Best new video games of 2026 (so far)

The best new video games of 2026 include Cairn, Pragmata, Blood of Dawnwalker, and more.

The short version

• 2026 GOTY is going to be a tough race.
• It's hard to believe, but 2026 is starting to wind down in the gaming world.
• A year full of blockbusters and indie surprises will soon reach a crescendo in November that will include both The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Grand Theft Auto 6 , two behemoths that are sure to make an impact on year-end lists.

What happened

But even without those games, 2026 has been jam-packed thanks to games like Resident Evil Requiem , Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave , and Big Walk . We've still got a bit to go until we can seriously start considering Polygon's 2026 game of the year, but as December quickly approaches, plenty of games from 2026 remain on our minds.

Why it matters

These are just some of the games that have resonated with us throughout the year, and it's only the tip of the iceberg.

Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Polygon via the links above and below.