So many video games, so little time! 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year in terms of gaming. With back-to-back releases, here are the video games hitting your stores this week.
Replaced (4/14)
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC
Replaced is a 2.5D action platformer set in an alternate retro-futuristic 1980s America where players take the role of R.E.A.C.H, an AI trapped in a human body trying to expose the shady corporation that created it. Run, climb, and fight through a crumbling world as you are constantly being hunted. Described as “fast, responsive combat,” players can perform satisfying melee and ranged attacks against enemies in high-intensity encounters. Additionally, the game’s stunning visuals with its handcrafted pixel art will have you appreciating the beauty and creativity of indie games.
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire (4/16)
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, Switch 2, PC
Voiced by the famous Troy Baker, play as Jack Pepper, a private investigator in this first-person boomer shooter that will surely remind you of old cable cartoons and video games like Cuphead. Follow Jack as he tries to solve a missing person’s case that leads into a bigger conspiracy that is guranteed to keep its players invested until the very end. MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is said to be inspired by 1930s cartoons through the game’s hand-drawn 2D animation style and takes place in a full black and white color scale. This vintage adventure boasts fast gun gameplay, fluid movements, and sleuthing detective skills with its own set of interesting side characters.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (4/16)
Platform: Switch, Switch 2
After almost a decade, the Tomadachi series is getting a revival with a brand new entry, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. In this life-sim, players can create and populate Mii characters within an island and later can manage their social lives, relationships, and daily routine. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream introduces an improved Mii Maker where gamers can create their own Miis in two ways – from scratch or choosing a ‘Get Help’ option where Miis can be created by answering a set of questions about their features. Game’s increased customization includes options to change your island, Miis fashion style, houses, pets, etc that is very reminiscent of Animal Crossing.
Pragmata (4/17)
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, PC
Capcom’s next notable and brand new sci-fi IP Pragmata follows the protagonist, Hugh Williams, and his android companion, Diana looking to investigate and escape a lunar facility that is riddled with hostile AI-controlled machines. Essentially, the game is a third-person shooter but with a twist — a hacking minigame during combat. With Diana’s hacking ability, she is able to contribute in opening a weakness for Hugh to shoot that brings down enemy bots quicker. The game’s premise consists of “fake city” environments to evoke Earth’s locations that is created by AI (but made by human developers) which is puposefully designed to look uncanny and wrong. How cool is that?!
Also worth checking out: OPUS: Prism Peak, Dosa Divas, Gecko Gods, and Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss
