Latest Xbox Game News & Updates
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🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformXbox Sales “More Than Doubled” In June 2026 In The US, While PS5 And Switch 2 Dropped
Circana, formerly NPD, has released its latest monthly sales report for the US video game industry, and one key takeaway was that Xbox was the only console platform to grow in sales during the month. Xbox Series X|S unit sales grew by 86% compared to June 2025(https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3mrafirrlwt2s), and June 2026 was the best month so far in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S sales, Circana said. In June 2025, Xbox Series X|S sales were negatively impacted by the price increase that was put into effect in May 2025, Circana's Mat Piscatella added. The Switch 2, meanwhile, saw its unit sales fall by 78% in June 2026(https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3mragh6ffts2m) compared to June 2025. The drop off was expected, of course, because June 2025 was when the Switch 2 launched, and it saw big sales out of the gate that would make a year-over-year comparison difficult. PS5 unit sales in June 2026 fell by 43% compared to June 2025, Piscatella added. In terms of dollar sales, Xbox Series X|S sales more than doubled, Circana said, with Switch 2 hardware spending falling by 79% and PS5 dipping by 19%. Xbox's year-over-year gains in June 2026 were not enough to offset the declines from PlayStation 5 and Switch 2, with total spending on hardware in the US dropping a mighty 62%, falling to $383 million. The Switch 2, despite its lower sales and revenue volume in June 2026 compared to June 2025, was June 2026's best-selling platform ranked by unit and dollar sales. Additionally, the Switch 2 is 2026's best-selling platform overall by those measurements, with PS5 ranking second and Xbox Series X|S third. In terms of game sales, UFC 6 was the No. 1 best-selling game in the US during June 2026(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/top-20-best-selling-games-of-2026-so-far-in-the-us/2900-7514/1), while Resident Evil Requiem remains 2026's best-selling game overall so far(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/top-20-best-selling-games-of-2026-so-far-in-the-us/2900-7514/1).
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformNBA 2K27 Cover Athletes Revealed Alongside Roadmap To Launch
!NBA 2K27 Cover Athlete Stars Victor Wembanyama Caitlin Clark Derrick Rose(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/22/8601eff5/nba2k27coverrevealkeyart.jpg.webp) Another year, another NBA 2K game – this year, NBA 2K27 will hit PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on September 4, with more expensive early access editions giving players the chance to hop in starting August 28. Ahead of the game's launch, 2K has revealed the cover athlete stars alongside a roadmap to launch, so players know what to expect in the coming weeks. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, who was the NBA's first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, will be on the cover of the Standard Edition of NBA 2K27; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who was the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year and three-time WNBA All-Star starter, will be on the cover of the Deluxe Edition of NBA 2K27; and Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, who was a three-time NBA All-Star player and the youngest MVP in NBA history, will be on the cover of the Ultra Edition of NBA 2K27. You can check out all three NBA 2K27 covers below: The Standard Edition will cost $69.99. The Deluxe Edition and Ultra Edition, both of which grant players early access to the game starting August 28, will cost $99.99 and $149.99, respectively. 2K says the Ultra Edition will be a "limited-time" offering available through September 6. Alongside today's cover athlete reveals, 2K has also released a roadmap to launch for NBA 2K27. Check it out in the image below: !Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/22/9ed053c2/nba2k27announcementroadmap.jpg.webp) - July 28: Gameplay Trailer - August 10: 2K Beats Soundtrack - August 13: Apparel Brand Spotlight - August 18: There's no word on what's happening on this day, but various posters in the image above say to "tune in." - August 28: Early Access - September 4: Official Launch As part of today's reveals, each of the cover athletes shared their thoughts on being on the cover: - Victor Wembanyama: "When you're truly obsessed with basketball, the game doesn't stop when you leave the arena. NBA 2K is the court that never locks up, it's always open whether you're in Paris or San Antonio. It's how you study the game, sharpen your IQ, and live basketball 24/7. To be the face of a game that fuels that hunger for hoops and whose covers immortalize the all-time greats; that’s a dream come true for me.” - Caitlin Clark: "Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world. To be the first WNBA player on her own global cover means women's basketball gets to show up on that stage too, and I am proud to be part of that." - Derrick Rose: "It’s crazy looking back at being on the NBA 2K13 cover to now having my own edition for NBA2K27. During my journey, there have been coaches who believed in me, teammates who made me better, and fans who showed up louder than I ever expected. So, this is a chance to inspire young athletes to stay obsessed with the game. To show them that when you put in the countless hours of hard work, it rewards you.” NBA 2K27 launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on September 4. In the meantime, read Game Informer's NBA 2K26 review(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/nba-2k26/putting-it-together). Which cover athlete are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below! !(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entitybrowserthumbnail/public/2026/07/22/b91a8238/nba2k27standardedition.jpg.webp)!(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entitybrowserthumbnail/public/2026/07/22/0af669aa/nba2k27deluxeedition.jpg.webp)!(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entitybrowserthumbnail/public/2026/07/22/6275b57c/nba2k27ultraedition.jpg.webp)
🖥 PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile, VR, PCHow to become a Mermaid in Royale High
!(https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/royale-high-mermaid-header.jpg?width=690&quality=85&format=jpg&auto=webp) Your journey through Royale High is all about becoming the ultimate magical student, attending classes, learning spells, and, obviously, assembling a phenomenal fit. But we all know there's one thing that absolutely trumps education, magical powers and the strength of a strong fashion sense: becoming a Mermaid. And what would you know, Royale High lets you become a Mermaid by completing a lengthy quest, giving you a tail that you can use to wow all your fellow students. So, if you want to become a Mermaid in Royale High, we've got all the answers below. Read more(https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/royale-high-mermaid)
🖥 Xbox, PCThe Elder Scrolls Online is already feeling the impact of Xbox's layoffs, ironically hurting the cash shop
The MMO is already reeling from reduced "team bandwidth".
🖥 PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile, VR, PCAnime Expeditions codes
!(https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/anime-expeditions-0.webp?width=690&quality=85&format=jpg&auto=webp) Anime Expeditions is a Roblox(https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/games/roblox) tower defense game that’s packed with anime-inspired units to collect. After you build up your team by summoning, you’ll team up with friends (or head in solo) and deploy your units to automatically beat up the bad guys. Read more(https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/roblox-anime-expeditions-codes)
🖥 Xbox, PCXbox's new VP of engineering quits just 2 months after taking the job
Jared Palmer, who was picked to work directly with CEO Asha Sharma on the division's "most complex" problems, has taken a role at AI company Cognition.
🟩 Xbox, VR, Multi-platformXbox Game Pass Is Going Somewhere You Probably Forgot About
Xbox Game Pass is teaming up with another subscription service this week, albeit one that appeals to a niche section of gamers. Facebook parent group Meta and Xbox have announced that a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass is now available to Meta Horizon+ subscribers, giving them access to over 50 games via cloud streaming. Games can also be downloaded directly from the cloud and onto a Meta Quest headset, and the starting lineup includes a mix of AAA hits and classic indies. One thing to note is that cloud-streaming games do have a time limit of 10 hours per month through this subscription, and a high-speed internet connection is also required. So far, the list includes(https://www.meta.com/blog/quest-3s-xbox-edition-bundle/) games like Fallout 76, Fallout 4, Overcooked 2, Grounded, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic, and Snowrunner. Meta says that players will soon be able to use their Meta Quest Touch controllers to emulate an Xbox controller, or if you already have one, you can pair it with the headset to play games. If you're unfamiliar with it, Meta Horizon+ is a subscription service similar to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, as it offers users a library of VR games, deals, and a few freebies for an $8 fee every month or $60 annually. If you'd prefer a bigger library, you can also access Xbox Game Pass Ultimate via the dedicated Xbox app on the Meta marketplace, and use cloud streaming to access those games. This is a separate--and pricier--subscription, and to ensure lag-free gaming, a 5Ghz internet connection is recommended. This isn't the first time that Meta and Xbox have teamed up, as last year, the companies unveiled the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition that featured a carbon black color scheme, matching Touch Plus controllers, an Xbox controller, an Elite Strap, and a three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-pass-price-games-tiers/1100-6524825/). That version of the virtual- and mixed-reality headset is designed to be a smaller sibling to the older Quest 3 headset, and in a nutshell, its lenses aren't quite as impressive in comparison. It does have slightly improved battery life, and it is cheaper, but the price of these headsets recently increased(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/meta-quest-3-vr-headset-prices-are-increasing-making-reality-more-expensive-to-escape/1100-6539447/) by $50-$100 each. Meta said that the current global memory shortage led to price increases, but it pledged to keep Quest headset accessories at their current prices. Both of these headsets are popular as entry-level devices, as they're fairly powerful and they're completely wireless, while the game library includes well-received titles like Batman(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/batman-arkham-shadow-review-i-am-batman/1900-6418308/) and Deadpool VR(https://www.gamespot.com/games/marvels-deadpool-vr/) games. The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026 !4499283-game-pass-2025.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4499283-game-pass-2025.jpg?w=636) !4674631-absolum.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4674631-absolum.jpg?w=636) !4517812-the-alters.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4517812-the-alters.jpg?w=636) !4656146-avatar.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4656146-avatar.jpg?w=636) !4451894-4356216-avowedscreencombatkaixaurip.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4451894-4356216-avowedscreencombatkaixaurip.jpg?w=636) !4451893-4270078-sse32ac94d7d1d6be7dd015d78f2b52aeb4cc282ed.1920x1080.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4451893-4270078-sse32ac94d7d1d6be7dd015d78f2b52aeb4cc282ed.1920x1080.jpg?w=636) !4397033-batman-arkham-knight.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4397033-batman-arkham-knight.jpg?w=636) View Images(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-xbox-game-pass-games/2900-4001/)
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformThe First Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs Of The Past Footage Will Be Revealed During Gamescom's Opening Night Live Stream
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/21/f61ff2f9/songs%20of%20the%20past%20key%20art.jpg.webp) In case you missed the announcement a few months ago – and there wasn't much fanfare, so I couldn't blame you – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is getting a brand new expansion, over a decade after its release(https://gameinformer.com/2026/05/27/the-witcher-3-songs-of-the-past-is-a-new-expansion-starring-geralt-and-it-launches-next). Called Songs of the Past, we don't know much about it yet, other than the fact that it's being developed alongside Fools Theory, the team in charge of the Witcher 1 remake, and that it's coming out in 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. However, today CD Projekt Red shared(https://bsky.app/profile/thewitcher.com/post/3mr5mopimps2a) that the game's first look will debut at this year's Opening Night Live showcase at Gamescom, which will occur next month on August 25. Held in Cologne, Germany and hosted by Geoff Keighley, Opening Night Live is the games industry's third major showcase, alongside The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest. It's open to the public (though this year is already sold out) and livestreamed around the world. As the name suggests, it's presented at nighttime in Europe, but it occurs during the day in the US, at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CEST. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is widely regarded as one of the best games of the modern generation, with an elaborate open world, memorable side quests, and two major expansions that live up to the base game's standards. Developer CD Projekt Red seemingly moved on after the second expansion, going on to develop Cyberpunk 2077 (spending years patching it) and its Phantom Liberty expansion. We even know that the studio is working on The Witcher 4, starring Geralt's daughter Ciri, and while we don't know for sure, we wouldn't be surprised if Songs of the Past leads into the next mainline entry in some way. Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, one of the directors of The Witcher 3, has since left CD Projekt Red and is now behind The Blood of Dawnwalker, an upcoming vampiric action RPG that shares some DNA with The Witcher games. For more on that, you can check out our exclusive cover story hub(https://gameinformer.com/dawnwalker) for behind-the-scenes details and watch the video above about Tomaszkiewicz's transition from one series to the next.
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformXbox Game Pass July 2026 lineup revealed with Halo remake
Xbox announces July Game Pass part 2 games lineup, including Halo: Campaign Evolved and Pokémon dev's action RPG Beast of Reincarnation
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformXbox Game Pass Gets Even More New Games In July
It's that time of the month again, as the second wave of Xbox Game Pass games for July 2026 has been officially revealed. As usual, subscribers can expect several day-one releases, including one of the biggest games of the month, Halo: Campaign Evolved. Microsoft has also dropped a sneak peek at what you can expect in August, as part of the first wave of new arrivals for Game Pass subscribers that month. The day-one launch of Midnight Shift lands on July 22, and in this online co-op detective horror game, players have to work together across randomly generated shifts to investigate their customers. Some of them are normal, some of them are horrific monsters in disguise that want to murder you, and the only way to survive your shift is with teamwork and traps. Released last year, Hell Is Us(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hell-is-us-review-devil-in-the-details/1900-6418402/) is a throwback to an age of action-RPGs that refused to hold your hand. Set in a nation that has been left shattered by civil war, players have to master melee combat as they explore the anomalies of Hadea, sharpen their observation skills, and solve a dark mystery at the heart of the game. Full of rewarding exploration and brutal combat, it'll be available through Game Pass starting July 23. The main event this month is Halo: Campaign Evolved(https://www.gamespot.com/games/halo-campaign-evolved/), a complete remake of the original Halo from 2001. Arriving just in time for the 25th anniversary of the franchise, this remake of the original Halo campaign includes upgraded visuals, modernized controls, new co-op missions, and an expanded arsenal of weapons to use in the war against the Covenant. You can also look forward to the day-one launch of the dark fantasy extraction ARPG Mistfall Hunters on July 30, and on July 31, you can build a sprawling pirate haven in Corsair Cove. Looking ahead to next month, Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation(https://www.gamespot.com/games/beast-of-reincarnation/) kicks off a busy month with a one-person, one-dog adventure that blends real-time and turn-based combat(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/beast-of-reincarnation-has-sekiro-vibes-but-it-wont-beat-you-down/) together. Xbox Game Pass July Wave 2 Additions July 21 The Planet Crafter (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC), Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass July 22 Shift at Midnight (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC), Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass July 23 Hell is Us (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC), Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass July 28 Halo: Campaign Evolved (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC), Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass July 30 Mistfall Hunter (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC), Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass July 31 Corsair Cove (PC), Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass August 4 Beast of Reincarnation (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC), Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass Heretic + Hexen (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC), now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass As a reminder, several more games will exit(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-pass-is-removing-a-lot-more-games-very-soon/) Xbox Game Pass on July 31. In total, eight games will leave, including titles like Whiskerwood and Celeste. The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026 !4499283-game-pass-2025.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4499283-game-pass-2025.jpg?w=1024) !4674631-absolum.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4674631-absolum.jpg?w=1024) !4517812-the-alters.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4517812-the-alters.jpg?w=1024) !4656146-avatar.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4656146-avatar.jpg?w=1024) !4451894-4356216-avowedscreencombatkaixaurip.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4451894-4356216-avowedscreencombatkaixaurip.jpg?w=1024) !4451893-4270078-sse32ac94d7d1d6be7dd015d78f2b52aeb4cc282ed.1920x1080.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4451893-4270078-sse32ac94d7d1d6be7dd015d78f2b52aeb4cc282ed.1920x1080.jpg?w=1024) !4397033-batman-arkham-knight.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4397033-batman-arkham-knight.jpg?w=1024) View Images(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-xbox-game-pass-games/2900-4001/)
🖥 Xbox, PCMSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM review
The best handheld gaming PC I've ever used, but one whose pricing is a tragedy.
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformThe Biggest Critics Of Xbox Game Pass May Be Inside Xbox
Xbox Game Pass used to be hailed as the "best deal" in gaming, but it started to lose its luster following a steep subscription price(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-pass-lost-millions-of-subscribers-after-massive-price-hike-in-2025/) increase several months back--that is still higher than what it used to be even after a decrease(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-pass-gets-price-drop-new-call-of-duty-games-no-longer-included/1100-6539523/)--and shifting membership tiers. Some of Xbox's leaders aren't too high on Game Pass either, especially after it proved to be a disruptive influence on Microsoft's biggest franchise, Call of Duty. According to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, several people within Xbox see Game Pass as a "detriment" to the video game industry. "There are a lot of people out there in studio leadership within Xbox who absolutely detest Game Pass. They think it has destroyed the value of their games, think it has taken away the value from all games in general and has been a detriment to the games industry in those people's view, because of how it devalues games," Schreier said on the Triple Click podcast(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCwOK61Lf80). That statement was backed up by a former Xbox studio lead, who added that Game Pass had devalued their work. "Giving games away for 'free' in Game Pass from day one sends a message to consumers that the games don't have inherent market value. It almost creates an assumption that these titles could not sell on their own," the source said to Windows Central(https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/some-xbox-studio-leads-reportedly-detest-game-pass-so-why-did-xbox-push-ahead-with-it-it-felt-like-a-race-to-zero). "It felt like a race to zero." Another Xbox lead added that while Game Pass was designed to be a stable source of revenue for games in an era where live-service titles dominate, Microsoft's opaque engagement formula made it hard for studios to stay motivated. For a time, Game Pass was a lifeline for studios that would release titles that would often go under the radar of players, but things have changed recently for the subscription's business model. Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown also gave his thoughts on Game Pass(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-pass-was-a-good-idea-but-it-didnt-work-forza-horizon-5-creative-director-says/), saying that while it was a good idea, it failed to reach the lofty subscriber goals that it was aiming for. The biggest shift is that Call of Duty is no longer a day-one launch(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-promotes-call-of-duty-mw4-by-telling-you-its-not-on-game-pass/) through Game Pass, as the service took a bite out of direct sales. Schreier has speculated that Microsoft could make even more changes to the day-one model of Game Pass, especially at a time when Xbox is aiming to become a more profitable arm of the company. A new report also claimed that Game Pass has been an $80 billion gamble(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-spent-80-billion-on-its-bet-for-xbox-game-pass-it-did-not-work/) that hasn't panned out the way Microsoft envisioned, and Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has said that decisions by the previous Xbox leadership did not help to grow the service(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-xbox-ceo-admits-game-pass-bet-has-not-worked-out/) meaningfully. The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026 !4499283-game-pass-2025.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4499283-game-pass-2025.jpg?w=1024) !4674631-absolum.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4674631-absolum.jpg?w=1024) !4517812-the-alters.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4517812-the-alters.jpg?w=1024) !4656146-avatar.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4656146-avatar.jpg?w=1024) !4451894-4356216-avowedscreencombatkaixaurip.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4451894-4356216-avowedscreencombatkaixaurip.jpg?w=1024) !4451893-4270078-sse32ac94d7d1d6be7dd015d78f2b52aeb4cc282ed.1920x1080.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4451893-4270078-sse32ac94d7d1d6be7dd015d78f2b52aeb4cc282ed.1920x1080.jpg?w=1024) !4397033-batman-arkham-knight.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4397033-batman-arkham-knight.jpg?w=1024) View Images(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-xbox-game-pass-games/2900-4001/)