2026's Most Anticipated Games - Rob's Picks
2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years in video games of all time. No matter whether you play on PC, PlayStation 4 or 5, Xbox One or Series X|S, or the Nintendo Switch 2, you’re going to have a lot to play in 2026. Given that, we couldn’t simply pool the team’s thoughts into one top 10 countdown of the most anticipated games, so we solicited 10 from each person to discuss. Today, hear what Rob has to say about their 10 most anticipated games of 2026.
10. Saros
It should be no surprise to say I miss the Housemarque which gave us thrilling action in the form of games like Resogun and Nex-Machina. So I was excited to try out Returnal, but its rogue-lite structure combined with the grim visuals led to me bouncing off it quite hard.
When Saros was first demonstrated, I was content to write it off as not being for me based on that experience, but after reading up on it, it feels like Housemarque have made some design choices which are a little more accommodating to the traditional rogue-inspired formula.
Which is say that where previously I’d not been interesting in checking out Saros, I’m now a little more curious for the final game offers and whether it’ll actually click with me.
9. Queen's Domain
I’m not surprised to see the ascendance of King’s Field-likes from indie developers over the last few years. The combination of hype from those enjoying From Software’s recent games, and 1990s nostalgia can make for a powerful source of inspiration to make a game creator after all.
What strikes me with Queen’s Domain is how it takes those ideas, and brings them into the modern day, with more sensible controls and user interface, while retaining the moody, isolationist vibes. From the limited time I’ve spent with the game’s demo – the island setting might offer some sunlight, at least on the surface, but there’s plenty of grim times ahead based on some of the foes you’ll encounter.
I expect there’ll be plenty of puzzling to be done as you undertake the quest and try to survive it all, with plenty of cursing thanks to the methodical approaches you need to undertake when in battle too.
8. Star Wars: Galactic Racer
I’ve missed the presence of the anti-grav racing game. Their void of their absence isn’t one which fills me with deep sadness, but I do wish we had more of them.
So colour me surprised when I saw the announcement teaser for Star Wars: Galactic Racer recently. Even more so being teased for a 2026 release.
Admittedly, there’s not not been much information to go on outside of the teaser, but from a visual standpoint I love how the courses all seem to be set amongst the wreckage of some of the larger battles in the universe. There’s something about flying though a downed Star Destroyer which sounds challenging, yet thrilling at the same time.
This is absolutely one where I can feel the potential, and I hope that not only does it see release this year, but it ends up being great enough that we can all say “now this is (pod) racing” once we have our time with it!
7. Over The Hill
Consider me a big fan of Funselektor’s previous racer, art of rally which happen to strike a unique balance between the technicalities of a simulator, and the raw thrills of arcade fun while offering plenty of challenge in mastering its roster of rallying beasts.
Though not a direct successor, over the hill takes that experience and opens it up to be a game of general exploration. The potential is there for a relaxing experience, though for me, I wonder how it’ll hold out when played solo – as it feels it’s very heavily guided towards going on a virtual journey with friends.
That being said, I can’t deny that taking a slightly historical approach is worth celebrating – one which I hope carries the humour which sat underneath art of rally too!
6. Screamer
The original Screamer games have always stood out for me in being some fantastic examples of prime 90’s arcade racing games, but for a PC gaming audience. While developer Milestone have been busy with a variety of other racers in the intervening years, it’s great to see them come back to their roots with a new entry in the series.
Though of course, arcade games have come a long way since those heady days of the 1990s, and as they’ve evolved, Screamer has done the same, and in ways which have got me quite intrigued.
Building upon the racing, which is looking as tight and as polished as ever, we’ve got a fighting system where you accrue energy and use it to either strike at your rivals, or protect yourself from them. It’s a system which might sound complex at first glance, but it’s got me interested enough to see if they pull it off and bring a new dimension to arcade racing which has sorely been needing a spark for a while now.
5. Roguecraft DX
I might be cheating a little with Roguecraft DX, being that it’s an upgrade to a recent (yes, seriously) Amiga release, but one which also makes it more accessible than simply relying on its host machine.
Some might say the the rogue-inspired turn-based dungeon crawler is a bit of an overplayed genre, and it’s a sentiment I can agree with, but Roguecraft DX happens to offer a few new tricks which make it potentially stand out. Whether it’s the choice of an isometric view, giving more life to both your player and the threats you’ll face, or the ability for said player to be one of multiple classes, which contributes to raising or lowering the challenge as you see fit.
I’ll admit: Roguecraft isn’t on my list for being a game which is going to radically shake things up, but it’s here because it’s looking to be a pretty neat twist on a played out genre.
4. 007: First Light
I’ll admit, I’ve not kept up with the recent Hitman games, but IO being given the license to take on Mr Bond truly feels like the right choice. The teaser shown a while back with its opening mission brings that blend of stealthily sleuthing about gathering intel, whilst having to ready to fight at a moment’s notice when it all goes wrong and you get spotted.
Now if that doesn’t give the right vibe of an adventure for Mr. Bond, then I’m not sure what else could!
I’m hoping the final game isn’t a completely linear adventure, instead alternating between these tightly scripted sequences for when the action heats up, and something more freeform and relaxed between those moments for those spying moments. But it’s one I’m excited for, based on potential alone.
3. Grand Pro Circuit
For all the advancements in racing games and sims of late, something that’s really missing is a good career mode. Not just working your way through a single championship season, but through multiple seasons dealing with evolving rules and regulations alongside learning a variety of new tracks.
So seeing the trailer for Grand Pro Circuit drop out of nowhere was a pleasant surprise, promising a career mode spanning 1980s Formula 1 and the intensity which it offers.
The icing on the cake is taking more than a few cues from the legendary Formula 1 Grand Prix series, which managed to strike a balance been a technical simulator, but also making it approachable to play for those who aren’t dedicated enough to invest in a fancy set of controls for it.
2. Steel Bounty
Colour me shocked discovering Steel Bounty’s trailer recently. As much as I’ve enjoyed the resurgence of Mech games of late, I’ve kind of craved something a little smaller scale which Steel Bounty seems to be right on target in offering.
At least in the sense of a smaller world to travel for picking up missions and assignments, enforced through its dynamic campaign which I feel is key to offering enough freedom for variety, but not enough to overwhelm one’s choices. Which I find paramount to making something like this easier to get into and not be totally lost in.
Plus the choice for a low-poly art style just sings to me in all the right ways, and not just because it’s friendly to lower-end machines.
I think there’s going to be some quite special here if the developers can pull it off, and from their teasers it already offers some major potential which I hope it manages to live up to.
1. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve
There’s a special itch the Ace Combat games scratch for me, and it’s been a fair while since Ace Combat 7 touched down and reinvigorated the series, and the surprise announcement of AC8 during the Game Awards was more than welcome in my book.
While we don’t know much outside of the set up – taking the mantle of a legendary pilot downed in battle, the aerial action looks as thrilling as it has been. But going along with the set up, it looks like it’s going to do a lot more between sorties, having more moments of character interactions outside of cutscenes and mission briefings.
At this point, I don’t know if Ace Combat 8 will actually make its 2026 date – but if it does, it will be the one I’m most excited for this year, and I can’t wait to get airborne once again to get amongst the over-the-top ridiculousness of it all!
So that concludes Rob’s list of their most anticipated games of 2026. What are some of yours? Hit us up via social media to let us know what games you are keen on in 2026!
