Goodbye, first quarter of the 2026 gaming year, hello to the second quarter! We’re officially starting the fourth month of the year with a bang, as the month ahead is packed with several highly anticipated releases, interesting indies, and a few retro-inspired games to keep things interesting. Between the release of Starfield and Saros on PS5, the return of Him-Guy, and a brand-new fighting game featuring the cast of Invincible, there’s a lot to look forward to in the weeks ahead. We’ve gathered up our top picks for April, and for a wider look at what’s still to come this year, you can also check out GameSpot’s 2026 upcoming game release calendar.
Darwin’s Paradox
- Release date: April 2
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Step aside, Solid Snake, because Konami has a new game featuring a master of stealth, and it’s out this month. If you’ve been hungry for some tactical octopus action, Darwin’s Paradox should satiate your appetite for a cunning cephalopod caper. As Darwin, you’ll need to harness the abilities of this stranded sea creature to overcome the dangers and traps lurking in a mysterious industrial complex.
Fishbowl
- Release date: April 2
- Platforms: PC
Another wholesome game to add to your list this month is Fishbowl, a narrative game about dreams, grief, and hope. A journey of self-discovery that unfolds over the course of a month, Fishbowl explores the moments where you become an adult and see your childhood in a new light. Ultimately, the game aims to explore ways to create a fulfilling life, even when you’re living in isolation.
Starfield
- Release date: April 7
- Platforms: PS5
At long last, Starfield is dropping out of hyperspace and onto PS5 in early April. Bethesda says this new edition of Starfield will take full advantage of the PS5 hardware, including support for the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers, touchpad, and lightbar. PS5 Pro players can also choose from a Performance Mode to prioritize higher frame rates or Pro Visual Mode to focus on graphical quality, and major updates in the future will transform Starfield into the “most complete version” of the game, Bethesda said.
People of Note
- Release date: April 7
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
One part musical, one part turn-based RPG, People of Note leans heavily into its melodic themes as every battle plays out like a grand performance. Featuring evolving combat conditions and real-time rhythm-based attacks, it’s up to players to assemble their own band and bring order to the world’s musical energies before it’s too late.
A Planet Full of Cats
- Release date: April 9
- Platforms: PC
A hidden-object game centered around the theme of “where the hell is my cat,” A Planet Full of Cats will let you explore richly illustrated environments on a planet in the Federated Feline System. Billed as a hidden-object adventure with metroidvania-style exploration, discovering secrets will, in turn, unlock new areas and powerful gear that can be used to find wayward kitties.
Tiny Bookshop
- Release date: April 10
- Platforms: PS5, Switch 2
We’re at that stage of reality where leaving the rat race behind and opening up a quaint bookstore sounds pretty tempting, and you can do just that without needing to secure a significant amount of capital when Tiny Bookshop hits Switch 2 and PS5 this month. The game launched late last year for PC–and earned some pretty great reviews–and console owners can expect a delightful cozycore simulator that has a surprising amount of depth and heart beneath its pixelated surface.
Replaced
- Release date: April 14
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
Cyberpunk platformer and beat-’em-up Replaced has spent quite a few years in development, but at long last, one of the precious few Xbox Series X|S console exclusives will be out soon–don’t worry, PC players, you’re also getting the game. Set in a good-looking dystopian hellscape–if such things do exist–Replaced mixes puzzles, platforming, and Arkham-inspired action into a journey of self-discovery for an AI that finds itself trapped in the fleshy body.
Tomodachi: Life Living the Dream
- Release date: April 16
- Platforms: Switch 2, Switch
It has taken more than a decade to materialize, but at long last, a brand-new Tomodachi Life game is out this month. Just like its predecessors, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a social simulation game where you get to interact with custom, adorable (or not) Miis as they go about their lives. Where the game differs from the likes of The Sims and InZoi is that it’s downright weird and chaotic, as the best-laid plans to govern your Mii citizens can often fall apart. Don’t worry, the stakes are low, the gameplay isn’t demanding, and the consequences are mild, so this looks like a fun way to play god and engage in some hijinks of the wacky variety.
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss
- Release date: April 16
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
We’ve gone roughly–let me just check my watch here–17 minutes without playing a Lovecraftian thriller, so it’s time to rectify that with Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss. An atmospheric adventure where you have to match your wits and sanity against cosmic forces in this futuristic reinterpretation of Lovecraft’s mythos, only your faithful AI can keep the creeping madness caused by Cthulhu’s influence at bay–but not for very long.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire
- Release date: April 16
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
What happens when you toss a boomer shooter into a blender with BioShock influences and an old-school cartoon? You get Mouse: P.I. For Hire, a cute–but violent!–first-person shooter that puts you in the gumshoes of a private detective looking to solve mysteries and punch faces. The game features hand-drawn 2D animation made to look like “rubber hose” cartoons, giving it a distinctively goofy and charming look in action.
Pragmata
- Release date: April 17
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Capcom has been on a roll this year with the release of Resident Evil Requiem, a new Mega Man compilation, and more content for Street Fighter 6, but Pragmata could be its sleeper hit for 2026. You’ve got gameplay that shifts between hacking minigames and use-it-or-lose-it action with a disposable arsenal of guns. Pragmata is shaping up to be the Binary Domain spiritual successor we’ve been waiting years for, and with its delightful co-leads of Hugh and Diana, we’re also bracing for some emotionally impactful storytelling.
Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors
- Release date: April 21
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Vampire Survivors consumed our every waking hour after it was first released, and we’re guessing that history will repeat itself when Vampire Crawlers emerges from the shadows. Developer Poncle calls it a casual, turn‑based deckbuilder with roguelite elements, but we’re calling it a valid excuse for skipping work because we’re just one run away from building a perfectly busted deck of cards for our next dungeon dive.
Masters of Albion
- Release date: April 22
- Platforms: PC via Early Access
Is the world ready for English game designer Peter Molyneux’s redemption arc? The veteran has one more title up his sleeve, and he’s headed back to god game territory for Masters of Albion. Originally revealed during the 2024 edition of Gamescom Opening Night Live, Masters of Albion sees players build up a town by day and then defend their settlement at night from all manner of nasty creatures, like ghouls and zombies. As the ultimate power, players will control their village and its citizens in this fusion of strategy, town management, and tower defence.
Moomin Troll: Winter’s Warmth
- Release date: April 27
- Platforms: PC, Switch 2, Switch
Finland’s greatest global export, a new video game based on Tove Jansson’s iconic Moomin stories, will see players embark on a journey of connection and curiosity as the cuddly Moomintroll–sort of like Death Stranding, but without nightmare fuel hand-monsters or celebrity cameos. After Moomintroll wakes up early from hibernation and finds the familiar valley that he calls home covered in snow, he embarks on a quest to meet new friends and find warmth in the biting cold of winter in this cozy adventure.
Aphelion
- Release date: April 28
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
What happens when Life is Strange developer Don’t Nod decides to add some sci-fi terror and Jusant-like rock-climbing to its signature formula for cinematic video games? You get Aphelion, a game in which an astronaut finds herself stranded on a remote planet at the edge of our solar system. Imagine Uncharted meets Alien: Isolation, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this sci-fi adventure.
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
- Release date: April 28
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
You just can’t keep a primeval force of evil down for long in the Diablo universe, as Mephisto is up to his old tricks in the Lord of Hatred Expansion. While the end goal of tracking down the demonic lord of hell and giving him a good old-fashioned bop on the head with some cold steel is the big draw, players can also expect to master two new classes–the Paladin and the Warlock–explore the legendary region of Skovos, take part in overhauled endgame activities, and craft some new gear with the reimagined Horadric Cube.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction
- Release date: April 28
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
All together now: By the power of Grayskull, I HAVE THE POWER! He-Man and the Masters of the Universe are back for an old-school beat-’em-up. Taking on the form of an action game that would look right at home on the SNES and Sega Genesis, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction plays out like a typical Saturday-morning episode of the classic animated series. The game features He-Man, Teela, and Man-At-Arms as playable characters, and for the first time, fans can wield the Sword of Protection and play as She-Ra.
MotoGP 26
- Release date: April 29
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch
Formula 1 hogs all the attention when it comes to motorsports, but for connoisseurs of riding irresponsibly fast on just two wheels, there’s a new MotoGP game to look forward to in April. MotoGP 26 introduces a brand-new physics system designed to give riders more control over their bikes, a revised career mode, and a new rankings system to show the strengths and weaknesses of each rider.
Invincible VS
- Release date: April 30
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Look what we need to mimic a fraction of Invincible’s power! Admittedly, a fighting game featuring the toughest brawlers of the Invincible universe in 3v3 combat sounds great, especially when you don’t have to worry about a fight ending with Omni-Man turning your skull into modern art. Featuring fan-favorite characters, bone-breaking combos, and a variety of game modes, this is the first game from Quarter Up, a studio that includes several Killer Instinct veterans.
inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories
- Release date: April 30
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Would you prefer a cozy reminder of working in the service industry? Then you might want to check out Inkonbini, a cozy slice-of-life game about running a small-town convenience store. Inspired by the Japanese supermarkets of the ’90s, this simulator is all about human connection and everyday moments, as you restock shelves, order goods, and get to know your customers better in the process.
Saros
- Release date: April 30
- Platforms: PS5
Housemarque’s next game once again throws you into bullet hell, but the difference here is that Saros wants you to be aggressive and gung-ho as you pursue answers in the shape-shifting world of Carcosa. Each run gives you a second chance to escape death, there’s a high-tech arsenal of weaponry to collect, and permanent upgrades will allow you to come back stronger from each death. You’ll still need to stay on your toes in each fight, however, as the Eclipse affecting Carcosa and its inhabitants has transformed the planet into one of the deadliest places in the cosmos.
Pokemon Champions
- Release date: April 8
- Platforms: Switch 2, Switch
It might be heresy to some, but a Pokemon game that focuses purely on battling and doesn’t feature any tedious grinding or exploration sounds like a fun time. That’s the role that Pokemon Champions will fill, as it’s a battle-focused game that features “familiar mechanics” from the series and is aimed at newcomers and experienced players alike. It’ll be launching first for Switch consoles in April before coming to mobile devices later in the year.
