Editor's Note: Looking for honorable mentions and titles #11-20? Look no further:
Chris "Atom" DeAngelus: There are few games out there that have inspired quite as many clones as Slay the Spire. This originator of the current roguelike deck-builder genre features some of the most addictive gameplay that has eaten millions of hours of people's lives. The sequel looks to follow the same basic trend, but with new characters, such the pet-based Necrobinder, and new mechanics, such as the ability to add modifiers to your cards. Assuming it carries the same level of care and polish as the original, it's easy to see Slay the Spire II being one of the highlights of the year.
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9. Max Payne 1 & 2 Remake (PS5, XSX, PC)
Redmond Carolipio: These were two of my favorite games from my formative gaming years and my first taste of Remedy's oddball sense of dark humor and action. Aside from the pure action that'll come from these games, I'm looking to see what kind of tone gets introduced (or re-introduced) here. I can still hear "Lords and Ladies" playing the background.
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8. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra (PS5, XSX, PC)
Rainier Van Autrijve: I'm a Captain America fan, so I am beyond excited. There have been plenty of movies and comic book material, but the video game pickings have been slim, with 2011's Captain America: Super Soldier being the last notable installment. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is set in occupied Paris during World War II. Cappy shares center stage with Black Panther, the Howling Commandos and the Wakandan Spy Network, and that variety only adds to the appeal. It's a narrative-driven action/adventure, so there will be plenty of lore to dig through. The recent delay to beyond "early 2026" is a little concerning, but with this kind of property, I'd rather have the developers take their time to get it right.
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Cody Medellin: These days, we rarely get games like Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard, which break the fourth wall and parody video games at large. Bradley the Badger looks to do just that, but with the 3D platforming genre rather than a third-person shooter. When you combine things like being able to manipulate the environment and yourself in several different ways, that's going to grab my attention.
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6. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (Switch2, PS5, XSX, PC)
Chris "Atom" DeAngelus: The LEGO franchises have always been cute and kid-friendly adventures, and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight seems to continue that trend with the same silly humor the franchise is known for. Following a sort of amalgamation of every version of Batman from comics to movies, the title seems to be aiming to be the ultimate adventure for our LEGO hero. The most exciting piece is how much of the game appears to be inspired by the dormant Arkham series, with combat and stealth that seems like a less-violent-looking (but no less fun) version of that game. Assuming it can match the Arkham game's fun design, this has the potential to be the best-playing LEGO title yet.
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5. Control: Resonant (PS5, XSX, PC)
Redmond Carolipio: The original Control remains one of my favorite games of all time. Jesse Faden is right up there with Max Payne and Alan Wake in the Remedy character stable, but it's Jesse's brother Dylan taking center stage here. We were left with hints of what Dylan's considerable power could be, and now we'll get to see it for ourselves. Flex, young man.
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4. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (PS5, XSX, PC)
Adam Pavlacka: "The Expanse" is easily the best "hard sci-fi" you can watch on TV these days, and the preview trailer for Osiris Reborn shows that the development team has nailed the look and feel of the world. It's extremely compelling to be able to explore locations from the show while experiencing a new story in the universe. A lot is going to depend on how combat plays out, but given Owlcat 's experience with RPG games, I 'm sure the team will nail the story elements. For fans of the show, Osiris Reborn promises a new perspective on established events.
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Chris "Atom" DeAngelus: Insomniac has already shown that it knows how to handle superheroes with three separate Spider-Man games under its belt, but Wolverine has already shown off that it seems to have a great grasp over Marvel's angriest Canucklehead. With unrelentingly violent and dramatic combat, and top-of-the-line graphics, it has the potential to be Wolverine's best game yet. Throw in tons of cool references and comic characters, and it's easy to get excited to unsheathe your adamantium claws and dig in.
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2. Grand Theft Auto VI (PS5, XSX, PC)
Tony "OUberLord" Mitera: In theory, 2026 will finally see the release of GTA6. The game is likely Rockstar's most ambitious game yet, and that's saying something given its work with Red Dead Redemption 2. I'm just looking forward to getting immersed in a new story and to see what over a decade of technical advancements lets GTA6 achieve.
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1. 007 First Light (Switch2, PS5, XSX, PC)
Redmond Carolipio: I've been aching for a proper third-person Bond adventure since the brilliant Everything or Nothing many, many years ago. It's been said before by others, but this gives off Batman: Arkham Asylum vibes in terms of being something that perfectly captures the tone and feel of a legendary character and all that comes with him. I look forward to being shaken and stirred in the best possible way.