While prepping for my annual Year In Review post, I came across 2025 is Gonna Pop Off, Right? and thought it'd be fun to do it again for 2026. I loosely kept up with updating the article throughout the year, like with Earthblade's cancellation or GTA VI's first delay. For a more selfish reason though, it helped me keep the pulse on games I was and am interested in throughout the year.

Looking back at 2025's list, I only bought two of the games—Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater—the latter of which I just snagged for $15 at a GameStop. This surprised me, but is encouraging because I made it a major goal in 2025 to spend less on this hobby given the stacks and stacks of unplayed games in my collection. I think I'll be sharing more on this in the Year in Review piece in a few weeks.

With that in mind, I look at the year ahead with slight hesitation. While my bank account may not flow as freely toward gaming, that doesn't mean my interests are invalid. A tighter budget does not mean that the year will not, in fact, pop off.

Games Max Is Hype For With 2026 Dates

Resident Evil Requiem

If there is a single game on this list that I will buy, it is Resident Evil Requiem. Why? We gotta do an episode for Chapter Select! I am curious how our S5E13 - Resident Evil 9 Hopes & Dreams episode has aged...

Even if we weren't going to podcast about it, I'd still prioritize this one. I have become quiet the fan and am eager to return to Raccoon City in a couple of months.

Release Date: February 27, 2026

007 First Light

It has been a long time since anything new came to light for ol' James Bond. I am hopeful for this one.

Wow. This post aged very well. I guess IO Interactive was scared of Mega Man Star Force.

Release Date: March 26 May 27, 2026

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection

007 First Light is cooked.

All kidding aside, I have quite the soft spot for this run of Mega Man games. Glad these continue the trend of Capcom porting GBA and DS classics.

Release Date: March 27, 2026

Marathon

I haven't watched the new video on Marathon yet, but I am still excited for a "new" Bungie shooter. It has been too long. $40 is a sweet spot price for my budget too—if only I can squad up like I did back in college for Destiny...

Release Date: March 2026

Invincible VS

I'd get this for the original story, which would be the first time I bought a fighting game for its story at all. And it comes out on a Pot Pie Thursday...

Release Date: April 30, 2026

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

TT Games is doing what Rocksteady won't. This could be the first Lego game I buy and play since the original Lego Star Wars - The Video Game way back in 2005.

Release Date: May 29, 2026

Grand Theft Auto VI

Whenever this one launches, it'll be the definition of "pop off."

Release Date: November 19, 2026

Control Resonant

As a new Remedy convert thanks to Alan Wake Remastered, color me very excited for this game.

Release Date: 2026

Marvel's Wolverine

Insomniac's first game since the leak. Curious to see how it compares to all that leaked footage and plot material. This one ought to be studied for ages, just in the context of the leak.

Release Date: Fall/Winter 2026

Pokémon Champions

I still need to do a great migration of all my DS and 3DS Pokémon into Pokémon Home for one more battle with Logan.

Release Date: 2026

Games Max Assumes Will Be Hype for Others With 2026 Dates

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and the 3.0 Update

My wife is excited. Not enough for a Switch 2 just yet, but she will be dusting off her console.

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Mario Tennis Fever

I always hope the Mario tennis and golf games are bangers. Fingers crossed.

Release Date: February 12, 2026

The Duskbloods

Remember how Nintendo has a launch exclusive courteous of FromSoftware?

Release Date: 2026

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls

I know lots of fighting game fans that are amped about this one.

Release Date: 2026

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Never played an Onimusha game, but I Finished A Video Game's retrospective is excellent.

Release Date: 2026

Fable

I'll believe this one when I see it.

Release Date: 2026

Halo: Campaign Evolved

I had some high schoolers ask me if I saw the trailer and it was then that I turned into dust. Whenever I play this, it will be on PlayStation 5.

Release Date: 2026

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

Another believe-it-when-I-see-it one. This game and Amy's development efforts over the last 16 years have been put through the ringer.

Release Date: 2026

Games That Don't Have a Date, But Come On, They Should be Out in 2026

Judas

Please Ken. Please.

Release Date:

Godspeed gamers. We're all going to need it in 2026.