GenCon 2026 Games Preview

GenCon is right around the corner and there are many hundreds of games being released and even more for sale. Navigating this surmountable amount of games is no easy task. I have complied a list of games that I am excited to see at GenCon this year.

Rock Hard 1977: Ear Candy - Devir - Booth 2811

This is an expansion to the popular game Rock Hard 1977. This expansion will add new cards to all the decks, managers, two new types of candy and two new characters. I don't know a lot about the Rock Hard Series but I am going to check it out this year because its getting a lot of buzz.

Drillers - Czech Games Edition (CGE) - Booth 1003 / Room 239

This is a highly interactive game about mining resources from an abandon mine. Players will try to excavate everything useful left behind by the mining corporation. Players use drones to excavate in the mine but fuel is a limited resource so they will have plan adoringly. I am looking forward to checking this one out.

The Game Makers - Bezier - Booth 237

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make board games? Well in Game Makers players get to manufacture all the popular games. That's right they licensed the cover art of a ton of board games. The art and the function of this game are going to give you some table presence that is backed up by a wonderful game.

King of Tokyo: Godzilla - IELLO - Booth 1901

The latest release in the long loved game King of Tokyo. players can play as Godzilla, King Ghidorah, Hedorah, Rodan, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla. This is sure to be a classic with awesome artwork from the prolific Markus Erdt.

Ofrenda - Osprey Games - Booth 2705

In this card drafting game players will be honoring their loved ones in this Dia de los Muertos themed game. As players draft their family members they will have to place them on their alter keeping in mind each family members likes and dislikes. If your Abuela did not like spicy salsa keep her away from that on your alter. This is another game with fantastic art that I cannot wait to play.

The Game Makers

Tag Team: Arthur's Legacy - Hachette - Booth 2435

Tag Team: Arthur's Legacy is a standalone game featuring 6 new Fighters, all compatible with the game's existing Fighters. This is a snappy auto battler / deckbuilder that can be combined with the other editions of Tag Team.

Thunder Road: Ignition - Restoration Games - Booth 1735

This is a scaled down version of its big sister, Thunder Road: Vendetta (2024). This rework eliminates player elimination. Players also no longer have helicopters and have missiles instead. So if you think that Vendetta was to fast and too furious or just too much then you should check out Thunder Road: Vendetta.

Dune Imperium: Conspiracy - Dire Wolf - Booth 2402 / Room 141

This is the next expansion to the Dune Imperium series. There is a lot of secrecy around this game so you'll have to be at Gencon to get the low down. After the Acendency of Paul Muad’Dib there are forces in the Imperium that want to go back to the way things were.

Wingspan Pocket Edition - Stonemaier -

This is a stand alone small box version of Wingspan. Based on how popular the Wingspan series is this is sure to be a hit at Gencon this year. The game will be card driven with dual sided cards one side is the food and the other is the birds. The game is designed for entry level players and for players who love the series and are looking for a new angle on birds.

Bert's Tabletop games was provided a press pass to cover GenCon