Gamers seem to have lost some faith in Xbox over the past few months, the same can be said for our staff team. However, while this list of desired titles is much shorter than our others, there are still plenty of Xbox titles to watch out for in 2026.
Among us there is still a desperate desire for Fable, and console gamers may also be tempted by Subnautica 2, Gears E-Day, or Forza Horizon 6. Here's what our staff has to say about the most wanted Xbox games of 2026.
007 First Light – Helen Ashcroft
Having enjoyed many Bond movies over the years, the last game I played as the titular spy was GoldenEye 007 on the N64. Since then, things have been a mixed bag, but something about 007 First Light keeps bringing me back to this world of gadgets and innuendo.
I think it's a combination of an original story, closely inspired by the novels, hitting the reset button in terms of characters, with a studio that really knows how to make a great action title. I don't want to play through a movie I've seen. I want to experience the world in a unique way, and it seems I'm in luck.
Fable could be the biggest PS5 game of 2026
With its latest delay, Microsoft is making some big plans for Fable.
Crimson Desert – Andrew Scariatti
Crimson Desert drew me in from the moment I watched the thrilling trailer, which showcased incredible visuals and a mind-blowing scope. But whenever I talk to someone about this game, the conversation always comes back to the same sentence: “That game looks too ambitious.”
Not that Pearl Abyss shouldn't be ambitious with their project, but the scale and sheer level of nuance present in the trailer feels like it's setting huge expectations. The crimson desert has our attention; We hope its medieval fantasy world delivers on what has been teased so far with magic, mythical creatures, and futuristic technology.
Mixtape – Stacey Henley
Mixtape was one of my most anticipated games of 2025, which first piqued my interest at Summer Games Fest 2024. However, all has been quiet on the Xbox front since then, and the game has quietly returned to 2026 (and hopefully not later).
Produced by the team behind the woefully underrated The Artful Escape, the mixtape is another soundtrack-driven adventure that's sure to dial things up to eleven.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties – Meg Pellicio
To the shock of anyone who doesn't know me in any way, I'm super excited to revisit Yakuza 3 with its Kiwami remake and even more hyped to get more of my story with Dark Ties.
I often scream at the top of my lungs about my love for Majima, but for those who care about my fan ranks, mine is actually my third favorite character. So now you know.
Fable – Hilton Webster
Will Fable actually come out this year? Who knows! Did I even write a fable last year? yes And I'll do it every year until it's released, because Microsoft isn't giving me much else to work with.
Also, I just bought an Xbox One the other day so I can play my original copies of Fable 2 and 3 like 15 years ago. God, I love fables. I need more non-American imagination and humor in my life. I've been waiting too long, Microsoft. A piece of fiction, please.
Grand Theft Auto 6 – George Foster
Xbox isn't the console I'll be playing Grand Theft Auto 6 on (I bought a PS5 Pro specifically for it), but I can't pass up an opportunity to hype Rockstar's next monolith. We all know why GTA 6 is exciting, so I won't waste your time on it, but there's no doubt in my mind that it will manage to live up to the impossibly high expectations we all have.
By the time it actually launches next year (fingers crossed!), GTA 6 is going to be a true game-changer that shows just how far the medium can go. Hot take, I know.
Halo: Combat Evolved – Josh Coulson
Outside of a mild obsession with Halo: Reach's multiplayer 15 years ago, I've never been a Halo guy. That was until recently when I started playing through the Master Chief collection with my son.
We're halfway through Halo 2 as I type this, and after not being all phased about the Halo: Campaign Evolved remake announcement, I'm itching to see what Xbox has done with the game having only played through the original a few days ago. It's going to be a big year for Xbox if all goes to plan, but Halo's return to its roots is the game I'm most looking forward to.
Video game release date 2026
From indie titles to triple-A giants, we've got all the release dates for games coming in 2026. We have also included TCG and Tabletop.
