Well the Games to play in 2026 list is off to a great start, I’ve made a start on three from the list already.
Games completed this month
Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me – PS5
After completing Split Fiction, we decided to push on and finish this too. I think we were both mostly looking forward to trying something else. These Dark Pictures Anthology games have been a bit of a mixed bag, we’ve had fun with them all, but none of them quite reached the heights of Until Dawn.
Games played during January
Octopath Traveler 0 – PS5
This firmly has me in its grasp now as I’m approaching 50 hours in. It’s excellent, and I love the changes to the formula and the returning characters from earlier (later) in the series.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2
Well the Switch 2 patch arrived, alongside a new content update, and did not disappoint. Very much enjoying the new stuff and the improved quality of life bits. I was also quite happy to pay the £4 to have the improved resolution, it looks lovely.
Sektori – Steam Deck
Since Octopath took over my PS5, Sektori on there hasn’t had a look-in. Not to worry though, I’ve still found time for a few runs on the Steam Deck. This, and the other Steam Deck games I’ve been playing this month have all benefited from my new earphones below.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion – PS5
Managed to have a good evening on this at a friends house, as suspected, it’s superb in co-op and probably the best of this kind of thing. My preferred combo of Beta Ray Bill & Cosmic Ghost Rider is very satisfying. Just annoyed that it didn’t give me any trophies despite signing into my PlayStation account. Humbug.
Cast N Chill – Steam Deck
Now my Steam Deck is getting more regular use again, I’ve got over the disappointment that I didn’t get this on Switch instead. It’s just as described, a relaxing fishing game.
Static Dread: The Lighthouse – Steam Deck
A pick up from last month, I didn’t think I’d play it on the Steam Deck so was saving it for the big screen. However, with earphones it’s perfect / creepy for playing in bed before sleep. Very much enjoying running a lighthouse and keeping the horrors at bay. Although with how my 2026 is going, the horrors very much persist.
The Quarry – PS5
After wrapping up The Devil in Me, we were ready to finally make a start on The Quarry. We’re not far in yet, but it’s already feeling closer to Until Dawn as an experience. More concerned about what we’re going to play after. The next Dark Pictures game is sci-fi, so my partner has already wielded her veto.
January Pickups
Vertical Grip – Switch 2
I had the FlipGrip for my original Switch and loved it. I have been holding out for the creator to release the promised Switch 2 edition, but I heard about this Vertical Grip from Etsy. To be honest I now prefer it to the original. I paid the extra for the Ergo grip, and I’m very happy with it.
Xenotilt – Nintendo Switch
When I found the above vertical grip, I decided it was time to double dip on this so I could play it properly. I think I prefer the theming of Demon’s Tilt, but this is still a superb pinball table.
Moondrop CHU II Earphones
My friend Kevin recommended these as a generally good bit of kit, and probably better than my Anker Bluetooth ones that I use everyday. While I’m not yet ready to give up the convenience of wireless when out and about, I had been thinking about something wired for my handhelds. Until now I had been using my PS5 Pulse 3D headset with the optional cable when gaming on my SteamDeck, and while the sound is great, it’s not the most subtle for a bit of gaming in bed. These in-ear phones have a good sound though, and are much less intrusive. Think they’ll help me spend more time with both the SteamDeck and my Evercade Super Pocket.
Piko Collection 4 – Evercade
After another bad day in January, I needed a pick-me-up. This cart wasn’t really on my radar until I discovered the Zero Tolerance game on it is effectively unreleased levels, and I have such fond memories of the Mega Drive game that I wanted to check them out. I’m also a bit of a Street Racer apologist so it felt worth a punt. I’m quite pleased with it so far, except I’m much worse at Street Racer than I remember being, I suspect it’s from a different platform than I played first time round.
Games pre-ordered in January
Turrican Collection – Evercade
Aside from the Codemasters Collection, which is now legacy and prohibitively expensive, I now own all the Evercade cartridges I want. This will hopefully make it sustainable going forward as I cherry pick and pre-order the new releases. Next up is this gem in February. I’ve always passively enjoyed the Turrican series, but the only one I’ve spent a lot of time with is Mega Turrican. Delighted to be getting the directors cut of that one, along with a bunch of other console entries from the series.
*There are no links to Amazon in this post and probably won’t be going forward. When I can be bothered I’m going to remove the old ones and burn my affiliates account.