Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1 Adds Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, and Subnautica 2

Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1 is officially live, and this is one of the strongest subscription updates of the month. Microsoft’s latest lineup brings a mix of major racing, survival, action, RPG, cozy, horror, and indie releases, headlined by Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, Subnautica 2, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers.

For subscribers, this is exactly the kind of update that makes Game Pass worth watching. There are day-one releases, big franchise names, returning favorites, and several games that fit different playstyles across console, PC, cloud, and handheld-supported devices.

Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1: Biggest Additions

The headline games are easy to spot. Forza Horizon 6 brings the next major open-world racing entry, Mixtape adds a coming-of-age narrative adventure, Subnautica 2 delivers underwater survival with co-op, and DOOM: The Dark Ages gives action fans another brutal reason to return to Game Pass.

Biggest Games in This Wave

Forza Horizon 6

• Date: May 19
• Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
• Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Mixtape

• Date: May 7
• Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
• Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Day One: Yes

Subnautica 2

• Date: May 14
• Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
• Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Day One: Yes

DOOM: The Dark Ages

• Date: May 14
• Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
• Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

• Date: May 6
• Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

This is a strong mix because it does not rely on one single audience. Racing players, survival fans, Soulslike players, shooter fans, and narrative game players all get something in the first half of May.

Available Today: Final Fantasy V

The first game available today is Final Fantasy V, joining Game Pass on May 5.

Final Fantasy V Details

Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Date: May 5

Final Fantasy V is a classic RPG built around crystals, destiny, and a job system that remains one of the most beloved progression systems in the series. It is a smart addition for subscribers who want something older, strategic, and easier to play between bigger May releases.

Why It Matters

Final Fantasy V gives Game Pass a strong RPG start for the month. Not every addition needs to be a new blockbuster. Sometimes a classic RPG gives players a long, meaningful experience that fills the gap between major launches.

Get Xbox Gift Cards →

Forza Horizon 6 Is the Headliner

The biggest name in this wave is clearly Forza Horizon 6. The new entry takes the Horizon Festival to Japan and promises the biggest open-world driving adventure in the series.

For racing fans, this is the main reason to watch Game Pass in May.

Forza Horizon 6 Game Pass Details

Release Date: May 19
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Setting: Japan
Cars: More than 550 real-world cars
Early Access: May 15 through Premium Upgrade

The Japan setting is a major selling point. Forza fans have wanted a Japan-based Horizon game for years, and Game Pass makes this launch much easier to access for subscribers.

Why Forza Horizon 6 Is Huge for Game Pass

Forza Horizon is one of Xbox’s strongest first-party franchises. It has mainstream appeal, strong visuals, long-term replayability, and a large casual audience. Adding Forza Horizon 6 to Game Pass gives Xbox a major May anchor.

Players who care about racing, car collecting, open-world exploration, and seasonal events should keep this one at the top of the list.

Mixtape Brings Day-One Narrative Adventure Energy

Mixtape is another standout because it launches day one on Game Pass. From Beethoven & Dinosaur, it is a nostalgic narrative adventure about adolescence, music, friendship, mischief, and growing up.

Mixtape Game Pass Details

Release Date: May 7
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Day One: Yes

Mixtape is one of the more emotionally driven games in this wave. It is not competing with DOOM or Forza directly. It is here for players who want story, atmosphere, and coming-of-age energy.

Who Should Play Mixtape?

Mixtape is best for players who enjoy:

• Narrative adventures
• Music-driven storytelling
• Coming-of-age stories
• Stylish indie games
• Shorter emotional experiences
• Games with strong atmosphere

Game Pass is perfect for this kind of game because subscribers can try it without needing to commit to a full purchase.

Subnautica 2 Is a Major Survival Addition

Subnautica 2 is one of the most important additions in the lineup. It arrives in Game Preview on May 14 and is available day one through Game Pass.

The biggest change is co-op. Subnautica 2 supports up to four players, letting subscribers explore a new alien ocean world alone or with friends.

Subnautica 2 Game Pass Details

Release Date: May 14
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Release Type: Game Preview
Co-op: Up to 4 players
Day One: Yes

Subnautica 2 should be a major draw for survival players. The original Subnautica built its reputation on mystery, exploration, base building, and ocean fear. Adding co-op could make the sequel even more replayable.

Why Subnautica 2 Matters

Game Pass is especially strong for survival games because players can jump in with friends quickly. If Subnautica 2 clicks with co-op groups, it could become one of May’s most-played subscription launches.

Top Up for Game Pass Add-ons →

DOOM: The Dark Ages Joins on May 14

DOOM: The Dark Ages joins Game Pass on May 14, giving action fans one of the loudest additions in the wave.

This game serves as a prequel to the modern DOOM era, focusing on the origin of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in a dark medieval war against Hell.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Game Pass Details

Release Date: May 14
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

This is the heavy action pick of the month. If Forza is the racing headliner and Subnautica 2 is the survival headline, DOOM is the pure combat attraction.

Who Should Play DOOM: The Dark Ages?

This is best for players who want:

• Fast combat
• Heavy weapons
• Dark fantasy environments
• Demons and medieval war
• High-intensity action
• A big single-player shooter experience

For Game Pass, DOOM adds immediate value because it is the kind of premium action game subscribers often try as soon as it hits the library.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Adds Soulslike Action

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers joins Game Pass on May 6 and brings dark action RPG energy to the lineup.

Set during the final days of the Ming Dynasty, it follows Wuchang, a pirate warrior dealing with memory loss and a deadly curse. The game is built around brutal combat, skill progression, and a dark world filled with danger.

Wuchang Game Pass Details

Release Date: May 6
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Wuchang is a strong pick for players who enjoy Soulslike combat but want a different setting and tone. It gives Game Pass another serious action RPG option in a wave already packed with variety.

Other Games Coming to Game Pass in May 2026

The May 2026 Wave 1 list is not only about the five biggest names. Several smaller and mid-sized games fill out the lineup and give subscribers more options.

Ben 10 Power Trip

Date: May 6
Platforms: Cloud, Console, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Ben 10 Power Trip is a family-friendly adventure where players transform into aliens, fight enemies, solve puzzles, and explore a 3D world solo or in co-op.

Descenders Next

Date: May 6
Platforms: Cloud, Console, PC
Plans: Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Descenders Next brings snowboarding, mountainboarding, extreme sports progression, and multiplayer squads to the library.

Wheel World

Date: May 6
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Plans: Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Wheel World is a cosmic biking adventure where players reclaim legendary bike parts and race across a semi-open world.

Wildgate

Date: May 6
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Wildgate is a PvPvE multiplayer shooter with ship-to-ship combat and fast first-person action.

Outbound

Date: May 11
Platforms: Cloud, Console, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Day One: Yes

Outbound is a cozy survival and exploration game about building a home on wheels, crafting, sourcing energy, growing crops, and living off-grid with up to four players.

Black Jacket

Date: May 12
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Black Jacket is a painterly dark card game about blackjack in purgatory.

Call of the Elder Gods

Date: May 12
Platforms: Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Day One: Yes

Call of the Elder Gods is a Lovecraftian narrative puzzle adventure and sequel to Call of the Sea.

Elite Dangerous

Date: May 12
Platforms: Cloud, Console
Plans: Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium

Elite Dangerous gives players a massive space sandbox built around exploration, trading, combat, and survival.

Best Games to Play First

With this many additions, the best strategy is not to download everything. Start with the games that match your mood.

Best Overall Pick

Forza Horizon 6
This is the biggest name in the wave and the game most likely to dominate subscriber attention.

Best Day-One Survival Pick

Subnautica 2
The co-op support makes it one of the most important Game Preview launches of the month.

Best Narrative Pick

Mixtape
A strong choice for players who want something emotional and music-driven.

Best Action Pick

DOOM: The Dark Ages
The obvious choice for players who want fast combat and heavy spectacle.

Best Soulslike Pick

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
A strong action RPG option for players who want challenge and dark fantasy atmosphere.

Best Cozy Pick

Outbound
A good choice for players who want something slower and cooperative.

Which Game Pass Plan Gets the Best Value?

Not every game is available on every plan, so subscribers should check their tier before planning downloads.

Game Pass Ultimate

This is the strongest option for the wave because it covers cloud, console, PC access for many games and includes the biggest range of additions.

PC Game Pass

PC Game Pass is also very strong here because many of the biggest games, including Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, Subnautica 2, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Wuchang, are part of the PC lineup.

Game Pass Premium

Premium gets several additions, including games like Final Fantasy V, Ben 10 Power Trip, Descenders Next, Wheel World, Wildgate, Wuchang, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Elite Dangerous, but some day-one titles remain more focused on Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Games Leaving Game Pass on May 15

The update also confirms several games leaving the library on May 15. Subscribers who want to finish them should act quickly.

Leaving Soon

• Galacticare
• Go Mecha Ball
• Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo
• Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship
• Planet of Lana

If you care about any of these, prioritize them before starting the new wave. Game Pass subscribers can also usually save up to 20% when buying games before they leave the library.

Is Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1 Worth It?

Yes. This is a strong month for Game Pass because it combines several different types of value.

Why This Wave Works

Big First-Party Energy
Forza Horizon 6 gives the wave a major Xbox identity.

Strong Day-One Games
Mixtape, Subnautica 2, Outbound, and Call of the Elder Gods add fresh launch value.

Genre Variety
Racing, survival, action, Soulslike, RPG, cozy, puzzle, sports, and space games are all represented.

Cloud and PC Support
Many games support cloud and PC access, giving subscribers more flexibility.

Handheld Optimization
Several titles are marked for handheld play, which matters more as PC handheld gaming grows.

This is exactly the kind of update that makes Game Pass feel like a broad gaming library instead of a narrow subscription.

Get Xbox Gift Cards →

Final Verdict

Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1 is one of the strongest subscription updates of the month. Forza Horizon 6 is the headline attraction, but the full lineup is much deeper than one racing game.

Mixtape gives narrative fans a day-one adventure. Subnautica 2 gives survival players a major Game Preview release with co-op. DOOM: The Dark Ages brings heavy action. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers adds dark Soulslike combat. Final Fantasy V, Wildgate, Wheel World, Outbound, Black Jacket, Call of the Elder Gods, and Elite Dangerous round out a surprisingly varied wave.

For subscribers, the best move is simple: finish anything leaving on May 15, then prioritize the new games that match your playstyle. Racing fans should wait for Forza Horizon 6, survival fans should prepare for Subnautica 2, action fans should queue up DOOM, and story fans should keep Mixtape on the list.

This is a strong month for Game Pass, and May’s first wave gives Xbox players plenty to download before the second half of the month even begins.

Want to prepare for the new Game Pass wave? Top up your Xbox account with Xbox gift cards, check your storage space, and plan your downloads before the biggest May releases arrive.

Get Xbox Gift Cards →