Xbox has announced a strong selection of new games for the Xbox Game Pass lineup for August 2026. August is shaping up to be another busy month for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Microsoft Xbox has already added several games to the service, with Beast of Reincarnation, Heretic + Hexen, PowerWash Simulator 2, Date Everything!, Grounded 2, and Ball x Pit among the notable additions.
There are also more games on the way, including Cricket 26, Mio: Memories in Orbit, Sandustry, Egging On, and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy later this month.At the same time, subscribers need to keep an eye on the games leaving Xbox Game Pass.
The first batch of August departures includes Menace (Game Preview), Atlas Fallen, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, and Firewatch, all scheduled to leave on August 15.
This guide covers the confirmed new arrivals for the first half of the month plus the late-August highlight, the games leaving on August 15, and what it all means for different Game Pass tiers. Information comes straight from the official Xbox Wire announcements and consistent reporting from established gaming outlets.
Xbox Game Pass August 2026 New Games
Heretic + Hexen
Developer: Nightdive Studios (original by Raven Software)
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Handheld, PC
Added on: August 4, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Premium (also on Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
Genre: First-person shooter / Dark fantasy
Playing Heretic + Hexen feels like stepping back into the early days of first-person shooters, but with magic instead of modern guns. Enjoy the dark castles, strange creatures, and the way every level encourages you to explore instead of just running forward. The gameplay still has that old-school challenge where you need to pay attention to secrets and resources. It is a great pick if you want to experience two classic fantasy shooters that still feel surprisingly fun today.
Beast of Reincarnation
Developer: Game Freak
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Added on: August 4, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Genre: Action RPG
Playing as Emma and her dog Koo feels fresh right away. You slash through enemies with a katana while calling in the dog’s special moves at the right moment, mixing fast action with a bit of strategy. The world is a ruined, plant-overgrown Japan that looks both pretty and creepy at the same time. Their bond grows as you go, and it makes the fights and the journey feel personal instead of just another button-mash session.
Monsters are Coming!
Developer: Ludogram
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Added on: August 6, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Premium (also on Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
Genre: Tower-survivor roguelite
Monsters Are Coming! gives the usual tower-defense idea a fun twist because your base is actually a city that keeps moving. I liked the feeling of constantly having to prepare for the next wave while collecting resources and improving the city’s defenses. The monster attacks can get hectic pretty quickly, especially when several things start happening at once. It is a simple game to pick up, but the mix of strategy and roguelite progression makes it easy to play for one more run.
PowerWash Simulator 2
Developer: FuturLab
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Added on: August 6, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Premium (also on Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
Genre: Simulation
PowerWash Simulator 2 is the kind of game we can pick up when we want something relaxing without worrying too much about the story or combat. Cleaning dirty locations with the power washer is strangely satisfying, especially when you see a filthy surface slowly become spotless. The sequel adds co-op, so cleaning jobs can be a lot more fun with a friend. If you enjoyed the first game, this is an easy Game Pass game to try when you just want to switch off and relax.
Bounty Star
Developer: Dinogod
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Added on: August 11, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Premium (also on Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
Genre: Action / Mech combat with farming
You play as Clem, a tough ex-soldier who pilots a customizable mech while trying to rebuild a quiet life on a dusty homestead. The fights are satisfying when you upgrade your machine and take down bigger threats, then you head back to farm a bit and fix up your base. It mixes the loud action with slower, almost peaceful moments that somehow fit together. Feels like a personal story about someone trying to move on while still being ready for the next fight.
Date Everything!
Developer: Sassy Chap Games
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Added on: August 11, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: Sandbox dating simulator
You walk around your own house and start dating everyday objects that somehow have full personalities and voices. Talking to your bed, the smoke alarm, or even some weird abstract feeling turns into actual conversations that can go funny, sweet, or completely strange. It never takes itself too seriously and the voice acting makes every character feel alive. It’s the kind of game you play for a laugh and end up weirdly invested in.
Grounded 2
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Added on: August 11, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Premium (also on Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
Genre: Open-world survival
Grounded 2 takes the small-world survival idea from the first game and makes the backyard feel even bigger and more dangerous. You will really like the feeling of exploring a familiar-looking environment while knowing that even a small insect can turn into a serious fight. Building a base, collecting resources, crafting gear, and exploring with friends gives the game a nice balance between relaxing and stressful moments. If you enjoyed the first Grounded, the larger world and new ways to explore make this sequel an easy game to jump into on Game Pass.
Ball x Pit
Developer: Kenny Sun
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Added on: August 12, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Premium (also on Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
Genre: Survival roguelite
Ball x Pit is one of those games that looks simple at first but can quickly become addictive once you get into a run. It mixes bouncing-ball combat with roguelite upgrades, letting you combine different balls to create some surprisingly powerful attacks. The fights can get chaotic when enemies start filling the screen, but that is also where the game becomes most enjoyable. The city-building between runs adds another reason to keep playing and makes each new attempt feel useful.
Cricket 26
Developer: Big Ant Studios
Platforms: Cloud, Console, PC
Added on: August 13, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: Sports
(Video Credit: IGN)
Cricket 26 feels like a game made for players who want more control over how a cricket match actually plays out. You can focus on everything from choosing your shots and bowling plans to managing a team through the new Management Career. The Ashes mode is also a nice addition for fans who enjoy the longer, more tactical side of cricket. If you enjoy cricket games and want something that gives you plenty to manage both on and off the field, this is worth trying through Game Pass.
Mio: Memories in Orbit
Developer: Douze Dixièmes
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Added on: August 13, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Premium (also on Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
Genre: Metroidvania
You control a small android named Mio as you explore a massive, broken spaceship that feels both beautiful and lonely. The levels are hand-crafted with lots of hidden paths, platforming challenges, and quiet moments that let the atmosphere sink in. Combat is light but the real draw is just wandering and uncovering bits of the ship’s forgotten past. It has that calm, thoughtful vibe that makes you slow down and actually look around.
Sandustry
Developer: Lantto Games
Platforms: PC
Added on: August 13, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Genre: Factory simulation
Sandustry is a game for players who enjoy building things from scratch and slowly turning a basic setup into a working production system. You dig through a fully destructible world where every single pixel of sand or rock can be mined, moved, or turned into something useful. Setting up conveyors and machines to automate the whole process quickly becomes the main loop, and watching your little factory grow is strangely addictive. There’s a quiet satisfaction in figuring out better production chains while the sand keeps shifting around you. It’s the kind of game that rewards patience and experimentation more than rushing.
Egging On
Developer: Egobounds
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Added on: August 18, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Premium (also on Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
Genre: Platformer
You play as a fragile egg trying to climb, roll, and jump through weird places like a farm shop and a factory without cracking. The physics feel real, so every bounce and landing matters, and one bad move can send you back a long way. It’s frustrating in a fun way and the whole idea of being an egg makes the struggle somehow charming. You’ll keep saying “just one more try” even after the tenth fall.
Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass on August 15
Four games are scheduled to leave Xbox Game Pass on August 15, 2026. Subscribers who want to continue playing after removal can purchase them at a discount before they depart from the service.
| Game leaving | Platforms | Last confirmed date |
|---|---|---|
| Menace — Game Preview | PC | August 15 |
| Atlas Fallen | Cloud, console and PC | August 15 |
| Aliens: Fireteam Elite | Cloud, console and PC | August 15 |
| Firewatch | Cloud, console and PC | August 15 |
Xbox Game Pass Prices
As of August 12, 2026, the latest monthly Xbox Game Pass prices listed on the official Xbox India store are shown below. Microsoft currently offers Essential, Premium, Ultimate and PC Game Pass plans.
| Xbox Game Pass plan | India price/month | US price/month | Library size | Day-one games | Cloud gaming | EA Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Essential | ₹499 | $9.99 | 50+ games | No | Yes | No |
| Game Pass Premium | ₹699 | $14.99 | 200+ games | No; Xbox-published games generally arrive within 12 months | Yes | No |
| PC Game Pass | ₹879 | $13.99 | 300+ PC games | Yes | Not included as the main benefit | Yes |
| Game Pass Ultimate | ₹1,089 | $22.99 | 400+ games | Yes | Yes, with the shortest wait times | Yes |
Disclaimer: Prices and features may vary depending on your country, taxes and regional Xbox policies.
Microsoft may change subscription prices, benefits, game libraries or plan features at any time.
Please check the official Xbox website before subscribing to confirm the latest pricing and availability.