September 2026 Gaming: A Crowded Month of Horror, Sports, and Nostalgia

Key points

• Marvel's Wolverine launches on PS5 on September 15, with no PC version planned, making it a PlayStation exclusive.
• The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by Rebel Wolves (former Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developers), releases on September 3 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
• Onimusha: Way of the Sword returns to the franchise after an eight-year gap, launching on September 4 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2.
• Valheim reaches its 1.0 release on September 9 after five years in early access, expanding to PC, PS5, Xbox, and Switch 2.
• NBA 2K27 and NHL 27 launch in early September, with NHL 27 introducing a Madden-style Connected Franchise mode.
• Silent Hill: Townfall and Halloween: The Game add to the horror lineup, releasing on September 24 and September 8, respectively.

Background

September 2026 is a busy month for gaming, with many major titles releasing in the weeks leading up to the holiday season. The month is particularly notable for the return of long-dormant franchises like Onimusha and the 1.0 release of Valheim, which has been in early access for five years. The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by Rebel Wolves, is a new action-RPG from former Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developers, while Marvel's Wolverine is a PlayStation exclusive from Insomniac Games. The month also features new sports titles, including NBA 2K27 and NHL 27, as well as horror games like Silent Hill: Townfall and Halloween: The Game. The release of these titles is expected to be a significant event in the gaming industry, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new games.

How outlets are covering it

GameSpot highlights the diversity of September 2026's releases, noting the presence of major AAA titles, new games hitting early access, and smaller experiences. The outlet emphasizes the return of Onimusha and the debut of The Blood of Dawnwalker, as well as the PlayStation exclusive Marvel's Wolverine. ixbt.games focuses on the most anticipated PC games on Steam, with The Blood of Dawnwalker being the top choice. The outlet also highlights the return of Onimusha and the release of Control Resonant. eGamers.io notes the PlayStation exclusivity of Marvel's Wolverine, while also highlighting the 1.0 release of Valheim and the presence of horror games like Silent Hill: Townfall. DLCompare.com provides a detailed overview of the first week of September's releases, including Moonlighter 2, The Blood of Dawnwalker, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The outlets generally agree on the major releases but differ in their emphasis, with GameSpot and eGamers.io focusing on the diversity of the month's releases, while ixbt.games and DLCompare.com focus on specific titles and their release dates.

Why it matters

September 2026 is a significant month for the gaming industry, with the release of major AAA titles, new games hitting early access, and smaller experiences. The month is particularly notable for the return of long-dormant franchises like Onimusha and the 1.0 release of Valheim, which has been in early access for five years. The release of these titles is expected to be a significant event in the gaming industry, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new games. The month also features new sports titles, including NBA 2K27 and NHL 27, as well as horror games like Silent Hill: Townfall and Halloween: The Game. The release of these titles is expected to be a significant event in the gaming industry, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new games.

What to watch

The release of Marvel's Wolverine on September 15 is expected to be a significant event in the gaming industry, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new game. The release of The Blood of Dawnwalker on September 3 is also expected to be a significant event, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new game. The release of Onimusha: Way of the Sword on September 4 is also expected to be a significant event, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new game. The release of Valheim 1.0 on September 9 is also expected to be a significant event, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new game. The release of NBA 2K27 and NHL 27 in early September is also expected to be a significant event, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new games. The release of Silent Hill: Townfall and Halloween: The Game is also expected to be a significant event, with many fans eagerly anticipating the new games.