Very few times of the year are truly dead for games anymore, with former doldrum months like July and August, or February and March, now often being filled with killer games.
This year, though, January actually earns the label. It’s not empty, but the release slate is light enough that you can be selective, or finally chip away at that ever-growing backlog without feeling like you’re missing out. And if you stocked up on holiday deals the last couple months, now's the time to turn your attention to those.
Two of the biggest releases this month are simply the same game we played before, on a new platform. Luckily, February looks to be a much, much bigger month for new games. For now, though, here’s a number of titles that can see you through January.
Release Date: January 9, 2026
PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
As the mayor and doctor of a small town racked by a mysterious plague, you have 12 days to solve the mystery of this sickness.
True to the series’ cult reputation, Pathologic 3 leans hard into psychological survival, forcing you to make impossible moral choices under relentless time pressure, where every decision reshapes the town and your own sanity as much as the spreading plague itself.
You'll examine and diagnose patients, set up roadblocks and checkpoints to curb the spread of the illness, and maintain your dwindling sanity.
Release Date: January 15, 2026
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Animal Crossing: New Horizons captured the world when it hit during the early days of the pandemic, helping the then-three-year-old Switch become a rarity once again.
The game’s Switch 2 edition brings a bunch of welcome and potentially interesting new enhancements, especially for the hardcore Animal Crossing players among us.
It supports 4K at 30FPS for those playing on the home screen, and is equipped with the second Joy-Con in mouse mode to more precisely control decoration and design creation, as well as to write handwritten messages on town bulletin boards.
Another new feature is a megaphone that uses the Switch 2's built-in microphone. You can use the megaphone to call out villagers by name, so that you don't have to go running all over the island to find them.
If you're playing online and exclusively with other Switch 2 players, you can also have up to 12 players in a single session simultaneously. That last feature isn't going to get much use, we're betting, but the others are all fun, interesting enhancements to the game.
Release Date: January 22, 2026
PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
There's not much to say here; this is the same Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade you know and love on PlayStation 5 and PC.
Now, though, it's heading to Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series consoles, and Xbox for PC with Xbox Play Anywhere. It includes the Yuffie-centric "INTERmission" as well as the main game.
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Platforms: PC (Steam/Epic), PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Escape from Ever After wears its Paper Mario influences on its sleeve. And pants, shoes, hat— you get the idea.
As Flynt Buckler, fairytale adventurer, you're exploring the castle of your arch-nemesis, the dragon Tinder (Flynt and Tinder, get it???), when you find out they've been converted into corporate offices.
A corporation from the real world is taking over fairytale land, and you have to team up with the other fairy tales to fight back.
There's a demo for the game on Steam, so you can check it out before you buy it.
Release Date: January 27, 2026
PC, Xbox Series X/S
You're a cute little teddy bear in this roguelite bullet hell game, trapped in a dream that you have to shoot your way out of.
You'll collect weapon and rule modifiers, all the while wielding human-scale shotguns and more despite being a diminutive teddy bear.
This game has been in early access for a couple of years and is just now hitting 1.0.
Release Date: January 29, 2026
PC, PS5
If Peak didn't hit you quite right, Cairn might be more your speed.
While Peak hit the highs and lows of climbing through its janky controls, Cairn is trying to capture a more complete version of climbing.
You'll be climbing using a simulation designed just for this game. You can climb up anywhere and find your own handholds—no yellow spray paint on Mount Kami.
As you climb, you'll have to forage, bivouac, and manage resources such as pitons to ensure you reach the top in one piece. There are demos for the game on both Steam and PS5.
Release Date: January 30, 2026
PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
In this anime action-rpg, you'll travel through time fighting to save the world.
The original was well received, with fans citing the controls and character editor as standout features.
It's an anime game, so expect a lot of cutscenes—you'll know immediately whether that is a plus or minus for you.
