dailynewsnblog
License to thrill
The halfway point of the gaming year is fast approaching, but after several months of blockbusters, don’t count on May being a chance to catch your breath just yet. Several big releases are on the horizon, from a new James Bond game to a high-speed tour of Japan in Forza Horizon 6, so buckle up and get ready for a wild ride on PC and console.
Mixed between these big releases are also several smaller games, many of which will be entering an early-access part of development. If you’re looking to plan for the month ahead, we’ve gathered up a list of the biggest games dropping in May.
For a closer look at what’s still to come this year, you can also check out GameSpot’s 2026 upcoming game release calendar.
Wax Heads
- Release date: May 5
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
In what feels like a game that was custom-made for a generation of people raised on films like Empire Records and High Fidelity, Wax Heads is a cozy-punk narrative sim about keeping the lights on at a struggling record store. It’s up to you to chat to your quirky customers, craft the perfect selection of tunes to help them get their groove back, and slack off from work whenever the opportunity presents itself. Billed as a game about community, musical mysteries, and the underdog spirit, Wax Heads also features dozens of original tracks for needle-drop moments.
Mixtape
- Release date: May 7
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Sticking to the musical theme of May, you can also grab Mixtape this month. Set to the soundtrack of a generation, Mixtape follows three friends as they embark on one final adventure, explore a mixtape of memories, and experience the greatest hits of the teenage experience.
Dead As Disco
- Release date: May 5
- Platforms: PC via early access
What happens when you combine combat inspired by the Batman: Arkham games with a mixtape full of chart-topping tracks? You get Dead As Disco, a stylish beat-’em-up where you deliver the greatest hits to the faces of anyone foolish enough to stand in your way. The rhythmic action game enters early access on PC this month, and players can expect to dive into the first arc of the game as Charlie Disco, a fallen star looking to slug his way back to the top by battling through his former bandmates.
Alabaster Dawn
- Release date: May 7
- Platforms: PC via early access
The next game from CrossCode developer Radical Fish Games, Alabaster Dawn follows Juno, the Outcast Chosen, on her quest to restore a ruined world. Full of engaging combat and challenging puzzles, Alabaster Dawn also features a vibrant art direction that looks incredible, as it mixes a unique 2.5D style with pixel-art visuals and a subtle 3D perspective. The result is a game that looks like it’d be right at home in a library of SNES JRPGs, with modern graphical touches making it stand out from the pack.
Devil May Cry: Season 2
- Release date: May 12
We’re still waiting for the day when Capcom finally announces Devil May Cry 6, but until then, we’ll gladly take another season of Netflix’s animated adaptation. Devil May Cry Season 2 sees Dante’s brother Vergil make his grand debut, and it looks like the series will also be putting its own spin on the franchise’s biggest villain and the most polarizing game in the franchise. If it’s anything like the first season, then we’re expecting another blast of guns, swords, and heavy metal music for Dante’s return.
Directive 8020
- Release date: May 12
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Supermassive is aiming for the stars in its next Dark Pictures game, as the anthology series is boldly going to the cosmos. Like previous entries in the Dark Anthology series, Directive 8020 is a cinematic horror adventure that combines choice-based gameplay with branching storylines, and John Carpenter’s The Thing heavily inspired this sci-fi-themed chapter. That allowed for a gameplay system based on trust to be implemented in the game, while the new fast-travel system will be good news for completionists.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Release date: May 12
- Platforms: Switch 2
What’s better than exploring ancient mysteries, uncovering archeological treasures, and punching Nazis? Doing all that while you’re watching the movie. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle heads to Switch 2 this month.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Switch 2)
$70 | Releases May 12, 2026
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition
- Release date: May 19
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S
The third time is the charm, as 2010’s Darksiders is getting another release on PlayStation and Xbox hardware. This is the Warmastered edition of Darksiders with all of the DLC from the original release, upgraded to 4K for PS5 and Xbox Series X. If you still haven’t played it, imagine Devil May Cry meets The Legend of Zelda, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this game.
Forza Horizon 6
- Release date: May 19
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
After a few stops in Australia, Britain, and Mexico, the Forza Horizon Festival is finally headed to the capital of car culture, Japan. Forza Horizon 6 is sticking to the usual playbook of fast cars and showcase events, but it’s also making a few changes to that formula. Players will have to work their way through several ranks if they want to get behind the wheel of the best supercars that the game has to offer, and increasing their standing will get them a gold wristband that unlocks an exclusive part of the map called Legend Island, which is home to new events and challenges.
Beyond that, developer Playground Games says that Japan is Forza Horizon’s biggest map to date, and players can even customize their very own estate when they’re not taking part in races or car meets online.
Forza Horizon 6 (Xbox Series X|S)
$70
Thick as Thieves
- Release date: May 20
- Platforms: PC via early access
Up for a little of the ol’ breaking and entering? Then you’ll want to check out Thick as Thieves, a new burglary game that can be played in co-op or single-player modes. Featuring a curated selection of heists, the early-access version will offer two playable thieves, two “highly replayable” maps, plenty of gear, and over a dozen contracts to accept if you’re up for an additional challenge. While the game does have an underlying narrative, Thick as Thieves is all about hopping in for short and engaging missions in this spiritual successor to the legendary Thief games.
SpaceCraft
- Release date: May 20
- Platforms: PC via early access
Everyone has space fever lately, thanks to the Artemis II mission and Starfield’s PS5 port, and if you still want more of the final frontier, you can check out SpaceCraft later this month. Launching in early access, the ambitious space-sim game looks massive. Developer Shiro Games is promising a seamless universe with multiple star systems where you can become a major corporate force amongst the stars–that’s right, you can finally bring capitalism to SPACE. Sorry, Soviet Premier Anatoly Cherdenko.
Coffee Talk Tokyo
- Release date: May 21
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch
Forza Horizon isn’t the only video game series headed to Japan this month, as you can pop into Coffee Talk Tokyo for a fresh mug of caffeine and aheart-to-heart conversation with the people who run that fine establishment. The doors are open to both humans and yokai in this cozy narrative-driven visual novel, and it’s up to you to create a refuge for your customers by brewing drinks, making dialogue choices that influence character outcomes, and creating connections.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
- Release date: May 21
- Platforms: Switch 2
After a starring role in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, everyone’s favorite little dinosaur is headlining his first new video game since 2019’s Crafted World. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a 2D platformer that takes place inside a storybook setting that’s anchored by an adorable hand-drawn art direction. Yoshi is going to be putting on his David Attenborough hat for this one, as he’ll be investigating mysterious creatures and documenting them throughout his new adventure.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
$70 | Releases May 21
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies
- Release date: May 21
- Platforms: PC
A spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, developer ZA/UM’s new game puts you in the boots of a spy returning for a final assignment after a catastrophic failure. On the hunt for redemption, players will have to sharpen their skills in this story-rich espionage RPG and hope that luck is on their side as they rebuild a broken network of allies and untangle a web of lies, as rolling a die to tip the odds in your favor does carry some risk. Failure is a surprisingly fun part of the Zero Parades experience, and something you’ll experience often when you find yourself caught in the middle of a struggle for cultural and ideological power by various factions.
Bubsy 4D
- Release date: May 22
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2, Switch
This truly might be the strangest timeline, because not only are we getting another Bubsy game featuring the D-list ’90s video game mascot, but his game actually looks good! Bubsy might finally get that chance in the spotlight that he has been chasing for decades now, as Bubsy 4D is a solid-looking platformer with interesting gameplay mechanics, plenty of customization, and an attention-grabbing art direction. Throw in gameplay modes designed to cater to speedrun enthusiasts, and Bubsy 4D is looking like a lot of fun so far–words we never thought we’d ever utter.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
- Release date: May 22
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Batman returns in May, and this time, fans of the Caped Crusader can look forward to a Lego game that celebrates his impact on the big screen. Legacy of the Dark Knight also looks like it’ll be inspired by Rocksteady’s Arkham games, fusing those influences with the silver-screen incarnations of Batman and the cheeky humor that developer TT Games has become known for with its other Lego games.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Standard Edition
$70 | Releases May 29, 2026
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Deluxe Edition
$90 | Releases May 26, 2026
007 First Light
- Release date: May 27
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
The name is Bond–James Bond. Britain’s greatest cultural export–if we’re ignoring Mr. Bean and Fatboy Slim–the unstoppable superspy is finally making his grand return to video games this month. Developed by Hitman studio IO Interactive, 007 First Light is an origin story for the MI6 operative and one that aims to give players a view to a thrill with action, subterfuge, and talking your way out of a fight–or when things eventually go pear-shaped, throwing hands, gadgets, and one-liners to get yourself out of trouble.
007 First Light Specialist Edition
$70 | Releases March 27, 2026
007 First Light Legacy Edition
$300 | Releases March 27, 2026
Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen
- Release date: May 28
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch
Developer Halfbrick Studios’ take on a Bluey video game arrived late last year as an Apple exclusive, and at long last, Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen is coming to new platforms this month. Featuring an imaginative setting born from doodles, Quest for the Gold Pen takes place on a rainy day in the Heeler house, and it’s a great game for younger fans of the hit animated series. With a heartwarming story and fun Zelda-inspired puzzles, it’s the next best thing to catching a new episode of Bluey.
Paralives
- Release date: May 25
- Platforms: PC via Steam Early Access
What’s a fan of social-sim games supposed to do when The Sims continues to anger up the blood, and InZoi doesn’t quite meet expectations? Grab a new game in the genre, that’s what! Paralives looks like it’ll scratch that itch for building a new virtual life, but the focus is on a smaller scope that allows for cozy gameplay full of small details and artisanal vibes. The Steam Early Access launch looks like it’ll offer plenty of content to sink your teeth into, including options to start a career, find love, and even become the richest Townie around.
Romestead
- Release date: May 26
- Platforms: PC via early access
Ah, Rome sweet Rome. While the fabled empire wasn’t built in a day, no one says you can’t rebuild it quickly, and that’s just the task you’re handed in Romestead. The only problem? Keeping your citizens happy and growing your civilization on the march is already a challenge, but fickle gods, zombies, and a world populated with monsters straight out of ancient legend dial up the difficulty another notch. Fortunately, Romestead gives you all the tools you need to survive and thrive in a brave new world.
Shift at Midnight
- Release date: May 28
- Platforms: PC via early access
Working behind a counter can be a drag, but at least you don’t have to worry about a homicidal monster looking to murder you horribly–right? That’s the gist of Shift at Midnight, an online co-op game where three players will have to keep the shelves stocked and investigate if their customers are truly human. Make one mistake, and you’ll have to prepare for the fight of your life by boarding up your shop, setting traps, and hoping that your team has steady trigger fingers.
