In a move that feels both surprising and long overdue, the original Gothic trilogy is officially breaking out of its PC-centric prison colony and heading to PlayStation and Xbox. Announced during the THQ Nordic Showcase, the Gothic Classic Trilogy will land on consoles in 2026, bundling the first two iconic RPGs with a newly confirmed Gothic 3 Classic. It's fantastic news for console-bound gamers who will finally get to experience this legendary, unforgiving world.
Honestly, for those of us who have been navigating the wilds of Khorinis on Linux for years, the announcement lands a little differently. Welcome to the party, friends; we’re glad you could make it. The open-source community, armed with the powerful compatibility layer of Proton, has ensured these classics have been playable-and often, vastly improved-on Linux-based systems for ages. The Steam Deck, in particular, has already proven itself to be the definitive handheld for experiencing these sprawling, janky, and beautiful RPGs.
Praise Innos, It Has Controller Support
Let’s be real: the biggest barrier for any newcomer to Gothic has always been its arcane control scheme. It was a product of its time, and that time was… awkward. The confirmation of updated controls and full gamepad support is arguably the most critical part of this announcement. This single quality-of-life improvement opens the door for a new generation to experience the gritty, immersive world Piranha Bytes crafted without needing a PhD in keyboard gymnastics.
The console collection will include:
- Gothic 1
- Gothic 2
- Gothic 3 Classic
It's slated for release on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. While the previous Nintendo Switch ports of the first two games from 2023 gave us a hint of what to expect, this complete trilogy feels like a much more definitive statement from THQ Nordic.
A Calculated Return to the Colony
This classic trilogy release isn't happening in a vacuum. It’s a calculated move to re-ignite interest in the franchise ahead of the full-blown Gothic Remake being developed by Alkimia Interactive, which is also targeting a 2026 launch. By letting players experience the original saga first, THQ Nordic is building a foundation of lore and appreciation that will make the remake’s arrival all the more impactful. It's a smart strategy that respects the source material while paving the way for its future.
From a community perspective, it’s validating to see official support finally catch up to what we’ve known for years: these games are timeless. While console players will be getting a polished, curated experience in a closed ecosystem, the spirit of Gothic has always thrived in the open, moddable world of PC gaming. The community-driven fixes, texture packs, and engine tweaks have kept these games alive and kicking, a testament to what’s possible when players are given the freedom to tinker.
A Win for Everyone
Ultimately, more ways to play a classic series is an unambiguous win for game preservation. Whether you’re diving in for the first time on a PlayStation 5 or you’re enjoying a heavily modded playthrough on a Steam Deck running Arch, it's a fantastic time to be a Gothic fan. The Colony is calling to a wider audience than ever before, and we can’t wait to see a new wave of players get absolutely wrecked by their first Shadowbeast. Get ready, newcomers. You’re in for a treat.
