Xbox Game Pass February 2026 Wave 1 Lineup Revealed: High on Life 2, Avowed, and Avatar Lead a Blockbuster Month

Microsoft has officially pulled back the curtain on the first wave of titles coming to Xbox Game Pass in February 2026, and it’s a lineup that demands attention. Blending day-one blockbusters, long-awaited RPGs, and surprising deep cuts, this may be one of the service's most potent monthly offerings yet. With so many high-profile names hitting the library, where should you start?

The Headliners: Day-One Launches and Major Gets

The February wave is anchored by three titanic releases that exemplify the modern Game Pass strategy: securing major content that would otherwise command a full premium price tag.

Leading the charge is High on Life 2, launching directly into the service on February 13. The sequel to Squanch Games’ breakout comedy FPS arrives as a marquee day-one release, allowing subscribers to experience its bizarre, gun-talking alien-hunting adventure without an additional purchase. Its inclusion is a powerful statement, continuing Microsoft’s commitment to bringing first-party and partnered titles directly to the subscription from launch day.

They are joined by two monumental additions later in the month. On February 17, Obsidian Entertainment’s fantasy RPG Avowed finally makes its way to the service. As a flagship title from one of Xbox’s most revered studios, its arrival fulfills a long-standing promise to subscribers and provides a deep, choice-driven experience that is a cornerstone of the Game Pass library. Launching the same day is Ubisoft’s open-world epic Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. The addition of such a recent, visually stunning AAA title from a major third-party publisher underscores the service’s expanding reach and the compelling value of accessing a $70 game for the cost of a monthly subscription.

Complete Release Schedule Breakdown

Organization is key with a lineup this packed. Microsoft has spaced out the arrivals, giving players time to plan their play schedules. Here is the complete, confirmed schedule for Wave 1:

• February 3: The wave begins with a blend of classic and modern Japanese storytelling. Final Fantasy II (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) arrives, offering a dose of foundational JRPG history. It’s joined by the absurdly titled Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC), continuing the beloved series’ tradition of over-the-top narratives.
• February 5: Sports and family gaming take center stage. EA Sports’ Madden NFL 26 (Cloud, Console, PC) brings the latest virtual gridiron action, while Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) caters to a younger audience.
• February 10: The action-RPG Relooted (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) arrives, promising a loot-driven adventure.
• February 12: A trio of diverse titles land. The fighting game BlazBlue: Entropy Effect X (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) is joined by the exploratory Roadside Research (Game Preview) and the survival-crafting title Starsand Island (both Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC).
• February 13: A major highlight. The day-one launch of High on Life 2 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) shares the date with the acclaimed historical RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Cloud, Console, PC).
• February 17: The month’s crescendo. Both Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC) and Avowed (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) join the service.

Subscribers should also note the sole confirmed departure: Madden NFL 24 will leave the Game Pass library on February 15.

Genre and Player Appeal: Something for Everyone

The true strength of this February lineup lies in its staggering diversity, ensuring there is a compelling entry point for nearly every type of player. Role-playing game fans are exceptionally well-served, with the deep fantasy of Avowed and the gritty historical realism of Kingdom Come: Deliverance providing hundreds of hours of immersive gameplay. They are complemented by the classic turn-based structure of Final Fantasy II and the modern, action-oriented chaos of Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza.

For those seeking action and spectacle, the month delivers in spades. High on Life 2 offers a unique comedic first-person shooter experience, while Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora provides a vast, visually breathtaking action-adventure. The fighting game community gets a technical offering with BlazBlue: Entropy Effect X, and sports fans can jump into the latest simulation with Madden NFL 26. The inclusion of family-friendly titles like Paw Patrol and varied indie experiences like Relooted and Starsand Island rounds out a portfolio that solidifies Game Pass as a genuine one-stop destination for gaming.

Platform and Tier Availability: Where Can You Play?

Understanding the platform tags is crucial for maximizing the Game Pass experience. Each game’s availability is clearly marked:

• Cloud: Playable via Xbox Cloud Gaming, a primary benefit of a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
• Console: Available for download on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles.
• Handheld: Optimized for and playable on Xbox’s handheld streaming device.
• PC: Available for download on the Windows PC Game Pass library.
• Xbox Series X|S: Specifically optimized for the current generation of Xbox consoles.

A key point for Ultimate subscribers is the robust cloud gaming support. Notably, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is marked as playable on Handheld, highlighting how even graphically intensive AAA titles are becoming accessible on portable devices through streaming. Availability does differ across tiers; while Game Pass Ultimate provides access to the full suite across console, PC, and cloud, Console Game Pass and PC Game Pass subscribers will have access to the titles available on their respective platforms, as indicated by the tags.

The February 2026 Wave 1 lineup for Xbox Game Pass is a masterclass in content curation, offering both immense quality and remarkable variety. The simultaneous availability of a major day-one sequel in High on Life 2, a flagship Xbox RPG in Avowed, and a recent Ubisoft blockbuster in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora creates a value proposition that is difficult to ignore. For current subscribers, it’s time to check the library and mark your calendars. For those on the fence, this month serves as a powerful demonstration of the service’s evolving reach. This wave isn't just a great month; it's a statement of intent for what the service aims to deliver as a central pillar of the modern gaming landscape.

Tags: Xbox Game Pass, Game Pass February 2026, High on Life 2, Avowed, Avatar Frontiers of Pandora