There’s a lot going on in gaming this year. Some of the biggest names are back, while other games are doing something a little different with familiar ideas. Online casino games are changing too, with new slots and live games adding more features into the mix.
If you’re looking for something to try in 2026, these are some of the names worth checking out.
Video Games
There’s a bit of everything in the video game releases this year. There are open-world games, familiar franchises being reworked, and newer ideas that turned out to be pretty interesting.
Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 takes the racing series to Japan, bringing together Tokyo and the surrounding countryside in an open-world setting. There are more than 550 vehicles to choose from along with showdown races. The combination of scenery, fast cars and a huge amount of content gives the latest entry plenty to explore.
Pokémon Pokopia
Instead of catching and battling Pokémon, players of Pokémon Pokopia spend their time exploring, crafting, gardening and building habitats. The game gets inspiration from cozy titles like Animal Crossing and Minecraft, but keeps the familiar Pokémon world at its core.
Star Wars Zero Company
Star Wars Zero Company puts the Clone Wars into a tactical turn-based combat game. It might sound familiar if you’ve played XCOM games, but it adds its own characters and choices. It’s a new way to experience the Star Wars universe.
Timberborn
Ever wondered what a city builder would look like if humanity had disappeared and beavers took over? That’s basically the idea behind Timberborn. Players build a vertical, timber-based city and manage a beaver colony while dealing with a harsh environment. It’s an unusual spin on a familiar genre.
Casino Games
If you’re more into games of luck, the latest casino games online all have something different going on. New slots are building on familiar themes, while live casino developers are playing around with game shows and faster rounds.
Brick Snake 2000
Brick Snake 2000 is all about nostalgia. It takes inspiration from the classic Snake game that came with older mobile phones and turns that idea into a modern slot, with extra Snake action in the bonus round and super version.
Live Dealer Blackjack
Blackjack is still one of the most popular choices in casinos. The live format uses a real dealer and real cards, with live chat available to talk to other players There are plenty of versions to choose from, including faster formats for players who don’t want to sit through longer rounds.
Gates of Olympus Roulette
Gates of Olympus Roulette combines Zeus and the familiar European roulette layout with bonus numbers, Lucky Numbers and multiplier boosters. It keeps the basic roulette structure but adds some extra twists to rounds.
Red Baron Live
Red Baron Live brings a crash-style format into a live studio setting. Players watch a plane take off as the multiplier rises, deciding when to cash out before the flight ends, with an Auto Cash Out option as well.
Plenty to Explore in 2026
These are just some of the games making an impression this year. From Forza Horizon 6 and Pokémon Pokopia to Snake slots and live game shows, variety is what makes 2026 interesting, with plenty of different styles to choose from.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
