Games Inbox: Will the PS6 be released in 2026?

Release window
There’s a lot of talk at the moment of Xbox releasing their next gen console in 2026, which seems very early but would still be six years after the Xbox Series X/S, so I’m not sure that’s really true. Obviously, the console hasn’t done that great, but Nintendo were much quicker off the mark replacing the Wii U with the Switch, so I’m not sure why Xbox should be criticised for the same thing.

Just as importantly, I think it’s very likely that the PlayStation 6 will be released in 2026 or the year after. Xbox Series X/S sales might be falling but so is PlayStation 5, even if it’s got further to go down. And even if it wasn’t, Sony wouldn’t want Xbox to have a next gen console out for more than a year before them, as they will well remember what happened between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 – which was a similar situation.

So my prediction is that the PlayStation 6 will be out by at least 2027 and probably earlier. Which means we should start hearing rumours about specs pretty soon. Who knows when Sony will officially announce it though. The way they’re going at the moment it might only be the day before it comes out.
Gauntlett

Multiple choice
I find it interesting that while nobody knows what games will launch with the Switch 2 there are so many possible candidates that make sense. A Zelda: Breath Of The Wild remaster seems likely and there’s been lots of a rumours about a Mario/Donkey Kong game. But it’s also been a long time since a new Mario Kart, Splatoon, or Animal Crossing and they all did so well last time that Nintendo will definitely want new versions out early.

Obviously they’re not all going to be launch games but I’m hoping that they will all be out in the first year, because then that would be like the original Switch, that had Zelda, Mario, Mario Kart, and Splatoon all in 2017. Plus, they had time for ARMS a well, which was a new IP.

I do think new IP is very important as while ARMS didn’t do that well I thought it was good and Splatoon has obviously been a massive hit. Making something new is always a risk but I feel Nintendo owe it to themselves to try as often as they can.
PistachioMonthly

Return to the world of survival horror
So I’m getting confused on the Resident Evil front. There are five games in development at the moment but we aren’t going to see any of them at Sumer Games Fest or the Xbox event? Is that right? I was getting excited about seeing Resident Evil 9, as I love the series.

I’m also very pleased to hear they are planning to remake Code: Veronica and I really hope that rumour turns out to be true. I guess Capcom probably want to concentrate on the new Monster Hunter for now though, which is not a series I’m much interested in. Although I was impressed by the graphics in the recent trailer.

I hope they make a big deal of the 30th anniversary. I’d very happily buy some collector’s editions or merch for the games. I always think it’s silly that the only time you get such things is before a game comes out and you don’t even know if you like it yet or not. Imagine paying £100 or whatever for a Resident Evil 6 collector’s edition (I bet there was one) and then finding out it was junk.
Logan99

GC: No one seems to be predicting that a new Resident Evil will be shown this summer, or at least not this weekend.

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Different reality
Whilst the announcement of a new Astro Bot was certainly welcome, I can’t help but feel a tad disappointed that it’s not a PlayStation VR 2 game. Logically, it being on PlayStation 5 makes sense given the failure of Sony’s VR device, but a huge part of the magic of the original was it being in VR; it was utterly charming and refreshing and probably the last time I’ve been genuinely surprised and awestruck by a game. It really did feel like a breakthrough.

Without the VR element, and the opportunities for innovation afforded by the technology, I can’t help feel it’s going to be little more than a highly competent platform game.

I’m not sure what the thoughts of Readers and GC are, although I suspect my take might be a minority one.
Mark Fitz

GC: We agree on every count, except for the, probably unintended, slight against platform games.

Legendary racer
If I were to recommend one racer to the reader from yesterday it would be GRID Legends, which is a mix of arcade and sim. I would say that it’s been my favourite racer this generation due to the handling model, which made it a really fun game to play. It had a narrative story mode too, which is unusual for a racing game, with live action cut scenes but also has an extensive career mode too. I have just started Gran Turismo 7 though and enjoying it, so that could end up being my new favourite this generation.

If your friend is into Formula One than F1 23 and the new 24 game are great games too, particularly on a pad and come with a wealth of accessibility options to make it easier if need be. Older F1 games used to be pretty hard but now with the options they give you I’ve found it a much easier game to play and have gradually been able to switch the driving aids off, so I now no longer need them.
Angry_Kurt (Twitter)
Now playing: F1 24 (Xbox), Gran Turismo 7 (PS5), and Tunic (PS5)

Putting on a show
Looking forward to the Xbox showcase on Sunday. I’ve enjoyed the last few and they’ve generally been well received.

It’s not done them any good as they keep fumbling their biggest games, from disasters like Redfall to good but not the industry titan they needed it to be, like Starfield.

Throw in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with Halo Infinite post-launch, or games with no impact like Forza Motorsport, and it’s not surprising Microsoft’s first party credentials haven’t improved this gen.

But on the whole their output has entertained me a lot this gen due to the variety. I’ve put a good amount of time into Grounded, Forza Horizon 5, Hi-Fi Rush, Pyschonauts 2, Age Of Empires, and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The new Doom, Indy, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and Avowed I’d like to see for the first time or more, as all are highly anticipated for me. Xbox has so many studios I’m interested in too, I’m hoping there’s some surprises.

Inbox magic, I guess I’ll go for a Hollow Knight: Silksong release date.
Simundo

GC: You’ll use up Inbox magic for a year if that happens.

Shenmue 2.1
Maybe if Shenmue 3 had been an interesting continuation from part 2, instead of the dull side story we got, there would be more chance of a part 4.

With all the money raised, and all the time spent on part 3, it baffles me why they didn’t just finish the story and be done with it. I would even settle for a text-based story, just so I could read the intended conclusion to the story. I’m not getting any younger and don’t have 20-odd years to wait in-between episodes.
Mark Matthews

GC: Shenmue 3 was truly baffling. We’re not sure there’s ever been a bigger missed opportunity.

Keep the faith
In a world where I’m increasingly baffled with modern day gaming, it warms my heart to see dedicated fans (like myself) try as hard as possible to have a world where Shenmue 4 could one day be a reality.

I was aware of something special happening for the fourth of this month, ever since the Yu Suzuki interview with Shenmue Dojo last month (and boy is there a lot of interesting stuff in that interview for the hardcore), but never thought it would come to a sort of mini-viral advert in Times Square!

I remember the days where people would bombard Sega with capsule toys to get Shenmue 3 made and to make sure that Sega are aware of the dedicated and passionate Shenmue fanbase. I make no illusions that we are the biggest fanbase, but ingenious little things like the Times Square ad, that keep the game in the public consciousness, brings a little joy.

I can only hope that Sega are listening. If they had $100 million to waste on Hyenas, 1/5th of that would go a long way to making a fourth Shenmue game.

Thanks for helping to get the word out. We’ll keep trying until the game is a reality.
bcdcdude

Inbox also-rans
I am not exactly shocked to find a new live service game doesn’t work at launch but I am mildly surprised that Destiny 2 is making this sort of mistake. How long has it been around and things like this are still happening?
Coloda

Now that I think of it, it is odd that Hogwarts Legacy 2 hasn’t been confirmed yet. Would they really be crazy enough not to make it, just because it’s not a live service game?
Focus

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

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