Should you pre-order? A buyer’s guide for 2026

Pre-order bonuses are tempting, but they are not always worth it. Here is how we decide when to commit early.

The pre-order debate never really ends, and for good reason — the answer genuinely depends on the game. We have a simple checklist we run through before putting money down ahead of launch.

Is the studio one with a strong track record? Are reviews from a recent hands-on preview positive? And critically, is the bonus content something you actually want, or just a cosmetic you will forget about in a week?

When all three line up, pre-ordering can be a great deal. When they do not, our advice is the same it has always been: wait for launch, watch the streams, then decide.