Xbox Game Pass Lineup for April 2026: New & Leaving Games

Xbox Game Pass continues to dominate the gaming subscription space in 2026, offering players a massive rotating library of games across console, PC, and cloud. Every month brings a fresh mix of AAA blockbusters, indie gems, and day-one releases — and April 2026 is no exception.

Xbox Game Pass keeps delivering value with cloud play, PC access, and console support, plus tiers that fit different budgets. Xbox Game Pass keeps gamers like us hooked month after month with its killer deals on top titles. Xbox Game Pass April 2026 lineup delivers something for every player, from roguelike action to cozy sims and strategy epics. With day-one launches and classics remastered, it’s perfect for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and Handheld users chasing the best gaming subscription value.

This month’s lineup focuses heavily on variety and value, with action-packed shooters, deep RPGs, simulation titles, and experimental indie games all joining the service. Major additions like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Hades II, and Football Manager 26 highlight Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to deliver high-profile releases directly to Game Pass subscribers. At the same time, some popular titles are expected to leave the service, making April a great time to both discover new games and finish old favorites before they disappear.

Xbox Game Pass Tiers in 2026 – Quick Comparison

Xbox updated its Game Pass structure in late 2025, replacing the old Core/Standard/Ultimate names with a simpler lineup: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate, plus the separate PC Game Pass. Here’s how the tiers look right now (prices are for the US and may vary slightly by region):

FeatureEssentialPremiumPC Game PassUltimate
Monthly Price (USD)$9.99$14.99$16.49$29.99
Game Library Size50+ curated games200+ games300+ games (PC focused)500+ games
Console (Xbox Series X/S)YesYesNoYes
PC GamingYesYesYesYes
Cloud GamingYes (basic)Yes (better queues)NoYes (best quality & priority)
Day One ReleasesNoNo (most first-party titles arrive within 12 months)Yes (including Call of Duty)Yes
EA PlayNoNoYesYes
Ubisoft+ ClassicsNoNoNoYes
Fortnite CrewNoNoNoYes
Online MultiplayerYesYesNo (PC only)Yes
Best ForBudget players, multiplayer & cloudGreat value for most gamersPC-only players who want day oneEverything + extra perks


New Games Added to Xbox Game Pass in April 2026



Clair Obscur Expedition 33

  • Developer Name: Sandfall Interactive
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 2, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Premium
  • Genre: Turn-Based RPG


This one instantly feels different the moment you start—it has a calm but slightly haunting vibe that really pulls you in. The art style looks like a moving painting, and it sticks with you even after you stop playing. I liked how the combat keeps you active instead of just selecting moves. It feels more like an experience than just another RPG.

Barbie Horse Trails

  • Developer Name: Outright Games
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 2, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Ultimate
  • Genre: Family Adventure / Horse Simulation


This game feels very relaxed and easy-going—you just ride around, explore, and enjoy the environment at your own pace. It’s not intense at all, more like a chill experience where you bond with your horse and do simple tasks. I found it more about enjoying the vibe rather than chasing objectives. It’s the kind of game you play when you just want something calm and light.

Final Fantasy IV

Developer Name: Square Enix
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Added on: April 7, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: Classic JRPG

(Video Credit: IGN)

Final Fantasy IV is that classic tale of Cecil, the dark knight who starts questioning his orders and goes on a huge journey with a memorable crew. The story still feels powerful even today — full of betrayal, redemption, and epic summons that hit hard.

DayZ

  • Developer Name: Bohemia Interactive
  • Platforms: PC
  • Added on: April 8, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Open-world Survival


This game feels very raw and unpredictable—you never really feel safe, even when things seem quiet. I liked how every small thing matters, like finding food or deciding whether to trust someone. It can be slow, but that tension is what makes it interesting. When something intense happens, it actually feels real and earned.

Endless Legend 2 (Game Preview)

  • Developer Name: Amplitude Studios
  • Platforms: PC
  • Added on: April 8, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: 4X Strategy


Endless Legend 2 puts you in charge of building an empire on a living, breathing planet full of strange creatures and shifting environments. Each faction feels completely different, so every playthrough brings fresh stories and tough choices.

FBC: Firebreak

  • Developer Name: Remedy Entertainment
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 8, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Co-op First-Person Shooter


This game feels very different from typical shooters because it’s all about teamwork rather than solo play. I liked how chaotic things get when you and your squad are trying to handle strange supernatural enemies—it can get messy in a fun way. The missions are short but replayable, so it’s easy to jump in with friends. It’s not super deep, but it’s enjoyable when you just want some co-op action without overthinking.

Planet Coaster 2

  • Developer Name: Frontier Developments
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 9, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Theme Park Management


Planet Coaster 2 lets you build your dream amusement park from scratch, designing wild roller coasters and managing every detail of your guests’ experience. The coaster builder is super deep, and watching families scream happily on your rides feels surprisingly rewarding.

Tiny Bookshop

  • Developer Name: neoludic games
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 10, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Cozy Narrative Management

(Video Credit: IGN)

This game feels super calm and cozy, like something you play after a long day to just relax. I liked how you slowly build your little bookshop and get to know the people around—it feels personal in a simple way. There’s no pressure or rush, just managing books and enjoying the vibe. It’s one of those games where you don’t even realize how much time has passed.

Football Manager 26 (PC)

  • Developer Name: Sports Interactive
  • Platforms: PC
  • Added on: April 13, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Sports Management


Football Manager 26 puts you in the hot seat as a real football manager, handling transfers, tactics, training, and every little detail of running a club. The depth is crazy — one bad decision can tank your season, but a smart signing can make you a legend.

Football Manager 26 Console

  • Developer Name: Sports Interactive
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S
  • Added on: April 13, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate
  • Genre: Sports Management


This game feels less like playing and more like actually managing a real football club. I liked how every small decision matters—from tactics to transfers—and you can easily lose hours just planning things. It can feel overwhelming at first, but once you get into it, it becomes really addictive. It’s perfect if you enjoy slow, detailed gameplay where thinking matters more than action.

Hades II

  • Developer Name: Supergiant Games
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 14, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Roguelike Action


Hades II lets you play as Melinoë, the princess of the underworld, as you battle your way through mythic realms using fast, stylish combat and powerful god boons. Every run feels fresh because the story and world change based on how far you get.

Replaced

  • Developer Name: Sad Cat Studios
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 14, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Cinematic 2.5D Platformer / Cyberpunk Narrative


Replaced puts you in the shoes of an AI trapped inside a human body in a dark, retro-futuristic 1980s world. You run, jump, and fight through neon-lit streets while slowly uncovering a disturbing conspiracy.

The Thaumaturge

  • Developer Name: Fool’s Theory
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 14, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Character-driven Turn-based RPG


The Thaumaturge takes you to a gritty, mystical version of 1900s Warsaw where you use special powers to read people’s emotions, summon demons, and solve dark mysteries. Every choice feels heavy because the story is full of moral gray areas.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

  • Developer Name: Bethesda Game Studios (remaster)
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 16, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Open-world RPG


The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered drops you into the huge world of Cyrodiil, where you can be anything — a brave knight, sneaky thief, powerful mage, or just a wanderer exploring ancient ruins. The story about stopping the Oblivion crisis still feels epic even after all these years.

EA Sports NHL 26

  • Developer Name: EA Vancouver
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Cloud
  • Added on (Date it was added to Xbox Game Pass): April 16, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Ultimate (via EA Play)
  • Genre: Sports Simulation


EA Sports NHL 26 brings back the fast and physical fun of ice hockey with smoother skating, realistic puck physics, and deep career modes. Whether you want to build a dynasty or just jump into quick online matches, it feels like real NHL action on your screen.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

  • Developer Name: Infinity Ward / Activision
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 17, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: First-Person Shooter


Call of Duty: Modern Warfare throws you into intense modern combat with a gripping single-player campaign, tight multiplayer matches, and co-op missions. The gunplay feels crisp and the story keeps you hooked with high-stakes action.

Little Rocket Lab

  • Developer Name: Teenage Astronauts
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 21, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Cozy Machine-Building RPG


This one feels very chill and creative—you’re just building rockets and seeing what works and what fails. I liked how you learn through trial and error, and sometimes things go completely wrong in a fun way. It’s not stressful at all, more like experimenting at your own pace. It’s the kind of game you open when you just want to relax and try something different.

Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato

  • Developer Name: StudioBando, Inc.
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 21, 2026
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Ultimate
  • Genre: Narrative Adventure / Indie

(Video Credit: GameTrailers)

This game is very light and charming, almost like a small storybook you play through. I liked how simple everything is, but it still manages to feel meaningful in its own way. The world has a warm vibe, and it’s easy to just go with the flow of the story. It’s the kind of game you play when you want something short, calm, and a bit different.

Vampire Crawlers

  • Developer Name: Poncle (with Nosebleed Interactive)
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC
  • Added on: April 21, 2026 (Day One launch)
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Turn-based deckbuilder roguelite / dungeon crawler


Vampire Crawlers is quick and a bit chaotic in a fun way. I liked how every run gives you different card combinations, so you’re always trying new strategies. Sometimes things don’t go your way, but that’s part of the fun. It’s the kind of game where you keep experimenting until something just clicks.

Kiln

  • Developer Name: Double Fine Productions
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
  • Added on: April 23, 2026 (Day One launch)
  • Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
  • Genre: Online multiplayer pottery party brawler / team-based action


This one feels chaotic in a fun way, especially when you’re playing with friends. I liked how simple the controls are, but the matches can get messy really quickly. It’s not something you take seriously—it’s more about laughing and enjoying the moment. Perfect for short sessions when you just want some light, unpredictable fun.

Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass in April 2026

These titles exit mid-April, so dive in now or snag 20% off as a subscriber. Common platforms hit Cloud, Console, and PC unless noted

Game NameTier Name(s)Platforms
Grand Theft Auto VUltimate, Premium, EssentialCloud, Console, PC
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred HeroesUltimate, PremiumCloud, Console, PC
AshenUltimate, Premium, EssentialCloud, Console, PC
My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights MysteryUltimate, PremiumCloud, Console, PC
Terra Invicta (Game Preview)PC Game Pass, Ultimate, PremiumPC only

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