Game Pass’s January Wave One Line-Up Falls Short with Only One New Game for Ultimate Console Users

Microsoft has rolled out the first wave of Game Pass titles for January, giving subscribers a handful of new games to dive into as the year begins. However, Xbox gamers with Game Pass Ultimate might feel left out, as there’s just one new title for them this time around.

The spotlight is on EA Sports UFC 5, arriving on January 14 for Xbox Series X|S via Cloud. It’s joined by Road 96, which is making a comeback across Cloud, Console, and PC. For Game Pass Standard players, there’s a broader range to explore, including Lightyear Frontier and Rolling Hills – Sherwood Builders on Xbox Series X/S and My Time at Sandrock on Console. Meanwhile, Diablo is exclusively hitting the PC Game Pass. It’s a bit of a letdown for Ultimate subscribers on consoles, who are seeing only one fresh addition this month.

Sure, that’s a little underwhelming. Considering this is just the initial batch for January, more titles will be announced soon. But for those paying top dollar, the current offerings might not seem to justify the cost, especially if sports titles aren’t their thing. Titles like My Time at Sandrock may catch some interest, but there’s a chance that Ultimate subscribers might have already dabbled in them.

Let’s not forget that Microsoft bumped the Game Pass Ultimate price recently from $16.99 to $19.99. The increase wasn’t exactly celebrated, yet Game Pass often proves its worth when a killer lineup emerges. Unfortunately, judging by this first wave, January isn’t shaping up to be one of those standout months.

If you’re subscribed to Game Pass Ultimate, how are you feeling about this selection? Share your thoughts with us!