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Good evening! Even though the end of physical games is on the horizon, there are still quite a few physical games coming out in 2026 and beyond. It was sad to see so many physical cancellations from Nacon due to their insolvency issue because they were always a huge supporter of physical media. If you don’t mind having the European version of their games, you can buy them directly through the Nacon website. Times are changing and not for the better. Hopefully, the video game industry will evolve. For now, let’s check out my current list of physical games coming out this year.
Tiny Bookshop Release Date: 4/10/26 Platforms: PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch This cozy game focuses on a shopkeeper who collects and sells books. Yeah, it might sound boring on paper, but this game could be relaxing, cute, and entertaining in the right ways. You also travel to different locations to meet new patrons, find more books, and learn interesting little secrets. The game also allows players to customize and expand their shop. Tiny Bookshop could be a nice break from more intense games with challenging combat. Marvel Cosmic Invasion Release Date: 4/17/26, also on Xbox Game Pass Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 It’s been an eternity since a great Marvel brawler came out. Marvel Cosmic Invasion is an exciting brawler with a large roster of classic Marvel characters. The game has a tag team system where you can rotate two characters during battle. So far, the digital version has critical acclaim and a lot of praise from gamers. If you’re looking for past pacing and flurries of enemies, Marvel Cosmic Invasion might be a good choice. Tides of Tomorrow Release Date: 4/22/26 Platforms: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X I’m not sure how to describe this game. It’s a single player adventure game, but here’s the gimmick. Even though it’s not multiplayer, you can encounter remnants from other players. That means other players can either make your experience more difficult or possibly easier in some cases. The environment appears to be a post-apocalyptic future, although it’s less depressing than many dystopias. Tides of Tomorrow seems to be a very experimental game. Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers Release Date: 4/23/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 Is this title a fighting game or a brawler? It might be something in the middle. Rushing Beat X is a side scrolling game where you battle multiple enemies onscreen with melee combat, including various weapons and environmental hazards. You can play the entire game by yourself or co-op with friends. It’s also the fourth entry in a lesser known franchise, so this is a refreshing idea. Invincible VS. Release Date: 4/28/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Bring it on! I can’t wait to play Invincible VS because this is probably the best way to experience such a violent, gritty, adult comic book adaptation. Check out the animated show on Amazon Prime if you haven’t already. Invincible VS looks like a strong entry in the fighting genre, even though the character roster seems a bit small. Hopefully, it will retain the graphic, bloody, and wild excitement from the comic books and streaming show. Saros Release Date: 4/30/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 Games like Returnal make me want to rip my hair out. However, Saros appears to be a more accessible version of roguelike bullet Hells. This game has a skill tree, permanent upgrades, and other elements that can make progression easier. With that said, it does seems like Saros will be very challenging and learning to read patterns or develop sharp skills will be essential. I’m not sure if the story will be great, but it does look like the game has several interesting characters. Directive 8020 Release Date: 5/12/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X It’s been a while since we’ve had a new entry in the Dark Pictures Anthology. This choose-your-own-adventure game features a group of stranded astronauts who are trying to survive an alien attack. The creature assimilates some of the astronauts and mimics them. Let the paranoia begin! Directive 8020 is a probably a good choice for people who enjoy story driven games that focus on choices and consequences. I Hate This Place Release Date: 5/14/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch Truth be told, the digital version of this game isn’t getting very good reviews from critics. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, but I still want to check it out. I Hate This Place is an isometric survival horror game with a big emphasis on crafting items. You have options for progression, including stealth tactics and opening secret areas. Just remember, resources will be scarce and enemies will take a lot of damage before dying. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Release Date: 5/21/26 Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 I’m very curious about this cute little game. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is an adventure game that is accessible for younger players. Exploration is a key part of the gameplay. Yoshi will discover new items by touching them, moving them, tasting them, combining them into new objects, etc. Even adults should be able to enjoy this charming little story. Bubsy 4D Release Date: 5/22/26 Platform: Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 Bubsy doesn’t have the best history, but this upcoming release might do the trick. The latest entry in this mascot platforming series is a brand new adventure with the titular protagonist. You’ll leap over obstacles, attack enemies, and tackle some new tactics in the vein of Super Monkey Ball. Will Bubsy 4D finally be a great entry in the franchise? I’m not sure, but we’ll find out. 007 First Light Release Date: 5/27/26 Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 Let’s set aside IO Interactive’s blunder with MindsEye. 007 First Light actually looks like a promising adventure game with immersive sim elements. The game includes stealth tactics, car chases, shootouts, and other gameplay elements. It also has a very cinematic flair with well crafted graphics and an origin story for James Bond. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a James Bond game, so I’m looking forward to this one. Disney Afternoon Collection Release Date: 5/29/26 Platform: Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 It’s really hard for modern gamers to play retro titles, such as the Disney Afternoon Collection. Some games in this collection include Ducktales, Darkwing Duck, Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers, and Talespin. These IPs were a big part of my Saturday Morning Cartoon viewership. It’s a collection of classic platformers that will probably prove very challenging for modern gamers. Don’t let the Disney brand fool you because their titles on the SNES and Sega Genesis were brutal. Sworn Release Date: 5/29/26, also on Xbox Game Pass Platform: PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch If you enjoyed Hades II from last year, Sworn is a similar roguelike game. It takes place in a corrupted version of Camelot and the playable characters are the Vigilante, the Monk, the Rook, and the Spectre. Basically, you can choose any of the usual tropes in Medieval fantasies. It has an isometric view and permanent upgrades that can help your progression. Unlike Hades, this game has a multiplayer option if you want to play with friends. Gothic Remake Release Date: 6/5/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X I can’t tell if this game is going to be a good fit for me, but it definitely has my attention. The remake of Gothic is an RPG and Medieval Fantasy that looks strangely complex for a AA publisher like THQ Nordic. Gothic includes a variety of factions, variable weapon selection, hack and slash combat, and many supporting NPCs. I want to say players unlock skills and progression through extensive training instead of a traditional skill tree. This game feels like an enigma, so I want to see how it turns out. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Release Date: 6/18/26 Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 It’s rare to see full blown RPGs with miniature characters in today’s gaming zeitgeist. The Adventures of Elliot features real time combat, lengthy dialogue with NPCs, a hefty RPG system, challenging boss fights, and an expansive story. Both magic and traditional weapons play a role in this game. I’m under the impression you need to use various skills, weapons, and spells to unlock new areas and kill specific enemies. This game might be pretty interesting and really long. I am Your Beast Release Date: 6/23/26, also on Xbox Game Pass Platform: PlayStation 5 What a strange little action game. I am Your Beast is a first person action game where you have to kill enemies very quickly in a limited amount of time. One hit kills are the key. That also means you can die very easily and quickly as well. I’m not sure if this game will work very well for someone like me, but it’s already available digitally if you want to check it out now. Stasis Bone Totem Release Date: 6/30/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch Maybe this game will finally satisfy my craving for survival horror. Stasis Bone Totem is an isometric body horror game with 3 playable characters. Each character has their own skills, which are necessary to progress through each location. I don’t believe this game features combat or stalker enemies, but you can die if you make the wrong decisions. Hopefully, you can save your progress frequently to avoid issues. Aphelion Release Date: 7/2/26, also coming to Xbox Game Pass Platform: PlayStation 5 I don’t have a strong understanding about this game. It takes place on an alien planet with 2 playable characters. Aphelion features adventure elements, such as stealth tactics, parkour platforming, and survival elements. The game also includes elements of exploration, investigation, and learning about both the environment and the hostile aliens. Aphelion doesn’t have traditional combat, which means survival requires careful navigation and strategy. Strange Horticulture and Strange Antiquities Release Date: 7/3/26 Platform: Nintendo Switch Technically, these games don’t focus on puzzles. They’re more like mystery games that require players to uncover clues, so they can give the right plants to their customers. It’s a supernatural cozy game with some adventure elements. You’ll explore locations outside of the shop, add items to the encyclopedia, and learn about magical plants. Make your decisions wisely because decisions matter in this Strange collection. Mouse P.I. for Hire Release Date: 7/10/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 This first person shooter looks quite refreshing in a crowded genre. Mouse P.I. for Hire is a violent game and a satirical nod to classic Disney animation. You’ll wield several guns and weapons, many of which are comical in nature. It’s definitely a game for adults, not kids, so be mindful about that part. Mouse P.I. for Hire could be an entertaining and brief romp that feels like a nice little break from traditional genres. Marvel Tōken: Fighting Souls Release Date: 8/6/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 I must say, this is an entirely new approach to the fighting genre in my opinion. Marvel Tōken: Fighting Souls has a 4v4 combat style. That means you can rotate 4 characters from the Marvel roster at any time during the gameplay. The system will probably work really well in multiplayer mode, but I suspect it could be a burden for single players like me. Either way, the game looks highly promising. Fallen City Brawl Release Date: 9/25/26 Platform: PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch Virtually every new brawler will wind up on my radar and this game is no exception. Fallen City Brawl is a brand new brawler that mimics elements from old fashioned arcade games. It does have some interesting bells and whistles, such as a wolf companion, an upgrade system, and special moves. Quite a few elements look very similar to Streets of Rage. Some gamers might not feel impressed with this game’s details, but my interest has been peaked. Disgaea Mayhem Release Date: 9/30/26 Platform: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 Honestly, I don’t know anything about the Disgaea franchise except it’s a turned based RPG series with an anime graphic style. However, Disgaea Mayhem will feature real time combat and it’s a spinoff title. I throughly enjoyed the remaster of Raidou, which is a spinoff from the Shin Megami Tensei series. So, I might enjoy this upcoming game as well. It looks expansive with a variety of character classes, different types of weapons, demon recruitment, companion characters, and a deep RPG system that could keep you entertained for a very long time. You made it to the end of my post! There are many games on my list, but at least you’re seeing the complete schedule at this time. Gaming schedules are always subject to change, so expect delays and announcements for new release dates. I already have a big backlog of games. Now that I’m spending part of my time writing and brainstorming for my folk horror books, I have considerably less time to play games. Keep an eye open for upcoming game reviews. I hope today’s post can help you find cool games on your own wish list. Take care of yourselves, have fun, and game on!
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Welcome back! I’m really swamped this weekend. Sorry, but I don’t have the time or energy to write a full length post. My entire weekend is revolving around shopping for Easter, shopping for a fundraiser, and getting ready for my cat’s surgery. It’s a minor procedure, so I’m sure she’ll be okay, but I want to make sure she’ll be comfortable when I bring her home. I also went to the car wash this morning and I want to catch up with some of my new games.
I don’t have major updates yet for my folk horror collection or upcoming blog posts. Pretty soon, I might be able to cover some game reviews for this year. I’m planing to watch the Young Sherlock series on Amazon Prime, so we’ll see how that goes. Around a week ago, I binged the entire first season of The Burbs, but that show was a nothing burger. It’s not worth reviewing. I would like to check out the Boysenberry Festival at Knott’s Berry Farm. Spring is proving to be an insanely busy season for me and it’s hard to tell if I’ll have time for a visit. I’ll try to stay optimistic. That’s it for this weekend. I still appreciate your support. It means a lot to me. You’re going to see plenty of updates and interesting posts this year. Try to find the opportunity for R&R before the work week begins. Thank you all and I’ll see you again next week. |
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May 2019
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