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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsXbox confirmed 19 new Xbox Game Pass games for January 2026 across two official Xbox Wire posts, published January 6 and January 20, 2026. Both were written by Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass. Arrival dates run from January 6 to January 29, and the platforms and membership tiers differ from game to game. This article records what Xbox announced at the time. It does not establish what is in the service today.
The first wave: announced January 6, 2026
The first post named two games available on January 6 and listed nine more with dates from January 7 to January 20. Its opening line read: “Welcome to the new year, friends! Happy to be back with more games and more fun. Let’s get to it!”
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The post defined “Handheld” as games optimized for handheld play. Platform and tier labels are reproduced below as Xbox wrote them, so a game listed for Cloud and PC is not automatically listed for every other device.
| Date | Game | Platforms as announced | Tiers as announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 6 | Brews & Bastards | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 6 | Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition | Cloud, Handheld, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 7 | Atomfall | Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC | Premium (newly added) |
| January 7 | Lost in Random: The Eternal Die | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC | Premium (newly added) |
| January 7 | Rematch | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Premium (newly added) |
| January 7 | Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Premium (newly added) |
| January 8 | Final Fantasy | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 13 | Star Wars Outlaws | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| January 15 | My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery | Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 20 | Resident Evil Village | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 20 | MIO: Memories in Orbit | Cloud, Handheld, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, PC Game Pass (day-one Game Pass release) |
The second wave: announced January 20, 2026
The second post, also by Megan Spurr, went up on January 20. It confirmed that Resident Evil Village and MIO: Memories in Orbit were available that day, then listed eight further new games dated January 21 to January 29.
#1 Best Overall
![Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Cloud Gaming Devices [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bMCG9v4vL._SL160_.jpg)
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
| Date | Game | Platforms as announced | Tiers as announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 21 | Death Stranding Director’s Cut | Cloud, Handheld, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 21 | RoadCraft | PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 21 | Ninja Gaiden Ragebound | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 27 | The Talos Principle 2 | PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 28 | Anno: Mutationem | Cloud, PC, Console | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 28 | Drop Duchy | Cloud, PC, Console | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| January 29 | MySims: Cozy Bundle | PC | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| January 29 | Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
An editor’s note attached to the January 20 post says handheld availability was added for Death Stranding Director’s Cut. The table reflects that correction.
February previews included in the January post
Two titles dated in February appeared in the January 20 post. They are February arrivals, not January ones:
Rank #2
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
- Indika, February 2. An editor’s note on the post says Game Pass Premium was added for this title.
- Final Fantasy II, February 3.
Updates and add-ons listed separately
The January 20 post also included game-list additions and updates. They are not new games and are not part of the 19-title count:
Recommended Free Tools
- The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle, available through EA Play on the Xbox PC app, dated January 22
- Sea of Thieves Season 18, Act 2, dated January 22
- Grounded 2 Garden Update, dated January 27
- Dead by Daylight Stranger Things DLC, dated January 27
Games leaving Game Pass in January 2026
The two posts also announced removals. These are the announced removal dates, not evidence about the current catalog.
Rank #3
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
Leaving January 15
- Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
- Neon White
- Road 96
- The Ascent
- The Grinch Christmas Adventures
Leaving January 31
- Shady Part of Me
- Cataclismo
- Starbound
- Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
- PAW Patrol World
- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
- Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap
Which membership tier covers each game
The posts use three tier labels: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. The tier column in each table shows only what Xbox listed for that game. Several titles are not listed for every tier. Star Wars Outlaws, MySims: Cozy Bundle, and MIO: Memories in Orbit are listed for Ultimate and PC Game Pass but not Premium. RoadCraft and MySims: Cozy Bundle are listed for PC only among platforms. Atomfall, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Rematch, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition were listed as newly added to Premium on January 7.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check whether a January 2026 game is still on Game Pass
Both posts are dated January 2026. They establish what Xbox announced at that time and when it said each game would arrive or leave. They do not confirm regional availability, later removals, or the Game Pass catalog in October 2026. To check a title today:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
Rank #4
![$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MEiiMQqmL._SL160_.jpg)
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
- Open the current Game Pass game list on the official Xbox Game Pass pages.
- Search for the title and read the platform and tier labels shown there, because these can differ from the January 2026 labels above.
- If the title is missing, compare it with the removal dates above. A title listed as leaving may have been removed on that date or may have returned later.
- For the most recent monthly lineup, check the latest Xbox Wire Game Pass post rather than the January 2026 posts.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
