In an exciting announcement for December 2024, Microsoft has unveiled the first batch of games coming to Xbox Game Pass, with a total of eight titles entering the arena. While several are fresh entries, some familiar friends are merely expanding their reach to Xbox Game Pass’s Standard tier.
Earlier in 2024, Microsoft’s subscription service averaged 14 fresh games each month. But as the year wore on, the addition pace noticeably slackened between July and November, where the monthly average dipped to 9.8 newcomers. This slowdown is apparent as Xbox Game Pass continues on a three-month streak of pruning its library more than it expands it, losing more titles than it’s gained over this period.
Let’s dive into the goodies coming our way in December: Xbox Game Pass subscribers can look forward to five new gems, including the likes of Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, Overthrown, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, EA Sports WRC, and Wildfrost. Meanwhile, Forza Motorsport, Hauntii, and Humanity will soon be accessible to those on the Standard tier, expanding their gaming horizons.
What’s In Store for December 2024 and Beyond?
One of the crown jewels this month, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, speeds into the lineup on Wednesday, December 4. This beloved remaster of Naughty Dog’s 1999 racing sensation has now become part of the Xbox family. Since Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in late 2023, this marks the ninth title from the publisher to join Xbox Game Pass—or the 13th, if you count Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Spyro Reignited Trilogy separately. Notably, this karting favorite won’t appear on PC or Xbox Cloud Gaming, so desktop aficionados will still have to wait for their turn.
A day later, December 5 brings the Game Preview version of Overthrown, a cozy city builder set to charm players. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, slated for release on December 9, emerges as a standout, delivering a much-anticipated AAA experience debuting at launch for Game Pass users.
In a delightful twist, two returning titles, Carrion and Road 96, will reappear on the service in early January 2025 after being missed since July 2022 and June 2023, respectively. Besides, new entrants like Wildfrost and EA Sports WRC are gearing up for their Xbox Game Pass premieres soon, raising anticipation through the roof.
For those who opt for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the array of titles across console, cloud, and PC ensures a treasure trove of gaming adventures, providing unparalleled value in Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem.
