It can be difficult to keep up with everything going on with Xbox Game Pass, which continues to evolve and expand with many hundreds of video games, perks, and other benefits, but that's where I come in.
I've been managing this hub of all the latest (and upcoming) Xbox Game Pass additions and departures for years at this point, making this the best way to stay up to date with the latest Game Pass announcements.
I'll even let you know if a game is a day one addition to Game Pass, is being added via the EA Play subscription included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and if it's new to specific platforms or subscription tiers with a little bit of bold text.
I'll keep it simple and let you get right to it, but we also have the complete list of every game available across every tier of Xbox Game Pass if you need something a little more thorough.
Those looking for more information on Xbox Game Pass and its assorted benefits can refer to our ultimate Xbox Game Pass FAQ, which honestly contains an absurd amount of knowledge (I can't claim credit for that one, it was my colleague, Jez Corden).
If you'd like to subscribe, the most affordable way is to pick up 3-months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $26.79 at CDKeys (that's a lot less than paying $20/month, and you can stack it).
Xbox Game Pass: Best new games this month
Say hi to the best recent Xbox Game Pass games. You'll rarely go wrong with the diverse selection of games on Xbox Game Pass, but there are always a handful of titles that stand above the rest. These are the best new games that have recently arrived on Xbox Game Pass that you shouldn't hesitate to play.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Available: Apr. 22 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one)
The rumors are true, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is real and it's already available to play across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.
Of course, as a first-party Xbox title, it's also available through Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming! Xbox Play Anywhere support syncs your progress across devices, too.
This revolutionary 2006 RPG helped define a generation of gaming, and Bethesda has brought it back to life with overhauled visuals, countless quality-of-life and gameplay improvements, and a modern release across the latest platforms.
All of the original game's content is included in one slick-looking package, which updates the combat and traversal mechanics to make Oblivion smoother and more fun to play than ever before.
It's a surprise drop that's already making a big splash, and it's an easy addition to our best picks on Game Pass.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Available: Apr. 15 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (Standard, PC, & Ultimate)
I probably don't need to explain Grand Theft Auto to you, considering it's one of the most successful and influential video game franchises of all time.
It's an open-world sandbox that lets you wreak havoc and sow the seeds of chaos as less-than-upstanding citizens. With Grand Theft Auto 6 slated to land on Xbox Series X|S later this year, what better time to visit its best-selling precursor?
GTA V is still an immensely popular to this day, although that's mostly on the back of the Online live service model. Still, its single-player mode is still a ton of fun despite that lack of new content additions, and you still benefit from all the graphical upgrades delivered since our original GTA V review on the Xbox One.
This is far from the first time GTA V has actually been available on the Game Pass catalog, but it's back and you can access it on every tier (except for Core) across Xbox, Windows PC, and the cloud.
If you somehow still haven't experienced this game (I admit, I never finished the story and need to), then now's your chance.
South of Midnight
- Available: Apr. 8 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one)
I've been eager to play South of Midnight since the moment it was revealed, as I immediately fell in love with its incredible art design inspired by gothic Southern folklore and stop motion animation.
It's the first project from Compulsion Games since the studio joined the Xbox family, and it certainly tackled a unique vision with South of Midnight, a narrative-driven platforming and action-adventure game packed with quirky characters and spell-weaving combat.
I'm still finishing Assassin's Creed Shadows and haven't been able to start South of Midnight yet, but it's absolutely next on my list to tackle. My colleague, Samuel Tolbert, is the one who handled our South of Midnight review, and he concluded:
"Compulsion Games has crafted a love letter to Southern Gothic with its third-person action-adventure game South of Midnight. The characters feel larger-than-life and intimately relatable all at once, while the narrative doesn't shy away from the brutal nature of the South's history. Combat is fun, though limited enemy variety does drag toward the end of the game. Overall, it's a story that feels intimate and uncomfortable, and one I hope others experience."
This game will unfortunately fly under the radar for a lot of people given its more modest scope, but you shouldn't let this experience pass you by. Since South of Midnight is a day one (and permanent) addition to Xbox Game Pass, with Xbox Play Anywhere support, it's easy to jump in on Xbox and Windows PC.
Xbox Game Pass: Full list of new games
It can be easy to lose track of all the new games coming to Xbox Game Pass, so we've compiled the full list for your convenience. In this section of our Xbox Game Pass guide, learn what games have been released on Xbox Game Pass recently, when they became available, and what platforms on which they're available.
Apr. 22
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one)
Apr. 17
- Crime Scene Cleaner — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate)
- Tempopo — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one)
Apr. 16
- Neon White — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (Standard, PC, & Ultimate)
- SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (Standard, PC, & Ultimate)
Apr. 15
- Grand Theft Auto V — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (Standard, PC, & Ultimate)
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate)
Apr. 10
- Blue Prince — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one)
- EA Sports NHL 25 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Xbox Cloud Gaming (Ultimate via EA Play)
Xbox Game Pass: Full schedule of games coming soon
Microsoft loves to give Xbox Game Pass subscribers plenty of time to prepare for upcoming additions by announcing them early. This section of our Xbox Game Pass will help you keep track of all the games coming to Xbox Game Pass shortly, so you can decide what you want to play and whether you need to free up some space.
Apr. 24
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one)
Apr. 29
- Towerborne — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate in Xbox Game Preview)
Apr. 30
- Far Cry 4 — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (Standard, PC, & Ultimate)
May 1
- Anno 1800 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (Standard, PC, & Ultimate)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate)
May 6
- Dredge — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (Standard, PC, & Ultimate)
May 8
- Revenge of the Savage Planet — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one)
May 15
- DOOM: The Dark Ages — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one)
Xbox Game Pass: List of games leaving soon
For the most part, more games join Xbox Game Pass than leave. However, most games do leave the service eventually, so Microsoft likes to give players a heads up if they haven't gotten around to playing that game yet.
Keep an eye on this section of our Xbox Game Pass guide for games you still want to play. If you see a game you've played and loved, be sure to purchase it with your Xbox Game Pass discount so you can keep it forever.
Apr. 30
- Have a Nice Death — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Kona II: Brume — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Sniper Elite 5 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming
- The Last Case of Benedict Fox — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Thirsty Suitors — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming
- The Rewinder — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming
Xbox Game Pass: All known upcoming launch games
Microsoft gives us updates on games heading to Xbox Game Pass a few weeks before those games become available, usually twice a month.
However, Xbox and ID@Xbox events toss aside this expectation to announce a flurry of games that are hitting Xbox Game Pass day and date, meaning they're launching into the service when they land on Xbox platforms. That means day one access to all of these games for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, including some of the best upcoming Xbox games.
Many of these games are far enough out that they don't even have a release date, and we're not certain exactly which platforms they'll come to through Xbox Game Pass. Still, this list in our Xbox Game Pass guide will give you an idea of what to look out for in the future of Xbox Game Pass.
We'll constantly update this list as we get new information about release dates, when games become available, and what platforms are getting them.
The following events, as well as upcoming Xbox Game Studios games, have been added to this section:
- ID@Xbox EMEA Developer Session — Apr. 2025
- ID@Xbox Showcase — Feb. 2025
- Xbox Developer_Direct — Jan. 2025
- Xbox Partner Preview — Oct. 2024
- Xbox Games Showcase — June 2024
- Xbox Partner Preview — Mar. 2024
- Annapurna Interactive Showcase — June 2023
- Xbox Games Showcase — June 2023
- Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase — June 2022
- Summer Game Fest — June 2022
- Xbox @ Gamescom — Aug. 2021
- Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase — E3 2021
- ID@Xbox Games Showcase — Mar. 2021
ID@Xbox EMEA Developer Session — Feb. 2025
- The Alters — Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC (on day one) on Jun. 13, 2025
- Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault — Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
- Winter Burrow — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
ID@Xbox Showcase — Feb. 2025
- Revenge of the Savage Planet — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one) on May 8, 2025
- Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault — Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC (on day one) in Summer 2025
- Tanuki Pon's Summer — Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC (on day one) in Late 2025
- Buckshot Roulette — Xbox Series X|S & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
- Descenders Next — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & Windows PC in 2025 (on day one)
- Echo Weaver — Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One (on day one) in 2025
- Ultimate Sheep Raccoon — Xbox Series X|S (on day one) in 2025
Xbox Developer_Direct — Jan. 2025
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one) on Apr. 24, 2025
- DOOM: The Dark Ages — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one) on May 15, 2025
- Ninja Gaiden 4 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) in Fall 2025
Xbox Partner Preview — Oct. 2024
- FBC: Firebreak — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) on Sept. 30, 2025
- Wheel World — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) in Summer 2025
- Subnautica 2 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
- Wuchang: Fallen Feathers — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) in Q3 2025
Xbox Games Showcase — June 2024
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one) on Apr. 24, 2025
- DOOM: The Dark Ages — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one) on May 15, 2025
- Wuchang: Fallen Feathers — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) in Q3 2025
- REPLACED — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
- Mixtape — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
- Winter Burrow — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
- Fable — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one) in 2026
- Gears of War: E-Day — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
- Perfect Dark — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
- State of Decay 3 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
Xbox Partner Preview — Mar. 2024
- The Alters — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) on Jun. 13, 2025
- Sleight of Hand — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
Annapurna Interactive Showcase — June 2023
- to a T — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) on May 28, 2025
- Wheel World — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one) in Summer 2025
- Bounty Star — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
Xbox Games Showcase — June 2023
- Towerborne — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate in Xbox Game Preview) on Apr. 29, 2025
- Fable — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one) in 2026
- Cities: Skylines 2 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Windows PC (on day one)
- Clockwork Revolution — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase — June 2022
- Hollow Knight: Silksong — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one) in 2025
- Ark 2 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
Summer Game Fest — June 2022
- Routine — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
Xbox @ Gamescom — Aug. 2021
- Bushiden — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase — June 2021
- The Outer Worlds 2 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one) in 2025
- REPLACED — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one) in 2025
- Contraband — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
ID@Xbox Games Showcase — Mar. 2021
- Dead Static Drive — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one)
- She Dreams Elsewhere — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Windows PC (on day one)
- Way to the Woods — Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
Xbox Game Studios & Bethesda Softworks upcoming games
- Towerborne — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate in Xbox Game Preview)
- DOOM: The Dark Ages — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (PC & Ultimate on day one) on May 15, 2025
- The Outer Worlds 2 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one) in 2025
- Fable — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one) in 2026
- Clockwork Revolution — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
- Contraband — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
- Everwild — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
- Gears of War: E-Day — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
- Perfect Dark — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
- State of Decay 3 — Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Windows PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming (on day one)
Xbox Game Pass FAQ
Xbox Game Pass is wildly considered to be one of the best values in the video games industry, as it's an all-in-one subscription that includes unlimited access to hundreds of video games across Xbox, PC, and the cloud. Day one released, modern titles, and even beloved classics are all available, and there are a ton of other perks for being subscribed, too.
I do recommend checking out our in-depth guide and FAQ to everything you need to know about Xbox Game Pass for a complete run down, but I'll answer some of the more common questions here.
What is Xbox Game Pass?
Put simply, Xbox Game Pass is an optional subscription service tied to the Xbox gaming ecosystem. It's available across Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, and the cloud on many other devices (including smartphones, tablets, and TVs).
Nowadays, Xbox Game Pass has expanded to be the ultimate subscription for gaming, and includes (but isn't limited to) unlimited access to hundreds of Xbox and PC games, premium online multiplayer access on Xbox consoles, subscription-wide discounts on games and DLCs, exclusive offers and perks, cloud gaming on mobile devices (including for some owned games), and more.
What are the different Xbox Game Pass tiers?
There are four Xbox Game Pass tiers, which may seem confusing at first, but there is a method to the madness.
First is Xbox Game Pass Core, which costs $10/month and strictly includes premium online multiplayer on Xbox consoles, access to a small, curated collection of Xbox games, and discounts on included games and DLC.
Next is Xbox Game Pass Standard, which costs $15/month and includes premium online multiplayer on Xbox consoles, access to a huge collection of Xbox games, and discounts on included games and DLC.
Then there's PC Game Pass, which costs $12/month and includes access to a huge collection of Windows PC games, and discounts on included games and DLC.
Finally, we have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. At $20/month, this is the flagship Xbox Game Pass tier and includes absolutely everything in all previous tiers.
On top of that, you also get an expanded library of Xbox and PC games via Electronic Arts' EA Play subscription, the ability to stream supported Xbox games to almost any internet-connected mobile device via Xbox Cloud Gaming (now including a "Bring Your Own Games" feature), exclusive discounts and offers on included games and DLC, and unique monthly perks for in-game bonus content, DLC, free movies, and more.
Where is Xbox Game Pass available?
Despite having "Xbox" in the name, Xbox Game Pass isn't just limited to consoles. In fact, Microsoft wants you to believe that most anything can be an Xbox, and it's thanks to Xbox Game Pass.
Depending on the tier you're subscribed to, Xbox Game Pass is available across Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One consoles, Windows PCs, and literally millions of other devices via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
That last point is important — Xbox Game Pass lets you stream Xbox games to your mobile smartphone, tablet, smart TV, and almost any other modern device that has an internet browser. You don't even need to connect a controller all the time, as many of these streamable games support touch controls on mobile devices.
How many games are available on Xbox Game Pass?
This depends on the tier. If you're talking about Xbox Game Pass Core, that's a few dozen. Standard or PC? A few hundred. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes all of the above, though, and on my Xbox Series X that's over 400 unique games (and that doesn't include PC-specific games).
Many of those games are available via PC Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming, too, with cross-progression so you can move between devices.
You can refer to our complete list of every game on Xbox Game Pass for more information.
Which tier of Xbox Game Pass should I subscribe to?
With four tiers to choose from, it may seem confusing which subscription is the best for you. I'll quickly break it down with my final recommendation to make that decision easier.
Xbox Game Pass Core is mostly for those that strictly play premium online multiplayer games like Call of Duty on Xbox consoles (free-to-play multiplayer games like Fortnite and Apex Legends do not require a Game Pass Core subscription). As a bonus, you get a taste test of the full Xbox Game Pass experience with a few dozen carefully selected games.
Xbox Game Pass Standard is for those who do play more than premium online multiplayer games, and like the idea of having access to a wide variety of games they might otherwise not play.
PC Game Pass is for those same people, but the ones who exclusively play on Windows PC and don't use or own an Xbox console.
Finally, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is for those who want it all. If you want unfettered access to all the games (including permanent access to all first-party Xbox exclusives from day one), want to stream games on the go, play across Xbox and PC, want the best discounts and exclusive perks, or any combination of the above — this is the subscription.
It's the most expensive, of course, but you can stack 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cards with huge discounts at CDKeys, which is my personal recommendation.
