Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 1 Brings Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2, and a Strong Day One Lineup
Xbox has revealed the first wave of Game Pass additions for May 2026, and the headline is a strong one: Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2 are both arriving day one for subscribers later this month. According to the official Xbox Wire update published on May 5, Forza Horizon 6 joins the service on May 19, while Subnautica 2 arrives on May 14 as a Game Preview release. Both titles are listed for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC for the appropriate Game Pass tiers, making them two of the biggest subscription launches of the month.
The biggest draw here is clearly Forza Horizon 6. Xbox describes it as the series’ biggest open world driving adventure yet, set in Japan and featuring more than 550 real world cars. It will be available day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with early access beginning May 15 through the Premium Upgrade. For Xbox, this is exactly the kind of first party blockbuster that helps define the service’s value proposition.
Subnautica 2 gives the lineup a very different kind of momentum. Xbox says the new entry from Unknown Worlds is an underwater survival adventure set on an all new alien world, with support for solo play or 4 player co op. It launches into Game Preview on May 14 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Given how heavily wishlisted the game has been, this is one of the most significant third party day one additions Game Pass has landed this month.
Beyond those 2 headliners, the first half of May includes a busy mix of new releases and tier expansions. Mixtape joins on May 7 as a day one addition, followed by Outbound on May 11 and Call of the Elder Gods on May 12, both also launching day one into the service. Xbox is also expanding availability for titles such as Descenders Next, Wheel World, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and DOOM: The Dark Ages, all of which are now also coming to Game Pass Premium in addition to Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Here is the full first wave lineup Xbox confirmed for May 2026:
| Game | Date | Platforms | Tiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy V | May 5 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Ben 10 Power Trip | May 6 | Cloud, Console, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Descenders Next Game Preview | May 6 | Cloud, Console, PC | Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Wheel World | May 6 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Wildgate | May 6 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Wuchang: Fallen Feathers | May 6 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Mixtape | May 7 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Outbound | May 11 | Cloud, Console, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Black Jacket | May 12 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Call of the Elder Gods | May 12 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Elite Dangerous | May 12 | Cloud, Console | Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages | May 14 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC | Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Subnautica 2 Game Preview | May 14 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Forza Horizon 6 | May 19 | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC | Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
All of that gives May’s first wave a very clear shape. Xbox is combining prestige first party content with a heavy day one cadence and a few strategic tier upgrades to make Game Pass look busy across both console and PC. The service is not just relying on one tentpole this month. It is stacking multiple launches closely together, which gives the lineup a stronger sense of momentum than a more spread out schedule would have.
Xbox also confirmed the next batch of departures for May 15. Galacticare, Go Mecha Ball, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels, and Planet of Lana are all leaving the service that day. That last one stands out the most, especially with renewed attention on the franchise.
For now, though, the main story is simple: May’s opening Game Pass wave is a strong one. With Subnautica 2 landing first and Forza Horizon 6 following days later, Xbox has built a first half of the month that is difficult to ignore for both console and PC subscribers.
What are you jumping into first this month on Game Pass, Subnautica 2, Forza Horizon 6, or something else from the new lineup?
