? The gaming calendar for 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in years, with major franchises making long-awaited returns, and fresh IPs promising to push the medium forward. Here’s what has us counting down the days.

The one everyone’s waiting for: Grand Theft Auto VI remains the year’s most eagerly awaited release (for the second year in a row). After over a decade since GTA V and three years since its announcement, Rockstar’s return to Vice City has generated unprecedented hype. The game’s dual protagonists, Jason and Lucia, mark a first for the series with a playable female lead. Most games are already steering clear of the weeks around GTA VI’s launch.

PlayStation’s big bet: Marvel’s Wolverine arrives exclusively on PS5 in Fall 2026. Developed by Insomniac Games — the studio behind the beloved Spider-Man franchise — the game follows Logan across Madripoor, Canada, and Tokyo in a darker, more brutal take than fans might expect from the studio. While you wait, you can indulge in Death Stranding 2, which launched on PS5 in June of last year, with an expected PC port early this year. The PC version is expected to feature ray tracing enhancements and DLSS support.

Action game heavyweights: Phantom Blade Zero is launching in the Fall on both PS5 and PC simultaneously. The hardcore wuxia game has drawn comparisons to Black Myth: Wukong, with its stunning Chinese fantasy setting and rapid martial arts combat. Crimson Desert will finally be getting its moment in March, promising dragon-flying, mech-piloting, and Devil May Cry-style combat in a dark fantasy setting. And Resident Evil Requiem (effectively RE9) drops at the end of February, returning to Raccoon City with a new protagonist.

Super spies: 007 First Light from Hitman developer IO Interactive launches at the end of May. The game follows a 26-year-old James Bond earning his license to kill, blending IO’s signature stealth-sandbox approach with cinematic set pieces and car chases.

Xbox and PC highlights: Fable is set to release at some point in 2026 after being delayed from its 2025 window. Playground Games’ reboot promises a return to Albion with combat reportedly similar to The Witcher 3. Gears of War: E-Day remains confirmed for 2026 as of publication, though a specific timing hasn’t been announced.

Indies and expansions worth noting: Hollow Knight: Silksong released to great acclaim last September, and Team Cherry has already announced a free expansion called Sea of Sorrow set for 2026. Pragmata, Capcom’s mysterious sci-fi project, lands in April. While Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred — the expansion dedicated to Mephisto — is set to follow.

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