Rockstar Games has confirmed that the release of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 has been pushed back to November 19, 2026. This delay, announced earlier this year, comes as a relief to other publishers planning their releases for the latter half of 2025, allowing them more breathing room. However, 2026 is already shaping up to be a significant year for gaming, packed with a multitude of big titles, including several long-awaited sequels and original games.
Beyond the new GTA installment, the gaming landscape for 2026 features an impressive lineup. Playground Games is set to release its long-awaited reboot of Fable, while Bungie revives its classic franchise with Marathon. Fans of Halo can also look forward to a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved. Meanwhile, Capcom is preparing for a robust year with three major titles: Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
In addition, Housemarque is set to unveil Saros, a follow-up to its successful title, Returnal. FromSoftware will introduce The Duskbloods, as Nintendo returns with two highly anticipated titles: Rhythm Heaven Groove and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. The Marvel universe is also making a splash, with a new fighting game, a WWII-themed game featuring Captain America and Black Panther, and the much-anticipated arrival of Insomniac Games’ Wolverine.
Alongside these sequels, several promising original games are on the horizon, including the role-playing game SacriFire and Warren Spector’s new stealth-action PvPvE game, Thick As Thieves. Indie developers are also contributing to this diverse lineup, with titles like Moonlight Peaks, which presents a unique twist on the Animal Crossing formula by introducing vampire themes. Adding to the excitement, Valve is set to launch its new Steam Machines and controllers in 2026, further expanding the gaming hardware landscape.
However, as the industry is well aware, game release dates are subject to change, often leading to delays and rescheduling. Consequently, Polygon’s guide to new video games slated for 2026 will be continually updated to reflect these changes, ensuring that players stay informed about the latest developments.
The release schedule for 2026 begins robustly, with notable titles planned for January, including Pathologic 3 on January 9, and the eagerly awaited Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the upcoming Switch 2 on January 15. Other significant releases include Dynasty Warriors: Origins and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, both of which will be available on January 22, followed by Highguard on January 26.
The momentum continues into February, featuring titles such as Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined and My Hero Academia: All’s Justice. Notably, Capcom will release Resident Evil Requiem on February 27, alongside several other popular titles. March and April 2026 are set to follow suit with a variety of new entries across multiple genres, culminating in the launch of Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred on April 28.
The excitement surrounding the gaming industry is palpable as 2026 approaches, particularly with the impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6 as well as a slew of other high-profile titles. With the gaming community eagerly anticipating these releases, the year looks to be a milestone period not just for fans, but for developers as well, as they capitalize on the momentum built over the previous years. The industry’s adaptability to changing schedules will be crucial, and as more details emerge, the landscape of gaming continues to evolve.
