Megan Roxburgh rounds up all of the January Games releases.
Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training
Gaming’s favourite neuroscientist makes his Switch debut with the latest in the Brain Training series. As with previous titles, this edition of Brain Training will test players and help them improve their “Brain Age” with a series of different tasks and challenges. From basic arithmetic to counting birds and completing Sudoku puzzles, players will be able to work their way through a whole mental obstacle course, with the Switch edition featuring new games and co-op capability making the most of the dual screens and Joy-Con.
Physical copies of the game will come with a stylus, which is also available to purchase separately for those wishing to purchase the Digital Edition. Players will also be able to use the Joy-Con for multiplayer, allowing players to challenge friends and family to a whole host of challenging brain teasers. Players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership will also be able to compare their skills and scores with global rankings and even participate in World Brain Training Championships.
January Games: Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training will be available on Nintendo Switch from January 3*
AO Tennis 2
The court is yours in this tennis title. AO Tennis 2 will offer players the chance to take to the court as some of the sport’s most iconic players – including Rafael Nadal and Angélique Kerber – at one of the biggest Grand Slam events, the Australian Open. For this outing, players will also be able to take to the court with their own player – in singles or doubles competition with a friend – in the career mode, with a complete story focusing on every detail of a professional player.
Developed in collaboration with the team behind the Australian Open tournament, AO Tennis 2 looks to offer players the most immersive and intense tennis experience ever. With every venue from the 2020 tournament available to play in, players will be able to play along with the tournament as it happens live.
January Games: AO Tennis 2 will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch from January 9*
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Relive Goku’s epic story with the latest from Dragon Ball Z. In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, players will be able to explore the world of Dragon Ball like never before. Relive classic battles from the series or travel across the world to reveal never-before-seen moments from the saga. Players will be able to explore every aspect of Goku’s life – from cooking with his family to forging bonds with old friends and new.
Players who pre-order will unlock an additional sub-quest – A Competitive Party with Friends – gain early access to Bonyu’s training and a free cooking item to boost melee attack and HP. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, an exclusive cooking item which grants a permanent stat boost and the Season Pass, which will unlock new episodes and story content. The Collector’s Edition features the game in a Steelbook case, exclusive artbook, world hub map, Season Pass and a diorama featuring Goku and Gohan aboard the Flying Nimbus travelling alongside a dinosaur.
January Games: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from January 17*
Rugby 20
Take to the field in the new Rugby title. For Rugby 20, players are in full control of the game. With players from the Top 14, Pro D2, Gallagher Premiership and Pro 14, players will be able to assemble their best squads from the pinnacle of rugby union. Testing their squad and skills in single and multiplayer, players will be able to manage every element of their team’s strategy on and off the pitch, with in-depth management and tactical skills designed to give players a winning edge.
Players who pre-order Rugby 20 will gain access to the beta, which will be running up until just before release. This exclusive beta will give players a chance to try out the game’s features and gameplay ahead of time and will showcase all that the game has to offer, including player models crafted from the ground up and the most true to life visuals seen in the series to date.
January Games: Rugby 20 will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from January 23*
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
The acclaimed second chapter in the Pillars of Eternity story comes to consoles this month. First released on PC in 2018, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire once again puts players in the role of a Watcher – a being with the ability to see into the souls of others and read their thoughts. When Eothas, a God long thought dead, is reborn in the Watcher home players are left clinging to life. Saved from the brink by the God of Death – Berath – players are tasked with heading to the Deadfire Archipelago, where they must find out what Eothas has planned and how he has returned.
Along with the console release, PC users will be able to purchase The Obsidian Edition. This special edition includes a copy of the game with all DLC, a copy of the soundtrack, unique character apparel, a hi-res map, Volume II of the Digital Guidebook, Digital P&P Guide and Cosmo, the Space Pig to accompany your party on their adventure.
January Games: Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC (Obsidian Edition) from January 28*
Free to Play
Xbox Gold members will have four new games to download and play for free this month. On Xbox One. Styx: Shards of Darkness will be available from January 1-31*, with Batman: The Telltale Series – The Complete Season available from January 16 – February 15*. On Xbox 360 – and Xbox One via Backwards Compatibility – TEKKEN 6 will be downloadable from January 1-15*, followed by LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy from January 16-31*
On PlayStation, Plus subscribers will have two new games to download and play for free this month. From January 7*, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will be available to all players on PlayStation 4. Also available in select territories will be either Goat Simulator or Frantics – with details about which title is downloadable where is available on the PlayStation Blog.
Those with a Twitch Prime subscription will be able to claim four games for free this month – Enter the Gungeon, Ape Out, Witcheye and Gato Roboto – until February 1* as well as a whole host of offers and starter packs. Full information on these deals, including how to claim the free titles, can be found on the Twitch Prime website.
Also Released This Month
January 1* – miniLAW: Ministry of Law (PC)
January 2* – Link-a-Pix Deluxe (Switch)
January 4* – New Japan Pro-Wrestling (iOS, Android)
January 7* – ReversiQuest 2 (PC)
January 10* – The Blind Project (PC)
January 14* – Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack (PS4, PC, Switch), Super Mega Space Blaster Special Turbo (PS4, PC, Switch, Mac)
January 15* – Lightmatter (PC)
January 16* – Super Crush KO (PC, Switch)
January 17* – Neverwinter Nights Enhanced Edition Collector’s Pack (Xbox One, Ps4, Switch), Planetscape Torment/Icewind Dale EE Collector’s Pack (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition Collector’s Pack (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Beamdog Ultimate Collectors Pack (Switch), Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE Encore (Switch), Die by the Blade (PC)
January 21* – Moons of Madness (Xbox One, PS4), Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch)
January 23* – Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered (PS4, Switch), Kingdom Hearts III: ReMind DLC (Xbox One, PS4), Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf (Switch – digital only)
January 24* – Commandos 2 – HD Remaster (PC, Mac, Linus), Praetorians HD Remastered (PC), Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha (Switch)
January 28* – Journey to the Savage Planet (Xbox One, PS4, PC), DLC – Drone Championship League (Xbox One, PS4)
January 29* – Warcraft III: Reforged (Mac, PC)
January 30* – Sisters Royale (PS4, Switch), Through the Darkest of Times (PC), Not for Broadcast (PC), Skellboy (Switch)
January 31* – Arc of Alchemist (PS4), Monstrum (Switch), Flashback/Another World (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Ash of Gods: Redemption (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh