The Top 5 Video Games Releasing in January 2026
Believe it or not, 2026 is upon us. For some, that may mean resolutions to exercise more, eat better, get organized, or save money. For gamers, however, it means one thing: more games. While the gaming calendar takes a little time to really get going, there are still some promising titles coming to consoles in January.
Before we get into the list, a couple of bonus games/honorable mentions. First, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition that promises better graphics and smoother performance among other things. A version 3.0 update is accompanying it as well, adding new features, most notably a new hotel. Second, rumors persist that a Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is coming out in early 2026, perhaps in January.
While Sands of Time would’ve absolutely found a spot here, there’s nothing official, so for now it’s just something to keep an eye on. With that in mind, here’s my top five video games that are coming out in January:
5) Highguard
There seems to be a lot of negativity toward Highguard, a free-to-play raid shooter, which I’m guessing stems from it being the final game revealed at The Game Awards 2025 when gamers were hoping for something bigger. It has a good pedigree, having been developed by veterans of Respawn Entertainment, which created Titanfall and Apex Legends, and features an interesting world. I’m not big on F2P, but why spend the money for such a choice spot at The Game Awards if you didn’t think you had something? We’ll find out on January 26.
4) Cairn
Six months ago, this game wouldn’t have even been on my radar. Then, I decided to check out Jusant on Xbox Game Pass, and wound up enjoying it. While Jusant was quite mellow, Cairn looks like a much more hardcore climbing experience, and it reportedly incorporates survival elements (both psychological and resource-based) as well.
3) Code Violet
A last-second delay pushed Code Violet from a December launch into 2026, so it’s possible that it could happen again. For now, however, it’s set for release on January 10. Looking at the trailers it’s impossible not to see a Dino Crisis influence, a series I have all manner of nostalgia for, and third-person survival horror games are among my favorites, even if this sounds like it’ll veer more action-heavy. I’m cautiously optimistic about this one.
2) Code Vein II
The second installment of the Soulslike anime-styled game (and second game in a row on my list with the word “code” in it), Code Vein II promises to add more customization and an expanded focus on exploring an open world in its vampire setting where you acquire skills by draining the blood of your enemies. Sounds a lot like the real world, to be honest.
1) MIO: Memories in Orbit
The only game to land a spot on my 26 Must-Play Games of 2026 list, MIO features graphics and level design that stir memories of Ori and the Blind Forest,and the boss battles shown in the trailer give off some serious Hollow Knight vibes. For a Metroidvania platformer, those are two of the best games to draw influences from, and it helps it land the spot as my most anticipated game for January.