A new year and a fresh set of video game anniversaries to celebrate – big milestones for key games, hardware and developers that have shaped the gaming industry over the years.
2026 Video Games Anniversaries – Series Highlights
2026 is a bumper year for gaming anniversaries, with plenty of ground-breaking series to celebrate! Sonic the Hedgehog hits 35, joined by Pokémon, Tomb Raider and Resident Evil each turning 30. The ever-popular Animal Crossing reaches 25, plus The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania and Metroid will celebrate four decades of influential adventures.
2026 Video Games Anniversaries – Console Highlights
2026 also sees gaming hardware celebrating milestone anniversaries. Nintendo’s foray into 3D gaming, the Nintendo 64, turns 30. Its successor, the GameCube, hits a quarter of a century and the Wii will have its 20th birthday party this year. Yes, it’ll be two decades since families waggled their Wii Remotes in Wii Sports!
2026 Video Games Anniversaries – Monthly Lists
Note: The following anniversaries are the initial release, unless specified.
Looking for a particular month? Hop down to the lists below:
January 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
January is fairly small; a quiet start for 2026 video game anniversaries. Highlights include LittleBigPlanet 2 and Dead Space 2 turning 15, plus the iconic Saturn game Guardian Heroes hitting 30.
| 10-Jan | Mega Man X Collection (Multi) | 20th |
| 18-Jan | LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3) | 15th |
| 20-Jan | Hitman 3 (Multi) | 5th |
| 26-Jan | Guardian Heroes (Sat) | 30th |
| 25-Jan | Dead Space 2 (Multi) | 15th |
| 28-Jan | Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (Wii U) | 10th |
| 28-Jan | Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny (Multi) | 5th |
| 28-Jan | The Medium (Multi) | 5th |
| 29-Jan | Duke Nukem 3D (PC) | 30th |
February 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
After a quiet start, February is a bumper month for 2026 video game anniversaries. The Legend of Zelda celebrates 40 years of Hylian tales, joined by the debut of one of the best-selling video game franchises, Pokémon. The Game Boy classic, Pokémon Red & Green will be turning 30. Two defining video game series that helped shape their respective genres! February also sees Lemmings turn 35 and the cosy-favourite Stardew Valley turn 10.
| 01-Feb | id Software founded | 35th |
| 02-Feb | Valheim (PC) | 5th |
| 07-Feb | The Rub Rabbits! (DS) | 20th |
| 09-Feb | Firewatch (Multi) | 10th |
| 09-Feb | Bahamut Lagoon (SNES) | 30th |
| 14-Feb | Lemmings series | 35th |
| 14-Feb | State of Emergency 2 (PS2) | 20th |
| 21-Feb | The Legend of Zelda series | 40th |
| 21-Feb | Famicom Disk System released in Japan | 40th |
| 21-Feb | Sonic Riders (Multi) | 20th |
| 22-Feb | Killzone 3 (PS3) | 15th |
| 26-Feb | Stardew Valley (Multi) | 10th |
| 26-Feb | Nintendo 3DS released in Japan | 15th |
| 27-Feb | Pokémon series | 30th |
| 27-Feb | The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages / Oracle of Seasons (GB) | 25th |
| 28-Feb | Black (Multi) | 20th |
| 28-Feb | Dungeons & Dragons Online (PC) | 20th |
| 29 Feb | Civilization II (PC) | 30th |
| 29 Feb | Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri (PC) | 30th |
| 29 Feb | Ripper (PC) | 30th |
| February | Defender (Arcade) | 45th |
| February | Scramble (Arcade) | 45th |
March 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
March features two SNES classics – Kirby Super Star and Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars as Nintendo stepped away from the 16-bit console in 1996. The Game Boy Advance reaches 25 years of portable goodness and Capcom’s influential Resident Evil horror series turns 30. One big highlight for the 2026 video game anniversaries list has to be the arcade release of the influential and fan-favourite, Street Fighter II.
| 05-Mar | Conker’s Bad Fur Day (N64) | 25th |
| 07-Mar | Street Fighter II (Arcade) | 35th |
| 08-Mar | Dragon Age II (Multi) | 15th |
| 09-Mar | Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES) | 30th |
| 13-Mar | Descent II (PC) | 30th |
| 15-Mar | Pro Evolution Soccer series | 25th |
| 15-Mar | Total War: Shogun 2 (PC) | 15th |
| 16-Mar | Final Fantasy XII (PS2) | 20th |
| 20-Mar | Metroid Prime Hunters (DS) | 20th |
| 20-Mar | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion | 20th |
| 21-Mar | Kirby Super Star (SNES) | 30th |
| 21-Mar | Serious Sam (Multi) | 25th |
| 21-Mar | Super Mario Advance (GBA) | 25th |
| 21-Mar | Game Boy Advance released in Japan | 25th |
| 22-Mar | Resident Evil series | 30th |
| 22-Mar | Crysis 2 (Multi) | 15th |
| 24-Mar | Dark Souls III (Multi) | 10th |
| 25-Mar | Nintendo 3DS released in Europe | 15th |
| 26-Mar | Ubisoft founded (as Ubi Soft) | 40th |
| 26-Mar | It Takes Two (Multi) | 5th |
| 26-Mar | Monster Hunter Rise (Switch) | 5th |
April 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
April is a varied month when it comes to 2026 video game anniversaries, featuring the launch of Apple Computers, yes, the Apple. Capcom’s more niche fighter Project Justice turns 25, also joined Nintendo’s cosy cult classic Animal Crossing. The life-sim will also turn 25 after its successful launch on the GameCube in 2001. The elusive Mother 3 will also be turning 20. Could there finally be an official translation this year?
| 01-Apr | Apple founded | 50th |
| 05-Apr | Quantum Break (Multi) | 10th |
| 05-Apr | HTC Vive Released | 10th |
| 08-Apr | Dr. Mario 64 (N64) | 25th |
| 10-Apr | Odama (GC) | 20th |
| 11-Apr | Tomb Raider: Legend (Multi) | 20th |
| 12-Apr | The Simpsons Wrestling (PS1) | 25th |
| 13-Apr | Project Justice (DC) | 25th |
| 14-Apr | Animal Crossing series | 25th |
| 18-Apr | Stephen’s Sausage Roll (PC) | 10th |
| 19-Apr | Metal Slug series | 30th |
| 19-Apr | Portal 2 (Multi) | 15th |
| 20-Apr | Barbie Fashion Designer (PC) | 30th |
| 20-Apr | Ōkami (PS2) | 20th |
| 20-Apr | Mother 3 (GBA) | 20th |
| 22-Apr | Star Fox Zero (Wii U) | 10th |
| 22-Apr | Armadillo Run (PC) | 20th |
| 24-Apr | Rampage: Total Destruction (Multi) | 20th |
| 24-Apr | Black & White 2: Battle of the Gods (PC) | 20th |
| 25-Apr | Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny (PS2) | 20th |
| 28-Apr | Guild Wars: Factions | 20th |
| 30-Apr | Returnal (PS5) | 5th |
May 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
May is a quieter month in the 2026 video game anniversaries list, with the influential Breakout celebrating 50 years of arcade antics, joined by the 15th anniversary of the well-received Terraria. Can you believe it’ll be 10 years since the debut of Overwatch, too? The big highlight for May goes to the popular RPG series, Dragon Quest, that slashes into a 40 year milestone.
| 01-May | GameSpot website launched | 30th |
| 07-May | Resident Evil Village (Multi) | 10th |
| 10-May | Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4) | 10th |
| 13-May | Breakout (Arcade) | 50th |
| 14-May | Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (SNES) | 30th |
| 15-May | New Super Mario Bros (DS) | 20th |
| 16-May | Heroes of Might and Magic V (PC) | 20th |
| 16-May | Terraria (Multi) | 15th |
| 17-May | L.A. Noire (Multi) | 15th |
| 17-May | The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (Multi) | 15th |
| 22-May | Red Faction series | 25th |
| 24-May | Overwatch (Multi) | 10th |
| 24-May | Metal Slug (Neo) | 30th |
| 27-May | Dragon Quest series | 40th |
| 31-May | Final Doom (PC) | 30th |
| May | Bungie founded | 35th |
June 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
Speedy hedgehogs dominate June, with Sonic the Hedgehog celebrating 35 years of platforming, joined by the fan-favourite Sonic Adventure 2. June also sees the 30th anniversary of the Quake series. The Nintendo 64 and Super Mario 64 both turn 30 this month, kickstarting Nintendo’s first steps into 3D gaming.
| 01-Jun | Battletoads (NES) | 35th |
| 01-Jun | Half-Life 2: Episode One (PC) | 20th |
| 03-Jun | Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels (NES) | 40th |
| 06-Jun | Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PS2) | 20th |
| 07-Jun | Infamous 2 (PS3) | 15th |
| 11-Jun | Game Boy Advance released in the US | 25th |
| 11-Jun | Nintendo DS Lite released in the US | 20th |
| 11-Jun | Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | 5th |
| 16-Jun | Majesco founded | 40th |
| 22-Jun | Quake series | 30th |
| 22-Jun | Game Boy Advance released in Europe | 25th |
| 23-Jun | Sonic the Hedgehog series | 35th |
| 23-Jun | Nintendo 64 released (Japan) | 30th |
| 23-Jun | Super Mario 64 (N64) | 30th |
| 23-Jun | Nintendo DS Lite released in Europe | 20th |
| 23-Jun | Sonic Adventure 2 (DC) | 25th |
| 26-Jun | Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D | 15th |
| 27-Jun | Shining Wisdom (SAT) | 30th |
| 28-Jun | Bethesda founded | 40th |
| 28-Jun | Bomberman II (NES) | 35th |
| 29-Jun | Inside (Multi) | 10th |
| 29-Jun | Final Fantasy Chronicles (PS1) | 25th |
July 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
A slighter shorter month in the 2026 video game anniversaries list. The biggest highlights for July include the 30th anniversary of the Game Boy Pocket and Star Ocean, plus mammoth milestones for arcade hits Donkey Kong and Araknoid. July also sees the super-popular Pokémon GO celebrating a decade of spinning those Pokéstops.
| 01-Jul | Duke Nukem (PC) | 35th |
| 05-Jul | NiGHTS into Dreams (SAT) | 30th |
| 06-Jul | Pokémon GO (Mobile) | 10th |
| 09-Jul | Donkey Kong (Arcade) | 45th |
| 12-Jul | Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge (GB) | 35th |
| 19-Jul | Final Fantasy IV (SNES) | 35th |
| 19-Jul | Saturn Bomberman (SAT) | 30th |
| 19-Jul | Star Ocean (SNES) | 30th |
| 19-Jul | Final Fantasy X (PS2) | 25th |
| 21-Jul | Game Boy Pocket released | 30th |
| 21-Jul | Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA) | 25th |
| July | Araknoid (Arcade) | 40th |
August 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
Nintendo’s bounty hunter takes the 2026 video game anniversaries crown for August, with the 40th anniversary of the ground-breaking Metroid series. Other highlights include the 35th anniversary of the release of the SNES in the US, plus SEGA’s popular Streets of Rage series on the Mega Drive.
| 01-Aug | Golden Sun (GBA) | 25th |
| 02-Aug | Xbox One S released | 10th |
| 02-Aug | Streets of Rage series | 35th |
| 06-Aug | Metroid series | 40th |
| 09-Aug | No Man’s Sky (Multi) | 10th |
| 15-Aug | Starflight (PC) | 40th |
| 21-Aug | Wario Land 4 (GBA) | 25th |
| 23-Aug | SNES released in the US | 35th |
| 23-Aug | Devil May Cry series | 25th |
| 23-Aug | Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Multi) | 15th |
| 24-Aug | Valve founded | 30th |
| 25-Aug | Tekken 2 (PS1) | 30th |
| 31-Aug | Die Hard Trilogy (Multi) | 30th |
| August | Frogger (Arcade) | 45th |
September 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
September’s highlights include the release of the GameCube in Japan – celebrating a quarter of a century of purple box goodness. The launch of Nintendo’s console also sees Luigi’s Mansion and Super Monkey Ball also turn 25 this month. Other highlights include the 40th anniversary of both Adventure Island and the arcade classic, Out Run. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl hits 20, too.
| 01-Sep | NES Open Tournament Golf | 35th |
| 06-Sep | Shenmue II (DC) | 25th |
| 06-Sep | Resistance 3 (PS3) | 15th |
| 09-Sep | Star Fox 64 3D (3DS) | 15th |
| 09-Sep | Crash Bandicoot series | 30th |
| 10-Sep | Advance Wars (GBA) | 25th |
| 11-Sep | Driver: San Francisco (Multi) | 15th |
| 12-Sep | Adventure Island (NES) | 40th |
| 14-Sep | GameCube released in Japan | 25th |
| 14-Sep | Luigi’s Mansion series | 25th |
| 14-Sep | Super Monkey Ball series | 25th |
| 14-Sep | Deathloop (Multi) | 5th |
| 15-Sep | Persona 5 (PS4) | 10th |
| 15-Sep | PlayStation 4 Slim Released | 10th |
| 20-Sep | OutRun (Arcade) | 40th |
| 20-Sep | Persona series | 20th |
| 20-Sep | Gears of War 3 (360) | 15th |
| 22-Sep | Dark Souls series | 15th |
| 24-Sep | Ico (PS2) | 25th |
| 24-Sep | Silent Hill 2 (PS2) | 25th |
| 26-Sep | Castlevania series | 40th |
| 26-Sep | Pilotwings 64 (N64) | 30th |
| 27-Sep | Forza Horizon 3 (Xbox One) | 10th |
| 28-Sep | Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (DS) | 20th |
| 29-Sep | Nintendo 64 Released (US) | 30th |
| 30-Sep | Wipeout XL/2097 (PS1) | 30th |
| 30-Sep | Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Multi) | 30th |
| 30-Sep | Donkey Kong Land 2 (GB) | 30th |
| September | Galaga (Arcade) | 45th |
| September | Wizadry (Apple II) | 45th |
| September | Castle Wolfenstein (Apple II) | 45th |
| September | Bubble Bobble series | 40th |
| September | Starblade (Arcade) | 35th |
| September | Road Rash (Mega Drive/Genesis) | 35th |
| September | Virtua Fighter 3 (Arcade) | 30th |
October 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
October features a variety of retro gaming throwbacks, including the 25th anniversary of Grand Theft Auto III and the quirky Pikmin series. Other highlights include the influential Tomb Raider series hitting 30.
| 07-Oct | Mafia III (Multi) | 10th |
| 07-Oct | Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U) | 10th |
| 10-Oct | Mortal Kombat Trilogy (Multi) | 30th |
| 11-Oct | Forza Motorsport 4 (360) | 15th |
| 12-Oct | Back 4 Blood (Multi) | 5th |
| 13-Oct | PlayStation VR Released | 10th |
| 14-Oct | Mario the Juggler (G&W) | 35th |
| 18-Oct | Batman: Arkham City (Multi) | 15th |
| 22-Oct | Grand Theft Auto III (PS2) | 25th |
| 24-Oct | Kirby’s Return to Dream Land (Wii) | 15th |
| 25-Oct | Tomb Raider series | 30th |
| 25-Oct | Battlefield 3 (Multi) | 15th |
| 26-Oct | Pikmin series | 25th |
| 28-Oct | Titanfall 2 (Multi) | 10th |
| 29-Oct | Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (Multi) | 25th |
| 30-Oct | Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (PS2) | 25th |
| 30-Oct | Civilization III (PC) | 25th |
| 31-Oct | Pandemonium! (Multi) | 30th |
| 31-Oct | Soul Reaver 2 (Multi) | 25th |
November 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
November, a historically bumper month for releases, is jam packed in the 2026 video game anniversaries list. Highlights include the 25th anniversary of the Halo series and the launch of the original Xbox in the US. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Super Smash Bros. Melee and the Burnout series also turn 25, too. Other highlights for November include the 20th anniversary of the Wii, the iconic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past hitting 35 and the 10th anniversary of Pokémon Sun & Moon.
| 01-Nov | Wave Race 64 (N64) | 30th |
| 01-Nov | Burnout series | 25th |
| 01-Nov | Sonic Generations (Multi) | 15th |
| 01-Nov | Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3) | 15th |
| 01-Nov | Forza Horizon 5 (Multi) | 5th |
| 03-Nov | Super Mario 3D Land (3DS) | 15th |
| 05-Nov | SSX Tricky (Multi) | 25th |
| 06-Nov | Elite Beat Agents (DS) | 20th |
| 07-Nov | Guitar Hero II (Multi) | 20th |
| 07-Nov | Gears of War series | 20th |
| 08-Nov | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Multi) | 15th |
| 09-Nov | Project Gotham Racing (Xbox) | 25th |
| 10-Nov | PlayStation 4 Pro Released | 10th |
| 10-Nov | Medieval II: Total War (PC) | 20th |
| 11-Nov | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 15th |
| 13-Nov | Yoshi’s Island DS | 20th |
| 13-Nov | Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PS2) | 25th |
| 15-Nov | Watch Dogs 2 (Multi) | 10th |
| 15-Nov | Halo series | 25th |
| 15-Nov | Xbox Released in the US | 25th |
| 15-Nov | Saints Row: The Third (Multi) | 15th |
| 15-Nov | Rayman Origins | 15th |
| 17-Nov | PS3 released in the US | 20th |
| 18-Nov | Pokémon Sun & Moon | 10th |
| 18-Nov | GameCube released in the US | 25th |
| 18-Nov | Star Wars Rogue Squadron II (GC) | 25th |
| 18-Nov | The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii) | 15th |
| 19-Nov | Return to Castle Wolfenstein (PC) | 25th |
| 19-Nov | Wii released in the US | 20th |
| 19-Nov | Wii Sports (Wii) | 20th |
| 19-Nov | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii) | 20th |
| 20-Nov | Sonic 3D Blast (Multi) | 30th |
| 21-Nov | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) | 35th |
| 21-Nov | Super Smash Bros. Melee (GC) | 25th |
| 22-Nov | Donkey Kong Country 3 (SNES) | 30th |
| 22-Nov | Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PC) | 30th |
| 22-Nov | Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas (Multi) | 20th |
| 23-Nov | Tamagotchi released in Japan | 30th |
| 25-Nov | Killer Instinct Gold (N64) | 30th |
| 26-Nov | Dead or Alive series | 30th |
| 29-Nov | Final Fantasy XV (Multi) | 10th |
| November | Another World (Amiga) | 35th |
| November | Metroid II: Return of Samus (GB) | 35th |
| November | Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge | 35th |
December 2026 Gaming Anniversaries
December wraps up the 2026 video game anniversaries list with a fairly quiet set of games, with highlights including the 35th anniversary of the SEGA Mega CD, plus the 40th anniversary of Kid Icarus and the 30th anniversary of Mario Kart 64.
| 01-Dec | SEGA Mega CD Released in Japan | 35th |
| 01-Dec | Mario Kart 7 (3DS) | 15th |
| 03-Dec | Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (PS2) | 25th |
| 04-Dec | Super Castlevania IV (SNES) | 35th |
| 06-Dec | Mega Man 4 (NES) | 35th |
| 08-Dec | Wii released in Europe | 20th |
| 08-Dec | Halo Infinite (Multi) | 5th |
| 10-Dec | SSX Tricky (Multi) | 25th |
| 12-Dec | Max Payne (XBox) | 25th |
| 13-Dec | Tecmo Super Bowl (NES) | 35th |
| 14-Dec | Yoshi (NES) | 35th |
| 14-Dec | Mario Kart 64 (N64) | 30th |
| 16-Dec | Civilization (PC) | 35th |
| 19-Dec | Kid Icarus (NES) | 40th |
| December | Jump Bug (Arcade) | 45th |
| December | Rolling Thunder (Arcade) | 40th |
