The 17th edition of the Brasil Game Show (BGS) 2026 concluded after four days of events, held between October 9th and 12th at the Anhembi District in São Paulo. The event featured showcases of highly anticipated games, esports competitions, various activities for the public, and meetups with content creators. However, the event's organization and the lower presence of major manufacturers drew attention from attendees.
Companies such as Nintendo, SEGA, Square Enix, and Activision invested in interactive experiences. In contrast, brands like PlayStation and Xbox had a more reserved participation or opted not to exhibit in common areas, using exclusive booths.
This scenario resulted in an edition where the games available for testing gained greater prominence in the general programming. SEGA, for instance, displayed a collection of upcoming releases, including titles such as Stranger Than Heaven, Persona 4 Revival, Alien: Isolation 2, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, and Sonic Pico Park. The diversity of these games made its booth a point of great interest, allowing visitors to explore everything from action games to multiplayer experiences.
Nintendo also offered attractions to the public, presenting games like Pokémon Pokopia, Donkey Kong Bananza, Super Mario Galaxy 1+2, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. A highlight was the collaboration between Nintendo, Activision, and Monster Energy, which set up 36 demonstration stations for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, a title that could also be tested on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Square Enix made a playable version of Final Fantasy VII Revelation available, which was shown for the first time in Latin America, in addition to Final Fantasy Resonance and an interactive replica of the Buster Sword, a weapon associated with Cloud Strife.
Despite the interest in the games, the infrastructure of certain demonstrations received criticism. According to NintendoBoy, the space dedicated to Final Fantasy VII Revelation had only five stations, which caused long queues, potentially reaching three hours for sessions lasting about five minutes.
Independent developers were also part of BGS 2026. The Indie Area featured 70 games developed by 31 studios, covering various genres and concepts. This initiative expanded options for those wishing to see productions outside the major publisher circuit. However, the location and size of the space allocated to independents were questioned in event reviews, especially considering the layout of the other attractions in the pavilion.
A noticeable difference in the 2026 edition was the decreased participation of some traditional hardware and console manufacturers. PlayStation maintained its presence focused on an official product store, while Xbox did not have its own booth.
The distribution of space in the Anhembi District also underwent modifications. Food areas occupied a considerable portion of the pavilion, and regions that could previously host large booths were relocated to other activities. This new configuration was pointed out by analyses from NintendoBoy and Caderno Pop, who observed an edition with fewer spaces dedicated to large corporations, even with game variety.
Another point raised was the reduction in the number of giveaways and promotional activations compared to past editions, representing a significant change for visitors who value these experiences as part of the ticket cost.
In addition to new releases, BGS 2026 maintained traditional activities. The BGS Arcade Arena utilized an area of 1,000 m², offering free arcade games and virtual reality simulators. The event also included esports competitions, tournaments related to PlayStation, contests, and cosplay parades, featuring the participation of influencers and organizations such as Team Liquid. These activities helped diversify the programming beyond developer and publisher booths.
In summary, the 2026 edition demonstrated a fair with a relevant selection of games, but it also highlighted transformations in its organization. The appearance of new titles and early demos remained a major draw. On the other hand, the more discreet participation of manufacturers and the reorganization of the pavilion altered the experience provided to visitors.
BGS 2027 is already confirmed, and some actions for the next edition began this year. Thus, the next edition will have the chance to increase the participation of large companies and reevaluate the distribution of spaces, keeping game demonstrations as a main focus for the public.