Much like last year, here at the start of another new year, my gaming plate is rather full. Most notably, I recently started up Elden Ring for the first time, and with it, I still have a very long way to go. Elden Ring was a holiday gift, as were copies of Super Mario Odyssey – excited to finally play it nearly ten years ago after release! (honestly, I still can’t believe the original Switch is that old) – and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. Outside of the Switch, I also very much want to play last year’s darling success, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and then, potentially, Indiana Jones and the Last Circle, or maybe Metaphor: ReFantazio. Considering what they say about the best laid plans…we’ll see what the coming months bring. Of all things brand-new in gaming, here’s what on my 2026 radar.
Games with release dates
Mio: Memories in Orbit – January 20
Although I feel that a gap has begun growing between me and platformers/metroidvanias, the genre still remains very close to my heart. When I first caught wind of Mio: Memories in Orbit back in 2024, I couldn’t stop thinking about; it’s been on my radar ever since. While I don’t think it’ll be an immediate buy (it would have been in the running had Super Mario Odyssey, at least, not come my way), it’s definitely a game I’ll be watching.
Crimson Desert – March 19
While my short time in Pearl Abyss’s well-known MMORPG Black Desert Online was, well…short, it nonetheless made quite an impression. So much so that as soon as I heard the news of the studio’s follow-up, Crimson Desert, some years back, I knew it was a game to watch. What killed BDO for me was trying to understand and manage its complex systems within an MMORPG framework. Crimson Desert, however, is a single-player game (with optional co-op/multiplayer) that has the look and feel of BDO, and I’m all for that. The potential inclusion of complexity is the only thing that’s keeping it at bay. Once I see some reviews and in-depth gameplay, I’ll make a decision about adding it to one of my console libraries.
GTA VI – November 19
GTA VI, should it actually come out (there’s still a lot of time between now and November), will be a 2026 purchase.. Not going ramble on about it, as it’s already taken over so much Internet bandwidth, and it won’t stop doing so any time soon. As much I’m looking forward to the game, I’m really looking forward to seeing GTA VI’s sales numbers during its opening weekend. Remember when GTA V topped $1 billion in sales during its opening weekend in 2013? I can only guess that at the rate GTA VI is going, it’s bound to surpass that milestone. The question is, by how much?
Games without release dates
Fable
Every night before bed, I say to myself, “please make this year the year for Fable… please make this year the year Fable…please make this year the year for Fable…”
I have no idea if my mantra is working, but it’s practically become a plea at this point. Playground Games, please make 2026 the year for Fable!
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls
I stupidly missed out on the chance to participate in Marvel Tōkon’s December beta, phooey. If the chance comes around again, I’m going to pounce on it, because although I love the likes of Street Fighter 6, there’s more than enough room for a new fighting game in my life. I’ve got the welcome mat out for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls whenever it drops.
Bradley the Badger
If I can thank Geoff Keighley for one thing, it’s for introducing me (and everyone) to this title via the Game Awards. A premier release from the newly formed studio Day 4 Night, Bradley the Badger appears to be what happens when you want to both make and play a game at the same time. I doubt the trailer does the game justice, but it was certainly enough for me to sit up and take notice. I’ve grown fond of games that turn the premise of videos games on its ear. Bradley the Badger looks like it’ll have players rolling every which way in wacky enjoyment, and I can’t wait to be one of them.
Lede image taken from igdb.com press kit for MIO: Memories in Orbit (© Douze Dixièmes)
VIRTUAL BASTION 