3 Up, 3 Down – January 2026
December and January were slower months for video game releases, so we’re combining them into one massive 3 Up 3 Down article. There were 3 games that scored 90/100, but they were from the same series, so they’re going to get their own entry. Another interesting theme is that 2 of our games from The Bad section are Switch ports of previous releases. Without further ado, here are The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games January 2026:
The Good
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road
***click here for our review***
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is a JRPG soccer game. It’s an odd blend of genres, but should be familiar to fans of games like Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, or Golf Story. The game has tons of content, with a great narrative. Our reviewer wrote “The story is beautifully presented, featuring high-quality cutscenes and an excellent soundtrack that enhances its emotional beats”. It’s great to see developer Level-5 releasing video games in North America again. Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is one of three December games in The Good section of The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games January 2026.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
***click here for our review***
Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a beat ‘em up fan’s dream come true. It was developed by the same team who made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, which is considered by many to be the genre’s gold standard. Marvel Cosmic Invasion has 15 playable characters that all feel unique from one another. Our reviewer concluded “with its stunning presentation, the game stands as one of the genre’s finest modern examples”. Marvel Cosmic Invasion is arguably the biggest release in The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games January 2026.
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut/ Yakuza Kiwami/ Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS5)
***click here for our review***
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, which was originally a Switch 2 exclusive, was released on PS5 in December 2025. On the same day we got PS5 ports of Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2. All three games are classics in the now ultra popular JRPG/ third person action franchise. Lots of fans still haven’t experienced the original stories in the series, which is a shame, because they’re some of the finest cinematic presentations in video game history. Our reviewer recommended “If you’ve never played any of the Yakuza games, this new [Yakuza Kiwami 1] remaster is arguably the best place to start”. These three games were the highest scoring game in The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games January 2026.