The backlog. Known by some as Pandora’s Box, the Library of Babel, the futile and never-ending attempt at optimising a hobby. It is a grand, metaphorical list of games that one eventually intends to play — a concept stranded in gaming circles. By nature, games take far longer to experience to their entirety compared to a movie, album, or book. Anyone can have a backlog of things they want to explore, but games require a whole other level of commitment.
Games require a whole other level of commitment
Once it starts taking shape, an untamed backlog of games can quickly shift from exciting to daunting. There are always new games coming out, but only so much time to tackle them. However, there are ways to plan ahead so you can focus on rolling credits, one game at a time. 2025 has left us with a lot of heavy-hitting new releases, so as we roll into 2026, here are a few tips to make your backlog journey a little smoother.
My first recommendation for even casual gamers is to build up a sort of discipline with starting new titles. Starting new games makes it easy to get caught in the hype of new titles, especially those you purchase immediately. In the past, I often started a couple games at once, only to find myself forgetting about half of them.
Playing one ‘main’ title at a time
Thankfully, you can easily overcome this problem by sticking to a vague plan. For me, this means playing one ‘main’ title at a time, whether to completion or until I drop it. There is some leeway for lower commitment games like roguelikes or online games, for example. Aside from these side dishes, however, you should draw the line at one main course.
For others, this may sound too restricting, and perhaps a combination of two main games can help keep things fresh. The important thing is to try forming ground rules to get your money’s worth without simultaneously suffocating your joy.
I also advise for the more hardcore gamers to make a spreadsheet. Although this sounds like overkill, I promise it is worth it in the long run, as there are several benefits. The main ones are visualising your progress and easing analysis paralysis, helping you to enjoy games a little more.
Document the games you play and write down your thoughts
Additionally, you can keep a separate section to document the games you play and write down your thoughts on them. This can be fun to look back on, especially to appreciate and reflect on a game you just finished. Or, alternatively, to vent your frustrations — I definitely have experienced that before.
This can also sometimes help with deciding what to play next, especially by adding categories to your spreadsheet. Being able to sort games by estimated length, genre, and so on is useful to narrow things down. You can simply pick your next game based on what you are in the mood for. This ultimately reduces the friction between finishing one game and moving onto the next.
I also like to make a roadmap of games I want to play next. Of course, this includes allowing myself to move things around and slot things in as necessary. This way, the decision is already made, but I still allow myself some freedom if I become enticed by a new release or sudden urge.
It can be hard to abandon games out of fear of wasting money
The next tip, for those who already have several unfinished or unplayed games, is to play what you already own. Play each for a short while before deciding whether you want to continue or are fine with leaving it unfinished. It can be hard to abandon games out of fear of wasting money, but do not let it consume you. With each new game you decide to give a try, experiment with strictly working through those for a short while.
Maybe you will find that something you were putting off becomes your new favourite. Or perhaps a game you had high expectations for is not as good as you thought it would be. Regardless, these are valuable experiences, and certainly better than never getting around to them.
Finally, do not be afraid to replay games. Making progress with the backlog is great, but it is not supposed to be a chore. Sometimes it can be fun to return to an old favourite with a fresh perspective. You should not view these experiences as wasted time, so to speak.
Certain unfinished games would be better returned to at a later date
You may also feel that certain unfinished games would be better returned to at a later date rather than fully shelved. For example, I am currently playing through Dark Souls for the third time. I already bounced off it twice within the past few years, usually during the first couple hours or so.
This time, I might actually surpass it, with 18 hours logged so far. I started to appreciate certain systems and design choices that I once disliked. It is an enjoyable and interesting journey that I once found tediously frustrating… And sometimes still frustrating, but I digress. It is still very fun to play.
The backlog is a unique phenomenon that can turn a fun hobby into a source of dread. However, when managed properly, it can truly enrich your experience and lead to some unexpected good memories. Backlogs can help to get more value out of your games by providing structure and rhythm to your playing habits. On that note, if you have not yet started your own backlog, just know that once you do, you will not be able to turn back.
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