Why Games Are Leaving Game Pass? Full List & Explained

Xbox Game Pass continues to be one of the most exciting subscriptions for gamers — offering hundreds of great games on console, PC, and cloud. But just as new games join the service, others leave it on a regular basis. In this blog, we’ll break down which games are leaving Game Pass right now, why they’re leaving, and what you can do about it Pure Xbox+1

1. Current Games Leaving Game Pass (January 2026)

Microsoft has confirmed the first batch of games leaving the Xbox Game Pass catalog in January 2026. These titles will no longer be playable through your subscription after January 15/16, 2026 — so now’s the time to finish them if you’re behind! Pure Xbox+1

Leaving Mid-January 2026

Game Title	Platforms	Notes
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn	Xbox, PC, Cloud	Action RPG known for its Souls-lite combat. Pure Xbox
Neon White	Xbox, PC, Cloud	Fast-paced action/platformer. Pure Xbox
Road 96	Xbox, PC, Cloud	Narrative adventure with procedural storytelling. Pure Xbox
The Ascent	Xbox, PC, Cloud	Cyberpunk twin-stick action RPG. Shane the Gamer
The Grinch: Christmas Adventures	Xbox, PC, Cloud	Seasonal family-friendly game. Pure Xbox

All these games are scheduled to leave the service around January 15–16, 2026. Pure Xbox

Most of them also have discounted prices (typically 20%+) on Xbox stores before removal, so you can buy and keep them permanently if you want. Shane the Gamer

Why Do Games Leave Game Pass?

Let’s be clear — Game Pass isn’t permanent ownership. Microsoft adds games under licensing agreements with developers and publishers. These agreements determine how long a game stays on the service.

Here’s why titles leave:

1. Licensing Agreements Expire

Many games are only on Game Pass for a set period based on deals with publishers. Once the contract ends, Microsoft must remove the game unless the deal is renewed.

2. Promotional Inclusions

Sometimes a game joins Game Pass around its launch or to promote a franchise. Once the promotion period ends, it typically exits.

3. Business Decisions

Game Pass constantly rotates to keep the catalog fresh and balanced — adding new games while removing older or less-played ones.

4. Platform or Content Strategy

Microsoft may remove titles to realign the Game Pass library with player demand, new releases, or future strategic focus.

Important: A game leaving doesn’t mean it’s permanently gone forever. Some titles may return to Game Pass later if new agreements are reached or if the developer and Microsoft make a new deal.

Common Patterns in Game Pass Removals

From previous months, we’ve seen regular removals each month — often mid-month — including notable titles like Wargroove 2, Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and others during 2025. KitGuru+1

Across 2025, every month had a batch of departures — showing that this rotation is part of Game Pass’s normal lifecycle. Pure Xbox+1

What You Can Do Before a Game Leaves

If you see a game you care about in the “Leaving Soon” section:

1. Play it before it’s gone

You can still complete the game and enjoy it until removal.

2. Purchase it with a discount

Microsoft often offers at least 20% off on games before they exit the service. Shane the Gamer

3. Check cloud, PC, or console platforms

Some games are only going from certain platforms — make sure you’re looking at the correct version.

Game Pass is a constantly evolving subscription — with games joining and leaving all the time. The January 2026 departures are just the first wave for the new year, and more will likely be revealed in the coming weeks.

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