Game Pass continues to be the best value in gaming, and February 2026 brought some heavy hitters to the catalog. Whether you’re on Xbox, PC, or cloud, here are the best Game Pass games to play this month — from blockbuster additions to hidden gems you might have missed.
New Additions Worth Playing
Star Wars Outlaws
Genre: Open-world action-adventure | Platform: Xbox, PC, Cloud
The biggest Game Pass addition this month by far. Star Wars Outlaws doubled its Xbox player base the moment it hit the service. You play as Kay Vess, a scoundrel navigating the criminal underworld between the original trilogy and The Empire Strikes Back. The open-world exploration across multiple planets is gorgeous, the stealth-action gameplay is solid, and the reputation system with different criminal syndicates adds real decision weight.
It had a rough launch at full price, but as a “free” Game Pass game? It’s a no-brainer. Expect 25-30 hours for the main story, 50+ if you do everything.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Genre: Open-world RPG | Platform: Xbox, PC, Cloud
Warhorse Studios’ medieval RPG sequel is one of the most ambitious games in the service. Set in 15th-century Bohemia, KCD2 delivers a historically grounded RPG with no magic, no dragons — just swords, political intrigue, and one of the deepest combat systems in gaming. If you liked the first game’s commitment to realism, the sequel doubles down on everything that worked.
Be warned: this is a slow-burn RPG. The first few hours are deliberately paced. Stick with it, and it becomes one of the most rewarding RPG experiences on Game Pass.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
Genre: Action/walking simulator | Platform: PC, Cloud
Hideo Kojima’s divisive masterpiece finally hits Game Pass. You’re a delivery man in post-apocalyptic America, connecting isolated cities by carrying packages across hostile terrain. It’s either brilliant or boring depending on your patience level — but there’s genuinely nothing else like it. The Director’s Cut adds extra missions, expanded base building, and a racing mode.
Play this one at night with headphones. The atmosphere is unmatched.
Final Fantasy II (Pixel Remaster)
Genre: JRPG | Platform: Xbox, PC, Cloud
Part of the Pixel Remaster series landing on Game Pass, Final Fantasy II is the black sheep of the franchise with its unique leveling system (you level skills by using them, not through XP). It’s a 15-20 hour JRPG that’s more historical curiosity than must-play, but if you’re working through the series, it’s here for free.
Retro Classics Additions
Game Pass added five new retro titles to its Retro Classics collection this month, expanding the library of playable legacy games. While the specific titles rotate, these are always worth checking for nostalgic hidden gems.
Hidden Gems Already in the Catalog
Don’t just play the new stuff. These games have been in Game Pass for a while and are absolutely worth your time:
Persona 5 Royal — If you haven’t played it yet, stop what you’re doing. 100+ hours of the best turn-based JRPG combat, social simulation, and style ever put into a game.
Hollow Knight — The Metroidvania masterpiece. Still holds up as one of the best games on any platform. Play it before Silksong eventually arrives.
Hades — Supergiant’s roguelike that made the genre mainstream. Tight combat, incredible voice acting, and a story that rewards dying over and over.
Forza Horizon 5 — The best racing game on any platform. Mexico’s open world is stunning, the car list is massive, and the arcade-simulation hybrid handling is perfect.
Hi-Fi Rush — Rhythm-action game that was a surprise Game Pass drop and still one of the most joyful games in the catalog. Beat enemies to the beat of licensed music. It’s short, sweet, and endlessly replayable.
What’s Leaving in Late February
Four games are departing Game Pass in late February 2026. While the specific titles rotate, the general advice is: check the “Leaving Soon” section in the Game Pass app and play anything you’re interested in before it’s gone. You can buy departing games at a Game Pass member discount if you want to keep them.
Game Pass After the Xbox Shakeup
With the recent Xbox leadership shakeup — Phil Spencer’s retirement and Sarah Bond’s departure — many subscribers are wondering about Game Pass’s future. New Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma has pledged to continue expanding the service, but pricing changes and tier restructuring are always possible.
For now, Game Pass remains the best deal in gaming. The February lineup alone would cost $200+ if you bought every game individually.
Game Pass vs Buying Games
The math is simple: Game Pass Ultimate costs about $17/month. If you play even one major title per month that you wouldn’t have bought otherwise, you’re saving money. The real value is discovery — you’ll try games you’d never buy, and some of them (like Hi-Fi Rush or Hades) will become your new favorites.
If budget is tight, combine Game Pass with best free Steam games for an endless gaming library without breaking the bank. For multiplayer-focused gaming, check our best co-op games list — many of them are available on Game Pass.
Final Thoughts
February 2026 is a strong month for Game Pass. Star Wars Outlaws and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II are both AAA games that justify the subscription on their own. Death Stranding is a love-it-or-hate-it experience worth trying at no extra cost. And the deep catalog of established classics means there’s always something worth playing, even in slow months. Game Pass isn’t going anywhere — if anything, the new Xbox leadership seems committed to making it bigger.
