Video Game Tier List 2026: Every Game Ranked (Updated October)

Q: What is the best game of 2026?

As of October 2026, Forza Horizon 6 (91 Metacritic) and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (91) are the highest-rated games of the year, followed by Pokémon Pokopia and Mewgenics (both 90). GTA VI (Nov 19) could change everything.

Q: When does GTA 6 come out?

Grand Theft Auto VI launches November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Take-Two's CEO confirmed the date is final after two previous delays. PC version will follow later.

Q: What are the most anticipated games of 2026?

The most anticipated games for the rest of 2026 are Grand Theft Auto VI (Nov 19), The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nov 5), Gears of War: E-Day (Oct 6), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (Oct 23), Ace Combat 8 (Oct 2), Castlevania: Belmont's Curse (Oct 15), and Phantom Blade Zero (Oct 29). Fable has been delayed to Feb 23, 2027.

Q: What are the highest-rated video games of 2026?

By Metacritic score: Pokémon Pokopia (90), Mewgenics (90), Resident Evil Requiem (89), SAROS (87), Hermit and Pig (87), and Marvel TOKON: Fighting Souls, Nioh 3 and Monster Hunter Stories 3 (86 each). Our S tier also includes Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter.

Q: What are the best games of 2026 on PS5, Switch 2 and Xbox?

PS5: Resident Evil Requiem, Marvel TOKON, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (all S tier), plus the PS5 exclusive SAROS (A). Switch 2: Pokémon Pokopia and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (S), Star Fox and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave (A). Xbox and PC: Forza Horizon 6, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Resident Evil Requiem (S); PC players also get Mewgenics and Subnautica 2 (S).

Q: How many games have released in 2026 so far?

We've ranked 45 major games released in 2026 so far, including eight S-tier titles led by Forza Horizon 6 and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (both 91 MC). See the full ranked list at me-db.app/blog/best-games-2026/.

2026 Games Collection

The best games released so far in 2026, ranked by quality.

S Tier

Forza Horizon 6

May 19Xbox / PC91 MetacriticPlayground Games

The highest-rated game of 2026. Playground Games set their latest entry in Japan, and the result is breathtaking — fourteen 10/10 review scores including IGN. The overhauled seasons system, seamless open world, and sheer variety of events make this the definitive arcade racer. Day one on Game Pass. PS5 version coming later in 2026.

Pokémon Pokopia

Mar 5Switch 290 Metacritic

The highest-rated Pokémon game of all time on Metacritic. Pokopia reinvents the formula with an open-world structure that actually delivers on the promise Scarlet/Violet couldn't keep. Gorgeous visuals powered by the Switch 2, deeply satisfying creature design, and a story that respects the player's intelligence. The Pokémon game fans have waited a decade for.

Mewgenics

Feb 10PC90 Metacritic

Edmund McMillen's long-awaited cat breeding roguelike somehow became one of 2026's highest-rated games. A bizarre cocktail of tactical strategy, management sim, and roguelike that keeps surprising dozens of hours in. Critics called it "endlessly replayable" and "the most addictive game since Hades."

Resident Evil Requiem

Feb 27PS5 / Xbox / PC89 Metacritic

Capcom's golden age continues. Requiem scored 93 on Xbox — the highest individual platform score of any 2026 game. Survival horror at its finest: oppressive atmosphere, scarce resources, and a return to the tension that made RE great. Capcom now has three 2026 titles in the Metacritic top 10.

Marvel TOKON: Fighting Souls

Aug 6PS5 / PC86 MetacriticFighting

The anime-styled Marvel fighter landed as one of the best-reviewed fighting games in years — 86 Metacritic with 98% positive reviews. Twenty launch fighters, team mechanics, rollback netcode; critics praised how it balances accessibility with real depth. Metacritic

Subnautica 2

May 14PCUnknown Worlds

The underwater survival sequel launched into early access and immediately proved the formula still terrifies and delights — now with four-player co-op for the first time in the series.

Halo: Campaign Evolved

Jul 28PS5 / Xbox / PCFPS

A ground-up remake of 2001's Halo: Combat Evolved campaign — and the first Halo ever on PlayStation. The gunplay holds up a quarter-century later, and the remade Silent Cartographer remains an all-timer.

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

Sep 17PS5 / Switch 2 / PCFalcom

Falcom's remake of Trails in the Sky SC is the best-reviewed game of 2026 so far.

A Tier

007 First Light

May 27PS5 / Xbox / PC88 MetacriticIO Interactive

The best Bond game since GoldenEye. IO Interactive's Hitman pedigree translated perfectly to 007's world — a 20-hour campaign following a young, reckless MI6 recruit earning the 007 designation. 1.5 million copies sold in 24 hours, making it IO's fastest-selling game ever. A serious GOTY contender.

SAROS

Apr 30PS587 MetacriticHousemarque

Housemarque's follow-up to Returnal delivers deeper combat, a more flexible structure, and a hauntingly atmospheric narrative set on the mysterious planet Carcosa. GameSpot gave it 9/10. One point higher than Returnal's 86 — Housemarque keeps improving.

Hermit and Pig

Feb 5PC / Xbox87 Metacritic

A charming, heartfelt adventure about a reclusive hermit and their porcine companion. The kind of indie gem that sneaks onto year-end lists. Beautiful hand-drawn art, witty writing, and an emotional core that lingers long after the credits.

Nioh 3

Feb 6PS5 / PC86 MetacriticTeam Ninja

Team Ninja sharpens the Soulslike formula with a new historical Japanese setting, more refined combat stances, and co-op that finally feels seamless. Not reinventing the wheel, but polishing it to a mirror shine. The combat depth is unmatched in the genre.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Mar 13Switch 2 / PS5 / PC86 MetacriticCapcom

Capcom's turn-based RPG spinoff proves this isn't just a side series anymore. Beautiful monster designs, a surprisingly deep combat system, and enough content to last 80+ hours. Another Capcom hit in a year full of them.

Star Fox

Jun 25Switch 2NintendoRemake

Nintendo's first major Star Fox in years — a ground-up remake of the 1997 classic Star Fox 64, rebuilt for Switch 2. The Arwing controls, branching mission paths, and squadron chatter return with modernized visuals and full voice work. A faithful revival of an all-time rail shooter.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced ★

Jul 9PS5 / Xbox / PCUbisoft

The best Assassin's Creed game rebuilt from the ground up — and the remake treatment holds. The beloved pirate adventure sails again with current-gen visuals and modernized systems. Ubisoft

Mixtape

May 7PS5Annapurna

A coming-of-age narrative adventure following teenage friends on their last night before graduation, scored to a killer licensed soundtrack. Annapurna's best since What Remains of Edith Finch.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Jun 3Switch 2 / XboxSquare Enix

The acclaimed second chapter of the FF7 Remake trilogy arrives on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S — a new audience gets one of the best RPGs of the decade.

EA Sports College Football 27

Jul 9PS5 / Xbox / PCEA Sports

The annual college-football sim returns and adds a modern PC release for the first time alongside PS5 and Xbox.

Digimon UP

Jul 15iOS / AndroidBandai Namco

Free-to-play monster-raising RPG with pixel art, Tamagotchi-style Digivolution, and 3v3 battles — a mobile release good enough to rank.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2

Aug 27Multi-platformKonami

MGS4: Guns of the Patriots finally freed from PS3 exclusivity, plus Peace Walker and Ghost Babel. For a generation of fans who never played MGS4 this is essential — and Vol. 1 already proved Konami can do these collections right. Konami

The Blood of Dawnwalker

Sep 3PS5 / Xbox / PCRebel Wolves

Rebel Wolves' vampire RPG from the Witcher 3 director. Strong writing and a clever 30-day timer; combat gets repetitive. 1M sold in 3 days.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Sep 4PS5 / Xbox / Switch 2 / PCCapcom

Capcom's first new Onimusha in 20+ years. Superb parry combat (IGN 10/10); repeated mini-bosses hold it back.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave

Sep 17Switch 2Tactics RPG

Intelligent Systems' Switch 2 debut for the series. One of the year's best-reviewed games.

Valheim

Sep 9Multi-platformSurvival

Iron Gate's Viking survival hit leaves early access with a full 1.0 launch on every platform.

Minecraft Dungeons II

Sep 29Multi-platformAction RPG

Mojang's co-op dungeon crawler gets a full sequel on every platform.

B Tier

OPUS: Prism Peak

Apr 16Switch 2 / PC86 Metacritic

A relaxing exploration game about capturing light through photography on a mysterious mountain. The OPUS series' best entry yet — meditative, visually stunning, and emotionally resonant without a single combat encounter. A palate cleanser in a year of big-budget action.

Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven

Jan 22Multi-platform86 Metacritic

The sequel to the beloved roguelike cult sim expands on everything — bigger dungeons, more follower management depth, and a darker story that goes places the original wouldn't. A strong start to 2026.

Cairn

Jan 29PS5 / PC86 Metacritic

A unique climbing game where you physically control each hand and foot placement. Tense, methodical, and deeply rewarding. Think QWOP meets free solo climbing — but it actually works. A standout in the growing "physical simulation" subgenre.

PRAGMATA

Apr 17PS5 / Xbox / PC85 MetacriticCapcom

Capcom's mysterious sci-fi action game finally arrived after years of delays. Constantly evolving hacking minigames, challenging gameplay, and a heartfelt story. The third Capcom title in the 2026 Metacritic top 10 — this studio is on an unprecedented run.

Timberborn

Mar 12PC85 Metacritic

The beaver city-builder finally hit 1.0 after years of Early Access and it's everything fans hoped for. Water physics-based city planning has never been this satisfying. One of the best colony sims since Frostpunk.

Scott Pilgrim EX

Mar 3Multi-platform78 Metacritic

Tribute Games follows Shredder's Revenge with another gorgeous pixel-art brawler, this time from an original story by Bryan Lee O'Malley. The art and soundtrack are the draw; combo-crafting stays simpler than the studio's best work. Metacritic

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

Jun 18PC / PS5 / Xbox / Switch 2Square Enix

Square Enix's new HD-2D action-RPG — the same pixel-and-3D art style as Octopath Traveler — pairs real-time combat with classic RPG progression. A charming summer offering for fans of the studio's throwback series.

EA Sports UFC 6

Jun 19PS5 / XboxEA Vancouver

EA's first new UFC game in several years, rebuilt on Frostbite with revamped striking, clinch, and ground game. The long-awaited return of the MMA franchise for fight-night fans.

Star Wars: Zero Company ★

Aug 15PC / ConsolesBit Reactor

XCOM-style tactical combat in the Star Wars universe, from a studio founded by XCOM developers. The squad layer is the draw; the campaign pacing keeps it out of A tier.

Marvel's Wolverine

Sep 15PS5Insomniac Games

Insomniac's Logan is great and the combat bites, but critics found it linear and dated. Lowest-rated PlayStation Studios game on PS5.

Control Resonant

Sep 24PS5 / Xbox / PCRemedy

Remedy's melee-driven sequel starring Dylan Faden. Great setting; combat thins out in the back half.

Silent Hill: Townfall

Sep 24PS5 / PCAnnapurna / Konami

First-person horror set in Scotland. Thick atmosphere, clunky stealth and harsh checkpoints.

EA Sports FC 27

Sep 25Multi-platformEA

The annual football juggernaut. New Grounds mode splits fans; monetization gripes as usual.

2026 Games To-Do

The most anticipated games still to come in 2026 and beyond.

S Tier

Grand Theft Auto VI ★

Nov 19PS5 / XboxRockstar Games

The most anticipated game of all time. Set in Vice City's modern-day Leonida, featuring the franchise's first female protagonist. Delayed twice — from 2025 to Spring 2026, then to November 19. Take-Two's CEO doubled down on the date being final. This isn't just the game event of the year — it's potentially the biggest entertainment launch ever. Console only at launch, PC later. Rockstar · IMDB

Fable

Feb 2027Xbox / PS5 / PCPlayground Games

Delayed from Fall 2026 to February 2027 — Playground Games wants more polish time after shipping Forza Horizon 6. The beloved RPG franchise returns with a gorgeous open world, British humor, and a release on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox — a first for the franchise. Day one on Game Pass. Xbox

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Nov 5Switch 2Action-Adventure

Nintendo remakes the N64 classic from the ground up for Switch 2.

A Tier

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

Oct 23Multi-platformActivision

The first Call of Duty on Switch 2 — and like everything else this fall, racing to get out the door before GTA VI consumes the conversation. Official site

Gears of War: E-Day

Oct 6Xbox / PCThe Coalition

A prequel set during Emergence Day, with Marcus Fenix back where the story began. Day one on Game Pass. Official site

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

Oct 2PS5 / Xbox / PCFlight Action

First mainline Ace Combat since 2019. Reviews are already in at 87 Metacritic.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse

Oct 15Multi-platformAction

First new console Castlevania since 2014, from the Dead Cells team. Demo Oct 1.

B Tier

Phantom Blade Zero

Oct 29PS5 / PCS-GAME

The Chinese wuxia action showcase, delayed 50 days from September for polish. Years of jaw-dropping combat trailers finally get their test. Official site

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How We Rank

Released games are primarily ranked by Metacritic score, supplemented by player reception, cultural impact, and genre significance. Anticipated games are ranked on studio pedigree, franchise strength, trailer reception, and platform exclusivity implications.

S Tier = exceptional, must-play regardless of genre preference
A Tier = excellent, highly recommended
B Tier = good, worth your time if the premise appeals to you
C Tier = decent, has strengths but notable weaknesses

FAQ

What is the best game of 2026?

As of October 2026, Forza Horizon 6 (91 Metacritic) and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (91) are the highest-rated games of the year, followed by Pokémon Pokopia and Mewgenics (both 90). GTA VI (Nov 19) could change everything.

When does GTA 6 come out?

Grand Theft Auto VI launches November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Take-Two's CEO confirmed the date is final. PC version will follow later.

What are the most anticipated games of 2026?

The biggest remaining releases: GTA VI (Nov 19), The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nov 5), Gears of War: E-Day (Oct 6), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (Oct 23), Ace Combat 8 (Oct 2), Castlevania: Belmont's Curse (Oct 15), and Phantom Blade Zero (Oct 29). Fable has been delayed to Feb 23, 2027.

What are the highest-rated video games of 2026?

By Metacritic score: Pokémon Pokopia (90), Mewgenics (90), Resident Evil Requiem (89), SAROS (87), Hermit and Pig (87), and Marvel TOKON: Fighting Souls, Nioh 3 and Monster Hunter Stories 3 (86 each). Our S tier also includes Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter.

What are the best games of 2026 on PS5, Switch 2 and Xbox?

PS5: Resident Evil Requiem, Marvel TOKON, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (all S tier), plus the PS5 exclusive SAROS (A). Switch 2: Pokémon Pokopia and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (S), Star Fox and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave (A). Xbox and PC: Forza Horizon 6, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Resident Evil Requiem (S); PC players also get Mewgenics and Subnautica 2 (S).

How many games have released in 2026 so far?

We've ranked 45 major games released Jan–Sep, including eight S-tier titles led by Forza Horizon 6 and Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (both 91 Metacritic). See the full ranked list above.

Monthly Deep-Dives

A closer look at each month — full write-ups and month-over-month context.

Video Game Tier List 2026: Every Game Ranked Updated October