Uh oh, you’d best get your wallets ready folks, because the official Pokémon Center pop-up store is making a return in London this February as part of the 2026Pokémon Europe International Championships.
Open from Thursday, 12th February to Sunday, 15th February 2026, accessing the store will once again require a reservation, and more details for this will be shared closer to the time. As for what kind of exclusive products you can expect to find, The Pokémon Company has confirmed that Mega Evolution will play a big role this year thanks to its reintroduction in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Greetings, racers. We’re 34BigThings, the team behind Redout and now the revival of Carmageddon. Our armageddon involves WW3, cellular degeneration, and, of course, evil corporations. Let’s dive into the world you’ll be racing in when our Carmageddon spinoff, Carmageddon: Rogue Shift, launches February 6.
Welcome to Earth, 2050
When you take the wheel for the first time, the old world has long since ended. Devastating wars, natural disasters, and swarms of zombies have left humanity on the brink. Zombies, called the Wasted in this universe, outnumber humans 10,000 to 1. Each night, streets swarm with the undead, forcing survivors to barricade themselves in high-rise buildings. Chaos chokes the ground level, where graffiti, trash, and crumbling buildings stretch endlessly.
There is just one chance to escape this nightmare: the Carmageddon. Because, while you’re driving, you’re surviving.
Survival requires skill and a solid ride
Your story begins as a faceless racer with little more than a rust bucket, scavenged fuel, and a makeshift weapon to work with. Every victory in these deadly races promises power, prestige, and valuable prizes to the participants. The champion wins the right to attempt the perilous journey that leads to the spaceport beyond the mountains. To traverse this treacherous terrain, you’ll need the experiences and gear that can only be gained from the Carmageddon races. With just one jet left, the only chance to flee this dying world is worth more than any reward.
The apocalypse is your playground
We wanted to create a robust game loop with a fast, accessible, but never trivial handling model at the core of it. Your car is your fortress, your safe haven and your main offensive weapon – pretty much the protagonist. With 15 unlockable vehicles each with their own drivetrain, weight, center of mass, suspensions, tire friction and pressure, response to steering, you’ll have quite some variety to explore.
But this is just the beginning: on top of this you can unlock and mount 13 weapon classes and 80+ perks. Build outrageous synergies that transform a single Boost canister into an unstoppable deathroll, or multiply the amount of missiles you fire with a single shot, or convert explosion damage around you into repairs for your car. Exploring in videogames isn’t limited to virtual spaces: we want you to experiment and come up with absurd combinations and spectacular strategies. You’ll need to.
Opponents will not roam around trying their best to hit you occasionally, but will actually behave like there’s a one way ticket to salvation waiting for them at the finish line: they’ll be fast and ruthless, and you’ll need to balance speed, offense and defense if you want to succeed. Some of these opponents will drive colossal war-rigs – yes, bossfights.
A different spin on the zombie story
We mentioned evil corporations earlier. Well, in this timeline, the combination of wars and natural disasters led to supply shortages and famine. To combat this, a food supplement called MiVis was created and effectively ended the worldwide hunger crisis. Like some sort of cruel cosmic joke, long-term consumption of MiVis caused the cellular mutation responsible for the outbreak. The more MiVis consumed, the more you waste away, leading to the coining of the term “Wasted.” Did this development stop production of MiVis? You guessed it, absolutely not.
Corporations suppressed the dangerous effects of MiVis until it was too late, prioritizing profits over people. The people who consumed the most became special wasted, horrible supermutations that morphed into something even less human. Last and certainly not least, there’s the ultimate abomination. A creature whispered about but rarely seen: the monster that guards the only path to the spaceport and your final challenge.
Every crash makes you stronger
In Rogue Shift, no two runs are exactly alike. As you progress through randomly generated paths, you’ll have the opportunity to win events and defeat opponents to gain upgrade credits. The Carmageddon ain’t over when you wreck your ride, though. Each time you begin anew, you retain certain permanent bonuses unlocked with beatcoins. You’ll need to carefully plot out your route through the wasteland, making stops for repairs and new gear. Difficulty increases dynamically, so keep your head on a swivel. As you make it further with each subsequent run, synergies and archetypes will become apparent, giving you countless ways to craft the ultimate killing machine.
Can you survive Carmageddon?
We made Carmageddon: Rogue Shift to challenge you in a way that keeps you coming back. Our goal is to get you into that flow, firing-on-all-cylinders flow state we fondly remember from the original Carmageddon games and, more in general, the combat racing games that defined the genre.
We can’t wait for you to jump in the driver’s seat and put your skills to the test. Wishlist today and we’ll see you on the wasteland.
As the Bob Dylan song goes, how many lush alien planets must a Man presumptuously land on and turn into poorly optimised Toyota plants before he finally decides he’s sick of being an extractivist piece of shit? Dylan was being rhetorical, but I studied at the school of Homer Simpson, and want you to give me an actual figure. I’m going to say: four and a half. If you’ve yet to hit your personal quota, well, here’s StarRupture out now in early access.
Vanran, a fast-paced soulslike action game with Shadow of the Colossus-sized boss battles, is getting a playable demo later this month. Check out the new trailer above, and the reveal trailer below.
If this is your first time hearing about Vanran, it’s an indie-developed, faster-paced-than-usual soulslike that features random dungeons, and whose developers at Becuzus describe its fantasy world as such: “Vanran is a dark fantasy action RPG where a fallen human slave wields a sealed blade to spark rebellion. Players walk a brutal path toward freedom in a world of despair.”
A playable demo will be available on Steam from January 23-30, and you can wishlist it on Steam if you’re interested.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
No, I’m not busy. Ignore the very famous actor acting moody in the corner, he’ll be quiet if you pay him no mind. Also, do like I am and just pretend my holo-phone doesn’t have a million urgent messages about some relic sitting in its inbox. Just sit here on the sofa, in this Cyberpunk 2077 flat, and watch as the big flying thing with Dogtown’s military dictator’s face on it floats between my futuristic kitchen and lounge, thanks to a new mod.
The new year is finally upon us, and with that comes a whole horde of new games to think about — yipee!
2026 is already looking pretty stacked, and while January is usually one of the quieter months in the release calendar, there are still a handful of big hitters coming our way over the next few weeks.
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Star Wars Outlaws, Resident Evil Village, and More
Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass
Welcome to the new year, friends! Happy to be back with more games and more fun. Let’s get to it!
Available Today
Brews & Bastards(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Brews & Bastards is an intoxicating, twin-stick shooter, overflowing with action-packed combat, potent brews and outlandish bosses. Select from a group of inebriated heroes and descend, drink, and destroy your way through hordes of drunken demons in search of the stolen Brew Stone.
Rediscover the dark whimsical tale of Little Nightmares, now enhanced in stunning 4K and 60 FPS. Play as Six, a lone child trapped in The Maw, a massive vessel inhabited by monstrous, distorted versions of adults. Sneak, hide, and survive in a world where your childhood fears come to life.
Coming Soon
Atomfall(Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – January 7 Now with Game Pass Premium
A survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England. Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die blends dynamic real-time action, tactical combat, and risk-reward dice mechanics for thrilling second-to-second battles. Unravel an original stand-alone story as Queen Aleksandra, the once great ruler of Random on a mission for vengeance and redemption.
Rematch(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 7 Now with Game Pass Premium
Step onto the pitch in Rematch, a third-person, team-based football game where every pass, volley, and tackle matters. Designed for 5v5 online play, Rematch puts you in full control of one athlete, with no offsides, no fouls, and no downtime. Pass smart, play with purpose, and win together.
Step into the armor of a relentless Space Marine and use a combination of lethal weaponry to crush overwhelming Ork forces. Immerse yourself in an intense and brutally violent world based on the richest science fantasy ever created. Enhanced for a new generation, this edition brings quality of life and graphical improvements.
Final Fantasy– (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – January 8 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
“Earth, fire, water, wind… The light that once shone within the four Crystals was lost. Become the Warriors of Light, restore power to the Crystals and save the world.” A remodeled 2D take on the first game in the world-renowned Final Fantasy series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics. All the magic of the original, with improved ease of play.
Star Wars Outlaws(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 13 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game, set between the events of “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” Explore distinct locations across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life, along with her companion Nix. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.
Take the magic of friendship to new heights in a mystery adventure for one or two ponies. Playing as Sunny, Hitch, Izzy, Pipp, Zipp, or Misty, use your special abilities to stop the unstable magic that’s sending Zephyr Heights out of control! And have tons of fun with hilarious minigames and countless pony customizations.
Resident Evil Village(Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 20 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Resident Evil Village is the eighth main entry in the Resident Evil series. Set years after Resident Evil 7 biohazard, players follow Ethan Winters into a haunting European village, fighting for survival against brutal enemies as danger and mystery lurk around every corner.
MIO: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 20 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! A hand-crafted metroidvania set within a vast, decaying world reclaimed by nature and robots. Play as Mio, a nimble android exploring labyrinthine environments, battling rogue machines, and uncovering lost memories in a richly atmospheric adventure filled with secrets and danger.
Leaving January 15
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Jump back in to tie up any loose ends, or save up to 20% off your purchase to keep the fun going!
Flintlock The Siege of Dawn (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Neon White (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
Road 96 (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Ascent (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Grinch Christmas Adventures (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
I hope your last year treated you well with lots of high scores, achievements unlocked, and GGs. We’ll be back soon with even more games so keep it tuned here, or with us on social for Xbox and Xbox Game Pass. Talk soon!
Note: Games with a ‘Handheld’ designation represent those that are optimized for handheld play.
Microsoft has made its first Xbox Game Pass announcement of 2026, confirming a number of big hitters for January.
The headline additions are Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws and Capcom’s Resident Evil Village, but there’s plenty more coming to subscribers this month, as confirmed on Xbox Wire. 11 titles in total were announced for this month, taking fans through to January 20.
Available today, January 6, is twin-stick shooter Brews & Bastards (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) and Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S), both available across Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass.
Tomorrow, January 7, Rebellion’s Atomfall (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) hits Game Pass Premium, as does Lost in Random: The Eternal Die (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC), Rematch (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S), and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S).
Moving on to January 8. Final Fantasy (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC), a remodeled 2D take on the first game in the series, launches on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass.
Then, on January 13, we have Star Wars Outlaws (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) on Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass. Two days later, on January 15, My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) hits Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass.
January 20 sees Resident Evil Village (Cloud, Console, and PC) on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass, and the only day-one launch of the month: MIO: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Xbox Game Pass January 2026 lineup:
Brews & Bastards (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Resident Evil Village (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 20 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
MIO: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 20 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Leaving Xbox Game Pass on January 15, 2026:
As always, a number of games leave Game Pass. You can save up to 20% if you buy them.
Flintlock The Siege of Dawn (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Neon White (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
Road 96 (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Ascent (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Grinch Christmas Adventures (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
Microsoft described today’s lineup as Wave 1 of January 2026, so expect more games to hit Game Pass later in January.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Cyberpunk 2077‘s narrative really kicks into gear when, after a job gone wrong, metal-infused merc protagonist V realises they’re now living in the shadow of a Keanu Reeves-shaped clock. Despite this, you’re free to while away hours doing a million things other than confronting your urgent mortality problem. It’s something even CD Projekt themselves have joked about.
If you’ve been wondering if TV executives have spotted Arc Raiders‘ rip-roaring success, wonder no more — “many” have already reached out to the development team to discuss making a TV series or movie.
While Embark boss Patrick Söderlund was coy about the details, he did admit that numerous companies had been in touch in hopes of making a movie or show about “this IP,” adding that Arc Raiders “fits quite well” for a game-to-TV adaptation.
“I can’t tell you how many companies have reached out to us wanting to make a TV series [and] movie out of this IP,” Söderlund told GamesBeat.
Asked if he’d been “tempted” to take up any of the offers, Söderlund admitted he had, but did stress: “We [wouldn’t] mind doing that. It would be fun, but it needs to be done in the right way. I hope that we will do that. I think the IP fits quite well with something like that.” As yet, though, while there is a team of writers working at Embark, the studio doesn’t “have anyone working on a TV or film adaptation yet.” And he did stress that “yet.”
If you’ve been finding it a little trickier just lately, that may be because you play a lot of PvP — Embark Studios recently confirmed one of the community’s biggest questions since the game came out: it does indeed feature ‘aggression-based matchmaking.’
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
