Xbox Game Pass Loses 2 Best Co Op Games

Xbox Game Pass subscribers are losing access to two of the platform’s best local cooperative experiences this month. Borderlands 3 and Sea of Stars will both be removed from the subscription service on August 31, 2026. These departures represent a significant hit to the Game Pass library’s couch co-op offerings.

The timing is particularly notable for Borderlands 3, which may be leaving to make way for the upcoming Borderlands 4. Sea of Stars, meanwhile, has been a Game Pass staple for nearly two years after its acclaimed launch in 2026.

If you haven’t finished these cooperative adventures yet, you have until the end of the month to play them through your subscription.

Borderlands 3: The Looter Shooter Leaving

Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition has been one of the premier co-op experiences on Xbox Game Pass. The game supports 2-player split-screen locally and up to 4 players online, making it a versatile choice for different gaming setups.

What makes Borderlands 3 stand out is its combination of first-person shooter action with RPG progression. The game features four distinct vault hunters, each with unique skill trees and playstyles. My group spent dozens of hours experimenting with different character combinations before settling on our main builds.

The split-screen implementation on Xbox Series X|S maintains a surprisingly stable framerate. I’ve played through the entire campaign in local co-op without the performance issues that plague many other split-screen titles.

Borderlands 3 has been available on Game Pass for several years, making its departure expected timing given Borderlands 4’s announcement. The Ultimate Edition includes all six DLC content packs, providing significant value for subscribers who haven’t experienced the full package.

Sea of Stars: A Co-Op RPG Departure

Sea of Stars is a critically acclaimed turn-based RPG that offers something rare in modern gaming: 3-player local cooperative play. This feature alone made it a standout title on Xbox Game Pass, as few games support more than two players on a single console.

The game pays homage to classic 16-bit RPGs like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6 while modernizing the formula. Combat involves timed button presses for defense and special attacks, keeping all players engaged during turn-based battles. I found this system much more involving than typical turn-based combat where players can zone out between turns.

Sea of Stars has been on Game Pass since shortly after its 2026 launch, where it earned widespread praise including awards for its art direction and music. The 25-30 hour main story provides substantial content, though completionists can easily spend 50+ hours exploring everything the game offers.

Recent 2026 updates added new DLC content, expanding the game even further. The co-op mechanics work seamlessly throughout, with the game scaling difficulty based on party size to maintain balance.

Complete List of Games Leaving in Late August 2026

While Borderlands 3 and Sea of Stars represent the biggest co-op losses, they’re not the only titles departing. Five games total will leave Xbox Game Pass on August 31:

• Borderlands 3: Ultimate Edition – 2-4 player co-op looter shooter
• Sea of Stars – 1-3 player turn-based RPG
• Ben 10: Power Trip – 2-player local co-op action game
• Paw Patrol: Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay – Family-friendly local co-op
• This War of Mine: Final Cut – Single-player survival narrative

Interestingly, Gears of War: Reloaded is being added to Game Pass as a replacement title. This collection focuses on local co-op play for the original Gears of War trilogy, partially filling the co-op void left by Borderlands 3’s departure.

Best Co-Op Games Still on Xbox Game Pass

After these departures, Game Pass still maintains a strong selection of cooperative titles. If you’re looking for alternatives to fill the couch co-op gap, several excellent options remain available through your subscription.

For split-screen gaming, our guide to the best split-screen Xbox Game Pass games highlights titles like It Takes Two, which remains one of the best cooperative experiences on any platform. The game was designed specifically for two players and constantly introduces new mechanics throughout its adventure.

For broader co-op options, check out our comprehensive list of best Xbox co-op games. Current Game Pass standouts include Minecraft Dungeons for Diablo-style action, A Way Out for narrative-driven co-op, and Stardew Valley for relaxing multiplayer farming.

Players who enjoy open-world cooperative experiences will want to explore our recommendations for open-world co-op games. Several titles on this list remain available through Game Pass and offer hundreds of hours of content for groups looking for their next long-term project.

What This Means for Game Pass Subscribers?

Losing Borderlands 3 and Sea of Stars is undoubtedly a blow to Game Pass’s cooperative library. Both games filled specific niches—Borderlands 3 for FPS fans and Sea of Stars for RPG enthusiasts—that aren’t easily replaced.

However, the subscription model means games naturally rotate in and out. These departures make room for new additions, and Gears of War: Reloaded arriving simultaneously suggests Microsoft remains committed to maintaining co-op content on the service.

If you’re midway through either game, you’ll retain your progress if you purchase a copy before they leave Game Pass. Xbox frequently offers discounts on games that are about to depart the service, so watch for potential deals in the final weeks of August 2026.