The new year is just getting started, but the release calendar is already packed with exciting titles.
Whether you’re a horror fan, a JRPG fanatic, or just looking for a cosy life‑sim fix, January 2026 has something for everyone.
Below is a quick overview of eight notable releases across a variety of genres and platforms, followed by deeper dives into each game.
Quick Overview
| Game | Release date | Platforms | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW | 16 Jan 2026 | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Psychological horror |
| StarRupture (Early Access) | 6 Jan 2026 | PC | Open‑world survival/sandbox |
| Streetdog BMX | 14 Jan 2026 | PC | Sports action (BMX) |
| Fairy Tail: Dungeons | 7 Jan 2026 (Switch) – PC update same day | Deck‑building roguelike | |
| Code Violet | 10 Jan 2026 | PS5 | Action‑horror |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Switch 2 Edition | 15 Jan 2026 | Nintendo Switch 2 | Life‑sim remaster |
| The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon | 15 Jan 2026 | PS4/PS5, Windows, Switch | JRPG |
| Pathologic 3 | 9 Jan 2026 | PC | Narrative survival RPG |
BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW – Social Media Horror Gets Personal
Release date: 16 Jan 2026 – PS5/Xbox Series/PC
This psychological horror game follows a bullied teenager who downloads a mysterious app called BrokenLore. The app twists your social feed into a dark maze of nightmares, filled with sinister creatures drawn from memes and posts. According to reports, the game tackles serious themes such as cyberbullying and mental health.
“UNFOLLOW delivers a chilling commentary on online obsession by making your smartphone both a lifeline and a threat.”
Key features
- Multiple endings determined by your in‑game choices.
- Smartphone‑driven mechanics (texting, messages, camera apps) that affect puzzles and story flow.
- Dark, surreal environments and haunting soundtrack.
StarRupture – Build an Industrial Empire on an Alien World
Release date: 6 Jan 2026 (Early Access) – PC
StarRupture drops players on a procedurally generated planet where they must explore, gather resources, and build factories while defending against swarms of alien monsters. The official site describes it as an open‑world sandbox where you “build an industrial system, research new technologies and fight alien monsters”. Early Access will support solo play or co‑op for up to four players.
Highlights
- Open‑world exploration and base building.
- Extensive tech tree and crafting.
- Co‑operative play for up to four players.
Streetdog BMX – a Stunt‑Focused Sports Game with 270 Challenges
Release date: 14 Jan 2026 – PC
This extreme‑sports title lets you perform flips, spins, and grinds across futuristic skate arenas. Gematsu notes that Streetdog BMX includes more than 270 challenges and a robust customization system. Expect colourful courses and a trick system designed to be accessible yet deep.
Key features
- Six large maps ranging from urban parks to sci‑fi skate arenas.
- Over 270 challenges with leaderboards and replays.
- Bike and rider customization with upgradeable gear.
Fairy Tail: Dungeons – a Deck‑Building Roguelike for Switch and PC
Release date: 7 Jan 2026 (Switch); major PC update releases the same day
Set in the universe of the long‑running manga, Fairy Tail: Dungeons combines deck‑building mechanics with procedurally generated dungeons. Players form a three‑member team, build a deck of spells and navigate dungeons filled with monsters. Gematsu reports that the January update adds new heroes, cards, quests, and difficulty modes.
Highlights
- Create a deck of magic cards and recruit characters from the Fairy Tail universe.
- Branching dungeons with bosses and secrets.
- Major 2026 update adds new heroes, modes and quests.
Code Violet – Survival Horror on a Distant Planet
Release date: 10 Jan 2026 – PS5
In Code Violet, you play as Violet Sinclair, a scientist trapped in the Aion Bioengineering Complex on the planet Trappist 1‑E. The complex is overrun with mutated creatures created during unethical experiments. Gam3s.gg calls it a third‑person action horror game where players must solve puzzles, fight creatures, and manage resources. The story includes time‑loop elements and moral choices that influence the ending.
Key features
- Dynamic time‑loop mechanic – each run alters events.
- Blend of stealth, combat and puzzle‑solving.
- Moral choices affect the ending.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Switch 2 Edition
Release date: 15 Jan 2026 – Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo’s cosy life‑sim returns with an enhanced port for the next‑generation Switch. According to GameSpot, the Switch 2 edition will feature improved resolution and faster loading, plus mouse controls in handheld mode, a built‑in GameChat app, and support for up to 12 players online. A free update for the original game will add new content like a Resort Hotel, Slumber Island and Lego‑themed furniture.
Highlights
- 4K resolution on TV mode and faster load times.
- Expanded multiplayer with GameChat and 12‑player online sessions.
- New areas and furniture, including Resort Hotel and Slumber Island.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon – Hybrid Battle System Returns
Release date: 15 Jan 2026 – PS4/PS5/Windows/Switch
Nihon Falcom’s long‑running JRPG series continues with a hybrid system that lets players switch between real‑time field combat and strategic command battles. The game features returning heroes and new faces as it bridges story arcs across multiple nations. Wikipedia confirms the global release date on 15 January 2026 across PlayStation, Switch, and Windows platforms.
Key features
- Hybrid battle system – switch between action and turn‑based modes on the fly.
- Expansive story spanning multiple nations with a large cast.
- Cinematic presentation and polished JRPG gameplay.
Pathologic 3 – a Plague‑Stricken Town and 12 Days to Live
Release date: 9 Jan 2026 – PC
Ice‑Pick Lodge’s cult survival RPG returns. Pathologic 3 drops players back into the plague‑ravaged town of Gorkhon with only 12 days to solve the mystery and save its citizens. The official description explains that you play as Bachelor Daniil Dankovsky, a doctor searching for the secret of immortality. You must diagnose patients, impose quarantines, collect cures, and, for the first time in the series, manipulate time to correct past mistakes.
Highlights
- Immersive narrative with ethical dilemmas.
- Diagnosis and treatment of patients, imposing quarantines.
- Time‑travel mechanic to change events and correct mistakes.
Final thoughts
January 2026 offers a surprisingly diverse lineup: a psychological horror story (BrokenLore), a relaxing co‑op sandbox (StarRupture), high‑flying sports action (Streetdog BMX), and a cosy life sim with friends (Animal Crossing). Remasters like Trails Beyond the Horizon and experimental indie titles like Pathologic 3 set a promising tone for 2026.
Whatever your genre of choice, dust off your controllers, charge your handhelds and get ready to explore these new adventures.
