The Best Games That Aren’t GTA 6 This Holiday Season

In mere weeks, the biggest game of the year (if not this decade) will be released. Grand Theft Auto 6 has dominated headlines ahead of its Nov. 19 launch , and it will likely top most gamers’ wishlists this holiday season. But if you’re looking for something different, there are plenty of alternatives from this packed year of games, especially titles released in recent months that may have been overshadowed by the GTA 6 hype.

It’s easy to forget that huge games such as Resident Evil: Requiem, Pragmata, Pokemon Pokopia, 007 First Light and Splatoon Raiders came out earlier this year (though they had more time to shine before GTA fever set in). In September and October, many companies rushed to release their games ahead of GTA 6.

I talked about my top GTA 6 alternative games with gaming experts from Mashable and PCMag in a new CNET Group video series called Holiday Office Hours from the Lab. Watch the entire segment, including all the details of GTA 6 on consoles and how to get started streaming video games, below.

Among the dozens of high-profile games released during this packed window, here are a few standouts — and exactly who they’re for. All three have earned high ratings on popular game-ranking platforms.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Capcom’s Onimusha: Way of the Sword brings back the franchise from a nearly 20-year slumber, and it’s never felt better to cut apart demons with your katana. Starring a host of historical figures in feudal Japan, players slice and dice their way through demonic soldiers and huge bosses. You are legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, and you’ll be relying on tight parrying and nimble swordplay to win the day.

As you might guess, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is perfect for players who love to challenge themselves with tough fights against big bosses making complex attacks. It’s a mix of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Elden Ring with a difficulty that falls between those notoriously tough games. But don’t worry — if you just want to enjoy the story, there’s a more relaxed difficulty setting that still offers plenty of exciting swordplay.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer

Fuse Games’ Star Wars: Galactic Racer feels like a throwback to a time when high-octane racing games sent you hurtling down the track, slamming into opponents and eking out last-second wins. Part Burnout successor, part spiritual sequel to the 1999 classic Star Wars Episode 1: Racer, the new Galactic Racer puts players behind the controls of chop-shop speedster specials careening through frontier courses in a galaxy far, far away.

There’s something wonderfully retro about Galactic Racer’s direct appeal: It’ll please fans of the simpler games of yore that simply asked you to crash around a racetrack over and over.

There are a few modern features, including a roguelike element in the main tournament mode that lets you upgrade your landspeeder, skim speeder or speeder bike with specific perks that change how each vehicle handles. Fans of aggressive racing and podracing alike will dig Galactic Racer.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

The last game on my list is another revival, though it’s only been sleeping since 2019. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is an arcade flight simulator that puts players at the controls of a fleet of modern and futuristic jets, shooting down enemy planes for control of the skies. Part thrilling dogfight generator, part epic story filled with geopolitics and philosophical musings from pilots carving through the clouds, Ace Combat 8 is something special: an action game that blends cool spectacle with fun characters and memorable moments.

Aspiring fighter pilots will be first in line for this game, but even players who don’t ordinarily go for flight simulators should give Ace Combat 8 a second look. Its globe-spanning story and genuinely engaging fights against colossal land battleships and winged megatransports give the game a vintage Gundam or Macross flair that feels unique among this year’s releases. You too can feel the call of the skies.

All eyes may be on GTA 6, but these suggestions offer some alternatives for you or any friends looking for something different. Even without the elephant in the room, 2026 has shaped up to be a fantastic year for gaming — now go find your next favorite.