A new year, new beginnings, and of course, new games. With developers setting the tone for the months ahead, this is a month of new starts, some roadmaps, early-year updates, and a few surprises that hint at what’s coming next. Let’s jump into the biggest mobile gaming highlights from January 2026.
Monthly Mobile Gaming News Roundup for January 2026
Week 1: January 01 to January 07
Executive Summary
Week 1 of January opened the year slightly slowly, but still with a good mix of global releases, beta tests, shutdowns, and industry updates. Neo Artifacts kicked off beta testing in Japan and Taiwan, while Recolit, Ming: Rivers of Blood, and Roman Empire: Strategy Game went live globally.
Cozy experiences also surfaced with AFK Journey: Homestead soft-launching on Android. On the industry side, PANDOLAND confirmed its shutdown, PUBG Mobile partnered with NGOs for its Penguin Rescue Initiative, and HoYoverse reassured fans that the Genshin Impact Anime remains in development. P
re-registrations opened for Three Kingdoms: World Conquest, while Torchlight: Infinite prepared to reveal its 2026 roadmap at TorchCon Seoul.
Highlights
- Neo Artifacts beta test kicks off: Neo Artifacts, the anthropomorphized SRPG, kicks off beta test in Japan and Taiwan, global pre-registration now live.
- PANDOLAND shuts down: PANDOLAND shuts down on March 6, bringing its maritime adventure to an end after a short run.
- Roman Empire: Strategy Game is available on Android: Roman Empire: Strategy Game lets you rewrite the fate of Rome in this conquest-driven SRPG, now available on Android.
- Recolit now globally available: Recolit invites you to uncover the light in a puzzle adventure lost in endless nights, now globally available.
- AFK Journey: Homestead soft launches on Android: AFK Journey: Homestead soft launches on Android as a cozy spin off, inviting you to rebuild a peaceful life in Esperia.
- PUBG Mobile partners with NGOs for Penguin Rescue Initiative: PUBG Mobile goes beyond gaming with its Penguin Rescue Initiative, now partnering with 4 NGOs.
- MOONTON Games’ Lovania China closed beta announced: MOONTON Games’ Lovania could be the next big life sim with its storybook visuals, China closed beta test ahead.
- Torchlight: Infinite’s TorchCon Seoul to reveal 2026 roadmap: Torchlight: Infinite’s global event, TorchCon Seoul, to reveal 2026 roadmap, Developer Q&A, and more this month.
- Genshin Impact Anime still in development: Genshin Impact Anime is still alive and in development, HoYoverse confirms.
- Ming: Rivers of Blood globally available: Ming: Rivers of Blood is an Oriental adventure ARPG with Soulslike combat, now globally available.
- Three Kingdoms: World Conquest global pre-registration: Three Kingdoms: World Conquest is bringing an authentic RTS warfare, global pre-registration is now live.
Week 2: January 08 to January 14
Executive Summary
Week 2 saw momentum gain with Heartopia launched globally, while Shotgun Joe – Love & Monsters and Vampire Master arrived on Android. Pre-registrations opened for titles like Order of Kings, E.D.E.N: The Last Line, Genesis War, Renegade Immortal, Armored Frontline: Warzone, and Westward Farm: Family Escape.
Industry headlines included uncertainty around Rainbow Six Mobile and Assassin’s Creed Jade following Ubisoft Halifax’s closure, KRAFTON India Awards 2025 being announced, and esports expansion with Mobile Legends Super League Thailand set for 2026.
Meanwhile, shutdowns were confirmed for One Punch Man: World and 2.5 Dimensional Seduction: Angels on Stage, alongside discussions of Tencent’s Kewlbiverse going silent.
Highlights
- Rainbow Six Mobile and Assassin’s Creed Jade face launch uncertainty: Rainbow Six Mobile and Assassin’s Creed Jade face launch uncertainty as Ubisoft Halifax shuts down.
- MU: Dark Awakening set to arrive this January: MU: Dark Awakening invites you back to the world of MU with dark fantasy MMORPG battles, arriving this month.
- Mobile Legends Super League Thailand debuts in 2026: Mobile Legends Super League Thailand (MSL TH) to debut in 2026.
- Order of Kings brings 4X sandbox RTS to Mobile and PC: Order of Kings delivers a 4X sandbox RTS experience on Mobile and PC, pre-registration is live now.
- E.D.E.N: The Last Line global pre-registration: E.D.E.N: The Last Line challenges you to strategize real-time arcade-like battles to protect humanity, pre-registration now live.
- Heartopia launches globally: XD Games’ Heartopia lets you slow down and enjoy a truly cozy life sim, now globally available.
- LINE Games’ Genesis War Android pre-registration announced: LINE Games’ Genesis War revives the beloved SRPG with expanded story and gameplay, Android pre-registration now live.
- PlayStyles rumored for FC Mobile: PlayStyles rumored to finally arrive in FC Mobile.
- KRAFTON India Awards 2025 announced: KRAFTON India Awards 2025 celebrates the best of Indian gaming and Esports.
- Shotgun Joe – Love & Monsters launches on Android: Shotgun Joe – Love & Monsters turns a simple rescue story into an action-packed platform shooter, now available on Android.
- Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation – Chronicle of Echoes arrives in Japan this year: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation – Chronicle of Echoes battle RPG is arriving this year in Japan with iconic anime moment.
- Ultraman: Warrior of Light China open beta announced: Ultraman: Warrior of Light brings iconic heroes and monsters to a turn-based RPG, open beta kicks off this month in China.
- One Punch Man: World shuts down: One Punch Man: World shuts down on February 27, 2026, bringing its hero’s journey to an early end.
- Renegade Immortal Android opens pre-registration: Renegade Immortal invites you to experience a faithful RPG adaptation of the classic series, with Android pre-registration now live.
- Tencent Games’ Kewlbiverse appears to have shut down: Tencent Games’ Kewlbiverse seems to have shut down in silence after months of inactivity.
- Vampire Master launches on Android: Vampire Master introduces a unique oriental mythology-infused vampire MMORPG, now available on Android.
- KonoSuba: Prosperity for this Beloved City set for launch: KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! Prosperity for this Beloved City! is set for a Mobile and PC launch in Japan in 2026.
- Armored Frontline: Warzone opens pre-registration: Armored Frontline: Warzone looks like a fun new take on arcade tank combat, global pre-registration now live.
- Westward Farm: Family Escape Android pre-registration announced: Westward Farm: Family Escape invites you to experience life in a Wild West farming sim, Android pre-registration now live.
- 2.5 Dimensional Seduction: Angels on Stage ends service: 2.5 Dimensional Seduction: Angels on Stage ends service less than two years after launch.
- Inazuma Eleven: Cross mobile debut with Japan closed beta: Inazuma Eleven: Cross scores a mobile debut with a closed beta test kicking off in Japan on January 29, 2026.
Week 3: January 15 to January 21
Executive Summary
The following week balanced global launches with major shutdown announcements and upcoming reveals. Kingdoms of Desire, Dark December, MORAX: A Horror Story, and Tales of Mecha launched globally, while Academy of Heroes rolled out across SEA regions.
Pre-registrations opened for Cat School: Idle Cute Tycoon, Subway Surfers City, and Akuma Rise. On the industry front, Seven Knights 2, Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys, and Lost Crusade 2 confirmed shutdowns, while Lord of Mysteries impressed with its gameplay reveal.
Future releases were lined up with announcements for Sea of Stars, Coffee Talk, Mind-Shaper, and Goblin Sushi, as Total Football prepared for its upcoming alpha test that went live on the 22nd.
Highlights
- Kingdoms of Desire launches globally: Kingdoms of Desire turns the Three Kingdoms era into an idle RPG power fantasy, now globally available.
- Cat School: Idle Cute Tycoon pre-registration announced: Cat School: Idle Cute Tycoon blends school life sim with adorable feline charm, pre-registration now live.
- BanG Dream! Our Notes to arrive in Japan this year: BanG Dream! Our Notes is the newest BanG Dream entry featuring five adorable bands, arriving this year in Japan.
- Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile returns to stores: Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile quietly returns to stores with pre-registration after being delisted, although it was quickly reported those rumours weren’t true.
- Seven Knights 2 shuts down: Seven Knights 2 to shut down on April 15, 2026, bringing its MMORPG journey to an end after all these memorable years.
- Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys shuts down: Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys shuts down on April 13, 2026, after 10 years of multiverse mayhem.
- Coffee Talk launch announced: Coffee Talk is brewing a cozy and emotional experience with coffee brewing fun, arriving on March 20, 2026.
- Sea of Stars mobile launch announced: Playdigious’ Sea of Stars invites you to enjoy the award-winning RPG adventure, arriving on April 7, 2026.
- Subway Surfers City pre-registration announced: Subway Surfers City opens pre-registration on Android and iOS, global launch locked for February 26, 2026.
- Lost Crusade 2 shuts down: Lost Crusade 2 shuts down on January 29, 2026, closing a long running romance RPG chapter.
- Lord of Mysteries impresses with gameplay reveal: SPARK NEXA’s Lord of Mysteries makes a strong first impression with its gameplay reveal.
- Counter War: The Future launches in China: Tencent Games’ Counter War: The Future finally arrives in China, bringing sci-fi shooter chaos to the battlefield.
- MORAX: A Horror Story launches globally: MORAX: A Horror Story invites you into a nightmarish episodic horror adventure, now globally available.
- Silver and Blood and ACECRAFT US servers face downtime: Silver and Blood and ACECRAFT US servers face multi-day downtime starting January 21, 2026, due to infrastructure updates.
- KEMCO’s Akuma Rise Android pre-registration announced: KEMCO’s Akuma Rise opens pre-registrations on Android for its upcoming story-driven fantasy JRPG experience.
- Academy of Heroes launches in SEA regions: GRAVITY’s Academy of Heroes brings Three Kingdoms warriors into a stylish school life RPG, now live in SEA regions.
- Dark December launches globally: Dark December brings UNDECEMBER prequel story to life with intense ARPG action, now globally available.
- Total Football alpha test announced: Total Football brings back footy action with an Alpha Test starting January 22, 2026, in select regions.
- Mind-Shaper set to arrive this February: Mind-Shaper lets you explore your patients’ trauma through surreal point-and-click puzzles, arriving this February.
- Goblin Sushi early access announced: Goblin Sushi lets you cook bizarre sushi dishes and beat rising rent, early access arriving on February 9, 2026.
- Tales of Mecha launches globally: Tales of Mecha lets you battle colossal threats in a fading MMORPG World, now globally available.
- DianDian Data reveals 2025 Point Awards honorees: DianDian Data reveals 2025 Point Awards honorees, spotlighting China-based mobile games overseas.
- Kuroko’s Basketball Street Rivals SEA pre-registration announced: Kuroko’s Basketball Street Rivals brings the beloved anime basketball action in real time, pre-registration now live in SEA.
Week 4: January 22 to January 28
Executive Summary
Arknights: Endfield kicked off the fourth week as it launched globally across mobile, PC, and PS5, joined by SEGA Football Club Champions 2026, A Webbing Journey, Evo Defense: Merge TD, and Mini Brawl Go!.
Soft launches included HERMIT CRAB GO! and LINE GetRich GO, while Prime Rush entered early access in Brazil. Industry news saw Warframe confirm its Android launch date, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang unveil its 2026 esports roadmap, and PUBG Mobile set a Guinness World Record.
Shutdowns were announced for OUTRANKERS and Isekai∞Isekai, as upcoming titles like Reigns: The Witcher and Iron Roads locked in early 2026 release dates.
Highlights
- SEGA Football Club Champions 2026 launches on mobile: SEGA Football Club Champions 2026 is now live, bringing management action to Android and iOS.
- Arknights: Endfield launches globally: GRYPHLINE’s Arknights: Endfield is now available globally on Mobile, PC, and PS5.
- A Webbing Journey available: A Webbing Journey arrives with beloved physics-based sandbox fun, now available globally.
- Evo Defense: Merge TD launches on mobile: Evo Defense: Merge TD brings a blend of Merge Mechanics, Strategy, and Roguelike Elements, now available on Android and iOS.
- World Cricket Championship 4 pre-registration announced: World Cricket Championship 4 is the latest entry in the hit franchise, opens pre-registration on mobile.
- Prime Rush enters early access in Brazil: Prime Rush is a next-gen BR from SuperGaming, the team behind Indus Battle Royale, now available in early access in Brazil.
- HERMIT CRAB GO! soft launches on Android: HERMIT CRAB GO! by MOONTON Games soft launches on Android with retro cartoon visuals and roguelike chaos.
- LINE GetRich GO soft launches in select regions: LINE GetRich GO brings board-based dice gameplay, soft launches on mobile in select regions.
- BGMI Lite hinted in KRAFTON India surveys: KRAFTON India might be eyeing BGMI Lite as surveys hint at ads and Lite-specific features.
- Warframe Android launch announced: Warframe is launching on Android this February 18th, 2026, with Canada getting a week-early head start.
- RoV Pro League 2026 Summer kicks off: RoV Pro League 2026 Summer to kick of this January with in house teams.
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang unveils 2026 esports roadmap: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang unveils 2026 Esports Roadmap: M8 heads to Türkiye, New Tournament IP, and more.
- Mini Brawl Go! debuts on mobile: Mini Brawl Go! debuts on Android and iOS with a pixel roguelike experience on offer.
- Reigns: The Witcher launch announced: Devolver Digital’s Reigns: The Witcher reimagines the hit universe through choice-driven adventure, arriving on Mobile and PC on February 25, 2026.
- PUBG Mobile sets Guinness World Record at FRIEND FEST: PUBG Mobile sets Guinness World Record through FRIEND FEST event while celebrating friendship.
- Pokémon TCG Pocket announces Fantastical Parade expansion: Pokémon TCG Pocket announces “Fantastical Parade” expansion, with new Mega Evolution Pokemon ex cards coming this month.
- Gambonanza reinvents chess as a roguelike adventure: Gambonanza reinvents traditional chess as a roguelike adventure with gambits and board twists, arriving later this year.
- Iron Roads iOS launch announced: Iron Roads challenges you to build an efficient rail network and keep passengers smiling, arriving on iOS in February 12, 2026.
- OUTRANKERS announces end of service: OUTRANKERS announces end of service on February 27, 2026, just three months after launch.
- Nintama Rantaro: Jumping Puzzle launches in Japan: Nintama Rantaro: Jumping Puzzle Rank Up! offers charming puzzle action for anime fans, now available on Mobile in Japan.
- Isekai∞Isekai announces end of service: Isekai∞Isekai to bid farewell on April 27, 2026, closing its chapter in the anime RPG world too soon.
Week 5: January 29 to January 31
Executive Summary
The final days of January had some fun in store. UFL – Football Game 2026 soft-launched on Android, while Cosmic Royale arrived on iOS and Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control expanded its SEA release. Beta and test announcements included Planet Party Time in China and Infinity Kingdom: Elemental Era entering soft launch.
Pre-registrations opened for Paranoize, while future releases were confirmed for V Project, Dear me, I was…, and Easy Delivery Co.. On the closure side, Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunter announced its shutdown.
Highlights
- UFL – Football Game 2026 soft launches on Android: UFL – Football Game 2026 makes its debut on the small screen, soft launches on Android in select regions.
- Planet Party Time beta test announced in China: NetEase Games’ Planet Party Time to kick off a beta test from February 28 on mobile and PC in China.
- V Project set to arrive on mobile this year: V Project brings a fresh take on idol games with empathy-driven storytelling and full 3D visuals, arriving on mobile this year.
- Infinity Kingdom: Elemental Era soft launches in select regions: Infinity Kingdom: Elemental Era expands the series with elemental strategy depth, soft launches on mobile in select regions.
- Paranoize mobile pre-registration opens: Paranoize blends episode manga-style storytelling with RPG elements, pre-registration now live on mobile.
- Dear me, I was… multi-platform launch announced: Dear me, I was… invites you to witness an ordinary life painted through watercolor, arriving on multiple platforms on February 12.
- Cosmic Royale launches on iOS: Cosmic Royale brings kart-style battle royale chaos to mobile, now available on iOS.
- Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunter shutdown: Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunter will shut down on April 22, 2026, marking the end of its divine hunt after only a year.
- Easy Delivery Co. mobile port announced: Easy Delivery Co. lets you cruise scenic mountain roads and make deliveries in a Kei Truck, finally porting to mobile on March 26.
- Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control launches in SEA: Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control, the latest shooter in the hit franchise, launches on both Android and iOS in the SEA region.
- Fishing Star World Tour launches on mobile via Crunchyroll: Fishing Star World Tour lets you catch rare fish across the world in a fun adventure, now available on mobile via Crunchyroll.
That’s all for the mobile gaming news for January 2026. If you liked the roundup that catered to the January 2026 news focusing on mobile gaming, here are the previous editions:
- Mobile gaming news roundup for December 2025
- Mobile gaming news roundup for November 2025
- Mobile gaming news roundup for October 2025
- Mobile gaming news roundup for September 2025
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