New Game Releases: March 19-25, 2026

This week, Crimson Desert offers sweeping open-world ambition, while Death Stranding 2: On the Beach delivers another dose of post-apocalyptic package delivery. Elsewhere, retro fans might appreciate Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers’ attempt at reviving Jaleco’s pugilistic series. Of course, we can’t overlook Virtual Ties Isekaijoucho Träumerei (pictured), where you’ll be reunited with a childhood friend who once hoped to become an idol. Here’s the complete list of what’s arriving on consoles and PC this week.

PlayStation 4

Ariana and the Elder Codex ($29.99)
Overpowered 2 – Crux of Fate ($2.99)
The Little Tomb: The Maholova Club and the Search for a Dead Body (digital, $11.99)

PlayStation 5

Ariana and the Elder Codex ($29.99)
Crimson Desert (digital, $69.99+)
Dragonkin: The Banished (digital, $39.99)
Gear.Club Unlimited 3 (physical & digital, $49.99)
Ghost Master: Resurrection (physical & digital, $39.99)
King of Tokyo (physical & digital, $39.99)
Overpowered 2 – Crux of Fate (digital, $2.99)
Rubato (digital, $19.99)
Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers ($20.69)
The Coin Game (digital, $TBA)
Virtual Hunter (digital, $24.99, PS VR2)

Switch

All Motors Racing Simulator (digital, $15.99)
Ariana and the Elder Codex (digital, $29.99)
Aroma Love Ready! (digital, $7.99)
Bang! Bang! Bandits (digital, $36.99)
Battle Puzzle 2048 – Maidens of Steel (digital, $2.00)
Blastoids (digital, $4.99)
Castle Tycoon Simulator (digital, $4.99)
Cowboy Kart (digital, $9.99)
Crabwave (digital, $4.99)
Damon and Baby (digital, $17.99)
Dig Out: Prison Escape Simulator (digital, $4.99)
Enter the Dodgeball (digital, $2.22)
Escape From DUCKNESS (digital, $7.99)
Ghost Master: Resurrection (digital, $39.99)
HestiaFort (digital, $2.70)
Kuky Adventure (digital, $4.99)
Machine Gun Fury (digital, $5.39)
Master Detective: Logic & Mystery Puzzles (digital, $6.99)
Mistfall Ruins (digital, $4.99)
Moonlight in Garland (digital, $14.99)
Moto Rush Reborn (digital, $12.99)
NO-SKIN (digital, $6.99)
Outbreak Fall: Biohazard (digital, $4.79)
Overpowered 2 – Crux of Fate (digital, $2.99)
Pie Pie Cafeteria (digital, $4.99)
Quick Brain: Number Hunt (digital, $6.99)
Rubato (digital, $19.99)
Samurai Simulator: Kensei Warrior (digital, $9.99)
SchoolBoy Horror (digital, $5.99)
Shinonome Abyss The Maiden Exorcist (digital, $14.99)
Shop Farm Tycoon (digital, $3.99)
Spot the Spy Guy (digital, $6.99)
Unusual Friends Bundle (digital, $11.99)
Virtual Ties Isekaijoucho Träumerei (digital, $34.99)
Wonders Puzzle (digital, $5.99)

Switch 2

Bang! Bang! Bandits (digital, $39.99)
Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers (digital, $20.69)

Xbox One

Cowboy Kart (digital, $9.99)
Machine Gun Fury (digital, $5.39)

Xbox Series S/X

Absolum (digital, $24.99, Game Pass)
Battle Puzzle 2048 – Maidens of Steel ($2.00)
Cowboy Kart (digital, $9.99)
Crimson Desert (digital, $69.99+)
Defending Camelot (digital, $9.99)
Dragonkin: The Banished (digital, $39.99)
Gear.Club Unlimited 3 (physical & digital, $49.99)
Ghost Master: Resurrection (physical & digital, $39.99)
King of Tokyo (physical & digital, $39.99)
Only Up Rush (digital, $9.99)
Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers (digital, $20.69)
The Coin Game (digital, $TBA)

PC

Crimson Desert ($69.99+)
Crystalfall (free to play)
Damon and Baby ($17.99)
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach ($69.99)
God For A Day ($TBA)
Heroes of Magic & Cards ($TBA)
Lost Wiki: Kozlovka ($TBA)
MADO MONOGATARI: Fia and the Wondrous Academy ($TBA)
Moto Rush Reborn ($12.99)
No Vacation for an Executioner ($TBA)
Rubato ($19.99)
Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers ($20.69)
Shinonome Abyss The Maiden Exorcist ($14.99)
SIKI ($TBA)

Rob’s pick: Yes, I know, you’re metroidvania fatigued. I get it. It seems like a new one arrives every week. But Ariana and the Elder Codex might be worth your attention if you enjoy any of the following: intricate particle effects, elemental-based weapon spamming, or just an adorable and determined protagonist. Beyond the irresistibility of the latter, I appreciate a genre entry that lets me chip away at a map, providing the feeling of gradually overtaking a hostile region. Elder Codex does that well, using an arsenal of melee, ranged, and AoE attacks, ensuring Ariana almost always feels powerful.

Part of me wishes that light gun shooters would make a resurgence. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we ever get another Time Crisis or Point Blank. But if you’re really desperate for a shooter, Bang! Bang! Bandits has Joy-Con targeting and can accommodate up to four local players, which could be a lot of fun under the right conditions. I think SIKI is going to have to satisfy me need for shooting this week.

Matt S’ pick (editor, DigitallyDownloaded): The obvious choice here is Death Stranding 2 on PC, if you don’t happen to have a PlayStation 5 or haven’t played the game yet. Kojima’s Australian-bound sequel is ultimately “just” more of the same as its predecessor but given that its predecessor was one of the rare examples of a blockbuster with actual artistic value, more of that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

I do also agree with Rob. I might not be the biggest Metroidvania fan, but Ariana and the Elder Codex did successfully draw me into its world of books and magic. The action is slick, the characterisation is cute, and the art is warm and charming. It won’t be picking up any game of the year awards, but I can’t see many people regretting the purchase either.

Ryan’s pick: A librarian in a metroidvania? I’m in. I too have joined the Ariana and the Elder party this week as I really can’t ever pass up this genre because it checks a lot of engagement boxes for me and helps keep my brain stimulated. I like the way the damage is displayed on-screen while the main character casts away as it reminds me a bit of some old Castlevania games on the DS. This is the contrast I need in my life as I also recently purchased the Resident Evil remake pack on PSN, and playing a bit of this will calm my nerves before going to bed.

Crimson Desert definitely gets a quick mention here because of how impressive the visuals and world look. Developer Pearl Abyss is known for the popular MMO Black Desert and this is their first single player title. The visuals, animations, and overall gameplay were the first things that grabbed me with this game, and it’s clear that the developer has injected a lot of content into it. Aside from the main questline it looks like there are a lot of additional side open-world things you can do like fishing, endless character customizations, and crafting, so definitely give it a look if you enjoy large games with plenty to do.