SPECIAL: BGS 2026
Latin America's biggest Gaming Convention Is Back
Brasil Game Show returned for another edition, reaffirming its position as the largest gaming convention in Latin America. Between October 9 and 12, Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo hosts thousands of visitors, publishers, developers, and industry professionals at an event bringing together top market brands such as Nintendo, SEGA, Square Enix, and Devolver Digital. In its 17th edition, the event offers demos of highly anticipated games, interactive experiences, promotional booths, and opportunities to get an up-close look at upcoming market releases. During our visit, which took place during a period reserved for badge holders, content creators, and special ticket holders, we had the opportunity to try out interesting titles, including Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2, Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000, Heave Ho 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Crazy Taxi: World Tour.
Despite the variety of attractions, the experience was also marked by organizational issues, mainly regarding the capacity of certain booths. Queues grew significantly, making it difficult to enjoy games with limited demo times and tricky to balance all the available experiences. On the other hand, the accessibility infrastructure deserves recognition, as do the services provided to press members. BGS 2026 has enough attractions to capture the interest of diverse audiences, but our visit left the feeling that part of this potential was compromised by the struggle to manage demand.
SEGA
SEGA was one of the big positive surprises of BGS 2026, both for the variety of games and the size and relevance of its attractions. Among the available titles were Alien: Isolation 2, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, Persona 4 Revival, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, SONIC PICO PARK, and Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000. The main highlight for the public, however, was Alien: Isolation 2, one of the most anticipated demos of this edition.
Unfortunately, it was precisely at this spot that we encountered one of the largest problems of the convention. When we went to the booth, the wait time was close to two hours, while access to the demo queue was closed at 6:00 PM. Since the experience offered approximately half an hour of gameplay, capacity was naturally limited. We chose not to stand in line, but we recommend that anyone planning to try the game over the next few days arrive early and keep an eye on closing times, which can make all the difference.
Our alternative was to try Crazy Taxi: World Tour, which revives the franchise's classic premise, putting the player in control of a taxi driver who must transport passengers within a time limit. The game also offers specific challenges after certain runs, including activities that involve launching the passenger as far as possible. The visuals are impressive, respecting the series' identity while delivering a more modern look, and the soundtrack helps maintain the fast pace of the gameplay.
We also tried to arrange an interview with Kenji Kanno, creator of the original Crazy Taxi and producer of Crazy Taxi: World Tour, but we were unable to make the conversation happen this time. Even so, we had the opportunity to take a photo with him. Kanno was very friendly during the meeting and was wearing a special shirt related to his own creation, making this interaction one of the memorable moments of our time at the booth.
Another interesting game was Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000, which showed a small part of the campaign and its battle systems. The proposal seems very promising, and the cinematic cutscenes caught our attention for the quality of their presentation. However, the version provided for testing still seemed to need a few tweaks, especially considering the importance of a demo at a convention of this scale. We also missed Brazilian Portuguese localization in that version, as the lack of translation can make it harder for newcomers to understand the mechanics and narrative. This does not mean the final version will launch without localization, but the demo could have been more accessible to the Brazilian audience.
Overall, SEGA brought highly interesting attractions, although the experience with its main highlight was hampered by queue management. Another point that caught our attention was the quality of the hardware used at the booth, which featured Alienware computers alongside a giant themed mousepad for the game.
NINTENDO
Nintendo also maintained a strong presence with a large booth and various experiences for visitors. Among the games we found were Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. The official selection also included titles like Pokémon Pokopia, Star Star, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Galaxy 2, as well as LEGO Batman: The Dark Knight Legacy, EA SPORTS FC 27, and Just Dance: Decades of Hits.
There was, therefore, variety in the announced lineup, although our impression was that it lacked a showcase title capable of generating even greater excitement among visitors who closely follow the company's upcoming releases. A prime example is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, whose new version for Nintendo Switch 2 was announced for release on November 5, 2026, yet was not among the games available for demo at the booth. Given how close the launch is, it would have been a great opportunity to let the public get early hands-on time with one of Nintendo's most anticipated arrivals.
The most interesting experience for us was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, available to play on Nintendo Switch 2. We were able to play a match lasting about ten minutes, which was enough to observe how the game ran on the console. Having already tested the beta version on PC, we noticed that the experience remained very close to what we knew, with no significant differences in match structure. The main change was the platform used and the technical limitations involved.
Naturally, it would not be reasonable to expect the same visual performance as a high-end PC on a console like Switch 2, but the port yielded an interesting result. Gameplay remained smooth during our time with it, and the adaptation work appeared careful in preserving the core FPS experience. It is a positive outcome, even if the graphic presentation falls below what is found on more powerful platforms.
Nintendo also brought Charles Martinet, former voice actor for Mario, as a guest artist. Even with this attraction and the variety of games available, our experience left a sense of a partially missed opportunity. The booth managed to draw crowds, but we missed a more impactful demo of an upcoming major release, especially given the interest surrounding the brand's new products. The absence of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was particularly felt in this context, as the chance to try the game before release could have become one of the main highlights of the show. Still, it is worth acknowledging that Nintendo offered a very diverse selection.
SQUARE ENIX
Square Enix also brought compelling attractions to BGS 2026, positioning FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION as the main highlight of its booth. The game will be the third and final chapter in the trilogy reimagining the classic Final Fantasy VII originally released for PlayStation in 1997. Set to launch on April 8, 2027, the title promises to conclude the journey started in Final Fantasy VII Remake and continued in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The ability to play a hands-on demo months ahead of release made the company's presence particularly exciting for fans of the franchise.
Another title available for testing was FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE, a new adventure in the franchise featuring HD-2D graphics and turn-based combat. Scheduled for release on October 22, 2026, the game also earned its spot at the show, allowing visitors to get to know its concept before the full version arrives.
We found Square Enix's decision to prioritize unreleased games very positive. Getting the opportunity to test these titles in advance allows the public to understand their mechanics, form their own impressions, and weigh their interest in a future purchase. This approach also helps make the company's participation more relevant to those who follow upcoming releases and look for news beyond titles already on the market.
DEVOLVER DIGITAL
Devolver Digital brought one of the coolest booths at the convention, featuring new reveals and recently released games. Among the available experiences, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 was one of the most enjoyable, despite a technical issue that affected the demo.
While playing Boltgun 2, we noticed rather bothersome input latency, which appeared to be restricted to the setup we were using. The issue stood out mainly because it is an FPS, a genre that relies on quick responses and precise movement. The flaw compromised part of the experience, but it was not enough to hide the game's qualities. The pixel art direction is very impressive, offering a modern presentation that respects retro aesthetics, while gameplay maintains a frantic, dynamic, and genuinely fun pace. Even so, the demo needed technical adjustments so players could enjoy the game properly.
Another title we tested was Heave Ho 2, playing a stage that reinforced the franchise's cooperative fun. The experience was very enjoyable, mostly because of how the game turns simple movements into chaotic situations when playing with someone else. It is the kind of game that demands coordination, communication, and patience, but also delivers plenty of laughs when someone makes a mistake and sets the whole team back. The demo highlighted the potential of the co-op experience and showed how simple scenarios can turn into moments of pure fun.
FINAL THOUGHTS
BGS 2026 proved that it remains a relevant event for the Brazilian gaming community, bringing publishers, indie developers, content creators, and players together in the same space. Even without standalone booths from Xbox and PlayStation, the convention delivered compelling experiences, with highlights from SEGA, Nintendo, Devolver Digital, and Square Enix. Being able to try unreleased games like Crazy Taxi: World Tour, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2, and FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION made the visit worthwhile, especially for those tracking upcoming launches and looking to preview these productions before deciding on a purchase.
However, the wealth of attractions was not matched by organizational capacity to meet demand at all times. Excessive lines were the main drawback of our experience, to the point where we gave up on trying Alien: Isolation 2, one of the event's most anticipated games. We also encountered technical issues in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 and missed Brazilian Portuguese localization in the Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000 demo. High food prices also warrant attention. BGS does not necessarily need to add more attractions to improve the experience, but rather find more efficient ways to manage crowds and ensure visitors can enjoy what is already available.
On the other hand, it would be unfair to evaluate the show solely by its flaws. The press facilities, security protocols, and accessibility features, including priority queues and sensory rooms, were positive highlights of our visit. The space dedicated to indie developers and educational institutions also deserves credit for introducing new talent and projects to the public. Cosplay contests, booth activations, and meetups among people who know each other online reinforce the community nature of the event. Ultimately, one of the most special parts of BGS is reuniting diverse people who share a passion for video games.
In the end, we left BGS 2026 with a positive impression regarding the event's importance, albeit with notable caveats about organization. The convention continues to bring together interesting games, foster professional connections, and create moments that could hardly be replicated elsewhere. However, the difficulty of experiencing all attractions in a single day, mostly due to long queues, ends up dampening part of the visit's potential. For future editions, we hope for better spatial planning, improved demand control for high-profile demos, and conditions that let visitors enjoy more games without spending so many hours waiting in lines. BGS remains a vital meeting point for gaming enthusiasts, and for that exact reason, we believe organizational improvements can make an already valuable event even better.
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