[0:00] Once again, the year in gaming has seen
[0:03] no shortage of high-quality releases and
[0:06] game of the year contenders. As we
[0:07] approach the halfway point of 2026, here
[0:11] are the best games of the year so far.
[0:14] >> Brought to you by Xbox.
[0:18] >> Can represents a new peak for mountain
[0:21] climbing games as it fuses a vivid sense
[0:23] of wonder with a feeling of true peril.
[0:27] It's you against the world as you guide
[0:29] the protagonist Ava up steep cliffs and
[0:32] search for that one handhold that won't
[0:34] spell certain doom when you shift your
[0:37] weight. With equilibrium being a key
[0:39] component of the experience, Can, also
[0:42] knows exactly when to let players
[0:45] breathe, offering moments of quiet
[0:47] reflection as a counterbalance to when
[0:49] you hit a metaphorical and literal wall
[0:52] on your ascent.
[0:56] >> [screaming]
[0:58] >> Diablo expansions are a big deal as
[1:01] these add-ons have given rise to some of
[1:04] the best moments in the franchise. Lord
[1:06] of Hatred can proudly stand shoulder to
[1:09] shoulder with Lord of Destruction and
[1:11] Reaper of Souls as it brings fantastic
[1:14] quality of life improvements, two new
[1:16] classes that make you feel like a
[1:18] powerhouse, and a thrilling narrative to
[1:21] the table. Diablo IV's hatred saga comes
[1:24] to a satisfying conclusion while the new
[1:26] warlock and paladin classes offer
[1:28] explosive fun honed by major changes to
[1:32] the core gameplay.
[1:37] What happens when you combine a tabletop
[1:39] Dungeons & Dragons session with Disco
[1:42] Elysium? You get Esoteric Eb, a charming
[1:45] fantasy game where sweat-inducing die
[1:47] rolls govern your fate. Set in an
[1:50] original fantasy world that's brimming
[1:53] with personality, Esoteric Eb is
[1:55] charming and surprisingly hilarious as
[1:58] you don the chain mail of an idiot with
[2:01] a talent for magic. All that and a
[2:04] killer soundtrack.
[2:09] Marathon is admittedly a lot to take in
[2:12] the first time you boot it up, but stick
[2:14] with it and you'll find an extraction
[2:16] shooter that captures the highs and lows
[2:19] of the genre. It's art direction is a
[2:21] visual feast. The gunplay packs a punch
[2:25] and there's a surprising amount of depth
[2:27] in each 20-minute excursion to Tau Ceti
[2:30] 4. How Marathon will shape up over the
[2:33] long term remains to be seen, but Bungie
[2:35] has delivered an exciting game with
[2:37] strong fundamentals, rich lore, and
[2:40] tactical gameplay that could get even
[2:42] better in time with post-launch DLC
[2:45] drops.
[2:45] >> Do not worry.
[2:48] Peace is upon you.
[2:50] >> All the joy of breeding an army of cats
[2:52] with none of the real-life
[2:54] responsibility of spending a fortune on
[2:57] food and kitty litter. Mewgenics is a
[2:59] challenging experience with unparalleled
[3:03] depth. The Binding of Isaac and The End
[3:05] Is Nigh developers Edmund McMillen and
[3:08] Tyler Glaiel have delivered a complex
[3:10] game balancing the joy of managing an
[3:13] ever-growing collection of cats with the
[3:15] nail-biting just one more run energy
[3:18] you'd expect [music] from the best
[3:20] roguelites.
[3:23] >> Mewgenics.
[3:25] >> Now that it's finally out of the gate,
[3:27] Mina the Hollower is proving that it is
[3:30] well worth the wait. A masterclass in
[3:32] design that combines the retro
[3:34] aesthetics of Game Boy era Zelda games
[3:36] with Souls-like gameplay. Mina the
[3:38] Hollower is a love letter to the past
[3:41] that feels refreshingly modern.
[3:43] Developer Yacht Club Games has come out
[3:45] swinging with an ambitious game, one
[3:47] that's densely packed with content and
[3:50] charm, while demanding combat ensures
[3:52] that your attention never drifts away
[3:54] for a single second.
[3:59] This year is going to go down as one of
[4:02] the best for video games with a music
[4:04] bend, thanks in part to standout titles
[4:07] like Mixtape. A sincere look at the
[4:09] horrors of growing up from Australian
[4:11] developers Beethoven and Dinosaur,
[4:13] Mixtape also features one of the best
[4:15] soundtracks of the year so far. Music
[4:18] and memories collide in grand fashion,
[4:20] and the end result is a heartfelt coming
[4:23] of age story.
[4:28] Monster Hunter Stories 3 Twisted
[4:30] Reflection proves just how good a
[4:33] spin-off from a mainline series of games
[4:35] can be, as this charming threequel
[4:37] checks multiple boxes for a great gaming
[4:40] experience. A compelling story, a
[4:43] colorful cast of characters, and a
[4:45] flashy combat system all add up to build
[4:48] an all-time classic Monster Hunter game,
[4:52] next to several of the best games in the
[4:54] main Monster Hunter franchise.
[5:00] Team Ninja's Souls-like Nioh games have
[5:03] established themselves as fast-paced and
[5:06] punishing adventures. Nioh 3 doesn't
[5:08] stray from that established formula, but
[5:10] it does add compelling new additions and
[5:13] refinements that sharpen the experience.
[5:16] With the introduction of open field
[5:18] design that adds more exploration and
[5:20] discovery to the mix, quality of life
[5:22] enhancements, and rock-solid combat,
[5:24] Nioh 3 is the best game in the series to
[5:27] date and Team Ninja at its best.
[5:33] The idea of a Pokémon-themed cozy life
[5:35] sim sounds like an interesting idea for
[5:38] a spin-off, and it's one that has been
[5:40] expertly realized in Pokémon Picopia. A
[5:43] well-executed combination of the design
[5:46] sensibilities of Animal Crossing and
[5:48] Dragon Quest Builders with some Viva
[5:50] Piñata inspiration for good measure,
[5:52] Pokémon Pocopia is an elegant
[5:54] celebration of the Pokémon franchise's
[5:57] 30th anniversary.
[6:03] One of 2026 contenders for game of the
[6:06] year, Pragmata is a refreshingly
[6:08] original IP in an ocean of sequels and
[6:11] remakes. It's no one-trick pony as the
[6:13] constantly evolving hacking mini-games,
[6:16] challenging gameplay that only escalates
[6:18] the more you play, and the heartfelt
[6:20] story make for a standout experience on
[6:23] PC and console.
[6:30] Housemarque knows a thing or two about
[6:32] roguelite bullet hell adventures that
[6:34] keep you glued to the screen, and Saros
[6:36] builds on Returnal's foundation to
[6:39] deliver a roller coaster of fun and
[6:41] challenge. While it's not as unforgiving
[6:43] as Returnal, prepare to die and try, try
[6:46] again as you master the exquisitely
[6:48] aggressive gameplay of Saros. The game
[6:51] successfully flips Housemarque's
[6:53] roguelite formula on its head, and the
[6:55] result is an intoxicating rush of power
[6:59] when the stars align.
[7:04] With Hitman developer IO Interactive at
[7:07] the helm, 007 First Light is a showcase
[7:10] of the studio's greatest strengths. From
[7:13] intricate world building to top-tier
[7:16] stealth, the first James Bond adventure
[7:18] in many years shares a lot of DNA with
[7:21] Agent 47, but it also breaks free from
[7:23] those comparisons by excelling in other
[7:26] gameplay areas. A game that's
[7:27] laser-focused on delivering a tightly
[7:30] constructed story complemented by
[7:32] rough-and-tumble action, precision
[7:34] shooting, and an arsenal of one-liners,
[7:37] 007 First Light is a successful and
[7:40] confident reinvention of Bond for the
[7:43] modern era.
[7:44] >> Issues with authority?
[7:46] >> I believe it's more a case of authority
[7:48] having issues with me.
[7:50] >> What happens when Super Mario meets The
[7:52] Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? You
[7:54] get Big Hops, one of the first great
[7:56] games of 2026. A 3D platformer with
[7:59] plenty of charm and heart, Big Hops
[8:01] keeps things simple and polished as it
[8:04] confidently hops into vibrant worlds.
[8:07] That makes it an approachable game for
[8:09] all ages, and with well-executed
[8:11] gameplay, it's a constantly satisfying
[8:14] adventure.
[8:15] >> How am I going to get home?
[8:18] >> Forza Horizon 6 doesn't stray from the
[8:21] formula it has been fine-tuning since
[8:23] 2012, but it didn't need to, either.
[8:26] Instead, Forza Horizon's tour of Japan
[8:28] is a celebration of car culture that is
[8:31] constantly rewarding and looks as good
[8:33] as a million-dollar supercar. Forza
[8:35] Motorsport's open-world spin-off has
[8:37] become Microsoft's champion racing game
[8:40] franchise, and this new entry in the
[8:42] series is firing on all cylinders. With
[8:44] its mix of fast cars, wild showdown
[8:47] races, and intelligently designed
[8:50] systems that complement the racing
[8:52] experience.
[8:56] Batman is no stranger to the world of
[8:58] LEGO, having headlined several games in
[9:01] the past. But this new entry featuring
[9:03] the Dark Knight is more than just a toy
[9:05] box of destructible environments and
[9:07] cheeky humor. It's a celebration of the
[9:10] Caped Crusader's rich legacy, and it
[9:12] plays like the Arkham sequel fans have
[9:14] been waiting over a full decade for.
[9:17] Full of heart and charm, LEGO Batman:
[9:20] Legacy of the Dark Knight keeps your
[9:22] eyes glued to the bat screen with
[9:24] enjoyable gameplay, Easter eggs, and a
[9:26] playful take on the beloved Gotham
[9:29] vigilante.
[9:29] >> You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses on,
[9:32] would you?
[9:33] >> Mario has developed into quite the
[9:35] sportsman over the years, and Mario
[9:37] Tennis Fever might just be his best
[9:40] athletic adventure yet. While the core
[9:42] mechanics of Mario Tennis remain largely
[9:44] unchanged, it's the fun and flexible
[9:47] fever rackets that serve up some great
[9:49] content and add a layer of
[9:50] unpredictability to every match.
[9:53] Alongside the enjoyable adventure mode,
[9:56] challenges, and special game types,
[9:58] Mario Tennis Fever is a grand slam
[10:00] winner for Switch 2 owners.
[10:02] >> Yeah.
[10:05] >> With a game like Mouse PI for Hire,
[10:07] looks do matter, and those looks are an
[10:10] exquisite throwback to the rubber hose
[10:12] design of classic cartoons ramped up in
[10:15] a film noir aesthetic. Not just a
[10:17] visually engaging adventure, Mouse PI
[10:20] for Hire also flexes some beefy gameplay
[10:23] muscles with kinetic gunplay and weapons
[10:26] that deliver some gloriously slick
[10:28] slapstick violence.
[10:30] >> It burns. It burns.
[10:33] >> Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf
[10:35] sticks to the winning formula of the
[10:37] first game, giving players a beautiful
[10:40] world to explore and savor thanks to its
[10:43] strong art direction and fantastic
[10:45] soundtrack. While it takes a while for
[10:47] the story to truly get going, the second
[10:49] half of this adventure is a bold and
[10:52] stunning collection of fascinating
[10:54] puzzles and platforming, all built
[10:56] around a central [music] mystery that
[10:57] keeps you hooked to your screen.
[11:04] Critics of the Little Nightmares co-op
[11:06] horror game series say that the terror
[11:08] of the original game has been somewhat
[11:10] muted in its sequels. And if you feel
[11:13] the same way, then you will want to
[11:15] check out Re:Animal. It more than lives
[11:17] up to the legacy of Little Nightmares as
[11:19] this spiritual successor surpasses it
[11:21] with a game design that makes exploring
[11:23] a haunting and unsettling world quite
[11:26] enjoyable, especially with a co-op
[11:28] partner in tow. While its puzzles aren't
[11:30] too challenging, it's the unsettling
[11:33] imagery that leaves a lasting impression
[11:36] as you guide siblings through a
[11:37] nightmarish world and toward freedom.
[11:43] Imagine Resident Evil's greatest hits
[11:45] bundled into one delightfully macabre
[11:48] package and you've got Resident Evil
[11:50] Requiem, a highlight reel of the
[11:52] heart-pounding horror and action that
[11:54] has defined the series for 30 years.
[11:56] Requiem refines the formula behind the
[11:59] games and polishes it with small but
[12:01] thoughtful gameplay additions to create
[12:03] a gorgeously gruesome experience.
[12:07] >> [screaming]
[12:11] >> Rogue-like deck builders feel like an
[12:13] oversaturated genre these days, but
[12:15] Vampire Survivors developer Poncle puts
[12:17] a fresh spin on the genre with a
[12:20] spin-off game that's hard to put down.
[12:22] Capturing all the magic of its breakout
[12:24] hit bullet-heaven game and reimagining
[12:27] it as an approachable deck builder that
[12:29] gets better with each run, don't be too
[12:31] surprised if the just-one-more-turn
[12:33] energy of Vampire Crawlers keeps you
[12:36] awake way past your bedtime.
[12:41] Midnight is the 11th expansion for World
[12:44] of Warcraft and it continues to make
[12:46] major foundational changes to Blizzard's
[12:48] legendary MMO. With enough content to
[12:51] cater to both veteran players and
[12:53] newcomers, Midnight builds on that
[12:55] momentum with challenging end-game
[12:57] activities, welcome overhauls to the
[12:59] user interface and a robust housing
[13:01] system that gives you the opportunity to
[13:03] turn a slice of Zereth into a dream
[13:06] home.
[13:09] WWE 2K26 doesn't offer many changes to
[13:13] the bread-and-butter gameplay of
[13:14] previous releases, but this year's entry
[13:17] in the sports entertainment series does
[13:19] address a long list of issues. The focus
[13:22] on quality-of-life improvements make
[13:24] each match feel more fun than ever
[13:27] before thanks to the added layer of
[13:29] polish while new match types, a story
[13:31] mode focused on CM Punk, and an
[13:33] overhauled Island mode put WWE 2K26 in
[13:37] the main event spotlight.
[13:43] Any spiritual successor to Disco Elysium
[13:45] certainly has its work cut out for it.
[13:48] And while Zero Build for Dead Spies
[13:49] doesn't quite reach that benchmark, it's
[13:52] still a powerhouse spy thriller full of
[13:55] interesting ideas. Featuring razor-sharp
[13:58] writing and fascinating characters, Zero
[14:00] Build is a clandestine tale of espionage
[14:03] with rich RPG systems that encourage you
[14:06] to fail upwards. And those are
[14:09] GameSpot's best games of 2026 so far.
[14:13] What did we miss? Let us know in the
[14:14] comments. And for coverage around the
[14:16] rest of the games yet to release [music]
[14:18] in 2026, stay right here on GameSpot.