The Best Games of PAX East 2026 So Far

Boston’s annual PAX East convention is off to a great start — cold weather and pricey parking notwithstanding. Set in the recently renamed¹ Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, PAX East is the East Coast’s biggest video game convention, attracting publishers, developers, and players for four days of gaming goodness.

PAX East 2026 is no different, though the convention is certainly showing some fatigue. The show floor is sparser than in years past, and big publishers are notably absent, with Nintendo being the major exception. Tradeshows in general have never been the same since COVID, and PAX East is a reminder that the days of Rockstar, Sony, and Valve frequenting these halls are long gone.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. While I’ve played some terrific AAAs² at past PAXs, there’s nothing better than discovering a well-hidden gem that feels custom-tailored to you. Boston’s convention is full of those moments, and that hasn’t changed with the years.

Our team is spending the next several days walking the show floor, and we already have some excellent recommendations to share. As with past years, we’ll be updating this list with more games as the convention progresses.

– David Silbert, Editor

Our Favorite Games From PAX East 2026

Can’t make it to Boston this year (or don’t want to brave the weather)? We’ve got you covered. Here’s all of the best video games, board games, and peripherals we sampled during our time at PAX East 2026.

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

• Aether & Iron
• Bubsy 4D
• CRKD’s upcoming controllers
• Halloween
• Jigrift
• Kiln
• of the Devil
• Pokémon Champions
• ShantyTown
• Sprout
• Valor Mortis

Pokémon Champions

I began my PAX East 2026 journey by heading to Nintendo’s booth. As press members, we’re given an hour before the public to explore the show floor, chat with developers, and try out games before the general public. As you might imagine, Nintendo tends to get a heavy crowd, so I made sure to spend my time wisely.

Or so I thought. Turns out, even with just press members in line, it took me two hours to play Pokémon Champions. But I’m not here to critique Nintendo’s lack of available demo stations; I’m here to chat about the game. And based on what I played, it sure seems like how you’d expect a Pokémon battler to play.

I didn’t get to delve deep into the recruiting and training functions of Pokémon Champions. Instead, my demo time consisted of two double-team battles. Ahead of both battles, I selected one of Nintendo’s prebuilt teams, selected four Pokémon from that list, then sent them out in a specific order. When selecting your battle order, you can see what Pokémon your opponent has to choose from, but naturally, you won’t see their exact selections. Thus is the fun of competitive battling.

I went with the coolest-looking squad, and then we were off to fight. Battles themselves play like any Pokémon game you’ve played in the past 30 years, including weakness-based moves, tagging in/out different Pokémon, and using held items like Leftovers (so clutch). Visually, the game looked far better than I expected, at least by Pokémon standards. Models look great, and battle arenas pop with color.

I knew little to nothing about Pokémon Champions a few days ago. After demoing it, I can see the appeal. I’m skeptical about how the game will play for those (like me) who aren’t willing to shell out for a Pokémon Home subscription and thus are going into the game dry. But if Nintendo can make it easy enough to build teams and battle without any prerequisite Pokémon (or any serious spending), count me in.

– Written by David Silbert

Developer: The Pokémon Works
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Release Date: April 8, 2026
MRSP: Free to play (with paid battle passes and other microtransactions)

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Sprout

While PAX East may not be the video game juggernaut it once was, it’s absolutely flourishing when it comes to tabletop games and RPGs.

Sprout, a board game from NYC-based company Rabble, has all the underpinnings of a great game night. As roommates learning to care for their houseplants, up to five players will work to gather four nutrients (i.e., resources) — sunlight, water, fertilizer, and love — which they can then use to care for (i.e., play) plants in their possession. The more plants you play, the further you progress on the game board; you’ll also gain passive effects ranging from resource generation (get two water) to sabotage (steal two nutrients from another player).

Resource management has a wonderful risk-reward pull. At the beginning of the round, a dealer will reveal a card from the nutrients deck. Everyone who is currently “in” will receive the benefit (e.g., two sunlight). However, the longer you stay in, the easier it is to accrue too many resources, leading you to, say, overwater your plants or expose them to too much sunlight. Much like Flip 7, success lies somewhere in between the boundaries of shrewdness and greed. I found it a super compelling mechanic.

I played a few rounds with a group of content creators (who courteously let me hijack their appointment), and we had a blast. Sprout takes the spirit of other “laid back” board games like Wingspan, invites some friendly competition with its double-down mechanic, and strikes a beautiful mix between strategy and approachability. It’s a wonderful synthesis that plant lovers should love.

– Written by David Silbert

Developer: Rabble
Publisher: Rabble
Release Date: TBD (a Kickstarter is planned for later this year)
MRSP: TBD

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Halloween

I never had much love for slasher films growing up, but that’s changed as of late. My girlfriend took me to a midnight screening of Scream, and I found myself grinning from start to finish. More recently, we watched Hitchcock’s Psycho, which engrossed me with its pacing, mood-setting, and iconic shower scene. And Weapons, though not a traditional slasher, made me come to appreciate the craft of portraying a terrific villain.

John Carpenter’s Halloween is next on the list, which made me delighted to learn that developer-publisher IllFonic is creating a video game adaptation. A spiritual continuation of IllFonic’s previous works, namely Friday the 13th: The Game, Halloween builds on the asymmetric social multiplayer that made the 2017 game a cult hit.

Like in Friday the 13th, IllFonic’s take on Halloween has players channeling their inner bad guy. In place of Jason Voorhees, we have Michael Myers. Structurally, the game plays similarly, with civilians working creatively (and often desperately) to escape while the lone villain hunts the pack down.

I got the chance to play both as Mike (we’re on a first-name basis) and as a civilian. As you may expect from an IllFonic game, the experiences are totally different depending on your role. Myers is slow but deadly, and can shift through shadows to reappear suddenly on another side of the map. Civilians, meanwhile, can run, hide, and even fight back with bats, knives, and other weapons — but never for long.

The PAX demo had some unfortunate bugs, like civilians clipping out of cars (and thus revealing their location to me as Mike) and combat animations randomly cutting out. The frame rate also took a hit when things got rowdy. But jank, much like camp, is much of the fun in social games like this, and I enjoyed my time despite the glaring visual hiccups.

If IllFonic can patch up the issues, Halloween could be the next social breakout. Based on my conversations with the developers, it’s clear they understand not just the property, but the asymmetric multiplayer genre like the back of their hands. We’ll see how it all materializes later this year.

– Written by David Silbert

Developer: IllFonic
Publishers: IllFonic Publishing, Gun Interactive
Release Date: September 8, 2026
MRSP: TBD

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Aether & Iron

When David went hands-on with Aether & Iron at PAX East 2025, he came away impressed by the quality of its writing, characters, and world. Ten months later, Aether & Iron is nearly set to release, and our fundamental impression of the game has not changed.

I played an updated build of the game at an off-site event. There, I spoke with the lead writer and played for over an hour as the hard-nosed smuggler Gia. In my demo, I explored a fictitious New York City sitting in the clouds, engaging with other denizens while performing skill checks and narrowly avoiding (in my case, several) combat encounters.

For my full impressions, read my Aether & Iron preview. The game comes out on Monday, and I cannot be more excited to pick it up.

– Written by Gary Wilson

Developer: Seismic Squirrel
Publishers: Seismic Squirrel, Chaos Theory Games
Release Date: March 30, 2026
MRSP: TBD

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CRKD’s Upcoming Controllers (and a Tantalizing Stage Tour Tease)

Okay, yes, this isn’t technically a game demo. But I was lucky enough to test the new third-party controllers developed by CRKD. I am a user of CRKD products myself: Their Gibson Les Paul Tribal Edition guitar controller is my go-to for rhythm games. At PAX, I was able to try their new ATOM+ micro controller, the Nitro Deck 2 for Switch and Switch 2, and the Ult Pro controller. I don’t have much to say on the Ult Pro; it feels like a solid, worthwhile modern controller at a more competitive price point. 

I came away deeply impressed by the feel of the ATOM+ in particular. Designed as a portable Bluetooth controller, the ATOM+ stood apart from other micro controllers I’ve tried in the past. Fully equipped with a pair of responsive joysticks and surprisingly tactile buttons, I was most impressed by how good the ATOM+ felt in my hand. Movement in Ori and the Will of the Wisps felt snappy and responsive, and I honestly could have continued with it for longer. At only $30, I could certainly see myself investing in one.

As for the Nitro Deck 2, it left a little something to be desired. Designed to help the Switch 1/2 feel weightier and fuller in handheld mode, the Nitro Deck felt flimsier than I would’ve liked. While comfortable to hold, it added very little to the already solid form factor of the Switch 2. However, the choice to make the Nitro Deck compatible with both versions of Switch by use of an expandable back panel was very clever. The CRKD representative on hand did mention the models at PAX lacked some features that will be included for launch: namely, the haptic rumble motors. Perhaps those additions will help the Nitro Deck 2 feel more worthwhile.

While with the representative, I also asked a few questions about CRKD’s upcoming game, Stage Tour. Positioned as the modern, official alternative to Rock Band, Stage Tour aims to help revitalize the home concert genre left behind by Harmonix. While new details were kept close to the vest, CRKD confirmed with me that Stage Tour will have a fully licensed soundtrack, with setlist announcements starting “in the next few months.” We should also hear more about CRKD’s upcoming drum peripheral very soon.

– Written by Gary Wilson

Manufacturer: CRKD
Release date: Spring 2026 (Nitro Deck 2); June 2026 (Ult Pro and ATOM+); Fall 2026 (Stage Tour)
MRSP: $99.99 (Nitro Deck 2); $69.99 (Ult Pro); $29.99 (ATOM+); TBD (Stage Tour)

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Bubsy 4D

One of my most anticipated indies of 2026 was Fabraz’s Demon Tides, an open-world platformer that’s equal parts Banjo Kazooie and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. In my Demon Tides review, I called it a terrific platformer, albeit also a technically flawed one. Despite its performance issues, the game lived up to my expectations, to the point that I invested 30 hours seeing and doing everything.

Normally, an indie studio is lucky to put out a great title like that every four to five years. (Demon Turf, Fabraz’s previous game, came out in 2021, for instance.) However, it looks like Fabraz has learned some dark magic, as not only is it delivering a second game this year, but that game is shaping up to be damn good.

Bubsy 4D, the seventh entry in the long-running platforming series and the first 3D entry in 30 years, was announced at Gamescom 2025 to plenty of buzz. The excitement was hardly surprising, given the historic nature of the revival³; far more shocking, though, was the reveal that Fabraz would be the studio behind the latest title.

In October 2025, Fabraz released a lengthy Steam demo for consumers to enjoy… which I apparently missed! Thankfully, PAX East 2026 had a portion of that demo on display for attendees, and I instantly felt right at home. Bubsy 4D shares similar DNA to Demon Tides, from the cel-shaded art style to the intricate platforming mechanics to the unbridled sense of humor.

Oddly enough, though, I actually think Bubsy 4D may be better than Fabraz’s original IP. The platforming is smoother and more intuitive, the art is more cohesive, and the jokes are funnier. It helps that Bubsy is an established character with plenty of history; expect callbacks, self-deprecating zingers, and plenty of fourth-wall-breaking moments.

I greatly enjoyed Demon Tides despite never playing its predecessor. Having never played a Bubsy game either, I have a feeling history may repeat itself with Bubsy 4D.

– Written by David Silbert

Developer: Fabraz
Publishers: Atari
Release Date: May 22, 2026
MRSP: TBD
Play the demo here!

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Kiln

David and I were lucky enough to dive into an on-floor demo of Kiln, the upcoming party game/hero shooter/pottery-making simulator from the legendary Double Fine Productions. Our brief demo covered both the main aspects of the game. First came making our water-carrying fighter on a pottery wheel. We were given three clay balls of different sizes: Small is the fastest but carries the least water and is the easiest to destroy, medium is a wonderful all-rounder, and large is the slowest but hardiest. Both David and I picked similar builds, but the exact shapes we created led to different special abilities. During the competition phase (we’ll get there), my flat but wide pot had a sword-swinging ability. Meanwhile, a rounder pot could launch a blast of water to knock opponents away.

Once our pots were spun, dyed, and fired, it was time to battle. Our match was a four vs. four race to extinguish the opponents’ Kiln. Players deal damage to the enemy kiln by gathering water from the center of the map, dodging attacks from opponents, and then spilling it into the open furnace. We crushed our opponents, both in the Destroying Their Pots department and the Destroying Their Kiln department. The match was still frenetic, however, with some fun push and pull.

I came away from the demo interested in how Kiln will come together. The pottery spinning phase was finicky, and I never got a good handle on shaping my pot into exactly what I wanted. The match itself was muddy, and I found it hard to tell when I was doing damage to the actual kiln. In the end, though, I had fun. I’m sure Kiln will be a great time with friends in a party setting. As for the overall shelf life, we’ll have to see.

– Written by Gary Wilson

Developer: Double Fine
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Release date: April 23, 2026
MRSP: $19.99

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of the Devil

If not evident by the screenshot and the stylized title, of the Devil is an extremely striking game. Developed and self-published by a two-person team based in Boston, of the Devil pays homage to investigation games like Ace Attorney and Danganronpa. Animations pop with a flair that would make the Persona team jealous, and characters talk with a hardboiled bite that would fit right in a Raymond Chandler book.

But the game is more than its influences. In my demo, I investigated a crime scene, gathering evidence that I would then use to defend my client in a courtroom trial. Strong writing brings each character to life, while a novel blackjack mechanic — in which you “press” witnesses or “stay” — gives cross-examinations a unique flavor.

of the Devil is an episodic narrative adventure, and based on my talks with a friend of the devs, it’s shaping up to be quite the beast. A free prologue, Episode 0, is out now, offering several hours of story. Two additional chapters, Episode 1 and 2, are out for $9.99 a piece, with each running upward of seven to eight hours. Based on the existing Steam reviews — “Overwhelmingly Positive” based on 2,000+ reviews — it seems like folks are quite enjoying this caper so far.

– Written by David Silbert

Developer: nth Circle Studios
Publishers: nth Circle Studios
Release Date: Episodes 0-2 out now; episodes 3-5 still TBD
MRSP: Free for the prologue; $9.99 for subsequent episodes
Play the prologue here!

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Valor Mortis

I am a massive fan of the folks at developer One More Level. The creators of the Ghostrunner franchise, One More Level is known for creating frenetic, fast-paced experiences that’ll have your fingers twitching and your heart pounding.

Valor Mortis isn’t anything like what the studio has done before… or is it? Billed as a first-person Soulslike, Valor Mortis seems like a far cry from the cyberpunk aesthetic and parkour-heavy platforming of Ghostrunner 1 and 2. Still, I scheduled an appointment based on the pedigree of the developers alone, and I’m thrilled to report I wasn’t disappointed.

Set during a fictitious retelling of the Napoleonic Wars, Valor Mortis puts you in control of one of Bonaparte’s soldiers, risen from the dead. Using a mix of swordplay, gunplay, and BioShock-esque magic powers, you’ll combat turncoats while learning about the mysterious world you now inhabit.

Valor Mortis has all the hallmarks of a great Soulslike, from bonfires to parrying to disgustingly mutated bosses. In my 20-minute demo, I got a feel for the controls (which felt great) and was soon crossing blades with my enemies, Sekiro style. A Bloodborne-inspired health-regain mechanic encourages staying on the offensive, while metroidvania-like barriers (glowing growths you can shoot, wooden barriers you can burn, etc.) allow for plenty of off-the-beaten-path exploration.

I didn’t know what to expect heading into Valor Mortis, but I came away utterly impressed. If the rest of the game — which a One More Level rep teased would be quite open-ended — is as enticing as this early demo, Valor Mortis could be a massive success waiting to happen.

– Written by David Silbert

Developer: One More Level
Publishers: Lyrical Games, One More Level
Release Date: TBD 2026
MRSP: TBD

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Jigrift

Over the years, I’ve come to expect a few truths about PAX. Lines are long.⁴ Food trucks are ridiculously expensive. People are friendly, if a bit awkward, and there’s never enough time to see and do everything.

Another truth: Whenever publisher Whitethorn Games has a booth, it’s usually worth checking out. From the atmospheric Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island and cozy Calico to the narrative-heavy Botany Manor, the games under Whitethorn’s label are refreshingly creative. They also don’t shy away from a good brain teaser.

Jigrift is the latest addition to the Whitethorn cohort. Developed by Empty Castle Games, the title is every bit as quirky as the above photo suggests. As a mystical frog named Bert, you’ll travel between Wind Waker-esque islands through a mix of light platforming and heavy puzzle-solving.

The puzzle-solving is quite literal. At any time, Bert can perform a ritualistic dance; doing so zooms out the game to a bird’s-eye view, allowing you to view neighboring islands. The main hook: Each island is a puzzle piece in a broader jigsaw. By rotating and connecting pieces, you can reassemble the world in various ways, allowing access to new islands, collectables, and story threads. (Think 2020’s Carto, applied to a 3D game world.)

The concept alone was enough to sell me on Jigrift. Add in a gorgeous pixel art style evocative of A Short Hike, and you have a cozy puzzler that’s easy on the eyes yet tough on the mind. I’d have it no other way.

– Written by David Silbert

Developer: Empty Castle Games
Publishers: Whitethorn Games
Release Date: H2 2026
MRSP: TBD

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ShantyTown

This past Christmas, my girlfriend bought my mother a DIY diorama of a cozy study. It was a beautiful display, with colorful stacks of books, detailed artisanal pictures, and intricate lighting bringing the scene together. My mom groaned when she opened it. “It’s cute, but I’ll never be able to build this!”

If only my mom had a copy of ShantyTown. Developed by solo creator Erik Rempen, the game lets players construct gorgeous scenes without the need for a glue gun, or patience, or even a steady hand. Using a radial menu and drag-and-drop controls, you’ll add various elements to your scene, from apartments and ramen shops to neon signs and palm trees. The more you build, the more you build up your “photo” meter, which, when full, culminates in a photo shoot of your latest vignette (and the end of the level).

Space is tight, so creativity is at a premium here; you’ll need to take advantage of the verticality in each scene to build your ideal layout. There’s also some light resource management at play — buildings that require electricity, for instance — but according to Erik, whom I spoke with at PAX, the systems are pretty forgiving. You can even ignore them altogether.

I played ShantyTown for over an hour on my Steam Deck. (I could’ve played at the show, but I figured I’d take my time at home.) The game is absolutely gorgeous, and taking pictures of my diorama as the sun set was an easy highlight. If I have a concern, it’s that the controls, at least on Deck, are a bit finicky; I struggled to set items with precision, and it took me a while to figure out how to pan the camera up or down. Still, the allure of ShantyTown cannot be denied, and I look forward to building even greater sights once the game releases in a few weeks.

Developer: Erik Rempen
Publisher: Kinephantom Games
Release Date: April 16, 2026
MRSP: TBD
Play the demo here!

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We’ll Have More From PAX Soon!

That’s it for now, but keep this page bookmarked, as we’ll have far more games to highlight as we play ’em!

Are you at PAX East 2026? Let us know in the comments!

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1. Thomas Michael Menino served as mayor of Boston from 1993 to 2014, which made him the city’s longest-standing mayor. Under his tenure, Menino drove the development of the Seaport District, improved Boston’s school programs, and fought for a greener city. He passed away unexpectedly in 2014 following a battle with cancer. In June 2025, the Boston Center & Exhibition Center (BCEC) announced it was changing its name in honor of the mayor who made the Seaport what it is today. ↩︎
2. It’s hard to believe now, but back in the day, the gaming hype circuit used to run through Boston. When I first started going to PAX, I was demoing everything from Max Payne 3 to The Last of Us. I still have fond memories of sitting in on a Deus Ex: Human Revolution panel with fellow writer Kei Isobe. The swag we got back in the day was unreal, too. Anyone remember that Hitman red tie? Those were the days. ↩︎
3. Initially developed and published by Accolade, the Bubsy games have exchanged hands on numerous occasions. Atari published the third game in the series, Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales, thanks to an agreement with Accolade. Years later, Accolade went bankrupt and was acquired by California-based publisher Tommo, which went on to publish new Bubsy games under its UFO Interactive label. Then, in 2023, Atari purchased the Bubsy IP from Tommo, leading finally to Bubsy 4D. Never a dull moment! ↩︎
4. Cough Pokémon Champions cough. ↩︎