Update: As mentioned, we're updating this feature on a monthly basis, and it's now been adjusted for April. We've taken a few games away, added a few in, and changed a handful of dates around for games like Aphelion.
With 2026 now starting to kick into gear, it's time to look ahead at what this year has in store for us! There are hundreds and hundreds of games that will be releasing on Xbox in 2026, and we've whittled down the current list into just 30 Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S titles that we're most looking forward to this year as things stand.
We do this every year, of course, but things are a little different for the 2026 version. Firstly, we're sticking to just the official descriptions rather than just waffling on about each game ourselves — this means we have more time to constantly keep updating the article with new additions (and taking older ones out) on a monthly basis, which should hopefully prove useful as the year rolls on. You'll also find trailers for each game in this big list, although you can also click on the game pages to get more information and other news articles we've covered for them.
As mentioned, these are far from the only games releasing on Xbox this year, and in addition to this article, we provide weekly and monthly guides tracking them all. There's also an Xbox Game Pass in 2026 guide that's obviously focused around every single Game Pass title announced for this year.
Let's get cracking with 30 Xbox Series X|S games to look forward to in 2026!
Hades 2 (Xbox Series X|S)
"Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler."
- Release Date: April 14, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Replaced (Xbox Series X|S)
"REPLACED is a 2.5D sci-fi retro-futuristic action platformer set in an alternate 1980s America, with free-flow action combat and a deep, dystopian story. You play as R.E.A.C.H. - an artificial intelligence trapped in a human body against its own will, striving to adjust to human life, in and around Phoenix-City."
- Release Date: April 14, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss (Xbox Series X|S)
"A mining station in the Pacific abyss is no longer responding. As an investigator of the occult, unravel the mysteries of the deep. Test your wits and sanity in this lovecraftian thriller."
- Release Date: April 16, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? No
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire (Xbox Series X|S)
"MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is an action-packed first-person shooter that draws inspiration from the classic cartoons of the 1930s. Its black and white rubber hose visuals are drawn by hand, frame by frame, delivering a striking vintage aesthetic. Unravel layers of corruption with a thrilling noir-fueled detective story, lively environments to explore, an original big band jazz soundtrack, and a fully-loaded arsenal of cartoon weapons and devastating power-ups."
- Release Date: April 16, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Pragmata (Xbox Series X|S)
"Capcom’s newest IP—PRAGMATA. It is the near future, and protagonists Hugh and his android companion Diana, must work together as they make their way through the cold lunar research station."
- Release Date: April 17, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Vampire Crawlers (Xbox Series X|S)
"Deal world-ending combos and blitz through infested dungeons! Vampire Crawlers: the turbo wildcard from Vampire Survivors is a casual, turn‑based deckbuilder with roguelite elements. Master the Turboturn™ with your own hand of cards!"
- Release Date: April 21, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Tides of Tomorrow (Xbox Series X|S)
"From the makers of Road 96 comes a groundbreaking narrative adventure. Your choices shape the story for other players! Follow in your friends’ footsteps, face the consequences of their actions and choose the fate of this plasticpunk world."
- Release Date: April 22, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Kiln (Xbox Series X|S)
"Create your pot, grab your friends, and join a team of colorful spirits who face off against one another in online arenas, where the ceramic creations you sculpt on a pottery wheel become the bodies you bring into battle."
- Release Date: April 23, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Aphelion (Xbox Series X|S)
"As ESA astronauts Ariane and Thomas, explore and survey an uncharted planet and solve the mystery of your crash landing, all while trying to survive in the terrifying presence of an unknown enemy. At its heart, Aphelion is an emotional tale about love, resilience, hope, and what we bring with us when everything is lost."
- Release Date: April 28, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Xbox Series X|S)
"Take control of He-Man, Man-At-Arms, and Teela in a fast-paced, magic-brawler that blends the crunch of arcade classics with the high-fantasy action of the animated series."
- Release Date: April 28, 2026
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Comments 62
Curious about Reanimal... but not at the full price!
I must have been living under a rock but when was a new A Plague Tale game announced?
Hmm... not actually that many I am really excited about yet, at least without knowing more. But then the same was probably true at the start of 2025 and that ended up being a banging year!
There will be many surprises, some we will know little if anything about right now, as well as some disappointments, but I hope it matches or betters 2025, that would be great.
Kind of excited for Replaced finally being released. When these current gen consoles launched, there were two indie games (one on each platform) I was genuinely interested in: Replaced on Xbox, and Little Devil Inside on PS. At least one of them won’t dissolve into vaporware!
Is Beast of Reincarnation an Xbox exclusive?
@ZeD Last years Xbox showcase. But assuming you did see it then, I don't blame you for not remembering, it looked nothing like APT only the name. We are also inundated with hundreds and hundreds of announcements that week so some get lost/forgotten.
@somnambulance No, PS5 as well.
@themightyant just had to look up the showcase and I remember watching it but I remember nothing about Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy! 😂
fable is the game I anticipating the most to be honest. starfield was like that for me and other then all the loading screens starfield hit it out of the park for me. I'm hoping fable is as plucky as the first 2
You missed Code Vein 2! I’m eagerly awaiting it. I’m getting soulslike withdrawal symptoms over here 😅
@Cakefish Trust me, it was so hard to narrow down the list! Plenty of other great games on the way in 2026
@FraserG a sign of a promising year indeed! 😊
It is a promising year. I never played Fable and Halo campaign evolved. I'm really interested on these games. Curious about 007 and Crimson desert. And of course patiently waiting for GTA6! The next jewell from Rockstar.
There's some cool looking games there. Barring any disasters, Forza Horizon 6 will be a rare day one purchase for me.
Also, I like Invincible but damn, that Invincible VS. is one ugly arse video game.
Also also, how many "XX Xbox Series X|S Games To Look Forward To In 202X" articles has Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake appeared in now? What with that and Beyond Good & Evil 2, Ubisoft is becoming to new king of vapourware.
A fair few games listed here that I am interested in, and that I will definitely be buying each of them for my Xbox day one:
Resident Evil: Requiem
Crimson Desert
Pragmata
007: First Light
Beast Of Reincarnation
Halo: Campaign Evolved
Prince Of Persia
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy
Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantic
When it comes to Gears Of War: E-Day, I have every Collector's Edition in the series, so really hope that they do one for this game too. My only hope is that they do one for the UK too this time, because I had to import the Gears 5 one from the US, due to them not doing one for the UK, which adds a lot to the cost.
I may buy Star Wars: Galactic Racer, but want to see more of it before I decide as racers are not usually my thing. I like them for a short while, but after a while my interest wains.
I will buy Fable should it release, but I highly doubt that it will. I am pretty confident that GTA 6 won't release this year either, but doubt I will buy it anyway, as it holds no interest for me.
I hope Fable makes a 2026 release date, but I am not expecting it this year. Early to mid-2027 seems more likely.
@Fiendish-Beaver Fable looks locked in for 2027, and GTA 6 is 50/50 right now.
@Darylb88 man they delay Fable another year back there might be an online riot 😂
Echo Generation 2 is my most anticipated one, haha.
I think Fable is looking odds on for releasing next year, @ILuvGames & @Darylb88. The distinct lack of any gameplay, or indeed, any updates, has me seriously doubting that we will see it this year. I think we will see some gameplay in the June Xbox Showcase, but that's about all I'm expecting to see...
Clockwork Revolution is the game that I am most looking forward to, but who knows if that will release in 2026.
Is it just me, but as I scrolled through… 2027 is way more likely for 80% of these titles
I lost my faith in the hype train…
@Fiendish-Beaver I just can’t see them delaying it AGAIN. See what they say at the direct but Phil did say he wanted the four Xbox pillars to release 2026 for the anniversary and Fable is one of them.
Is Hellraiser not slated for 2026? That looks interesting. I loved the first movie, but not so much the others.
Looks set to be a good year. My backlog set to grow even further.
I'm highly sceptical that Fable will release this year, @ILuvGames, but one thing is for sure, we will know more within the next few months. If we hear nothing once the June Xbox Showcase has been and gone, then I think it safe to say the game is delayed into 2027.
Personally, I'm really looking forward to it, so the sooner it comes the better, albeit, I want it to arrive in good shape...
Copy paste of my comment from the other 2026 Xbox games article
For me on this list
Definitely:
FF7
GTA6
Gears E Day
FH6
Probably:
Fable
Maybe:
Toxic Commando
Monster Hunter Stories 3
Hopefully come out in 2026 (on Xbox):
Pathologic 3
Solasta 2
Outward 2
Warhammer 40k: Dark Heresy
No Rest for the Wicked
Big Walk
Chrono Odyssey
@Fiendish-Beaver if it’s not featured during this month’s direct it will not come out this year but if it is on there that means they will have it slated for this year so we should have an idea this month. Now if it holds that 2026 date is another question as they keep delaying it.
I'm hoping that Solasta 2 comes out this year too, @Jenkinss. I'm not sure if it's going to do what it did with the first game and come out on PC first or have a simultaneous release across all platforms, but I really enjoyed the first game so am very much looking forward to the sequel.
Is Warhammer 40k: Dark Heresy a turn-based game? I do like my Warhammer games, though I have just fallen off Chaos Gate because I kept hitting annoying bugs...
That was pretty much my thinking, @ILuvGames. I just think the game is so anticipated, that Microsoft would have already mentioned if we were going to see it soon (albeit I don't think they have even confirmed the January showcase yet)...
@Fiendish-Beaver Yes it is turn based, it is a CRPG from Owlcat who also made Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader which it should be very similar to. They also made my favorite CRPG of all time Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous (which was a hybrid of turn based and real time with pause).
I would say Owlcat's CRPGs are the least accessible out of the best current CRPG devs (Larian, Obsidian, inXile) but they are more than worth learning because the games are phenomenal. They are also making the new Expanse game Osiris Reborn which is looking like a real Mass Effect successor. They are on almost an identical trajectory to 90s into 00s Bioware.
I bought Chaos Gate a while back and still haven't started it, can never find the time!
Thank you, @Jenkinss. Definitely interested in that then.
I bought both 40k Rogue Trader and Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous end of last year, but have yet to play them.
Personally, I'm really excited for Osiris Reborn as what they've shown of it thus far looks amazing. Just have to hope that the rumours of a 2028 or 29 release are wrong, though that said, I'd prefer they take their time and get it right...
@Fiendish-Beaver Same here... huge fan of Mass Effect (but who isn't, right?) and I'm pretty excited because I have high hopes for two games to take us on that journey again, Osiris Reborn and Exodus.
Have you heard the Osiris Reborn theme yet? Music is one of the reasons I love Owlcat games so much, and that song is just TAKING ME THERE. If not:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PqNeoff3NI
@Fiendish-Beaver Matt Booty confirmed there would be a January Direct just didn’t give a specific date. Supposedly the biggest one they have done (7 titles). It’s why I am optimistic Fable is atleast, for now, slated for 2026.
Cool, @ILuvGames. They have done a January showcase for the past couple of years, so I would have been surprised if they didn't do one this year. I'm a huge Gears fan, and that's the game I am most looking forward to. Fable is second on my list. It will be good if we get both this year, but I can wait for Fable if it means them getting it right...
Yes, @Jenkinss, I love Mass Effect, and have beaten the game a number of times. I was, at one time, in the top 1% for the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer (on the PC). That was so good, but it was nowhere near as good when they tried again in Andromeda (which was much better than people give it credit for, just not as good as the original trilogy).
I also love the Expanse television series. Tis great Sci-Fi, which is easily my favourite genre. I have high hopes for Osiris Reborn...
@Fiendish-Beaver I can not even put into words how excited I am for E-Day haha
I'm not going to lie, @ILuvGames, I'd prefer them to have finished with the current trilogy before moving on to E-Day, but I am looking forward to see how they deal with the story. I'm going to assume that we will see some new characters that may end up being killed off in a few games time, unless they rigidly keep to just Dom and Marcus. Or whether the campaign will follow two stories, one with Dom and Marcus, and the other with Cole and Baird. Obviously the two duos don't meet until 14 years after E-Day, so that cannot happen in this game.
Interestingly, Cole actually has the most tumultuous E-Day, because his entire family is killed during that period, so to some extent, his story would be pretty interesting, if not somewhat bleak.
I cannot help but wonder whether we will see a young Hoffman and Bernie, or whether Tai, Kim or Dizzy will make an appearance. Also, will they kill off another Carmine in the game? 😂
I do also wonder whether we will see the Chainsaw Lancer in the campaign, because that was not available at the time of E-Day, but I hope that is one thing they do not stick to because I am not a fan of the Retro Lancer.
What I am looking forward to is seeing the return of Corpsers, Tickers, Cerinpedes, and Wretches, among others (at least I assume they will return), though I am curious to see what they introduce in place of a Berserker because obviously Marcus and Dom didn't encounter their first one until Gears of War 1.
So yes, as a Gears of War fanatic and nerd, I am very much looking forward to E-Day. I just have to hope that I hit re-up 60 in Gears 5, as I am currently on re-up 55, and I am only levelling up once or twice a month right now as it takes so much XP. I should have the time, depending on when E-Day releases...
@Fiendish-Beaver I am looking forward to Gears 6 whenever that comes as well! I love all the games but the core three hold a place dear to my heart and I’m not even afraid to shy away from the fact that I teared up when the trailer first premiered and Dom grabbed Marcus’s hand and Mad World played. So many great times with the game with friends and family, one friend that has left this realm years ago due to a car accident, Gears was always our after work game. Grab some brews, Taco Bell and slay! I miss those days! Now my wife will play through with me and have to experience all the emotions I go through playing E-Day lol some of my old buddies are already planning on coming back as well for Horde. There will be many a good times ahead this year with E-Day and Combat Evolved, just so many good feels wrapped up with those two IPs for me.
Absolutely agree, @ILuvGames. To my mind, the Mad World trailer for Gears of War 3 is probably one of, of not the, all time greatest reveal trailers and theme.
I play Horde with my youngest son (22) and a mate each weekend, and we do a Master Horde with just the 3 of us in Gears 5. It's easily my favourite mode. I don't touch the PvP at all. I tried it once or twice when the first game came out, but it wasn't for me. It's Horde that I am most looking forward to in E-Day. I'm excited to see how it evolves, and what enemies we will face. There should be no robots, at least, which suits me as they are the biggest pain in the backside in Horde, and have ended many a run for us.
I play through all the campaigns on an annual basis, and have all the Collector's Editions available, plus both of the Gears of War Consoles. I have GoW blankets, and also the huge Chainsaw Lancer replica (which is about 5ft long!). I also have a canvas from Gears of War 3 featuring the dynamic foursome that is 6ft by 4ft, I just don't have a wall big enough to put it on! Lastly, I also have two of the limited edition life-sized Locust busts that are numbered and cost £500 each, and are now worth around £1500 each. So when I say I love my Gears of War, I really do mean it...! 🤣
Unfortunately I don't think we will see Gears 6 - the Xbox strategy seems to be to relaunching the pillars for the PS (and possibly Switch) fanbase so this would also apply for Halo - I may be wrong, time will tell (to be clear I am not happy with this direction as I have played all of the Gears and Halo games and eagerly await E day)
@Fiendish-Beaver that’s awesome! I also have a chainsaw lancer replica, it sits next to my Halo Needler and Energy Sword. I also have the collectors editions of the games, hoping there is one for E-Day as well. I also have a ton of figure, pops, full comic lines and autographs, controllers etc. I never did grab any of the consoles though. Those still working? The ones that you have. I love seeing other Gears-heads out in the world. Just the other day while picking my daughter up from school I was wearing my old Gears hoodie (I even had my Gamertag thrown on the back from when I did a local Gears tourney) and a guy walked by and gave a Fenix shoutout. Man I hope E-Day melts our faces! We call all raise 🥃 to Dom and shed a tear haha
Yes, @ILuvGames! It really is very cool when you meet someone as passionate about Gears of War as yourself. I think they will do a Collector's Edition of E-Day, as they did one for Doom and Indy, so it makes sense to do another. My hope is that they make it available in the UK this time, as I had to import my CE for Gears 5 because for some reason it was only available in the US.
I'm also quietly hoping that they do a Series X console too, as even though we will soon be getting the PCBox, I will still buy a Collector's Gears of War: E-Day Series X console. My Gears of War 3 360 (I actually have 2!) and my Xbox One Gears of War 4 console do still work, as do the controllers, plus I bought extra controllers for them both too. Being somewhat older, I do tend to look after my stuff, and so everything is still in good condition. I haven't even opened the boxes on most for most of my Collector's Editions.
As an aside, I do have the Halo 360 console, and the game that came with the life-sized helmet (I forget which one it is now). Although I do really enjoy Halo, for me it takes a backseat to Gears of War...
Thanks, nice list, I added most of these to my Steam Wishlist (since Xbox doesn't want us to play games on Xbox anymore, and pushed the industry into streaming and multiplatform both themselves and encouraging others), I'm enjoying them on my PC and also through GeForce Now. If they would have console exclusives again, I will definitely open up my brand new Xbox Series X, just haven't had a reason to
There are maybe 3 games on this list I'm not interested in. That's a pretty solid ratio.
@swedetrap Same. Maybe my tastes in games are just broad, but I'm interested in playing nearly all of the stuff listed here.
Only games I'm not too down for are Marathon (though I do like the artstyle), Invincible VS, Halloween (depends on how good the singleplayer campaign is), Halo: Campaign Evolved (was never a big fan of the first Halo), and Star Wars: Galactic Racer.
I'm a bit iffy on Resonant: A Plague Tale Legacy too, since I wasn't a big fan of the Plague Tale games, but I'd be willing to buy it on sale.
@Questionable_Duck Almost the exact same list I have. I really love the Marathon art style but have never cared for anything Bungie has made, post-Halo. Destiny 1&2 are a lot of hours trying to enjoy a game that I was never meant to enjoy. Same with Plague Tale.
This list has now been updated for February! Only a few changes to mention (took out January's games, added a couple of recently-announced titles, and altered some dates based on the Xbox Developer Direct showcase).
RIP to my Wallet
I'll play Vampire Crawlers, Gears, Fable, and FH6 for sure.
I'm interested in SW Galactic Racer, GTA, the new Capcom IP, and Toxic Commando.
Only dragon quest for me, it I don’t even have time to finish it In February I bet.
Jenkinss wrote:
well that aged nicely, playing Pathalogic 3 on Xbox now.
Depends what games are on physical disc.
but yeah Tomb Raider Legend, Pragmata, Beast of Reincarnation. interest me.
Update: Hello! We've now updated this guide for March onwards, taking out a bunch of the previously released games and adding others such as Aphelion, He-Man, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, Directive 8020, FF7 Rebirth and others.
There are obviously loads more we couldn't fit in here, so we'll keep updating this guide on a monthly basis with new entries.
This year might break me as a gamer. My backlog from last year is still huge but the quality of games releasing at the moment is just crazy. There is too much to play and not enough time to play it.
Is there any chance that when you repost this each month that you could wipe all the comments, @FraserG? Over time, some comments will relate to games that have already released, plus it just seems to me that it's almost pointless to read someone's comments posted many months previously. Just a thought. Most of the comments are from me anyway... 😂
It's a shame for me personally that Vampire Crawlers is a card game. I love dungeon crawlers and blobbers, very underserved genres, but I really do not enjoy card games at all.
@Fiendish-Beaver I see your point but I also kind of like reading them, like a time capsule. Last time I even quoted myself from the time before 😂
@Fiendish-Beaver It's certainly possible, but not something we tend to do as a rule — will keep it in mind for the next refresh.
It's only because I like to read all the comments on pretty much everything you post, @FraserG, but then you see a whole load of out of date comments, from people like myself... 😂
I'm ready to be a detective mouse. I'm so excited for it's steeze.
Looking forward to Forza and Halo.
Hello everyone! This feature has now been updated for April.
The old comments are still here for now... they're not something I can easily archive myself, but if enough people really want us to get rid of them, I'll ensure it happens in the near future.
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