2026 is in full swing, and there’s plenty to look forward to in gaming this year. However, with so much on the calendar, it’s easy to lose track of what’s dropping and when.
From major drops to indie games worth your attention, Insider Gaming has selected several games worth checking out releasing in the week of January 12.
Biggest Games Releasing January 12-18, 2026
Hytale
Launching into early access on January 13 after years of waiting, exclusively on PC, gamers have been warned that the title is very much a work in progress, but that’s unlikely to stop hordes of players from immediately diving into the Minecraft-inspired world at the first opportunity.
The open-world sandbox has stunning visuals, with teaser images and clips showing everything from barren deserts to bountiful forests, alongside a variety of creatures and monsters. While it’s unclear how much of that will be available immediately, the depth that Hytale offers long-term will be difficult to match.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Admittedly not a new release, with the game turning six this year, the Nintendo Switch 2 edition comes along the mammoth 3.0 update, offering a hefty chunk of DLC-sized content for all players and doesn’t require any extra purchases.
The 3.0 update includes the addition of a new hotel, with customizable rooms to fit a desired theme, new collab items to unlock, and new villagers, so there’s plenty to offer for both new and returning players.
Quarantine Zone
Launching January 12 on PC, Quarantine Zone puts players in control of managing a checkpoint in a collapsing city during a zombie outbreak. Players utilise advanced screening tools and their own intuition to decide whether a survivor is free to pass through, or if the doors are slammed in their face.
One wrong move can quickly lead to your downfall, and players also need to manage resources, reinforce defences, and keep your camp alive in this chaos-filled strategy simulator.
Cassette Boy
Anyone seeking a new puzzle adventure to sink time into should take a look at Casette Boy, which launches on January 15 across PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S.
Players must rotate a 2D pixel-styled 3D world to uncover the mystery of the vanished moon, utilizing new weapons and equipment to improve their survival chances in exploration and combat.
BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW
If you’re up for a haunt, BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW is definitely a title to check out, with the first-person psychological horror exploring the impact of social media on mental health. The concept certainly grabs attention, and the sinister creatures you will encounter are truly terrifying.
BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW launches January 16 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
Craftlings
Launching January 15 exclusively on PC, Crafdtlings is “inspired by legendary classics from the ’90s”, pulling players along in a journey full of strategic decisions, testing players to optimize automated production chains.
The Craftlings themselves are tiny humanoids you put to work to shape the world around you, improving your settlement with various building types, including farms and barracks. It’s not all smooth sailing, though, as there’s always the risk of encountering danger as you progress through different biomes and environments.
What games releasing this week have you got your eyes on? Share your thoughts in the Insider Gaming Discord.
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