Friday, April 17, 2026
Breaking news, every hour

Nine Popular Games Departing Xbox Game Pass This Late April

April 12, 2026 · Breen Selbrook

Microsoft has revealed the final batch of nine games leaving Xbox Game Pass in April 2026, with all titles set to disappear from the service on April 30th. The games leaving includes several notable fan favourites, most prominently the extraction-based shooter Hunt: Showdown 1896, the science fiction adventure Revenge of the Savage Planet, and both the original version of Goat Simulator alongside its Remastered iteration. The complete roster spans across console, PC and cloud platforms, offering subscribers a final chance to play these titles before they’re removed from the service. To soften the blow, Microsoft is offering discounts of at least 20 per cent on all nine games until their removal date, with some titles potentially getting steeper price cuts as April comes to an end.

What Games Are Departing and Timeline

The full range of games being removed highlights a diverse range of varied genres and formats, capturing the range of offerings Xbox Game Pass generally delivers its subscribers. From indie darlings to recognised franchises, the elimination of these nine games marks a significant shift in the platform’s catalogue. Notably, the removal of Hunt: Showdown 1896 will be particularly felt by the extraction shooter player base, whilst the departure of both Goat Simulator games eliminates a duo of beloved cult games that have delighted gamers for many years. Each game has created its own niche within the video game market, resulting in their joint removal a significant occasion for Game Pass subscribers.

All games are planned to exit on April 30th, 2026, with the single exception of NHL 24, whose precise removal date remains to be confirmed. This staged schedule gives subscribers a specific cutoff date to decide whether they wish to purchase any of these titles before they are taken away from the offering in full. The timing is particularly significant as it constitutes the most substantial collection of departures scheduled for April, likely encouraging subscribers to evaluate their gaming priorities and buying choices before the month concludes.

Game Title Platforms Departure Date
Citizen Sleeper Console, PC, Cloud April 30
Creatures of Ava Console, PC, Cloud April 30
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Console, PC, Cloud April 30
Endless Legend 2 PC April 30
Goat Simulator Console, Cloud April 30
Goat Simulator: Remastered Console, PC, Cloud April 30
Hunt: Showdown 1896 Console, PC, Cloud April 30
Revenge of the Savage Planet Console, PC, Cloud April 30
NHL 24 Console April TBD

For those considering purchasing any of these titles, Microsoft’s discount strategy provides an attractive incentive. With reductions of at least 20 per cent already available across the complete removal catalogue, players have a genuine opportunity to own these games at discounted prices. Certain titles, particularly Hunt: Showdown 1896, may see even steeper discounts as the removal date approaches, rewarding those who act swiftly with improved value propositions.

Notable Titles Leaving the Service

Hunt: Showdown 1896 and Action-Packed Classics

Hunt: Showdown 1896 stands out as a particularly major losses in the departures this month, having cultivated a loyal community within the extraction shooter genre. This multiplayer competitive shooter has established itself as a defining title in its category, providing intense PvP encounters set in a gritty, atmospheric Wild West setting. Its departure from Game Pass will inevitably disappoint players who have invested significant hours honing its challenging mechanics and tactical intricacy.

Alongside Hunt: Showdown 1896, the service is also losing Savage Planet’s Revenge, a striking sci-fi action adventure that gave gamers vibrant exploration and challenging combat experiences. This title brought a fresh visual style to the action-adventure genre, combining inventive level design with solid shooting mechanics. The loss of both these action-driven games constitutes a considerable void in Game Pass’s library, especially for players looking for challenging, skill-based gameplay across varied environments and genres.

Comedic and Independent Treasures

The departure of both Goat Simulator and Goat Simulator: Remastered represents the end of an era for one of gaming’s most beloved comedy franchises. These surreal games transformed into cultural phenomena, praised for their cheeky comedy and physics-based chaos that encouraged creative experimentation. Their concurrent deletion strips away a distinctive form of entertainment that appealed to gamers looking for fun, offbeat gaming separate from mainstream offerings.

Beyond the capering caprines, Game Pass is losing a number of independent games that have established their own loyal fanbases. Citizen Sleeper, a narrative-driven cyberpunk adventure, and Creatures of Ava, an exploration-based experience, both exemplify the diverse indie landscape that Game Pass has promoted. These departures highlight how the service’s constantly changing library continually reshapes the selection of games, compelling subscribers to remain vigilant about their preferred games.

  • Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 attracts fighting game and anime fans
  • Endless Legend 2 delivers tactical complexity for tactical turn-based enthusiasts
  • NHL 24 targets sports simulation and ice hockey enthusiasts
  • Multiple platforms impacted across console, cloud gaming, and PC

Obtaining Discounts Before Leaving

Microsoft has enhanced the proposition for subscribers keen to preserve their access to these titles leaving the service, offering significant price reductions across the entire roster of nine games. All games departing on 30 April will receive reductions of at least 20 per cent, giving a final window for players to purchase their preferred titles at reduced prices before they disappear from the service in full. This promotional period constitutes a sensible approach for those who’ve spent time in these titles and desire to keep permanent access to them.

Notably, some games are likely to see even more generous price reductions as the removal date gets closer. Hunt: Showdown 1896, in particular, may experience more substantial markdowns as April comes to an end, rewarding careful buyers who hold out for greater reductions. This layered pricing approach encourages buyers to decide decisively whilst still providing motivation for those inclined to delay for more advantageous savings. Subscribers should check the Xbox application and official shop closely to capitalise on these limited-time promotional opportunities before the games leave the service.

  • Minimum 20 per cent reduction offered on all departing titles immediately
  • Hunt: Showdown 1896 anticipated to get larger discounts as April progresses
  • Discounts remain active until 30 April removal date
  • Check Xbox mobile app for up-to-date pricing updates and promotions
  • Purchase now to retain permanent ownership after Game Pass departure

Key Information for Subscribers Going Ahead

The departure of nine games in late April marks a significant turnover in Xbox Game Pass’s library, underscoring the fleeting nature of subscription gaming services. Whilst missing out on beloved titles such as Hunt: Showdown 1896 and Goat Simulator constitutes a notable blow to the service’s catalogue, this recurring rotation remains essential for Game Pass’s business approach. Subscribers familiar with these rotations recognise the significance of keeping up to date about removal timelines and planning accordingly, whether by buying preferred games directly or exploring other gaming choices during the transition period.

The phased withdrawal of these nine titles across console, PC, and cloud platforms demonstrates the complexity of managing licensing agreements across multiple gaming ecosystems. Game Pass subscribers across different platforms should verify which specific games affect their preferred way of playing, as some titles—such as Endless Legend 2—are exclusive to PC. This divided structure requires close attention from players who utilise multiple platforms, making sure they don’t overlook critical departure announcements for games accessible through their particular setup.

Upcoming Changes and Fresh Inclusions

Fortunately for subscribers facing these departures, Microsoft has already confirmed several exciting additions planned for April 2026, guaranteeing the Game Pass library retains its appeal despite losses. Titles including Vampire Crawlers, Kiln, Aphelion, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare represent varied gaming styles and experiences, catering to various player preferences. These incoming additions demonstrate Microsoft’s commitment to offsetting losses with new releases, preserving the service’s appeal and providing subscribers strong incentives to remain engaged throughout the month’s transitions.

  • Vampire Crawlers offers horror and roguelike gameplay experiences
  • Kiln provides indie artistic gaming and immersive atmospheric exploration
  • Aphelion provides sci-fi adventure and story-focused gameplay
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare maintains high-quality multiplayer shooter gameplay persists