Gen Con is just around the corner, and every year the convention is packed with hundreds of new game releases. There's simply no way to see everything.

So instead of trying to cover every game, I wanted to share my personal Top 5 most anticipated games of Gen Con 2026. These are the games I'm most excited to check out. I haven't played any of them yet. They're on this list because of the designers, publishers, mechanics, artwork, or simply because they offer something unique that caught my attention.

If you're attending Gen Con, these are the games I'd make time to visit in the exhibit hall. And if you're reading this after the convention, I still think this is a great list of games worth checking out.

Before we jump into the Top 5, I want to give a couple of honorable mentions.

The first is Electrify from AEG (Booth 403). Honestly, what first attracted me was the cover. It has a beautiful steampunk aesthetic that immediately grabbed my attention. Once I looked into the gameplay, I found tile placement, industry cards, engine building, chained activations, and greater rewards for producing cleaner energy. That combination has me really excited to see it in action, and it's definitely one I'll be stopping to demo.

The second honorable mention is Duel of Meloch from Stonemaier Games, available at the Meeple Source booth (2909). This is an automatic purchase for me. Scythe is one of my favorite games, and I also love Expeditions. What makes this release so interesting is that it's a head-to-head duel that combines both games into the same experience. One player uses the Scythe rules and components while the other uses Expeditions. On top of that, several components also work as expansions that can be added back into either game. If you're already a Stonemaier fan, this is one you'll definitely want to check out.

#5 – Diables

My fifth most anticipated game is Diables by Salt & Pepper Games (Booth 2666).

This game is based on the traditional Catalan devil's dance festival, where performers recreate the battle between good and evil through street theater, music, and fireworks. If that's not one of the most unique board game themes you've ever heard, I don't know what is.

I was so curious that I started watching videos of the actual festival. My jaw dropped. People walk through the streets carrying poles that shoot sparks and fireworks in every direction. In one video, a nearby tree even caught fire.

That alone made me want to learn more about the game.

The artwork captures that same feeling. You can almost feel the heat, hear the drums, and imagine yourself standing in the middle of the celebration. Mechanically, it looks like a mix of resource management and positioning as you try to outshine rival performers and deliver the most unforgettable performance.

If you're looking for something with a truly unique theme and atmosphere, Diables should absolutely be on your radar. It should be available to demo during Gen Con.

#4 – Three Sisters: Harvest Edition

Coming in at number four is Three Sisters: Harvest Edition from 25th Century Games (Booth 2219).

The original Three Sisters is already one of my favorite roll-and-write games, and I've had a wonderful time playing it with my wife. It has a cozy backyard farming theme that I really enjoy.

The Harvest Edition expands on that foundation with twelve modular expansion modules. You can mix and match whichever modules sound fun, or experience all of them together through a campaign mode.

The team behind Fleet The Dice Game once again delivers what they do best: excellent roll-and-write games with meaningful decisions.

If you've never played Three Sisters before, this is absolutely the version I would recommend starting with. It's approachable, relaxing, and a fantastic choice for both experienced gamers and newer players.

#3 – dnup

My third most anticipated game is dnup from Asmodee (Booth 1109).

This is a tiny 40-card game for two to five players built around ladder-climbing mechanics. Players try to overplay each other's cards with higher-value combinations, and your goal is simply to get rid of every card in your hand.

The mechanic that really caught my attention is that you can actually play cards onto your opponents' play areas.

Imagine someone has played a single eight. If you also have an eight, you can add it to their play area, turning it into a pair. Suddenly another player's lower pair gets beaten, forcing them to pick their cards back up into their hand.

That sounds like pure chaos in the best possible way.

I love small games that create memorable moments, and this feels like the perfect convention game. Quick to teach, easy to carry around, and full of opportunities to laugh as everyone messes with each other. I’m ready to Dee Nupp!

#2 – Wingspan Pocket

At number two is Wingspan Pocket from Stonemaier Games (Meeple Source Booth 2909).

Shrinking Wingspan into a pocket-sized game immediately made me curious.

This version is lighter, faster, and driven almost entirely by cards. Each card is double-sided with birds on one side and food on the other, while most bird abilities are represented with icons instead of text to keep gameplay moving quickly.

I think this could become one of the best gateway games available.

In fact, I already plan on buying multiple copies just to give away to friends who are new to modern board games.

If you're already a Wingspan fan, there's plenty here to enjoy. If you're completely new to the hobby, this may end up being one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to experience what makes Wingspan so special.

#1 – Drillers

My most anticipated game of Gen Con 2026 is Drillers by Czech Games Edition (Booth 1003).

Everything about this game has me excited.

The mech miniatures immediately caught my eye. Between the boat, bus, tram, and plane-inspired machines, the table presence looks fantastic. The artwork has a colorful, scrappy sci-fi style that feels full of personality.

Mechanically, Drillers combines deck building with exploration. Players descend into an abandoned mine searching for valuable resources while upgrading their equipment along the way.

What I'm most excited to experience is the mine itself.

The mine is divided into multiple underground levels, and I already know I'll be trying to drill as deep as possible. The deeper you go, the greater the rewards—but also the greater the risks.

I'm also hoping the game has the kind of strategic depth that rewards repeated plays. The best deck builders reveal new combinations and strategies every time you come back to them, and if Drillers delivers on that, I think it could become one of the breakout hits of Gen Con 2026.

Two Solo Games Worth Watching

Solo gaming has exploded over the last decade, so I also wanted to mention two solo games that caught my attention.

The first is Queen of Spies from Salt & Pepper Games (Booth 2666).

This is a story-driven solitaire game set in Belgium during World War I. You play as Alice, a spymaster who recruits and trains operatives before sending them on dangerous missions to gather intelligence, disrupt enemy plans, and complete critical objectives.

Every decision shapes the story, and every mission carries real tension because your agents can fail or even end up imprisoned. If you enjoy espionage themes and narrative-driven solo games, this one looks excellent.

The second is Path of the Priest from Detestable Games (Booth 357).

In this tiny game you setup, a path of only fourteen cards, but it immediately grabbed my attention. Your goal is to guide your apprentice along the path while avoiding false masters and ultimately connecting with a deity at the end of your journey.

Sometimes the smallest games deliver the biggest surprises, and I'm looking forward to seeing whether this little puzzle becomes one of Gen Con's hidden gems.

See You at Gen Con!

If you're heading to Gen Con this year, I'd love to meet you.

You'll find me at the Fambam Games booth (2012) on Saturday, August 1, from 10:00–11:00 a.m., where I'll be talking about Too Much on Your Plate, a buffet-themed game where second place actually wins.

I'll also be in the Leder Games room (ICC Room 135) on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons running demos of Root: Homeland, featuring three new factions, two new maps, and a ton of exciting new content.

If you see me, please stop by and say hello. I always enjoy meeting fellow gamers and talking about board games.

Finally, I'd love to hear from you. What games made your most anticipated list for Gen Con 2026? And if you're reading this after the convention, which games lived up to the hype—and which ones surprised you the most?

Clay's Top 5 Most Anticipated Games of Gen Con 2026