Microsoft recently released a new update for it on January 21, 2026 Xbox Adding products, new functionality, improvements, and features for fans to check out. In early 2026, Xbox fans are hoping that Microsoft has more news to share about its Xbox ecosystem products, aside from specific Game Pass releases each month. January 2026 is already off to an interesting start as Microsoft is planning some big reveals this week, as well as the latest update becoming available to download.
Starting on January 22, Microsoft is hosting its latest Xbox Developer Direct livestream event, kicking off the brand's 25th anniversary. Fans can look forward to seeing news and details on several upcoming games, including fable and Forza Horizon 6While Game Freak is also going to showcase more from its upcoming Animal of Reincarnation. Previous developer directs have typically showcased many secret games that were previously unannounced, so many fans are expecting the same here. For now though, Microsoft has released a new update for its Xbox ecosystem.
Some Xbox gamers are getting free gift cards
Xbox players on both consoles and PC are receiving free gift cards from Microsoft, raising questions about the company's generosity.
Xbox January 21, 2026 Update Details
Interestingly, the Xbox update isn't focused on the console as much, with new features, games, and improvements coming to the variety of features available under the entire Xbox umbrella, such as the ROG Xbox Ally handheld, cloud gaming, and PC apps to name a few.
Here are all the details for the January 21st update for Xbox:
The Xbox PC app extends support
With this update, the Xbox PC app experience now supports Arm-based Windows 11 PC systems. These systems are built on advanced RISC machine architecture, making them very energy efficient and have been used in mobile devices until their expansion into PC hardware. According to Microsoft, approximately 85% of the Xbox Game Pass catalog is now compatible with these PCs and support will increase over time. For any unsupported titles, Microsoft recommends using Xbox Cloud Gaming for the time being.
Game save sync indicator
A highly requested feature from the community has also been added to the game pages. Players can now see real-time visibility into cloud save sync status using a new indicator, showing the date and timestamp of when the last sync occurred.
Xbox cloud gaming is coming to more smart TVs
Originally teased at CES in 2025, Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox app will be added to select Hisense and V homeOS-powered smart TVs in 2026. Xbox Game Pass subscribers will be able to open the app through compatible TVs to access and stream hundreds of games.
Unfortunately, Microsoft did not provide a list of compatible TVs, indicating that the company will share more details on the Xbox cloud gaming experience in the coming months.
Handheld compatibility program updates
New games have been updated to be better optimized for handheld play, similar to what Valve does for compatible Steam deck games. The product description pages will identify which games are “mostly compatible” and “handheld optimized”.
These games were recently added to the program:
- Ark Raiders (mostly compatible)
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (handheld optimized)
- Dave the Diver (handheld optimized)
- Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition (handheld optimized)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (mostly compatible)
- Marvel Cosmic Attack (handheld optimized)
- Octopath Traveler 0 (mostly compatible)
- The outside world 2 (handheld optimized)
- Red Dead Redemption (mostly compatible)
- Silent Hill 2 (handheld optimized)
Xbox Play Anywhere Additions
Xbox's Play Anywhere campaign essentially allows players to find their games on multiple supported devices such as PCs, console systems, and handhelds. Players can take their game progress, saves, DLC, and achievements with them, pick up and play without restarting.
In December, Xbox Play Anywhere added support for games to this long list.
- Abyss DX
- A game about digging holes
- Brock: Natale Tale, New Christmas Special
- Brock: The Brawl Bar
- buffet owner
- The Christmas Mutilator
- coloring book
- Cup Heroes
- Cyberpunk Hacker
- SPY – RAINY NIGHT
- Dimension: Catalyst
- Dome Keeper
- Dunjungle
- Fast Food Master 2025
- final
- Frogo Deluxe
- Jellycar Worlds
- The story of Princess Lyria
- Marvel Cosmic Attack
- Montezuma's Revenge – 40th Anniversary Edition
- Octopath Traveler 0
- Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure – Ultimate Edition
- Pinball Jam
- Portal forces
- Medicine: A Curious Story
- Puzzle Galaxy Xbox Edition
- Recipe for love
- Rhythm Doctor
- routine
- Slimbu
- Snakey snakes
- Space Elite Force II – Reloaded
- Stacky Dash
- SpotCat vs Cheddar Mafia Back in the past
- Talisman: Digital 5th Edition
- Thank God you are here!
- Treasure Drop
- Uboat attack
- Wylde flowers
- Yakuza: Shadows of New York
Xbox cloud gaming streaming additions
For those who want to stream their games, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential subscribers have over 1000 games available to do so, with Microsoft continuing to add more over time. Here are the latest games, and a glimpse of more, coming to the service.
Just added:
- Don't Starve Together: Console Edition
- Farming Simulator 19
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
- guilty gear – attempt –
- I Am The Future: A Cozy Apocalypse Survival
- Only reason 3
- Little Nightmare III
- Mio: Memories in class
- Planet Coaster: Console Edition
- Resident Evil Village
-
…and much more!
Coming soon:
- Dead Island Definitive Edition
- Jurassic World Evolution
- Killing Floor 2
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor – Game of the Year Edition
-
…and much more!
Retro classic games are coming soon
With the help of Antstream Arcade, Xbox Game Pass continues to add retro games to the service. Microsoft says more than 1 million players already use the service, with weekly tournaments and community challenges happening all the time. Currently, there are over 100 games in the Retro Classic Collection, with these four soon to be added:
- Sky Patrol
- Keystone Coppers
- Laser gates
- Rise of the Dragon
Mouse and keyboard support
The final piece of this update is the continued expansion of Xbox's mouse and keyboard support. As Microsoft points out, there are over 230 games with “touch controls available in the cloud” and more are constantly being added. Here are the latest games to support wired USB mouse and keyboard navigation right now:
- Kentam
- Easy red 2
- Little Rocket Lab
- Bratz rhythm and style
- The outside world 2
- Pacific Drive
- Detective 2112
- routine
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Silver Norneer
