Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

Xbox Game Pass new games: what’s new and what’s leaving in April 2023

By

While Microsoft was been hit with criticism for the Xbox Series X’s slow-growing exclusive lineup — several highly anticipated titles like Bethesda’s Starfield and co-op shooter Redfall have been pushed to later in 2023 — the company is still delivering one of the best deals in gaming: Xbox Game Pass.

Game Pass gives gamers access to a massive library of games that includes throwback hits, brand-new titles on release day, and indie darlings. These games can be played on Xbox consoles, PC, mobile, and even Steam Deck.

Recommended Videos

New titles are being added to Game Pass every month and others are taken off, similar to how Netflix works, so it’s crucial to stay on top of library changes to make sure you don’t miss out on that title that’s been on your to-play list. Check back toward the end of every month for a complete list of new additions and removals from the Game Pass roster.

Related

Our top pick for April

Minecraft: Legends

Minecraft: Legends
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Strategy, Arcade
Developer
Mojang Studios, Blackbird Interactive
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
April 18, 2023
Minecraft Legends is going to be a blast, and we’re lucky that it’ll get a day-one release on Game Pass. It’s a very involved real-time strategy experience with fully voice-acted cutscenes, a procedurally generated open world to explore, and lots of base-building and resource gathering that truly adapts Minecraft’s formula into another storied genre.
Minecraft Legends – Announce Trailer

Everything coming to Game Pass in April

Akito with KK and the neon colors of Tokyo and invading spirits.
Bethesda Softworks

April is shaping up to be a fantastic month for Game Pass additions so far. Here’s what’s coming in the first wave:

April 4

  • Loop Hero (console and PC)

April 6

  • Iron Brigade (cloud and console)

April 12

  • Ghostwire Tokyo (cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)

April 13

  • NHL 23 (console – EA Play)

April 18

  • Minecraft Legends (cloud, console, and PC)

April 20

  • Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly (cloud, console, and PC)
  • Medieval Dynasty (Xbox One)

April 21

  • Homestead Arcana (cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)

April 26

  • Cassette Beasts (PC)

April 27

  • BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Special Edition (cloud, console, and PC)
  • The Last Case of Benedict Fox (console and PC)

Everything leaving Game Pass in April

Alex reaching out and using her powers in Life is Strange: True Colors promo art.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Unfortunately, a handful of titles are being removed from Game Pass later this month. No super-popular titles are getting the ax, but we hate to see any games leave.

April 15

  • Life is Strange: True Colors
  • Moonglow Bay
  • Panzer Corps II
  • Rainbow Six Extraction 
  • The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk 
  • The Long Dark
  • The Riftbreaker 

April 30

  • Bugsnax 
  • Destroy All Humans! 
  • Dragon Quest Builders 2 
  • Tetris Effect Connected 
  • Unsouled

Everything new on Game Pass in March

Image used with permission by copyright holder

A handful of new titles hit Game Pass in March, most notably Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and MLB The Show 23.

  • F1 22 (console and PC – EA Play)
  • Guilty Gear – Strive (cloud, console, and PC)
  • Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (cloud, console, and PC)
  • Dead Space 2 (cloud)
  • Dead Space 3 (cloud)
  • Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (cloud, console, and PC)
  • Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom – The Prince’s Edition (console and PC)
  • MLB The Show 23 (cloud, console, and PC)
  • Infinite Guitars (cloud, console, and PC)

Everything that left Game Pass in March

Star-Lord fights an enemy in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A total of 15 games were removed from Game Pass throughout March.

  • Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Undertale
  • Young Souls 
  • Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition 
  • Goat Simulator 
  • F1 2020 
  • Zero Escape: The Nonary Games 
  • Paradise Killer 
  • A Memoir Blue
  • Chinatown Detective Agency 
  • ClusterTruck 
  • Double Dragon Neon 
  • Kraken Academy!! 
  • MLB The Show 22
  • Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Sam Hill
Sam Hill
Gaming Guides Editor
Sam Hill is a journalist and the gaming guides editor at Digital Trends. He's also written tech guides for Input and has…
Best video game deals: PlayStation 5, Xbox S and X, Nintendo Switch

While gaming PCs can be pretty great, a lot of folks don't want to spend the money, or time and hassle to get involved with PC gaming, which is why consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch are perfect. Not only are they relatively budget-friendly, but they also offer a quick and user-friendly way of playing games that don't involve having a lot of PC knowledge. So, if you've already bought one of these, then be sure to check out our roundup of some of our favorite game deals, including some of our lists of PS5 games, best Xbox Series X games, or best Nintendo Switch games.
On the other hand, if you're just doing a bit of window shopping, then check out some of our other favorite PS5 game deals, Xbox game pass deals and Nintendo Switch deals for more specific offers.

Best PS5 game deals
Deathloop -- $25, was $60

Read more
Best Xbox Series X and Series S deals: discounts and bundles
Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S game consoles.

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have really come a long way from when they first came out, especially with a lot of support from Microsoft and excellent Xbox Game Pass deals for folks to enjoy. Of course, if you want to pick one up now, it's a lot easier, and there are some good sales and bundles that are worth grabbing, and the same goes for various accessories. On the other hand, if you already have one, then you may want to check out these video game deals, and if you're more of a PS fan, then these PlayStation deals may be more up your alley.
Xbox Core Wireless Controller -- $55, was $65

Whichever Xbox you buy, you get a standard controller but how about having one that shows off some of your personality? Or one that means you can play games on the couch with your buddies or family. That's where the Xbox Core Wireless Controller is so useful. Available in many different colors, you get all the benefits of an ergonomic design with sculpted surfaces and refined geometry for enhanced comfort. Up to 40 hours of battery life is convenient while it connects via Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth so you can use it with your PC, phone or tablet too.

Read more
Xbox reveals new digital-only consoles and a bigger Xbox Series X
Xbox consoles

Xbox has officially announced all-digital versions of the Xbox Series X and S consoles, as well as a brand new version of the Xbox Series X console that has 2TBs of harddrive space.

Last year, rumors swirled after "Project Brooklin" was leaked during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) trial. This project talked about an all-new digital console with faster Wi-Fi, a redesign, and more. However, this announcement seems to be more in line with the traditional console cycle of releasing digital versions halfway through the lifespan rather than an entirely new project. It looks like these digital consoles are a pared-down version of the leaked project.

Read more