This new wave of games on Game Pass includes both tier shifts for existing titles and significant new additions, maintaining the high standard of Microsoft’s subscription service for the first half of 2026. Despite the absence of major releases from internal Xbox teams, catalog additions continue at an excellent pace, as shown by this overview of new games coming to Game Pass in the second half of March.
The coming weeks will bring a remarkable variety of experiences, catering to different tastes and audiences. This once again confirms the careful selection of games introduced to the service, proving to be a well-curated and interesting offering even when high-profile new releases are scarce.
A trend also observed in this batch is a slight decrease in interest for the Ultimate tier due to the lack of major new titles, while the Premium tier’s offering becomes increasingly robust. Before diving into the upcoming titles, it’s worth noting that Game Pass will only remove two games at the end of March.
South of Midnight – Cloud, Xbox, Handheld & PC, March 18 (now on Premium, in addition to Ultimate & PC)
After its launch on Ultimate, South of Midnight also arrives on Premium, bringing with it all its magical aura. Compulsion Games’ new title is a third-person action-adventure game with a structure that harks back to earlier times, yet features an innovative setting, atmosphere, and graphic design. It focuses on exploring a wonderful world and a truly unique ambiance. The game tells the incredible adventure of Hazel, a girl who discovers she possesses the ancient power to ‘weave’ magic, enabling her to move superhumanly and fight dark creatures. This rather classic premise is set in an atypical environment in the ‘deep South’ of the United States, blending folklore, legends, and local history. Blues and magic are the core elements of this strange experience, which leads us to explore the peculiar bayou represented by Prospero and its surroundings, where fantastical mythology merges with a bizarre reality, generating extremely picturesque landscapes and situations.
The Alters – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC, March 18 (now on Premium, in addition to Ultimate & PC)
Perhaps one of the strangest and most experimental titles seen recently, The Alters, the new game from 11 Bit Studios, was launched directly into the Ultimate catalog and now arrives on Premium. Players take on the role of space explorer Jan, lost on the surface of a hostile planet, finding themselves in a very strange situation: in this unique sci-fi management game with survival elements, the goal is to operate a rather complex scientific base that requires a large number of operators working on different aspects. How to solve this issue when you’re alone? By using Rapidium, a machine capable of creating clones of oneself and rapidly maturing them to obtain copies quickly, which can then be assigned to various tasks. The unique aspect of this system is that it can introduce variations in the rapid ‘formation’ of each clone, creating different specializations, but this also results in different personalities. In addition to all the complex systems of a survival management game, The Alters also introduces this dynamic of interpersonal relationships between different versions of the same person, making it extremely original.
Disco Elysium – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC, March 19 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
Regardless of the turbulent history that has characterized ZA/UM studio, there’s no doubt that the team created one of the best RPGs released in recent years with Disco Elysium. It’s an atypical role-playing game in today’s video game landscape, yet perfectly rooted in the classic tradition of this genre, allowing players to build a character and follow their own story with considerable freedom of choice. It is widely regarded as a true modern classic. In several respects, Disco Elysium appears to be the most credited heir to the Black Isle RPG school, with the obvious exception of Obsidian, but it also distinguishes itself by building a game world and a storytelling method that are decidedly original. Its arrival on Game Pass makes it an almost mandatory download for anyone with even a slight interest in video game narrative and a curiosity for discovering peculiar worlds that are anything but trivial or overused, allowing a broad audience to experience something that elevates the entire medium of video games.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Cloud, Xbox, Handheld & PC, March 24 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
The relationship between the Like a Dragon (or Yakuza) series and Game Pass is now well-established, suggesting that we can likely expect every single installment to arrive on the service, either at launch or at later times. Thus, the addition of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth to the catalog comes as no surprise. It is, in fact, one of the best entries in the series: Infinite Wealth evolves the new RPG formula introduced by Yakuza: Like a Dragon, refining the turn-based combat system with additional tactical layers, making it even more engaging and profound. Beyond this fundamental gameplay element, we also encounter a strange story involving both Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, spanning various distinctly different and well-characterized settings. In the game, players explore the Isezaki Ijincho district in Yokohama and Honolulu in Hawaii, participating in numerous typical side activities scattered throughout the environment, in addition to the challenges awaiting the protagonists.
Absolum – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC, March 25 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
The big surprise of this batch is Absolum, which appears unexpectedly on Xbox and directly on Game Pass. This excellent 2D side-scrolling beat ’em up style action RPG has already received great acclaim on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, but wasn’t expected to arrive on Microsoft consoles anytime soon. Its sudden appearance is a very welcome addition to the catalog. Inspired by classics like Guardian Heroes, Absolum replicates that particular mix of frantic side-scrolling beat ’em up combat and progression elements typical of RPGs and roguelikes, all within a truly fascinating context. The characterization is also well-crafted, with a hand-drawn graphic style that is very peculiar and charismatic. The action relies on timing and the ability to dodge blows and unleash chained attacks in combos, utilizing the different abilities and characteristics of various characters, divided into different classes, with the option to participate in cooperative multiplayer.
Nova Roma (Game Preview) – PC, March 26 (Ultimate, PC)
City builders and strategy games are now a significant presence in the Game Pass catalog, especially for the PC section, and there’s always a considerable demand for these types of games. Nova Roma decidedly belongs more to the former genre, although the historical setting might suggest some tactical applications: here, it’s essentially about building, and doing it in the best possible way. We find ourselves in the period of the Roman civilization’s greatest splendor, tasked with constructing new settlements following Rome’s architectural style and the technological discoveries of the era, transforming undeveloped lands into magnificent cities. Planning must consider both the needs of the citizens and the will of the deities, thus seeking to balance the transformation of the world according to human needs with respect for nature and metaphysical forces, in order to maintain the best possible equilibrium between technology, architectural beauty, natural spaces, and places of worship.
The Long Dark – Cloud, Xbox & PC, March 30 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
Launched in alpha over ten years ago, The Long Dark immediately displayed an innate character not easily found in the crowded survival landscape, proving its mettle throughout its long development process. Now in its complete version, we can confidently say it is one of the best survival games ever developed, having navigated through various eras that characterized the genre’s evolution while always remaining current and uniquely itself. The setting, which plunges us into a Canada buried under a new and mysterious glaciation, plays a fundamental role in shaping its identity. However, it’s the way this setting is portrayed—the particular atmosphere derived from the graphic style and the construction of the map and gameplay situations—that determines the uniqueness of this specific experience. The Long Dark now features a complete story that can be experienced in Wintermute mode, but it also has much to offer in its classic Survival mode, allowing the always fascinating and lethal scenario to speak for itself.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard – Cloud, Xbox & PC, March 31 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
Just as the new Resident Evil Requiem is creating a buzz, Game Pass offers the opportunity to try (or re-experience) the pivotal chapter that relaunched the series in its new form: Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Although we are proceeding in reverse order, as Resident Evil Village was added last month, now you have the chance to play the two previous titles directly from the Game Pass catalog to fully prepare for Requiem’s new developments. Capcom masterfully reinvented the series precisely when it most needed a radical change, building a horror experience founded on seemingly very different characteristics, somewhat influenced by new first-person trends, but where all the typical elements of Resident Evil progressively reappear after an initial impact that might be disorienting. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a high-level horror experience and a game that functions exceptionally well, and if you haven’t played it before, there are no more excuses.
Barbie Horse Trails – Cloud, Xbox, Handheld & PC, April 2 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
As previously observed, the Game Pass catalog also makes room for a very young audience, following a family-friendly service policy that has led to a varied catalog. Barbie Horse Trails is another introduction in this vein, part of an established trend that sees new additions almost regularly. This Barbie game is entirely centered on the theme of horses, potentially bringing together two elements capable of attracting a quite passionate audience. In Barbie Horse Trails, players choose which character to embody from the various available Barbies and ride around various environments, caring for animals in different ways and managing various aspects of horse breeding through diverse activities and game mechanics. This is further enriched by open-world exploration and various modes that enhance the Barbie horse-riding experience.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld & PC, April 2 (now on Premium, in addition to Ultimate & PC)
One of the most important games of this period finally arrives in the Premium catalog, after having debuted directly via Game Pass Ultimate last year and achieving sensational success. We are talking about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which after months continues to win and accumulate accolades as game of the year, having captured the hearts of practically everyone who has experienced this title. Much has already been said about Sandfall’s extraordinary game: it is a kind of homage to the JRPG tradition, but built with a particular taste and sensibility, following an original style that has made it truly unique in the video game landscape, turning it into an overwhelming success. Beyond the deep story with complex philosophical implications, its strange and wonderful setting remains imprinted. But every single aspect of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is indeed memorable: from the characterization to the particular gameplay that mixes the typical turn-based combat of JRPGs with the timing and challenge derived from souls-like games. In short, if you haven’t yet immersed yourself in this strange world, now is the time to do so.
Final Fantasy IV – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC, April 7 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
The sequential addition of the entire Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series to the Game Pass catalog continues, with the arrival of Final Fantasy 4. Originally released in 1991, it was the first installment in the series to debut on Nintendo’s 16-bit console, thus leveraging more advanced hardware compared to the NES. This resulted in more advanced graphics than previous chapters, along with greater attention to audio, contributing to an overall more aesthetically pleasing experience. The story itself is very particular and intricate: Final Fantasy IV stars Cecil, the Dark Knight, battling the evil Golbeza, who intends to use the power of crystals to dominate the world. Although the basic plot elements might seem very canonical, the storyline is decidedly complex, full of twists and truly unique situations, thanks also to the deep characterization of the various characters, which makes this old JRPG still very enjoyable.
Summary of March and April 2026 Arrivals and Departures
Available on Game Pass from March 18 (and April)
- South of Midnight – Cloud, Xbox, Handheld & PC, March 18 (now on Premium, in addition to Ultimate & PC)
- The Alters – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC, March 18 (now on Premium, in addition to Ultimate & PC)
- Disco Elysium – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC, March 19 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Cloud, Xbox, Handheld & PC, March 24 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
- Absolum – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC, March 25 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
- Nova Roma (Game Preview) – PC, March 26 (Ultimate, PC)
- The Long Dark – Cloud, Xbox & PC, March 30 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard – Cloud, Xbox & PC, March 31 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
- Barbie Horse Trails – Cloud, Xbox, Handheld & PC, April 2 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
- Clair Obscur Expedition 33 – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld & PC, April 2 (now on Premium, in addition to Ultimate & PC)
- Final Fantasy IV – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC, April 7 (Ultimate, Premium, PC)
No longer available on Game Pass as of March 15
- Peppa Pig: World Adventures (Cloud, Console, PC)
- Mad Streets (Cloud, Console, PC)