Timeline
Thursday22nd Jan 2026
Poll How Would You Grade 2026's Xbox Developer Direct?
Give us your verdict
The dust is now beginning to settle on 2026's Xbox Developer Direct showcase! If you haven't had a chance to watch it yet, you can catch the full thing over at our live coverage page, as well as check out our recap of everything that happened as part of the show. So, all things considered, what grade would you give the Xbox...
News Forza Horizon 6 Officially Launches On Xbox In May, Here's Your First Look At Open-World Japan
It looks stunning!
As part of today's Xbox Developer Direct showcase, Playground Games has given us our first proper look at Forza Horizon 6 - and what a first look it's turned out to be. The team has taken us behind the scenes at its Leamington Spa studio to showcase its greatest hits rendition of open world Japan - from the dizzying mountains of...
Live Watch The Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Showcase Here
Highlighted by Fable and Forza Horizon 6!
The time has arrived for Xbox Developer Direct 2026! Today's show promises closer looks at the highly-anticipated Xbox titles Fable and Forza Horizon 6, along with the third-party action RPG Beast of Reincarnation (developed by the Pokémon studio Game Freak). We're also hoping for at least one surprise...
News Microsoft Is Hosting A Huge 'Buy One, Get Two Free' Sale Featuring Lots Of Xbox Indies
Live for the next week on the Microsoft Store
Xbox has just set live another one of its eclectic 'Buy One, Get Two Free' sales on the Microsoft Store; this one featuring lots of different indie titles across multiple genres. There are some more well-known indies on this list such as Valheim, Untitled Goose Game, A Little To The Left, Poppy Playtime...
News Gears Of War: E-Day Will Be Packed With 'Heart & Emotion', Set In A Single War-Ravaged City
New details on the next Gears of War
Gears is going back to its roots, and we couldn't be happier about it. The Coalition has been, up to this point, light on details about the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day - but a new interview sheds a bit more light on what the team is going for, and it all has us incredibly excited to see the game in action. As...
Roundup The First Reviews Are In For Final Fantasy 7 Remake On Xbox Series X
"It's officially the best version"
Today marks the long-awaited arrival of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, and therefore we've started to see a few reviews going live at various outlets over the past 24 hours. Here at Pure Xbox, I recently shared my thoughts on playing FF7 Remake's free demo as someone who'd...
Wednesday21st Jan 2026
News Prince Of Persia Remake Team Shares Final Message Following Game's Cancellation
"We want to share this with you directly"
The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake feels like it's been doomed from the start. After first being announced all the way back in September of 2020, the game ended up suffering numerous delays before eventually switching development teams to Ubisoft Montreal in 2023, and progress then seemed to be...
News Ubisoft Cancels Multiple Games, Closes Studios, And Unveils New Strategy For The Future
The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake is no more
In a shocking announcement today, Ubisoft has cancelled the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake along with various other games, while also closing studios and unveiling a new strategy for the company going forward. Ubisoft says it needs to "reclaim its creative leadership, regain agility and...
News Here's What's Included In The Xbox January 2026 Update
PC, handheld and cloud are the focus
The Xbox January 2026 update is now being highlighted by the folks over at Xbox Wire, and as usual with these updates in recent months, it's not really very console-focused — the updates encompass everything nowadays. Having said that, the Xbox PC app has gotten some fresh updates, Xbox Cloud Gaming is...
News Here's Your First Look At The 60FPS Far Cry 3 Upgrade On Xbox Series X|S
Blood Dragon and Primal get upgrades today too!
Last week, Ubisoft quietly announced that Far Cry 3 Classic Edition, Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon Classic Edition and Far Cry Primal would all be receiving native 60FPS upgrades on January 21st, and those upgrades are now live! As we've mentioned before, Far Cry 3 technically already ran at 60FPS on Xbox...
News Xbox 'Developer Direct Sale' Now Live With Big Discounts On Xbox Game Studios Titles
Microsoft debuts a new Dev Direct sale
Ahead of Xbox Developer Direct airing tomorrow, January 22nd, the Microsoft Store is hosting a new Dev Direct sale - featuring a bunch of Xbox Game Studios titles at up to 80% off. This particular promo contains everything from Psychonauts and Jade Empire on the OG Xbox to South of Midnight,
News Halo Studios Admits That The Series Needs A Bigger Playerbase As PS5 Community Awaits
"There are people who've never been exposed to Halo"
Halo: Campaign Evolved is set for a PS5 launch later this year, as the team at Halo Studios plots its first-ever multiplatform release. It's a big shift for the Halo series, but ultimately, it sounds like one the famous Xbox IP needs to make for it to thrive in the future. In a new interview with
News Xbox Reporter Says Bethesda's Fallout 3 & New Vegas Remasters 'Aren't Imminent'
We might be waiting a while to play them
Earlier this month, we heard that Xbox and Bethesda were working away on new versions of Fallout 3 and New Vegas thanks to a big report from Windows Central - but now the same source is warning us that the pair of Fallout remasters/remakes are a while away from releasing just yet. Yep, ahead of
News Three Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (January 21)
Including a MASSIVE addition from Kojima Productions
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass roundup! Following yesterday's XGP update that mapped out the rest of January, we have three big titles landing in the library today, including Kojima's once-PS4 exclusive Death Stranding. Here's some more details on tha
Tuesday20th Jan 2026
One hellishly beautiful game
Today, Microsoft has revealed its next batch of Xbox Game Pass titles, with some huge additions coming our way including Death Stranding Director's Cut later this week. However, it's one of next week's arrivals that's caught our eye, with Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2
News Xbox Ally Owner Explains How They Added Real Game Boy Cartridges To Their Handheld
Even the Game Boy Camera works!
There are so many amazing things you can do with the ROG Xbox Ally, but here's one we'd never anticipated — adding real, working Game Boy cartridges to it! That's what one owner has been showing off on Reddit today, and it's got us inspired to try something similar ourselves. In their post a few hours ago, Reddit...
News Life Is Strange: Reunion Finishes Max & Chloe's Story On Xbox This March
"By and for fans of the original"
We've got a new Life is Strange game on the way! It's been announced today that Life is Strange: Reunion will be coming to Xbox Series X and S on March 26th, and it'll serve as the conclusion to Max and Chloe's story. These are the characters that have mainly defined the Life is Strange series since 2015, of...
Roundup MIO: Memories In Orbit Gets Strong Reviews As It Arrives On Xbox Game Pass
A new Metroidvania comes to XGP
Two games are landing on Xbox Game Pass today, and one of them — MIO: Memories In Orbit — is a brand-new day one release, which means early reviews are now starting to come out for this new Metroidvania title. The early outlook seems pretty positive for MIO, with it hovering in the low 80s in terms of an...
Feature Xbox Play Anywhere Is Convincing People To Buy Their Multiplatform Games On Xbox
It just makes sense if you have a good PC
Last night, it was reconfirmed that 007 First Light will be supporting Xbox Play Anywhere when it releases on May 27th, which means anyone who buys the Xbox Series X and S version will also get a free PC version on the Xbox PC app. That's obviously huge news if you're a big PC gamer, which includes Windows...
News These 10 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass, Multiple Major Additions (January 21 - February 3)
More big titles for XGP!
Microsoft has today revealed another new roundup of Xbox Game Pass titles for January 2026, with 10 games joining the service from January 21 - February 3, including multiple major additions in Space Marine 2 and Death Stranding and Ninja Gaiden Ragebound! Don't forget that
News Loads Of Leaked Fable Concept Art Shows Open World Environments, Dungeons & More
Full gameplay reveal coming this week
It's been a long time coming, but things are really kicking into gear now with Playground's Fable reboot. We've got the team's full gameplay reveal coming later this week via Xbox Developer Direct, and ahead of that showcase in a few days' time, a load of fresh Fable concept art has leaked online. Coming by way...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (January 20)
Two big additions to XGP
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today, two big additions are arriving on the service, including a well-loved survival horror title from Capcom in the form of Resident Evil Village. Here's a quick introduction to that, alongside today's other XGP arrival, which is a day one release! MIO: Memories In Orbit...
Monday19th Jan 2026
News Bungie's Marathon To Release In March 2026, Voice Cast & Pre-Order Details Revealed
Update: Pre-orders now live for £34.99 / $39.99
Bungie is back today with its latest update on survival extraction FPS Marathon, which now has a release window of March 2026 and has been re-confirmed to release on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in addition to PS5 and PC. You can get a fresh look at the game in the 22-minute documentary above, and...
Talking Point Do You Think The Game Awards FPS 'Highguard' Will Actually Hit Xbox Next Week?
We're officially a week away from launch, or are we?
One of the big talking points coming out of The Game Awards last month was how much the event's final trailer fell flat for viewers. Highguard, from new studio Wildlight Entertainment, is an upcoming free-to-play FPS that (supposedly) hits Xbox i
News Ubisoft's Retrofuture Far Cry Game Has Always Deserved 60FPS, And It's Almost Here
The next 60FPS Far Cry trailer has landed
At the weekend, Ubisoft announced that three Far Cry games were set for 60FPS updates on current-gen consoles this week - and now that the Blood Dragon trailer is here for us to feast our eyes on, we can't wait to replay this one at a smooth frame rate on Xbox Series X|S. We've chucked this 60FPS update...
News Footage From Xbox's Cancelled ZeniMax Online Game Leaks, Looks Very Cyberpunk
Here's what the ESO dev was working on
Back in July of last year, Microsoft cancelled The Elder Scrolls Online dev's next game — Project Blackbird — despite reports that some Xbox execs were "blown away" by it previously. Unfortunately, the public never got to see the title in action, but now, some footage of the canned MMORPG has leaked online,...
Guide Xbox Developer Direct 2026: Event Date, Start Times & What To Expect From The Showcase
It's going to be a big show for Microsoft
It's almost time for Xbox Developer Direct 2026! Yep, this year's edition of the team's January showcase takes place this week, with three games confirmed for the show already. So, we're going to gather up all the details you need to know for this next Xbox showcase, including when it begins, which games...
News Some Xbox Users Were Surprised With Free Gift Cards Over The Weekend
Stemming from a promotion in December
Xbox has been giving out some free gift cards again! Various Xbox users were surprised with some extra credit over the weekend, and it all stems from a promotion that started back in December. When the Xbox Countdown Sale began on December 18th, it was quietly revealed that buying EA Sports and/or 2K Sports...
Report Microsoft Is Set To Launch An Xbox Cloud Gaming Ad-Tier This Year
Messages are already popping up for some users
Late last year, we heard that Microsoft had started doing internal tests for an ad-supported tier of Xbox Cloud Gaming, and while this hasn't gone live for the public yet, a new report — along with some concrete evidence from other sources — suggests that the new tier is real and will launch in the...
Feature Five Things I've Learned After Using The ROG Xbox Ally X For Eight Hours Per-Day
Let's call it a three-month review!
Just over three months ago, I published my initial thoughts on the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld in a review here at Pure Xbox, concluding that it was "the only gaming device I've wanted to use over the past two weeks, and it's handled most things that I've thrown at it with confidence". A month later, I decided to...
Sunday18th Jan 2026
Feature 50 Backwards Compatible Xbox Games That Are 'Disc Only' In 2026
Digitally delisted, but all hope's not lost!
There are hundreds and hundreds of backwards compatible games from the original Xbox and Xbox 360 eras that we can enjoy on our modern consoles, and it's ultimately one of the best initiatives Xbox has ever put together for us. That said, there are obviously some games that aren't part of the program —...
Roundup All Of These Games Are Reduced By 90% In January's Xbox Publisher Spotlight Sale
Bag yourself a bargain
There are multiple sales taking place on the Xbox Store this week as usual, but arguably none more interesting than the January Publisher Spotlight Series Sale, which sees various games getting the heavy discount treatment! So, we thought we'd go through and highlight all the games reduced by 90% in the Publisher Spotlight...
News Seven Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass In Late January 2026
Here's what's on the chopping block
Microsoft has revealed the next seven games leaving Xbox Game Pass in late January 2026, with all of these being highlighted as "leaving soon" on the official Xbox mobile app. Although there aren't any major AAA titles in the mix, there are still some excellent games in here — Citizen Sleeper 2 was a 2025 Game...
Saturday17th Jan 2026
Poll What Are Your First Impressions Of Star Wars Outlaws On Xbox Game Pass?
The massive Ubisoft game hits XGP
Last week's major addition to Xbox Game Pass was definitely Star Wars Outlaws; Ubisoft's recent open world epic has been live for Game Pass Ultimate players for a good few days now. So, if this is your first introduction to the Massive Entertainment title, what do you think of it so far? Here at Pure Xbox HQ, we...
News Three Far Cry Games Set To Receive 60FPS Upgrades On Xbox Next Week
Quietly confirmed by Ubisoft on social media
Anyone fancy some (hopefully free) upgrades for three Far Cry games on Xbox next week?! On Friday, the official Far Cry account on Twitter posted a cryptic image suggesting something was in the works, and now Ubisoft has confirmed that it relates to 60FPS upgrades for Far Cry 3, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon...
News Three Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In February 2026 So Far
An early look at Feb's lineup
As we always do around this time of the month, we're taking an early look today at what's ahead for February 2026's Xbox Game Pass selection, with three titles having been confirmed for the service next month already. The headline game so far is definitely High on Life 2; this absurd-looking sequel aims to level up...
Feature These 20+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (January 19-23)
Including another three Game Pass titles!
Welcome to your Xbox games roundup for January 19-23! We've got two major releases over the next few days in 2XKO and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, along with three Xbox Game Pass titles including Resident Evil Village! There's a whole bunch of great indie games to look through as well. Here's what's...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 17-18)
How about some Star Wars Outlaws on XGP?
Welcome to another weekend! With our gaming-related Christmas gifts still kicking around and Xbox Game Pass now getting into full swing for 2026, we've got plenty to be getting stuck into over the next few days. Here's what we're playing this weekend: Ben Kerry, Staff Writer: With the addition of Star Wars...
Friday16th Jan 2026
Talking Point Xbox Series X|S Owners, How's Your Storage Looking In 2026?
Do you have any Expansion Cards?
It's an annual tradition for us here at Pure Xbox to poll the community about how you've been managing your Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S storage over the past twelve months, and somehow it's already time for the 2026 edition! Going back over the last few years, it's interesting to see how the poll results have...
News MAVRIX IS Bringing Its 'Massive' Open World Downhill Biking Game To Xbox Next Thursday
"The ultimate multiplayer open world designed by Pro riders"
If you're a fan of games like Riders Republic or Descenders on Xbox, you'll probably want to know about MAVRIX by Matt Jones — a little-known extreme sports game that's arriving on Xbox in early access next Thursday, January 22nd. MAVRIX has been on Steam for a few months now, where it...
News Resident Evil 4 Fans Should Be Well-Served By Requiem's Third-Person Action Next Month
Capcom gives first look at Leon gameplay
This week brought us another Resident Evil Requiem showcase ahead of the game's Xbox launch next month, and this latest look at the Capcom horror title focused on how its two protagonists will differ; with our first glimpse at Leon gameplay giving us some proper Resident Evil 4 vibes in the video up above...
News 12 SEGA Game Gear Titles Will Be Playable In Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties On Xbox
A retro fan's paradise
We're now less than a month away from the release of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on February 12th, and ahead of launch, we've been learning about loads of retro games that'll be part of the package. The thing that's getting the most attention right now is that no less than 12 SEGA Game Gear...
Poll Ahead Of Developer Direct 2026, Which Is Your Favourite Fable Game On Xbox?
A fabled Xbox franchise
2026 is the year we finally get a new Fable game, with Xbox developer Playground Games having been hard at work on an Xbox Series X|S reboot for years now. So, with us less than a week away from seeing it in full force at Developer Direct 2026, which is your favourite Fable game so far?
News One Of The Most Ridiculous Xbox Games We've Ever Seen Is Coming Out Next Week
It's called "I'm In Love With Your Dead Grandmother". Seriously.
Every Saturday, we put together a list of games coming to Xbox over the next week, and that's exactly what we've been drafting up over the past few hours — with one game in particular standing out just because of how ridiculous it is. Yes, on January 23rd, we'll be getting a game...
Talking Point How Do You Feel About Xbox Game Pass In 2026?
Is it still your primary way to play Xbox games?
It's been a good few months now since Microsoft overhauled its Xbox Game Pass service, with Premium taking hold as the platform's mid-tier option whilst Ultimate got a bunch of ne
News 'This Blew Up Way Out Of Proportion' - JDM Dev Insists Forza Comment Was Just A Joke
It's racked up one million views
Back in October, we highlighted Japanese Drift Master as a "very intriguing" new racing game heading to Xbox a month later, and it's since launched to a decent 3.8/5 rating on the Xbox Store — 50% of all of its reviews are 5/5 on there. It's clearly a good game that's well worth considering, but unfortunately, the...
Thursday15th Jan 2026
"We were very short on memory"
The folks over at Digital Foundry have today put out an extensive piece on the making of Assassin's Creed Shadows for Switch 2, and with Xbox Series S most closely resembling Nintendo's hybrid system, we thought we'd have a quick look for anything relevant in here — and a
News Seven Games Are Jam-Packed Into The First Xbox Free Play Days Of 2026
It's an EA Sports takeover!
Xbox Free Play Days is back! We haven't covered anything Free Play Days related since December 18th, but now Microsoft has returned with a huge version of the promotion for the next few days. Simply put, this week's Xbox Free Play Days is all about EA Sports titles, with seven games jam-packed into the lineup including...
News Two Xbox Game Studios Titles Will Compete For The Same Outstanding Visuals Award At VES 2026
Internal duel
Hot on the heels of taking home an award each at The Game Awards 2025, Xbox's DOOM: The Dark Ages and South of Midnight are both up for another award in 2026, right as the latter is about to launch on PS5 and Switch 2 this spring. Yep, id Software's viscer
News Bethesda's Fallout Resurgence Is In Full Swing As FO4 Hits Almost 100K Daily Players On Xbox
Madness!
At this point, it's safe to say that Amazon's Fallout TV show has been a massive success not only in itself but also for the franchise at large, and some new data from the Christmas period shows how big of an impact the show has had on older Fallout games for Microsoft and Bethesda. Coming from GamesIndustry.biz (with data supplied by...
