The Great Backlog Challenge of 2026
Now that I’ve finally upgraded to a Switch 2, I’m feeling that familiar itch to dive back into my backlog and start clearing things out again. Ever since the start of 2026, my motivation has been way up. I intentionally held off on grabbing the Switch 2 until Metroid Prime 4 dropped, mostly because I already have an absurd number of games to play on my Switch 1.
That said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for more Switch 2 Editions to help smooth the transition. I’d love enhanced versions of Doom Eternal, The Witcher 3, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and The Outer Worlds. I feel pretty confident XCX will get one, I’m moderately optimistic about The Witcher 3 and Kingdom Come is rumored. I’m not holding my breath for Doom Eternal but we’ll see how that shakes out.
Anyway, here’s the big goal for the year: beat 25 games in 2026. That breaks down to about two games a month, plus one extra. It feels ambitious, but doable… with some strategy. My backlog is packed with long RPGs, so I’ll need to balance those out with shorter titles. I’m also giving myself permission to revisit classics I’ve been meaning to replay, like Super Metroid and A Link to the Past on the SNES virtual console. Those count, too. That said, the bulk of the list will still be Switch 1 and Switch 2 games.
So far, I’m off to a great start. I’ve already finished a few games this year and I’m close to wrapping up another. Metroid Prime 4 should be done by first week of February.
Here’s my progress so far. Games beaten in January:
Red Faction: Guerrilla
The Outer Worlds
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Right now, I’m currently working on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and making my way through The Scourge of Armagon mission pack in Quake. I also want to jump back into Astral Chain, which has been sitting unfinished for far too long.
Overall, I’m feeling really energized about tackling my backlog this year; and it helps that I’m already ahead of the “two games per month” pace! This little buffer should give me some flexibility when I inevitably sink hundreds of hours into a longer RPG. It’s going to take some planning, but that’s part of the fun, balancing out the longer games with shorter experiences.
Honestly, just writing this out has me even more hyped for the challenge.
I might go fire up the Switch 2 now and keep grinding!!
See you all online!