As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp in 2026, the gaming world continues to embrace the spooky season with a delightful array of titles that capture the essence of Halloween. From chilling horror experiences to lighthearted family adventures, there's a perfect digital treat for every type of player looking to celebrate this haunting holiday. The tradition of Halloween-themed gaming events and merchandise remains strong, but sometimes you want a game that embodies the season from start to finish, not just during a limited-time event.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: A Slasher's Playground

Few horror movies are as iconic as the 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The asymmetrical multiplayer game of the same name plunges players directly into that nightmare, letting them choose between playing as the menacing Slaughter family or one of the desperate victims trying to escape their grisly fate. For many, horror movies are synonymous with Halloween, and this game is the perfect interactive potion. With multiple maps to explore—including the meticulously recreated Family House—and a roster of distinct characters, the game masterfully conveys the gritty, panic-inducing feel of the original film. Jumping into a match with friends guarantees a frightfully good time that's often as hilarious as it is terrifying, especially when plans go spectacularly wrong.

MediEvil: Campy, Undead Fun

MediEvil has everything you could ask for in a Halloween-themed adventure. You play as the bumbling, undead knight Sir Daniel Fortesque, battling an array of enemies from shambling zombies to vicious, animate pumpkin plants. The entire experience drips with a delightfully campy take on classic horror tropes, never taking itself too seriously. It's the ideal choice for players who love the Halloween aesthetic but prefer their scares served with a side of humor. Originally released for the PlayStation in 1998, the game received a full, beautiful remake for PlayStation 4 in 2019, making Sir Dan's quest more accessible than ever. Whether you're dodging killer scarecrows or grappling with ghouls in Gallowmere, MediEvil makes you feel like a true, if slightly clumsy, haunted hero.

The Mortuary Assistant: Pure Psychological Dread

For those who believe Halloween means confronting genuine terror, The Mortuary Assistant offers one of the most unsettling premises in gaming. You assume the role of a mortician working the night shift, tasked with the horrifying job of figuring out which corpse on your slab is host to a demon. Gameplay revolves around deciphering subtle clues in a chilling atmosphere, all while trying to maintain your composure. The game's genius lies in its replayability; the demon inhabits a different body each time you play, ensuring the fear remains potent long after the first playthrough. It's a masterclass in sustained tension that will keep you looking over your shoulder well past October 31st.

Ghost Master: Be the Haunter, Not the Haunted

Tired of being chased? Ghost Master flips the script. This clever puzzle-strategy game puts you in command of a fleet of mischievous and vengeful spirits. Your goal in each level—set in locations ranging from creepy hospitals to homes built on ancient burial grounds—is to scare the mortal residents away by strategically using your ghostly team's unique abilities. 👻

• Strategic Depth: Each specter you recruit has a specific suite of powers, upgrade paths, and synergies with other ghosts.

• Varied Objectives: Levels feature specific goals requiring real planning, plus optional objectives that reward you with new spirits to command.

• Cheesy Charm: The game embraces its B-movie horror vibe with gusto, creating a fun, spooky experience that's more about clever scares than jump-scares.

It takes time to truly master commanding the afterlife, but it's time delightfully spent.

Dead By Daylight: The Ultimate Horror Crossover

Dead By Daylight is a love letter to horror nostalgia, seamlessly blending characters and locations from a staggering number of iconic franchises into one asymmetrical multiplayer experience. Whether you want to stalk survivors as horror legends like Michael Myers (Halloween), Leatherface (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre), or the Xenomorph (Alien), or desperately flee from them with three friends, this game has it all. The roster has only expanded over the years, now including figures from video game series like Silent Hill and Resident Evil. It's a constantly evolving haunted house where every match feels like a tribute to the genre.

Luigi's Mansion 3: Family-Friendly Spooks

Horror isn't just for adults. Luigi's Mansion 3 is a brilliant action-adventure puzzler that proves spooky fun can be for everyone. You play as the perpetually terrified Luigi, armed with a Poltergust G-00 (a vacuum cleaner inspired by Ghostbusters), as you explore a haunted hotel to rescue Mario and friends. The game is bright, colorful, and full of charm, expertly showing you how scared Luigi is without ever making you feel truly frightened. Clever puzzles, inventive boss ghosts, and the adorable help of Polterpup make this a spooktacular adventure perfect for playing with family or enjoying a lighter Halloween mood solo.

Pumpkin Jack: A Platforming Halloween Classic

Pumpkin Jack is a 3D platformer that embodies the Halloween spirit in its very premise: you play as Jack, the Pumpkin Lord, complete with a flaming pumpkin head. The game offers satisfying, classic platforming action wrapped in lush, autumnal graphics that scream the season. One of its greatest strengths is its perfect pacing; it doesn't overstay its welcome, proving a game can be memorable and complete in a single, satisfying playthrough. Of course, its charming levels also make it a wonderful annual tradition to revisit each October, sure to put anyone in the mood to carve a jack-o'-lantern.

Haunting Starring Polterguy: A Retro Revenge Tale

A blast from 1993, Haunting Starring Polterguy offers a uniquely mischievous premise. You play as a street-tough turned poltergeist seeking revenge on the Sardini family, whose defective skateboard led to your demise. Your goal is to haunt them from house to house by possessing everyday objects—turning a comfy armchair into a fanged monster or a rug into quicksand. The challenge comes from managing a dwindling "scare power" meter (refilled by successful scares) and avoiding the family's suspicious Chihuahua. It's a hilarious and inventive twist on the haunting trope.

The Evil Within: Survival Horror Excellence

For players craving a deep, challenging, and genuinely terrifying experience, The Evil Within remains a standout. Created by Shinji Mikami, the father of Resident Evil, this survival horror masterpiece plunges you into a nightmarish world of grotesque monsters and psychological dread set within an unsettling mental hospital. Its sequel, The Evil Within 2, expands the nightmare into a semi-open world. Known for its punishing difficulty, immersive atmosphere, and twisted story, this series will keep you on the edge of your seat, heart pounding, in true Halloween horror fashion.

Costume Quest: Whimsical Halloween Nostalgia

Finally, Costume Quest captures the pure, magical heart of Halloween from a child's perspective. This charming turn-based RPG follows twins Reynold and Wren on their first Halloween in a new neighborhood. The genius mechanic is that the adorable costumes they wear determine their abilities in battle—dress as a robot to gain laser attacks, or as the Statue of Liberty for patriotic powers. The game is all about trick-or-treating, collecting candy, fighting mischievous monsters, and soaking in the nostalgic joy of the holiday. It's a perfectly paced, heartwarming adventure that has a wonderful sequel ready to continue the fun. It reminds us that Halloween isn't just about fear, but about imagination, community, and the simple thrill of a full candy bag.

Game	Genre	Halloween Vibe
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre	Asymmetrical Multiplayer	Intense, Slasher Horror
MediEvil	Action-Adventure	Campy, Gothic Humor
The Mortuary Assistant	Psychological Horror	Pure Dread & Tension
Costume Quest	Turn-Based RPG	Whimsical, Nostalgic Fun

From the heart-pounding terror of The Mortuary Assistant to the whimsical candy-collecting of Costume Quest, the world of gaming offers a perfect pathway to celebrate Halloween's many moods. These titles prove that the spirit of October 31st can be enjoyed all year round, providing experiences that range from hilarious to horrifying, but are always hauntingly memorable. 🎃