Week in Gaming News: February 1-7, 2026
Game Pass just got one of its biggest months in recent memory, Nintendo showed the world that Switch 2 isn't messing around with third-party support, and PS Plus subscribers have a packed (but time-sensitive) February ahead. Here's what happened.
The Big Stories
Xbox Game Pass February Wave 1 Is Stacked
Microsoft kicked off February with a massive Game Pass drop. Eleven titles hit the service across the first half of the month, headlined by Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii landing on Game Pass Premium the same day it was announced. That game retails for $49.99. If you're a Premium subscriber, you just saved fifty bucks.
Here's the full Wave 1 lineup:
| Game | Date | Tiers | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii | Feb 3 | Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Console, PC |
| Madden NFL 26 | Feb 5 | Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Console, PC |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Season 02 | Feb 5 | Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Console, PC |
| Indika | Feb 5 | Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Console, PC |
| Relooted | Feb 10 | Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Xbox Series X |
| BlazBlue Entropy Effect X | Feb 12 | Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Console, PC |
| Roadside Research (Game Preview) | Feb 12 | Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Console, PC |
| High On Life 2 (Day One) | Feb 13 | Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Xbox Series X |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance | Feb 13 | Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Console, PC |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora | Feb 17 | Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass | Cloud, Console, PC |
| Avowed | Feb 17 | Premium | Cloud, Console, PC |
High On Life 2 is a day-one drop on February 13, so subscribers don't need to buy it at launch price. Avowed is now restricted to the Premium tier only. If you're on standard Ultimate, you won't have access. That tier distinction is worth paying attention to as Microsoft continues to differentiate its plans.
On the departure side, Madden NFL 24 leaves February 15. But since Madden NFL 26 arrived on February 5, that's more of a clean swap than a loss. More departures are expected when Wave 2 gets announced later this month.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Microsoft is in the early stages of exploring Game Pass expansion, including possible third-party service bundles and a potential merger of the Premium and PC Game Pass tiers. Nothing imminent, but worth keeping on your radar.
Why it matters: This is one of the strongest Game Pass months in a while. Between a surprise day-of-announcement drop (Like a Dragon), a day-one launch (High On Life 2), and heavy hitters like Avatar and Avowed, Premium and Ultimate subscribers are getting serious value this month.
Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase Goes All-In on Switch 2
Nintendo held a Partner Showcase on February 5 featuring around 30 third-party games for Switch and Switch 2. The message was clear: Switch 2 is getting the kind of third-party support Nintendo hardware hasn't seen in years.
The headline? Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is coming to Switch 2 on June 3, 2026, priced at $49.99. That's $20 cheaper than the PS5/PC launch price of $69.99. Bethesda showed up in force too, bringing Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition (February 24), The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (2026 TBD), and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (May 12) all to Switch 2.
Here are the major announcements:
| Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | Switch 2 (+ Xbox) | June 3, 2026 |
| Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition | Switch 2 | February 24, 2026 |
| The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered | Switch 2 | 2026 (TBD) |
| Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | Switch 2 | May 12, 2026 |
| Resident Evil Requiem | Switch 2 | February 27, 2026 |
| Tokyo Scramble | Switch 2 | February 11, 2026 |
| Digimon Story: Time Stranger | Switch 2 | July 10, 2026 |
| Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (Demo) | Switch 2 | Demo available now |
The Monster Hunter Stories 3 demo is live right now. That's a free way to test both the game and the hardware if you just picked up a Switch 2.
Why it matters: For budget-conscious gamers considering a Switch 2, this showcase was a strong argument. FF7 Rebirth at $49.99, Bethesda going all-in, and a stack of upcoming releases mean this isn't a console you'll be starved for games on. The third-party gap that plagued earlier Nintendo hardware looks like it's closing fast.
PlayStation Plus February Lineup and Major Catalog Departures
PS Plus Essential subscribers got four new monthly games on February 3:
| Game | Platform |
|---|---|
| Undisputed | PS5 |
| Subnautica: Below Zero | PS5, PS4 |
| Ultros | PS5, PS4 |
| Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown | PS5, PS4 |
That's a solid spread. Undisputed (the boxing sim) and Subnautica: Below Zero are the headliners, with Ace Combat 7 adding variety for flight combat fans.
But here's where it gets time-sensitive. Nine games are leaving PS Plus Extra and Premium on February 16-17:
| Game Leaving | Platform |
|---|---|
| Cult of the Lamb | PS5, PS4 |
| WWE 2K25 | PS5, PS4 |
| New World: Aeternum | PS5 |
| The Ascent | PS5, PS4 |
| SaGa Frontier Remastered | PS4 |
| Super Neptunia RPG | PS4 |
| Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition | PS5 |
| Carto | PS4 |
| Rez Infinite | PS4 |
Cult of the Lamb and WWE 2K25 are the big ones. If either of those is on your list, you have until February 16 to play them through your subscription. After that, you're buying them outright.
The January monthly games (Need for Speed: Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, Core Keeper) already left on February 2, so don't go looking for those.
PS Plus Extra and Premium catalog additions will be announced February 11 and available February 17. We'll cover those next week.
Why it matters: Four monthly games is a decent haul for Essential subscribers, but Extra/Premium users need to check their backlog. Losing Cult of the Lamb and WWE 2K25 stings. Set a reminder for February 16 if you've been meaning to play either one.
Big Releases This Week: Nioh 3 and Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
Two major releases dropped this week that deserve your attention.
Nioh 3 launched February 6 on PS5 and PC. Team Ninja's action RPG series returns with larger, more open explorable spaces compared to its predecessors. The game moves away from the linear structure of Nioh 2, giving players more freedom in how they approach missions. A demo was available on PS5 and PC starting January 29, so if you tried it, you already know what you're getting into.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined arrived February 5 on Switch 2, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows (Steam on February 6). This isn't a remaster. Square Enix rebuilt the game from the ground up, reworking the scenario, battles, side quests, and systems alongside the visual overhaul. Deluxe Digital Edition buyers got two days of early access starting February 3.
Here's the budget play: Dragon Quest VII Reimagined has a free demo on all platforms, and your progress carries over to the full game. That's the right way to handle a demo. Try before you buy, and don't lose your progress when you commit.
Why it matters: Both of these are full-priced releases, so they're not "free with subscription" plays. But Dragon Quest VII's free demo with save transfer is exactly the kind of consumer-friendly move that lets you make an informed purchase. If you're on the fence, download the demo first.
Civilization VII Hits Apple Arcade with a Free Expansion-Sized Update on the Way
Sid Meier's Civilization VII Arcade Edition launched February 5 on Apple Arcade, playable on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If you're already paying the $6.99/month Apple Arcade subscription, it's included at no extra cost.
The catch: no DLC and no multiplayer at launch. You're getting the base experience.
But here's the bigger news. Firaxis announced "Test of Time," a massive overhaul update coming Spring 2026. This is expansion-sized, free content that directly addresses the community's biggest complaint: you'll be able to play as a single civilization throughout the entire game instead of being forced to switch between ages. That's a fundamental gameplay change that a lot of Civ fans have been asking for since launch.
Why it matters: Civ VII on Apple Arcade is a solid deal for mobile/Mac gamers already in that ecosystem. And the free Test of Time update is great news for everyone who owns the game on any platform. If Civ VII's age system turned you off at launch, this update might be worth a second look.
Quick Hits
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Season 2 went live February 5 with four new multiplayer maps (including the returning fan-favorite Slums from Black Ops 2), Ranked Play for both Black Ops 7 and Resurgence, and a new Zombies survival map set on Mars. Included with Game Pass Ultimate.
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GDC 2026 survey reveals 33% of U.S. game workers were laid off in the past two years. International numbers sit at 28%. Meanwhile, 52% of respondents say generative AI has had a negative effect on the industry, up from 30% last year.
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GeForce NOW celebrates its 6th anniversary by adding 24 games in February, including Delta Force and PUBG: BLINDSPOT among the launch titles.
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Steam Next Fest runs February 23 through March 2 with free demos for hundreds of upcoming PC games. Developers often pair demos with discounts on existing titles during the event, so keep an eye on your wishlists.
What to Watch Next Week
- PS Plus Extra/Premium Catalog Reveal: Announcement expected February 11, games available February 17.
- Tokyo Scramble (Switch 2 exclusive): Launches February 11. Features GameShare for up to 4 players.
- Mario Tennis Fever (Switch 2 exclusive): Launches February 12 with 38 Mario characters and 4 game modes.
- High On Life 2 (Day One on Game Pass): Launches February 13. Free for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
- Game Pass Wave 2 Departures: More games leaving Game Pass expected to be announced alongside the Wave 2 additions.
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News compiled February 7, 2026.