On Monday, July 6, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wrote online that Xbox was laying off 3,200 people, offloading at least four gaming studios and that Xbox Game Pass hasn't grown as expected, contributing to an unhealthy business. Nevertheless, Microsoft announced on Tuesday, July 7, that Xbox Game Pass would be getting a handful of new games in July, including the full release of the viral Palworld.
Xbox Game Pass, a CNET Editors' Choice award pick, offers a wide selection of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for as little as $10 a month. And with a subscription to the higher-tiered Game Pass Ultimate ($23 a month), you can access hundreds of games, including new ones the day they're released, each month.
Here are all the games Game Pass subscribers can play soon.
Gears of War: Reloaded
New to Game Pass Premium on July 9. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
The original game in the Gears of War series is back with a new, remastered edition. This game tells the story of Marcus Fenix and his thick-necked squad as they take on the alien locust hordes. It includes a bonus campaign act, every multiplayer map and mode plus characters and cosmetics unlocked through progression.
Palworld (Full release)
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on July 10.
More than two years after people got a taste of Palworld, you'll be able to play the Pokemon-esque game in full. In this open-world adventure, you can use weapons to collect over 100 creatures, called Pals. Then you can use your Pals to fight bosses or accomplish tasks for you.
The game has been mired in controversy since it first landed on the scene. Nintendo sued the studio behind Palworld shortly after the game was released, and then Palworld's developer removed some elements of the game due to Nintendo's legal pressure. Despite those issues, Game Pass subscribers will be able to play the game soon.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on July 21.
I remember jamming out to the original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater games on the Nintendo 64 in the late 90s and early 2000s. And now I can relive those memories with the remastered editions of those classic games. This game has the same great skating and the same fantastic soundtrack -- with a few fun additions -- all with enhanced graphics and gameplay fitting modern consoles.
Other games coming to Xbox Game Pass
Those are some of the games I'm looking forward to on Xbox Game Pass, but Microsoft is adding more to the service this month. Here are the other games you can try soon.
- Tamashika - Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on July 9.
- Ascend to Zero - Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on July 13.
- PBA Pro Bowling 2026 - Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on July 14.
- Quarantine Zero: The Last Check - New to Game Pass Premium on July 15. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
- Mavrix by Matt Jones - Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on July 16.
- FixForce - Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on July 17.
- Fogpiercer - Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on July 17
- The Planet Crafter - Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on July 21.
Games leaving Game Pass on July 15
While Microsoft is adding titles to Game Pass soon, it's also removing 10 games from the service on July 15. So you still have some time to play these games for the first time, or finish your campaign, before you have to buy them separately.
- Dungeons of Hinterberg
- EA Sports Football Club 24
- Stellaris
- Golf With Your Friends
- Minami Lane
- Powerwash Simulator
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition
- Splitgate: Arena Reloaded
- Super Fantasy Kingdom
- Techtonica (Game Preview)
For more on Xbox, here's what to know about the recent Xbox layoffs. You can also check out our Xbox Game Pass review and which Game Pass plan is right for you.
Watch this: How to Enable Xbox: Embrace the Gamepad on Your Gaming PC
