Looking back at 2025, the biggest stories will undoubtedly be the Switch 2 and the rise of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but 2026 could actually be even bigger – and not just because GTA 6 is (hopefully) coming.
Almost every platform owner has their luck when it comes to high-profile exclusives, but this year PC gaming is even more fun. Not only is Valve releasing its own part-console/part-PC Steam Engine, there are also more handheld PCs than ever vying for attention.
It’s shaping up to be a fascinating year – here’s why.
All eyes are on GTA 6
When it comes to games, there is only one place to start. Grand Theft Auto 6 is so big that it will either suck the life out of the gaming industry because no one will play anything else, or it will result in so many console sales that it will attract even more gamers to the medium.
Anyway, the game was supposed to release in May 2025 before being pushed back to May 2026. Then, in November, the game was postponed again. Oddly enough, the game itself is currently less of a story and more of the development behind it, with Rockstar Games accused of illegally firing a group of developers and accusing them of leaking information about projects online.
Will lack of RAM wreak havoc?
We’ll get back to companies like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo shortly, but one thing that unites them all (along with Valve and just about every manufacturer) is the current RAM crisis.
As RAM moves to data centers to power the AI features that shareholders can’t get enough of, prices are skyrocketing. That means it’s hard for consumers to get their hands on, but it could also mean that production for consoles (and even next-gen) slows down – or prices could rise even further.
Will the PlayStation continue its triumph?
Since the PS5 was launched in 2025, it has dominated the current generation of consoles. That’s because of games that aren’t available anywhere else, like God of War: Ragnarok and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and while Sony has started bringing more of its games to PC, the PS5 library has no real weak points.
There will be even more Marvel in 2026 with the release of Insomniac Games’ Wolverine, while PlayStation players will finally be able to play Halo on their console with the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved.
Add to that third-party titles like 007: First Light, Resident Evil: Requiem and Crimson Desert, and there’s a lot to look forward to if you own a PS5 or PS5 Pro.
However, a big question remains about Sony’s broader plans. The company appears to have (at least partially) turned away from its push into live service gaming following the Concord fiasco in 2024, and while Destiny 2’s Renegades expansion could get it back on track, expect a lot of attention for Bungie’s other title, Marathon, when it finally launches in March.
Xbox remains unpredictable – and not in the best way
Microsoft’s 2025 will seemingly be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Thousands of layoffs, studio closures, project cancellations, and price increases for the hardware and Game Pass service left a pretty sour taste in the mouth of even the more dedicated defenders.
However, there were some positive aspects. Obsidian Entertainment has released not one, not two, but three great games with Avowed, Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds – and only the latter is available on PlayStation for now. The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is also a great handheld PC model, albeit with a very silly name.
Still, Microsoft’s push to get its franchises into more hands is bringing Gears of War and Forza Horizon to PlayStation for the first time – and that’s likely to continue into 2026.
This year sees the introduction of the long-delayed Fable reboot, but players can also look forward to Clockwork Revolution and Gears of War: E-Day. With Microsoft looking to get the most out of its Activision Blizzard purchase, expect plenty of promotion for Call of Duty, World of Warcraft’s Midnight expansion, and the new Lord of Hatred content for Diablo 4.
Microsoft also promised more than 75 day one titles for Game Pass as part of its recent price increase and needs to show customers why they should choose the Ultimate membership.
And unlike Sony, the company is optimistic about the next generation. It looks like we’re getting a more PC-like experience with multiple app stores, which could potentially come into more direct conflict with the Steam machine.
Is Nintendo bringing us a 3D Mario platformer?
I was skeptical about the Switch 2. Since the first console was aging, I wasn’t convinced Nintendo could compete on the hardware side, especially with the advent of portable PCs like the Steam Deck and more.
Still, thanks to technologies like DLSS and a 120Hz display, Nintendo was able to push the boundaries further than I expected. This is reflected in the way third parties access the system, such as serious ports of EA FC and Madden, but also ambitious first-party games like Donkey Kong: Bananza.
Still, something is missing – a 3D Mario platformer. Super Mario Odyssey was our last completely new game and came out nine months after the release of the Switch 1. Sure, not Nintendo need To break the glass now, but with the release of a new Mario movie in 2026, there has to be one something planned, right?
It will also be interesting to see if we get more timely ports of games from other systems. I love Final Fantasy 7 as much as the next SOLDIER, but I played it in 2020. This year it’s finally coming to Switch 2 (and Xbox).
Since the early footage of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 also looks a bit sketchy, we’ll have to see if there’s a power imbalance between Nintendo and its contemporaries. As fun as the original Switch was, many of its ports suffered from its more modest capabilities under the hood.
A new golden age of PC?
With the rise of streamers, a pandemic, and more sharing options than ever before, PC gaming could be more popular than ever.
Valve dared to abandon the Steam Deck in 2022 and the OLED refresh in the intervening years, but it gave added credibility to the idea of a handheld gaming PC that many manufacturers have since embraced.
It also acted as a fantastic Trojan horse to introduce people to Linux as an operating system, and those insights have helped Valve push forward with another console-like PC for the lounge in the Steam Machine 2026.
However, the adorable cube could be expensive, and that’s before we focus on the RAM crisis mentioned above. It still feels a little early for a Steam Deck 2, but Valve is also releasing a new Steam Frame VR headset for next year.
Expect to see more handheld PCs popping up as well as they get the RAM issues under control. Microsoft’s ASUS partnership has resulted in a very impressive first attempt (or two), but don’t bet against new models from competitors wanting a piece of the pie.
When it comes to the Mac, I’m excited to see what Apple moves forward. Its “Game Porting Toolkit” is available to developers, and the release of Cyberpunk 2077 for the Mac has been pushed forward strongly, but other games appear to have stalled. There’s been a lot of talk about Assassin’s Creed: Shadows releasing on Apple platforms, but it just can’t compete with the version of the game you’ll find elsewhere.
