007 First Light is no longer releasing in March following a delay – ‘these additional two months will allow us to further polish and refine the experience’

More updates to follow in early 2026

02 Jan 2026, 10:18 · TechRadar

News By Jake Green published 2 January 2026

(Image credit: IOI) Share Share by:

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

007 First Light has been delayed to May 27, 2026
This pushes the game back from its initial March 26, 2026 release date
IO Interactive has cited the need for extra polish and refinement as the main reason for the delay

007 First Light has been delayed to May 27, 2026. This pushes the game out of its original March 26, 2026 slot, though developer IO Interactive has promised news to follow at some point in 'Early 2026'.

IO Interactive took to Twitter to announce the two month delay of 007 First Light, citing the need for additional development time to focus on extra polish and refinement.

According to the post, 007 First Light is already playable from beginning to end, and is said to be IO Interactive's 'most ambitious project to date'.

We got to check out a behind closed doors preview of 007 First Light back in September, and we're particularly excited by how it 'seems to have Hitman’s distinct DNA running through its veins'. Of course, the spy thriller was then shown off at a special Sony State of Play event with a 30 minute gameplay trailer.

007 First Light does indeed seem to be a very ambitious game from the Hitman: World of Assassination developer, with bigger set pieces, new driving segments, and a more focused narrative that looks to follow James Bond's early career and rise as a field agent.

007 First Light will now launch on May 27, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.

The best gaming consoles

➡️ Read our full guide to the best gaming consoles
1. Best overall:
PlayStation 5 Slim
2. Best budget:
Xbox Series S
3. Best handheld:
Nintendo Switch 2
4. Most powerful:
PlayStation 5 Pro

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors