The First Xbox Game Pass Additions of 2026 Reveal Xbox Is Still Fighting.
In numerous discussions, enthusiasts continue to ring the death bells for the Xbox brand. Xbox was recently outsold by a lesser-known competitor. Dedicated Xbox communities are now publishing content regarding Sony's platform unprecedentedly. 2025 was an era of significant turmoil for the tech giant's gaming arm. But if we're going solely off what's coming to Game Pass in 2026, it becomes clear that Xbox remains determined to attract subscribers with strong games on its flagship service.
The Current Inclusions
The duo of games that are immediately available as you read this, Brews & Bastards and Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition, don't represent the biggest draws. Rather, it's what is coming to Game Pass over the next few weeks that's truly noteworthy.
Significant Forthcoming Releases
Starting January 13th, the platform will add the underappreciated Star Wars Outlaws, a sprawling adventure that breaks up conventional open-world tropes with a space-faring criminal escapade. A further major acquisition is Resident Evil Village with its iconic tall vampire, which our 2021 review called "a superb mixture of horror and action."
Compelling Indie Titles
However, the more modest titles set to join the catalog deserve recognition. Lost In Random: The Eternal Die, a fantastic but under-the-radar dungeon crawler that's a blast to play, becomes available next week — and you should try it even if you missed out on the first Lost in Random game.
The British post-apocalyptic game from last year might get its hooks in you within just a quarter of an hour.
Atomfall, a game blending infiltration and resource management by the developers behind Sniper Elite, is also a game to check out. Ultimate tier members also have Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition to look forward to.
A Robust Selection of Games
All in all, these titles aren't industry-shaking releases to Game Pass, and they don't represent tentpole Microsoft studios games that justify the service in the first place. But Microsoft's additions here are rock solid. There's a good mixture of older titles you may have skipped and new-ish games that didn't get the attention they deserved the first time around — transforming them into perfect candidates to get a second chance on Game Pass.
Hope you're ready to say goodbye to The Grinch Christmas Adventures, however.
