We’re halfway through 2026 and the inevitable ‘Game Of The Year’ discussion is already looking like one of the most intense yet. From fantastic new IPs and overdue reboots to seriously great sequels, here’s everything you need to be playing.
Words: Ali Shutler
007 First Light
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Bond is back, baby. The first new 007 game since 2012’s janky, unimaginative Legends is everything a great spy thriller should be. You’ll need the usual mix of stealthy skills and brute force to complete each mission but developers IO Interactive have taken a leaf out of Q’s book and added some clever inventions to freshen up the series. Take the brilliant ‘Bluff’ mechanic, which encourages you to bullshit your way into off-limits areas. With an epic Lana Del Rey theme, a touching original origin story that adds to the 50-year legend of the world’s most famous secret agent and plenty of playful nods to what’s come before, First Light is a rare console-based Bond adventure that lives up to the beloved films.
For fans of: Hitman, Indiana Jones And The Great Circle
Forza Horizon 6
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Petrol heads rejoice. Realistic racing franchise Forza Horizon’s sixth instalment features more than 450 different cars and a gorgeous open world to explore. Climb the ranks of the Horizon Festival by speeding around sprawling courses, challenge your mates to a ferocious drag race or take a relaxing cruise around Japan marveling at the lifelike digital rain and listen to hit after hit on one of nine in-game radio stations.
For fans of: Crazy Taxi, Mario Kart World
Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
The beloved Arkham trilogy of the late 2000s and early 2010s showcased DC’s Caped Crusader in all his menacing glory but Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight is a much wackier, more whimsical ode to that same comic book hero. Crammed full of easter eggs and in-jokes, plus a rogues’ gallery of dastardly crims from the past 30 years of Batman films, this plastic fantastic Gotham feels just like home.
For fans of: Batman: Arkham City, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Marathon
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Sony spent $3.6billion to acquire Destiny developers Bungie back in 2022 and Marathon is the first game to come out of that new partnership. The constantly evolving multiplayer sci-fi shooter launched in March and, though not an overnight megahit, has grown enough of a player base to sustain its high-octance gun battles for the foreseeable. The run-down world of Tau Ceti IV looks incredible, while Ryan Lott’s haunted score soundtracks this futuristic nightmare perfectly.
For fans of: Destiny 2, Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6
MIO: Memories In Orbit
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
Indie gaming has never felt more exciting. Last year, we got the loving crafted worlds of Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – and in 2026, MIO: Memories In Orbit is keeping that renaissance alive. It’s an absolutely stunning 2D side-scrolling platformer set on a seemingly-doomed space station where you take control of cutesy robot MIO to figure out what the heck went wrong, and how they can make it right.
For fans of: Hollow Knight: Silksong, Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown
Mixtape
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
A charming coming-of-age story that follows three high school friends on one final blow-out summer before they graduate and go their separate ways, Mixtape is an interactive novel built around some of the best songs ever written. The Cure’s ‘Plainsong’, The Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Love’, Joy Division’s ‘Atmosphere’ and DEVO’s ‘That’s Good’ all soundtrack pivotal moments in this warm, nostalgic tale. Some people have complained Mixtape can be completed in an afternoon, but that sounds like a good time to us.
For fans of: Life Is Strange, ‘90s music
Pokémon Pokopia
Play it on… Nintendo Switch 2
For 30 years, gamers have been tasked with catching ‘em all but the latest Pokemon spin-off sees you living side-by-side with the adorable little beasts instead. Heavily inspired by cosy life-simulator Animal Crossing, your goal in Pokopia is to transform this rundown seaside expanse into a bustling Pokemon paradise that 300 different ‘mon are happy to call home. With a three-part expansion pack coming over the next few months, be prepared to sink a lot of time into this quietly compelling title.
For fans of: Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Planet Of Lana II: Children Of The Leaf
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
Inspired by the haunting beauty of Studio Ghibli’s best films, 2023’s cinematic puzzle platformer Planet Of Lana followed our titular hero on her stealthy quest through a land overrun with alien machines to rescue her young niece Anua, armed with nothing but her wits and helpful cat-like companion Miu. This sequel is bigger, more beautiful and just as brilliant.
For fans of: Ori And The Blind Forest, Rayman Legends
Pragmata
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
Loosely echoing the best Alien movie (1986’s Aliens, duh), space horror Pragmata sees gruff, no-nonsense badass Hugh Williams trying to survive a space station that’s riddled with hostile cyber-monsters. His trusty back-up? Plucky android Diana, who helps take out the robo-beasties facing them with a sleek one-two of digital puzzle-solving and impressive firepower. There’s also a surprisingly tender story about the importance of curiosity and human connection. Don’t worry though, in space no one can hear you get emotional.
For fans of: Metroid Prime, Death Stranding
Reanimal
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
This eerie horror adventure game will have you on the very edge of your seat for the duration of its dark, twisting narrative. You’ll have to guide two siblings through a living nightmare filled with grisly mutants to rescue their lost mates, solve fiendish puzzles and try not to get too scared. Playing it by yourself is great, teaming up with a pal for a co-op frightfest is even better.
For fans of: Little Nightmares, It Takes Two
Resident Evil Requiem
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
In recent years, the long-running Resident Evil franchise has struggled to balance the terror of survival-horror with the pulse-quickening joy of gunning down undead hordes. Requiem gets it just right. Your time is split between returning favourite Leon, who’s an expert at turning zombies into a bloody puddle, and nervy FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft – who’s trying her best not tobecome lunch. You might want to keep the lights on.
For fans of: Silent Hill, Call Of Duty: Zombies
Saros
Play it on… PS5
The goal of Saros is to reunite protagonist Arjun with his missing wife Nitya and work out why three scientific missions to the haunted planet of Carcosa have mysteriously gone quiet. Standing in the way are swarms of horrific space terrors unleashing wave after wave of murderous energy balls in your direction. Part shooter, part rhythm game, this bullet ballet is the most intense game of 2026, especially when you turn the volume up on Sam Slater’s gnarly drone metal-inspired soundtrack.
For fans of: Returnal, Control
Wax Heads
Play it on… PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC
Ever wanted to run your own record store without having to worry about profit margins or dastardly landlords? Wax Heads is the game for you. When you’re not racking up points by recommending the ideal album to a colourful cast of customers, you’ll spend your time in this immersive cosy-punk world by flicking through DIY zines and checking out local bands at the nearby grassroots music venue. A celebration of music culture and community, it’s the perfect game for vinyl junkies.
For fans of: Hi-Fi Rush, vinyl records