Best Games of 2026: June Edition

Published June 1, 2026 · Updated monthly · 8 min read

Pokémon Pokopia
Pokémon Pokopia
Best Games of 2026: June Edition tier list

2026 has been exceptional for gaming so far, and the back half of the year looks even bigger. Between the highest-rated Pokémon game of all time, Capcom's continued golden age, Housemarque's Returnal follow-up, IO Interactive's Bond triumph, and GTA 6 finally arriving in November — there's an absurd amount to play and look forward to.

Below is our tier list split into two sections: The Collection (games released Jan–May, ranked by quality and Metacritic score) and The To-Do (upcoming Jun–Dec releases, ranked by anticipation).

June 2026 Games Collection

What are the best games that have released from Jan–June?

S Tier

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. This is the Pokémon game fans have been waiting 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." The first game to hit 90 on Metacritic in 2026.

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.

Forza Horizon 6

May 19Xbox / PC91 MetacriticPlayground Games

The highest-rated game of 2026 at launch. 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.

A Tier

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. The cosmic roguelike shooter to beat.

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.

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.

B Tier

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.

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.

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.

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.

June 2026 Games To-Do

What are the best games that will come out Jun–Dec?

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.

Marvel's Wolverine

Sep 15PS5Insomniac Games

Insomniac's track record with Marvel's Spider-Man makes this a near-guaranteed hit. An M-rated, combat-heavy action game built from the ground up for PS5. The gameplay trailer showed brutal, visceral claw combat. Launching two months before GTA 6 is smart positioning. PS5 exclusive. Sony has confirmed single-player exclusives stay on PlayStation — no PC port planned.

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. The extra time should only help.

A Tier

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2

Aug 27Multi-platformKonami

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

B Tier

Marvel TOKON: Fighting Souls

Aug 6Multi-platform

A Marvel fighting game with a manga-inspired art style. The roster and combat system details are still emerging, but the concept alone — Marvel characters in a stylish 2D fighter — has the FGC paying attention.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced

Jul 9PS5 / Xbox / PCUbisoft

The best Assassin's Creed game gets a full remake. Black Flag's pirate adventure is universally beloved, and a modern rebuild with current-gen visuals could be spectacular. The question is whether Ubisoft's remake treatment matches the original's magic.

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How We Rank

Ranking the Collection

Released games (Jan–June) are primarily ranked by Metacritic score, supplemented by player reception, cultural impact, and genre significance.

Ranking the To-Do

Upcoming Jun–Dec games are ranked on anticipation factors: 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

What Changed from Last Month

Two major releases graduated to the collection: Forza Horizon 6 launched with a 91 Metacritic — the highest-rated game of 2026 at the time, set in Japan with fourteen perfect scores. 007 First Light earned an 88 on Metacritic and sold 1.5 million copies in 24 hours, becoming IO Interactive's fastest-selling game and the best Bond game since GoldenEye.

Ghost of Yōtei (PC) was removed — Sony cancelled the PC port as part of a return to console exclusivity for single-player titles. Fable was delayed from Fall 2026 to February 2027. Marvel's Wolverine remains PS5-exclusive with no PC port planned. The big remaining to-do items: GTA VI (Nov 19), Wolverine (Sep 15), MGS Collection Vol. 2 (Aug 27), AC Black Flag Resynced (Jul 9), and Marvel TOKON (Aug 6).