Xbox Game Pass Games List: New Games, Best Picks and What’s Leaving (September 2026)

• Xbox Game Pass has over 800 titles across all tiers as of September 2026.
• New games are added twice a month — typically at the start and middle of each month.
• September 2026 Wave 1 brings 8 titles including Speedrunners 2: King of Speed (day one, September 3), Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (September 8), Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage (September 10), and RuneScape: Dragonwilds (day one, September 15).
• Ten games leave Game Pass on September 15, including Cyberpunk 2077, Dead Cells, Frostpunk 2, and Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor. Purchase them at a 20% member discount before they go.
• Wave 2 headliners confirmed: Dune: Awakening (console day one, September 22), Well Dweller (day one, September 22), and Minecraft Dungeons 2 (day one, September 29).
• The library you can access depends on your tier — Essential, Premium, PC Game Pass, or Ultimate.

The Xbox Game Pass games list changes every month. New titles arrive, others rotate out, and the library shifts depending on which tier you are subscribed to. This guide covers every new game confirmed for September 2026, the best games available right now by genre, what recently left the service, and how to find the full library on your device. To compare tiers and pricing, read our Xbox Game Pass price guide.

Xbox Game Pass Price

How Many Games Are on Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass has over 800 titles to enjoy on Xbox consoles or PCs as of September 2026. Since it has a rotating library, there is always a new game to look forward to.

The exact number depends on the tier and platform. Ultimate subscribers access the largest library across console, PC, and cloud. Essential subscribers access a smaller curated set of 50+ titles. September keeps Microsoft’s day-one release cadence going with a strong two-wave lineup headlined by Dune: Awakening’s console debut, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and RuneScape: Dragonwilds — with Gears of War: E-Day arriving day one on October 6.

New Xbox Game Pass Games: September 2026

Microsoft announces new games in two waves each month — Wave 1 in the first week and Wave 2 around the 15th. Wave 1 for September 2026 was published on September 1, covering 8 titles through September 15. Wave 2 runs from September 22 through month end and is headlined by the console debut of Dune: Awakening and the day-one launch of Minecraft Dungeons 2.

Wave 1 — September 1–15, 2026

The first half of the month opens with Shelldiver on September 1, followed by the day-one launch of Speedrunners 2: King of Speed on September 3. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War — including its globe-spanning single-player campaign — arrives on September 8. Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage and The Royal Writ both join on September 10, before RuneScape: Dragonwilds launches day one on September 15. Note that 10 titles also leave the service on September 15 — see the departures section below.

Game	Date Added	Tiers	Day One?
Shelldiver	1 September	Ultimate, PC, Premium	No
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault	2 September	Ultimate, PC	Yes (1.0 launch)
Speedrunners 2: King of Speed	3 September	Ultimate, PC	Yes
Dice a Million	4 September	Ultimate, PC, Premium	No (now on Premium)
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War	8 September	Ultimate, PC, Premium	No
The Royal Writ	10 September	Ultimate, PC, Premium	No
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage	10 September	Ultimate, PC, Premium	No
RuneScape: Dragonwilds	15 September	Ultimate, PC, Premium	Yes

Also on September 15: TCG Card Shop Simulator exits Game Preview and launches its full 1.0 release for Ultimate, PC, and Premium subscribers. An EA Sports NHL 27 10-hour trial is available for Ultimate subscribers from September 4.

Wave 2 — September 22–29, 2026 (Confirmed)

The second half of September delivers the month’s biggest additions. Dune: Awakening makes its console debut on September 22 — this is the definitive version of Funcom’s survival epic, now featuring a full single-player mode and the complete Book One story conclusion. It launches day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Well Dweller, a Metroidvania from the developer of Crypt Custodian, also arrives day one on September 22. Minecraft Dungeons 2 closes out the month on September 29 as a day-one launch on Game Pass.

Game	Date Added	Tiers	Day One?
Dune: Awakening	22 September	Ultimate, PC	Yes (console debut)
Well Dweller	22 September	Ultimate, PC	Yes
Minecraft Dungeons 2	29 September	Ultimate, PC	Yes

Further Wave 2 titles may be announced closer to mid-September. Check Xbox Wire for updates as they land.

Xbox Game Pass Games That Recently Left

Four games departed at the end of August 2026 with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered leaving on August 31. A significant wave of ten titles leaves on September 15, 2026 — the largest single-day departure so far this year. Game Pass members can purchase any of these at a 20% discount before they go.

Games leaving 15 September 2026:

• Cyberpunk 2077 — The biggest departure of the month. CD Projekt Red’s acclaimed sci-fi RPG was only added in March 2026.
• Dead Cells — Leaves across Cloud, Console, and PC.
• Frostpunk 2 — Leaves the PC catalogue.
• Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
• Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition
• Superliminal
• Commandos: Origins
• Cricket 24
• Mullet MadJack
• Train Sim World 5

Tip: Always check the “Leaving Soon” tab in the Xbox app or at xbox.com/game-pass/games. Microsoft typically gives around two weeks’ notice before a game departs. NBA 2K26 left earlier in the month on September 6.

How the Game Pass Library Works by Tier

Not every game on Game Pass is available on every tier. Here is how the library splits across plans.

Tier	Library Size	Day-One Releases	Platforms
Essential	50+ curated games	No	Console
Premium	200+ games	Within 1 year (excl. CoD)	Console + Cloud
PC Game Pass	500+ games (PC)	Yes	PC + Cloud
Ultimate	500+ games	Yes	Console + PC + Cloud

Ultimate and PC Game Pass access the same large library but on different platforms. Premium subscribers have strong coverage in September — six of the eight Wave 1 titles are on Premium. Speedrunners 2, Moonlighter 2, Dune: Awakening, Well Dweller, and Minecraft Dungeons 2 are Ultimate and PC Game Pass exclusives at launch. For the full tier and pricing breakdown, see our Xbox Game Pass price guide.

Best Xbox Game Pass Games Right Now by Genre

With over 800 titles, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Here are the standout games on Game Pass right now, broken down by genre.

Best RPGs on Xbox Game Pass

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — The 2025 Game of the Year winner, praised for its innovative turn-based combat, gorgeous art style, and one of the best stories in recent memory.
• Persona 5 Royal — A landmark JRPG that returned to Game Pass in June 2026. Stylish, deep, and one of the most beloved games of its generation. Plan for 100+ hours.
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — Made its Game Pass debut in 2026. An extraordinarily grounded open-world RPG set in 15th-century Bohemia and one of the best reasons to be subscribed right now.
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — A timeless open-world RPG with hundreds of hours of content. A permanent fixture in the library.
• Starfield — Bethesda’s space-exploration RPG, available day one on Game Pass. A massive first-person RPG with an open universe to spend weeks inside.

Best Action and Adventure Games on Xbox Game Pass

• Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy — Arrived day one on August 27 for Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Asobo Studio’s prequel to A Plague Tale: Requiem follows a new protagonist, Sophia, through a combat-forward story blending the Middle Ages and Minoan mythology.
• Hi-Fi Rush — One of the most joyful and original games on the service. A rhythm-action game with a brilliant soundtrack and sharp combat.
• A Plague Tale: Requiem — A visually stunning stealth-action narrative game and one of the best story experiences in the library. The ideal starting point before Resonance.
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle — A day-one launch that delivered exactly what the franchise deserved: real exploration, clever puzzles, and an authentic Jones feel.
• Sea of Thieves — The definitive pirate adventure for solo play or with friends, with regular free content updates.

Best Shooters on Xbox Game Pass

• Halo: Campaign Evolved — A full Unreal Engine 5 rebuild of the original Halo campaign that arrived day one on July 28, 2026. Available on Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection — Halo 1 through 4 in one package with remastered visuals. Dozens of hours of campaign and remarkably active multiplayer.
• DOOM: The Dark Ages — The latest DOOM, now available on Premium after launching day one on Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Brutal, fast, and visually spectacular.
• Gears 5 — A polished third-person cover shooter with a strong campaign and excellent co-op and versus multiplayer. Good preparation for Gears of War: E-Day on October 6.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War — Now on Game Pass from September 8, including the full single-player campaign across Ultimate, PC, and Premium tiers.

Best Survival and Open-World Games on Xbox Game Pass

• Dune: Awakening — Arriving September 22 as a day-one console launch on Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The definitive version of Funcom’s survival epic adds a full single-player mode and complete Book One story for the first time.
• Subnautica 2 — In Early Access since May 2026. An underwater survival exploration game with genuine wonder baked in. One of the most-played games on the service.
• No Man’s Sky — Years of free updates have transformed this into one of the best space exploration games available. Procedurally generated galaxies, base building, and proper multiplayer co-op.
• Grounded 2 (Game Preview) — Available on Premium, PC, and Ultimate since August 11. The Into the Abyss update adds an underwater biome and new vehicle.

Best Racing and Sports Games on Xbox Game Pass

• Forza Horizon 6 — Set in Japan and launched day one in May 2026. An enormous open-world racing game with over 500 cars, deep customisation, and one of the most active live-service communities on Xbox.
• Forza Horizon 5 — Set in Mexico. Still excellent alongside its sequel, especially for the open-world environment and the sheer breadth of its car roster.
• Forza Motorsport — The simulation-focused counterpart to Horizon. Deep car tuning, real circuits, and a strong career mode.

Best Indie Games on Xbox Game Pass

• Hades II — Supergiant’s roguelike sequel is deeper, faster, and more narratively ambitious than its predecessor. If you only play one indie on Game Pass this year, make it this one.
• Hollow Knight: Silksong — Launched day one in September 2025 to a 98 OpenCritic average. Hornet’s fast, acrobatic movement through Pharloom is a landmark in Metroidvania design.
• Balatro — A roguelike poker card game that hooks with its one-more-run loop. One of the most acclaimed indie releases in recent years.
• Hollow Knight — The essential predecessor to Silksong. A masterclass in Metroidvania design with precise platforming, combat, and exploration.
• Stardew Valley — The definitive farming and life simulation game. Relaxing, deep, and one of the best indie games of its generation.
• Well Dweller — Arriving September 22 as a day-one launch on Ultimate and PC Game Pass. A Metroidvania from the developer of Crypt Custodian, with 13 bosses and 15 biomes across an estimated 10–14 hour campaign.

Best Horror Games on Xbox Game Pass

• Dead Space (2023 Remake) — A beautifully rebuilt survival horror classic with modern visuals and reworked audio. One of the scariest games in the library.
• Prey (2017) — An underrated first-person sci-fi horror game from Arkane Studios with outstanding atmosphere and gameplay depth.
• Alan Wake 2 — A visually stunning psychological horror experience from Remedy Entertainment. One of the best-looking games on the service.

Best Multiplayer Games on Xbox Game Pass

• Minecraft — The world’s best-selling game. Survival, creative, and multiplayer modes all included. Minecraft Dungeons 2 arrives day one on September 29.
• Halo Infinite — The multiplayer is free to play, but Game Pass members get in-game perks and benefits each month.
• It Takes Two — One of the best co-op games ever made. Designed exclusively for two players from start to finish.
• Sea of Thieves — A live-service multiplayer pirate adventure with years of free content updates and one of the most active communities on Xbox.
• Diablo IV — Gothic atmosphere, brutal combat, and seasonal updates that keep it fresh year-round. One of the best games on Game Pass for dark fantasy fans.

Best Games for Families on Xbox Game Pass

• Minecraft — Suitable for all ages and one of the most creative games on any platform.
• Stardew Valley — A gentle farming life game with broad appeal and no game overs.
• Ori and the Blind Forest — A visually beautiful platformer that is accessible to younger players and emotionally resonant for everyone.
• Herdling — Added in June 2026. An atmospheric adventure game in which you lead a herd of loveable beasts up a mountain path. Perfect for low-pressure, discovery-style play.

Games Coming to Xbox Game Pass Later in 2026

Several major titles are confirmed as day-one Game Pass launches for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. These are the most anticipated upcoming additions.

• Gears of War: E-Day (October 6, 2026) — The Coalition’s prequel to the original Gears of War. A day-one launch on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Xbox Series X|S console exclusive; not coming to PS5.
• Fable (February 23, 2027) — Playground Games’ reboot of the beloved British RPG franchise. A confirmed day-one Game Pass launch, also releasing on PS5.
• Clockwork Revolution (2027) — inXile Entertainment’s first-person RPG. Xbox console exclusive, confirmed for a future day-one Game Pass launch.
• State of Decay 3 — Undead Labs’ next open-world survival title, still in development but confirmed for a future day-one Game Pass launch.

Microsoft has confirmed 75+ day-one releases per year across Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Check Xbox Wire for the latest announcements as they are confirmed.

How to Find Games on Xbox Game Pass

There are several ways to browse the full library depending on your device.

On Xbox Console

1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
2. Select My Games & Apps.
3. Navigate to the Game Pass tab to browse all available titles.
4. Use filters to sort by genre, recently added, leaving soon, and more.

On PC

1. Open the Xbox app (download from the Microsoft Store if needed).
2. Click the Game Pass tab at the top.
3. Browse by recently added, day-one releases, leaving soon, or genre.

On Browser

Go to xbox.com/game-pass/games. You can filter by tier, platform, genre, publisher, and availability status. This is the most complete view of the full library.

On Mobile

Download the Xbox app on Android or iOS. The Games tab shows your full library, recently added titles, and the leaving soon section. You can also start cloud gaming directly from the app.

How Often Do New Games Come to Xbox Game Pass?

In most cases, a game remains available on Xbox Game Pass for anywhere between six and 18 months, though some titles can leave even earlier depending on licensing agreements and publisher decisions — Cyberpunk 2077, for example, was added in March 2026 and leaves just six months later in September.

New games arrive approximately twice a month. Microsoft’s typical schedule is:

• Wave 1 — Announced and added in the first week of the month.
• Wave 2 — Announced and added around the 15th of the month.

Day-one releases are added at the same time as their global launch. Third-party games are added throughout the year based on publishing agreements. Microsoft Gaming adds games regularly, so there is always something new to look forward to.

What Happens When a Game Leaves Xbox Game Pass?

When a title leaves, you lose access to it through your subscription unless you have purchased it separately. Your in-game progress is saved even after your subscription expires, as long as the game supports a progress saving mechanism. You will not be able to play the game, but it will remain installed and can be replayed after renewing or purchasing the title.

Microsoft notifies players about departing titles at least two weeks in advance. Subscribers can purchase departing games at a discounted price before they leave — typically 20% for Game Pass members — giving them the opportunity to permanently add them to their library for less.

Some games do return to Game Pass after a period away. Persona 5 Royal, for example, left the service in 2023 and returned in June 2026.

Xbox Game Pass Games vs Buying Games

One of the most common questions is whether the rotating library makes Game Pass worth it compared to buying games outright.

The key thing to understand is that you do not own the games. You access them for as long as you are subscribed and they remain in the library. If a game you love rotates out and you never bought it, you lose access — as subscribers discovering Cyberpunk 2077 is leaving in September 2026 are finding out.

For players who explore a wide range of titles, this model delivers exceptional value — September alone brings a day-one survival epic with single-player mode (Dune: Awakening), two day-one indie launches, and a Call of Duty back-catalogue entry, all at no extra cost on Ultimate. The depth and variety of the library mean most players will always find something new.

For players who replay the same two or three games repeatedly, a rotating library adds less value. In those cases, buying your favourite games outright may make more financial sense. For a full cost comparison, read our Xbox Game Pass price guide.

Frequently Asked Questions