New games are fun and all, but if there’s one thing I love, it’s celebrating video game anniversaries. This year is absolutely packed with major milestones for iconic games and consoles, so I’ve whipped up this big list of the most important 2026 gaming anniversaries to keep in mind. If you’re looking for some nostalgia, look no further than these big video game anniversaries in 2026, as it’s a perfect time to revisit these classics.
2026 Gaming Anniversaries List
To keep things organized, this list of 2026 video game anniversaries is listed chronologically, with a section dedicated to each month. Each game has been listed by its initial release date, regardless of region, along with the console it was first released on and what anniversary it’s celebrating. If you’re unsure about any of the console abbreviations, be sure to check out the guide at the bottom of the page.
January 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
Things start off a bit slow with a handful of gaming anniversaries in January, including the 25 anniversary of a beloved MMORPG, a couple seventh-generation favorites, and an all-time arcade great.
- 01/04 – Pony Island (PC) – 10th
- 01/04 – Runescape (PC) – 25th
- 01/25 – Dead Space 2 (MULTI) – 15th
- 01/25 – Marble Blast Ultra (X360) – 20th
- 01/25 – Onimusha: Warlords (PS2) – 25th
- 01/26 – Guardian Heroes (SAT) – 30th
- 01/26 – The Witness (MULTI) – 10th
- Jan – G.I. Joe (NES) – 35th
- Jan – Hare Raising Havoc (MSDOS) – 35th
- Jan – Killer Instinct 2 (ARC) – 30th
February 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
We’re starting to pick up steam with some February 2026 video game anniversaries, with quite a few seventh-generation big hitters, a farming simulator that still receives updates decades later, and some of the biggest Nintendo series of all time.
- 02/10 – Full Auto (X360) – 20th
- 02/14 – Lemmings (MSDOS) – 35th
- 02/15 – Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (MULTI) – 15th
- 02/22 – Bulletstorm (MULTI) – 15th
- 02/22 – Double Dragon III (NES) – 35th
- 02/22 – Killzone 3 (PS3) – 15th
- 02/23 – Suikoden V (PS2) – 20th
- 02/26 – Stardew Valley (MULTI) – 10th
- 02/27 – Pocket Monsters Red & Green (GB) – 30th
- 02/27 – The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Seasons (GBC) – 25th
- 02/19 – Ikari Warriors (ARC) – 40th
- 02/21 – The Legend of Zelda (FAM) – 40th
- Feb – Defender (ARC) – 45th
- Feb – Joe & Mac (ARC) – 35th
March 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
March is where we really kick into gear with a full month of 2026 gaming anniversaries. The start of spring is overflowing with big dates to consider, including the release of the N64’s most infamous adventure, some stellar SNES titles, Bethesda’s breakout RPG, and the birth of the survival horror genre as we know it.
- 03/02 – Clash Royale (MOBL) – 10th
- 03/05 – Conker’s Bad Fur Day (N64) – 30th
- 03/07 – Street Fighter II (ARC) – 35th
- 03/08 – Dragon Age II (MULTI) – 15th
- 03/09 – Super Mario RPG (SNES) – 30th
- 03/11 – Hitman 2016 (MULTI) – 10th
- 03/13 – The Outfit (X360) – 20th
- 03/20 – Metroid Prime Hunters (NDS) – 20th
- 03/20 – Tetris DS (NDS) – 20th
- 03/20 – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – (PC) – 20th
- 03/21 – Game Boy Advance Launches in Japan – 25th
- 03/21 – Kirby Super Star (SNES) – 30th
- 03/21 – Serious Sam: The First Encounter (PC) – 25th
- 03/22 – Crysis 2 (MULTI) – 15th
- 03/22 – Resident Evil (PS1) – 30th
- 03/23 – Cooking Mama (NDS) – 20th
- 03/24 – Dark Souls III (MULTI) – 10th
- 03/27 – Black & White (PC) – 25th
- 03/28 – Fantasy Zone (ARC) – 40th
- Mar – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – 35th
- Mar – The Simpsons (ARC) – 35th
- Mar – Space Quest IV (MSDOS) – 35th
- Mar – TMNT IV: Turtles in Time (ARC) – 35th
April 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
As the weather starts to warm up in April, these big 2026 video game anniversaries will you keep you occupied between bouts of spring cleaning. This month, take a moment to pay homage to Nintendo’s pill-slinging doctor, the babe-saving FPS hero, and a paintbrush-wielding goddess.
- 04/05 – Enter the Gungeon (MULTI) – 10th
- 04/09 – Dr. Mario 64 (N64) – 25th
- 04/12 – Ratchet & Clank 2016 (PS4) – 10th
- 04/14 – Soda Drinker Pro (MULTI) – 10th
- 04/19 – Duke Nukem 3D (MSDOS) – 30th
- 04/19 – Metal Slug (ARC) – 30th
- 04/19 – Mortal Kombat 9 (MULTI) – 15th
- 04/20 – Ninety-Nine Nights (X360) – 20th
- 04/20 – Okami (PS2) – 20th
- 04/21 – Wonder Boy (ARC) – 40th
- 04/28 – Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova (ARC) – 20th
- 04/28 – Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (PS2) – 25th
- Apr – NBA Hangtime (ARC) – 30th
May 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
Not to worry, the video game anniversaries of May 2026 keep the energy up, with a great mixture of new and old. A few newer favorites celebrate a decade of fun, Geralt’s second adventure turns 15, and one of the best and most successful JRPG series of all time gets its start.
- 05/01 – Spy Fox 3: Operation Ozone (PC) – 25th
- 05/10 – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4) – 10th
- 05/13 – Breakout (ARC) – 50th
- 05/13 – DOOM 2016 (MULTI) – 10th
- 05/15 – Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX (PS1) – 25th
- 05/15 – New Super Mario Bros. (NDS) – 20th
- 05/17 – L.A. Noire (MULTI) – 15th
- 05/17 – The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (PC) – 15th
- 05/22 – Red Faction (PS2) – 25th
- 05/23 – Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (X360) – 20th
- 05/24 – Overwatch (MULTI) – 10th
- 05/27 – Dragon Quest (NES) – 40th
- May – Rygar (ARC) – 40th
June 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
As the warm weeks of June start to take hold, there are more than enough gaming anniversaries to keep you occupied as you stick to screens indoors. June 2026 anniversaries bring us the likes of the launch of two very special Nintendo systems, an arcade puzzle cult classic, Sega’s blue blur, and one of the godfathers of the RPG genre.
- 06/03 – Super Mario Bros 2. JP (NES) – 40th
- 06/07 – Infamous 2 (PS3) – 15th
- 06/11 – Game Boy Advance Launches in US – 25th
- 06/19 – NBA Street (PS2) – 25th
- 06/19 – Sonic Adventure 2 (DC) – 25th
- 06/20 – Time Crisis 4 (ARC) – 20th
- 06/21 – Sonic the Hedgehog (GEN) – 35th
- 06/21 – Ninja Gaiden III (NES) – 35th
- 06/23 – Nintendo 64 Launches in Japan – 30th
- 06/23 – Pilotwings 64 (N64) – 30th
- 06/23 – Super Mario 64 (N64) – 30th
- 06/28 – Bomberman II (NES) – 35th
- 06/29 – Chromehounds (X360) – 20th
- Jun – Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (ARC) – 30th
- Jun – Battletoads (NES) – 35th
- Jun – Ultima I (APL2) – 45th
- Jun – Uninvited (MAC) – 40th
July 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
It’s another great month of 2026 gaming anniversaries as we pull into June. There’s no shortage of stuff to celebrate, including one of the last good Final Fantasy games, id Software’s ultra-fast FPS, and a stylish fighting game that never gets old.
- 07/01 – Duke Nukem (MSDOS) – 35th
- 07/05 – Nights into Dreams (SAT) – 30th
- 07/09 – Donkey Kong (ARC) – 45th
- 07/11 – Prey (X360) – 20th
- 07/13 – Persona 3 (PS2) – 20th
- 07/19 – Final Fantasy IV (SNES) – 35th
- 07/19 – Final Fantasy X (PS2) – 25th
- 07/19 – The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (SNES) – 35th
- 07/19 – Star Ocean (SNES) – 30th
- 07/21 – Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA) – 25th
- 07/21 – Rhythm Heaven Fever (WII) – 15th
- 07/21 – Shadows of the Damned (MULTI) – 15th
- 07/22 – Quake (PC) – 30th
- 07/25 – Max Payne (PC) – 25th
- 07/30 – King of Fighters ’96 (ARC) – 30th
- Jul – Arkanoid (ARC) – 40th
- Jul – Solomon’s Key (ARC) – 40th
- Jul – Where’s Waldo (NES) – 35th
August 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
As you sit in the true dog days of summer, sit inside with the cool air and enjoy some of the best 2026 video game anniversaries. There’s more than enough fun to be had with these milestone releases, including the sci-fi NES title that helped create a new genre, one of the best zombie games of all time, and an open-world crime game that’s as goofy as it is fun.
- 08/01 – Golden Sun (GBA) – 25th
- 08/01 – Tekken 4 (ARC) – 25th
- 08/02 – Overcooked (MULTI) – 10th
- 08/02 – Streets of Rage (GEN) – 35th
- 08/06 – Metroid (NES) – 40th
- 08/08 – Dead Rising (X360) – 20th
- 08/08 – Virtua Fighter 4 (ARC) – 25th
- 08/09 – Harvest Moon (SNES) – 30th
- 08/23 – Deus Ex: Human Revolution (MULTI) – 15th
- 08/23 – Devil May Cry (PS2) – 25th
- 08/29 – Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse (PC) – 30th
- 08/29 – Saint’s Row (X360) – 20th
- Aug – Frogger (ARC) – 45th
- Aug – Gauntlet II (ARC) – 40th
- Aug – Rampage (ARC) – 40th
September 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
When autumn arrives, game releases increase and so do the anniversaries! This month, we celebrate another Nintendo console launch, some of the best PlayStation 2 games around, and an NES game that has helped keep vampires relevant for 40 years.
- 09/01 – Jetpack Joyride (MOBL) – 15th
- 09/06 – Shenmue II (DC) – 25th
- 09/09 – Crash Bandicoot (PS1) – 30th
- 09/10 – Advance Wars (GBA) – 25th
- 09/14 – Nintendo GameCube Launches in Japan – 25th
- 09/14 – Luigi’s Mansion (GC) – 25th
- 09/14 – Super Monkey Ball (GC) – 25th
- 09/20 – The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (MSDOS) – 30th
- 09/20 – Dynasty Warriors 3 (PS2) – 25th
- 09/22 – Dark Souls (MULTI) – 15th
- 09/25 – ICO (PS2) – 25th
- 09/25 – NHL Hitz 2002 (PS2) – 25th
- 09/25 – Silent Hill 2 (PS2) – 25th
- 09/27 – Wave Race 64 (N64) – 30th
- 09/28 – Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (NDS) – 20th
- 09/29 – Nintendo 64 Launches in US – 30th
- 09/26 – Castlevania (NES) – 40th
- Sep – Bubble Bobble (ARC) – 40th
- Sep – Captain Commando (ARC) – 35th
- Sep – Castle Wolfenstein (APLII) – 45th
- Sep – Galaga (ARC) – 45th
- Sep – OutRun (ARC) – 40th
- Sep – Road Rash (GEN) – 35th
- Sep – Sid Meier’s Civilization (MSDOS) – 35th
- Sep – Virtua Fighter 3 (ARC) – 30th
- Sep – X-Men vs. Street Fighter (ARC) – 30th
October 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
Just in time for spooky season comes a bunch of 2026 video game anniversaries, with enough variety to keep you gaming for the entire month. Get ready to celebrate a pair of Rockstar Games’ open-world adventures, a cutesy Nintendo strategy classic, and a top-tier extreme skateboarding romp.
- 10/04 – Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (SNES) – 35th
- 10/09 – Decap Attack (GEN) – 35th
- 10/11 – Mortal Kombat Trilogy (PS1) – 30th
- 10/15 – Jackal (ARC) – 40th
- 10/17 – Bully (PS2) – 20th
- 10/17 – VS. Slalom (ARC) – 40th
- 10/18 – Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It’s Dark Outside (PC) – 30th
- 10/19 – Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent (X360) – 20th
- 10/23 – Grand Theft Auto III (PS2) – 25th
- 10/24 – Marvel Ultimate Alliance (MULTI) – 20th
- 10/25 – Puyo Puyo (FAM) – 35th
- 10/26 – Pikmin (GC) – 25th
- 10/30 – Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex (PS2) – 25th
- 10/30 – Soul Reaver 2 (PS2) – 25th
- 10/30 – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 – 25th
- 10/31 – Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PSP) – 20th
- 10/31 – Need for Speed: Carbon (MULTI) – 20th
- Oct – Home Alone (NES) – 35th
- Oct – Space Quest I (MSDOS) – 40th
- Oct – Super Castlevania IV (SNES) – 35th
- Oct – Tempest (ARC) – 45th
- Oct – ToeJam & Earl (GEN) – 35th
November 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
The year of 2026 gaming anniversaries is almost wrapped up, but November is one of the biggest months for celebration by far. This month marks the entrance of Microsoft into the industry and some legendary launch titles, a Nintendo party brawler that’s one of gaming’s finest, and a plethora of multi-platform masterpieces.
- 11/01 – Burnout (PS2) – 25th
- 11/06 – SSX Tricky (PS2) – 25th
- 11/07 – Gears of War (X360) – 20th
- 11/08 – Nintendo GameCube Launches in US – 25th
- 11/08 – Sonic 3D Blast (GEN) – 30th
- 11/11 – PlayStation 3 Launches in Japan – 20th
- 11/11 – Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3) – 20th
- 11/13 – Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PS2) – 25th
- 11/14 – Tomb Raider (PS1) – 30th
- 11/15 – Microsoft Xbox Launches in US – 25th
- 11/15 – Dead or Alive 3 (XBOX) – 25th
- 11/15 – Halo: Combat Evolved (XBOX) – 25th
- 11/15 – Fusion Frenzy (XBOX) – 25th
- 11/15 – Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee (XBOX) – 25th
- 11/15 – Project Gotham Racing (XBOX) – 25th
- 11/15 – Vectorman 2 (GEN) – 30th
- 11/16 – Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone (MULTI) – 25th
- 11/17 – PlayStation 3 Launches in US – 20th
- 11/18 – Donkey Kong Country 3 (SNES) – 30th
- 11/19 – The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (WII) – 20th
- 11/19 – The Simpsons: Road Rage (PS2) – 25th
- 11/20 – SimCopter (PC) – 30th
- 11/20 – Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas (X360) – 20th
- 11/21 – Return to Castle Wolfenstein (PC) – 25th
- 11/21 – Super Smash Bros. Melee (GC) – 25th
- 11/21 – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) – 35th
- 11/22 – Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PC) – 30th
- 11/22 – Rez (DC) – 25th
- 11/25 – Fatal Fury: King of Fighters (ARC) – 35th
- 11/26 – Dead or Alive (ARC) – 30th
- Nov – Catacomb 3-D (MSDOS) – 35th
- Nov – Cruis’n World (ARC) – 30th
- Nov – King’s Quest III (MSDOS) – 40th
- Nov – Metroid II: Return of Samus (GB) – 35th
- Nov – The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World (NES) – 35th
December 2026 Video Game Anniversaries
As we close out the year and get into the holidays, there are still plenty of gaming anniversaries to enjoy. Bundle up and hide out from the cold by celebrating a hip-hop happy dog, Nintendo’s adorable life simulator, and an amazing arcade shmup.
- 12/02 – Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (N64) – 30th
- 12/04 – Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance (PS2) – 25th
- 12/04 – Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (PS2) – 25th
- 12/06 – Mega Man 4 (NES) – 35th
- 12/06 – PaRappa the Rapper (PS1) – 30th
- 12/10 – Takeshi’s Challenge (FAM) – 40th
- 12/13 – Fatal Frame (PS2) – 25th
- 12/13 – TMNT III: The Manhattan Project (NES) – 35th
- 12/14 – Animal Crossing (GC) – 25th
- 12/14 – Mario Kart 64 (N64) – 30th
- 12/14 – Yoshi (NES) – 35th
- 12/19 – Kid Icarus (NES) – 40th
- 12/20 – Ikaruga (ARC) – 25th
- 12/20 – Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC) – 15th
- 12/20 – Wild Arms (PS1) – 30th
- 12/26 – Zaxxon (ARC) – 45th
- 12/27 – Golden Axe II (GEN) – 35th
- Dec – 720 (ARC) – 40th
- Dec – Alex Kidd in Miracle World (SMS) – 40th
- Dec – Joust II (ARC) – 40th
- Dec – Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge – 35th
- Dec – TaleSpin (NES) – 35th
Console Abbreviation Guide
Need help with the console abbreviations? Below you’ll find a complete guide to help you sort it out.
- ARC = Arcade
- APLII = Apple II
- DC = Sega Dreamcast
- FAM = Famicom Disk System
- GB = Nintendo Game Boy
- GBA = Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- GBC = Game Boy Color
- GC = Nintendo GameCube
- GEN = Sega Genesis
- MAC = Macintosh Computer
- MOBL = Mobile/iOS
- MSDOS = Microsoft Disk Operating System
- MULTI = Multiple Platforms
- N64 = Nintendo 64
- NDS = Nintendo DS
- NES = Nintendo Entertainment System
- PC = Windows Personal Computer
- PS1 = Sony PlayStation
- PS2 = Sony PlayStation 2
- PS3 = Sony PlayStation 3
- PS4 = Sony PlayStation 4
- PSP = PlayStation Portable
- SAT = Sega Saturn
- SMS = Sega Master System
- SNES = Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- WII = Nintendo Wii
- X360 = Microsoft Xbox 360
- XBOX = Microsoft Xbox
Like this list? Check out our other gaming lists, like the Best Games of 2025 and more!
