- 3 months ago
We're halfway though 2026, but already we've had some great video games. Join us as we showcase our favorite games of the year so far!
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00:11Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we are showcasing the best games that have been released in 2026 so far.
00:27Number 10. Tamadachi Life, Living the Dream
00:31This is gonna be a blast.
00:39We interrupt to bring you some breaking news.
00:42After more than a decade of fans begging for it, the cult classic Tamadachi Life finally received a sequel, and
00:48it did not disappoint.
00:50Living the Dream puts you in control of an island full of Miis, bringing with them all the delightful weirdness
00:55that made the 3DS game so beloved, with even more options for inclusivity.
00:59Nonsense. Mario, your voice is so lovely. I could listen to it all day, every day, and never get sick
01:05of it. I'm sorry princess, but you're just wrong.
01:08It has been wonderful seeing fans take to this game with such gusto, creating Miis based on celebrities, loved ones,
01:15popular characters, household appliances, or, my personal favorite, D&D characters.
01:21And with how much you can adjust their behavior, they all feel distinctly absurd in the best ways possible.
01:27That's not to mention a level of design customization that rivals Nintendo's own Animal Crossing.
01:37Number 9. Saros
01:51Developed by Housemarque, the studio behind the critically acclaimed Returnal, Saros channels that same relentless pulse-pounding energy.
01:59And yes, it is just as difficult as its predecessor.
02:03Set on a foreign planet and in search of a lost colony, players must hunt for the truth while enduring
02:08the tensest bullet hell of the year.
02:17The roguelite structure provides an irresistible pull to keep pushing forward, fueled by a narrative that slowly unravels itself.
02:25Its marriage of mechanical precision and atmospheric storytelling creates a loop that feels rewarding on both a gameplay and emotional
02:32level,
02:33with layers that are continuously satisfying to peel back.
02:36Just be prepared to die an awful lot.
02:46Number 8. Monster Hunter Stories 3, Twisted Reflection
02:50Ha-pao-luto! Watch out for aerial attacks!
02:54Rudy!
02:55This is nothing!
02:57We're not backing down! Bring it on!
03:00Although it hasn't reached the heights of the core series, Monster Hunter Stories has become a great spinoff for fans
03:06who want more.
03:07And the most recent game, Twisted Reflection, is actually the best one.
03:11It follows the heirs of two hostile kingdoms teaming up to solve an environmental crisis currently corrupting monsters of the
03:17land.
03:28With an emotionally rich central plot and interesting world building, it feels like a key piece to the overall series,
03:35rather than a side adventure.
03:37It also features incredibly well-crafted RPG mechanics, from its battle system to the monster-raising hook that keeps you
03:43invested in your creatures.
03:45For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Twisted Reflection shows that Monster Hunter contains worlds within worlds.
03:52As the prince, I understand my duty to my kingdom and countrymen.
03:57Even then, as a ranger, I can't bring myself to think of Ratha like a weapon.
04:03Number 7, LEGO Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight.
04:08You ain't getting anywhere near Mr. Falcone!
04:16I thought I was better at this!
04:18Despite the fact that we've gotten many LEGO Batman games over the years, Legacy of the Dark Knight still managed
04:24to completely enchant us.
04:27With the Unreal Engine 5 and plenty of inspiration from the Arkham series, the gameplay and presentation has never been
04:34this strong before.
04:35The humor is sharp, leaning into the self-aware absurdity to fantastic results, while the level design manages to feel
04:41both nostalgic and freshly inventive.
04:53That's not to mention the expanded roster of characters and the inclusion of local multiplayer making it a standout for
04:59couch co-op.
05:00Whether you're a lifelong Batman fan, or just someone who enjoys smashing brick-built villains into pieces, there's plenty of
05:07joy to find here.
05:08Thanks. Let's get you cleaned up.
05:16Number 6, Nioh 3.
05:21Your weight is only ever in my share.
05:26Of the many, many franchises to follow in FromSoftware's footsteps, Nioh is one of the most celebrated, and the third
05:33entry only helps solidify Team Ninja's reputation.
05:36Nioh 3 doubles down on the series' legacy of dark narratives inhabited by Yokai and challenging combat systems that are
05:43satisfying to master.
05:54Players control a young, soon-to-be Shogun who must traverse different eras of Japanese history to stop his jealous
06:00brother and his army of demons.
06:02It's fascinating to see feudal Japan reimagined in a way that's simultaneously familiar and startlingly fresh.
06:09And the boss design, already a franchise strongpoint, has reached new creative heights.
06:15Nioh 3 deepens and expands on its past strengths, bringing a new type of challenge for even seasoned players.
06:24I could not have my revenge. I am dying to be killed again by the E.
06:30How shameful!
06:32Number 5, Mina the Hollower.
06:45Unsurprisingly, the team behind indie darling Shovel Knight has delivered another heavy hitter.
06:50Where their previous title and its expansions took inspiration from the NES era, Mina the Hollower goes full in on
06:57the Game Boy Color style.
06:58And it is a genuine blast.
07:06The pixel art is nothing short of stunning, with an expressive, gothic-tinged aesthetic that helps it stand out from
07:13other retro-inspired titles.
07:15The top-down dungeon crawling is tight and inventive, and every time a new mechanic or item is introduced, it's
07:20nearly impossible to contain your joy.
07:23On top of that, you have an engaging story and protagonist, a satisfying difficulty curve to overcome, and just enough
07:29inspiration from Zelda and Castlevania to feel familiar while remaining undeniably distinct.
07:41Number 4, Pokemon Pocopia.
07:54Its reveal may have confused a lot of players, but Pocopia turned out to be one of the most delightful
07:59Pokemon spin-offs in years.
08:01The premise is admittedly weird, about a Ditto taking on the form of a human to build a community for
08:06Pokemon in need.
08:07But there's a ton of heart here, and more importantly, some incredibly addictive gameplay hooks.
08:21It takes the best qualities of some of the most beloved sandbox and simulation games, from Minecraft to Nintendo's own
08:28Animal Crossing, and mixes them with some of the cutest critters Game Freak ever created.
08:33And, since different Pokemon require different biomes, there's more than enough to keep you entertained while you erect your perfect
08:40Pocopia.
08:47Number 3, Pragmata.
08:57Clearly, Capcom is having a fantastic year.
09:01Originally announced back in 2020, Pragmata took a while to arrive, but the wait was worth every agonizing moment.
09:08Gameplay is a strong blend of puzzle hacking and action-heavy combat, a fine line that the developers walk seemingly
09:15effortlessly.
09:26While that is a ton of fun, what draws you in and keeps you glued to the screen is the
09:31relationship between the human lead character, Hugh, and his android companion, Diana.
09:36The familial bond that forms between them as you continue to play is handled with the utmost care, and given
09:42surprising depth.
09:43A heartfelt narrative backed up by satisfying mechanics makes Pragmata one of several must-play single-player experiences of 2026.
10:04Number 2, 007 First Flight.
10:08How did you even get here?
10:11Mommy and Daddy pull some strings!
10:24James Bond had been absent from video games for over a decade by the time First Light was released.
10:29To call this a comeback would be a major understatement, and a disservice to what IO Interactive was able to
10:35pull off.
10:36The iconic character, with the developer's expertise and espionage as seen through the Hitman series, is a match made in
10:43Gamer Heaven.
10:56It follows a young Bond navigating his earliest assignments, yet with writing that still captures that razor-sharp blend of
11:04wit and devil-may-care attitude that defines the game.
11:06character at his best.
11:08There's also an impressive level of freedom in how you accomplish missions.
11:12Deceive with Bond's charm, use his wide array of gadgets, or go in guns blazing.
11:17What kind of spy do you want to be?
11:19You wanna blow us up?
11:21Yeah, thinking about it.
11:24And destroy the asset?
11:26MI6 would never.
11:29I'm...
11:29I'm not MI6.
11:32HP 1, not MI6.
11:32Expl�ed!
11:34Goочно!
11:35Come on!
11:44Published!
11:44Before we continue, check out the single From Sound Mojo's Album current, EDM Transformed.
11:49Check out the full track and album below.
12:051. Resident Evil Requiem
12:08Leon, what's your sit-wrap?
12:10I'm going after Victor.
12:12Don't do anything stupid.
12:15Me?
12:16Never.
12:17The Resident Evil series has soared to incredible new heights over the last decade, and Requiem
12:22only proves it shows no signs of slowing down.
12:25With dual protagonists Grace and Leon, Capcom weaves together the atmospheric horror of
12:30the Classics era with the visceral, grounded action that defines the modern renaissance.
12:35And in both cases, from their storytelling to their gameplay to their level design, we're
12:40clearly witnessing a developer at the height of their craft.
12:52Requiem both thrills us, making us want to keep going, while also finding new ways to
12:57horrify us, making us want to crawl underneath the covers.
13:00It's an extraordinary piece of interactive horror that reminds you why this franchise has
13:05endured for 30 years.
13:07Should've won it, but...
13:13What has been your favorite game of the year so far, and which other ones are you looking
13:18forward to?
13:18Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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