- First wave of January with 11 new games for Game Pass on console, PC, cloud and portable devices.
- Big names like Star Wars Outlaws, Resident Evil Village and the return of Final Fantasy are coming.
- MIO: Memories in Orbit premieres on day one of the service and is part of the second half of the month.
- Five games will be leaving the catalog on January 15th with the option to purchase them with up to a 20% discount.
The start of the year is full of changes for Xbox Game Pass in JanuaryWith a combination of very strong releases and several releases that are worth keeping an eye on to avoid surprises, Microsoft has detailed the first wave of the monthwhich includes both high-profile releases and independent offerings for very different audiences.
In the same movement in which are confirmed 11 additions to the catalogThe company has also put Date for the titles that will no longer be available in the middle of the monthAll of this affects the different service modalities - Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass - which remain the most convenient entry point to the Xbox ecosystem for those who play on console, PC or in the cloud in Spain and the rest of Europe.
How the first wave of Game Pass is being organized in January
The calendar of Game Pass releases in January It maintains Microsoft's usual pattern: the month is divided into two rounds of announcements, with the first concentrated between January 6th and 20th. Many of the games arrive gradually throughout the first half of the month, while the releases on the 20th mark the end of the initial wave.
From the outset it has been emphasized that we are facing the first batch of new signingsTherefore, more names will still be confirmed by the end of the month. Even so, the already announced lineup is solid enough to set the tone for what to expect from the service at the start of 2026.
Another detail to consider is the distribution by subscription plans: Game Pass Premium gains traction with several titles that are specifically incorporated at this levelwhile Ultimate and PC Game Pass remain the option for those who want broader access to cloud gaming and the PC catalog.
For Spanish gamers, the dates align with Microsoft's traditional announcement schedule, which usually relies on the first half of the month to give visibility to the new products, leaving room afterwards for promotions and new announcements towards the end of January.
Games available since January 6th
The wave starts strong on January 6On this date, two very different proposals have been added to the catalog, but with one thing in common: they seek to offer intense experiences from minute one, both in action and setting.
On the one hand, subscribers can jump into Brews & Bastards cloud-based, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. This title is presented as a A frenetic, top-down shooter that combines straightforward action, humor, and a lighthearted tone.Ideal for quick games, cooperative games, or short sessions between longer games.
At the other end is Little Nightmares Enhanced Editionwhich once again focuses on terror and atmospheric tension. This enhanced version of the Tarsier Studios classic arrives with Notable visual improvements and 60 FPS performance, making better use of the capabilities of Xbox Series X|S and PC. For those who didn't play it back in the day, it's a great excuse to discover Six's haunting adventure; and for those who already know it, it's a more polished way to revisit it.
The big January 7th release: four key additions
El January 7 It is probably the busiest day of this first wave. Four games are being added to Game Pass PremiumAll of them with very different approaches and designed for varied player profiles, from those who prefer a narrative campaign to lovers of cooperative and more direct action.
The first one to highlight is Atomfallan adventure of Survival and exploration inspired by a nuclear disaster in the United KingdomSet in an alternate England marked by radiation and instability, it blends open-world elements with environmental storytelling and decisions that affect progress, all accessible on cloud, console, handheld, and PC for Premium subscribers.
Along with him comes Lost in Random: The Eternal Diea proposal that combines real-time combat with a dice and card system which determine the skills available at any given time. Its visual style, reminiscent of a dark fairy tale, and the blend of action and light strategy make it an intriguing option within the catalog.
The offer is completed with RematchA competitive game with a sports focus that emphasizes... action in third person and quick matches, designed for online play and games with friends; and with Warhammer 40.000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition, an updated edition of the action classic set in the Warhammer universe, which incorporates graphical improvements and quality of life adjustments for new platforms.
The return of Final Fantasy and the bet on nostalgia
El January 8 It's being reserved for a single, but very significant, addition for fans of classic JRPGs. That day, a new game arrives on Game Pass. a revamped version of Final Fantasy, which revisits the first chapter of the saga with Reinterpreted 2D graphics and modern interface tweaks, balance and quality of life.
This remaster, available on the cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, takes a nostalgic yet practical approach: it respects the spirit of the original but introduces options designed for current playerswho may not be so willing to tolerate certain rough edges of designs from several decades ago.
For those who want to start the year with a classic-style RPG and more leisurely gameplay, Final Fantasy on Game Pass It is shaping up to be one of the strongest bets of the first half of the monthFurthermore, it serves as an entry point to the franchise for service members who have never been tempted to try it.
Star Wars Outlaws, the big mid-month premiere
The big event of the month arrives on January 13 with the incorporation of Star Wars Outlaws to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. It is about the first open-world game in the Star Wars franchiseThis is something that the community had been requesting for years and that is now directly included in the subscription.
In this adventure, players take on the role of Kay Vess, an outlaw who travels through different systems of the galaxy between the events of The Empire Strikes Back y Return of the JediThe game combines exploration, stealth, on-foot combat, space travel, and relationships with different criminal factions, opening the door to multiple play styles.
The fact that Star Wars Outlaws launches on Game Pass This reinforces the service's commitment to offering high-profile premieres from day one, a particularly relevant move in markets like Spain, where the galactic saga has a very consolidated fan base.
More family and adventures in the final stretch of the wave
The first half of the month closes on January 15 with the arrival of My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery It's available on Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass. It's clearly a title aimed at a children's or family audience, with an emphasis on light exploration, minigames, and characters recognizable to fans of the franchise.
This type of game helps ensure that the January catalog isn't limited solely to action or horror titles, and that there's content designed for sharing a controller with the youngest members of the household. no additional purchases required beyond the subscription fee.
Resident Evil Village and MIO: Memories in Orbit, featured on January 20th
El January 20 It's marked in red twice within Xbox Game Pass. That day, two of the most outstanding games of the wave are added.On one hand, a well-known AAA title; on the other, a new release that will debut directly within the service.
Firstly, it is added to the catalog Resident Evil Village, the eighth main installment of Capcom's horror sagaAvailable on cloud, console and PC, this adventure picks up the story of Ethan Winters with a mix of exploration, first-person combat and a tone that combines psychological horror with intense action.
Its arrival on Game Pass coincides with the upcoming launch of Resident Evil Requiemwhich can serve as a warm-up Perfect for those who want to catch up on the franchise before its new chapterFurthermore, it reinforces the presence of high-budget horror games on the service, something that is usually well received among European subscribers.
The other big name of the day is MIO: Memories in Orbit, which premieres as day one launch on Game PassThis tech-themed Metroidvania invites you to explore a gigantic, decaying spaceship, unlocking abilities, battling enemies, and traversing interconnected areas in classic genre style. It will be available on the cloud, mobile devices, PC, and Xbox Series X|S through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
For those who enjoy experiences of leisurely exploration and steady progression, surprise titles MIO, for example, could become one of the unexpected bets of this start of the year, taking advantage of its subscription presence to reach a wider audience from day one.
Five games leaving Game Pass on January 15
As with every service update, the addition of new games is accompanied by catalog releasesIn January, the move affects five titles that will no longer be available. January 15Therefore, subscribers have a limited window to finish them or decide whether they want to buy them.
It tops the list Flintlock: The Siege of DawnA third-person action RPG developed by A44 Games and published by Kepler Interactive. It blends exploration, challenging combat, and a fantasy world with firearms, though it received mixed reviews at the time due to its uneven narrative and some technical issues.
He also says goodbye Neon WhiteOne of the most acclaimed indie games of recent years, this title combines fast-paced platforming, shooting, and a unique card system to create levels that encourage repeated playthroughs in pursuit of the best time. Those who enjoy competitive play against global leaderboards would do well to give it one last try before it leaves the service.
The list of farewells also includes Road 96, a narrative adventure set in a fictional country in crisis, where decisions mark the path to the border; The AscentA cyberpunk RPG with an isometric view, focused on cooperative gameplay and intense action; and The Grinch: Christmas Adventures, a platform game inspired by the well-known Christmas character.
They all share one final advantage for undecided voters: They can be purchased with up to a 20% discount as long as they remain part of the Game Pass catalog. It's a reasonable way to keep ownership of them if you want to continue playing beyond January 15th.
A varied January catalog with a strong focus on science fiction.
Looking at the big picture, Game Pass in January It opts for a fairly clear balance between big productions, meticulously crafted indie games and family-friendly options. On the AAA side, Resident Evil Village and Star Wars Outlaws take center stage, reinforcing the presence of commercially successful games within the subscription service.
Around it, titles like Atomfall, Warhammer 40.000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition and MIO: Memories in Orbit They solidify the presence of science fiction and futuristic action, a recurring theme across different budgets and gameplay styles. Final Fantasy is also included as a nod to nostalgia for those who prefer a more leisurely pace.
The inclusion of My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery And offerings like Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition or Brews & Bastards help to broaden the resulting catalog in terms of tone and target audience, which is important for a service that caters to very different profiles within the same company.
The first wave of Game Pass in January It leaves a pretty solid start to the yearThere are day-one releases, big third-party titles, a variety of genres, and a measured approach to new releases, limited to five games with discounted purchase options. For subscribers in Spain or other European countries, the month is shaping up to be a great opportunity to try new things without missing out on the big releases.
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