Play these 3 games before they leave Xbox Game Pass this weekend (August 23-25)

Xbox Game Pass continues to bring in a steady stream of new games, but every 15 days, some titles inevitably leave the service. As August draws to a close, we’re saying goodbye to several standout games. If you’re into sports, fighting games, or narrative-driven first-person shooters, make sure to dive into at least one of these gems before they disappear this weekend.

No need to worry about the games leaving Xbox Game Pass—there’s plenty to look forward to this fall. Xbox is set to release a stellar lineup on Game Pass, including Age of Mythology: Retold, Ara: History Untold, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Towerborne, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Atomic Heart

Atomic Heart is a first-person shooter that stands out with its stunning visuals and quirky sense of humor. Set in a post-apocalyptic Russian dystopia, the game invites players to explore a world filled with mechanical and biological monstrosities. Drawing inspiration from BioShock, it offers a thrilling combat experience with a variety of wild weapons and abilities that make every encounter flashy and entertaining. With a year and a half of updates, most technical issues have been resolved, and you can dive into even more content with the Trapped in Limbo and Annihilation Instinct DLCs. However, Atomic Heart is leaving Xbox Game Pass on August 31, so if you want to continue your adventure, you’ll need to purchase the game on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X/S.

Guilty Gear Strive

The Guilty Gear series may not be as mainstream as Street Fighter or Tekken, but it boasts a passionate fan base that loves its unique charm. The latest entry, Guilty Gear Strive, is widely regarded as the best in the series, offering the deep, intricate gameplay that 2D fighting game enthusiasts crave. Beyond its gameplay, Strive stands out with its stunning visuals. Arc System Works refined the visual style they perfected in Dragon Ball FighterZ, making Guilty Gear Strive feel like a living, breathing anime. The game continues to receive updates, with exciting content like Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners set to join the roster next year. If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, don’t miss the chance to dive into a few matches before Guilty Gear Strive leaves the service on August 31. Even after that, it will still be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Give it a try—you might just get hooked.

NBA 2K24

NBA 2K25 is set to launch on September 6, and in preparation, NBA 2K24 will be removed from Xbox Game Pass just before that date. Visual Concepts’ basketball game series has become a staple in the sports gaming world, known for its polished on-court gameplay. NBA 2K24 stands out with its cross-platform play and enhanced animations, making it a must-play for fans of the series. If you’ve been enjoying NBA 2K24 through Microsoft’s subscription service, now is the time to get in some final games. The title will leave Xbox Game Pass on August 31, after which it will be available for purchase on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. There’s also an Arcade Edition available on Apple Arcade.