5 Big PS5 Games Releasing in January 2026

The new year is nearly upon us, and PlayStation 5 gamers have five higher-profile games to look forward to in January 2026. All things considered, 2025 was a strong year for the PlayStation 5, with Sony’s latest console getting the bulk of the most critically-acclaimed multi-platform games, along with major exclusives like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei.

2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for the PS5 as well. Barring any further delays, Grand Theft Auto 6 will hit PS5 before the end of the year, plus there’s Marvel’s Wolverine from Spider-Man developer Insomniac Games to look forward to. In the more immediate future, PS5 gamers have five big games to check out in January.

The first couple weeks of January are pretty bare when it comes to new PS5 releases, as is usually the case for the gaming industry in general, but then Mio: Memories in Orbit drops on January 20 and gets the ball rolling. Highguard will follow on January 26, while PS5 console exclusive Cairn is coming on January 29. Soulslike action-RPG Code Vein 2 is coming on January 30, and then there’s Riot Games’ free-to-play fighting game 2XKO to look forward to at some point in January. A specific release date for that particular game has yet to be announced, but fans should be getting more information on that front sooner rather than later.

Upcoming PS5 Games for January 2026

Mio: Memories in Orbit – January 20

Highguard – January 26

Cairn – January 29

Code Vein 2 – January 30

2XKO – TBA

When it comes to the new PS5 games releasing in January 2026, variety is the name of the game. Mio: Memories in Orbit is a sci-fi Metroidvania game with a gorgeous hand-drawn art style that looks like it has a ton of potential. Highguard, meanwhile, is a first-person shooter that looks like a fantasy version of Overwatch. Cairn is a rock climbing game, and Code Vein 2 is an anime-infused action-RPG that is sure to have tough-as-nails combat. 2XKO, as previously mentioned, is a fighting game, but what makes it stand out is that it’s set in League of Legends’ Runeterra universe.

Thanks to 2XKO’s Runeterra setting, the fighting game features some well-established characters on its roster, including Jinx and Vi of Arcane fame. We have no idea exactly when it will release for PS5 in January, but when it does, it should make for an exciting time for Arcane and League of Legends fans. The fact that it’s free-to-play should also generate some interest, as PS5 gamers will be able to play it without paying a dime.

The same goes for Highguard. Highguard has been flooded with hate since its reveal at The Game Awards 2025, but it looks like a solid pick for hero shooter fans. The fact that Highguard is made by developers that previously worked on hit games like Apex Legends and Titanfall is a good sign that it will be a fun time, and I personally can’t wait to see how it turns out. It’s free-to-play anyway, so there is no financial risk to trying it out. I also think it’s refreshing to have a game revealed at The Game Awards release so soon after its initial reveal.

I plan on playing all five of these games next month, and it will be interesting to see how they all stack up. If they all meet or exceed expectations, it seems January 2026 will be kicking off one another great year for the gaming industry.