Xbox Game Pass April 2026 Games: Full Lineup, Release Dates & Leaving Titles

Xbox Game Pass April 2026 Games: What’s Coming This Month

April is shaping up to be one of the biggest months yet for Xbox Game Pass, with a lineup that spans blockbuster shooters, strategic masterpieces, cozy indie gems, and fresh twists on beloved franchises. Whether you’re a dedicated subscriber or a casual player looking for a reason to renew, the Xbox Game Pass April 2026 games list has something for everyone. Below, we break down every confirmed title coming to Game Pass in April, including release dates, genres, and quick descriptions, plus we recap the titles leaving the service. Bookmark this page and check back later in the month when Microsoft reveals Wave 2 additions and further “leaving soon” announcements.

Why April 2026 Matters for Game Pass Subscribers

Over the last few years, Xbox Game Pass has shifted to a two‑wave release structure. The first half of the month – Wave 1 – typically lands around the second Tuesday and outlines the first batch of games. For April 2026, that wave is already packed with heavy hitters like Hades II, Replaced, The Thaumaturge, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, NHL 26, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. The second wave usually arrives during the final week. As of writing, Wave 2 details aren’t yet available, but expect Microsoft to add more surprises (often indies, early access titles, or DLC) and to confirm which games will leave the catalog at the end of the month.

Whether you simply want the Game Pass April 2026 schedule, are curious about new Xbox Game Pass games April 2026 or need to know what’s leaving, this guide has you covered.

April 2026 Game Pass Release Schedule

The table below lists every game confirmed for Game Pass in April 2026. Dates are based on official Xbox announcements. We’ll update this list once Wave 2 titles are announced. Genres are sourced from developer descriptions and storefront tags. Descriptions summarise the core gameplay or narrative without spoilers.

Date	Game	Genre	Description
Apr 2	Barbie Horse Trails	Casual Adventure	Relaxing open-world exploration with light quests and photography.
Apr 2	Clair Obscur: Expedition 33	RPG	Stylish turn-based combat set in a unique dark fantasy world.
Apr 3	NBA 2K26	Sports	Improved animations and deeper MyCareer progression.
Apr 7	Final Fantasy IV	RPG	A classic JRPG remaster with enhanced visuals and music.
Apr 8	DayZ	Survival	Hardcore survival with no checkpoints — every decision matters.
Apr 8	Endless Legend 2	Strategy	Build and expand your empire in a dynamic fantasy world.
Apr 8	FBC: Firebreak	Co-op FPS	Team-based chaos with supernatural abilities.
Apr 8	Warhammer: Vermintide 2	Action Co-op	Fast melee combat against massive enemy hordes.
Apr 9	Planet Coaster 2	Simulation	Create and manage your dream theme park.
Apr 10	Tiny Bookshop	Cozy Simulation	Run a charming seaside bookstore at your own pace.
Apr 13	Football Manager 26	Simulation	Deep tactical systems and major management upgrades.
Apr 14	Hades II	Roguelike RPG	Top pick: fast combat, huge replay value, must-play.
Apr 14	Replaced	Action Platformer	Cinematic cyberpunk story with smooth combat.
Apr 14	The Thaumaturge	RPG	Narrative-driven with meaningful choices.
Apr 16	NHL 26	Sports	Improved realism and smarter AI systems.
Apr 16	Oblivion Remastered	RPG	Fan favorite: classic RPG with modern upgrades.
Apr 17	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	FPS	Big release: cinematic campaign and multiplayer.
Apr 21	Little Rocket Lab	Simulation	Build machines and launch your own rocket.
Apr 21	Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato	Adventure	A heartfelt story with charming visuals.
Apr 21	Vampire Crawlers	Deckbuilder	Create powerful combos in dungeon runs.
Apr 23	Kiln	Party Brawler	Turn pottery into chaotic multiplayer combat.
Apr 28	Aphelion	Sci-Fi Adventure	Explore a frozen alien world in a cinematic story.
Apr 30	Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era	Strategy	Classic turn-based strategy returns with modern improvements.

Wave 1 Highlights

While every game above deserves its own moment, a few April releases stand out. Hades II Xbox Game Pass support means console players can finally experience Supergiant’s celebrated roguelike at 120 fps. Replaced, with its hand‑crafted pixel art and synth‑heavy soundtrack, brings cyberpunk storytelling reminiscent of Blade Runner. The Thaumaturge offers a thoughtful historical RPG set in a richly detailed Warsaw, blending supernatural combat with deep role‑playing choices.

Sports fans aren’t left out either. NBA 2K26 and NHL 26 both debut on Game Pass this month, and each introduces significant improvements. NBA 2K26 expands MyCareer with a Crew system and new leaderboards, while NHL 26’s ICE‑Q 2.0 leverages real NHL EDGE data for lifelike player tendencies and includes an overhauled Be A Pro mode. Meanwhile, Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered modernizes one of the most beloved open‑world RPGs with Unreal Engine 5 visuals, updated AI, and all expansions bundled.

Cozy & Narrative Gems

Not every entry is a blockbuster. Tiny Bookshop invites players to run a quaint second‑hand bookshop out of a retro van along the coast, offering ambient storytelling and management mechanics. Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato tells a heartfelt story about family, culture, and passing traditions down through generations. And Little Rocket Lab combines factory automation with a charming life‑sim as you build rockets for your mother while restoring your hometown.

Strategy, Survival, and Science Fiction

For players seeking deeper strategy, Endless Legend 2 continues the 4X tradition by letting you build and expand a civilization on a dynamic world. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era takes players back to the foundations of the strategy series, introducing new factions and game modes. On the survival front, DayZ offers tense player‑versus‑player and player‑versus‑environment challenges in a post‑apocalyptic landscape.

For science‑fiction fans, Aphelion strands two astronauts on the icy planet Persephone, emphasizing exploration, stealth, and emotional storytelling. It’s one of the most intriguing narrative adventures coming this month. Kiln adds a whimsical twist to multiplayer with its pottery‑based combat, letting you and your friends shape your own ceramic warriors and smash them to pieces.

Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass in April 2026

As new titles arrive, a handful of games will depart the service on 15 April 2026. The following games will disappear from Game Pass across console, PC, and cloud:

Leaving Date	Game	Platforms	Description
Apr 15	Ashen	Console, PC, Cloud	Stylish souls-like action RPG with challenging combat and exploration.
Apr 15	Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes	Console, PC, Cloud	Turn-based JRPG and spiritual successor to classic Suikoden-style games.
Apr 15	Grand Theft Auto V	Console, PC, Cloud	Massive open-world experience with both Story Mode and GTA Online.
Apr 15	My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery	Console, PC, Cloud	Family-friendly adventure with light puzzles and exploration.
Apr 15	Terra Invicta	PC	Deep strategic simulation focused on global resistance against alien forces.

Make sure to download and play these titles before they disappear. Xbox generally offers discounts on departing games, so it’s a good time to purchase them if you want continued access.

Join the Conversation

Which April Game Pass title are you downloading first? Will you dive into the mythic roguelike of Hades II, battle AI corruption in Replaced, hone your pottery skills in Kiln or manage your favourite club in Football Manager 26? Share your plans in the comments, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for updates when Wave 2 and further “leaving soon” titles are announced. Happy gaming!