This post was updated Oct. 19 at 11:17 p.m.
As the days get chillier, the perfect indoor activity is arriving.
In addition to changing leaf colors and autumnal breezes, the upcoming fall season promises video game players a slew of new releases that are sure to entertain as gamers cozy up at home. From zombie attacks on personal computers to storyline games on the Nintendo Switch, gamers have a variety of options to choose from during their evenings at home.
Read on to learn more about the Daily Bruin’s autumnal video game recommendations.
Just Dance 2026 (Ubisoft) – Oct. 14
October doesn’t just mean spooky season – it means time to dance.
On Oct. 14, “Just Dance 2026 Edition,” the latest annual edition of the iconic household franchise, is grooving onto platforms in all its beloved energy. Prematurely announced July 17 on a Nintendo Japan news website, the 17th entry of the “Just Dance” series continues the recent trend of “editions” – instead of an all-new self-contained game, “Just Dance 2026 Edition” will serve as an update of sorts to the cumulative online catalog of previous “Just Dance” songs. Unlike the most recent installations, however, the game features the second-shortest musical catalog in the franchise, with only 40 songs. This is just behind the thirty-two tracks of the eponymous original entry.
Despite its truncated track list, players can expect to enjoy dancing to songs from eras recent and old. Recent pop hits such as Dua Lipa’s “Houdini,” Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!,” Lola Young’s “Messy” and Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” are available to play for the first time. Players may be surprised to find many chart-toppers from the 2010s available as well, such as Melanie Martinez’s “Cry Baby,” OneRepublic’s “Counting Stars” and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop.” Moreover, pre-2000s smash hits recently revived in popularity will be on the track list, such as “Pop Muzik” by M and Robin Scott. As usual, players will be able to dance along to each song according to its different modes: number of players, difficulty and effort required.
Whether it’s an intense duo dance-off or quirky group choreography, players new and old are guaranteed a lively time in “Just Dance 2026 Edition.”
– Davis Hoffman
[Related: Fall book preview: Iconic authors return to the literary scene this fall, promising new adventures]
Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Game Freak) – Oct. 16
Pokémon fans have an epic journey in store for them this fall.
The iconic Pokémon story returns to the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 with “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” – the latest installment in the franchise’s video game series. The story takes players back to Lumiose City in the Kalos region, which was previously featured in the game “Pokémon X and Y” and features the game’s first-ever real-time combat system – a departure from its usual turn-based fighting style.
The new game also features many familiar faces. The starter Pokémon – or the three Pokémon that players can pick from to begin their journey – are all from previous Pokémon games and regions, with the grass type Chikorita and water type Totodile from “Pokémon Gold Version” and “Pokémon Silver Version” and the fire type Tepig from “Pokémon Black and White.” Fans can also anticipate the return – and expansion – of the Mega Evolution feature, as several new Mega Evolutions have been announced, in addition to a revamp of how players can Mega Evolve their Pokémon.
Combining old friends with a new game style, “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” is sure to be a legendary ride.
– Vishnu Potharaju
[Related: TV preview: This fall brings it all with new seasons of fan favorites]
Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted (PopCap Games) – Oct. 23
Prepare your shovels and seed packets: a huge wave of zombies is approaching!
Sixteen years after the game’s 2009 original release, “Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted” sows the garden-defense classic back into the soil of PC and console platforms Oct. 23. Players will return to the grid lawns where it all began as they defend their homes against brain-hungry zombies in upscaled HD graphics of the original’s iconic art style. In addition to all the original “Plants vs. Zombies” content, the remaster will introduce new game modes, including local co-op and player-versus-player features.
“Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted” marks a return to the franchise’s roots – a far cry from previous spin-offs such as “Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare,” which transformed the tower-defense genre into third-person shooter. Against the backdrop of beloved lane-based levels, returning fans and new players alike can look forward to the long-awaited “Cloudy Day” game mode in addition to the permadeath “Rest in Peace” difficulty level. “Cloudy Day” will limit the sun-based currency of its levels through intermittent cloud cover, while “Rest in Peace” will require the player to restart from the game’s first level if defeated – both introducing new options to the game.
With a glow-up worthy of its flagship sunflower, “Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted” will surely usher in a blossoming era for the franchise.
– Gwendolyn Lopez
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