Ethan Crossfield 
Xbox Game Pass is preparing to remove at least eight games from its catalog on October 31, adding another major batch of departures to an already busy month. The list is headlined by LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, one of the most ambitious and widely praised entries in TT Games' long-running LEGO series, alongside co-op favorite Deep Rock Galactic and several adventure classics.
What happened: Eight games are due to leave Game Pass
Microsoft's current end-of-month departure list includes Dead Static Drive, Wildgate, Deep Rock Galactic, Wartales, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Full Throttle Remastered, and Day of the Tentacle Remastered. While the removals have been listed officially, the full October Wave 2 Game Pass announcement has not yet been revealed, so the lineup may still change before the month closes. These games have spent dramatically different amounts of time in the subscription library, ranging from roughly five months to six years.
Why it matters: The LEGO Star Wars departure stands out
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the most notable loss in this group. Released in 2022, it covers all nine main Star Wars films and significantly broadened the familiar LEGO formula with more open exploration, revised combat, a huge playable-character selection, collectibles, side content, and local co-op. Its roster reaches 380 characters in the base game and 422 with downloadable content. For Game Pass players who have been gradually working through its extensive galaxy, October 31 is an important cutoff.
What to watch next: Microsoft can still change October's balance
The month had already seen nine Game Pass removals by mid-October, meaning the eight newly listed exits bring the total to 17. That matches July as the second-largest removal month of 2026 so far, with only September recording a higher total. October is not necessarily headed for a smaller catalog overall, however. There have been 12 additions confirmed or already released during the month, leaving a current gap of five games. Microsoft's Wave 2 additions could still reduce that shortfall, erase it, or push the month into positive territory.
What Game Pass players should do before October 31
- Prioritize LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga if you are partway through its campaign, collectibles, or co-op sessions.
- Plan any remaining Deep Rock Galactic sessions with regular teammates before the game leaves the service.
- Use the remaining time to finish shorter narrative adventures such as Full Throttle Remastered and Day of the Tentacle Remastered.
- Watch for Microsoft's October Wave 2 announcement, which may confirm further catalog changes and new additions.
Game Pass removal activity in 2026
| Month | Known removal total | Context |
|---|---|---|
| October | 17 | Nine mid-month departures plus eight announced for October 31 |
| July | 17 | Tied with October for the second-highest monthly total |
| September | More than 17 | The highest removal month of 2026 so far |
Expert View
This is the kind of Game Pass removal wave that exposes the service's trade-off: the catalog can offer enormous variety, but long games are not permanent libraries. The loss of The Skywalker Saga is particularly significant because its scale makes it easy to start and difficult to finish quickly. Microsoft still has time to strengthen October with Wave 2 additions, but players should treat the October 31 list as a real deadline rather than wait for a last-minute reprieve.
