52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

[bikingjahuty]

It's here again! With less than a week left in 2025, I figured we can get a 52 games challenge thread going to stir up excitement and also to reserve spots in the thread for next year.


For anyone who's not familiar with the 52 Games Challenge, it's essentially VGcollect members committing themselves to beat at least 52 games (one game a week on average) in one calendar year and reducing our backlogs. This challenge is a lot of fun, not just playing and beating games, but also seeing what others are beating as well. A lot of good game discussion happens here as we comment on each other's reviews and blurbs about games. When you beat a game, abandon one, or whatever feel free to write a small blurb about it, or a super long, detailed review too if you want.


Let's beat a ton of games in 2026 and make it another awesome year of gaming!

[bikingjahuty]

This year I have little doubt I'll reach 52 games beat again. Given how I play a pretty balanced combo of shorter games (lots of arcade style games and games that can be beat in under a couple of hours) and longer games (10+ hours), it won't be hard for me to beat 52 games again. However, where I might fall short compared to 2025 (I beat around 130 games) is committing myself to other things as well in 2025 that I either neglected or didn't put as much time/effort into as I should have. This will no doubt reduce my games beat output, but to what extent is to be seen. I'm estimating I'll beat around 80 games this year, but that number could go up or down depending on how things go in 2026. It's even possible I hit triple digit games beat, but again, my need to prioritize other, non-game related things in 2026 will likely get in the way of that. Anyhow, like always I'm super excited to complete the challenge again and look forward to seeing what everyone else beats too!


COMPLETED

1. Elebits (Wii) (1/2/26) [29/50]
2. Golden Axe (Genesis) (1/3/26) [29/50]
3. Splatterhouse 3 (Genesis) (1/3/26) [34/50]
4. Halo 3 (XBONE) (1/4/26) [36/50]
5. Dead or Alive 6 (PS4) (1/5/26) [35/50]
6. Castlevania (NES) (1/7/26) [29/50]
7. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (PS4) (1/14/26) [39/50]



ABANDONED

1.

[dhaabi]

Previous 52 Game Challenges: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

01. Cozy || PC || 01.04.26
02. Once Upon a Katamari || PlayStation 5 || 01.07.26
03. It Is As If You Were Doing Work || Browser || 01.10.26

[moonlightvalkyrie]

Reserving my spot for this year! Unfortunately, I had a very rough year in 2025, and gaming had to take a major backseat. However, I am excited to once again give this a try! Good luck to everyone on your 2026 gaming goals!!! 

[supremeusername]

Finished:
1. Mario Kart World (Switch 2): 1/14
2. Crazy Taxi (DreamCast): 1/16

[kashell]

I'll be there!

[aliensstudios]

2. Legend of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (Game Gear) | 1/11/26 | Time: 01:40 | Rating: ★★★★★ | Notes: played on Retron 5
1. Final Fight CD (Sega CD) | 1/10/26 | Time: 03:45 | Rating: ★★★★★ | Notes: played on Polymega

[telekill]

Participating once again. Let's see how far I get in comparison to previous years...
2023 - 27 Completed.
2024 - 17 Completed.
2025 - 17 Completed.

Currently Playing:
1. ARC Raiders (PS5)
2. Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered (PS5)
    - Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness (PS2)

Completed: 02
1. TMNT Cowabunga Collection (PS5)
   - TMNT IV Turtles in Time (Arcade)
2. Code Violet (PS5)

Planning to Play:
1. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (PS5)
2. Zelda: Skyward Sword (Switch)
3. Expedition 33 (PS5)
4. Indiana Jones: Great Circle (PS5)
  - The Order of the Giants DLC

[kamikazekeeg]

1 - Peak (PC 2025) - PLAYING
2 - Cassette Beasts (PC 2023) - BEAT
3 - ENA: Dream BBQ (PC 2025) - BEAT
4 - Dead Island 2 (PC 2023) - PLAYING
5 - Hytale (PC Early Access 2025) - ENDLESS

[shfan]

After managing to actually reach 52 for the first time ever in 2025 I'm going for it again! Slight switch-up in format this year, going to include a few extra data fields such as genre and misc data (adult game, setting etc.) in there and can the mini-reviews - I like reading everyone's in-depth posts about what they're playing and if a game moves me that much I'll do the same, time allowing. For games I get rid of I'll include a simple explanation for why (dull, difficult etc). Here goes:

Games beaten

01] Harem Rush! Impish Fantasy (STM, 2025) | 1 Jan | Action | Adult, Fantasy
02] Earth Defense Force 6 (STM, 2024) | 4 Jan | Action | Wing Diver, Normal Difficulty, Sci-Fi
03] Spy Bros. (Pipi & Bibi's DX) (STM, 2023) | 11 Jan | Action | Arcade

Games Tried/Disliked/Got Rid Of

01] Super Zangyura (NSW, 2024) | 4 Jan | Difficult, Dull

Previous Years

2025 - 53 beaten, 22 tried and discarded
2024 - 38 beaten, 5 tried and discarded
2023 - 37 beaten, 14 tried and discarded
2021 - 18 beaten, 9 tried and discarded
2020 - 33 beaten, 20 tried and discarded
2019 - 45 beaten, 34 tried and discarded
2018 - 44 beaten, 41 tried and discarded
2017 - 37 beaten, 9 tried and discarded
2016 - 21 beaten

[Cartagia]

Here we go again.

1. Star Trek: Armada 2 (PC) - Playing

[droaa]

Almost 2 years since took part in this. Let's go and howdy yall.

1. Donkey Kong Country 2 (SNES)-Now Playing

[marvelvscapcom2]

Reserved. 


Got in reserved somewhat early which is good.  Been battling the nastiest Flu in a long time rn. But wish you all a happy New Years.  But can't wait to hopefully at least match imput 2026!  Heres to another happy backlog shredding season


1.

[telly]

Games Finished in 2026
1. Tactics Ogre: Reborn (Switch) - 1.16


Additional Games Played in 2026 (endless or in-progress games are here)
Coffee Talk (PS5)
Goof Troop (SNES)
Monstrix: TCG Card Shop (PS5)

Backlog - the priority games on my backlog anyway!
Silent Hill 2 (PS5 remake and PS2 original)
The Last Guardian (PS4)
Rain World (Switch)
Metaphor RE: Fantazio (PS5)
Resident Evil 5 (PS4)
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (GC)
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch)
Tales of Arise (PS4)
Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm and Exercise! (Switch)

Previous Lists
2015 List - 27 finished, + 10 played but not finished
2016 List - 32 finished, + 16 played but not finished
2017 List - 26 finished, + 13 played but not finished
2018 List - 23 finished, + 6 played but not finished
2019 List - 20 finished, + 9 played but not finished
2020 List - 45 finished, + 10 played but not finished
2021 List - 24 finished, + 15 played but not finished
2022 List - 18 finished, + 11 played but not finished
2023 List - 24 finished, + 16 played but not finished
2024 List - 24 finished, + 9 played but not finished
2025 List - 29 finished, + 14 played but not finished

[kamikazekeeg]

3 - ENA: Dream BBQ (PC 2025) - BEAT - I don't know if I could explain this, I found it because I had seen the player character, Ena, in different things, but it's from this game which is a mixture of video game and someones insane art project as it was apparently just gonna be animation, before turning into a game.  It's very much a nod to 90's PC games, a nod to low poly 3D platformers, with characters in so many different visual art styles and mediums, from anim-like characters, to crazy 3D models that feel like they are out of Reboot, to just very weird and abstract things.  No character feels like they are done the same way visually, it's kinda crazy.  It's a free game, it'll have chapters added over time, but there are multiple things to accomplish and different endings to find and this is one of the types of games I want to do more of everything, because I want to see new characters or what new animation they'll do next, it's a pretty ridiculous experience in the best way.