Upcoming Deckbuilder Games to Keep on Your Radar in 2026

I'm not sure at what point I went from platformer fanatic to a raving deckbuilder fanboy, especially because I don't consider myself a master strategist by any means. I suspect it happened in part because when I was a young lad, Magic the Gathering was the hot new thing, and that iconic TCG imprinted itself on my psyche.

Fast-forward many, many years, and now I am constantly playing deckbuilder games. Thankfully, they've grown up along with me, and have evolved into many unique new forms and creative genre hybrids. Though the connective tissue is managing a deck of cards and using them strategically, there are many ways to iterate on that theme.

As such a fan of the genre, I decided that I should probably come up with a list of upcoming examples for my fellow fans. So that's exactly what I did! Sure, Slay the Spire 2 is in glorious Early Access, but that's far from the only exciting deckbuilder coming this year. But since we don't know exactly what to expect, the following games are ranked according to my relative interest in them.

10 Cropdeck

Grow and Nurture

Generally speaking, I'm not interested in farming games. I find the traditional sims very tedious. But I'm willing to try almost anything that has deckbuilder mechanics, which is how Cropdeck wound up on this particular list.

Not only are you using cards, but you're using them to grow crops for a profit. You'll make combos with scarecrows, withstand intense weather, and use gems to unlock more cards. Just don't get too attached to your money, since Sir Landlord will be a constant drain on your profits.

I like how Cropdeck is a unique take on the genre, as well as a wholesome one. Here's hoping it's also well-balanced, nuanced, and challenging enough to keep our attention.

9 Archon Soul

Rolling the Dice

If you don't immediately think of rolling the dice in a Roguelike deckbuilder, that can only mean you never played the fantastic Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles. It was one of the hardest games I played a few years back, and also one of the most satisfying. I loved how the different faces of the dice offered different effects.

Put simply, if Archon Soul can learn some good lessons from that adventure, it might be outstanding. You'll create your own dice with powerful runes, as well as drafting magical spells. There will be several different characters to play, including the Gaiamancer and Pyromancer.

Mixing all that with attractive 2D artwork and music composed by Ofelia Giro, and Archon Soul might just continue the success of this rarely utilized subgenre.

8 TOKENS

The Roaring '20s

I don't often get nostalgic for eras I didn't live through, but there's something to be said for the grungy glamor of the Roaring '20s. The style, the danger, the clubs? I can see the appeal, and so can an upcoming game called TOKENS.

Developed by Atelier QDB, it mixes Roguelike deckbuilders with tokens instead of cards. You'll also find ways to tweak luck in your favor using tarot cards and other trickery. You'll need all the help you can get to beat Mister Mirage!

I feel like TOKENS is trying to ride the coattails of games like Balatro, and I wish it nothing but success. Though having said that, a lot will depend on how intuitive the token's combo system proves to be.

Moving the Goalposts

Even though I'm not much of a sports guy, I have to admit I like the visual appeal of collectible sports cards. That appeal is on vibrant display in an upcoming game called NUTMEG! A Nostalgic Deckbuilding Football Manager. It takes players through the '80s and '90s as a gaffer building the perfect team.

I should point out that this is the rest of the world's version of football, or as we call it over here, soccer. So this is a tribute to the Beautiful Game, not the skull-crushing American bloodsport. The game has you carefully managing your cards, refining skills and strategies, and displaying your treasures in glossy binders.

One way NUTMEG! A Nostalgic Deckbuilding Football Manager further sets itself apart is that proceeds from the game go towards charity. So not only can you stretch your brain muscles, you can do a good thing at the same time. That's a win-win!

6 Beastro

Cooking Up Success

If there are two things I love, it's a good pun and cooking up a tasty meal. And wouldn't you know it, Beastro satisfies both! It's an upcoming adventure by Timberline Studio that has you cooking up meals for the heroic Caretakers. Along the way, you might even find out what happened to your missing teacher.

You play Panko (oh good, more puns!), a chef whose culinary skills literally empower those you feed. You'll forage for food and veggies to make meals, prepare them via mini-games, and then hope for the best. The food you prepare should cater to the particular tastes of the Caretakers, and thus provide their deck of actions, as well as unlock new ones.

Honestly, the only small complaint I have with Beastro is that it hasn't been announced for consoles yet, because I feel like this is a deckbuilder I can really get behind.

5 Pocket Legend: Inventory Roguelike Deckbuilder

The Adventures of Blitz

One thing that often helps me differentiate between deckbuilders is visual flair. And the moment I saw Pocket Legend: Inventory Roguelike Deckbuilder, I was interested. It's cartoony and reminiscent of series like Bravely Default, and it mixes in managing your inventory to keep things fresh.

Not only does the game focus on your inventory, but you'll find legendary weapons infused with souls. But simply put, the better organized you are, the more powerful your weapons will prove to be in battle.

You'll be juggling weapons, armor, skills, and more dynamically every turn. Are you strong and smart enough to find a way back home from the weird world of Tanebra?

4 Witch's Apocalyptic Journey

Witch Squad Represent!

I've played a lot of great deckbuilders in recent years, but not many that also feature multiplayer. Normally, I prefer playing solo, but it might be fun to play a deckbuilder with my own squad; especially if it's comprised of powerful, apocalyptic witches!

That's the basic premise of Witch's Apocalyptic Journey. This coven heralds the end of the world, and though you can't rewind the clock, you can twist fate and karma to help out. Better yet, the game lets you craft your own super-powerful cards to give you a fighting chance.

For me, a lot will depend on how cleverly implemented the crafting mechanic is, because every other part of Witch's Apocalyptic Journey, from the stunning art style to the dark plot, is very appealing.

3 Moonsigil Atlas

Magical Tetris

I know you probably weren't expecting Tetris on a deckbuilder list. I wasn't either, honestly. But Tetris is one of my favorite games of all time, and when I see a deckbuilder utilizing those mechanics, I'm officially interested. That game is called Moonsigil Atlas.

In Moonsigil Atlas, you don't have to worry about spending energy to cast cards. Instead, space itself is the resource that determines whether you can cast powerful spells. Slot them together to fight against primordial entities.

If all that wasn't enough, the game also features three distinct playable characters, a dreamy visual style, and card modification. If this plays half as well as it sounds, it might eventually become my next obsession.

2 Montabi

Deckbuilding Monster Catcher

One genre I love as much as deckbuilders is monster catchers. You'd think mixing them would be a brilliant idea, though in my experience, it's a hard thing to accomplish. This is why I fervently hope that Montabi manages to do so successfully.

You'll assemble a team of three Montabi, each with a unique deck that represents their attacks and special abilities. Then, you'll go to war on a grid and bring tactical strategy to action. Throw in random events and a cute visual style, and Montabi might be awesome.

Next, factor in more than 40 different monsters, including evolutions, and this game has some serious potential.

1 Hungry Horrors

Delicious Distress

I realize we already had one cooking deckbuilder in Beastro, but there is a reason that Hungry Horrors took the top honors. Put simply, it's one of the most delightful games I've had the privilege of playing in Early Access in quite some time. It's clever, funny, dark, and manages to expertly mix cooking and Roguelike mayhem.

Hungry Horrors has you playing a deranged and spoiled princess who wakes up in a mysterious castle. It's set at the crossroads between dimensions, and the monsters therein are all cursed with eternal hunger. You might not want to deal with them, but if you don't feed them with food, you'll do so with your corpse.

Mix a delectable menu of different tastes, chain together combos to keep the monsters satisfied, and fill them up before they reach you. Along the way, you'll face off against a twisted cast of characters, and maybe find that you are the hero needed to save the day.