Week in Gaming News: January 25-31, 2026
Nintendo dropped new footage of the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie featuring Yoshi's debut. Space Marine 2 finally hit Game Pass after months of waiting. And if you're a PS Plus subscriber, the February lineup is already leaking.
Here's what happened.
The Big Stories
Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct: Yoshi Revealed, Release Date Moved Up
The weekend Nintendo Direct delivered exactly what fans wanted: a first look at Yoshi.
The January 25 presentation unveiled a new trailer showing several beloved characters making their film debuts, including Yoshi, Birdo, Mouser, Lakitu, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi. The short also confirmed the movie is now in post-production.
Bigger news: The US release date moved up to April 1, 2026, two days earlier than originally planned. Japan still gets it April 24.
The voice cast includes Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, and Brie Larson as Rosalina. Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic return to direct.
Why it matters: The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a massive hit in 2023. This sequel focusing on Galaxy's Rosalina storyline could be even bigger.
Space Marine 2 Joins Game Pass
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 landed on Game Pass January 29, available for Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.
One of 2024's biggest action games is now included with your subscription. You play as Titus of the Ultramarines, battling Tyranid swarms in a campaign that supports up to three-player co-op. There's also PvE and PvP modes for extended replayability.
| Game | Date Added | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
What's next: Space Marine 3 is already confirmed, with continued updates planned for Space Marine 2.
PS Plus February 2026: Undisputed Leads the Lineup
The February PS Plus Essential headline game leaked early: Undisputed, the realistic boxing game from Deep Silver and Steel City Interactive.
Reliable leaker Billbil-kun revealed the title ahead of Sony's official announcement, expected Wednesday, January 28. Undisputed released in October 2024 and features over 70 real fighters including Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Canelo Alvarez, and Tyson Fury.
Dates to know:
- Official Essential lineup reveal: January 28
- Games available: February 3 - March 3
- Extra/Premium reveal: February 11
- Extra/Premium available: February 17
Games leaving PS Plus February 2:
- Need for Speed: Unbound (PS5)
- Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (PS5/PS4)
- Core Keeper (PS5/PS4)
If you Haven't touched January's Essential games, you have until February 2.
Seven Games Leaving Game Pass January 31
The end-of-month purge hits Game Pass hard. Seven titles depart January 31:
| Game | Metacritic | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector | 87 | GOTY contender, highest-rated departure |
| Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders | 82 | Cozy downhill biking |
| Cataclismo | 80 | Tower defense/city builder |
| Starbound | 77 | Space exploration sandbox |
| Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap | - | Tower defense action |
| Shady Part of Me | 76 | Puzzle platformer |
| Paw Patrol World | - | Family-friendly adventure |
The painful one: Citizen Sleeper 2 holds an 87 on OpenCritic with a 99% recommendation rate. If you haven't played it, this is your last weekend.
All departing games have at least 20% discounts if you want to keep them.
Switch 2 First Month Wraps Up Strong
The Switch 2's January lineup delivered. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade finally arrived on a Nintendo console (January 22), joining Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon from launch week.
What's 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 Pokopia
The Duskbloods from FromSoftware remains the most intriguing title on the schedule. A new multiplayer game from the Elden Ring developers as a Switch 2 exclusive is a statement.
Quick Hits
- Core Keeper Switch 2 Edition launched January 28
- Dynasty Warriors: Origins arrived January 22 across all platforms
- The Talos Principle 2 joined Game Pass January 27 for PC and Xbox Series X|S
- GPU prices may rise later this year due to AI datacenter demand, per NVIDIA and AMD reports
What to Watch Next Week
- PS Plus February announcement (January 28)
- February Game Pass additions (expected early February)
- Games leaving PS Plus (February 2)
- Switch 2 February releases begin
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News compiled January 31, 2026. For the latest updates, follow Vaulted.Games.