Xbox Game Pass has launched its January Wave 1 lineup, bringing a diverse mix of new releases, classic franchises, and day-one titles to subscribers. The update spans cloud, console, PC, and handheld platforms and is available across Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass, depending on the title. The wave includes both high-profile releases and indie games, highlighting Xbox’s ongoing strategy to deliver a wide range of experiences to its subscribers.
Games Available Now
Currently, Game Pass subscribers can access Brews & Bastards and Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition. Brews & Bastards is a twin-stick shooter where players take control of a group of inebriated heroes, battling hordes of enemies and unique bosses in pursuit of the stolen Brew Stone. It is available on cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S and is included with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass.
Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition offers a remastered experience of the original game with 4K resolution and 60 FPS gameplay. Players guide Six, a small child trapped in The Maw, a mysterious vessel inhabited by grotesque versions of adults. The game emphasizes stealth, problem-solving, and evasion, creating a tense and atmospheric adventure that is playable across cloud, handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.
Upcoming Titles in January
Several new titles are set to arrive in the coming weeks. On January 7, Game Pass Premium members can access Atomfall, a survival-action game set five years after the fictional Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England. The game combines scavenging, crafting, combat, and narrative-driven interactions within a quarantine zone filled with unique characters and hidden secrets.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die also releases on January 7 and combines real-time action with dice-based combat mechanics. Players control Queen Aleksandra in a story centered on revenge and redemption, blending tactical gameplay with risk-reward decision-making.
Rematch, launching the same day, focuses on 5v5 team-based football gameplay. Players control a single athlete in continuous action matches, emphasizing strategy, positioning, and teamwork without traditional football rules such as offsides or fouls.
Another January 7 release, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition, brings updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements to the original action game. Players assume the role of a Space Marine fighting against Ork forces in a brutal science fantasy setting.
On January 8, Game Pass will add a remodeled version of the original Final Fantasy, featuring updated usability and retro-inspired visuals while preserving the core story of the Warriors of Light restoring the Crystals.
Star Wars Outlaws, arriving January 13, marks the first open-world Star Wars game and is set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Players follow scoundrel Kay Vess as she navigates the galaxy’s criminal underworld alongside her companion Nix. The game focuses on exploration, combat, and stealth as players engage with both iconic and new Star Wars locations.
On January 15, My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery adds a family-friendly adventure to Game Pass. Players can control multiple ponies to solve a magical mystery while enjoying mini-games and character customization.
Later in the month, January 20 will see the arrival of Resident Evil Village and MIO: Memories in Orbit. Resident Evil Village continues Ethan Winters’ story in a European village filled with danger and mystery, combining survival horror and exploration. MIO: Memories in Orbit is a hand-crafted metroidvania featuring Mio, an android exploring a world reclaimed by nature and machines, with a focus on exploration and uncovering lost memories.
Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass
Subscribers looking to finish games before they leave can do so before January 15. Titles exiting the library include Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Neon White, Road 96, The Ascent, and The Grinch Christmas Adventures. Players can also purchase these games at a discount of up to 20 percent before removal.
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What platforms are the January Wave 1 games available on?
Games in this wave are available across cloud, console, PC, and handheld platforms, with availability depending on the specific title.
Do I need Game Pass Ultimate to access all the games?
Some titles are included in Game Pass Premium or PC Game Pass, while others are available to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Availability is listed per game.
When do Star Wars Outlaws and Resident Evil Village arrive on Game Pass?
Star Wars Outlaws is available on January 13, while Resident Evil Village launches on January 20.
Are any games leaving Game Pass this month?
Yes, several games are leaving on January 15, including Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Neon White, Road 96, The Ascent, and The Grinch Christmas Adventures.
Which games are optimized for handheld play?
Titles labeled with “Handheld” are optimized for portable play on supported devices, including Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition, Atomfall, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Rematch, and My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery.
Does Game Pass include day-one releases?
Yes, several games in this wave, such as MIO: Memories in Orbit, are available on Game Pass the same day they release.
