Magic: The Gathering’s next set is the world-bending Reality Fracture, which centers around an alternate universe with twisted mirror versions of many the game’s characters (available for preorder at Amazon). We’ve got an exclusive look at two new cards from the set, and while they are a little less twisted than others, they are both pivotal to the story that plays out (so here’s a spoiler warning if you were waiting to read that first).

The first card is a key object in Reality Fracture: The Echoverse Fulcrum. This Mythic Rare legendary artifact is meant to merge universes together, but its functional effect is a board wipe with a little bit of card selection attached.

Colorless cards have had plenty of conditional board wipes like this before, but to my eyes, the low initial mana cost and immediate benefit of drawing and then discarding a card could make this one more broadly useful in a format like Commander. Five mana to activate its ability and only at sorcery speed are both real drawbacks, but that’s easier to stomach when you’ve already gotten something (admittedly minor) out of it.

The other card we are revealing depicts the final moments of Reality Fracture’s hero-turned-villain, Jace. Vraska’s Final Mercy is a Rare sorcery that can either be a removal spell or effectively draw you two cards as it either strikes down or builds up Jace himself.

The first mode’s most immediate parallel is Infernal Grasp, which also destroys a creature at the cost of two life. There are some important differences, though: Vraska’s Final Mercy also hits planeswalkers, but it is severely hampered by being a sorcery instead of an instant, and the mana cost is much more demanding with two black pips.

The second mode’s easiest point of comparison is probably Night’s Whisper, though there are caveats here as well. In addition to the same mana cost difference, the Empower Jace mechanic means you are only able to draw one card the turn you play this and the other on your next turn. It also gives you the flexibility of giving a big boost of loyalty to your Jace token for other shenanigans, and the ability to Surveil if you want to that instead of draw, but not drawing two cards right away is quite rough.

So while it’s arguably worse versions of two similar cards stapled together, it’s not one to fully count out when it comes to stuff like Draft or Sealed, because having options is always powerful in Limited formats like that. My guess is that this card, like The Echoverse Fulcrum, won’t make a ton of waves outside them, but it is an interesting design all the same – and the story moment it depicts makes it quite a flavorful one.

Reality Fracture arrives on MTG Arena on September 29, followed by its tabletop release on October 2, with pre-release events kicking off on September 25. This is the capstone to a story that’s been building for multiple years now, and the last Magic-themed set before it goes back to Universes Beyond with a Star Trek expansion later this year.

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 is coming to real-life Miami after a city meeting resulted in the approval of a "discreet" – and controversial – marketing campaign.

The City of Miami Beach gave the OK for the famed game developer to bring GTA 6 to the area September 10, 2026, following a 4-3 vote in favor of the decision. The meeting saw strong arguments on both sides, with the deal promising that Rockstar will pay at least $3 million to the city as related logos and branding populate the town from October 15 – December 31.

GTA 6's Vice City setting is, of course, based on the very real Miami, Florida, and Rockstar is looking to capitalize on that. Arguments against the move touched on the violence of the Grand Theft Auto series, which, as stated by Commissioner David Suarez, allows players to "steal cars, deal drugs, commit robberies, murder civilians, and assassinate police officers."

"That's their right. They can make it, they can sell it, and they can advertise it, but that doesn't mean that the city of Miami Beach has to help them do it," Suarez argued. "We ask our police officers every day to put themselves in harm's way, protecting this community. We spend enormous resources fighting drugs, violent crime, and disorder, and we've spent over a million dollars over the past three years on a spring break marketing campaign trying to move Miami Beach away from an image of chaos and lawlessness.

"Now, we're going to take our beaches, one of the most recognizable symbols of this city, and turn them into a space for Grand Theft Auto. What kind of message are we sending to the world?"

Later, Suarez added, "I don't think that this is worth what they're offering. I don't think it's worth really anything." Commissioner Matteo-Salinas fell on the other side of the fence. Her vote to approve Rockstar's GTA 6 marketing campaign came from her desire to represent gamers – herself included.

"I play GTA," Matteo-Salinas said. "I played it in 1997 when the first game, the Vice City version, came out, and I'm going to play it again when this one comes out, and I'm not going to play the game and then go on a crime spree. That's not what this is about."

Commissioner Joseph Magazine agreed, arguing that, although "Grand Theft Auto isn't for everyone" and "there are certainly aspects of the game we likely don't want associated with the values" of Miami Beach, "we also have to deal with reality." He added, "I can walk and chew gum at the same time."

"This will be the biggest and most anticipated video game launch in global history, and whether we embrace this partnership or we reject it, millions and millions of people around the world are already going to experience a fictionalized version of Miami Beach through this game. We have no control over that. That spotlight's coming."

How exactly GTA 6 will take over Miami Beach in October was not revealed. However, commissioner Laura Dominguez did tease some of what's on the table.

Rockstar will not plaster logos on city property, such as lifeguard stands or in "iconic public spaces." She said Grand Theft Auto will be advertised "discreetly" with the city's marketing partner, the Boucher Brothers. As mentioned by X/Twitter user @GTAVI_Countdown, the Boucher Brothers is a company Rockstar has parodied before, with its in-game spin instead called "Sol Sisters."

Dominguez added that, through the October – December marketing window, Miami citizens will spot things like "Vice City or 'VI'" on things like chairs and umbrellas. It suggests the words "Grand Theft Auto" won't be visible in any official capacity, with the commissioner also saying that Rockstar will not be permitted to advertise GTA 6 during the city's Art Basel, which is scheduled to take place the weekend of December 4.

"I think the city has done our part to make sure that our brand is protected but still keeping with the importance of the massive global reach that gaming has today, and the city is going to be receiving a couple million dollars," Dominguez said.

She added with a smile, "If there's wiggle room to negotiate more, let us know."

Dominguez mentioned that the deal with Rockstar will give the City of Miami Beach money that is "critical." How exactly the $3 million will be dispersed was not detailed, but Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt expects the total benefits to produce a number closer to $4 million. She said, "[GTA 6] is coming to Miami Beach with or without us, and to pretend that it isn't is a missed opportunity."

One item on Bhatt's mind when the money comes in is Florida's Flamingo Park. Rockstar's financial support could "in and of itself" pay for a Flamingo Park Memorial Football Field renovation project that is currently slated for next year but lacks proper funding.

"Our city manager and those of us who have engaged have been very clear that this is not to be an in-your-face marketing campaign," she added. "It is very discreet, understated, [and] mostly the Roman numeral six, which most people won't even understand. They'll go around calling it 'V' or 'VI,' probably."

GTA 6's release date falls directly in its Miami Beach marketing window with a November 19, 2026, launch. It will be available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. IGN recently got in touch with Rockstar to learn more about how its new take on the series will be worth the wait, resulting in an interview and preview following its big Netflix extended look reveal.

Some fans have recently argued that Rockstar's latest almost looks too realistic for its own good. Others are mostly just concerned with making sure they're able to grab one of the new limited edition PS5 controllers.

We now have our hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, a new console from one of the biggest names in gaming. Alas, a new console is only as valuable as the library of games you can build on it.

Thankfully, Nintendo hasn't been shy about planned releases over the next year. In the second half of 2026, we'll be getting our hands on a mix of Switch 2 exclusives, third-party releases, and the benefit of backward compatibility with any games still launching on the original Switch. Without further ado, here are all of the new Switch 2 games we can look forward to in 2026 and beyond.

* indicates a Switch 2 exclusive

RuneScape got a bit of a makeover with this new open world crafting and survival game that was initially released last year, and is finally coming to Switch 2 this fall.

We finally have a release date for the next game in the Fire Emblem series, which already happens to be available to preorder. Here’s a snippet of what to expect from the official Nintendo listing: “Worthy fighters from all over the land have come to Dagsion, the capital city of the Dagdan Empire, to compete in the Heroic Games for the chance to win one wish. Among the combatants are four heroes tied to the fate of the world.” You can learn more about how the game balances those four heroes in our hands-on preview.

If you’re looking for a cozy platformer you can play with a friend, Trine 6 might have you covered. The latest side-scrolling sequel from FrozenByte is designed with co-op in mind, so you can test your friendship on movement combos and puzzles.

From Masato Kato, the writer behind Chrono Trigger, comes Another Eden Begins, a completely fresh RPG that takes you on a journey across the past, present, and future. Recruit companions from a roster of 18 characters to help you take down the Beast King and find your sister. This one’s got a whopping 10 endings on the menu, though I’m sure some of those are reserved for New Game+.

The latest LEGO game finally has a Switch 2 release date. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is truly next level. It blends and parodies classic Batman moments from across all iterations of the caped crusader while also offering a pretty massive plastic version of Arkham to play around in. Even the combat is pretty elaborate, with inspiration from the Arkham games courtesy of development support from Rocksteady Studios.

SEGA brought back its Shinobi series with the action platformer Art of Vengeance in 2025. We called the new release “a genuinely engaging 2D action platformer that’s beautiful to behold and even better to play” in our review, and it’ll be getting a Switch 2 port later this year.

We called the first Minecraft Dungeons game a “fun dungeon crawler with a simple but tried-and-true set of systems.” The sequel, developed by Mojang and published by Xbox, will be launching across platforms, including Switch 2, this September. Like the first game, the block-based dungeon crawler will support both local and online multiplayer.

After announcing The Witcher 4, which is reportedly targeting a 2028 release, CD Projekt Red also announced a massive remaster of its 2015 masterpiece, The Witcher 3. The remaster is free for anyone who already owns the game on PC or any console, including a free Switch 2 upgrade coming later this month.

Yet another massive multi-platform release, IO Interactive's take on James Bond is launching on Switch 2 several months after its initial release on PC, PS5, and Xbox in late May. The game lets you play out Bond's initial recruitment and rise in the MI6 ranks, featuring Patrick Gibson as the titular spy and Lenny Kravitz as the villain Bawma.

Following the release of Octopath Traveler 0, Square Enix is releasing fresh Switch 2 editions of the original two games that defined the HD-2D style. We were big fans of both, for what it’s worth, with IGN’s Seth Macy praising how the first game “pushes JRPGs forward rather than simply paying homage to the greats” in his 9/10 review.

Remakes truly are all the rage right now. This one is a 3D reimagining of 2013’s Rayman Legends, which we called a “work of platforming genius” in our original 9.5/10 review.

The Switch 2 will be getting fresh editions of existing Kingdom Hearts games, which will replace the existing ‘Cloud streaming’ versions that were available on the Switch. Those Cloud versions were notoriously… not great, so here’s to hoping this gives everyone a better shot at the series ahead of Kingdom Hearts 4. The three collections will be available individually or as one big bundle.

Hell is Us, from studio Rogue Factor, was originally released almost exactly year ago. In the words of our review, the game “has a blend of exploration, puzzles, and combat that, while familiar, pushes you to really pay attention to the world around you in a way that’s both compelling and occasionally frustrating."

Capcom’s RPG sequel is getting a new ‘Dark Arisen’ edition with fresh content and QOL improvements as it launches on the Switch 2. Jarrett Green reviewed the game for IGN when it was first released on PC, saying that it’s more than anything “a retelling and reimplementation of… wonderful ideas from the 2012 cult-classic.”

For the cozy gamers, The Witch’s Bakery places you in control of Lunne, a young witch who’s opening a new bakery in Paris. In the vein of something like Dave the Diver, each in-game day is split into multiple phases of managing your bakery and exploring the town while also using your magic to help your friends.

The first 2D Castlevania game in almost 20 years narratively follows Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse, taking place a little over decade after that one’s story (which also serves as inspiration for the animated Netflix series). Mitchell Saltzman got the chance to preview the game for IGN, with particular praise for the combat, saying there’s “plenty of room to carve out your own personal playstyle thanks to the variety of weapons, Arcana, and relics.”

Tales of Eternia is getting a remake and returning to its original title. Previously localized as Tales of Destiny II in North America, Eternia was first released for the PS2 back in the 2000 as the third game in Namco’s Tales series.

In the tradition of what I consider some all-time greats, Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, Nintendo recently announced Nintendo Switch Sports: Resort. The Switch 2 exclusive will feature 12 sports, a mix of classics like bowling and tennis as well as new sports like thumb wrestling, that use a combination of the Switch 2’s motion and mouse controls.

This new Final Fantasy game technically adapts the FF mobile game Brave Exvius that was discontinued in 2025. More notably, however, it’s the first Final Fantasy game to embrace the new HD-2D graphics system popularized by modern classics like Octopath Traveler.

IGN’s own Michael Higham got the chance to check out the first couple of hours of gameplay, so you can learn more about how this one blends new and old Final Fantasy traditions in our hands-on preview.

Yep, it’s a One Piece cooking game. This one feels like a real throwback to the glory days of Flash games, which I deeply appreciate. The management sim puts you in charge of a restaurant, going on expeditions to acquire new ingredients and recipes while encountering over 400 characters from one of the greatest manga (and anime) series of all time.

Yep, it’s that time of year. For the next CoD release, Activision is following up the return to Black Ops by bringing us back to the Modern Warfare series. Yep, that means the return of iconic characters like Ghost. It’s not all nostalgia, though, with plenty of new additions like an extraction game mode called DMZ. You can learn more about what to expect from the shooter sequel in our interview with Infinity Ward.

Check out what’s included in the “physical” copies of Modern Warfare 4 for Switch 2

This third-person action shooter puts you in control of 17-year-old Reona Minazuki, a professional ‘Diver’ that explores deadly ‘Anomaly Zones’ for the government while searching for her lost friend. The Steam listing offers the rather interesting description that the game is “steeped in the atmosphere of liminal spaces and Showa-era retro aesthetics.”

Not too long after we got our hands on Hello Kitty Island Adventure, the iconic Sanrio character is returning for yet another cute and cozy game. This one is a party game in the tradition of classics like Mario Party, featuring more than 40 minigames and over 140 Sanrio characters.

If you’re familiar with Steins;Gate, potentially one of the most acclaimed anime of all time, you might be aware that it’s actually based on a visual novel dating back to 2009. That visual novel is getting the good old remake treatment, which will include the addition of new endings.

Now this is a big one. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was announced earlier this year before getting an entire Nintendo Direct dedicated to it, showing off revamped graphics, gameplay, and camera controls. The Switch 2 exclusive still seeks to retain the magic of the original, including some funky character designs.

The Ocarina of Time remake is now up for preorder alongside a spread of Zelda-themed Switch 2 accessories.

Pikmin 4 originally launched on the Switch back in 2023, and we were pretty big fans. Jada Griffin praised “all-new features like ability upgrades, a pair of new Pikmin, and our loyal sidekick Oatchi” in her 9/10 review. Like previous Switch 2 editions, it’ll be coming to the newer console with a fresh expansion: Dandori Academy.
Metaphor Re:Fantazio (November 12, 2026)

This new IP from Atlus, best known for the SMT and Persona series, features similar mechanics around turn-based combat and social links. Instead of playing as a high schooler, though, you take on the role of Will, a young man who seeks to bring justice to a fantasy world facing its first version of an election. We gave the game a solid 9/10 when it first dropped on PC, and it even landed as our top RPG of 2024.

This collection will come with 16 classic Barbie games that were originally released between 1991 and 2007, as well as one unreleased game, Barbie: Vacation Adventure. Funnily enough, this happens to be one of the only games daring enough to announce a release date in the November crossfires of GTA 6.

The rogue-like classic we called “non-stop fun” is making its way to Switch 2 with a fully packed Repentance+ edition, which includes all released expansions.

In the lead-up to Xenoblade Genesis, an entirely new game in DADSS’s iconic RPG series, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is getting the Switch 2 edition treatment. The port will also be available as a digital upgrade pack for anyone who already owns the game. IGN’s reviewer tackled the 150-hour campaign, which he considered worth the time for “great characters and addictive tactical combat.”

A new addition to the monster-taming Dragon Quest spin-off series is coming to Switch 2 this December. The RPG will star two protagonists, Bianca and Nera, who are trying to find a cure for their fathers. The girls end up in the Kingdom of Witherwood, where you can catch, train, and battle with some adorable monsters.

We said the latest mainline Monster Hunter game features “some extremely fun fights,” and the boss-focused action game is getting a Switch 2 port this Winter. The upcoming expansion Ascendance will also be making its way to the Switch 2 at some point next year.

The next puzzle-focused Professor Layton game from Level-5 finally has a release date. The story takes place around one year after the events of Unwound Future, taking the professor and Luke to the steampunk-inspired town of Steam Bison. This will be the first Professor Layton game to launch on PlayStation and PC.

Danganronpa is coming back. This upcoming visual novel combines a remake of Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair with a new game mode, Slayhem, which features the same characters but with new scenarios for you to help solve.

Following up on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, MercurySteam has announced a new 2D side-scroller starring the iconic Samus. The game is seemingly a follow-up to Metroid Dread, which we said merges “legendary exploration and progression” with “excellent modern combat and some of the best boss fights ever," in our original 9/10 review.

Crystal Dynamics is remaking Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis from the ground up, and the new version of Lara Croft’s debut adventure will be playable on Switch 2 at launch. You can learn more about what's changed from the original 1996 game in our hands-on preview.

For folks who prefer battling with decks, this remake of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX TAG FORCE 3 will feature modern visuals, enhanced Dueling, and nostalgic cards from the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime era.

This turn-based JRPG originally launched on the Super Famicom all the way back in 1995. Now, 30 years later, Square Enix has announced a 3D remake that will include new gameplay and full voice-acting.

This entirely new game from studio Marvelous is being pitched as a “love letter to JRPGs,” featuring some classic turn-based combat and tons of classes and abilities. The game will also feature some good ol’ time travel as well as a unique “Future Sight” mechanic.

We officially have a release date for the third and final part of Square Enix’s FF7 remake. Titled Revelation, the final arc of the trilogy will pick up immediately after Rebirth, with Cloud and co. working to stop Sephiroth. Aside from the continued revamped graphics, the third remake will introduce even more battle customization. Square Enix has also confirmed that the game will receive two new expansions: Story DLC 1: Sephiroth and Story DLC 2: Vincent & the Turks.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation is already up for preorder with a spread of editions available for PC, Xbox, PS5, and Switch 2.

Before we get our hands on Persona 6, Atlus is dropping yet another remake in its iconic Persona series. Persona 4 will be getting a similar treatment to what we saw with Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload, with remastered graphics, refined turn-based combat, and, potentially, additional storylines and social links.

There are plenty more Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games in development that don’t have a solid release date yet. Here are some more games we know are on the way, including the highly-anticipated 10th generation of Pokémon:

Looking for specific recommendations? Check out our top-reviewed Switch 2 games so far

Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.