When Rockstar Games delayed Grand Theft Auto 6 into 2026, it likely came as a big relief to publishers who had anything on their slate for the back half of 2025. But 2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting, crowded year of big game releases, even without GTA 6.
Beyond sequels, there are plenty of promising original games on the horizon, like role-playing game SacriFire, Warren Spector’s stealth-action PvPvE game Thick As Thieves, and Animal Crossing-but-make-it-vampires indie Moonlight Peaks.
Game release dates are always in flux, though, so Polygon’s guide to the new video games coming out in 2026 will be regularly updated with new titles, release dates, and (inevitable) delays.
This list is being updated live as I watch, so check back for updates as winners are announced. Below, you’ll find the entire list of nominations, and winners will be marked in bright red.
P.S. I make no promises about not giving up and going to bed. It’s kicking off at 1AM here in the UK and these shows typically last 3-4 hours, and I’m already sleep-deprived this week. If I fall asleep and land face-first on my keyboard, I can only hope that the ensuing gibberish doesn’t screw this post up too much. Well, more than my normal brand of gibberish.
Quick Navigation of categories
Game of the Year 2025Best PerformanceBest Art DirectionBest Score & MusicBest Audio DesignBest NarrativeBest MultiplayerBest Community SupportBest Ongoing GameBest Independent GameBest Debut Indie GameBest VR/AR GameMost Anticipated GameBest Role-Playing GameBest Action GameBest Action/Adventure GameBest Fighting GameBest Family GameBest Sports/Racing GameBest Sim/Strategy GameBest Game DirectionBest AdaptionBest Mobile GameGames for ImpactContent Creator of The YearInnovation in AccessibilityBest eSports GameBest eSports AthleteBest eSports team
Game of the Year 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Best Performance
Benn Starr, as Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Charlie Cox, as Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Erika Ishi as Atsu in Ghost of Yotei
Jennifer English as Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Konatsu Kato as Hinako Shimizu in Silent Hill F
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Best Art Direction
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Ghost of Yotei
Hades 2
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Score & Music
Christoper Larkin for Hollow Knight: Silksong
Darren Korb for Hades 2
Lorien testard for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Toma Otowa for Ghost of Yotei
Woodkid & Ludwig Forssell for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
2XKO game director Shaun “unconkable” Rivera has posted a lengthy statement online (first on Reddit, later on X) shutting down speculation and misinformation regarding the game and its upcoming online play test. This includes the fact that the next play test will be “much smaller” than the first Alpha Lab test.
The entire statement, which you can read here, kicks off by acknowledging the “crazy memes and hysteria” of the game’s official subreddit, before revealing the team were initially planning on running a larger-scale play test next month, with the February update covering this event. However, it looks like plans have changed to a smaller play test instead, while the team builds up infrastructure for a larger influx of players later this year.
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Rivera also addressed the Pulse Fuse, as there have been discussions among the community of it going away. This fuse, for those who can’t remember, allowed for players to mash a single button and perform a decent combo (while retaining all their usual attacks). This, it seems, has been replaced with an auto-combo setting selectable during character select.
Instead, Rivera reveals more about a new fuse: Sidekick. This basically removes the ability for the two playable characters to switch at all, instead providing the point character with more health and providing the second player more of a “support” role. Think of it like Yummi in League of Legends, who is attached to another champion and assists them by throwing out abilities (in 2XKO, assists) that aid in their assault.
This information seems to have been suddenly posted in response to leaks that had appeared online earlier this month (we obviously can’t link to ’em here), which explains the sudden and largely unexpected post by Rivera here. He doesn’t provide a date for the February update, which remains the main topic of speculation in the minds of 2XKO fans.
Obviously, this post raises a bunch of questions. The first, and most pressing in my mind, is how much smaller the upcoming play test will be? The first alpha lab proved popular, with flocks of new and experienced fighting game players rushing for access.
It also begs the question of why a smaller test? If I may speculate, it could be to gather data on a specific user base, perhaps to better balance the game for a wider net of players. For example, they’re adding the Sidekick fuse, right? So maybe they want a smaller test aimed at a control group of 50/50 experienced and totally new testers? It’s something I’m personally keen to learn more about.
Then there’s the decision to build infrastructure for an increased number of future players, which itself is interesting. Perhaps, given the popularity of the first Alpha Lab, the team is anticipating a very significant increase in sign ups for a future test. This on its face makes sense, we saw plenty of players left in the cold last time, and these sorts of slow builds to release tend to gain interest the closer they get to that long-awated 1.0 launch date.
However the cookie crumbles, it’s February 21 as of writing, which means it shouldn’t be too long until we know for certain what the deal is. Still, an interesting peek into what’s going on, even if it was sudden.
What do you think of this new info? Does Sidekick sound like a cool new addition to you? Let us know below!
It’s time to mana-fest the spirit of adventure with Square Enix’s highly anticipated action role-playing game, Visions of Mana, launching today in the cloud.
Members can also head to a galaxy far, far away, from the comfort of their homes, with the power of the cloud and Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws, with early access available on GeForce NOW.
Plus, be among the first to get early access to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Open Beta on GeForce NOW without having to wait around for downloads — early access runs Aug. 30-Sept. 4 for those who preorder the game. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will join the cloud when the full game is released Oct. 25.
These triple-A titles are part of 26 titles joining the GeForce NOW library of over 2,000 games this week.
Cloudy With a Chance of Mana
Visions of Mana details a whimsical journey through the enchanting world of Mana. Step into the shoes of Val, a curious young man on an epic quest to escort his childhood friend Hina to the sacred Tree of Mana. Along the way, encounter a colorful cast of characters and face off against endearing yet formidable enemies.
Get ready for mana madness in the cloud.
The game’s combat system blends action and strategy for real-time battles where party members can be switched on the fly. Different party members offer unique skills, such as Val’s powerful sword strikes or magical spells cast by Careena’s dragon companion Ramcoh. Plus, traverse the game’s expansive, semi-open world on Pikuls — adorable, rideable creatures that can also ram through enemies.
Stream the game on an Ultimate or Priority membership for a seamless magical adventure. Experience the lush landscapes and dynamic combat in stunning detail — at up to 4K resolution and 120 frames per second for Ultimate members. GeForce NOW makes it easy to stay connected to the world of Mana whether at home or on the go, ensuring the journey to the Tree of Mana is always within reach.
Join the Galaxy’s Most Wanted
Make your own destiny in the cloud.
In Star Wars Outlaws — the highly anticipated single-player action-adventure game from Ubisoft — explore the depths of the galaxy’s underworld as part of the beloved Star Wars franchise’s first-ever open-world game, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
Step into the shoes of Kay Vess, a daring scoundrel seeking freedom and adventure. Navigate distinct locations across the galaxy — both iconic and new — and encounter bustling cities, cantinas and sprawling outdoor landscapes. Fight, steal and outwit others while joining the ranks of the galaxy’s most wanted. Plus, play alongside Nix, a loyal companion who helps turn any situation to Kay’s advantage through blaster combat, stealth and clever distractions.
Get ready for high-stakes missions, space dogfights and an ever-changing reputation based on player choices. Unlock the power of the Force with a GeForce NOW Ultimate membership and stream from GeForce RTX 4080 SuperPODs at up to 4K resolution at 120 fps, without the need for upgraded hardware. The AI-powered graphics of NVIDIA DLSS 3.5 with Ray Reconstruction enhance the game for maximum performance, offering the clarity of a Jedi’s vision, and NVIDIA Reflex technology enables unbeatable responsiveness.
Answering the Call
Get ready for the anticipated addition to the Call of Duty franchise — Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. GeForce NOW will support the title’s PC Game Pass, Battle.net and Steam versions in the cloud.
Explore a range of new features, including innovative mechanics such as Omnimovement, which allows players to sprint, slide and dive in any direction to enhance the fluidity of combat. The Black Ops 6 Campaign features a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States. With a mind-bending narrative and unbound by the rules of engagement, the title embodies signature Black Ops.
Experience the new gameplay mechanics and features before the title’s official launch with early access to the preorder beta from Aug. 30-Sept. 4 — available for those who preorder the game or have an active PC Game Pass subscription. The Open Beta follows soon after on Sept. 6-9 and will be available for all gamers to hop into the action, even without preordering the game.
GeForce NOW Ultimate members can gain an advantage on the field with ultra low-latency gaming, streaming from GeForce RTX 4080 SuperPODs in the cloud.
WOW, New Games
Join the underground party from the cloud.
The newest World of Warcraft expansion, The War Within, is available to play from the cloud today. Head to the subterranean realm of Khaz Algar, featuring four new zones, including the Isle of Dorn — home to the Earthen, a newly playable allied race. Experience game additions such as Delves, bite-sized world instances for solo or small-group play, and Warbands, which allow players to manage and share achievements across multiple characters.
In addition, GeForce NOW recently added support for over 25 of the top AddOns from CurseForge, a leading platform for WoW customization, enabling members to explore new adventures under the surface from the cloud.
In addition, members can look for the following:
Endzone 2 (New release on Steam, Aug. 26)
Age of Mythology: Retold (New release on Steam, Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Advanced Access on Aug. 27)
Core Keeper (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Aug. 27)
Star Wars Outlaws (New release on Ubisoft Connect, early access Aug. 27)
Akimbot (New release on Steam, Aug. 29)
Gori: Cuddly Carnage (New release on Steam, Aug. 29)
MEMORIAPOLIS (New release on Steam, Aug. 29)
Visions of Mana (New release on Steam, Aug. 29)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Steam)
Cat Quest III (Steam)
Cooking Simulator (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
Crown Trick (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
Darksiders Genesis (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
Expeditions: Rome (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
Heading Out (Steam)
Into the Breach (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
Iron Harvest (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
The Knight Witch (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
Lightyear Frontier (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
Outlast 2 (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
Saturnalia (Steam)
SteamWorld Heist II (Steam, Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
This War of Mine (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
We Were Here Too (Steam)
Yoku’s Island Express (Xbox, available on Microsoft Store)
What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.
Ready for a new adventure? What sort of magical quest would you want to go on? 🌳✨
— 🌩️ NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) August 28, 2024
Wheel Big Trouble is a main story quest for Goofy in Disney Dreamlight Valley. It is exclusive to the new Wishblossom Ranch DLC and begins automatically after completing the Ghost Town quest for Scrooge McDuck. Goofy has mentioned that he saw a cave with a strange glow, but unfortunately, his caravan broke down and blocked the path. The player needs to find new wheels for Goofy’s Caravan and repair it to clear the path. In this guide, we will walk you through the Wheel Big Trouble quest in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Wheel Big Trouble Quest Walkthrough – Disney Dreamlight Valley
Follow Goofy and help him replace the Wheels
As the quest begins, follow Goofy to the northeast of the Wishblossom Village. He will take you to his broken caravan along the path to a cave. Speak to Goofy, and he asks you to get new wheels for the caravan. Here is how to get all four wheels for the caravan.
Complete the “Equine Delicacies” quest for a replacement wheel from Remy.
Complete the “Water Tower of Terror” quest to obtain a brand-new wheel from Scrooge McDuck.
Fish in the waters south of Wishing Way to find Goofy’s lost wheel. It will be in the gold ripples.
Dig out the wheel that Goofy lost near the entrance to Delver Dale. It will be in the corner.
After retrieving all four caravan wheels, return to Goofy near the caravan. Interact with Goofy and give him all the wheels.
Reach the Ranch Highlands and Find the Cave
Goofy will move his caravan out of the way. Continue ahead, and you will see two paths. Go along the path on the left to reach the Ranch Highlands. Once there, continue ahead and go to the back of the area to come across a cave.
Enter the cave and interact with the shiny yellow crystal in the cave. As you pick up the Crystal Key, the Stable Upgrade tutorial will pop up. You will be able to upgrade the Stable and adopt a new mount. Moreover, the Wheel Big Trouble quest will conclude after finding the Crystal Key. Furthermore, it will trigger the Crystal Cavern: Wishing Alps quest for Tinker Bell.
Each week Prime Gaming, part of what you get with a subscription to Amazon Prime, add and remove various games you can claim to keep. Here’s the updated list for October 25th.
I’ll use the Steam Deck Rating from Valve ( Verified, Playable, Unsupported and Not Rated), plus the ProtonDB rating to help you decide on what to play. Compatibility may be slightly different since the games are from various stores. Some of the games might also have no ratings right now.
Here’s the current list as of 22nd October, 2024 with 59 games easily available:
New this week include: Monster Train, Pumpkin Jack, STASIS: BONE TOTEM, Morbid: The Seven Acolytes and Gargoyles Remastered.
The only one I’m still not including in this list is DOOM Eternal, as that’s via the Microsoft Store, which of course does not work on at all Steam Deck / Linux since it’s a Windows-only thing. All the games you get to keep as Prime Gaming gives you a code to redeem!
You can install games from Epic, GOG and Amazon easily via the Heroic Games Launcher.
Last month, GungHo announced a new casual RPG for mobile in the form of Disney Pixel RPG (Free), due later this year. Today, Gungho has released (via Gematsu) the first trailer for Disney Pixel RPG. Disney Pixel RPG aims to let players explore with pixel versions of Disney characters across multiple worlds with battles, action, rhythm, and more challenges. It features an original story taking you on a journey with Mickey Mouse and other characters with many customization options. Watch the first gameplay trailer for Disney Pixel RPG below:
Disney Pixel RPG is currently listed for October 7th on the App Store, but this should be treated as a placeholder date since it was originally listed for early September as a placeholder and that has already changed. Disney Pixel RPG is set for release this year on iOS and Android as a free to play game with in app purchases. Check out the official English website for Disney Pixel RPG here. If you’d like to play Disney Pixel RPG, you can pre-order it on the App Store for iOS here and pre-register for it on Google Play for Android here. What do you think of Disney Pixel RPG so far based on its debut trailer?
Every night, Death’s teenage daughter Prim has the same dream of an oddly familiar human boy crying out for her help. Needless to say, our heroine tries to answer the call. There’s just one tiny problem: the Grim Reaper has strictly forbidden her from entering the Realm of the Living – she’s not ready for the immense power she’d develop there, he claims. Unfortunately, when Prim finds a way to trick her father and travel to Earth, it painfully turns out that his presentiments were right all along. Play as Death’s daughter and switch between the Land of the Dead and the Realm of the Living, solve puzzles, meet restless souls, and finally uncover a carefully hidden secret.
Like a zombie bursting forth from its own grave, Dead Rising is apparently being resurrected for a new sequel following the success of last year’s Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster.
It’s those fine folk over at MP1ST who have the scoop, claiming that sources have informed them of a new game in the franchise which has been in development since at least 2023.
Interestingly, they note that the early signs point to this being a direct sequel to the first game, and potentially set before the events of Dead Rising 2. However, they do note that they haven’t been able to confirm this.
What they have confirmed is that Frank West is coming back, which makes sense since last year’s remaster helped introduce him to a new generation of gamers.
As for the setting, the new game will apparently take place in Hollywood, within a massive enclosed movie set, which sounds like a pretty awesome scenario. Frank will find himself going up against a crazed film director who shoves Frank and some other survivors through trials in a bid to shoot the perfect movie.
Other details include the return of Psychopaths, and a man with a bomb strapped to his chest who has been tasked with filming everything.
Taking photographs will once again be a gameplay mechanic, as will the classic Dead Rising time limit, this time based around the director setting up horrific time-limited scenarios.
I believe there’s definitely room for a new Dead Rising to thrive as a relatively small double-A style product. Last year’s remaster reminded me how fun the series could be, and how far it fell by Dead Rising 4.
Valve released a brand new and exciting update to Proton Experimental for Linux, SteamOS / Steam Deck gamers. This brings some new fixes, as well as an interesting change for their Xalia integration.
Xalia, if you’ve not heard of it, is an open source tool that brings a gamepad UI for traditional desktop applications. Especially useful for Valve’s Proton, since it can make working with launchers on Steam Deck, SteamOS and any Linux system playing games via Steam Big Picture Mode a lot simpler since you won’t need to change any inputs. It’s not just launchers though, some games have prerequisite installation steps which Xalia enables you to click through with a gamepad too.
For quite a few releases Valve have been tweaking how they use Xalia, gradually adding more supported games and updating Xalia itself from the upstream project. However, the Proton Experimental update for May 23rd simply enables it by default now. So it’s not set on specific games, as Valve feel it’s at a point where it will “work with most launchers using builtin Win32 controls”.
With the wider release of SteamOS 3.7 for more devices, this seems like a great step for Windows game compatibility.
All the changes:
Enabled NVAPI for The Last Of Us 2.
Fixed games not starting when upgrading from a removed Proton installation.
Enabled Xalia by default instead of only for selected titles. It should work with most launchers using builtin Win32 controls.
Improved situation with Once Human having bad stutter on certain setups.
Fixed Black Desert launcher rendering all black on Nvidia + Wayland setups.
Fixed Dead Island 2 not detecting Epic Online Services and not allowing cross-play.
Fixed Cornerpond not rendering transparency correctly.
Fixed Monster Jam Showdown not being able to link Epic Games account.
Fixed The First Berserker: Khazan displaying driver version warning with Intel and Nvidia GPUs.
Fixed DLSS frame generation options being disabled in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
Source: Valve
How to get it?
It will show up as an update in your Steam Downloads, if you already have it installed. If you don’t, just search for Proton Experimental in your Steam Library to install it. It will also download automatically if you go to run a game that Valve have set to use it.
Playable, 
Unsupported and 
Not Rated), plus the ProtonDB rating to help you decide on what to play. Compatibility may be slightly different since the games are from various stores. Some of the games might also have no ratings right now.
