Trying to work out what’s actually worth playing in 2026? This is our running pick of the year’s best new games, updated every month as more launch, with a take on each: what it is, who it’s for and the one thing to know before you buy. No hype, no filler, just the games we’d actually tell a friend to play.
Last updated: June 2026. Prices are U.S. list prices as of June 2026. Sales and regional pricing vary.
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The Verdict: 2026 has been a strong year for sequels and revivals. If you only have time for one game, make it Resident Evil Requiem, the year’s most acclaimed release so far (just bring a strong stomach).
If you only play one right now: Resident Evil Requiem. It’s the most critically praised game of 2026 so far and a genuinely great entry point if you’ve been curious about the series. Just know it’s full-blooded survival horror, not a casual evening.
April 2026
Saros
PS5 · April 2026 · $69.99 · From the Returnal studio
Saros is Housemarque’s follow-up to the cult favourite Returnal, trading its predecessor’s alien jungle for a hostile mining colony on a distant planet, where you play investigator Arjun Devraj. It keeps the studio’s trademark blend of slick, bullet-hell-adjacent combat, gorgeous effects work and moody sci-fi atmosphere, all running buttery-smooth. If you loved the tense “one more run” feel of Returnal, this is squarely for you. The caveat is the same as ever with Housemarque: it is hard, and that difficulty won’t suit everyone.
February 2026
Resident Evil Requiem
PS5 · Xbox Series X/S · PC · February 2026 · $69.99 · 2026’s best-reviewed game so far
Requiem follows Grace Ashcroft, a young FBI analyst pulled into a case tangled up with her own mother’s death. It’s classic Resident Evil tension: scarce resources, creeping dread and set-pieces that genuinely earn their scares, wrapped in Capcom’s now-reliable modern presentation. The standout is its pacing: it knows exactly when to let you breathe and when to pull the rug out. Critics have been overwhelmingly positive, and it lands for series veterans and total newcomers alike. The only real caveat is the obvious one: it’s properly frightening, so horror-averse players should sit this one out. It’s also discounted often. We’ve seen it as low as $55.99 in storefront sales, so a little patience can save you money.
Survival horror lives and dies on its sound design, and a decent headset makes a real difference for catching every creak behind you. Something like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova line is a popular pick. Check price on Amazon.
Nioh 3
PS5 · PC · February 2026 · $69.99 · Team Ninja’s deepest action-RPG yet
The Nioh series has always been for players who want soulslike challenge with far more combat depth, and Nioh 3 leans into that hard with its stance-based, loot-driven brawling. Mastering its rhythm, switching stances mid-fight, managing ki, punishing enemy openings, is the whole appeal and it’s deeply satisfying once it clicks. If you’ve finished Elden Ring and crave something with even more systems to chew on, this is it. New players, though, should expect a genuinely steep climb and keep an eye out for sales; it dips into the $50 range regularly. Loved it? See our guide to games like Elden Ring.
More of 2026’s best so far
A few more standouts worth your attention this year:
Forza Horizon 6
Xbox Series X/S · PC · 2026 · $69.99 (included with Game Pass) · The friendliest open-world racer, now in Japan
Forza Horizon 6 moves the series’ sun-soaked festival to a gorgeously varied digital Japan, from neon-lit cities to fog-wrapped mountain passes and cherry-blossom backroads. As ever, it’s endlessly approachable: dial the assists up and just cruise or turn them off and chase serious driving mastery. It’s one of the easiest games to recommend to literally anyone with a controller, and if you have Game Pass, it’s included at no extra cost. The only knock is familiarity: if you’ve played a recent Horizon, you already know the rhythm.
Mina the Hollower
PC · consoles · 2026 · $19.99 · Retro action-adventure from the Shovel Knight team
From Yacht Club Games, Mina the Hollower is a top-down action-adventure that fuses classic Game Boy-era aesthetics with Zelda-like exploration and a dash of soulslike bite. It oozes the same craftsmanship and personality that made Shovel Knight a modern classic, right down to its chunky pixel art and catchy chiptune-adjacent score. At $19.99 it’s deliberately priced to be an easy yes. The studio has said as much, and it’s ideal if you love tight, characterful retro design with modern polish. Players hoping for cutting-edge visuals should know the throwback look is the whole point.
Mixtape
PC · consoles · 2026 · $19.99 (on Game Pass) · A heartfelt, music-driven coming-of-age story
Mixtape follows three friends on the night before they graduate and go their separate ways in a small ’90s California town, with a hand-picked soundtrack driving the whole experience. It’s short, personal and far more about mood and memory than mechanics or challenge. If narrative gems like Life is Strange are your thing, this is an easy yes at twenty bucks and it’s on Game Pass too. Players after long runtimes or tough gameplay should look elsewhere: this is a vibe, not a grind.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
PC · consoles · 2026 · $69.99 · Arkham-style action with the charm of Lego
This one swaps the usual lighthearted Lego formula for something closer to the Batman: Arkham games, complete with one of the most detailed open-world Gotham cities the brand has ever built. It’s a great pick for families and for Batman fans who want stylish action with a sense of humour. As with most Lego games, expect plenty of collect-a-thon repetition if you chase full completion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best game of 2026 so far?
By critical reception, Resident Evil Requiem is the standout of 2026 to date. If horror isn’t your thing, Forza Horizon 6 is the most broadly accessible pick on this list.
How often is this list updated?
Monthly. We add the notable new releases each month and refresh the top pick, and we re-check the prices while we’re at it, so it’s worth bookmarking and checking back rather than hunting down a fresh article each time.
Are these games on Game Pass or PS Plus?
Some are. Forza Horizon 6 and Mixtape are on Game Pass right now. Subscription line-ups change constantly, though, so check the current Game Pass and PS Plus catalogues before paying full price.
Related reads
- The Biggest Reveals from Summer Game Fest 2026
- Hidden Gem Indie Games You Probably Missed
- 12 Games Like Elden Ring to Play While You Wait for the Next FromSoftware Hit
That’s the year so far, and it’s only going to grow. We’ll keep this list updated every month as the big releases land, so bookmark it and check back. What’s been your favourite game of 2026? Tell us in the comments.
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