The last two months of 2026 are built around one date: 19 November, when GTA 6 arrives. Around it, though, there is a strong line-up, especially for Nintendo Switch 2 owners, plus several big December releases. Here is everything confirmed so far.
How to use this calendar
The tables below list confirmed release dates for November and December 2026, with the platforms each game is coming to. A few things are worth knowing before you plan your purchases:
- Dates are for the main release, usually the digital and standard physical versions. Collector's editions and some regions may differ.
- Digital games usually unlock at midnight local time, although some publishers choose a single global launch time instead.
- "Switch 2 Edition" versions of older games are usually upgrades or new versions for Nintendo's newer console. Check whether there is a cheaper upgrade path if you already own the original.
November 2026
| Date | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Nov | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026 remake) | Switch 2 |
| 5 Nov | Edge of Memories | PS5, Xbox, PC |
| 5 Nov | Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Encore Edition | Switch 2 |
| 6 Nov | Stellar Blade | Switch 2 |
| 12 Nov | Metaphor: ReFantazio | Switch 2 |
| 12 Nov | Pikmin 4: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy | Switch 2 |
| 12 Nov | Sonic Pico Park | PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, Switch |
| 19 Nov | Grand Theft Auto VI | PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
December 2026
| Date | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec | Hela | PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch 2 |
| 2 Dec | The Ascent Ultimate Edition | Switch 2 |
| 3 Dec | Aeterna Lucis | PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch |
| 3 Dec | Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World | PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch, Switch 2 |
| 3 Dec | Rayman Legends Retold | PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch 2 |
| 3 Dec | Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV | PC |
| 3 Dec | Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Switch 2 Edition | Switch 2 |
| 4 Dec | Monster Hunter Wilds | Switch 2 |
| 10 Dec | Attack on Titan 3 | PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC |
| 10 Dec | Professor Layton and the New World of Steam | PS5, Switch, PC, Switch 2 |
| 10 Dec | Stage Tour | PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC |
| 11 Dec | Path of Exile 2 | PC, PS5, Xbox |
Why so many games moved away from GTA 6
When Rockstar confirmed 19 November as GTA 6's launch date, several publishers quietly moved their own games out of the way. It is easy to see why. A release that sells tens of millions of copies dominates players' time, social media, streaming and news coverage for weeks. A smaller game launching in the same week risks being ignored, however good it is.
The result is a slightly unusual calendar. Most of the November releases are Switch 2 versions or games aimed at a different audience from GTA's, such as family and puzzle games. The bigger new releases for other consoles and PC are clustered in early December, after the first wave of GTA excitement has passed but in time for the holidays.
For players, that is good news: if you are not interested in GTA 6, November is a great month to catch up on older games while prices fall, and December offers plenty of fresh choices.
The 6 games to watch
1 Grand Theft Auto VI (19 Nov)
The biggest launch of the year by a huge margin. Rockstar's return to Vice City stars Lucia and Jason and launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only. Read our full GTA 6 guide.
2 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake (5 Nov)
A new version of one of the most important games ever made, released exclusively for Switch 2. For many players it will be their first chance to experience Link's 1998 adventure with modern visuals.
3 Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World (3 Dec)
The monster-collecting spin-off of Square Enix's famous RPG series, coming to almost every platform at once. A great pick for anyone who enjoys collecting and training creatures.
4 Professor Layton and the New World of Steam (10 Dec)
The puzzle-solving gentleman returns after a long break. If you enjoy brain-teasers, this is the one to mark on the calendar, and it is coming to PC and PS5 as well as Nintendo systems.
5 Attack on Titan 3 (10 Dec)
A new action game based on the hugely popular anime and manga, coming to PS5, Xbox, Switch 2 and PC.
6 Path of Exile 2 (11 Dec)
Grinding Gear Games' action RPG reaches its full release and is the biggest PC launch of December. It is a deep, challenging loot game in the style of Diablo. The developer has said the full game will be free to play, like the original Path of Exile.
November and December bring a wave of Switch 2 versions of well-loved games, including Stellar Blade, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Monster Hunter Wilds and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. If you missed them on other consoles, this is a good time to catch up.
A closer look at the rest of the line-up
Remasters and new versions worth knowing about
A large part of this year's holiday calendar is made up of new versions of existing games. That is not a bad thing: for many players it is the first chance to play them.
- Stellar Blade (Switch 2, 6 Nov): Shift Up's stylish action game first launched on PS5 in April 2024 and reached PC in 2025. The Switch 2 version brings its fast, combo-heavy combat to a portable console.
- Metaphor: ReFantazio (Switch 2, 12 Nov): Atlus's 2024 fantasy RPG, from many of the people behind the Persona series, is a long, turn-based adventure with a strong story about politics and prejudice.
- Monster Hunter Wilds (Switch 2, 4 Dec): Capcom's hunting game originally launched on PS5, Xbox and PC in February 2025. It is a great co-op game if you have friends with the same console.
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Switch 2 Edition (3 Dec): Monolith Soft's huge 2022 RPG returns with improvements for the newer hardware.
- Rayman Legends Retold (3 Dec): a new version of Ubisoft's colourful 2013 platformer, one of the best co-op platform games ever made.
For strategy and PC players
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV (3 Dec) continues a real-time strategy series that began in 2004, and Path of Exile 2 (11 Dec) leaves early access, which began in December 2024. Between them, December is the best month of the year for PC-focused players.
For families
Sonic Pico Park (12 Nov) and Pikmin 4: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy (12 Nov) are friendly, colourful picks that work well when several people want to play together over the holidays.
Release dates by platform
| Platform | Highlights for November and December |
|---|---|
| PS5 | GTA 6, Attack on Titan 3, Professor Layton, Dragon Quest Monsters, Path of Exile 2 |
| Xbox Series X|S | GTA 6, Attack on Titan 3, Dragon Quest Monsters, Path of Exile 2 |
| PC | Dawn of War IV, Path of Exile 2, Professor Layton, Attack on Titan 3 |
| Switch 2 | Ocarina of Time remake, Stellar Blade, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Monster Hunter Wilds, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 |
| Switch | Professor Layton, Dragon Quest Monsters, Aeterna Lucis, Sonic Pico Park |
Why the Ocarina of Time remake is a big deal
The original The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launched on the Nintendo 64 in 1998 and is often listed among the greatest video games ever made. It set rules for 3D action games that are still used today, such as locking the camera onto an enemy during a fight. It was remade once before, for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011. A brand-new version for Switch 2 means a whole generation can play it with modern controls and visuals for the first time.
What to play right now if you are waiting
If none of the games above arrive soon enough, there is plenty to fill the gap. October's releases are worth a look, with Phantom Blade Zero and Star Wars: Galactic Racer among the highlights. Older games on subscription services are another option. And if you only have a few minutes, a free browser game on our site needs no download at all.
Award season dates
- 11 November: Golden Joystick Awards, London.
- 10 December: The Game Awards, Los Angeles. The show usually includes several surprise announcements and new trailers.
Plan your holiday gaming budget
With GTA 6 and so many other releases arriving in a few weeks, it is easy to overspend. A simple plan helps:
- Pick your one "must-have" game. For most people this year, that will be GTA 6. Buy that one at full price if you want it on day one.
- Wishlist the rest. Add the other games you are interested in to your store wishlist and wait for discounts.
- Know the sale seasons. Big digital stores traditionally run major sales around late November and again around the Christmas and New Year holidays. Many games released in October and November get their first discounts then.
- Check your subscriptions. Before buying, see whether a game is included in Game Pass, PlayStation Plus or another service you already pay for.
- Remember free games. Free-to-play games and free browser games cost nothing and are perfect between big releases. See the best free PC games.
What is pre-loading?
Pre-loading lets you download a digital game before its release date, so it is ready to play the moment it unlocks. It is usually available a few days before launch for digital pre-orders on PlayStation, Xbox and PC stores. For huge games, pre-loading is the difference between playing at midnight and waiting hours for a download. Make sure you have enough free storage, keep your console in rest mode so downloads continue, and check that automatic updates are switched on so any day-one patch installs too.
Gift ideas for gamers this season
- Digital gift cards for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo or Steam let the gamer choose. Only buy them from official stores or well-known shops, because gift card scams are common.
- A second controller makes couch co-op and two-player games possible.
- Extra storage, such as a compatible SSD, is a practical gift in a year of very large games.
- A good headset improves online play and is kinder to the rest of the household.
- Subscriptions such as Game Pass or PlayStation Plus give access to a large library of games.
Real companies, delivery services and government offices never ask you to pay with gift cards. If someone asks you for a gift card code, it is a scam.
What to expect from The Game Awards
The Game Awards, hosted by Geoff Keighley since the show began in 2014, has become the biggest night of the year for game announcements as well as awards. Alongside categories such as Game of the Year, Best Narrative and Best Independent Game, the show is known for world-premiere trailers, release date reveals and the occasional surprise launch of a game that becomes available the same night. If you follow gaming news, it is worth watching live or catching the highlights the next morning, because many of next year's biggest games are often revealed or dated there.
A quick word on early 2027
Several games that were once expected in 2026 have moved into next year, and publishers usually reveal their early-2027 plans at The Game Awards and in January showcases. We will publish a new release calendar for January and February 2027 once enough dates are confirmed, so check back on the blog in December. Until then, treat any 2027 dates you see as provisional.
Release dates can change
Publishers often move dates late in the year, especially to avoid clashing with a giant like GTA 6. We will update this page if anything changes, and you can always check the official store listing before buying.
Looking back instead? Here is everything that came out in October 2026.