The games industry is holding its breath for Grand Theft Auto VI, slated to arrive Nov. 19.

That long-delayed titan has disrupted the 2026 release schedule, but the first half of the year was still crowded with new spins on old franchises, from Resident Evil Requiem to Pokémon Pokopia to 007 First Light. Early-access sequels like Subnautica 2 and Slay the Spire 2 also found enormous audiences, alongside indies like Mewgenics and Mina the Hollower.

The broader industry, however, continued to struggle, with Xbox laying off thousands of employees. French giant Ubisoft closed two studios, canceled six games and delayed others. Small but promising development teams, like those behind MIO: Memories in Orbit and Luna Abyss, shuttered after disappointing sales.

But many bright spots pierced the year's gloom. NPR staff members have highlighted popular favorites and underrecognized gems, which you can discover through this interactive list.

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