Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteApril 2024 brought five day-one Game Pass launches—Botany Manor, Harold Halibut, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, Another Crab’s Treasure and Manor Lords—plus returning games, EA Play access and a separate Game Pass Core update. Twelve titles were scheduled to leave in two batches, on April 15 and April 30. This is a historical roundup of Microsoft’s April announcements; catalog access, tiers and regional availability may differ today.
See the official announcements from April 2 and April 16 for the announced schedule.
The standout additions
- Best puzzle adventure: Botany Manor (day one).
- Best narrative curiosity: Harold Halibut (day one).
- Best RPG: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (day one).
- Best unusual action game: Another Crab’s Treasure (day one).
- Best strategy pick: Manor Lords (PC Game Preview, day one).
- Best co-op action: Orcs Must Die! 3.
These are editorial recommendations, not official rankings. Platform and access notes below matter: EA Play titles, Core additions and cloud listings were not universal benefits for every membership.
Every main-catalog addition announced for April
| Date | Game | Cloud | Console | PC | Access note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2 | Superhot: Mind Control Delete | Yes | Yes | Yes | Returning title |
| April 3 | LEGO 2K Drive | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Standard catalog listing |
| April 4 | Lil Gator Game | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard catalog listing |
| April 4 | EA Sports PGA Tour | Yes | Xbox Series X|S | Yes | Through EA Play; included with PC Game Pass and Ultimate at the time |
| April 9 | Kona | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Returning title |
| April 9 | Botany Manor | Yes | Xbox Series X|S | Yes | Day-one release |
| April 11 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition | Yes | Yes | Yes | Definitive Edition includes the base game and its listed DLC |
| April 16 | Harold Halibut | Yes | Xbox Series X|S | Yes | Day-one release |
| April 17 | Orcs Must Die! 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard catalog listing |
| April 18 | EA Sports NHL 24 | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Console access through EA Play |
| April 23 | Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Day-one release |
| April 25 | Another Crab’s Treasure | Yes | Yes | Yes | Day-one release |
| April 26 | Manor Lords | No | No | Yes | Day-one PC Game Preview |
| April 30 | Have a Nice Death | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard catalog listing |
Harold Halibut was announced in the first wave but released on April 16; it is counted once here. “Day one” describes Game Pass launch timing, not necessarily a finished or final build—particularly for Manor Lords, which was explicitly Game Preview.
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#1 Best Overall
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- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
Game Pass Core additions
On April 23, Microsoft added three games to the separate Game Pass Core library:
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Superhot: Mind Control Delete
- Wreckfest
Core availability was tied to that tier and should not be read as a new cloud, console and PC entitlement for every subscriber.
Rank #2
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
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- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
Games leaving on April 15
| Game | Platforms listed | Play it first if… |
|---|---|---|
| Amnesia Collection | Cloud, console, PC | You want classic survival horror in one package. |
| Amnesia: Rebirth | Cloud, console, PC | You prefer a modern, story-led horror campaign. |
| Back 4 Blood | Cloud, console, PC | You have a co-op group for its run-based shooter missions. |
| Phantom Abyss | Cloud, console, PC | You enjoy time-trial platforming and asynchronous competition. |
| Research and Destroy | Cloud, console, PC | You want a shorter, inventive tactical action game. |
| Soma | Cloud, console, PC | You want atmospheric science-fiction horror. |
April 15 was the first deadline, so these titles were the priority for anyone trying to finish a subscription playthrough.
Games leaving on April 30
| Game | Platforms listed | Play it first if… |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Days to Die | Cloud, console, PC | You want a survival sandbox with base building and multiplayer. |
| Besiege | Cloud, console, PC | You like designing machines and solving physics challenges. |
| EA Sports NHL 22 | Console | You are looking for the older EA hockey entry; it was not listed for PC or cloud. |
| Loot River | Cloud, console, PC | You want an action roguelike built around shifting tile-based arenas. |
| Pikuniku | Cloud, console, PC | You need a short, playful experience that is easy to sample. |
| Ravenlok | Cloud, console, PC | You prefer a compact, colorful action-adventure. |
Have a Nice Death arrived on April 30; it was an addition, not part of this removal batch. The two events shared a date but were separate announcements.
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- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
Perks, updates and DLC
Microsoft’s April posts also listed benefits that were not catalog additions:
- Final Fantasy XIV Online: Starter Edition: available to Ultimate members for a limited period through April 19, including a 30-day free play period.
- YouTube Premium: a three-month trial for eligible new users, subject to region and terms.
- Battlefield 2042 Season 7 Field Kit, Fallout 76 Vault 33 Survivor Kit and The Elder Scrolls Online 10th Anniversary Pack #1.
- Game content: No Man’s Sky: Orbital, ARK: Survival Ascended — Scorched Earth, Conan Exiles: Age of War Chapter 4 and Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition.
Perks had their own expiry dates, eligibility rules and regional restrictions; receiving one did not add a permanent game license.
Rank #4
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What to play first
- Start with the April 15 list. It had the earlier cutoff, especially for Soma, Amnesia: Rebirth and Back 4 Blood.
- Choose by session length. Pikuniku, Ravenlok and Research and Destroy are practical short-play targets.
- Use multiplayer time wisely. Schedule Back 4 Blood, 7 Days to Die, Deep Rock Galactic and Wreckfest with friends.
- Check your platform. Manor Lords was PC-only, while NHL 24 was console-only through EA Play.
- Check the edition. The departing or arriving listing may differ from a standard or definitive edition in your store.
Can you keep a game after it leaves?
Installation does not convert subscription access into ownership. To continue playing after removal, purchase the game or an eligible edition from the Microsoft Store. Microsoft’s April announcements said members could save up to 20% on departing games; the exact discount, price, edition and regional availability could vary. Check the store listing for your market before buying: Microsoft Store Xbox games.
Cloud play also required an eligible subscription, supported device and network conditions. A title’s appearance in an April 2024 announcement does not establish that it remains in the catalog now.
Best Value
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
Sources and historical context
The dated lineup and deadlines come from Xbox Wire’s April 2 announcement and April 16 announcement. The separate April console and PC update is documented at Xbox Wire and is not a catalog addition.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
