Microsoft has kicked off the new year with a major announcement for its subscription service, unveiling a packed slate of titles coming to Xbox Game Pass throughout January 2026. The month promises significant value, particularly for those subscribed to the mid-tier Premium and top-tier Ultimate plans.
A Strong Start for Premium and Ultimate Subscribers
The first wave of new games begins immediately with the arrival of Brew and Bastards, a twin-stick shooter, and Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition. The enhanced edition boasts visual upgrades including 4K resolution and smoother frame rates. Both titles are accessible to subscribers on the Premium and Ultimate tiers from the outset.
The real flood of content hits on Wednesday, January 7. This is when Premium subscribers gain access to a substantial collection of new games. The lineup includes the highly anticipated survival title Atomfall, the fun multiplayer football game Rematch from the creators of Sifu, the enhanced Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition, and Lost in Random: The Eternal Die.
Major Franchises and Timely Releases
The following day, January 8, marks the arrival of a classic as The original Final Fantasy joins the Game Pass library for Premium and Ultimate members. One of the month's biggest highlights follows on Tuesday, January 13, when the open-world adventure Star Wars Outlaws becomes available, though exclusively for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
Family-friendly content arrives with My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery on January 15 for Premium and Ultimate tiers. The horror offering for the month is a major one: Resident Evil Village creeps onto the service for Premium and Ultimate members on Tuesday, January 20. This release is strategically timed, arriving just weeks before its sequel, Requiem, launches in late February.
Rounding out the month on January 20 is MIO: Memories in Orbit, available for Ultimate subscribers and those on the PC Game Pass plan.
What This Means for Gamers
This January lineup underscores the continued value proposition of the Xbox Game Pass service, especially for its higher-tier subscribers. The inclusion of day-one releases for certain tiers, alongside major franchise titles and critically acclaimed games, provides a cost-effective way to access a broad library. For UK gamers, it represents a powerful start to the year's gaming calendar, offering everything from atmospheric horror and epic sci-fi adventures to competitive sports and nostalgic RPGs.
