The Xbox Games with Gold lineup for January 2022 has just gone live, but we know gamers always have one eye on the future, so here's what you need to know about what's coming next.
For those who don't know, Games with Gold is Microsoft's answer to Sony's own PlayStation Plus service. It's just one element of the Xbox Live gaming service, and guarantees subscribers at least 4 free games to download each month. These games need to be added to your library and you can keep them for as long as you pay for the service, just like you can with PlayStation Plus. Games with Gold will start including games for the Xbox Series X|S consoles in 2022, though it's unclear when that might start.
Traditionally Xbox Games with Gold will offer subscribers two games from the console's backward compatibility library, as well as two releases from the Xbox One console generation. Now you're up to speed, here's what to expect for Xbox Games with Gold in February 2022.
Latest News
27 January 2022 -
Microsoft has announced the new Games with Gold titles for February 2022.
On the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S players can enjoy Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse, and Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield. In addition, via Backward Compatibility players can play Hydrophobia, and Band of Bugs. The first batch of the games will be available from February 1.
Take a look at the games on the trailer below:
24 January 2022 -
There has been no Games with Gold news for February 2022 just yet, but we will no doubt learn more from Major Nelson this week ahead of the official change over next Tuesday. Of course, Microsoft could leave it to the very last day to announce what's coming (31 January), but that seems a bit too late in our opinion. Keep your eyes peeled for more news in the coming days.
14 January 2022 -
A quick reminder that the January Games with Gold titles will be switching over this weekend. Xbox 360 title Radiant Silvergun is only available to download until January 15 (tomorrow) and will be replaced on Sunday by Xbox One title Aground which is available until February 15.
Xbox Games with Gold February 2022 Release Date
The release pattern for Xbox Games with Gold is pretty formulaic and as such we know exactly when the games will become available to subscribers.
We should see one Xbox One era game released on February 1 available until February 28. A second Xbox One title should then arrive on February 16, available until March 15.
Also available on February 1 will be the first of two Backwards compatible titles. One should be available until February 15, at which point it'll be replaced by the second backwards compatible title on February 16 for the remainder of the month.
When will Xbox Games With Gold February be announced?
Unlike PS Plus, the Xbox Games with Gold titles are not announced on a specific day every month. There's no exact pattern for when Microsoft announce their next slate of free games.
That being said, it's traditionally revealed after the 20th of each month, normally via Xbox's Major Nelson on Twitter. That being said, we've seen the announcments made as late as the last day of a month, so don't hold you're breath, just make sure you've downloaded you're existing games before they're switched out.
Xbox Games with Gold February 2022 Predictions
The thing about predictions is that they're largely nonsense (sorry). The selection of games released with Games with Gold rarely follows any sort of theme making it impossible to predict. That's especially true for months where there could be an obvious theme, like Halloween or Christmas. We're sure you'll find predictions on other sites, but you're wasting your time.
As evidence of that, below is a list of what Xbox players received in February 2021, which as you can see, was a random selection that no one could have predicted.
- Gears 5 ($39.99 ERP): Available February 1 to 28
- Resident Evil ($19.99 ERP): Available February 1 to 28
- Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition ($14.99 ERP): Available February 16 to March 15
- Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb ($9.99 ERP): Available February 1 to 15
- Lost Planet 2 ($19.99 ERP): Available February 16 to 28
What Games Are Currently Available In January 2022?
At the time of writing Xbox Live Gold subscribers can pick up the following Games with Gold titles:
- NeuroVoider (Xbox One) - Available January 1 to 31
- Aground (Xbox One) - Available January 16 to February 15
- Radiant Silvergun (Xbox 360) - Available January 1 to 15
- Space Invaders Infinity Gene (Xbox 360) - Available January 16 to 31
Make sure to download these titles before they're replaced and be sure to check back for the latest February 2022 Games With Gold news as it's released.