The gaming industry is holding its breath Grand Craft Auto VIwhich is due to arrive on November 19th.
This long-delayed titan threw a wrench into its 2026 release schedule, but the first half of the year was still filled with new spins on old franchises, from Resident Evil: Requiem To Pokemon Pocopia To 007 First Light. Sequels in Early Access such as Subnautica 2 And Kill the Spire 2 also found a huge audience, along with such indie projects as Mugenix And Mina Empty.
However, the industry as a whole continued to struggle, with Xbox laying off thousands of employees. French giant Ubisoft has closed two studios, canceled six games and delayed others. Small but promising development teams like those behind MIO: Memories in Orbit And Lunar Abyssclosed after disappointing sales.
But many bright spots have pierced the gloom of this year. NPR staff has highlighted popular favorites and lesser-known gems that you can find in this interactive list.