XBOX Game Pass Essential Loses More Long-Time Games in 2026 Shake-Up

Game Pass Essential is seeing more catalog changes in 2026, marking a shift for what used to be one of XBOX’s most stable subscription tiers.

XBOX Game Pass Essential, previously known as XBOX Game Pass Core, has traditionally kept a relatively quiet and consistent library. While higher Game Pass tiers often see regular additions and removals, Essential had fewer major changes after it replaced XBOX Live Gold.

That pattern now appears to be changing. As TrueAchievements reports, several long-running Essential titles have either already left the catalog or will leave later this year.

Long-Time Game Pass Essential Titles Are Leaving

Several games that helped define the Essential catalog are no longer staying in place.

Slay the Spire and Payday 2: Crimewave Edition both joined the catalog when Microsoft launched Game Pass Core. Their removal stands out because both games had become familiar parts of the lower-cost Game Pass offering.

Unpacking also recently left the service, despite being part of Game Pass since 2021. The cozy puzzle game became one of the more recognizable indie titles in the catalog.

These removals suggest Microsoft now plans to refresh Game Pass Essential more actively than before.

Games Leaving Game Pass Essential in 2026

The following games have left or will leave Game Pass Essential in 2026:

• Goat Simulator
• Golf With Your Friends (leaving July 15)
• Payday 2: Crimewave Edition
• PowerWash Simulator (leaving July 15)
• Slay the Spire
• Stellaris (leaving July 15)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
• Unpacking

XBOX Is Also Adding More Games to Essential

The catalog is not only losing games. Microsoft has also added several titles to Game Pass Essential in 2026.

The following games have joined Game Pass Essential in 2026:

• Battletoads
• Blinx: The Time Sweeper
• Costume Quest 2
• DayZ
• Full Throttle Remastered
• Iron Brigade
• Jetpac Refuelled
• Kameo: Elements of Power
• Massive Chalice
• Max: The Curse of Brotherhood
• Neon Abyss
• Perfect Dark Zero
• Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Director’s Cut
• Shadowrun: Hong Kong – Extended Edition
• Shadowrun Returns
• Stacking
• Warhammer Vermintide 2

In other XBOX news, Microsoft has confirmed which games will leave XBOX Game Pass this month, while the latest Free Play Days titles have also been revealed.