Short answer: The best new video game of 2026 so far is Big Walk, with a 91 Metascore. Forza Horizon 6 and Mina the Hollower are right behind at 90, then Resident Evil Requiem, Pokémon Pokopia and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave at 89. GTA 6 isn’t on the list because it doesn’t come out until November 19, 2026.
Updated October 20, 2026 · Scores and review counts from Metacritic, checked October 20, 2026
Keep Reading: GTA 6 Release Date, Price, Map and Characters: Everything We Know · The Biggest Games Coming in 2026 — The NerdSnack Release Calendar
How we ranked them: new games released in 2026 only, so no remasters, ports, expansions or full launches of games that were already playable in early access. Each game needs at least 20 critic reviews, then we rank by Metascore and break ties by the number of reviews.
The best video games of 2026 so far
| # | Game | Metascore | Released | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Walk | 91 (30 reviews) | Aug 4 | PC, PS5, Switch 2 |
| 2 | Forza Horizon 6 | 90 (83) | May 19 | Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5 |
| 3 | Mina the Hollower | 90 (74) | May 29 | PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2 |
| 4 | Resident Evil Requiem | 89 (141) | Feb 27 | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2 |
| 5 | Pokémon Pokopia | 89 (121) | Mar 5 | Switch 2 |
| 6 | Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave | 89 (102) | Sep 17 | Switch 2 |
| 7 | Schrödinger’s Call | 89 (21) | May 28 | PC, Switch |
| 8 | Star Wars: Galactic Racer | 88 (75) | Oct 6 | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 |
| 9 | Mewgenics | 88 (58) | Feb 10 | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Switch 2 |
| 10 | Denshattack! | 88 (48) | Jul 15 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 |
1. Big Walk (91)
A co-op adventure about teamwork and talking. You and your friends set out across a wide-open world full of puzzles and discoveries, and you have to stay in touch and work together to find your way. It’s published by Panic and has the highest score of any new 2026 game with a full set of reviews.
2. Forza Horizon 6 (90)
The open-world racing series moves to Japan, with its landscapes and cities as the playground for the Horizon Festival. It has 83 critic reviews, and it’s on PS5 as well as Xbox and PC.
3. Mina the Hollower (90)
An action-adventure from Yacht Club Games, the studio behind Shovel Knight. You play Mina, a Hollower sent to rescue a cursed island. It’s on almost every platform, including PS4 and the original Switch.
4. Resident Evil Requiem (89)
Capcom’s new mainline Resident Evil and the most-reviewed game on this list, with 141 critic reviews. It’s survival horror in the series’ modern style, on PS5, Xbox, PC and Switch 2.
5. Pokémon Pokopia (89)
A cozy life sim where you play as a Ditto and rebuild a desolate world into a home for Pokémon, one step at a time. It’s a Switch 2 exclusive from Nintendo, Koei Tecmo and The Pokémon Company.
6. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave (89)
A turn-based tactics game where you travel through time to gather allies and defeat the demon god Balor. It came out September 17 and is a Switch 2 exclusive.
7. Schrödinger’s Call (89)
A visual novel built around one question: when the world is ending, who would you call one last time? It’s published by Shueisha Games and is on PC and Switch.
8. Star Wars: Galactic Racer (88)
A run-based racing game set in the lawless Outer Rim of the Star Wars galaxy. It’s out on PC, Xbox and PS5, and it’s the newest game on the list, released October 6.
9. Mewgenics (88)
From Edmund McMillen, the creator of The Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy. You collect, breed and train cats, then send them out on turn-based tactical adventures.
10. Denshattack! (88)
A 3D platformer where you ride a gravity-defying train, pulling tricks and grinding through Japan’s biggest cities to take down the sinister Miraidō corporation.
Just missed the list
- SAROS (87, 144 reviews): a PS5 exclusive with 144 critic reviews.
- 007 First Light (87, 101 reviews): the new James Bond game.
- Gears of War: E-Day (87, 76 reviews): out October 6 on Xbox and PC. See our Gears of War: E-Day guide.
- Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve (87, 72 reviews): out October 2.
- Nioh 3 (86, 105 reviews) and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (86, 63 reviews).
High scores that didn’t qualify
- Sektori (93) and …and Roger (90) have higher Metascores, but only 10 critic reviews each, so we left them off until more reviews come in.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered (92) and Resident Evil 2: Deluxe Edition (92) are re-releases of older games.
- Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (90) is a remake, and Valheim and Enshrouded (89 each) were playable in early access long before their 2026 launches.
Where is GTA 6?
Not out yet. Grand Theft Auto VI launches November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Our GTA 6 guide has the price, editions and map details, and we’ll update this list once its reviews are in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best video game of 2026?
So far, Big Walk, with a 91 Metascore from 30 critic reviews. Forza Horizon 6 and Mina the Hollower are close behind at 90.
What is the best Switch 2 game of 2026?
Pokémon Pokopia and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, both Switch 2 exclusives with an 89 Metascore.
What is the best PS5 game of 2026?
Forza Horizon 6 (90) and Resident Evil Requiem (89) are both on PS5. The best-reviewed PS5 exclusive is SAROS at 87.
Is GTA 6 out?
No. It comes out November 19, 2026, so it isn’t on this list yet.
How did you rank these games?
New 2026 releases only, with at least 20 critic reviews, ranked by Metascore on October 20, 2026, with ties broken by the number of reviews.
Next step: If you only buy one, Forza Horizon 6 or Resident Evil Requiem are the safest picks across platforms, and Pokopia is the one to get on Switch 2. Stocking up for a long session? See our best gaming snacks.
Get the top picks
Sources: Metascores, review counts, release dates and platforms from Metacritic, checked October 20, 2026; GTA 6 date from Rockstar Games. Images: Xbox Game Studios, Capcom, The Pokémon Company and Nintendo.
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