Around this time, I like to make a list of games I’m looking forward to in the coming year. Of course, this won’t be a complete list, as there will surely be titles announced throughout the year that we don’t know about yet. Especially with the new Switch 2 console being out and all. Heck, this time last year we didn’t even know when the Switch 2 would be coming out! But these are the ones I know about so far that I want to try. So let’s begin!
Super Mario Galaxy Movie
OK so technically this isn’t a game. But I’m putting it on here anyway because I feel like it and it’s my list and I’ll do what I want. So there! But yeah, if it weren’t for my gosh darn nostalgia for Super Mario 64 getting in the way, I’d have to say that Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 are the best Mario 3D platformers and some of the best 3D platformers period. So why not make a movie about them? Plus the first Mario animated movie was pretty good and fun so I hope this one will be, too!
Pokémon Pokopia
I don’t really get into the mainline Pokémon games anymore but I still really like a lot of the spinoffs. In this one, you play as a shapeshifting Ditto Pokémon who turns into a human, and then you meet up with Pokémon and imitate their moves to build up a deserted land to make Pokémon happy. So yeah, it sounds like Pokémon Animal Crossing, which is right up my alley. It also looks a lot like Dragon Quest Builders. In fact, I heard somewhere that the same team who made that game also did this one. Only problem is that you can only get this one either digitally or buy a Game Key Card. I’m not too happy about that, but I’ll still get the game either way. I’m debating on getting the Game Key Card because, even though I don’t want to, I could then let my mom play it since she likes Animal Crossing, too. Of course, she’d have to get a Switch 2 as well, which I don’t see happening any time soon. But I still have some time to think about it, since the game won’t be out until late March.
Tomodatchi Life: Living the Dream
I really like the first Tomodatchi Life game on the 3DS, so I’m looking forward to this Switch game, too. You just make your own Mii characters and put them in an apartment and let them interact with each other. You really don’t have much control over them, but it’s just fun to see what silly situations they get in. I made some Mii characters of me and my friends and some of video game characters. In the 3DS game, my Mii ended up marrying the Princess Zelda Mii. Shh, don’t tell Link! They even had a baby! I named him Zelda Jr. So I’m looking forward to the silly things that might happen in this sequel.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
I love the 2D Yoshi games. We don’t know much about this one yet, but I’m hoping it captures the magic of Yoshi’s Island like Yoshi’s Woolly World did.
Rhythm Heaven Groove
The same folks who make WarioWare also do the Rhythm Heaven games. I’m not very good at them but I still like them so I’m going to get this one, too.
Pokémon Champions
This one looks like online Pokémon battles like Pokémon Stadium. I don’t really know if I’ll get this one or not, but I’ll keep my eye on it anyway. Good to know that Pokémon fans have a lot to look forward to anyway. I’m happy for them.
Splatoon Raiders
The Splatoon series is really fun, and I’ve always wanted a single player game based on it, and that’s what this is, I think. We don’t know much about it yet or even if it’s being released this year, but I’m hoping it’ll be fun and maybe combine Splatoon with the gameplay of Ratchet and Clank.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection
I never played the Star Force games. They were just like the Battle Network games except on the 3DS and the battles were more third person to make use of the 3D screen. I was getting a little tired of the Battle Network games so I never got these. But I’ll get this collection and try them out. Did you know there was a Star Force anime? I watched a bit of it on Cartoon Network back in the day. Now all that’s left for a Legacy Collection is the Legends games. Man wouldn’t that be cool? Almost as cool as getting Mega Man Legends 3! Hope springs eternal!
Mega Man Dual Override
Speaking of Mega Man, I know this isn’t supposed to come out until 2027, but I’m still looking forward to learning more about this game anyway. I’m a little disappointed it looks most like Mega Man 11. Don’t get me wrong, I liked that game, but it felt more like a budget title. I felt games like Mega Man 8 had higher production values, even if the voice acting wasn’t so good.
Bubsy 4D
This is supposed to be a sequel to Bubsy 3D, one of the worst games of all time. But funnily enough, this one actually looks kind of fun! So I’ll be keeping my eye on it.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Man it’s been a while since we’ve had a new LEGO game! The LEGO Batman games were always fun so I’m looking forward to it. Maybe I’ll even get to review it!
Fatal Frame 2
One of my guilty pleasures is watching those dumb ghost investigation shows on TV, so ghost games will get my attention, too, if only for a little bit. This is a remake of the Fatal Frame sequel, which I hear is the best one, so I might look into it.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition
Right now all we know about this one is that they’ve added some multiplayer modes. But they also showed the Koopalings so if they are part of an expanded single player mode, I MIGHT get this one.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales
This game uses the same pixel graphic style that other Square Enix titles like Octopath Traveller and Triangle Strategy use. This one plays like a top down action adventure game like Zelda. You can play a demo of it now, too. I did and it’s pretty fun.
Okami Sequel
OK now we’re getting to the stuff that I’ve had on previous “Looking Forward To “ lists that haven’t come out yet. Even though Capcom announced this a couple of years ago and it may not even come out this year, I’m still looking forward to it. The first Okami was my GOTY back in 2006, and the actual sequel we got, Okamiden, was my GOTY when that came out, too!
SEGA Announcements
So a couple of year ago at the Game Awards SEGA announced they’d be revitalizing a lot of their old properties. They’ve already released a new Shinobi game this past year. I didn’t get it, but that’s OK because I’m not really that big of a Shinobi fan. But I’m still looking forward to what they do with other stuff they announced like Jet Grind Radio, Streets of Rage, and Crazy Taxi!
Big Walk
Here’s another one that was on my list last year that hasn’t come out yet. It’s made by House House, the same folks who did Untitled Goose Game, so I’ve got my eye on this one, too.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
I also like the Rune Factory games as they combine farming elements from Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons mixed with action based dungeon crawling. If I have the time, I’d like to check this one out, too.
And that’s pretty much all I could find that I’m looking forward to in 2026! In the comments section, let me know what you think of my list and if there are any other games coming in 2026 that you think I’d like. And let me know what you’re looking forward to as well! Later! --Cary
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