May roars into Xbox Game Pass with the kind of wave that reminds everyone why this service exists. Forza Horizon 6—likely the biggest Game Pass release of the year following the news that Call of Duty won’t be day-one on the service going forward—arrives alongside Subnautica 2, one of the most anticipated sequels of this year. Add day-one indie releases like Mixtape, Black Jacket, and inKonbini, and May continues the incredible stride April established. This is a massive, first-party-heavy month that adds insane value and sets a brutally high bar for the rest of 2026. It’s going to be interesting to see how Xbox tops this.
The Headliners
Forza Horizon 6 (May 19)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
The big one. Forza Horizon 6 brings racing fans to Japan in what’s being billed as the franchise’s biggest open-world driving adventure yet. With over 550 real-world cars and breathtaking Japanese landscapes to explore, this represents a massive first-party release that could define Xbox Game Pass in 2026. Following the announcement that future Call of Duty titles won’t arrive day-one on Game Pass, Forza Horizon 6 carries even more weight as Xbox’s premier day-one offering this year. If it lives up to expectations (and the Forza Horizon series rarely disappoints) this could be one of the biggest releases of the year, period. Not just for Xbox Game Pass. Your journey to becoming a Horizon Legend starts May 19, though Premium Upgrade buyers get early access on May 15.
Subnautica 2 (Game Preview) (May 14)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
The sequel everyone’s been waiting for arrives day-one in Game Preview. Subnautica 2 takes the beloved underwater survival formula to an all-new alien world, now with 4-player co-op support. Play alone or with friends as you adapt to survive by building custom bases, crafting tools, and exploring the unknown to uncover mysteries hidden within the depths. The original Subnautica became a phenomenon, and years of anticipation have built toward this moment. As an expandalone that builds upon everything fans loved, Subnautica 2 is a beast of its own that could easily consume hundreds of hours.
Mixtape (May 7)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
From Beethoven & Dinosaur comes this nostalgic narrative adventure inspired by classic coming-of-age movies. Mixtape brings together aimlessness, mischief, music, and the bittersweet feelings of adolescence: growth, transformation, and moving on. For fans of narrative-driven experiences that capture specific emotions and moments, this day-one release promises something genuinely heartfelt.
Outbound (May 11)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Explore a colorful world and build your own cozy home on wheels in this day-one release. Craft workstations, source energy from sun, wind, or water, and live sustainably off-grid with up to four players. Outbound offers the kind of chill, customizable experience that’s perfect for unwinding after more intense games.
Black Jacket (May 12)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
From Mi’pu’mi Games and Skystone Games (Tiny Bookshop) comes a painterly, pitch-black spin on blackjack. Twenty-one or eternity. This day-one release drops you into a purgatorial card game where restless souls wager their coins and the ferryman waits for his cut. Cheating fully encouraged.
Call of the Elder Gods (May 12)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Journey to the far corners of the Earth and unearth ancient horrors in this day-one Lovecraftian narrative puzzle adventure. The sequel to 2020’s critically acclaimed Call of the Sea returns with more mysteries and cosmic dread for fans of atmospheric storytelling.
inKonbini: One Store. Many Stories (April 30 – In Case You Missed It)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
This cozy, narrative-driven slice-of-life game arrives day-one on Xbox Game Pass. Step into Makoto’s night shifts at a small-town Japanese convenience store, where everyday tasks, quiet moments, and customer interactions unfold into heartfelt stories shaped by the choices you make. For fans of intimate, character-driven narratives, this offers a refreshing change of pace.
Additional Games
- Final Fantasy V (Available Now)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Ben 10 Power Trip (May 6)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Descenders Next (Game Preview) (May 6)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Wheel World (May 6)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Wildgate (May 6)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (May 6)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Elite Dangerous (May 12)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium - DOOM: The Dark Ages (May 14)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Notable Updates
- Dead by Daylight’s Bloodbound Release Update – Darkest Dungeon RUIN Rift, Attack On Titan-themed 2v8, and Alien Collection return
- Sea of Thieves: Last Ship Standing – Act 3 of Season 19 introduces huge battles in the Sea of the Damned
- World of Warships: Legends – Player benefits now available for Game Pass subscribers
Games Leaving May 15
Don’t forget to wrap up these titles before they leave the service:
- Galacticare
- Go Mecha Ball
- Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo
- Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship
- Planet of Lana
Final Thoughts — May Maintains the Momentum
May continues April’s incredible stride with seven day-one releases—Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2, Mixtape, Outbound, Black Jacket, Call of the Elder Gods, and inKonbini. From Japan’s racing paradise to alien ocean depths, nostalgic coming-of-age stories to cozy convenience store shifts, May delivers massive variety.
Forza Horizon 6 alone solidifies this month. Along with Fable (also developed by Playground Games), it carries the weight of being Xbox’s premier first-party offering in 2026. If this entry lives up to expectations, it could be one of the year’s biggest releases regardless of platform. That’s the kind of anchor title that justifies subscriptions. Subnautica 2 brings its own gravitational pull. Years of anticipation, the phenomenal success of the original, and the addition of co-op make this a massive get. These aren’t just day-one releases—these are potential game-of-the-year contenders arriving on Xbox Game Pass at launch.
The day-one indie lineup provides the variety and discovery that make Game Pass special. Mixtape, Outbound, Black Jacket, Call of the Elder Gods, and inKonbini offer compelling experiences across different genres and tones. May proves April wasn’t a fluke. Two consecutive months of exceptional offerings demonstrate Xbox’s commitment to the service. With the first-party pipeline including Halo: Campaign Evolved, Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, and Minecraft Dungeons II, the potential is there. May sets a brutally high bar, but if any month can clear it, it’ll be one with another first-party heavyweight. For now, May stands as another massive victory for Xbox Game Pass subscribers in 2026.
