Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in August 2026. The latest lineup brings several day-one releases, Game Preview titles, and a chance for eligible subscribers to access the Gears of War: E-Day beta ahead of launch.
This month’s update also expands the more affordable Xbox Game Pass Standard tier with additional games, giving subscribers more value beyond the latest day-one releases.
Xbox Game Pass games coming in August 2026
Here are all the games joining Xbox Game Pass in the first half of August:
| Game | Platforms | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Heretic + Hexen | Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC | August 4 |
| Beast of Reincarnation | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, PC | August 4 |
| Monsters are Coming! | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, PC | August 6 |
| PowerWash Simulator 2 | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, PC | August 6 |
| Bounty Star | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, PC | August 11 |
| Date Everything! | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, PC | August 11 |
| Grounded 2 (Game Preview) | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, PC | August 11 |
| Ball x Pit | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, PC | August 12 |
| Cricket 26 | Cloud, Console, PC | August 13 |
| Mio: Memories in Orbit | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, PC | August 13 |
| Sandustry (Game Preview) | PC | August 13 |
| Egging On | Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, PC | August 18 |
One of the biggest additions this month is early access to the Gears of War: E-Day beta. The first beta weekend will be available only to players who have pre-ordered the game, along with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
This gives Game Pass Ultimate members a chance to try the next Gears title before its official release.
Four games are leaving Game Pass
As new titles join the library, Microsoft is also removing a few games from the service. The following games will leave Xbox Game Pass later this month:
- Menace
- Atlas Fallen
- Aliens: Fireteam Elite
- Firewatch
Subscribers who want to continue playing these games after they leave the service can purchase them at a discounted price before their removal.
