3 Up, 3 Down – June 2026
June 2026 was a good month for video game releases, but not a great one. Thankfully, all the heavy hitters ended up delivering on their promise. Our Good section has one hidden gem amongst two major games. Also, there weren’t any games that scored truly poorly. All the games in our Bad section scored higher than 60/100. Without further ado, here are The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games June 2026:
The Good
007 First Light
***click here for our review***
Early impressions of 007 First Light were a little bit shaky. Every Bond game exists in the shadow of the N64’s GoldenEye 007. Thankfully, 007 First Light might be the most well-received Bond game since that classic! It’s a third person shooter developed by the team behind the Hitman games. It’s an origin story that really stays true to the spirit of the James Bond books and films. Our reviewer wrote “The combat is fluid and hard-hitting, the gunplay is super satisfying, the level design is impeccable, and it’s all wrapped up in a fun, Bond-origin story”. 007 First Light was an easy inclusion in The Good section of The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games June 2026.
Crushed in Time
***click here for our review***
Crushed in Time is a puzzle game variant of a point-and-click adventure game. It’s about a Sherlock Holmes game that the player has to fix. The main mechanics involve grabbing and stretching objects. Our reviewer concluded “If you’re looking for a puzzle adventure with a full roster of fascinating twists, Crushed in Time might be just what you need”. Crushed in Time is the hidden gem in The Good section of The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games June 2026.
Star Fox
***click here for our review***
Star Fox is a remake of Star Fox 64. The Star Fox games are first party Nintendo rail shooters, and Star Fox 64 is the most beloved game in the franchise. The new visuals are gorgeous, and there are some new features. Our reviewer noted “The new challenge mode is a welcome addition, the multiplayer is delightful, and the aesthetic has gotten a serious overhaul”. Star Fox was the most anticipated game of the month, and also the highest scoring. It’s an essential inclusion in The Good section of The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games June 2026.
The Bad
Gothic 1 Remake
***click here for our review***
Gothic 1 Remake is a remake of a CRPG from 2001. The original game was ambitious, and wanted players to have lots of choice. Players found the game to be frustrating and opaque. This remake smooths out some of the original’s rough edges, but it’s still difficult to get into. Our reviewer concluded “Gothic 1 Remake will always primarily appeal to RPG fans undaunted by its unforgiving approach to the genre”. It still scored 68/100, so it’s a much better game than most of those found in Bad sections of articles like The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games June 2026.
NBA the Run
***click here for our review***
NBA the Run is an online street basketball game. It plays much more arcade-y than the larger basketball sports sim games. Our reviewer enjoyed the gameplay, but the game has no single player options. It has to be played as online multiplayer. They wrote “With only three modes and no offline component, this feels like a huge misstep for a promising title”. NBA the Run scored 67/100, and is another higher than usual scoring game in The Bad section of The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games June 2026.
Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next!
***click here for our review***
Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! is a tennis game starring cartoon characters from different franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Garfield. The matches have power-ups and explosions. There is loads of content. But the gameplay is pretty dull. Our reviewer wrote “Whether it’s the pace, the presentation, or the mechanics, something about this tennis game falls short”. Although Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! Is the lowest scoring game in The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games June 2026, it still scored 65/100.
Do you agree with our The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2026? What were your favorite games that didn’t make our top 3? Let us know in the comments.
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