Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 1 Adds Cricket 26 and More

The Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 1 line-up has been confirmed, with 12 games joining the service between 4 and 18 August.

The first August wave includes major sports, role-playing, simulation and action releases such as Cricket 26, Date Everything!, Beast of Reincarnation and Bounty Star. Subscribers will also receive early access to the Gears of War: E-Day open beta from 6 August.

Microsoft confirmed the complete schedule through the official Xbox Game Pass announcement, alongside details about supported platforms and membership tiers.

What Games Are Coming to Xbox Game Pass in August 2026?

Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 1 begins with Heretic + Hexen and Beast of Reincarnation, which became available on 4 August.

The remaining games will arrive gradually throughout the first half of the month, with Egging On completing the announced schedule on 18 August.

The “handheld” label means that the game has been optimised for play on supported handheld devices. Availability also differs between membership plans, so subscribers should check the current Xbox Game Pass options before downloading a particular title.

Which August Game Pass Releases Are Available on Day One?

Two games in the confirmed Wave 1 schedule are explicitly listed as day-one Xbox Game Pass releases.

Beast of Reincarnation

Beast of Reincarnation became available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on 4 August.

Developed by Game Freak, the action RPG follows Emma and her canine companion, Koo, through a visually striking but dangerous world. Its combat combines real-time action with turn-based systems, creating what the developer describes as a “one-person, one-dog action RPG”.

The game can be played through cloud gaming, Xbox Series X|S, supported handheld devices and PC.

Sandustry

Sandustry will join PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate on 13 August as a Game Preview release.

It is a factory-building and automation game set across fully destructible environments. Players mine resources, build production chains and explore underground locations while uncovering evidence of an ancient civilisation.

Because Sandustry is launching through Game Preview, players should expect the game to continue evolving while it remains in active development.

When Does the Gears of War: E-Day Beta Begin?

The Gears of War: E-Day Early Access Open Beta begins on 6 August for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.

It is being offered as a subscription benefit rather than a permanent addition to the Game Pass catalogue. The beta gives eligible members an early opportunity to try the game’s multiplayer before wider access.

One of its main attractions is Horde Siege, a new 12-player player-versus-environment mode that expands the series’ traditional wave-survival format. Three squads operate across larger maps, completing objectives, collecting resources and responding to changing battlefield conditions.

The beta will feature the Golden Quarter Horde Siege map, which takes place in the damaged historic district of Kalona. Players can also choose from four classes: Assault, Breacher, Marksman and Medic.

More information about the mode, class progression and multiplayer maps is available through the official Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer overview.

Why Is Cricket 26 One of the Biggest August Additions?

Cricket 26 joins Xbox Game Pass on 13 August across cloud, console and PC.

The sports title includes a new management career, an expanded Ashes mode and Pro Team, where players can assemble and develop their preferred squad. It also introduces revised gameplay mechanics and additional options for customising matches and teams.

Its arrival could be particularly significant for British, Australian and international cricket fans looking for a current cricket simulation through their existing subscription.

Cricket 26 will be available through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass.

What Is Date Everything?

Date Everything! arrives on 11 August for cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld devices and PC.

The unusual sandbox dating simulator allows players to form relationships with objects and concepts found around their home. Its cast contains 100 fully voiced characters, including unconventional options such as furniture, household equipment and abstract emotions.

It will be available to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass members.

What Other Games Are Joining Game Pass?

PowerWash Simulator 2 joins the service on 6 August. The sequel expands the cleaning simulator with new locations, equipment and cooperative play.

Bounty Star follows on 11 August, combining third-person mech combat with farming and base building. Players control Clem, a former soldier and skilled mech pilot attempting to rebuild her life.

Grounded 2 also becomes available to Game Pass Premium members on 11 August. The survival sequel remains in Game Preview and is receiving its largest update so far, Into the Abyss.

On 12 August, Ball x Pit brings together brick-breaking combat, survival roguelite systems and base construction. Players defeat enemies using ricocheting projectiles before using collected resources to expand their settlement.

Mio: Memories in Orbit arrives on 13 August. The hand-crafted metroidvania follows an android exploring a decaying technological world that has been reclaimed by plants and rogue machines.

Egging On completes the first wave on 18 August. The physics-based platforming game challenges players to guide a fragile egg through farms, shops, factories and other hazardous environments without breaking it.

Which Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass in August 2026?

Four games are scheduled to leave the Xbox Game Pass library on 15 August:

• Menace, currently available through Game Preview on PC
• Atlas Fallen on cloud, console and PC
• Aliens: Fireteam Elite on cloud, console and PC
• Firewatch on cloud, console and PC

Subscribers who want to continue playing after the removal date will need to purchase the games. Xbox normally provides a membership discount on affected titles before they leave the catalogue, although pricing and availability can vary.

What Other Game Pass Benefits Are Available in August?

Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members will receive access to a 10-hour EA Play trial of EA Sports Madden NFL 27 from 6 August.

The trial is available on console and PC, with cloud access also supported. Members receive an EA Play welcome pack, a monthly Ultimate Team pack and a 10% saving on eligible Madden Points and other digital purchases.

A new Call of Duty: Warzone Game Pass Pack is also available across all listed Game Pass plans. The bundle includes operator skins, weapon blueprints, a finishing move, cosmetic items and a one-hour double weapon experience token.

These additions sit alongside the main Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 1 catalogue, giving subscribers a combination of full games, early trials, beta access and in-game content.

Is Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 1 Worth Checking?

The first August wave offers a broad range of genres rather than relying on one major release.

Cricket 26 provides the most notable sports addition, while Beast of Reincarnation and Sandustry strengthen the line-up with day-one launches. Date Everything! offers something more unconventional, and the Gears of War: E-Day beta gives eligible subscribers an early look at one of Xbox’s most important upcoming multiplayer releases.

With 12 catalogue additions spread across cloud, console, PC and handheld devices, Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 1 provides subscribers with several new options before the second monthly announcement arrives.