Inbox question: Which game will reign supreme in 2026?

The Monday letters section disagrees that video game sales are dying, as a reader shares their positive experience with Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Inbox question: Which game will reign supreme in 2026?

Marvel's Wolverine - Could It Outdo GTA 6 In Reviews? The latest buzz in the gaming world is the highly anticipated release of Marvel's Wolverine. Gamers and critics alike are already speculating if it will outshine the much-awaited GTA 6 in terms of reviews. The Monday letters page is abuzz with discussions on the future of physical game sales, with one reader sharing their newfound love for the game Thank Goodness You're Here! Welcome to Games Inbox, where our readers share their opinions, thoughts, and letters with us. Want to join the conversation? Email us at email. But let's talk about the game of the year. We all know that GTA 6 will be the top-selling game of 2026, but will it also be the most critically acclaimed? It's highly likely, considering the fan frenzy that surrounds the franchise. However, I personally don't think it will be the best game out there. Despite the massive success of GTA 5, I wouldn't include it in my list of all-time favorites. And I doubt that Rockstar will change their formula, including mediocre combat and racing, because they know it sells. So what game will be the critical darling of 2026? The equivalent of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Normally, it's hard to say, since we don't know what other games will come out later in the year. But with the release of GTA 6, it's safe to say that not much else will be able to compete. However, there are a few contenders that could potentially steal the spotlight, such as Resident Evil Requiem and Saros, if it lives up to the success of Returnal. But what about the impact of other highly anticipated games like Marvel's Wolverine, The Duskbloods, Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Control: Resonant? And let's not forget the possibility of Valve finally releasing Half-Life 3 this year. It's been a tough year for the gaming industry, and with the constant talk of GTA 6, it's easy to feel a little down. But don't forget, there are a lot of exciting games on the horizon that could make 2026 a classic year. Gorf, our expert and exclusive gaming analyst, is here to provide you with a unique take on the week in gaming, along with the latest reviews and more. Sign up for our GameCentral newsletter and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Saturday morning. Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room – GTA 6 money. I'm curious to know what Sony and Microsoft are thinking with their release dates for GTA 6. Microsoft might be aiming for an early September release for Fable and Gears Of War: E-Day, which shouldn't be too much of a problem. But with limited funds, it's safe to say that most people will choose GTA 6 over these games. Maybe Microsoft is banking on the fact that most people have already set aside money for GTA 6, but I wouldn't bet on it. As for Sony, they seem to be ignoring the competition and pushing forward with their release of Marvel's Wolverine as their big Christmas game. It's their third time ignoring GTA 6 when discussing upcoming releases this year. Do they know something we don't, or are they just not being subtle about it? On a lighter note, let's talk about the Resident Evil Requiem neck speaker. I'm fascinated by the concept, especially since it's an actual product and not just a game gimmick. But what purpose does it serve? Does it enhance immersion, or is it just a fancy way to listen to the game's audio coming from your shoulders? If anyone has used this and can shed some light on its usefulness, please do share. Campbell, our curious reader, is eager to know. Moving on to a more positive note, I finally got my hands on a Switch 2 and have been having a blast playing Mario Kart World with my partner. But the real surprise came from revisiting GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, with the official N64 wireless controller. The graphics look sharper, and the game runs at a higher frame rate, making it the ultimate first-person shooter for me. And with the highly anticipated release of Resident Evil Requiem just a few weeks away, I can't wait to see if they include a Mercenaries mode. Adams6legend is keeping their fingers crossed. Last but not least, let's give a shoutout to the game Thank Goodness You're Here! I recently played it for free with PlayStation Plus Extra, and I have never laughed and said "What the hell?!" as much while playing a game. It's always refreshing to play something different and unique. Matt shares the sentiment. And finally, I'd like to address the argument that digitally-downloaded games are superior, linked to the downfall of GAME. I agree that GAME made a mistake by closing their independent stores and merging with Sports Direct. It's not easy to find the gaming section in a corner at the back on the top floor, after passing rows of shoes and sportswear. And let's not forget the overpriced games – why would I pay £10 more at GAME when I can get it cheaper online? And who doesn't miss the excitement of finding a bargain at their local GAME store? Jools, our fellow gamer, shares our sentiments and hopes that physical games will continue to exist. Let's cherish the joy of browsing through shelves of games and finding great deals at our local gaming stores while we can. Long live the physical touch. The gaming community has been buzzing about the highly anticipated release of Marvel's Wolverine. Many are wondering if it will receive better reviews than the highly acclaimed GTA 6. The Monday letters page has been abuzz with discussions about the state of physical game sales. Some believe that physical games are still going strong, as one reader shares their experience with the game Thank Goodness You're Here. Games Inbox, our collection of reader's letters, comments, and opinions, has been flooded with theories and predictions about the game of the year for 2026. While it's clear that GTA 6 will likely dominate sales, will it also be the most critically acclaimed? Many believe that it will simply because fans will fiercely defend the game against any negative reviews. However, there are doubts that it will truly be the best game of the year. GTA 5 may have been a massive success, but it doesn't quite make it onto the list of all-time greatest games. And it's unlikely that Rockstar will make any major changes to their formula, including the often criticized combat and racing mechanics, as they know what sells. So what game will take the title of 2026's critical darling? The equivalent of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? It's difficult to say, as we don't know what other games will be released later in the year. However, with the release of GTA 6, there may not be many other big contenders. Some possibilities include Resident Evil Requiem and Saros, if it lives up to the success of Returnal. But with upcoming releases like Marvel's Wolverine, The Duskbloods, Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Control: Resonant, it's hard to predict which game will steal the spotlight. And let's not forget the possibility of Valve finally releasing Half-Life 3 this year. Despite the excitement surrounding these upcoming games, many have been feeling pessimistic about the state of the gaming industry this year. However, there is still a lot of potential for 2026 to be a classic year for gaming. It's all a matter of waiting and seeing. One topic that has sparked a lot of discussion is the release date of GTA 6 and how it will affect other games. It's been speculated that both Sony and Microsoft are strategizing around the release of GTA 6. Microsoft may be aiming for an early September release for games like Fable and Gears of War: E-Day, which may not be too much of a challenge. However, there's the issue of limited funds, and it's likely that many gamers will choose to spend their money on GTA 6 over these other titles. As for Sony, they seem to be ignoring the competition and releasing Marvel's Wolverine as their big Christmas game. Perhaps they're banking on the fact that there won't be many other big releases around that time. But this would be the third time they've seemingly ignored the impact of GTA 6 when discussing their upcoming releases. If they do have any insider information, they're certainly not being subtle about it. On a different note, one reader shares their thoughts on the Resident Evil Requiem neck speaker. They're curious as to why this accessory exists and what benefit it offers over traditional headphones. Another reader shares their excitement about revisiting GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, and eagerly awaits the release of Resident Evil Requiem. There's also been a lot of discussion about the decline of physical games and the rise of digital downloads. While some agree that the demise of GAME can be attributed to their shift to in-store locations and high prices, others argue that physical games still have a place in the gaming world. Many cherish the experience of browsing for used game bargains and the ability to sell games after playing them. It's clear that physical games still hold a special place in the hearts of many gamers.
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