, First Light will characteristic a wholesome mixture of motion and stealth with missions happening everywhere in the world. It may also have a star-studded solid to help the narrative, with Gemma Chan and Lenny Kravitz becoming a member of Patrick Gibson as the primary man.
007 First Light releases on May 27 on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
Can Insomniac Games observe up their Spider-Man saga with a success in Marvel’s Wolverine? (Image: Insomniac Games)
Marvel’s Wolverine
The best-known X-Men member might need been featured in a ton of video games over the many years, however Insomniac’s crack on the adamantium-infused hero is a uncommon solo journey for Logan. After the studio’s good Spider-Man video games, the hype for Wolverine could be very, very actual.
Unfortunately, the developer has been retaining playing cards very, very near its chest on this one. We do know that it’ll characteristic a variety of iconic Wolverine areas like Madripoor and Tokyo.
Marvel lovers will relish seeing the likes of Mystique and Omega Red within the sport, too. But it stays to be seen if any of the identical mechanics will carry over from Spider-Man, as Wolverine as soon as once more tackles his secret previous.
Marvel’s Wolverine is due for launch in Autumn 2026 solely on PS5
Pragmata will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2026 (Image: Capcom)
pragmatic
Capcom will launch a brand new IP in 2026 – and that alone is value getting enthusiastic about. Pragmata is a sci-fi thriller set within the close to future and can supply a dual-character perspective.
Players will management both spaceman Hugh Williams, who wakes up alone on a analysis station, or Diana, a secretive android. The pair battle a hostile AI controlling the station in a bid to return to Earth.
Pragmata releases on April 24 on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
FromSoftware will observe up Elden Ring with a Switch 2 unique in 2026 (Image: FromSoftware)
The Duskbloods
The announcement that the minds behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Elden Ring have been making a Nintendo Switch 2 unique was actually one of many larger surprises of 2025. Here’s hoping the top result’s much less of a shock, at the least when it comes to high quality.
Indeed, it appears unfathomable that The Duskbloods might be something apart from good. An motion RPG that can supply each PvP and PvE gameplay with a trademark darkish fantasy setting seems like one other traditional within the making by FromSoftware.
The Duskbloods might be launched on a date TBC solely on Nintendo Switch 2
Leon returns in Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth instalment within the horror motion sequence (Image: Capcom)
Resident Evil Requiem
Heading again to Raccoon City is a becoming choice in a 12 months that marks Resident Evil’s thirtieth anniversary. Requiem will see fan favorite character Leon Kennedy make his return to the sequence, as he and newcomer Grace Ashcroft embark on a horrifying journey.
The ninth essential Resident Evil instalment will mix survival horror and motion very similar to current titles within the sequence. FBI analyst Grace might be pursued by a monster all through the story, not dissimilar to Resident Evil Village. This will result in a extra stealthy expertise in comparison with Leon’s action-heavy gameplay.
Resident Evil Requiem might be launched on February 27 on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
High on Life 2 guarantees extra crass humour regardless of a big departure from the mission (Image: Squanch Games)
High on Life 2
The follow-up to the viral 2022 sport High on Life is coming straight to Xbox Game Pass on day one – in addition to arriving on PS5 and PC. From the thoughts behind cult TV sequence Rick and Morty, the trademark absurdist humour will return although creator Justin Roiland is not concerned with the mission.
Set 5 years after the unique sport, the bounty hunter protagonist is now tasked with taking down huge pharma to save lots of his sister. Expect extra jokes, weapons, dialogue decisions and mechanics like skateboarding as a substitute of sprinting.
High on Life 2 might be launched on February 13 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S and is an Xbox Game Pass Day One launch.
Saros is certainly one of many PS5 exclusives deliberate for 2026 (Image: Housemarque)
saros
As introduced throughout The Game Awards earlier this month, Saros is coming to PS5 in Spring 2026. The action-based roguelike is the non secular successor of Returnal, top-of-the-line of the style lately.
Trailers supply up a Dune-esque setting for essential character Arjun Devraj, who appears to be caught in a time loop whereas making an attempt to finish his mission on the shape-shifting planet of Carcosa. Saros appears to be like like it is going to be one other atmospheric romp with loads of thriller and must be on each PlayStation proprietor’s wishlist for 2026.
Saros might be launched on April 30 solely on PS5
Control Resonant provides a contemporary perspective on the story that began in 2019’s hit Control (Image: Remedy Entertainment)
Control Resonant
Seen by builders Remedy Entertainment as extra of a ‘sibling’ than sequel to the wildly common 2019 shooter Control, Resonant locations gamers within the sneakers of Dylan Faden, as he explores another model of Manhattan. Stepping away from the third-person shooter format of the unique, Resonant is as a substitute mooted as being extra of an motion RPG.
Gameplay revolves round utilizing supernatural skills and manipulating the setting throughout fight, in addition to navigating a warped NYC to unravel the paranormal mysteries on the coronary heart of the story. Expect extra mind-bending experiences as Dylan searches for sister Jesse, the unique protagonist of Control.
Control Resonant is predicted to launch throughout a date TBC in 2026 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Gears of War: E-Day is more likely to land on PS5 in addition to PC and Xbox in 2026 (Image: Xbox Game Studios/The Coaltion)
Gears of War: E-Day
Throwing all of it the way in which again to the very starting of the Gears saga, E-Day takes place in the beginning of the Locust War and places gamers again within the sneakers of youthful Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago. This prequel to one of many largest shooter franchises in trendy gaming is thrilling not least as a result of it might nicely be a uncommon Gears of War sport to reach on PS5 inside months of its PC and Xbox launch.
Coming 20 years after the primary Gears sport, E-Day is ready in a brand new location for the sequence, Kalona, and focuses on the brotherhood between Marcus and Dom. Not solely have builders promised an “intimate” story, however there might be an even bigger deal with the horror features of preventing the Locust Horde.
Gears of War: E-Day is because of launch on a date TBC in 2026, with confirmed launch on PC and Xbox Series X in addition to an anticipated later launch on PS5.
https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/2152062/2026-most-anticipated-games-gta