<p><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633097-annis.jpg" /><br /><p>Turns out, 2026 is a <em>huge</em> year for video games. Part of this, of course, is because of <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/2026-upcoming-games-release-schedule/1100-6534941/">all the games coming out this year</a>. From Resident Evil: Requiem to Grand Theft Auto: 6, we've got a lot to look forward to. However, there's another thing to consider when looking at the year ahead: the staggering number of series with major anniversaries.</p><p>It's hard to believe the first Donkey Kong game was released 45 years ago, and I swear I heard my knees crack as I realized that Pokemon is officially 30 years old. Nintendo in particular has a lot to celebrate this year, with big anniversaries for The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Kid Icarus, and Animal Crossing coming in addition to the games I mentioned previously. That said, both Sony and Xbox have reason to celebrate as well, as Tomb Raider turns 30 and Halo--and Xbox as a brand overall--hit 25.</p><p>But perhaps the most exciting thing to consider in light of all these anniversaries are the announcements that could be lingering just around the corner. Though we've already received confirmation that a <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tomb-raider-remake-will-be-easier-to-cater-for-modern-player-tastes/1100-6537071/">remake of the original Tomb Raider</a> is in the works, and other series such as Donkey Kong, Pokemon, and Resident Evil all have new or upcoming entries, there are a few games on this list that have been dormant for some time. Could 2026 be the year we get a new Kid Icarus or Castlevania? No clue, but a girl can hope, right?</p><p>So without further ado, is a round up of all the series with milestone anniversaries in 2026:</p></p><br/> <p><h2>Donkey Kong - July 9, 1981 (45th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633105-4426524-switch_750x1050-donkeykongreturnshd-keyart.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>The Legend of Zelda - February 21, 1986 (40th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633104-2387985-gs_ocarina_review.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Metroid - August 6, 1986 (40th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633107-4614944-review_metroidprime4_site.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Dragon Quest - May 27, 1986 (40th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633111-4401967-promo.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Kid Icarus - December 19, 1986 (40th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633110-gstemp%281%29.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Castlevania - September 26, 1986 (40th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633124-gstemp%285%29.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Sonic the Hedgehog - June 21, 1991 (35th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633113-4208137-herobg_1920.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Persona - September 20, 1996 (30th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633114-gstemp%282%29.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Pokemon - February 27, 1996 (30th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633117-gstemp%283%29.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Resident Evil - March 22, 1996 (30th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633118-2783625-hl2-hl2-2015-01-1401-56-2612.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons - August 9, 1996 (30th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633129-2837860-story.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Tomb Raider - October 24, 1996 (30th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633119-gstemp%284%29.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Animal Crossing - December 14, 2001 (25th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633120-3644060-animal-crossing--new-horizons-review-thumb-nologo.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Halo: Combat Evolved - November 15, 2001 (25th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633103-3926575-3906356-haloinfinite.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Luigi's Mansion - September 14, 2001 (25th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633121-3597006-luigis_mansion_3_review_site_102219.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Pikmin - October 26, 2001 (25th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633122-4166911-switch_pikmin4_keyart_03_png_jpgcopy.jpg" /></p><br/> <p><h2>Rune Factory - August 24, 2006 (20th anniversary)</h2><img src="https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/1639/16394322/4633130-gstemp%286%29.jpg" /></p><br/>