Microsoft has officially unveiled the first wave of titles for the Xbox Game Pass May 2026 lineup, and the sheer scale of the release is staggering. Following recent pricing adjustments, this month serves as a massive showcase for what the subscription service can offer players at a more accessible price point.

Big Day One Hits for Xbox Game Pass

The headline act for May is undoubtedly Playground’s highly anticipated Forza Horizon 6. Scheduled for a May 19 release, the racing epic will launch day one on both Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This follows a major shift in Microsoft's strategy under new Xbox boss Asha Sharma, who recently reduced the monthly cost of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 and PC Game Pass from $16.49 to $13.99.

The mid-month schedule is equally packed with heavy hitters:

  • Mixtape: The next project from the developers of The Artful Escape arrives on May 7.
  • Subnautica 2: A highly anticipated (and somewhat troubled) title hitting the service on May 14.
  • DOOM: The Dark Ages: Slotted for a May 14 release, joining the premium and ultimate tiers.

Beyond the heavyweights, players can look forward to cozy adventures like Square Glade Games' Outbound on May 11, and the Lovecraftian puzzle sequel Call of the Elder Gods on May 12.

Full Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1 Schedule

The following titles are confirmed to join the service throughout the first half of the month:

  • Ben 10 Power Trip: May 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Descenders Next (Game Preview): May 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Wheel World: May 6 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC)
  • Wildgate: May 6 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC)
  • Wuchang: Fallen Feathers: May 6 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC)
  • Mixtape: May 7 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC)
  • Outbound: May 11 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Black Jacket: May 12 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC)
  • Call of the Elder Gods: May 12 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC)
  • Elite Dangerous: May 12 (Cloud and Console)
  • DOOM: The Dark Ages: May 14 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC)
  • Subnautica 2 (Game Preview): May 14 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC)
  • Forza Horizon 6: May 19 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC)

Subscription Changes and Departures

While the incoming library is robust, some titles will be leaving the service on May 15. Players should make sure to finish Planet of Lana, Galacticare, and Go Mecha Ball before they depart alongside Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo and Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship.

This massive month also highlights the evolving landscape of the service. While Microsoft has confirmed that Call of Duty titles will no longer launch day one—arriving instead a full year later—the company is continuing to experiment with new tiers, including a specialized Starter Edition for Discord Nitro subscribers.