The Best Video Games of 2026 So Far

2026 has been a terrible year for the folks who make games. Behind the layoffs and financials are human lives that are often obfuscated in our discussions about this medium that we love. They deserve better.

I proposed this edition of Punished Favorites as a kind of refuge. What we have compiled below is a celebration of the work released so far in the game industry in 2026. This year has contributed to the rich tapestry of some of our favorite games of all time, from Mina the Hollower to the opening half of Resident Evil Requiem.

Furthermore, the fall release schedule promises to be especially heavy. It was essential to me that we not forget our favorite titles of the first half of the year, with many more releases in the next few months than we could possibly cover individually. Every game that releases in 2026 lives in the shadow of November’s Rockstar release.

I sit here worried about these studios and the people that poured their labor, tears, and hearts into stories, gameplay, and experiences that will live with us for decades to come. May their creative labors be remembered, beloved, and cherished. 

– Written by Clint Morrison, Jr.

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The 18 Best Video Games of 2026 So Far

These are our favorite games of the year so far, ranging from the giant AAA adventures to the indie diamonds in the rough. We’ve rounded up the best games in 2026 that have come out between January 1 and June 30, though we’ll be sure to update this list as more release.

Want to jump to a specific entry? Use our table of contents:

• 007 First Light
• The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
• Creature Kitchen 
• Esoteric Ebb
• Marathon
• Mewgenics
• Mina the Hollower
• MOUSE: P.I. For Hire 
• Pragmata
• Rhythm Heaven Groove
• Romeo Is a Dead Man
• Saros
• Star Fox
• TR-49
• Vampire Crawlers
• Wax Heads
• Zero Parades: For Dead Spies

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007 First Light 

I binged 007 First Light in just five days. During that time, I repeatedly said things like “007 has no business being this good” and “I really feel like James Bond!” and “Wow, this game slaps!” to anyone who would listen. I’m not alone in loving it; the May spy thriller sold 2.2 million copies in its first week.

When I heard that IO Interactive of Hitman fame was going to be given the reins to James Bond, I was very optimistic, so much so that I drafted the game for our Fantasy Gaming league. IOI always nailed the espionage gameplay in their Hitman games, but the famously serious assassin Agent 47 was not the most charismatic protagonist. 

By comparison, James Bond is dashing, funny, endearing, and really hot. IOI did a fantastic job with Bond and the rest of the characters. I loved the game’s balance of sneaky spy and explosive action. It’s not perfect (some plot threads feel a little loose, there are long loading times, and the hand-to-hand combat aiming is terrible). However, the linear narrative is tight, well-paced, and exciting. It’s also got the absolute best tutorial sequence I’ve ever played.

I rarely replay campaigns, but once the New Game+ mode gets released, you can count on me diving back into 007’s shoes. 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S; Nintendo Switch 2 slated for later this year
MSRP: $69.99

– Written by Amanda Tien

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The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

As a chronic backlog gamer and father of two, I’m usually playing catch-up here at The Punished Backlog. However, in a stunning turn of events, I was thrilled to have something to contribute to our list of the top games of 2026 so far. Lately, I’ve been absolutely hooked on The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, published by Square Enix and released on June 18.

The pitch is pretty simple: It’s another HD-2D style game in the same vein as the Octopath Traveler series, but with real-time action instead of turn-based combat. This has led to a lot of comparisons to classic 2D Zelda titles and the Mana series, but I’m enjoying Elliot on its own merits so far. 

The prevailing theme on display is pure-hearted adventure. Elliot lives in a kingdom protected from monsters by a magic spell cast by the princess of the city. Tired of always being on the defensive, a sinister aide to the king discovers a door that allows anyone who enters to travel back in time and immediately attempts to use the power for evil! Enter Elliot, who is described only as an “adventurer” supporting the orphanage where he grew up by fulfilling quests for local townsfolk in exchange for money. When Elliot is tasked with hunting down the evil Kaifried, his true purpose is realized. 

It all comes across as a bit cliche, but the over-the-top sincerity and earnestness that the game goes for is actually quite refreshing. It isn’t trying to be anything it isn’t: Elliot is a colorful, fun-filled fairy tale that makes me feel like a kid discovering these types of games again for the first time. The gameplay is snappy; the combat is simple but dynamic. The characters all have fantastic voice acting to really give the experience a storybook feel.

If you’re looking for a palette cleanser of a game that delivers pure joy and capital-A “Adventure,” look no further than my new pal Elliot! Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he’s dressed almost exactly like Carmen Sandiego.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
MSRP: $59.99

– Written by Zack Gulinello

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Creature Kitchen 

One of my favorite movies of all time is Ratatouille, and so it should come as no surprise that I love Creature Kitchen which involves making sandwiches for mice, raccoons, and other critters. What is surprising is that it’s got an eldritch angle, and I’m the well-documented resident scaredy cat here at the site. As I wrote in my Creature Kitchen review in April, I was instantly obsessed with the cozy creepy cooking game. It’s only a few hours long, but it’s been one of my favorite gaming experiences of the year so far. 

Independent studio The Rat Zone clearly had fun making Creature Kitchen. In addition to trying to cook spaghetti for Bigfoot, players can also discover secrets and puzzles around the cabin in the woods. When you crouch down to the oven, you can see there’s an entire solar system inside. Its aesthetic of late ‘90s/early 2000s blockiness ties the whole thing together. 

Creature Kitchen is perfect if you’re looking to binge something playful and cozy while avoiding saccharine sweetness. If I’m lucky, they’ll come out with DLC so I can keep making dinner for all my weird little friends. 

Platform: PC
MSRP: $7.99

– Written by Amanda Tien

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Esoteric Ebb  

If you love Dungeons & Dragons or have ever been curious, then you have to try Esoteric Ebb. Players take on the role of an amnesiac, fumbling Cleric who has been sent to investigate a mysterious explosion. What follows is an excellent adventure filled with charming companions, silly antics, good fights, and dramatic medieval politics. It’s one of the best written games I’ve played in years, reminding me (and others) of Disco Elysium. It’s especially impressive given that Esoteric Ebb is largely made by one-person studio Sudden Snail, i.e., Christoffer Bodegård. 

While there can be funny moments (like trying to eat your way through a pile of rotting apples to avoid a bullying zombie), Esoteric Ebb is also unafraid of approaching the serious. Zoë Hannah wrote a great piece at Mothership about how the game interrogates masculinity. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll die. As I wrote in my review in March, I already know Esoteric Ebb will be on my list of the best games of the year!

Platform: PC
MSRP: $24.99

– Written by Amanda Tien

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Marathon

Bungie’s Marathon isn’t built for most. It is a brutal extraction shooter with some anti-capital sentiments in which players both build community and fail to show mercy. To paraphrase many sentiments on Bluesky, Marathon is built for sickos.

I love it. Bungie has continually shown itself unmatched in the first-person shooter genre (second maybe only to id Software). I spent over a decade with Destiny and Destiny 2. I regularly revisit the original Marathon trilogy, Halo trilogy, Halo: Reach, and Halo 3: ODST.

Marathon captures the vulnerability of the latter two within a new, familiar science fiction world that is so rich with potential, with a subtle style of storytelling. Nothing proves more thrilling than achieving extraction in the midst of a firefight with NPCs or other players. I look forward to the updates to the game in Seasons 2 and 3 that will add expanded PvE modes.  

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
MSRP: $39.99

– Written by Clint Morrison, Jr.

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Mewgenics

“After spending dozens of hours playing Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel’s new game,” Matt Plaus wrote in his positive 8.8/10 review in February, “I have two far more pressing questions: Do the developers behind classic games The End is Nigh (2017) and The Binding of Isaac (2011) love or hate cats? And has anyone checked their backyards for piles of rotting dead felines? … Despite its silly cat theme, Mewgenics is a brutally difficult roguelike… And I’m obsessed with it.” 

For more thoughts, read Matt’s full Mewgenics review. 

Platform: PC
MSRP: $29.99

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Mina the Hollower

Mina the Hollower, the latest top-down action-adventure title from Yacht Club Games, blends together many of the best elements from classic franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Castlevania, along with a touch of Dark Souls. By itself, that’s a pretty damn good combo of classic video game exploration and combat, but the whole of Mina is far greater than the sum of its parts.

Any video game with a Gothic horror aesthetic, pixelated graphics, and a brave rodent hero will always appeal to folks like me. But where Mina truly shines is in the depth of its world, the magnetic pull of its caves, dungeons, and towns, and its novel approach to difficulty. Every single corner of its world teems with intrigue (as well as plenty of side challenges and activities that are more than worth your while), and its story contains some delightful twists and turns. 

The combat and platforming can both be tough as nails, to be sure. Despite some of the cute aesthetics, Mina the Hollower is not a casual, cozy game. But it’s a fantastic experience nonetheless, one I’d recommend to anyone jonesing for some truly great 2D action. If I had to boil it down, I’d say there’s never a dull moment in Mina the Hollower.

Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2
MSRP: $19.99

– Written by Sam Martinelli

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MOUSE: P.I. For Hire 

“Fumi Games and PlaySide Studios have crafted something genuinely special with MOUSE: P.I. For Hire,” Donovan Harrell wrote in his glowing 9.8/10 review in April, “a game so fully committed to its aesthetic, its world, and its characters that it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with it. … The level design mixes things up constantly: gunfights on train platforms with actual trains speeding through the middle, science labs with laser grids cutting off your exits, stages where set pieces drop down mid-fight, movie studios with different themes in every room.” 

For more thoughts, read Donovan’s full MOUSE: P.I. For Hire review. 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
MSRP: $29.99

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Pokémon Pokopia

I’ll admit it: When I first saw Pokémon Pokopia, a cozy game in the Pokémon universe where you rebuild towns and communities and do nice favors for various pocket monsters, I assumed it would be yet another Pokémon spinoff I’d never touch and never even think about again. Reader, I was very, very wrong.

More than just being a great cozy game with solid Minecraft-like building mechanics and tons of adorable Pokémon to find, Pokopia has a real heart and soul to it. In many ways, the game serves as a positive outlook on how to rebuild after a post-apocalypse, not just in how it requires teamwork and a common goal, but how it focuses on what made these abandoned civilizations beautiful to begin with. Its story is a fairly beautiful reminder of the importance of building and maintaining a community even in the harshest of times, a reminder I think many people could use these days.

Though I didn’t partake too much in the crazy building mechanics — constructing massive towers and terraforming every block of land to perfection rarely appeals to me — I really enjoyed my time with Pokopia, and it’s absolutely one of the nicest surprises of 2026 so far. Besides, what other game allows you to become friends with a Charizard?

Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
MSRP: $69.99

– Written by Sam Martinelli

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Pragmata

In a year of many notable Capcom releases, Pragmata is by far its most interesting and most unique. The game is a mostly linear action-adventure title set on a moon base in the future, where a stranded engineer and his child android buddy fight and hack their way through waves of hostile robot enemies in a quest for freedom from that floating rock. It’s exciting, visually stunning at times, and delightfully weird in the best ways.

At first glance, Pragmata appears to be a standard third-person shooter, but the main gameplay hook is that Diana, protagonist Hugh Williams’ android buddy, must first hack each enemy in real time before Hugh’s weapons can actually do any damage. What follows is consistently thrilling combat that manages to feel simultaneously chaotic and methodical, as it constantly tests your wits and reflexes all at once.

Beyond the excellent gameplay is a mostly rote yet fairly touching story between Hugh and Diana, one that feels warmer and more positive than your typical “sad dad” game. I’ve called Pragmata a “fun uncle” game because Hugh and Diana’s relationship reminds me of my own role in my nieces’ lives, as Diana’s fascination with basic elements of human life mirrors that of a normal human child. 

While the core gameplay loop can feel repetitive at times, especially during some particularly slow segments, Pragmata delivers enough of the goods to be a standout action title in 2026. 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
MSRP: $59.99

– Written by Sam Martinelli

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Rhythm Heaven Groove

One of the more refreshing decisions of 2026 — in a year filled with absolutely baffling ones — was Nintendo’s decision to price its upcoming Switch 2 games $10 cheaper on digital than physical. At a time when PlayStation (and likely Xbox too) is forcing a digital-only future down our collective throats, it’s nice to not only have a choice on Nintendo Switch 2, but a worthy incentive to ditch the disk.

Still, I’m sticking with physical cartridges for as long as I can. And thanks to a recent discount on most storefronts, I was able to lock in pre-orders for Star Fox and July’s Splatoon Raiders at the same price as their digital counterparts. (Win-win!) As a result, I’ve been buying and playing a whole lot of Nintendo first-party titles this year.

Rhythm Heaven Groove didn’t have the same fancy promotion as those other games. It wasn’t given its own Nintendo Direct, was released solely for Nintendo Switch 1, and is retailing for just $40. But that modest stature only piqued my interest more, and I pre-ordered it alongside all the other Switch games I’ve been adding to the collection this year.

I’m so glad I took the chance. At first glance, Rhythm Heaven Groove is a fairly rudimentary collection of timing-based mini-games, but the title is so much more than that veneer. Mashing together the microgame cadence of WarioWare, the humor of Tomodachi Life, and the small moments of delight that only Nintendo can deliver, Groove transcends the typical music-rhythm game to offer something decidedly fresh.

Individual mini-games take only a few minutes to master, but the sheer number of them — over 100, spanning both solo play and multiplayer — makes Groove well worth the investment. Throw in the series’ trademark “Remix” sessions, which throw four mini-games into a blender for something as wacky as it is entertaining, a medal system that encourages replayability, and even a full-blown RPG roguelike mode that has you casting spells to the beat, and Rhythm Heaven Groove is an absolute delight.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch 1 & 2 (via backwards compatibility)
MSRP: $39.99

– Written by David Silbert

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Romeo Is a Dead Man

Much like most of auteur developer Suda51’s catalog, Romeo Is a Dead Man has some issues. The pacing is wildly inconsistent, the gameplay ranges from entertaining to downright annoying, the story is bonkers in both the positive and negative sense, the mini-games are mostly misses, the visuals are muddy, and the music is dumb. Honestly, laying it all out makes Romeo Is a Dead Man sound pretty bad!

But there’s a gem in that inconsistent package made by GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC. The pacing issues are pretty standard for Suda, and nowhere near as difficult to handle as something like Lollipop Chainsaw. The combat can be genuinely fun, with ludicrous gore and charming explosions. The monster designs are FromSoftware-esque but turned up to 100, and some made me genuinely laugh. And the story has its really sweet moments, even in its weird universe- and dimension-hopping madness.

Romeo Is a Dead Man should not be someone’s first Suda51 project (that honor is probably still 2011’s Shadows of the Damned or the No More Heroes series). But fans of the lunacy that Suda loves to bring to a project will find a worthwhile time in the misadventures of Romeo Stargazer, aka Deadman.

Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2
MSRP: $49.99

– Written by Gary Wilson

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Saros

I was done with roguelikes after Hades 2. I felt a little burnt out of the learn, die, repeat gameplay loop. I adored Housemarque’s Returnal and the postmodern structuring of its narrative around protagonist Selene’s many deaths, but the game’s spiritual successor Saros didn’t immediately capture me. Its very orange advertising didn’t help. 

I tried it anyway, and I found that Saros is much more approachable than Returnal. It’s a lot more forgiving. Saros is a roguelike for folks who don’t particularly care for the genre. Its easier gameplay loop is matched by a more digestible and smoothly navigated narrative. While I think the structure could have taken more risks and been messier, I appreciated its meditation on toxic masculinity. 

Saros isn’t nearly as orange as its promotional material let on (though it is still pretty orange). The game’s thoughtful approach to the genre makes it a must-play for every PlayStation 5 owner, and the ability to adjust the difficulty provides some welcome challenge for the endgame. 

Platform: PlayStation 5
MSRP: $69.99

– Written by Clint Morrison, Jr.

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Star Fox

To put it briefly: Star Fox (2026) is a remake of Star Fox 64 (1997), one of the best arcade-style on-rails shooters of all time. Star Fox 64 is awesome, and therefore the new Star Fox was always going to be, at minimum, awesome. 

Even still, this remake offers more than just a new coat of paint. The graphical upgrades are truly astonishing, with the folks at developer Velan Studios opting for gorgeous new color schemes that make every object truly pop without fundamentally altering what the original aesthetics were going for. Gameplay-wise, not much has changed (nor did it need to), but everything just feels a little smoother, largely due to the consistent frame rate.

Meanwhile, the new cutscenes and dialogue add a great deal to the original’s story, raising the stakes for each sojourn through the Lylat system and giving each classic character just a little more personal depth. For example, I’ve grown from finding Slippy extremely annoying in previous versions of the game to now becoming this nerdy toad’s biggest defender, all because Velan put real effort and heart into the writing and character animations.

Additionally, the remake includes a nifty new challenge mode to create even more replayability, as well as a fairly limited but incredibly fun four-vs-four multiplayer Battle Mode. The new challenges are a nice addition for those looking to find new ways to play each level, but the overhauled Battle Mode is an absolute blast, combining classic Star Fox dogfights with some in-stage objectives to make for an online multiplayer experience equal parts chaotic and thrilling. Of the (many) ways you can experience the greatness that is Star Fox 64, the latest remake is easily the best.

Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
MSRP: $59.99 (physical), $49.99 (digital)

– Written by Sam Martinelli

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TR-49

TR-49 is one of the bravest games I’ve played. Not only does it do something really interesting with its gameplay and storytelling, but TR-49 takes a strong political stance against power groups using misinformation as a tool of oppression. While the game takes place within a World War II-era machine, the message is pointed and poignant for today. 

Debuting early in 2026, TR-49 tasks players with using a fictional archive machine to explore old newspaper articles, books, diary entries, and more. The game is both intimate and global as it explores the idea of truth between family members as well as at a societal level. It’s also just a really clever and fun puzzle game by inkle, an independent studio that has made its own legacy of rich story-driven games. Especially at the price point, TR-49 is an unbelievable deal and one of the best games of 2026. 

As I wrote in my glowing review, I was fully absorbed in the machine of TR-49, and if you dare to enter its labyrinth, I’m sure you will be too.

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, iOS
MSRP: $6.99

– Written by Amanda Tien

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Vampire Crawlers

It’s no surprise that Vampire Crawlers, the deck-building spin-off of the endlessly addictive Vampire Survivors, retains the same “just one more run” energy of the original. I’ve lost entire evenings to slapping the reset button, kicking off new runs with new builds and unoptimized dreams. Where Vampire Survivors had its runs gated by time, Crawlers gates by enemy amount. Each level only has a set number of encounters, capped by a boss at the end, meaning every run has a destined endpoint. It is easy, then, to see the enemy boss encounter mere feet away and run out of gas just beforehand, leading to the immediate desire to try again.

What is surprising, however, is how well designed Vampire Crawlers is. Crawlers could have easily been a fun sidebar to the moneymaker, a diversion while solo developer poncle works on a new Survivors expansion or sequel. But Crawlers is instead a thoughtful reimagining, a genuinely great deck builder that rivals greats like Slay the Spire or Monster Train. While less endless than its predecessor, Crawlers rewards progression and allows flexibility in its builds. There is no laziness in Crawlers, but instead a lovingly crafted standalone great.

I expected to have fun with Vampire Crawlers. I didn’t expect to love it.

Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
MSRP: $9.99

– Written by Gary Wilson

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Wax Heads

I had never heard of Wax Heads until fellow Punished Backlog writer Scarlet Hardy previewed and then reviewed it. As soon as two-person studio Patattie Games released their record store simulator in May, I bought Wax Heads. I fell in love with Repeater Records just as Scarlet had. 

Players take on the role of a new clerk at a record store in the U.K. It’s a fine-tuned “cozy punk narrative sim” that I couldn’t wait to dive back into again and again. It’s full of thoughtful, fun characters who all want your help finding just the right record. Patattie fully commits to the locale by investing in an excellent soundtrack, filled with songs made specifically for the game across a variety of genres. 

There has been a rise in nostalgia-fueled shop simulators; our society is seeking the steadiness of work, third places, and economic stability. Of all the ones I’ve tried this year so far, Wax Heads is by far the best.

Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox Series X/S
MSRP: $14.99

– Written by Amanda Tien

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Zero Parades: For Dead Spies

Let’s rip this bandage off: We were never going to get Disco Elysium 2. Even before ZA/UM’s messy breakup with the game’s creative talent, the sequel to everyone’s favorite critical theory cop role-playing game wouldn’t have lived up to anyone’s imaginations. Disco Elysium deserves so much more than to be franchised out.

Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is part spiritual successor and part reinvention. It streamlines everything that I adored about Disco Elysium with a more tolerable (if not differently morally flawed) protagonist. Much like Disco‘s HDB, protagonist CASCADE begins by having a pretty solid no-good rotten day. However, Zero Parades’ setting of Portofiro feels so lived-in, with characters whose lives extend beyond the edges of your playtime, that I cannot imagine a richer place to have such a bad series of days. The vibrant art style and poetically written prose bring Portofiro and its residents to life.

Zero Parades was never going to live up to anyone’s idea of what Disco Elysium 2 should be. While criticisms may not be entirely unfounded, recent updates — including changes to skill checks, faculties and skills, and the UI — provide welcome quality-of-life improvements with the current team’s personal touch. In short, Zero Parades is one of the most timely experiences of 2026.

Platform: PC
MSRP: $39.99

– Written by Clint Morrison, Jr.

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Regarding Microsoft

Editorial note: The Punished Backlog participates in No Games For Genocide, which follows the BDS Movement’s call to “boycott as many Microsoft products as feasible until it stops being complicit in the genocide of Palestinians.” As such, we have chosen not to cover any Microsoft or Xbox titles. Learn more at https://nogamesforgenocide.com/.

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2026: More Great Games To Come

There’s so much more to look forward to gaming-wise in 2026. We’ll update this list as our new favorites debut.

What are some of your favorites so far? Let us know in the comments!