2026 has been brutal for gaming. According to Rolling Stone's definitive list, studio closures, mass layoffs, and the sudden death of beloved franchises have damaged the industry. Prince of Persia was cancelled. Destiny 2 shut down. This week, Xbox dissolved entire teams—including one whose game was announced days earlier.
But gaming persists. The indie scene is booming while AAA publishers regroup. Rolling Stone's picks span Forbidden Solitaire (a card game that doubles as meta experience), Love Eternal (a pixel platformer), and Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes (roguelike strategy).
The blockbusters that shipped delivered. Capcom kept Resident Evil alive while launching new franchises. James Bond returned with 007: First Light. Batman returned after years away in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, proving superhero games still work when done right.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Mixtape, and 007: First Light are already standouts. The Switch 2 faces a Nintendo content drought, with Mario's 40th anniversary underwhelming and mostly a Star Fox remake on the horizon.
The year has been severe, but Rolling Stone's roundup shows the medium endures. From climbing sims to experimental games, there's genuine, unusual work worth playing.
