The next wave of major video game sequels is shaping up to be unusually valuable for collectors—not because every release has an announced statue or figure line, but because these games are arriving with strong visual identities, recognizable casts, and the kind of franchise momentum that often drives premium merchandise after launch.
From Remedy’s paranatural follow-up to Control to the long-awaited conclusion of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Remake project, the 2026–2027 calendar is packed with potential display pieces. For collectors, the important question is not simply which games will be worth playing. It is which ones have the characters, costumes, creatures, props, and world-building capable of supporting great physical collectibles.
Control Resonant Leads the Collector Calendar
Release date: September 24, 2026
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
CONTROL Resonant is the immediate standout for collectors who prefer surreal environments, unsettling creature design, and contemporary character sculpts over conventional heroic poses. The sequel moves the action beyond the Oldest House and into a distorted Manhattan, with Dylan Faden serving as the sole playable protagonist. Remedy has confirmed versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Mac. ([blog.playstation.com](https://blog.playstation.com/?p=419178&utm_source=openai))
That shift gives the sequel a distinct merchandising advantage. Dylan’s silhouette, paranatural abilities, and the game’s warped urban setting could translate into an excellent premium statue or sixth-scale figure, particularly if the final design leans into layered streetwear rather than generic tactical armor. The larger threat is equally promising for creature-focused collectors: Remedy’s visual language has always favored unsettling shapes, impossible architecture, and objects that look ordinary until they become deeply wrong.
Early previews have highlighted a broader environment, faster melee combat, and a more aggressive interpretation of Dylan’s abilities. Those features suggest that an eventual figure would benefit from a dynamic action pose instead of a standard museum stance, although collectors will want to see how well the character design survives translation into physical form. (TechRadar) ([techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/control-resonant-sgf-2026-preview?utm_source=openai))
GTA VI Has the Biggest Mainstream Merchandise Potential
Release date: November 19, 2026
Developer: Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto VI is the commercial giant on this list. Rockstar has confirmed Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos as the central pair, with the story unfolding across Vice City and the wider state of Leonida. The game is currently scheduled for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. ([rockstargames.com](https://www.rockstargames.com/VI?utm_source=openai))
For collectors, GTA VI is less about traditional action-figure appeal and more about lifestyle pieces, prop replicas, art books, limited-edition packaging, and high-end dioramas. Jason and Lucia have the kind of instantly readable partnership that could support a two-character display, while the neon-drenched Florida-inspired setting offers plenty of visual material for signage, vehicles, weapons, and environmental accessories.
Rockstar’s official materials already point toward premium-edition content and pre-order bonuses tied to the Vice City setting. That does not guarantee a major statue program, but it does suggest that the physical presentation of the game will be important. ([rockstargames.com](https://www.rockstargames.com/VI?utm_source=openai))
From a display perspective, this is likely to appeal more to collectors of gaming memorabilia and premium environments than to traditional superhero or anime figure buyers. A well-designed Lucia portrait, a weathered Vice City sign, or a properly scaled vehicle accessory could ultimately be more interesting than a conventional character figure.
2027 Brings Heavy-Hitting Character and Creature Designs
Metro 2039 arrives on February 4, 2027, from 4A Games and Deep Silver. The first-person shooter introduces the Stranger and continues the series’ bleak post-apocalyptic world. Official material emphasizes the game’s use of the 4A Engine and ground-up support for ray tracing, while the broader presentation continues the franchise’s focus on tunnels, improvised equipment, and hostile environments. ([blog.playstation.com](https://blog.playstation.com/2026/09/03/metro-2039-launches-february-4-2027-ps5-pro-gameplay-revealed/?utm_source=openai))
The collector appeal here is obvious but specialized. Metro is better suited to weathered prop replicas, gas masks, weapons, lamps, and grim survivalist dioramas than brightly painted character toys. A premium statue of the Stranger surrounded by ruined subway architecture could have considerable shelf presence, especially for collectors who enjoy military miniatures, post-apocalyptic displays, or heavily textured scenic bases.
Until Dawn 2 follows on January 28, 2027, with Firesprite taking over development from Supermassive Games. The sequel introduces a new cast of ghost hunters whose paranormal content operation becomes dangerously real on an abandoned island. The choice-driven structure remains central, but the new tropical setting should give the franchise a very different visual identity. ([blog.playstation.com](https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/02/until-dawn-2-is-coming-to-ps5-in-2027/?utm_source=openai))
That change could help the merchandise stand apart from the original game. Rather than repeating the snowy mountain survival look, a sequel collectible could focus on filming equipment, improvised ghost-hunting tools, tropical ruins, or one of the game’s supernatural threats. It is a more uncertain proposition for statue collectors, but horror collectors often respond strongly to distinctive props and atmospheric bases.
Then there is Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, scheduled for 2027 from Dimps. Bandai Namco has positioned the game as a new chapter set in Age 1000, with a new West City setting and a fresh story built around the long-running time-patrol concept. ([bandainamcoent.com](https://www.bandainamcoent.com/news/dragon-ball-xenoverse-3-a-new-world-brought-to-life-by-akira-toriyama-awaits?utm_source=openai))
For figure collectors, this is arguably the safest franchise on the list. Dragon Ball already has an enormous ecosystem of action figures, model kits, statues, and trading figures, and the Xenoverse games are built around alternate forms, custom characters, and timeline variations. The challenge will be deciding which designs deserve physical releases when the broader franchise already offers dozens of versions of its most popular heroes.
Final Fantasy VII and Kingdom Hearts Remain Premium Collectible Powerhouses
Final Fantasy VII Revelation is scheduled for April 8, 2027, and serves as the third and final entry in Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. The game is planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. ([jp.square-enix.com](https://www.jp.square-enix.com/ffvii_revelation/?utm_source=openai))
This is the strongest release in the lineup for collectors already invested in Square Enix’s existing figure and statue ecosystem. Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Sephiroth, Vincent, Yuffie, and the rest of the party have all accumulated substantial merchandise histories, meaning the final game will be judged against established versions rather than starting from zero.
The most compelling possibilities may come from updated costumes, late-game transformations, new summons, and characters who have not yet received definitive premium treatment. Collectors should also pay attention to deluxe physical editions and bundled items, as Square Enix has historically used special packaging and limited accessories to extend the appeal beyond the game disc itself.
Kingdom Hearts IV is planned for late 2027. Square Enix has confirmed that the game begins the Lost Masters arc and includes a world inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Coco. It is scheduled for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. ([square-enix.com](https://www.square-enix.com/asia/newsportal/en/topics/KH4/post02.html?utm_source=openai))
From a collector’s standpoint, the Kingdom Hearts formula remains unusually versatile. Keyblades make obvious prop replicas, while Sora’s evolving outfits provide a steady stream of figure possibilities. The addition of a Coco-inspired world could also bring new skeletal characters, colorful environments, and display elements that contrast sharply with the darker Lost Masters material.
Square Enix has not announced a complete product range for either Final Fantasy VII Revelation or Kingdom Hearts IV in the available information. That makes it too early to discuss firm scales, materials, pricing, or preorder availability. Still, the franchise history makes both games strong candidates for future statues, action figures, character goods, and premium boxed editions.
Collector Verdict
For atmosphere and sculptural potential, CONTROL Resonant and Metro 2039 are the most intriguing. For established merchandise infrastructure, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, and Kingdom Hearts IV are the safer bets. GTA VI could dominate the memorabilia market, while Until Dawn 2 has the opportunity to surprise collectors with unusual horror props and scenic displays.
The biggest takeaway is that this release calendar is not only packed with sequels to play. It is also full of franchises with strong visual hooks for the next generation of statues, model kits, prop replicas, art books, and character collectibles. The real test will come after launch, when manufacturers reveal whether they see these games as short-term promotional opportunities or long-term collector properties.
Sources
- sideshow.com
- rockstargames.com
- remedygames.com
- playstation.blog
- square-enix.com
- 4a-games.com.mt
- deepsilver.com
- bandainamcoent.com
- techradar.com
















