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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMicrosoft’s October 2025 Game Pass wave was headlined by Ninja Gaiden 4, which was announced as a day-one release for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The wave also included Keeper, Ball x Pit, The Outer Worlds 2, and several catalog additions.
This is now a historical lineup: the games arrived in October 2025, and their availability may have changed since then.
Ninja Gaiden 4 was the main Game Pass attraction
Microsoft’s October 8, 2025 announcement listed Ninja Gaiden 4 as a day-one Game Pass release scheduled for October 21. It was listed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
There is a date discrepancy in Microsoft’s own coverage. The original announcement gave October 21, while a subsequent Xbox Wire launch article published on October 20 said the game was “available today.” The safest description is that Microsoft initially announced an October 21 Game Pass launch, then reported the game available on October 20.
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#1 Best Overall
![NINJA GAIDEN 4 | Deluxe Edition | PlayStation 5 [Disc + Code in Box]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Nbngz0TGL._SL160_.jpg)
- DELUXE EDITION: Comes with the Base Game (disc) and exclusives like character and weapon skins for Yakumo and Ryu, Future Gameplay Content*, 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin, and additional in-game items.
- Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
- NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA'S tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy.
- An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo.
Ninja Gaiden 4 marked the return of the main series and combined Team Ninja’s combat design with PlatinumGames’ stylish action approach. It featured returning hero Ryu Hayabusa alongside new protagonist Yakumo, with fast combat centered on precision, weapon switching, and demanding encounters. Microsoft also listed Steam and PlayStation 5 versions, so it was not an Xbox exclusive. The game supported Xbox Play Anywhere.
Microsoft’s October 2025 Game Pass announcement and its launch report provide the platform and subscription details.
Full October 2025 Game Pass schedule
The announcement covered more than just new releases. The table below preserves Microsoft’s original dates, listed platforms, and tier labels.
| Date | Game | Platforms | Game Pass availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 8 | Supermarket Simulator | Cloud, console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| October 9 | Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions | PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| October 14 | The Casting of Frank Stone | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| October 15 | Ball x Pit | Cloud, console, PC | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| October 15 | The Grinch: Christmas Adventures | Cloud, console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| October 15 | Eternal Strands | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Premium |
| October 15 | He Is Coming — Game Preview | PC | Premium |
| October 15 | Ninja Gaiden 2 Black | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Premium |
| October 16 | Pax Dei | PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| October 17 | Keeper | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| October 21 | Evil West | Cloud, console, PC | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| October 21 | Ninja Gaiden 4 | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| October 29 | The Outer Worlds 2 | Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
The Outer Worlds 2 was added to Microsoft’s October 8 post through an editor’s update on October 9. It should therefore be understood as a later addition to the announcement, not part of the post’s original list.
Which games were day-one releases?
Microsoft explicitly labeled four games as available day one with Game Pass:
Rank #2
- Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
- NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA'S tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy.
- An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo.
- Ball x Pit: October 15.
- Keeper: October 17.
- Ninja Gaiden 4: announced for October 21, with Microsoft later reporting it available on October 20.
- The Outer Worlds 2: October 29.
The rest of the list consisted of catalog additions or returning games. In particular, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black arrived on October 15, several days before the date originally announced for Ninja Gaiden 4.
What did subscribers need?
Game Pass access was not uniform across the lineup. The required tier and supported platform depended on the individual game.
- Ultimate and PC Game Pass: Ninja Gaiden 4, Keeper, and Ball x Pit.
- Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass: titles including Supermarket Simulator, The Casting of Frank Stone, Pax Dei, and The Outer Worlds 2.
- Premium: titles including Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Eternal Strands, and He Is Coming.
Cloud support was not universal. Pax Dei and He Is Coming were listed as PC-only, while He Is Coming was also marked as a Game Preview title rather than a finished release. Console access likewise varied by game.
Other notable additions
Keeper was another day-one release, arriving on October 17 through Ultimate and PC Game Pass with cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S support. Ball x Pit followed on October 15 as a day-one survival roguelite with cloud, console, and PC availability.
The Outer Worlds 2 was the other major day-one release in the wave. It arrived on October 29 through Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Meanwhile, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black gave subscribers an earlier way to revisit the series, and Evil West returned to the catalog on October 21.
Games scheduled to leave on October 15
Microsoft said the following games were scheduled to leave the Game Pass library on October 15, 2025:
- Cocoon
- Core Keeper
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed
Subscribers could save up to 20% on purchases of the departing titles. That notice only confirms their scheduled October 2025 departure; it does not establish whether any of them returned or remained unavailable later.
Was Game Pass worth it for this lineup?
Game Pass made the strongest case for players who wanted to play Ninja Gaiden 4 alongside several other October releases, already subscribed to the service, or wanted PC and cloud access. Ultimate was the relevant choice for readers who needed console or cloud access, while PC Game Pass was sufficient for PC players who did not need those features.
Buying outright could make more sense for someone interested in only Ninja Gaiden 4, wanting permanent access after it leaves the catalog, or playing on PlayStation 5 or Steam. The game was sold separately on Xbox, PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5.
Game Pass should not automatically be described as cheaper. The comparison depends on current regional subscription pricing, the standalone game price, promotional offers, taxes, how long the player expects to play, and whether the reader wants the other included games. Check the current Xbox Game Pass page before making a purchase decision.
Current-status note
The October 2025 lineup is historical as of September 2026. Game Pass catalogs change, and the original announcement does not prove that these titles remain available today. Check the current Xbox catalog and the individual game pages for up-to-date availability, platform support, and regional restrictions.
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