Nintendo has overtaken Capcom as the leader in critically acclaimed games. A brand new game exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 is currently the highest-rated game of 2026, according to Metacritic. While we’re already three months into the year, 2026 has felt slow to start, with the first few months being particularly uneventful. However, March has brought a surge of excitement, and it’s no surprise that the year’s top-rated game so far was released this month.
Currently, Pokopia, a game exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, has the highest score on Metacritic at 89 – though it’s unlikely to stay there all year. It shares that score with Resident Evil Requiem, but Pokopia is slightly closer to a 90, giving it the edge. The two games are incredibly close, actually swapping the top spot three times already – just this week, Resident Evil Requiem was ahead.
Top 10 Highest-Rated New Games of 2026
Looking at only brand new games – not including re-releases, downloadable content, or expansions – the ten highest-rated games of 2026 are a diverse mix. There’s an equal representation of smaller independent titles alongside major, big-budget games, which shows how the AAA game development landscape is changing.
- Pokopia – 89
- Resident Evil Requiem – 89
- Mewgenics – 88
- Esoteric Ebb – 87
- Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflections – 86
- Perfect Tides: Station to Station – 86
- Nioh 3 – 86
- Cairn – 85
- Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse – 85
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon – 84
Games Releasing Soon That May Dethrone Pokopia
The new Pokémon game is currently number one, with Resident Evil Requiem close behind. However, several upcoming releases could quickly change that. Crimson Desert launches next week on March 19th and is expected to be a major hit. The Xbox exclusive Replaced will follow in a month, and Capcom’s highly anticipated Pragmata arrives on April 17th. Plus, there’s always a chance an unexpected indie game could become a breakout success.
While Pokopia likely won’t be the best game of the year overall, it’s performing strongly and could stay at the top for a good stretch. Its impressive Metacritic score of 89 even puts it in contention for Game of the Year awards at the end of the year.
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2026-03-14 04:40