Microsoft announced its first Game Pass lineup for 2026 on January 6, headlined by Star Wars Outlaws and Resident Evil Village. The subscription service adds 11 games between January 6 and 20, according to multiple gaming publications.
Star Wars Outlaws arrives January 13 for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. Ubisoft's open-world Star Wars title features third-person action with melee combat, shooting, and stealth mechanics. The game originally launched in 2024 at $70 but faced criticism for technical issues at release.
Resident Evil Village joins Game Pass on January 20, available across Ultimate, Premium, and PC tiers. Capcom's 2021 survival horror title brings the franchise's eighth mainline entry to subscribers, featuring the iconic 10-foot-tall vampire lady Alcina Dimitrescu. Polygon's 2021 review called it "the perfect cocktail of horror and action."
Two games launched immediately on January 6: Little Nightmares: Enhanced Edition and Brews & Bastards. Little Nightmares offers 4K graphics at 60 FPS with ray-tracing support, while Brews & Bastards provides twin-stick shooter action with co-op support for up to four players.
Microsoft's January additions include several other titles. Lost In Random: The Eternal Die arrives January 7, Atomfall launches later in the month, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition comes to Game Pass Premium subscribers. Five games depart the service on January 15.
The strong January lineup follows a challenging 2025 for Xbox. Microsoft raised Game Pass Ultimate prices by $10 last year and increased hardware costs, according to Game Rant. Xbox also faced declining market share against competitors throughout 2025.
Game Pass added 216 games while removing 128 in 2025, resulting in a net gain of 88 titles. Major 2025 additions included Hollow Knight: Silksong and Game of the Year winner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The service now faces pressure to justify its higher pricing with consistent quality content.
Star Wars Outlaws requires Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, while Resident Evil Village supports all three current tiers. Both games represent significant value for subscribers who avoided their original $70 launch prices. Microsoft's strategy focuses on providing second chances for underrated titles that missed initial audience attention.
The January lineup demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to Game Pass despite recent challenges. With major franchises and enhanced editions, the service aims to maintain subscriber growth through 2026's first quarter. Additional announcements are expected later this month for February additions.
