September 2026 is a packed month for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, with a mix of day-one AAA releases, indie gems, and major departures that will reshape the library.
Microsoft Xbox has already confirmed a mix of new releases, returning favorites, day-one launches, and several notable games that are leaving the service.
The early September wave brought a mix of day-one releases, older hits, and indie experiments. The Xbox Game Pass September 2026 lineup includes games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, RuneScape: Dragonwilds, SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage, Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault, Aniimo and Minecraft Dungeons II.
Meanwhile, some popular games including Cyberpunk 2077, Dead Cells, Frostpunk 2, Spiritfarer and Commandos: Origins are scheduled to leave Game Pass on September 15.
If you subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or PC Game Pass, this is the time to check what’s arriving, what’s departing, and how to make the most of your subscription before access changes.
New Games Joining Xbox Game Pass in September 2026
Shelldiver
Developer Name: Gagonfe
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Added on: September 1, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: Incremental / Casual
Shelldiver is a very relaxed game where you play as an older turtle who heads underwater to catch jellyfish and sell them at a small shop. I like how simple the whole idea is—you explore different ocean depths, collect jellyfish and slowly improve your equipment without feeling rushed. It is the kind of game that works well when you just want to sit back, play for a while and make steady progress.
Speedrunners 2: King of Speed
Developer Name: Fair Play Labs
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Added on: September 3, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Genre: Platformer, Racing, Multiplayer
SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed is all about running fast, jumping at the right moment and trying not to get knocked off the screen. I like how the races can quickly turn chaotic, especially when players start using power-ups and the grappling hook to mess with each other. It feels easy to pick up with friends, but the movement takes some practice if you really want to win. The game supports up to eight players online, which makes the races even more fun and unpredictable.
Dice a Million
Developer Name: Countlessnights
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Cloud, PC, Handheld
Added on: September 4, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: Roguelike, Deckbuilder, Strategy
Dice a Million is a fun roguelike where dice are the main part of your attacks, upgrades and overall strategy. I like how each run can play out differently, so you are constantly thinking about which dice and abilities are worth keeping. It has that easy-to-learn feeling where you can jump in for a quick run, but the deeper strategy starts to show once you get further into the game. Every run feels different because the dice and powers mix in unexpected ways. It’s the kind of game that makes you say “just one more try” even when the numbers get ridiculous.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Developer Name: Treyarch & Raven Software
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS4, PS5
Added on: September 8, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: First-Person Shooter, Action
Black Ops Cold War still feels like a proper classic Call of Duty experience, with a strong campaign, fast multiplayer and the always-fun Zombies mode. I especially like the campaign because it mixes shooting with stealth and some interesting story twists instead of making every mission feel the same. If you have never played Cold War, this Game Pass addition is a good chance to experience one of the more memorable Black Ops games without buying it separately. It’s the kind of game you can jump into for a quick match or settle in for the full story without feeling lost.
The Royal Writ
Developer Name: Save Sloth Studios
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, Handheld
Added on: September 10, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: Roguelike, Deck Builder, Strategy
The Royal Writ gives card-based battles a nice medieval twist, where every card represents a soldier fighting on the battlefield. I like the idea that losing a card actually matters, because fallen troops are permanently removed from your deck for that run. It makes you think twice before sending your strongest units into a dangerous fight. The simple rules are easy to understand, but the permanent losses give each run a surprisingly tense feeling.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
Developer Name: SEGA / RGG Studio
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Added on: September 10, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: Fighting, Action
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is a classic-style 3D fighting game where timing, movement and knowing your opponent matter more than simply smashing buttons. I like that the fights feel focused on actual martial arts moves, so every successful counter or well-timed attack feels earned. The new World Stage mode also gives solo players something to work through, while cross-play and rollback netcode make online matches much more appealing.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds
Developer Name: Jagex
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Added on: September 15, 2026
Game Pass Tier Name: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Genre: Survival, RPG, Crafting, Open World
RuneScape: Dragonwilds takes the familiar RuneScape world in a very different direction with survival, crafting and exploration at the center. I like the idea of starting as an ordinary adventurer and slowly building up skills, gear and abilities before taking on powerful enemies. The Ashenfall setting also gives the game a nice fantasy feel, especially when you are gathering resources and exploring with friends. It looks like a good fit for players who enjoy survival games but still want plenty of RPG progression.
SOURCE ➦ Xbox Wire
What’s Leaving: September 2026 Game Pass Departures
While September 2026 brings exciting new titles to Xbox Game Pass, it also marks the departure of several fan-favorite games. Subscribers have until mid-month to finish campaigns, grind achievements, or grab discounted copies before these titles vanish from the library.
From the RPG masterpiece Cyberpunk 2077 to the emotional journey of Spiritfarer and the roguelike thrills of Dead Cells, this month’s exits hit hard. Below is the complete list of games leaving Game Pass in September 2026, including dates, platforms, and affected tiers.
| Leaving Date | Game Title | Platforms (Cloud / Console / PC) | Game Pass Tiers Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 6 | NBA 2K26 | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Commandos: Origins | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Cricket 24 | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Cyberpunk 2077 | Cloud, Console | Ultimate, Premium |
| September 15 | Dead Cells | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Frostpunk 2 | PC | PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Mullet MadJack | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Spiritfarer | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Superliminal | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| September 15 | Train Sim World 5 | Cloud, Console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
Xbox Game Pass Pricing in 2026
Microsoft Xbox currently offers three main paid tiers—Essential (formerly Core), Premium (Standard), and Ultimate—plus PC-only Game Pass. Prices were adjusted in April 2026, with Ultimate dropping from $29.99 to $22.99 in the US, while India rates remain lower but follow the same tier structure.
| Tier (2026) | US Price (Monthly) | India Price (Monthly) | What You Get (Key Benefits) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Essential | $9.99 | ₹499 | Online multiplayer, ~50 curated games, limited cloud gaming (5 hrs/month from Nov 2026) |
| Game Pass Premium | $14.99 | ₹699 | Hundreds of console games, online multiplayer, better cloud priority (10 hrs/month Nov 2026) |
| Game Pass Ultimate | $22.99 | ₹1,089 | 400+ games, day-one releases (except new CoD), EA Play, full cloud access (15 hrs/month) |
| PC Game Pass | $13.99 | ~₹649–₹699* | PC-only library, day-one Microsoft/EA titles, no console or cloud |
Which Tier Should You Pick?
- Budget gamers in India: Essential at ₹499/month is the cheapest way to play online and access a small rotating catalog.
- Console + cloud players: Premium (₹699) gives a much bigger library and better cloud queues without paying Ultimate rates.
- Day-one AAA fans: Ultimate (₹1,089 / $22.99) is the only tier with same-day releases like Dune: Awakening and Minecraft Dungeons 2, plus EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics.coingate
Keep in mind: from November 2026, cloud gaming hours will be capped per tier (5/10/15 hours monthly), so heavy cloud users may want to download games locally whenever possible.
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