If you thought 2026 had already given gamers plenty to play, the final three months of the year are about to prove you wrong. Between a brand-new Call of Duty, the long-awaited launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, a fresh Gears of War, and a reimagined Zelda classic for Switch 2, the October–December window is shaping up to be one of the busiest holiday seasons in years.
To help you plan your wishlist (and your budget), the MyGameZone team has put together this month-by-month guide to the biggest games still on the way this year, plus a few quick tips to make sure you are ready on launch day.
Last updated: 23 September 2026. Release dates can change, so we will keep this guide refreshed as publishers confirm or shift their plans.
Quick Look: The 10 Most Anticipated Games Left in 2026
| Game | Release Date | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve | 2 October | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Gears of War: E-Day | 6 October | Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Planet Zoo 2 | 13 October | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Castlevania: Belmont's Curse | 15 October | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 | 23 October | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, PC |
| Phantom Blade Zero | 29 October | PS5, PC |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026) | 5 November | Switch 2 |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 19 November | PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV | 3 December | PC |
| Path of Exile 2 (console launch) | 11 December | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
October 2026: Shooters, Sky Battles and Gothic Horror
October is stacked from the very first week, with something for almost every kind of player.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve – 2 October
Bandai Namco's arcade flight series returns on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. If you love fast, cinematic dogfights without needing a flight-sim manual, this is the one to kick off the month. A good HOTAS or even a comfortable controller will make a big difference here.
Gears of War: E-Day – 6 October
The prequel that takes the series back to the day the Locust first emerged. Expect heavy, chunky cover shooting, co-op, and a darker horror tone than recent entries. It lands on Xbox Series X|S and PC, making it one of the biggest Xbox exclusives of the year. Launching the same day is Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a pick for anyone who has been missing high-speed pod-racing style action.
Planet Zoo 2 – 13 October
Frontier's management sim sequel brings fully aquatic and flying animals for the first time, and lets you run both commercial zoos and wildlife reserves. It is the perfect relaxing counterweight to all the shooters this month, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 – 14 October
A retro-style, pixel-art boomer shooter that is all about speed, gore and a very loud chainsword. If you enjoyed the first game, this sequel is an easy recommendation for PC, PS5 and Xbox players.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse – 15 October
Perfectly timed for spooky season, a new Castlevania is big news for fans of classic side-scrolling action. It arrives across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and PC.
Final Fantasy Resonance – 22 October
Square Enix's latest Final Fantasy project launches on nearly every platform at once – PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch and PC – so almost nobody is left out.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – 23 October
The yearly Call of Duty is always one of the best-selling games of the holidays, and Modern Warfare 4 is notable for also landing on Switch 2 alongside PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Clear some storage space now – CoD installs are famously large.
Phantom Blade Zero – 29 October
One of the most eye-catching action games of recent years finally arrives on PS5 and PC. Its stylish, lightning-fast kung-fu combat has been turning heads in every trailer, and it is a strong pick for fans of Sekiro-style swordplay.
Also worth watching in October: Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen (9 October), Valor Mortis (13 October), Enshrouded on PS5 (15 October), The Jackbox Party Pack 12 (15 October) and The Wolf Among Us Remastered (29 October).
November 2026: The Month of GTA VI
Publishers have mostly cleared the way for one game this November – and for good reason.
Grand Theft Auto VI – 19 November
After years of waiting, Rockstar's next open-world epic is set to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The story follows the criminal duo Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos across Leonida, Rockstar's take on Florida, with a new Vice City at its heart. It is widely expected to be one of the biggest entertainment launches ever.
PC players, take note: at the time of writing there is still no confirmed PC release date. If you are a PC-only gamer, it may be a while before you can join in – so keep an eye on official announcements rather than third-party rumours.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026) – 5 November
One of the most beloved games of all time returns in a new form exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Whether you played the original decades ago or have never experienced it, this is shaping up to be the Switch 2 highlight of the holiday season.
World of Warcraft: Forever – 4 November
PC MMO fans get something to sink their teeth into early in the month, just before GTA takes over everybody's free time.
Also in November: Stellar Blade Complete Edition on Switch 2 (5 November), Metaphor: ReFantazio on Switch 2 (12 November), Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (12 November) and Sonic Pico Park (12 November), a great pick for couch co-op.
December 2026: Strategy, Anime Action and Loot
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV – 3 December
The legendary RTS series makes its comeback on PC. If you grew up on base-building and big army battles, this could be your December obsession.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World – 3 December
A monster-collecting RPG that is launching on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch and PC – a great family-friendly gift option.
Attack on Titan 3 – 10 December
Anime fans get another round of high-flying, Titan-slaying action on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 and PC. The same day, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam arrives for Switch 2 and Switch, bringing its signature puzzles back.
Path of Exile 2 – 11 December
The deep action RPG gets its full launch across PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC – ideal for loot lovers who want something to grind through the winter holidays.
Also in December: Rayman Legends Retold and Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition (3 December), and Monster Hunter Wilds on Switch 2 (4 December).
Just Released: Games You Can Play Right Now
Can't wait until October? The end of September is packed too. Control Resonant, Remedy's follow-up to Control, arrives on 24 September on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Mac. The same day brings Silent Hill: Townfall (PS5, PC) and EA Sports FC 27 for football fans, followed by Minecraft Dungeons II on 29 September. Earlier this month, Marvel's Wolverine (PS5) and The Blood of Dawnwalker also landed.
5 Tips to Get Ready for the Holiday Gaming Rush
- Free up storage early. Big releases like Call of Duty and GTA VI need a lot of space, plus day-one patches. An external SSD or a clean-out of old installs will save you frustration on launch night.
- Check PC system requirements. Before buying a PC game, compare the recommended specs with your CPU, GPU and RAM so you know what performance to expect.
- Buy only from trusted sellers. Always make sure you receive a genuine key or account for the right platform and region, and read the product description carefully before checkout.
- Plan your budget. With so many big titles landing in eight weeks, pick your top two or three must-haves and wishlist the rest – prices on October releases often drop around the year-end sales.
- Follow official channels. Release dates can and do move. Treat leaks with caution and rely on publisher announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does GTA 6 come out?
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to release on 19 November 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Is GTA 6 coming to PC?
Not at launch. As of September 2026, Rockstar has not announced a PC release date.
When is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 releasing?
Modern Warfare 4 launches on 23 October 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
What are the best Switch 2 games coming this holiday?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (5 November) is the headliner, alongside Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Pikmin 4 – Switch 2 Edition, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, and Monster Hunter Wilds.
Final Thoughts
From Gears of War and Call of Duty in October to GTA VI in November and Dawn of War IV in December, the rest of 2026 has a headline game for every type of player. Bookmark this page – we will update it whenever dates change – and tell us in the comments which game you are most excited for.
Ready to build your library? Browse the latest games at MyGameZone and get set for the biggest gaming season of the year.
