The year has gotten off to a flying start, and looking ahead, there are many highly anticipated games coming in 2026. How well will they score when they arrive? That remains to be seen, but, as in previous years, we’ll keep track of all the games that hit a review score of at least 8 and list them below. That doesn’t mean that games that fall below that threshold aren’t worth your time, as they can still entertain you for hours on end if you can overlook some of their flaws.
We’ll also be keeping track of those titles below, but for now, the focus here is on must-play games. 2025’s best games included Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Silent Hill F, alongside entries from smaller studios like The Seance of Blake Manor, Dispatch, and Blue Prince.
As a reminder, GameSpot does standard game reviews, reviews in progress, and we’ll sometimes publish updated reviews of ongoing games if there have been major changes to them. Most of our reviews are also adapted for video, so if you’d like to hear the soothing voices of our producers tell you exactly why a game is worth your time, you can hit up our YouTube page.
To keep things simple, we’ll be listing the games below alphabetically, based on their scores.
Cairn — 9
Cairn represents a new peak for mountain-climbing games, as it fuses a vivid sense of wonder with a feeling of true peril. It’s you against the world as you guide the protagonist Aava up steep cliffs and search for that one handhold that won’t spell certain doom when you shift your weight. With equilibrium being a key component of the experience, Cairn also knows exactly when to let players breathe, offering moments of quiet reflection as a counterbalance to when you hit a metaphorical–and literal–wall on your ascent.
Read our Cairn review, and watch the video review here. Available for PC and PS5.
Mewgenics — 9
All the joy of breeding an army of cats with none of the real-life responsibility of spending a fortune on food and kitty litter, Mewgenics is a challenging experience with unparalleled depth. The Binding of Isaac and The End is Nigh developers Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel have delivered a complex game, balancing the joy of managing an ever-growing collection of cats with the nail-biting “just one more run” energy you’d expect from the best roguelites.
Read our Mewgenics review. Available for PC.
Nioh 3 — 9
Team Ninja’s souls-like Nioh games have established themselves as fast-paced and punishing adventures. Nioh 3 doesn’t stray from that established formula, but it does add compelling new additions and refinements that sharpen the experience. With the introduction of “open-field” design that adds more exploration and discovery to the mix, quality-of-life enhancements, and rock-solid combat, Nioh 3 is the best game in the series to date and Team Ninja at its best.
Read our Nioh 3 review. Available for PC and PS5.
Nioh 3 Steelbook Launch Edition
$70 | Releases February 6, 2026
Nioh 3 standard edition
$70 | Releases February 6, 2026
Pokemon Pokopia — 9
The idea of a Pokemon-themed cozy life sim sounds like an interesting idea for a spin-off, and it’s one that has been expertly realized in Pokemon Pokopia. A well-executed combination of the design sensibilities of Animal Crossing and Dragon Quest Builders–with some Viva Piñata inspiration for good measure–Pokemon Pokopia is an elegant celebration of the Pokemon franchise’s 30th anniversary.
Read our Pokemon Pokopia review. Available for Switch 2.
Pokemon Pokopia
Big Hops — 8
What happens when Super Mario meets The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? You get Big Hops, one of the first great games of 2026. A 3D platformer with plenty of charm and heart, Big Hops keeps things simple and polished as it confidently hops into vibrant worlds. That makes it an approachable game for all ages, and with its well-executed gameplay, it’s a constantly satisfying adventure.
Read our Big Hops review. Available for PC, PS5, and Switch.
Mario Tennis Fever — 8
Mario has developed into quite the sportsman over the years, and Mario Tennis Fever might just be his best athletic adventure yet. While the core mechanics of Mario Tennis remain largely unchanged, it’s the fun and flexible Fever Rackets that serve up some great content and add a layer of unpredictability to every match. Alongside the enjoyable Adventure Mode, challenges, and special game types, Mario Tennis Fever is a grand slam winner for Switch 2 owners.
Read our Mario Tennis Fever review. Available for Switch 2.
Mario Tennis Fever for Nintendo Switch 2
$69 | Releases February 12
Reanimal — 8
Critics of the Little Nightmares co-op horror game series say that the terror of the original game has been somewhat muted in its sequels, and if you feel the same way, then you’ll want to check out Reanimal. It more than lives up to the legacy of Little Nightmares, as this spiritual successor surpasses it with a game design that makes exploring a haunting and unsettling world quite enjoyable, especially with a co-op partner in tow. While its puzzles aren’t too challenging, it’s the unsettling imagery that leaves a lasting impression as you guide siblings through a nightmarish world and toward freedom.
Read our Reanimal review. Available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2.
Reanimal Standard Edition
$40 | Release Date TBA
Reanimal Deluxe Edition
$60 | Release Date TBA
Reanimal Collector's Edition
$200 | Release Date TBA
Resident Evil Requiem — 8
Imagine Resident Evil’s greatest hits bundled into one delightfully macabre package, and you’ve got Resident Evil Requiem. A highlight reel of the heart-pounding horror and action that has defined the series for 30 years, Requiem refines the formula behind the games and polishes it with small but thoughtful gameplay additions to create a gorgeously gruesome experience.
Read our Resident Evil Requiem review. Available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2.
Resident Evil Requiem
$70
Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Steelbook Edition
$90
Amazon-Exclusive Switch 2 Edition (Game Key-Card)
$70
Resident Evil Generation Pack for Switch 2
$90
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – Resident Evil Requiem
$100
Every other GameSpot review in 2026
Not every game released this year is a winner, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not worth playing. If you can overlook some of their issues, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised, and we’ll be running a list of the games that didn’t make the cut above. These will be arranged in alphabetical order so that you can quickly find what you’re looking for.
- Code Vein 2 — 6
- Crisol: Theater of Idols — 6
- Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined — 7
- God of War: Sons of Sparta — 5
- High on Life 2 — 7
- Highguard — 6
- Hytale (Early Access) — 6
- Romeo is a Dead Man — 5
- Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties — 6
