2026 Preview
A Look at What's Coming from Gaming
The Year That Will Be
2025, in my opinion, was one of the best years for video games, specifically when it came to the art of the medium and the music scores. So, 2026 has a lot to follow, and the question is what this year will bring. In an increasingly chaotic world, both in economic factors and social, you can’t predict everything, and the games industry is up against the wall with rising costs and continued layoffs. So, I’m looking at the “big three” as well as other major players and third-party companies to see what we can look forward to in the new year.
The main thing to look forward to is the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, which we hope will be released without further delay. I expect GTA VI to be an $80 game, with special editions going at a much higher price, and I do think it’s going to break entertainment records. One area I’m not as confident about, however, is calling it the favorite to win Game of the Year. Unless it blows our minds, I think it’ll be nominated, but it won’t be the favorite to take home the award. Outside of GTA VI, we have more to get excited about than it may look at first glance. So buckle up and let’s take a look at what 2026 may bring us gamers.
Nintendo
Nintendo launched the Switch 2 last year, and despite many critics and analysts scratching their heads on whether they’ve given people a reason to make the switch (pun intended), it’s off to a strong start. However, you can only live on launch hype for so long. This is the year Nintendo needs to not only break out some major first party hits to attract people on the fence, but hopefully, third parties will release some heavy hitters for the platform. The start is promising with games such as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Resident Evil Requiem, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, Pokémon Pokopia, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, and more. That’s a solid start for the year, but what can the world’s most famous video game company do to keep and build on momentum?
We know we have some good stuff coming for Nintendo and Pokémon fans. The 30th anniversary of the biggest franchise in the world should be strong, including the 10th generation of Pokémon. The Pokémon series has a loyal fanbase, but I have seen criticism of its aging gameplay, controversial art direction, and technical performance. My hope, as a former Pokémon fan, is that The Pokémon Company surprises us with a new generation that offers something fresh, along with improved visuals and performance. Outside of that, I still hope they put the original games on the Switch and/or Switch 2, but that’s more of a we will see if it ever happens situation. We also have some announced titles for the year that I expect to get more information on sooner rather than later. Titles such as The Duskbloods, Splatoon Raiders, and the new Fire Emblem.
As for unannounced games that could show up? My hope is that we FINALLY see a new mainline open 3D Mario game. I’ve seen many hoping for Super Mario Galaxy 3, but I'm not confident Nintendo will return to that. My guess is we will see something that’s closer to being a true open world title, with elements of Bowser’s Fury taken to a whole new level. I expect this to be announced in the June direct and released as the major holiday title. Of course, we also got The Legend of Zelda. I don’t think we see a new mainline Zelda title announced this year, but I do believe they can come out of nowhere with a remake or remaster, as well as more ports. I also believe we'll see official cast announcements and a teaser trailer for the Zelda movie before the year’s over. Talking about movies…
Nintendo’s move into the movie and theme park space will continue this year. We have The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is set to be a major box office hit like its predecessor and will only expand the series and its characters to the new Illumination animated space. Like the original film, I’m not expecting this to be a five star film, but I expect it to be fun and a good time for kids and families. As for the theme park side of things, there are more exciting things coming than you would think. I follow theme park news, due to my peak Disney-adult days in my 20s, and Nintendo’s presence in Universal is going to get bigger. They just announced plans for a Pokémon attraction for Universal Japan, with plans to build it at their other locations. Rumors have the Lost Continent area as the future location in Islands of Adventure. There are plans for a Zelda expansion at Epic Universe and a Luigi’s Mansion ride, but those are unofficial at the moment. Needless to say, Nintendo has a lot more stuff to do with its legendary IP outside of games.
PlayStation
PlayStation finds itself in an interesting spot. For starters, their war with Xbox is essentially over, but they still have weaknesses in Japan, and I’m sure they want that Switch success too. They are also trying hard to keep the traditional console model, including pricing, but the changing landscape of how people play games and the price issues arising from tariffs and AI are challenging those plans. Either way, Sony and its PlayStation brand are going to be key players to keep your eye on when it comes to news and announcements, as it may signal what the future of many gaming households can look like by the end of the decade. Until then, we have the PS5 and its Pro variant, which many would be happy to see last a little longer. The PS5 Pro is rumored to be getting a massive update that will supposedly address many of the weird situations where games look worse than on a base PS5 or Xbox Series X. I hope they get it right and make the system feel like a true upgrade, rather than just a statement piece.
In the first-party department, Sony has a couple of anticipated titles releasing in Marathon, Saros, and The Wolverine. No doubt those games will sell well, but we still seem to be having output issues with PlayStation Studios. Maybe this is the year Sony surprises us and reveals Sony Santa Monica’s new game, along with a closer release date. Maybe the rumored God of War 2.5D Metroidvania game is real. Maybe Intergalactic shockingly comes out this year (I personally doubt it). Either way, Sony’s first-party output continued to feel slow, and it’s unknown whether we see that change this year or even next.
On the third-party front, PlayStation fans have a lot to be excited for. Grand Theft Auto VI will light the entertainment world on fire. We may get some type of reveal on Final Fantasy VII Remake 3, James Bond and Lara Croft are back, Control Resonant, and Resident Evil Requiem will keep the horror games revival going. There’s practically something for everyone, and this is all before reveals in future directs and showcases. When it comes to variety and solid release of games, it’s going to be a good year for PS5 owners.
Sony is starting to pick up and kill it in the TV department. After they started off in the 2010s with some bad animated adaptations, they’ve hit it mostly out of the park with The Last of Us and Twisted Metal. Now we see the casting news with God of War. I see a lot of people who keep being down that the performers used in the games aren’t all back for the adaptation. I understand that, and you have a right to feel disappointed, but the casting I’ve seen is incredible. If they do everything they need to, this could even get Emmy-type recognition, similar to The Last of Us, and it’s a story that can be told to the non-gaming population. I truly expect big things from it.
Lastly, I do think we will see a $50 price hike to all 3 PS5 models. It sucks, and I’m not celebrating it, but the facts of manufacturing costs and tariffs are the facts, and Sony can only take so much loss before they have to make a move. If it doesn’t happen by some miracle, I’ll be happy, but I do think that will be an unfortunate part of the PlayStation 2026 story.
Xbox
To say the last couple of years have been rough for Xbox would be an understatement. It’s unfortunate because I’ve loved this brand since I got an original Xbox back at Christmas 2004. Now, Xbox finds itself pretty much done with trying to be the best-selling console and trying to jumpstart Sony and Nintendo to what could be the future of video game platforms, focusing on ecosystem over hardware, even if it means putting their games on the competition’s products. A big part of this is the change in tactics that’s being dictated by Microsoft bigwigs Satya Nadella and Amy Hood, who, in my opinion, have become the brand’s worst overseers. Phil is putting on a brave face, but I get the feeling he’ll leave Xbox after the new system or systems (more on that soon) release. I can tell you this much, the first post-Microsoft Phil Spencer interview is going to hit like your first time tasting your favorite dessert.
Now, as dire as things have been for Xbox Series consoles, it doesn’t mean the brand is dead. While it does look like consoles will stop mattering, Microsoft still is putting out hardware and is now looking to allow other manufacturers to make systems as well. The Xbox ecosystem, when you include PC and Game Pass, is still very strong, and there is a very solid platform to dedicate yourself to if you don’t mind the different direction from the traditional console model. The handheld front for Microsoft has gotten off the ground, and there are rumblings of third-party-made hybrid PC-consoles on the way. In fact, I predict that we will get at least one of these new third-party consoles this year as part of the 25th anniversary of the Xbox. As for the next first-party console (or hybrid), that comes late 2027. I also think we will see Xbox embrace putting their games day and date on competitor platforms, which we now know they’ll do with Fable and Halo: Campaign Evolved.
One aspect of the Xbox that is going to do great this year is their games. Xbox Game Studios is going to kill it this year. We have a number of games that deserve your attention, games such as Halo: Campaign Evolved, Fable, Forza Horizon 6, Gears of War: E-Day, and potentially more! Games that could come out this year include Hideo Kojima’s OD and Clockwork Revolution, although they are more of a 2027 possibility in my opinion. Still, even if there is a murky debate about what is first-party, you can’t deny that Xbox Game Studios is going to have a stellar year, just in time for the anniversary. Add in Game Pass day one titles like Beast of Reincarnation and Replaced, as well as the third-party heavy hitters and the 25th anniversary is looking like a major party, despite the morale of the brand feeling low.
Other Players
We end the preview by looking at other major players. Valve’s Steam ecosystem is about to expand with their second attempt at a hybrid PC-console. The new version of the Steam Machine looks like a GameCube made in the modern era and seems to sport solid specs. There are questions on whether the specs are going to be enough in the long run, considering the next generation of consoles is at least two years away. There’s also the question of price, as the initial excitement for the system fueled dreams of Valve releasing a console-priced box, but the leaks suggest it’s going to be more than even a PS5 Pro. If true, this will likely be a low-volume product for a niche audience, but given the market share Steam has on PC, they may be okay just going that route.
I expect more gaming handhelds to be released , as well as the first or first OEM third-party Xbox consoles. ASUS has hinted that they have more projects regarding Xbox in the works , and I can see them revealing a hybrid Steam Machine-like box running the “Full Xbox on Windows Experience, “ but on a big screen and in a very expensive machine. The traditional “big three” era of set-optimized consoles is coming to an end, and PC gaming is moving into the living room.
We have a lot of big things coming from third-party companies, and I expect some OMG megaton announcements this year. Square Enix should give us an update on Final Fantasy VII Remake’s final entry, and dare I say maybe something on Kingdom Hearts IV. Capcom is rumored to have several Resident Evil projects on the drawing board, and they’ve hinted at working on reviving older franchises (prayer circle for Dino Crisis, everyone). Ubisoft is in a tough spot, and I think it’s going to get tougher with massive layoffs due to how big the company made itself despite not having the revenue for it. Konami and Sega’s steady comeback to the AAA space is going to continue, and I do think we’ll see a new Sonic game.
I expect the indie space to have another incredible year. Indies are becoming the heartbeat of the modern industry, especially as the AAA space seems more cold and corporate. I don’t know if we’ll get an Expedition 33 type of moment, but I can see a small studio or indie game that becomes the talk of the town. 2025 was a good year for them, and I expect this year to potentially be bigger.
The Game of the Year Is…
To finish the preview, I wanted to point out that I think this is going to be a wide-open race for the top prize this year. I don’t have Grand Theft Auto VI as the major favorite everyone else does. I can see a game like Crimson Desert taking over the mindshare of the industry and social media if it becomes a Skyrim kind of moment. I can also see Nintendo surprising everyone with a new game on a beloved IP, maybe Mario, that feels like a Super Mario 64 or Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild moment that takes over the industry. I can also see an indie title that captures everyone’s heart. It really is much more wide open than people think; it’s going to be about who captures everyone’s attention and feels like an event moment.
I think this going to be a very fun year for video games and I’m ready for the ride.
Excellent analysis! I'm really curious how the economics of game dev will impact indie studios, especialy given your point about rising costs?