Surprising new AAA Xbox Game Pass game is not a Microsoft April Fools' joke

Occasionally, Microsoft will announce a new Xbox Game Pass game without warning. The latest addition caters to basketball fans who lack the budget for annual refreshes. On April 3rd, the popular AAA sports title NBA 2K26 will join Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC.

An unusually sudden Game Pass addition

Surprised fans saw the game surface on the subscription service’s social media accounts. Typically, high-profile releases are revealed in advance on the Xbox Wire blog. Some gamers believe that it's a cruel April Fools’ joke from Microsoft, but hours later, the company hasn’t admitted to any tomfoolery.

The last time a 2K Sports basketball sim was part of Xbox Game Pass was in 2024. Since NBA 2K24 debuted, the developers have strived to add more realistic gameplay and graphics. NBA 2K26 introduced ProPlay, which renders animations captured from real games. Modes like MyPlayer and MyCareer received minor tweaks, but they offer a wide range of single and multiplayer options.

On Metacritic, NBA 2K26 reviews for Xbox consoles have an average score of 82. Many of the same features are available in the PC version, but players could encounter crashes and technical snafus. Regardless, fans complement the realistic graphics and endless ways to play.

Is NBA 2K26 is a money sink?

One common complaint in the series is a heavy reliance on microtransactions. In reality, while it will be a Game Pass game, players without available cash may be at a disadvantage. In MyTeam, competitors often struggle to assemble a winning squad without purchasing 2K’s Virtual Currency. Some individuals sink thousands of dollars into collecting packs in the pursuit of rare cards.

With an NBA 2K26 release date of September 5th, 2025, much of the league's schedule is already complete. Still, with Season 6 out now, the publisher typically launches content during and even after the playoffs.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard headlines other notable new Xbox Game Pass games recently bolstering the subscription service. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth may also be worth checking out, after Microsoft welcomed the crime-themed RPG on March 24th.