Schools out for summer, and there’s plenty of time to dive into some new games. If you’re stuck on ideas on what titles to jump into on Xbox Game Pass, we’ve got some suggestions.
Xbox Game Pass is full of hundreds of games, so it can be difficult to nail down titles that stand out from the crowd, but we’ve done the legwork for you and can point you in the direction of nine of the best games on the service.
Best Xbox Game Pass Games
Rematch
Those wanting their soccer fix with a new approach during the summer holidays should absolutely look towards Rematch, a recently-launched free-to-play title that’s easy to pick up and play. With a maximum of 5vs5, matches are short and sweet, but are still long enough to give you satisfaction.
Getting to grips with the controls, which are unlike other soccer titles, takes some work, though that only makes it even more rewarding when you score a last-minute screamer to hand your side victory. Or, if you’d prefer, keep opponents at bay from the other end between the sticks, as Rematch offers a satisfying goalkeeper experience.
Call of Duty
Xbox’s acquisition of the Call of Duty franchise was big news, and now there’s a plethora of titles to dive into. For the latest action, look no further than Black Ops 6, featuring a gripping campaign, and frantic multiplayer action, or dive into the fan-favorite Warzone mode for a Battle Royale experience.
Alternatively, roll back the years and play some favorites from the past, including Call of Duty: WW2, Modern Warfare 2, and Modern Warfare 3. While they don’t quite stretch back to the prime years of CoD, which included the original MW2 in 2009 and World at War, there are plenty of options.
Grounded
Grounded is the ideal game to sink time into if you’d like an open-world environment to explore with friends, trying to survive the miniature world of the bugs. The story is exciting, there’s plenty to discover, and, if you want a laugh, try the arachnophobia mode for the spiders—which somehow make them more terrifying.
A playthrough of Grounded is the perfect opportunity to prepare for the sequel, which launches into Early Access on July 29 with a heap of new content.
EA FC 25
The soccer season may be over, but there’s the ideal opportunity to turn back time with EA FC 25 and push to change the fortunes of your team, or perhaps emulate them. Career Mode is ideal for summer, either as a player or manager, and Ultimate Team is still an option—just beware of overpowered teams online, controlled by players who have already sunk hours into the game.
EA FC 25 won’t blow your socks off, but it’s a good way to pass the time, particularly during periods when your friends might be away on vacation and can’t join you for a multiplayer title.
Forza Horizon 5
Though Forza Horizon 5 turns four years old later this year, it remains one of the best racing games available on the market, and, with the future looking bleak for the Forza Motorsport franchise, it seems that it will be Horizon left flying the flag for this beloved Xbox franchise.
The Mexican environment offers plenty to do, ranging from stunt jumps to rally races, but there’s honestly nothing better than jumping in your favorite car and setting off on a journey of exploration. A personal highlight are the Barn Finds, giving you an exclusive car if you track them down successfully.
Star Wars Battlefront 2
There are fewer games with a redemption story as impressive as EA’s Star Wars Battlefront 2, a title that was mocked at launch, with microtransactions a big issue, but the Celebration Edition released later down the line was a welcome change. Now, eight years after launch, Battlefront 2 is enjoying a surprise revival.
In June, Battlefront 2 smashed its all-time peak for concurrent players on Steam, leading many to plea for a new title to be released. While the numbers are perhaps not as high as other hit games on the platform, there’s certainly demand for a new entry and, if done correctly, it could be one of the best games.
For now though, Battlefront 2 more than does the job, putting you in the centre of battles in a galaxy far, far away.
Palworld
Palworld made quite a stir when it initially launched in January 2024, with the creature-catching title becoming an instant hit and, at its peak, attracting over a million concurrent players. Since then, PocketPair has continued to support the game with regular updates—and fresh content was recently added.
The Tides of Terraria update added even more Pals and environments to explore, alongside a collaboration with Terraria, so it’s the perfect time to jump in if you’ve not played the game. Even if you have, there’s enough that’s new to start a new playthrough.
Indiana Jones & The Great Circle
Launched in December 2024, Indiana Jones & The Great Circle was one of Xbox’s biggest releases in the calendar year, and, while it is now available on PlayStation, Xbox Game Pass subscribers have the benefit of not having to pay outright to own the title—so dive in on a new adventure.
There’s no better time than right now to play through and complete Indiana Jones, with DLC due to be released on September 4.
Balatro
Fewer games have enjoyed as much as a cultural impact as Balatro, a Poker-style roguelike that is easy to pick up, difficult to master, and near impossible to pry yourself away from. Having had to wait for launch, Xbox players can now enjoy the title in a Game Pass subscription—so what are you waiting for?
Even if it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, give it a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
What are your favorite games to play on Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the Insider Gaming forum.
Looking for more? Check out the best games releasing in July 2025 and our picks of the best Roblox games to sink time into.
