Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is the ultimate edition of 2019's DOA6. It offers absolutely no new content outside a pretty decent photo mode, so if you haven't played it yet, now is the time. If you already own DOA6, however, there's almost nothing here that can be recommended. For newcomers, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is going to be an electric experience, and it's guaranteed to be one of the best fighters this year purely by the will of its savage gameplay. For vets, however, it may indeed be DOA.

Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition brings the demon-slaying action of the franchise's peak to the Nintendo Switch 2. It is a fabulous port of the game, though it lacks any new content and features a rather mundane photo mode. If you've never experienced the game, there's absolutely no excuse not to jump in immediately. The over-the-top action and stylish cutscenes are just delightful, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a better game in the genre on Switch 2 than DMC5.

Witchspire has plenty of charm but not enough substance to fully capitalize on it just yet. The cozy witch fantasy and the delightful Familiars accompanying you give it a foundation that's easy to appreciate, especially when shared with friends. However, frustrating progression, poor onboarding, and a lack of meaningful guidance constantly get in the way of that enjoyment. I just know Envar Games clearly has a vision worth rooting for, but right now, Witchspire feels less like a magical adventure to me and more like an early prototype. If you're willing to embrace the rough edges and growing pains of it in Early Access, there's some fun to be found here, but anyone hoping for a polished, spellbinding experience? Yeah, you may want to wait until they add a few more ingredients to the cauldron.

Voidling Bound is a phenomenal game with a lot of great parts that culminate in something truly unique. While it certainly isn't perfect and suffers from the same afflictions as similar games, what is there will keep players engaged and wanting more. If I could levy one major complaint against the game, it's that I want so much more of this game. Fantastic combat and a colorful world make Voidling Bound a game that's very much worthwhile.

Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent is a very middling RPG that does some things right but most things wrong. Making a game that can be consumed in bite-sized chunks so you can easily play with your friends has a lot of merit, but it seems like, along the way, things got a little lost. You can't get attached to your team because you're not spending time with them outside the missions. Most of the game revolves around combat, which is fantastic and very enjoyable, but past that, things feel very dull. The writing is serviceable, but the game just isn't set up well enough to give you something to invest in beyond individual missions.

Gothic 1 Remake reinvents a timeless PC classic from the 2000s, and does so in a way that's bound to be controversial. The original Gothic was already a game that aged rather poorly, so remaking it in such a faithful way is admirable, but leaves the game without the ability to become what it could be. The core concept of Gothic is brilliant in its potential, but it was always held back by hardware limitations. The remake makes it look and sound nicer, but didn't go as far as it should have to take advantage of what it has.

Schrödinger’s Call asks what you would do if you could make only one more phone call before the world ends, and you're the person who picks up when that phone rings. Mary's journey as the last confidant takes place in a single room, but you get to watch the world form through the memories of souls who need to be saved from their lingering regrets. This process helps Mary recover her own memories in an emotional—and devastating—narrative that I can't stop thinking about even days after finishing the game. If you've never tried a visual novel before, this is a powerful place to start, and Schrödinger’s Call is definitely one of the best indies released in 2026 so far.

There are a lot of features that I'd want included in the game before picking it up if I wasn't previewing its current state, such as seasons and pets, but both of those are in the current roadmap. While I might not get as many hours in-game as I have with The Sims just yet, I can see a future where a version of Paralives that's out of Early Access absorbs countless hours of my life.

With Mina the Hollower, Yacht Club Games managed to beautifully pay homage to some of the absolute greatest classics in gaming history, all while carving out their own entirely fresh identity with an irresistible experience. It’s like a gothic Zelda with touches of Castlevania and Dark Souls that I never knew I needed. If you have a passing love for classic adventures, gothic atmospheres, or tightly-knit game design, do yourself a favor and fully dive into this world.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book continues the tradition of cute platformers that Nintendo's iconic green dinosaur has made his calling card. Unfortunately, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is less a platformer and more a bloated, drawn-out homework assignment. The critters are cute, and Yoshi is as adorable as ever, but there's almost nothing to do and too much of it at once. It's easily one of 2026's most disappointing games.

With superb writing, top-notch acting, beautiful cinematography, and expressive gameplay, 007 First Light is as sleek as it is engaging. James Bond is back, baby, and he’s never been this cool.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Bubsy 4D, and I'm someone who was excited to play it. The platformer genre is arguably in a golden age, with Nintendo firing on all cylinders following Super Mario Odyssey and Donkey Kong Bananza. Sony's been in on the action with the 2024 Game of the Year winner, Astro Bot. To see Bubsy finally overcome its infamous legacy and deliver a fun, albeit flawed, experience has me hopeful that Atari will build on what's a solid foundation in place and give a possible Bubsy sequel the polish and investment that could truly (I can't believe I'm saying this), make it great. For now, though, despite its flaws, you can't go wrong with Bubsy 4D, especially at that discounted price.

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II is a slick, compelling tactical action RPG that focuses on hectic, chaotic combat and building out a world with genuine conflict. Each faction has its own unique feel to it, and you'll certainly want to experience both of them. There's not a ton that Mechanicus II is doing to stand out in a crowded genre, but the compelling world of Warhammer and smooth combat more than make up for that. Warhammer fans absolutely must check it out immediately, but newcomers to the franchise are also going to have a great time.

LumenTale: Memories of Trey is among the best creature collector games we've gotten in years. That doesn't stop the game from feeling like it's collapsing under the pressure of just how different it's trying to be. Whether it's bug issues or performance issues, the game just reaches a point where it feels like work to play. There are a lot of genuinely great ideas here, and hopefully, things can get ironed out to be an experience that everyone on any platform can enjoy. If you enjoy creature collector games and want one that's going to be hours upon hours of learning and fun, then this one is for you.

Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is an adorable game that's perfect for young gamers who might not have a lot of gaming experience yet. While you get to explore the imaginary crayon worlds that the Heelers create, you practice reading, problem-solving, and attention to detail skills that are all important to have in life. This game doesn't face the issues of Bluey: The Videogame as it keeps the price in the same range and increases the gameplay length. I would recommend Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen to any fan of Bluey without hesitation, and I'd love to see younger players have more options for games like this one.

Luna Abyss is a great first-person shooter that shines in its Bullet Hell aspects. While it never reaches the heights of the best of the genre, the combat feels fluid, and the need to switch between weapons to defeat certain enemies adds a layer of strategy that prevents gameplay from going stale. Each boss feels different, all filling the screen with a beautiful array of bullets, making Luna Abyss feel sometimes like a spectacle, especially by indie standards. Platforming is done very well, and while it rarely ever poses a challenge, I found myself having a great time jumping, grappling, and dashing across large gaps to progress further into the Abyss. The dark story is a standout that features unsettling twists, surprisingly great voice acting, and plenty of secrets for lore enthusiasts. Overall, Luna Abyss is perfect for those looking for a short, but focused, first-person shooter experience.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is extremely ambitious in scope compared to previous LEGO/mega-IP combos, and it succeeds tremendously in nearly everything it has set out to accomplish.

ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies is a demanding game that requires patience and attention, but those willing to engage with it on its own terms will find something truly special.

Starbites is that JRPG that stays true to its promise, delivering exactly what is on the tin. Its turn-based gameplay borrows some formulas and mechanics from other JRPGs, which may feel uninspired to some fans but can be a novelty to others. It's delightful in the first hours, but it can get a bit stale and repetitive by the second half. The narrative is solid, and the story is very coherent with everything presented, with great highlights given to the charismatic cast. Despite being only a 20-hour journey, it still suffers from pacing issues here and there. Overall, Starbites is a neat, straightforward experience for those who need a break from 100-hour JRPGs.

There’s already a well-established formula in place, and Playground Games did well to continue delivering one of the best racing experiences you’ll ever have with Forza Horizon 6.

Everything is Crab combines Roguelike gameplay with Spore-like evolutions to create something that feels wholly unique. That doesn't stop the game from falling into the trap of having a bit too much RNG. It's visually interesting with a fun art style that showcases those evolutions well, but gets weighed down by some of the more pressing issues. All in all, Everything is Crab is a good game that is hopefully well on the way to becoming a great game.

Call of the Elder Gods is a beautiful, haunting and sometimes funny first-person puzzle game. It has a strong focus on its world and characters, with fabulous writing and lovely voice acting. The puzzles are clever, offering a mix of subtle and more grandiose brain scramblers. If you're a fan of cosmic horror or the Lovecraft mythos, Call of the Elder Gods is going to be a game you'll want to dive into immediately. This is one of the most outstanding games of the year so far, and it's not one you're going to want to miss.

Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes feels like a genuine, honest extension of the cult favorite 2004 television show. It perfectly captures the dark, unrelenting tone of hopelessness that the TV show became known for. The hectic space combat has a fun, brisk pace to it that never overstays its welcome, and it is brilliantly balanced by more human moments with the crew on your ship. It doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel for the roguelite genre, but if you're a fan of the franchise, this is going to be a game that will make you quite happy.

Directive 8020 is a good addition to the Dark Pictures anthology and a solid start to its second season. Its story ranks among Supermassive Games’ best work, marking a much-needed step forward for a studio that has struggled to release standout titles in recent years. The decisions players have to make carry real weight, significantly shaping the outcome of the story and adding a ton of replay value for players who want to uncover every consequence of their choices. However, while the stealth sequences can be tense and are well-designed, they appear way too frequently and make it surprisingly easy to kill off characters you dislike, weakening some of the emotional impact. This is an issue mainly because there are characters that are boring and uninteresting due to mediocre voice acting, potentially leading the player to want to eliminate them. Still, even with a couple of shortcomings, Directive 8020 remains an engaging narrative-driven adventure that Dark Pictures fans should not miss.

Mixtape is a coming of age tale that hits all the right notes from beginning to end. While it's a short game that you might only play once, that does not take away from how special the journey is along the way. Witty, hilarious writing, incredible voice performances, gorgeous art direction, and consistently creative gameplay beats are paired with a flawless soundtrack that serves as the backbone for every single scene perfectly in a '90s period piece that knows exactly what to drive home. The result is a wholly unique gaming experience that's loaded with nostalgic charm, great humor, and many poignant moments that will make you reframe how you think about your own personal memories of youth. I cannot recommend it enough.

Dead as Disco doesn’t just flirt with the beat-em-up formula; it remixes it into something effortlessly stylish and easy to pick up, even in its early-access state. Its blend of music-driven combat, eccentric boss fights, and pick-up-and-play accessibility makes it a standout for both casual players and genre fans alike. While it’s still finding its footing in areas like depth and progression, what’s already here is bursting with personality and promise. If the developers can build on this foundation, Dead as Disco has all the makings of a cult-favorite brawler that’s as fun as hell to feel as it is to play.

Wax Heads is a fun, but short, cozy narrative sim that puts you into the world of physical media via selling vinyls, which is actually seeing a resurgence in the real world. What starts as a charming new job with friendly coworkers turns into the story of how hobbies have to be balanced with real-world obligations and the reality of how corporate practices often hurt small businesses the most, taking away beloved features from towns. It's cute and a bit of a puzzle game, but I wish it lasted longer and gave me more options when speaking to characters, especially to ask follow-up questions regarding record requests.

Saros stands tall as a bold evolution for Housemarque, proving the studio wasn’t content with simply recreating the magic of Returnal. Instead, it refines and expands on it in meaningful ways by pairing its punishing bullet-hell combat with smarter progression systems, broader accessibility ideas, and a narrative that trades clarity for intrigue. Arjun’s relentless, emotionally driven journey through Carcosa gives the experience a fiery contrast to Returnal’s isolation, while the “come back stronger” philosophy is felt in every run, every failure, and every hard-earned breakthrough back at The Passage. It can be overwhelming and at times unforgiving, but that tension is exactly what makes its victories so intoxicating. And by turning struggle into growth and persistence into something deeply rewarding, Saros cements itself as a serious GOTY contender and a lot more than just a sequel in spirit.