After the biggest month for games so far this year, we rundown the best titles you need to check out.
While we’ve seen many great games in 2026 so far, like Resident Evil Requiem, Saros, and Pragmata, May is easily the most stacked in terms of Game Of The Year contenders.
There may have been some underwhelming returns in Directive 8020 and Bubsy 4D (although the latter is fascinating in its failures), but the majority of the month’s most anticipated titles have managed to deliver.
So if you’re looking to catch up on all the best games from the past month, or want a reason to retreat from the UK summer heat, we’ve listed all the titles which deserve your attention.
007 First Light
Hitman developer IO Interactive has managed to successfully adapt its open sandbox expertise to create the most authentic James Bond game ever. 007 First Light sold 1.5 million copies within 24 hours, which is a good job as IO already has plans for a sequel. Plus, through word of mouth, the game is only likely to grow in popularity over the coming months. We’d also say that Patrick Gibson as Bond is already a frontrunner for the Best Performance category at this year’s The Game Awards.
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GC review score: 9/10
Forza Horizon 6
Only in video games does the sixth entry in a decades-long franchise end up being the best one. But while Forza Horizon 6 might not do anything particularly new, which could hurt it come awards season, the series’ first trip to Japan is top notch stuff. It instantly becomes one of the best arcade racers of the modern era, with fantastic graphics, fun car handling, and tons of content. Just be careful of bowie knife99.
GC review score: 9/10
Yoshi And The Mysterious Book
Expectations were somewhat low after Yoshi’s past few standalone adventures, but Yoshi And The Mysterious Book is one of 2026’s best surprises. Nintendo’s marketing may have not done its inventive whimsy justice, but if you’re looking for a different kind of platformer with a focus on puzzle-solving, don’t let this one slip you by. It’s one of Nintendo’s most inventive and unpredictable games for years.
GC review score: 8/10
Lego Batman: The Legacy Of The Dark Knight
There have been several Lego Batman games already, but The Legacy Of The Dark Knight eclipses them all. In fact, while it is fundamentally a tried-and-true Lego collectathon, it’s easily the best game starring the caped crusader since Batman: Arkham Knight – and it’s probably better than that too. We have a feeling it’ll be overlooked during awards season, but it’s already been a sales hit in the UK, surpassing both Yoshi and Forza.
GC review score: 8/10
Mixtape
This coming-of-age musical adventure sparked an exhausting conversation among certain online denizens, and while it has proved to be divisive, it’s still likely to be a much-discussed title in 2026. Your mileage might vary with the 90s nostalgia, especially for those outside the US, but the soundtrack is undeniable great; with songs by The Smashing Pumpkins, Roxy Music, and Siouxsie & The Banshees.
GC review score: 7/10
Mina The Hollower
Developer Yacht Club Games’ successor to Shovel Knight is the year’s highest-rated game on Metacritic so far, and looks destined to sweep the indie categories during awards season. The challenging difficulty might not suit all tastes, but the game’s breadth of accessibility options make it far more approachable than what’s on the surface. So you don’t even need to know what a Game Boy Color is to enjoy it.
GC review score: 8/10
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