When Xbox Game Pass launched in 2017, no one could have predicted that it would become the selling point for Xbox consoles for nearly a decade. It's evolved, but the real kicker is that first-party games almost always launch day-and-date for free on the subscription service.
10 Masterpiece Xbox Games Turn 10 in 2026
From Gears of War 4 to Quantum Break, these Xbox games defined a generation and are celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2026.
It's an incredible value even if the number of new games has decreased. As many games as there are on the service, there are some curiously missing titles from third-party and first-party studios tied to the Xbox family of consoles, from Call of Duty to Jade Empire. Let's go over how strange it is that these games aren't on Game Pass, especially after the price increase, and how they're still worth your time, even if they require an entry fee.
Fit the 9 games into the grid.
Start
Call of Duty 2
MIA
When Activision and Blizzard joined the Xbox family, Call of Duty fans were hopeful that the franchise's games would become available on Game Pass. To the subscription service's credit, the new games have been on a daily basis, and fans can access the last five major titles that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
However, they cannot download classics such as Call of Duty 2which is an exclusive console from the Xbox 360 era, but it can be purchased. Other notable Cod games that would be fun to jump back into, but aren't exclusive to Xbox, include Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.
Ninja Gaiden Black
Ryu returns, again
Ninja Gaiden Black is an improved version of the original 2004 reboot, and both titles were originally Xbox exclusives. Since then, ports and remasters of this game have been released, but they were based on Ninja Gaiden Sigma edition.
While Ninja Gaiden Black is not entirely exclusive, it is closely tied to the history of Xbox. There are so many others Ninja Gaiden games on Game Pass, which Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Ninja Gaiden 4and Ninja Gaiden: Reboundthat the lack of Ninja Gaiden Black seems strange.
Dead or Alive 4
Bouncing battles
Ninja Gaiden Black was developed by Team Ninja at Koei Tecmo, and another great Team Ninja series tied to Xbox and worth covering here is Dead or alive. Dead or Alive 4 is still entirely an Xbox 360 exclusive game, while Dead or Alive Ultimate 1, Dead or Alive Ultimate 2and Dead or Alive 3 are exclusive Xbox products.
All four games can be purchased on the Xbox Marketplace, but not all are available on Game Pass. It seems like an obvious win for Microsoft to talk to Koei Tecmo and get any of these games on the service, but at least they're backwards compatible.
Jade Empire
Crouching Tiger, Hidden RPG
BioWare had a big presence on the original Xbox thanks to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicwhich is also available on PC and Switch now. A game that is not covered often enough is Jade EmpireBioWare's fantasy martial arts RPG. It's not as good as Vertebraebut it's still one of the best RPGs of the 21st century.
Amazing $30 Games You Can Buy After You End Your Game Pass Subscription
If you're annoyed by the price hike for Game Pass Ultimate, these $30 games can provide a unique experience for the same $30 price tag.
The game is backwards compatible on Xbox systems, and it's available for purchase, plus it's on Steam. Newer BioWare fans would probably check it out if it was available on Game Pass, but they won't be disappointed if they spend a little money on it either.
Blue dragon
The spiritual successor to Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy
Microsoft paid the big bucks to acquire some exclusive JRPGs on the Xbox 360, including Blue dragon from Mistwalker, the development studio founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi, father of Final Fantasy. The game is still available for purchase, but it has never left the Xbox system.
It does not have the same punch as Final Fantasy or Dragon Questbut it's still fun in itself. The quirky characters, turn-based battle system, and music make it one of the most underrated JRPGs of its time, which is why it should be on Game Pass. Even if it isn't, Blue dragon is still worth checking out.
Lost Odyssey
Immortal Kombat
Lost Odyssey is another Xbox 360 exclusive from Mistwalker, and among all the developer's titles, this is probably their masterpiece. The story follows a group of immortals who are thrown into a war when another immortal tries to take supreme power despite going against things.
It is a challenging game. The turn-based combat system is a bit odd, and the story has a surprising amount of maturity, akin to something like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It would be in Microsoft's best interest to remind JRPG fans that this gem is still available on current Xbox systems by putting it on Game Pass, but a slight increase in sales could spur things in that direction.
Infinitely undiscovered
The wind watcher
Infinitely undiscovered
- Released
-
September 2, 2008
Infinitely undiscovered is another exclusive from the Xbox 360 era, but this one was developed by tri-Ace in collaboration with Square Enix. It's an action RPG starring Capell, a young warrior gifted with a flute that can reveal hidden passages.
Like other three-ace games, including Star Ocean: The Second Story, the plot is satisfying, if a bit simple. It's not as good as Lost Odysseybut Game Pass definitely needs more JRPGs on the service, and these exclusives just make the most sense to include.
Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
Dragon Ball Apocalypse
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West was developed by Ninja Theory, a company that Microsoft bought in 2018. It was published under the Bandai Namco umbrella, which may be why Microsoft can't freely put it on Game Pass without making a deal, but they've done it with previous games, so it raises the question of whether it's a real factor.
10 forgotten RPGs that deserve to be rediscovered on Game Pass
These RPGs may not be 10/10 experiences, but they are worth your time on Game Pass.
For example, most of Double Fine's games were published under different companies, and many of them are on Game Pass despite that. Psychonauts and The cave are some examples, which means Microsoft should try to get Bandai Namco to play ball regarding Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, also, because it's a very underrated post-apocalyptic action-adventure game. That said, its sales weren't spectacular when it launched in 2010, so perhaps signs of renewed gamer interest would encourage Microsoft to open that discussion.
Crash Team Rumble
Team-based platform
Crash Team Rumble is the latest title in the Crash Bandicoot series, although it is more of a spin-off. This license falls under the Activision umbrella, which Microsoft now owns, which makes it strange why it isn't on Game Pass while others Crash Bandicoot games are, like The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Crash Team Racing Nitro powered.
While not a must-play compared to the other examples, the collection of mini-games and multiplayer shenanigans make Crash Team Rumble worth checking out, even for a price. Checking out games like this is the beauty of having a service like Game Pass in the first place.
Prey (2006)
Before Arkane, there was…
The original 2006 version of the Change followed a Native American named Tommy, who became entangled with alien invaders. It was almost like a spiritual successor to Turok series, except with fewer dinosaurs.
The 2017 reboot of the same name was made by Arkane Studios, a studio that Microsoft now owns. While Microsoft doesn't technically own this original game, it is available for purchase on modern Xbox systems, and it would be interesting to have both versions on Game Pass for players to compare. Still, Change is one of the most underrated first-person shooters of the Xbox 360 era, and it deserves more attention from modern gamers.
8 Best Xbox Games Like Nioh
From Ninja games to other Soulslikes, fans of Nioh will have a blast with these similar Xbox games.
