Week in Gaming News: January 19-24, 2026
Big week for Game Pass subscribers. Death Stranding Director's Cut landed on Xbox (yes, really), and Microsoft announced Space Marine 2 is joining the service next week. Meanwhile, Nintendo's gearing up for a movie-focused Direct, and PlayStation is officially moving on from PS4.
Here's what happened.
The Big Stories
Death Stranding Director's Cut Arrives on Xbox Game Pass
The headline of the week: Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding Director's Cut is now playable on Xbox. The former PlayStation console exclusive launched on Game Pass January 21 for PC, Cloud, and Xbox Series X|S.
This is the definitive version featuring expanded combat, a new racing mode, high frame-rate support, and crossover content from Half-Life and Cyberpunk 2077. The Xbox version also received a handheld optimization update for ASUS ROG Ally devices.
Why it matters: This was a PlayStation console exclusive for years. Its arrival on Xbox Game Pass signals how much the subscription model is reshaping platform exclusivity.
Game Pass Wave 2: Space Marine 2, Talos Principle 2, and More
Microsoft dropped January's Wave 2 lineup on January 20, and it's stacked:
| Game | Date | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Death Stranding Director's Cut | Jan 21 | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X |
| Ninja Gaiden Ragebound | Jan 21 | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X |
| Roadcraft | Jan 21 | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X |
| Quarantine Zone: The Last Check | Jan 21 | PC (Day One) |
| The Talos Principle 2 | Jan 27 | PC, Xbox Series X |
| Drop Duchy | Jan 28 | Cloud, PC, Console |
| Anno: Mutationem | Jan 28 | Cloud, PC, Console |
| MySims: Cozy Bundle | Jan 29 | PC |
| Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 | Jan 29 | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X |
The headliner: Space Marine 2 hitting Game Pass just four months after launch. One of 2025's best action games, now included with your subscription.
Nintendo Direct Announced for Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Nintendo confirmed a special Direct presentation focused entirely on The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The stream is scheduled for Sunday, January 25 at 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET.
What to expect: New trailer footage, character reveals, and likely a final release date confirmation. The film stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, and Brie Larson as Rosalina.
This marks an unusual weekend Direct, suggesting Nintendo wants maximum attention on the movie promotion ahead of its April release.
PlayStation Plus Officially Shifts Away from PS4
It's now official: Sony no longer guarantees PS4 games for PlayStation Plus subscribers starting January 2026.
The company announced this change back in late 2025, but January marks the first month where PS4 games are "no longer a key benefit." Cross-gen titles may still appear, but the focus is squarely on PS5.
What this means for you: If you're still on PS4 and relying on PS Plus for new games, the value proposition just changed. PS5 owners won't notice much difference.
January's PS Plus Essential lineup:
- Need for Speed Unbound (PS5)
- Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (PS5/PS4)
- Core Keeper (PS5/PS4)
Switch 2 Momentum Continues
The Switch 2 launch window keeps filling up. This week brought continued buzz around the console's early 2026 lineup:
Already released:
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Switch 2 Edition (Jan 15)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Jan 15)
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (Jan 15)
Confirmed for 2026:
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Switch 2 Edition (March 26)
- Mario Tennis Fever
- Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
- Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
- The Duskbloods (FromSoftware exclusive)
- Pokemon Gen 10
The Animal Crossing Switch 2 Edition is worth noting for existing players: it includes a free Version 3.0 update for all versions with a new resort hotel, furniture, and quality-of-life improvements.
2026: A Year of Gaming Anniversaries
Quick reminder that 2026 is packed with major gaming anniversaries:
- The Legend of Zelda - 40 years
- Pokemon - 30 years
- Sonic the Hedgehog - 35 years
- Dragon Quest - 40 years
Expect anniversary collections, remasters, and announcements throughout the year.
Quick Hits
- Resident Evil Village joined Game Pass on January 20
- Star Wars Outlaws remains on Game Pass after its January 13 arrival
- Fable confirmed for PS5 release in Autumn 2026
- Games leaving Game Pass mid-January: Neon White, Road 96, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, The Ascent (removed Jan 15)
What to Watch Next Week
- Space Marine 2 on Game Pass (Jan 29)
- Nintendo Direct results (Jan 25)
- End-of-month Game Pass departures (Jan 31)
- February PS Plus announcement (expected late January)
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News compiled January 24, 2026. For the latest updates, follow Vaulted.Games.