Microsoft started 2026 strong by announcing 11 games hitting Xbox Game Pass in January’s first wave, headlined by Star Wars Outlaws on January 13 and Resident Evil Village on January 20. The lineup includes multiple day-one releases like Atomfall and MIO: Memories in Orbit, plus catalog additions ranging from Final Fantasy’s 2D remake to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition. This aggressive opening salvo follows a year where Game Pass faced criticism over price increases and fewer major day-one launches, suggesting Microsoft isn’t backing down from its subscription strategy despite ongoing industry challenges.
Star Wars Outlaws joining Game Pass just four-and-a-half months after its August 30, 2024 launch represents a surprisingly quick turnaround for a major Ubisoft title. Previous Star Wars games took nearly a year to reach the service, with Jedi Fallen Order and Survivor both arriving around 11 months post-release. The accelerated timeline for Outlaws suggests either underperforming sales or a strategic partnership between Microsoft and Ubisoft to boost engagement for a game that launched to mixed reception but has since won over critics after extensive patches fixed technical issues and improved stealth mechanics.
The Full January Wave 1 Lineup
Microsoft’s January 2026 announcement follows its typical two-wave structure, with the first batch spanning January 6 through January 20. Here’s the complete schedule broken down by release date and platform availability across Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass tiers:
January 6 brought Brews & Bastards, a twin-stick shooter where you blast drunken demons, and Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition, both available across cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S platforms. January 7 delivers four titles including the headlining Atomfall, Rebellion’s post-apocalyptic first-person action game set in an alternate 1960s British countryside following a nuclear disaster. Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, a 2025 roguelite sequel, joins alongside online multiplayer soccer sim Rematch and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition, the latter hopefully fixed from its many launch issues.
January 8 features Final Fantasy, Square Enix’s remodeled 2D take on the first game in the legendary JRPG series, available through cloud and Xbox Series X|S. Then comes the big one: Star Wars Outlaws drops January 13 for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers on cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. January 15 adds My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery for all tiers. The month closes with two January 20 releases: Resident Evil Village across cloud, console, and PC, plus day-one launch MIO: Memories in Orbit, a hand-crafted metroidvania.
What’s Leaving January 15
As always, Game Pass giveth and taketh away. Five titles exit the catalog on January 15, though none qualify as major losses. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Neon White, Road 96, The Ascent, and The Grinch Christmas Adventures all leave the service. Subscribers can purchase any departing games at a 20% discount before they vanish, a small consolation for those mid-playthrough when the axe falls.
Polygon notes these January 15 removals include some quality titles worth playing before they disappear. Neon White’s parkour FPS gameplay earned critical acclaim, while The Ascent’s twin-stick shooter action in a cyberpunk dystopia offers solid co-op entertainment. Road 96’s narrative-driven hitchhiking adventure through an authoritarian state remains unique despite mixed reviews. If you’ve had these games on your to-play list, the next week is your last chance without purchasing them outright.
Why Star Wars Outlaws Matters
Kotaku calls Star Wars Outlaws “enormously underrated” in their coverage of the Game Pass announcement, arguing the game deserves a second chance after suffering from both a buggy launch and a “concerted anti-woke campaign from the worst people on the internet.” The stealth mechanics that frustrated early players have been significantly improved through post-launch patches, making Kay Vess’ criminal adventures across the galaxy far more enjoyable than initial reviews suggested.
The game represents Ubisoft’s first attempt at an open-world Star Wars title, positioning players as scoundrel Kay Vess navigating the criminal underworld during the Empire’s reign between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. You work with various syndicates, steal from the wealthy, and build a reputation as a cunning outlaw while exploring iconic locations and newly created planets. The scope is massive, the production values impressive, and the gameplay loop satisfying once you get past the admittedly rough opening hours.
Game Pass subscribers getting Star Wars Outlaws just weeks before its planned Nintendo Switch 2 port arrives could significantly boost engagement for a game that underperformed sales expectations despite its massive budget and Star Wars branding. If Microsoft negotiated this deal specifically to counter GTA 6 hype building toward its rescheduled 2026 release, putting a high-profile open-world adventure on the service makes strategic sense even if it’s not the same genre.
Resident Evil Village Timing Couldn’t Be Better
IGN notes that Resident Evil Village arriving January 20 is “particularly timely, considering Requiem drops next month.” Capcom’s next mainline entry, Resident Evil Requiem, launches February 18, 2026, continuing Ethan Winters’ story after the events of Village. Offering the previous game on Game Pass just weeks before the sequel hits retail is smart cross-promotion that benefits both Microsoft and Capcom by ensuring players are caught up on the narrative before jumping into the new release.
Village remains one of the most beloved modern Resident Evil entries, blending survival horror with action-heavy combat against lycans, vampires, and Lady Dimitrescu’s towering presence that became an internet phenomenon. The game’s gothic European village setting combined with RE4-inspired merchant systems and resource management creates an experience that feels both fresh and familiar. Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass subscribers all get access across cloud, console, and PC platforms.
Day-One Releases Show Commitment
Atomfall launching day-one on Game Pass Premium demonstrates Microsoft’s continued investment in bringing new releases to subscribers immediately. Rebellion’s post-apocalyptic action game received solid previews throughout 2025, with its alternate history setting following a nuclear disaster at the Windscale nuclear reactor creating an irradiated British countryside filled with cults, government conspiracies, and mutated horrors. The game blends exploration, combat, and narrative choices in ways that should appeal to fans of Fallout and Metro series.
MIO: Memories in Orbit represents the month’s only day-one launch for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass tiers, arriving January 20 alongside Resident Evil Village. This hand-crafted metroidvania features a robot protagonist exploring a massive space station filled with environmental puzzles, platforming challenges, and combat encounters. While not a blockbuster release, day-one indie additions like MIO keep the Game Pass library fresh with experiences players might not purchase outright but will happily try through subscription access.
The Game Pass Value Debate Continues
Microsoft’s aggressive January lineup arrives amid ongoing debates about Game Pass’ long-term viability and value proposition following 2025’s price increases. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $19.99 monthly, up from previous pricing, while the service split into Premium and Standard tiers with different game libraries and day-one access policies. Critics argue fewer major day-one releases in 2025 compared to 2024 didn’t justify the increased costs, putting pressure on Microsoft to deliver stronger lineups in 2026.
The January Wave 1 announcement suggests Microsoft heard those criticisms. Landing Star Wars Outlaws less than five months post-launch, securing Resident Evil Village ahead of Requiem’s release, and bringing multiple day-one titles including Atomfall and MIO creates a perception of value that extends beyond just counting games. Quality and timing matter as much as quantity, and Microsoft appears focused on ensuring the 2026 lineup justifies subscription prices rather than padding numbers with older catalog additions.
Polygon’s coverage notes that these January additions “show Xbox isn’t giving up on Game Pass,” specifically highlighting Star Wars Outlaws as proof that Microsoft continues securing major third-party releases despite industry skepticism about subscription models’ sustainability. Whether this pace continues throughout 2026 depends on upcoming announcements, but starting the year with this lineup sends a strong message about Microsoft’s commitment to the platform.
What Wave 2 Might Bring
Microsoft explicitly labeled this announcement as “Wave 1 of January 2026,” confirming additional games will be revealed later this month. Historical patterns suggest Wave 2 typically arrives around January 22-25, adding another 5-7 titles to close out the month. Confirmed games with January release dates that haven’t been announced for Game Pass yet include Code Vein II on January 30 and potentially other indie releases scheduled for late-month launches.
Beyond January, Game Pass already has several major 2026 titles confirmed. Menace arrives February 5, High on Life 2 launches February 13, and Replaced finally releases March 12 after years of delays. The service will also host Xbox’s 25th anniversary celebration with heavy hitters like the Halo 1 remake, Forza Horizon 6, Gears of War: E-Day, and Fable reboot all scheduled for 2026 launches. If Microsoft delivers on these promises, 2026 could be Game Pass’ strongest year yet despite 2025’s criticisms.
The real test comes in how Microsoft balances first-party blockbusters with third-party acquisitions like Star Wars Outlaws throughout the year. Subscribers want both the day-one Xbox exclusives and the ability to play major multiplatform releases without $70 purchases. Striking that balance while maintaining profitability remains Game Pass’ biggest challenge as the subscription model faces increasing scrutiny from publishers concerned about cannibalizing full-price sales.
FAQs About Xbox Game Pass January 2026
When does Star Wars Outlaws come to Xbox Game Pass?
Star Wars Outlaws launches on Xbox Game Pass on January 13, 2026, available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass for cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S platforms. This is approximately four-and-a-half months after the game’s original August 30, 2024 retail launch.
Is Resident Evil Village coming to Game Pass?
Yes, Resident Evil Village arrives on Xbox Game Pass on January 20, 2026, across cloud, console, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass subscribers. The timing positions it perfectly ahead of Resident Evil Requiem’s February 18, 2026 launch.
What games are leaving Xbox Game Pass in January 2026?
Five games leave Xbox Game Pass on January 15, 2026: Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Neon White, Road 96, The Ascent, and The Grinch Christmas Adventures. Subscribers can purchase any leaving game at a 20% discount before removal.
Is Atomfall a day-one Game Pass release?
Yes, Atomfall launches day-one on Xbox Game Pass Premium on January 7, 2026, for cloud, console, handheld, and PC platforms. This Rebellion-developed post-apocalyptic action game is one of January’s major day-one additions to the subscription service.
What is MIO Memories in Orbit on Game Pass?
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a hand-crafted metroidvania launching day-one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on January 20, 2026. The game features a robot protagonist exploring a space station with platforming, puzzles, and combat across cloud, handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.
Is Final Fantasy coming to Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, Square Enix’s Final Fantasy remodeled 2D remake arrives on Xbox Game Pass on January 8, 2026, for cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass tiers.
Will there be more Game Pass games announced in January 2026?
Yes, Microsoft labeled this announcement as “Wave 1 of January 2026,” confirming additional games will be revealed later in the month. Wave 2 typically arrives around January 22-25 with another batch of 5-7 titles.
How much does Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cost in 2026?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $19.99 per month in 2026 following price increases in 2025. The service includes cloud gaming, PC Game Pass, console access, and day-one releases for first-party titles and select third-party games.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s January 2026 Xbox Game Pass lineup answers critics who questioned the service’s value following 2025’s price increases and fewer blockbuster day-one releases. Landing Star Wars Outlaws just months after its retail debut, timing Resident Evil Village perfectly ahead of Requiem’s launch, and securing multiple day-one indies like Atomfall and MIO creates genuine subscriber value that extends beyond just counting games. The Wave 1 announcement sets an aggressive tone for 2026 that Microsoft needs to maintain throughout the year to justify subscription costs and silence skeptics arguing the model isn’t sustainable. For subscribers, January offers an embarrassment of riches spanning AAA open-world adventures, survival horror masterpieces, post-apocalyptic action, classic JRPGs, and hand-crafted indie experiences all included in the monthly fee. Whether you’re finally ready to give Star Wars Outlaws a fair shot after its rocky launch, want to experience Lady Dimitrescu’s gothic castle before Resident Evil Requiem arrives, or just need something new to play during the post-holiday gaming drought, Xbox Game Pass delivers in January. The real question is whether Microsoft can sustain this momentum through 2026’s remaining eleven months, especially when heavy hitters like Halo remake, Fable, and Gears of War: E-Day face potential delays. For now, January’s lineup proves Game Pass isn’t going anywhere despite industry challenges and publisher concerns about cannibalizing sales. The subscription wars continue, and Microsoft just landed a strong opening salvo.