April’s second wave continues the month’s incredible momentum with five more day-one releases hitting Xbox Game Pass. From Aphelion‘s sci-fi adventure to the chaotic cozy multiplayer mayhem of Sledding Game, the day-one train keeps rolling. Add in Trepang2‘s FPS action, the return of Heroes of Might & Magic, and the continued Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster drip-feed with Final Fantasy V, and April’s second half solidifies this month as the best Xbox Game Pass has delivered in 2026. Combined with Wave 1’s offerings, April represents exactly what premium subscription value should look like.
The Headliners
Aphelion (April 28)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Don’t Nod brings their narrative expertise to sci-fi in this day-one release. After crash-landing on a frozen planet, astronaut Ariane must traverse harsh terrain and shifting realities to save her injured partner Thomas. Players control both characters in a story rooted in real-world science, created in partnership with the European Space Agency. From the creators of Jusant and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, expect thoughtful storytelling and innovative mechanics.
Trepang2 (April 29)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Become the ultimate badass in this gory, action-packed FPS set in the near future. Unleash all hell on your enemies, dodge bullets, and leave a trail of destruction in this hardcore and frenetic shooter. For fans of intense, no-nonsense FPS action, Trepang2 delivers exactly what it promises.
Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era (Game Preview) (April 30)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
The genre-defining turn-based strategy series returns day one on Xbox Game Pass with its official prequel. Raise grand armies and wield devastating spells to overcome your foes in both solo and multiplayer. For strategy fans who’ve been waiting for the franchise’s return to form, this Game Preview offers early access to what could be a triumphant comeback.
Sledding Game (Game Preview) (April 30)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
This multiplayer snow-sports hangout with proximity voice chat arrives day one. Race downhill, pull off ridiculous tricks, build ramps, or just relax with friends. Customize your animal avatar, jump into public or private lobbies, and enjoy chaotic ragdoll crashes—just watch out for the yeti. It’s silly, social, and exactly the kind of casual multiplayer experience that thrives on Game Pass.
TerraTech Legion (April 30)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Build the ultimate battle vehicle and rage against the machines in this day-one Bullet Heaven builder. Master a deep block-based vehicle-building system to survive an army of robotic foes driven by a crazed AI, ramming them at speed and shooting infinite projectiles. For fans of creative construction and chaotic action, this blends both into one compelling package.
Final Fantasy V (May 5)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster drip-feed continues right on schedule. When the crystals that balance the world are threatened, the king hastens to the rescue—only to go missing. A young man and his Chocobo find themselves drawn toward friends that will change their destiny in this classic RPG. The steady monthly rollout of these remasters ensures JRPG fans always have something to look forward to.
Additional Games
- Little Rocket Lab (April 21)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato (April 21)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Vampire Crawlers (April 21)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (Day One) - Kiln (April 23)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (Day One)
Games Leaving April 30
Don’t forget to wrap up these titles before they leave the service:
- Citizen Sleeper
- Creatures of Ava
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
- Endless Legend 2
- Goat Simulator
- Goat Simulator Remastered
- Hunt Showdown 1896
- NHL 24 (EA Play)
- Revenge of the Savage Planet
Final Thoughts — April Delivers the Best Month of 2026
April 2026 is the blueprint for what Game Pass should be every single month. Across both waves, the month delivers nine day-one releases: Kiln, Replaced, Vampire Crawlers, Super Meat Boy 3D, Aphelion, Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era, Sledding Game, and TerraTech Legion. That’s a massive showing that exceeds expectations and demonstrates Xbox’s commitment to the service.
But the day-one count is only part of the story. April brought Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) to Game Pass—the long-awaited first step in COD’s back catalog joining the service post-ABK acquisition. NBA 2K26 returned after a year’s absence, now available on PC. Hades II gave subscribers access to one of the most acclaimed roguelikes ever made.
What makes April special is the combination of first-party presence (Kiln), highly anticipated indies (Replaced, Vampire Crawlers), and major backlog additions (Call of Duty, NBA 2K). The variety spans FPS action, turn-based strategy, cozy life sims, and everything in between. The continued Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster rollout keeps JRPG fans engaged month after month.
Together, both waves make April the single best month Game Pass has delivered in 2026. It’s not even close. This is the standard Xbox needs to maintain going forward. With Forza Horizon 6 dropping in May and titles like Halo: Campaign Evolved, Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, Call of Duty 2026, and Minecraft Dungeons II on the horizon, the momentum is there. April proves the service can fire on all cylinders. Now the challenge is keeping this pace.
