Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1 Lineup

April’s surprise Game Pass price cut walked Ultimate back from $29.99 to $22.99, and the first wave for May 2026 doubles down on the goodwill with one of the strongest lineups in recent memory. Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2 are both headed to the service day one this month, joined by DOOM: The Dark Ages on Game Pass Premium, the next Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, and a healthy mix of indies. Ultimate is still more expensive than it was before October’s hike, but waves like this one make it easier to live with. There’s a lot to get to, so let’s start with the game that’s already available.

Available today, May 5, is Final Fantasy V on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass subscribers. For the past few months, Square Enix has been rolling out one Pixel Remaster per month, with Final Fantasy IV having joined in April. Final Fantasy V introduced the Job system in its modern form, letting players mix and match abilities across classes, and it remains a fan-favorite of the Pixel Remaster lineup.

Tomorrow, May 6, brings a heavy day with five additions. The headline is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, which is now joining Game Pass Premium after originally arriving on Ultimate and PC Game Pass last July. The Ming Dynasty soulslike is also part of the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for May 2026, so subscribers on either service have a chance to check it out for free this month. Joining alongside it on Premium is Wheel World on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, a cosmic biking adventure where players ride as Kat through a semi-open world to reclaim legendary bike parts and restore balance to the universe. Descenders Next (Game Preview) on Cloud, Console, and PC is also moving up to Game Pass Premium, with Career and Grand Tour modes now linked for smoother progression through Parks, Slope styles, and Races.

May 6 also brings two day one releases. The first is Wildgate on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers, a PvPvE multiplayer shooter that blends ship-to-ship combat with first-person action across three different modes. The second is Ben 10 Power Trip on Cloud, Console, and PC, available to Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass subscribers. The Ben Tennyson adventure has players battling Hex and crystal-powered threats across Europe in a 3D action game playable solo or in co-op.

The lone day one release on May 7 is Mixtape on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. From Beethoven & Dinosaur, the team behind The Artful Escape, Mixtape is a coming-of-age narrative adventure built around music, mischief, and the bittersweet feelings of growing up. It’s one of our most anticipated games of May 2026, and well worth a look for anyone in the mood for something a little more personal between all the bigger releases this month.

After a short break, May 11 brings Outbound on Cloud, Console, and PC as another day one release for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The cozy off-grid van life game lets up to four players craft, customize, and live sustainably in their mobile home. Worth noting that Outbound originally targeted May 14 but moved up to dodge Subnautica 2’s launch, so day one Game Pass subscribers actually get it three days earlier than originally planned.

Call of the Elder Gods | Image: Out of the Blue Games

May 12 is a triple-feature day. Call of the Elder Gods is a day one release on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers, serving as the sequel to the critically acclaimed Call of the Sea from 2020. Players will explore far corners of the Earth in a Lovecraftian narrative puzzle adventure. Black Jacket is also a day one release that day on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers, with a pitch-black, painterly spin on blackjack from Mi’pu’mi Games and Skystone Games where cheating is fully encouraged. Rounding out the day is Elite Dangerous on Cloud and Console for Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Premium subscribers, finally giving subscribers an easy way to jump into Frontier’s long-running space sandbox.

Two big additions land on May 14. DOOM: The Dark Ages moves to Game Pass Premium on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC, joining Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers who’ve had access since launch. The medieval-themed prequel to DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal tells the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage. You can learn more about it in my review, which explains why it was one of our favorite games of 2025. The other addition that day is Subnautica 2 (Game Preview) on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers as a day one release. Unknown Worlds has optimized the underwater survival sequel specifically with the Xbox ecosystem in mind, including the Xbox controller and ROG Xbox Ally support, and the game now supports up to four-player co-op for the first time in the series.

Finally, the wave wraps with the game most subscribers have been waiting for. Forza Horizon 6 launches on May 19 on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers as a day one release. The series finally heads to Japan, with over 550 real-world cars, the touge-inspired Limited Edition controller and headset revealed last month, and Premium Upgrade owners getting early access on May 15. As a JDM enthusiast and lifelong Forza Horizon fan, this is the entry I’ve been waiting for, and Game Pass making it free on day one removes any reason not to give it a shot.

The following games are leaving Game Pass on May 15, so wrap up any unfinished business or save 20 percent by buying them outright:

Galacticare (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Go Mecha Ball (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Planet of Lana (Cloud, Console, and PC)