Xbox Game Pass loses 7 games today, but there's good news

Seven titles are leaving Xbox Game Pass Later today, several critically acclaimed releases followed with departures, bringing the total number of removals this month to 12. However, January 2026 has still been a significant net positive for the service, especially compared to the Xbox Game Pass catalog change this time last year.

Like clockwork, Microsoft's subscription library shrinks every two weeks, at the end and in the middle of each month. In the most recent example of this long-running trend, Xbox Game Pass has been eliminated Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Neon whiteand three other titles on January 15. Now seven games are set to follow.

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Much-acclaimed titles departing today on Xbox Game Pass

Includes January 31 Xbox Game Pass departures Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Starbound, Lonely Mountains: Snow Ridersand Cataclysm. All four are well-received titles, boasting an average OpenCritic score in the 80s. Rounding out the removal list at the end of January 2026 Orcs must die! death trap, Paw Patrol Worldand My shady side. Based on Microsoft's specific content cadence, these seven games are expected to be removed from Xbox Game Pass by midnight on February 1. Anyone who plays at that exact time will likely receive a short grace period to wrap up their session, which is how such situations have been handled in recent history.

Xbox Game Pass games dropping today, January 31st

All January 31 removals are available on Xbox Game Pass from 2025, with most having joined the service 12 months earlier. are the only exceptions Cataclysm and Paw Patrol WorldAdded in September 2025 — and in the latter case, re-added — achievement hunters looking to increase their Gamerscore totals before these titles leave the service can still potentially grab a number of trophies. Paw Patrol World and My shady side. The latter was developed by Douze Dixièmes, a small French studio that had recently released the critically acclaimed Metroidvania. MIO: Memories in classIt debuted as a Day-One title on Xbox Game Pass on January 20th.

Despite a dozen removals, January 2026 has been a net positive for Xbox Game Pass. The service added 18 new titles this month, resulting in a net change of +6 — at least for PC Game Pass and XGP Ultimate subscribers. One of the more unusual January 2026 statistics concerns the average tenure of eliminated games, which stands at just 8.9 months. Most titles usually remain in service for at least one year, but seasonally longer The Grinch: A Christmas Adventure and short-term stints climbing, Paw Patrol Worldand Cataclysm This month's average has been pulled down.

Xbox Game Pass January 2026 statistics

• Added game: 18

  • Until last: 18

  • For premium: 16

    • 12 new + 4 that were already available in Ultimate

  • Handheld-optimized: 4

  • Cloud-supported: 13

• Games removed: 12

  • Average XGP tenure: ~9 months

  • Average OpenCritic score: 76

• Pure change: +6 (Ultimate) / 4 (Premium)

Another confirmed release is Xbox Game Pass indicaAn adventure game from Odd Meter, scheduled to join the service on February 2. JRPG classic final fantasy 2 A day later, follow with an early access SRPG danger Arrives on February 5th. By then, Microsoft has officially announced the Wave 1 Xbox Game Pass lineup for February 2026. Based on the company's normal schedule, the reveal is expected to take place on February 3, a few hours later. final fantasy 2 XGP is added to the list.