Video game adaptations are becoming more common, with The Last of Us, Fallout, and Arcane among the most notable examples in recent years. However, one stellar adaptation preceded all of those shows when it premiered in 2017. Netflix's epic animated series, Castlevania,is based on the 1989 video game Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, but it incorporates elements from other games in the series. This places the show at the early end of the trend, and yet, even without many examples to learn from, Castlevania became one of the best video game adaptations, averaging a 94% on the Tomatometer over its four seasons.

Crowning the greatest video game of all time is like picking a favorite child; it's basically impossible. Some fans choose based on their personal preference, while others decide through an intricate critique of the design and polish, and some use sales as a metric. While commercial success doesn't determine the quality, some of the greatest video games ever are also the best-selling, such as Minecraft and Red Dead Redemption 2. Nintendo, in particular, is known for having some of the most well-known video game franchises that always deliver must-play titles, from The Legend of Zelda to Super Mario Bros. And when it comes to nostalgia and innovation, it's hard to beat the Nintendo Wii.

2026 is just about halfway done, and in that time, fans have already experienced some of the best video games of the year, including 007: First Light and Pokémon Pokopia. These two titles barely scratch the surface, with many phenomenal games making this year unmissable for fans, and that is even before Grand Theft Auto VI comes out. 2026 also marks the 30th anniversary of Resident Evil, one of the most iconic video game franchises known for titles such as Resident Evil 4, which redefined the horror and action genres.

Everyone loves superheroes, and that is seen through the popularity of the movies and TV shows. Even if their numbers are declining, fans grew up with them and continue to support those stories, with upcoming sensations such as Avengers: Doomsday and The Batman Part II. However, the genre could be heading in a new direction with video games now becoming the most popular medium.

Kingdom Hearts fans have become experts at surviving on scraps. Since Kingdom Hearts 4 was announced in 2022, every screenshot, anniversary message, and cryptic social media post has been dissected for clues about where Sora's story is headed next. That long drought finally ended during today's Nintendo Direct, which featured a new trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 and confirmed that the highly anticipated sequel is also headed to Nintendo Switch 2 alongside PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

The next few years promise a lot of blockbuster releases for fantasy enjoyers of all kinds. For those looking for a mythical epic, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is the event of this summer to look forward to, bringing the director back to theaters to bring to life one of the most famous literary adventures from across history, with Matt Damon in the lead role. Laika is finally releasing their latest effort after over a decade of development, too, in the form of the gorgeous stop-motion film Wildwood in October. Next year, meanwhile, will see the return of two classic series with Greta Gerwig's much-anticipated Narnia: The Witch's Nephew bowing in theaters in February and The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum arriving on December 17, 2027. For those looking to return to a certain long-dormant fantasy video game world this year, however, the wait just got a bit longer.

There is something captivating about the high fantasy genre that has made it a staple of storytelling and worldbuilding in all varieties of media. From masterfully crafted novels like The Lord of the Rings trilogy to exceptional films like The Dark Crystal and The NeverEnding Story, high fantasy will continue to be explored no matter the medium. It has also seamlessly translated to the world of video games, with there being standout high fantasy experiences ever since the early days of the medium.

There are many Star Wars projects in the works, but one of the most anticipated ones is the spiritual successor to a franchise fan favorite that first came out over 20 years ago. And now, that project has taken one step closer to fruition with the addition of a writer.

Nintendo is one of the greatest gaming companies of all time, and with the Nintendo Switch 2 going strong through games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, many are considering the Nintendo Switch the greatest console the company has delivered since the Nintendo 64. However, looking back, there are serious contenders, including one of the most iconic pieces of video game hardware, the Nintendo Wii.

Pokémon is one of the most successful franchises of all time. Spawning a massive empire that includes movies, television, trading cards, mobile games, manga, and mountains of merchandise, the series easily dominated most aspects of pop culture. However, it's arguably strongest in the video game department, where it has been releasing highly successful, borderline addictive games for the last twenty years.

Video games offer expansive worlds where players can immerse themselves and take up any role they might want, whether that be a cowboy in Red Dead Redemption 2 or a monster hunter in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. However, other games offer a much more personal experience; that's basically what the survival genre does by putting players in the middle of a dangerous world where they must struggle to stay alive.

The future of Baldur's Gate remains one of the biggest unanswered questions in gaming. While Larian Studios has moved on from the franchise after Baldur's Gate 3, Wizards of the Coast has shown no signs of leaving the Forgotten Realms behind. Earlier this year, it was announced that HBO is developing a live-action television adaptation continuing the story of Baldur's Gate 3, and Penguin Random House has also begun expanding the setting through a new line of books, including an upcoming story centered on fan-favorite companion Astarion. Taken together, the moves suggest Wizards sees Baldur's Gate as more than a successful video game series.