May 2026 has proven to be an extraordinary month for gaming, packed with titles that are already being hailed as Game of the Year contenders. While some releases like Directive 8020 and Bubsy 4D disappointed, the majority of highly anticipated games delivered exceptional experiences. If you are looking to catch up on the best games from the past month or need a reason to escape the UK summer heat, here are the titles that deserve your attention.
007 First Light
Hitman developer IO Interactive has successfully adapted its open sandbox expertise to create the most authentic James Bond game ever. 007 First Light sold 1.5 million copies within 24 hours, and IO already has plans for a sequel. Through word of mouth, the game is likely to grow in popularity over the coming months. Patrick Gibson as Bond is a frontrunner for the Best Performance category at this year's The Game Awards. GC review score: 9/10.
Forza Horizon 6
Only in video games does the sixth entry in a decades-long franchise end up being the best one. While Forza Horizon 6 might not do anything particularly new, the series' first trip to Japan is top-notch. It instantly becomes one of the best arcade racers of the modern era, with fantastic graphics, fun car handling, and tons of content. GC review score: 9/10.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Expectations were low after Yoshi's past few standalone adventures, but Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is one of 2026's best surprises. Nintendo's marketing may not have done its inventive whimsy justice, but if you are looking for a different kind of platformer with a focus on puzzle-solving, do not let this one slip by. It is one of Nintendo's most inventive and unpredictable games in years. GC review score: 8/10.
Lego Batman: The Legacy of the Dark Knight
There have been several Lego Batman games, but The Legacy of the Dark Knight eclipses them all. While it is fundamentally a tried-and-true Lego collectathon, it is easily the best game starring the caped crusader since Batman: Arkham Knight, and it is probably better than that too. It has already been a sales hit in the UK, surpassing both Yoshi and Forza. GC review score: 8/10.
Mixtape
This coming-of-age musical adventure sparked an exhausting conversation among certain online denizens, and while it has proved to be divisive, it is still likely to be a much-discussed title in 2026. Your mileage may vary with the 90s nostalgia, especially for those outside the US, but the soundtrack is undeniably great, with songs by The Smashing Pumpkins, Roxy Music, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. GC review score: 7/10.
Mina the Hollower
Developer Yacht Club Games' successor to Shovel Knight is the year's highest-rated game on Metacritic so far and looks destined to sweep the indie categories during awards season. The challenging difficulty might not suit all tastes, but the game's breadth of accessibility options make it far more approachable than what is on the surface. You do not even need to know what a Game Boy Color is to enjoy it. GC review score: 8/10.
