Big in 2026: The ultimate guide to the video games that will shape 2026 and beyond

Features
By Contributions from , last updated

Our annual new year preview returns to spotlight the 50 most anticipated upcoming video games, and the people developing them

Big in 2026 hero image
(Image credit: John Strike / Future)

Is there a video game on this planet Earth that can draw the spotlight away from Grand Theft Auto 6? With Rockstar Games having delayed what is undoubtedly the most-anticipated entertainment property of the decade to November 19, the video game release calendar has been thrown into absolute disarray. This means that 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest years of the current generation, with a stacked lineup of AAA titans and transformative indies jostling for attention. What's scary is that it's only January, with the likes of GDC, Summer Game Fest, and Gamescom still to come.

Big in 2026 is here to help you navigate a stacked year for new releases. Throughout the month of January, GamesRadar+ is spotlighting the 50 most anticipated upcoming video games with new insights, hands-on access, and exclusive interviews with the development teams working to bring these titles to life. While we are primarily focused on giving you a window into the virtual worlds you'll be exploring in 2026, we have also decided to profile a few key 2027 releases that we believe will contribute to the conversations that we are all going to have about video games this year.

Our new year preview runs all month, so keep this Big in 2026 coverage hub bookmarked to make sure you don't miss any of our previews. And don't forget to drop into the comment section below to let the GamesRadar+ team know what games you are most excited to play this year.

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BIG IN 2026

Big in 2026 spotlights 50 titles that will shape the year in gaming. All you need to do is click on a screenshot to access one of our new previews, each designed to share fresh insight into the hottest upcoming games.

TRENDS & PREDICTIONS

With so many video games set to release this year, it can be all too easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. As part of Big in 2026, we are tracking the latest trends and predictions to help you cut through the noise.

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We are launching brand new previews, features, and interviews every day throughout January to help you connect with all of the video games that we believe will be Big in 2026 and beyond.

Josh West
Josh West
Editor-in-Chief, GamesRadar+

Josh West is Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar+. He has over 18 years of experience in both online and print journalism, and was awarded a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Josh has contributed to world-leading gaming, entertainment, tech, music, and comics brands, including games™, Edge, Retro Gamer, SFX, 3D Artist, Metal Hammer, and Newsarama. In addition, Josh has edited and written books for Hachette and Scholastic, and worked across the Future Games Show as an Assistant Producer. He specializes in video games and entertainment coverage, and has provided expert comment for outlets like the BBC and ITV. In his spare time, Josh likes to play FPS games and RPGs, practice the bass guitar, and reminisce about the film and TV sets he worked on as a child actor.

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