Tony Hawk’s Back, Tombs Are Ready, and Xbox Game Pass Brings the Heat This July

Summer’s in full swing, and Xbox Game Pass is firing on all cylinders. From fan-favorite classics to fresh picks, July’s line-up is stacked with variety and nostalgia — and it all kicks off right now.

Xbox Loads July With Big Names and Bigger Nostalgia

Microsoft isn’t wasting time this month. With nine new titles hitting the Game Pass catalog, subscribers are in for a wave of gaming that stretches from eerie horror to nostalgic kickflips.

July opens with a bang — Little Nightmares II and Rise of the Tomb Raider are already available starting July 1st. Both games come fully loaded across cloud, console, and PC for users with any Game Pass tier, from Standard to Ultimate.

Two entries from Square Enix’s Mana series — Legend of Mana and Trials of Mana — follow swiftly on July 2nd. These are exclusive to consoles for now, so PC players may need to wait or sit this one out.

Then there’s the real showstopper. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, finally making its long-awaited debut as a remastered combo on July 11th. If you grew up on the whirr of a PS2 and Goldfinger’s “Superman,” this one’s got your name on it.

Full July Game Pass Additions: Dates, Platforms, Tiers

Here’s the schedule of releases for July, laid out plain and simple — no fluff:

Tony Hawk’s Return Steals the Spotlight

Let’s be honest — this is the one most people are watching.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 comes after years of rumors and radio silence from Activision. While the remakes of 1 + 2 were a hit, fans kept asking: where are 3 and 4? Well, they’re finally here, and the wait may just have been worth it.

It’s not just about the tricks and flips. This collection brings back classic levels, sharp visuals, and a reworked soundtrack that still leans into that punk-fueled nostalgia. If you’re over 30, prepare to feel something.

And yep — it’s available to both PC and console players, but only if you’re subscribed to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass.

A Weird, Wild Mix of Genres This Month

One of the best things about Game Pass? It’s never boring. This month’s line-up stretches across genres and moods.

You’ve got horror in Little Nightmares II — equal parts creepy and beautiful. There’s also Rise of the Tomb Raider, which mixes action with sharp storytelling and puzzle-solving.

Then there’s The Ascent on July 8th — a visually stunning cyberpunk twin-stick shooter that doesn’t get nearly enough love. Add Minami Lane to the mix (July 9th), a colorful, cozy city-building sim where players design tiny neighborhoods.

And let’s not forget Ultimate Chicken Horse, the chaotic party platformer where you build the level as you play it. It hits Game Pass on July 3rd.

Here’s a quick burst of what you can expect from some of the sleeper hits this month:

• High On Life brings quirky sci-fi humor from the creators of Rick and Morty

• Legend of Mana is a remastered classic from 1999, now cleaned up for modern consoles

• Trials of Mana is a more recent remake with colorful visuals and action-RPG mechanics

Don’t Sleep On These Before They’re Gone

Every month brings new games, but it also means saying goodbye to some familiar titles. And July’s departures might sting a bit.

Six games are leaving Game Pass on July 15th. That gives you just under two weeks to finish them — or at least decide if they’re worth buying before the 20% discount vanishes.

Here’s what’s getting the boot:

• Flock

• Mafia Definitive Edition

• Magical Delicacy

• Tchia

• The Callisto Protocol

• The Case of the Golden Idol

Mafia’s exit will hurt for fans of story-driven action. And The Callisto Protocol — despite its rocky launch — was a visual standout. Still, if you haven’t played Golden Idol yet, it’s an underrated detective puzzle with a cult following.

A Month to Watch, Play, and Maybe Get a Little Nostalgic

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a solid month for Xbox Game Pass. There’s something for the casuals, the hardcore, and everyone in between.

Skaters get their wish, horror lovers get their chills, and RPG fans get multiple flavors of Mana. That’s not a bad July haul.

And hey — if nothing on this list clicks for you, August is just around the corner. You know how this cycle goes.