Japanese Gamers Rank Most Anticipated Games, Excluding GTA 6 from Top Three

GTA VI placed only sixth in a new ranking of the most anticipated games among Japanese players, trailing five titles including Pokémon Winds/Waves and Persona 6.

The Famitsu magazine chart is based on votes cast from September 2 to September 8, 2026, and stands in stark contrast to Western audience preferences, with Japanese RPGs and games for Nintendo Switch 2 dominating the top ten.

Pokémon Winds/Waves kept the first-place spot, followed by Persona 6 and a new version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, while Persona 4 Revival took fourth position. GTA VI landed in sixth place, also sitting behind Final Fantasy VII Revelation.

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Metaphor: ReFantazio entered the list for the first time, although it has not yet cracked the top five. The next ranking could see changes following the Nintendo Direct broadcast, as games showcased during the presentation may break into the top ten.

1. [NS2] Pokemon Winds / Waves – 569 votes
2. [PS5] Persona 6 – 477 votes
3. [NS2] Zelda: Ocarina of Time – 445 votes
4. [PS5] Persona 4 Revival – 416 votes
5. [PS5] Final Fantasy VII Revelation – 323 votes
6. [PS5] Grand Theft Auto VI – 244 votes
7. [NS2] Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World – 212 votes
8. [NS2] Final Fantasy Resonance – 170 votes
9. [NS2] Xenoblade Genesis – 159 votes
10. [NSW] Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World – 154 votes
11. [NS2] Derby Stallion 2 – 138 votes
12. [PS5] Resident Evil Veronica – 133 votes
13. [NS2] Professor Layton and the New World of Steam – 117 votes
14. [NSW] Genshin Impact – 108 votes
15. [PS5] Final Fantasy Resonance – 106 votes
16. [NSW] Final Fantasy Resonance – 101 votes
17. [PS5] Ace Combat 8 – 85 votes
18. [PS5] Kingdom Hearts 4 – 76 votes
19. [PS5] Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World – 74 votes
20. [PS5] Stranger Than Heaven – 69 votes