Only a few instances of the yr are actually useless for video games anymore, with former doldrum months like July and August, or February and March, now typically being crammed with killer video games.
This yr, although, January truly earns the label. It’s not empty, however the launch slate is gentle sufficient you can be selective, or lastly chip away at that ever-growing backlog with out feeling such as you’re lacking out. And for those who stocked up on vacation offers the final couple months, now's the time to show your consideration to these.
Two of the largest releases this month are merely the identical recreation we performed earlier than, on a brand new platform. Fortunately, February appears to be a a lot, a lot larger month for brand new video games. For now, although, right here’s a lot of titles that may see you thru January.
Pathologic 3
Launch Date: January 9, 2026
PC, PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S
Because the mayor and physician of a small city racked by a mysterious plague, you could have 12 days to resolve the thriller of this illness.
True to the sequence’ cult popularity, Pathologic 3 leans exhausting into psychological survival, forcing you to make inconceivable ethical decisions underneath relentless time stress, the place each choice reshapes the city and your individual sanity as a lot because the spreading plague itself.
You'll study and diagnose sufferers, arrange roadblocks and checkpoints to curb the unfold of the sickness, and preserve your dwindling sanity.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Change 2 Version)
Launch Date: January 15, 2026
Nintendo Change 2, Nintendo Change
Animal Crossing: New Horizons captured the world when it hit in the course of the early days of the pandemic, serving to the then-three-year-old Change develop into a rarity as soon as once more.
The sport’s Change 2 version brings a bunch of welcome and doubtlessly fascinating new enhancements, particularly for the hardcore Animal Crossing gamers amongst us.
It helps 4K at 30FPS for these enjoying on the house display screen, and is provided with the second Pleasure-Con in mouse mode to extra exactly management ornament and design creation, in addition to to write down handwritten messages on city bulletin boards.
One other new characteristic is a megaphone that makes use of the Change 2's built-in microphone. You need to use the megaphone to name out villagers by title, so that you just don't need to go operating all around the island to seek out them.
In the event you're enjoying on-line and completely with different Change 2 gamers, you can even have as much as 12 gamers in a single session concurrently. That final characteristic isn't going to get a lot use, we're betting, however the others are all enjoyable, fascinating enhancements to the sport.
Remaining Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Launch Date: January 22, 2026
PC, PS5, Nintendo Change 2 Version
There's not a lot to say right here; this is similar Remaining Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade you already know and love on PlayStation 5 and PC.
Now, although, it's heading to Nintendo Change 2, Xbox Sequence consoles, and Xbox for PC with Xbox Play Anyplace. It consists of the Yuffie-centric "INTERmission" in addition to the principle recreation.
Escape from Ever After
Launch Date: January 23, 2026
Platforms: PC (Steam/Epic), PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Change
Escape from Ever After wears its Paper Mario influences on its sleeve. And pants, sneakers, hat— you get the thought.
As Flynt Buckler, fairytale adventurer, you're exploring the fortress of your arch-nemesis, the dragon Tinder (Flynt and Tinder, get it???), if you discover out they've been transformed into company workplaces.
A company from the actual world is taking on fairytale land, and it’s important to staff up with the opposite fairy tales to battle again.
There's a demo for the sport on Steam, so you possibly can test it out before you purchase it.
Rightfully, Beary Arms
Launch Date: January 27, 2026
PC, Xbox Sequence X/S
You're a cute little teddy bear on this roguelite bullet hell recreation, trapped in a dream that it’s important to shoot your method out of.
You'll gather weapon and rule modifiers, all of the whereas wielding human-scale shotguns and extra regardless of being a diminutive teddy bear.
This recreation has been in early entry for a few years and is simply now hitting 1.0.
Cairn
Launch Date: January 29, 2026
PC, PS5
If Peak didn't hit you fairly proper, Cairn could be extra your pace.
Whereas Peak hit the highs and lows of climbing via its janky controls, Cairn is attempting to seize a extra full model of climbing.
You'll be climbing utilizing a simulation designed only for this recreation. You possibly can climb up wherever and discover your individual handholds—no yellow spray paint on Mount Kami.
As you climb, you'll need to forage, bivouac, and handle assets similar to pitons to make sure you attain the highest in a single piece. There are demos for the sport on each Steam and PS5.
Code Vein II
Launch Date: January 30, 2026
PC, PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S
On this anime action-rpg, you'll journey via time combating to avoid wasting the world.
The unique was nicely obtained, with followers citing the controls and character editor as standout options.
It's an anime recreation, so count on numerous cutscenes—you'll know instantly whether or not that could be a plus or minus for you.
