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Biggest Video Game Releases of Holiday 2026 (October-December)

New games and full launches dated October 15 to December 31, 2026, ranked on reach and anticipation: franchise size, platforms, and how much of the audience can play on day one. Ports of older games are left out. Every date and platform was checked on Oct 21, 2026 against the publisher or a major outlet; dates slip, so check again before you pre-order. Fable is now 2027.

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CCarson McLeod

10 entriesAdded Oct 21, 2026

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Grand Theft Auto VI

Rockstar's official page lists November 19, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, after two delays (first out of 2025, then from May 26, 2026). There is still no PC version dated, so PC players face the usual long wait. Coverage reports preloads opening a week early. Set in the state of Leonida, with Vice City at its centre, it is the release the rest of the industry scheduled around.

4 pros · 3 cons

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2)

A full remake of the 1998 classic, exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 and announced for November 5 at the Zelda 40th anniversary Direct in September. Nintendo is keeping the world layout and lock-on combat while modernising the look and adding quality-of-life changes. It lands two weeks before GTA VI, which makes it the main event for anyone who owns a Switch 2 rather than a PS5.

4 pros · 3 cons

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

Infinity Ward's next Modern Warfare launches October 23 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and, for the first time in a mainline Call of Duty since 2013, a Nintendo platform: a native Switch 2 build. PS4 and Xbox One are dropped. The campaign is set in Korea. For most players this is the multiplayer game they will be in through the holidays, GTA or no GTA.

4 pros · 3 cons

Path of Exile 2 (1.0 full release)

Grinding Gear Games ends two years of early access with the 1.0 launch on December 11 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It stays free to play, with paid cosmetics and stash tabs. 1.0 adds the remaining campaign acts and the Duelist class. For action-RPG players this is the free game of the season; for anyone already in early access, it is the moment the story is finally complete.

4 pros · 3 cons

Phantom Blade Zero

S-GAME's wuxia action RPG was dated September 9 and then moved by about seven weeks to October 29 for extra polish. It is coming to PS5 and PC (Steam and Epic), and no Xbox version has been announced. Expect fast, combo-heavy sword combat in a dark martial-arts setting. It is the single-player action game of the window that is not a sequel or a remake.

4 pros · 3 cons

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World

Square Enix's monster-collecting spin-off launches December 3 on Switch 2, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC; one report has the Steam version arriving a day later. The free demo is already out, and up to eight monsters from it carry over to the full game. Reports put the roster above 500 monsters. It is the most widely available new RPG of December.

4 pros · 3 cons

Final Fantasy Resonance

The first Final Fantasy made in the HD-2D style of Octopath Traveler, launching October 22 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2 and PC (Steam reported a day later). It retells the first story arc of the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius as a turn-based RPG. A free Chapter 1 demo has been out since September and its save carries over. Sources disagree on price, so check the store.

4 pros · 3 cons

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse

Konami's first new Castlevania in years, made with Evil Empire, the studio behind Dead Cells' later updates, with support from Motion Twin. It is set in Paris in 1499 with a new Belmont lead. It launched October 15 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. A Switch version was announced for later in 2026, and reports conflict on its timing, so Nintendo players should check before buying.

4 pros · 3 cons

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV

The return of the Dawn of War real-time strategy series, from KING Art Games and Deep Silver, for PC on Steam. It was due September 17 and was delayed in August to December 3 for polish and bug fixing. Commander Edition buyers can play three days early from November 30. Post-launch plans include free updates such as Crusade mode and a mission editor, with paid expansions after.

4 pros · 3 cons

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

Level-5's first new Professor Layton adventure in years, set in a steam-powered American city, launches December 10 on PS5, Switch, Switch 2 and PC. It was first announced for 2025 and moved to 2026, and the December date came out of a Nintendo Direct in September. It is the gentle puzzle game of the season, and a good one to play over the holidays with kids.

4 pros · 3 cons

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