2026 is Gonna Pop Off, Right?
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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.
Grand Theft Auto VI
Whenever this one launches, it'll be the definition of "pop off."
Control Resonant
As a new Remedy convert thanks to Alan Wake Remastered, color me very excited for this game.
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.
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.
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.
Mario Tennis Fever
I always hope the Mario tennis and golf games are bangers. Fingers crossed.
The Duskbloods
Remember how Nintendo has a launch exclusive courteous of FromSoftware?
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls
I know lots of fighting game fans that are amped about this one.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Never played an Onimusha game, but I Finished A Video Game's retrospective is excellent.
Fable
I'll believe this one when I see it.
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.
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.
Games That Don't Have a Date, But Come On, They Should be Out in 2026
Judas
Please Ken. Please.
Godspeed gamers. We're all going to need it in 2026.