Bungie is bringing back its classic 1990s sci-fi FPS series with a fresh take on Marathon. The game was first revealed at the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, right after Sony bought Bungie in 2022. This marked Bungie’s first big new project under Sony. In summer 2025, early closed alpha tests happened, and players loved the cool sci-fi look and atmosphere. But Bungie delayed the game multiple times with no new date, leaving fans worried. Now, Marathon is set to launch in March 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with exciting bonuses and more to get players hyped again. Let’s explore more about the Marathon release date, editions, special PS5 gear, and more below.
About Marathon
Marathon is an upcoming first-person shooter game developed and published by Bungie. The studio behind Halo and Destiny. It is a new game in Bungie’s older Marathon series, but it is not a simple remake of the classics. Instead, it is a fresh, modern multiplayer-only game with a strong focus on online play. The game is set in the far future, in the year 2893, on a dangerous planet called Tau Ceti IV. You play as a Runner, a kind of high-tech treasure hunter who explores hostile areas to find loot and valuable resources. You move through different zones looking for valuables, and calm exploration can quickly turn into intense fights.
The planet’s old human colony has mysteriously disappeared, and is full of rival Runners. The part of the appeal is slowly learning what happened through the world, missions, and seasonal updates. Each match is about going into a map, grabbing loot, and then safely escaping. You can fight other players and AI enemies, collect weapons and gear, and then head to an extraction point to get out alive. If you die, you usually lose the gear you brought in or found, so every decision feels risky and tense. Matches are built around survival, quick thinking, and smart teamwork.
The game is solo or multiplayer-only, with no classic single-player campaign. You can play solo or in small teams (up to three players), and teamwork, communication, and tactics are very important. The story will evolve with seasons, events, and changes in the game world influenced by player actions. Marathon will support cross-play and cross-save, so you can play with friends on different platforms and keep your progress everywhere.
Features
- You explore a dark sci-fi world on the planet Tau Ceti IV, full of danger and mystery.
- You play as a Runner, a scavenger who searches zones for loot and valuable items.
- The main loop is to grab loot and then exfiltrate safely to keep your rewards.
- Gunplay is fast and responsive, but supplies like ammo and healing are limited.
- You can play solo or in small crews of two or three players in PvP and PvE.
- There are different Runner shells like Destroyer, Recon, and Thief that change your playstyle.
- You can mod weapons, implants, and core systems to make many different builds.
- Factions offer contracts that give long-term upgrades, better loadouts, and more storage.
- Player choices and runs help uncover the mystery of what happened to the lost Marathon expedition.
- Endgame content takes place on the UESC Marathon in orbit, with raid-like challenges and high-tier loot.
Marathon Editions
The multiplayer FPS game is now available to pre-order in three different editions: Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Collector’s Edition. Let’s break down the contents of each edition and see what they bring to the table:
Marathon Standard Edition
- Full Marathon base game
- 7 Runner Shells
- Moddable weapons, implants, and system upgrades
- Access to all gameplay updates throughout the year (maps, events, Runner Shells)
Marathon Digital Deluxe Edition
- All Standard Edition content
- 1 Premium Rewards Pass Voucher
- 200 SILK Rewards Pass Tokens
- Midnight Decay Weapon Cosmetics: Misriah 2442 Pump Shotgun Style, Overrun AR Style
- Midnight Decay Runner Cosmetics: Vandal, Destroyer, Assassin, and Thief Shell Styles
Collectors Edition
- All Deluxe Edition content (digital game code)
- Premium unboxing experience themed around Sekiguchi Genetics’ shell-weaving process
- 1/6-scale statue of the Thief Runner Shell on Dire Marsh
- Collectible Sekiguchi WEAVEworm
- Embroidered patch and postcard set
- Unique digital rewards
Pre-order Bonuses
You will receive the following on the purchase of any of the Marathon editions:
- ZERO STEP 004 CE Tactical Sidearm Style
- ZERO STEP RC Weapon Charm
- ZERO STEP SHIFT Weapon Sticker
- APOGEE INTERCEPT Background
- APOGEE INTERCEPT Emblem
Plus, the following Destiny 2 rewards by linking to your Bungie.net account:
- UESC Echo-type Shell Exotic Ghost
- UESC Rover Exotic Ship
- UESC Sprinter Exotic Sparrow
Marathon Release Date
Bungie first revealed the upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, in 2023, but after an art plagiarism issue and poor reactions to early tests, the game was delayed without a new date, which made many players worry about whether it would ever come out. Now, less than a year after the delay, the situation has improved, the problems have been addressed, and the game finally has a clear launch day, with Bungie confirming that the Marathon release date is March 5, 2026.
Marathon Platforms
Players can dive into the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV on the following platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S, and
- PC (via Steam)
Marathon Limited Edition Hardware
To celebrate the release of Marathon, Sony is also releasing Limited Edition PS5 accessories for the game on the same day. As the game was officially confirmed by Bungie on 19 January 2026, Sony wasted no time in unveiling its accessories to mark the occasion. They include the following:
- Marathon Limited Edition DualSense, Price: $84.99
- Marathon Limited Edition Pulse Elite, Price: $169.99
- Release date: March 5, 2026
- Pre-orders start January 21 at 10 AM (ET) in the U.S./10 AM local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
After the delay and the many problems Bungie faced over the last year, people are still not sure how Marathon will be received by fans. Bringing out special PS5 accessories with the game might help build excitement again and make players feel more positive after that uncertain time. Even though Marathon’s path to release has been difficult, Sony is still strongly focused on live service games and wants this one to succeed, so a big marketing push makes sense. On top of that, the Deluxe and Collector’s Editions come with many extra items and collectibles for fans to enjoy.
Summary
After months of waiting around, Bungie finally gives Marathon a release date. Play as a Runner exploring the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV, risking everything for loot and answers. Each run, you sneak into deadly zones, fight other players and enemies, grab valuables, and rush to escape with your life. Stronger gear, new shells, and faction rewards help you build powerful setups, but every raid is a gamble because dying means losing it all. With multiple editions, pre-order bonuses, Destiny 2 rewards, and even special PS5 accessories, Marathon is aiming to be a big, long-term adventure for FPS fans.
Are you excited for Marathon? Let us know in the comments below. And for more gaming news, guides, tips, tricks, and more, don’t forget to check out Driffle Blog.
