Xbox Game Pass Expands Its December Lineup With 3 More Day One Titles

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Xbox Game Pass just got three new games: A Game About Digging a Hole, Dome Keeper, and the challenging Death Howl. Two of these were originally PC games and are now available on consoles. Even though the price of Game Pass recently went up, many gamers still find it a great deal because Microsoft constantly adds new games. If you’re looking for a good selection without the higher price, Xbox Game Pass Essential offers over 50 games for PC or console.

As new games are added to Xbox Game Pass, some titles are regularly removed. In December, five games will be leaving the service. Mortal Kombat 11, Still Wakes the Deep, and Wildfrost will be gone on December 16th, while Carrion and Hell Let Loose will leave on December 31st. If you haven’t played Still Wakes the Deep or Wildfrost yet, you still have time to finish their main stories – Still Wakes the Deep takes about five hours, and Wildfrost around twelve – before they’re removed from Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Get 3 More Titles on December 9

Xbox Game Pass added three new games for subscribers on December 9th. Dome Keeper and A Game About Digging a Hole were previously available on PC and are now playable on consoles for Ultimate, PC, and Premium members. Death Howl launched on all platforms the same day and is included with Ultimate and PC subscriptions.

In Death Howl, a Soulslike deck-building game from The Outer Zone, players take on the role of Ro, a hunter determined to resurrect her son. The game features a haunting atmosphere and a vast world with 13 unique regions and over 30 different enemies. As you explore the spirit world, you’ll collect more than 160 cards to aid Ro on her emotional journey. Expect around 25 hours of gameplay filled with quests, challenges, powerful bosses, and a deep story to discover.

Dome Keeper, a popular roguelike game created by Bippinbits, first launched on PC in late 2022 and quickly became a success, earning a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam. The game is based on a simple idea: you play as a miner on an alien planet. You need to dig for resources and fight off waves of monsters, all while staying safe inside a protective dome. The resources you gather can be used to improve your dome’s defenses and attack power, or you can find special items to help you escape the planet.

I recently checked out A Game About Digging a Hole, and it’s surprisingly similar to Dome Keeper in a cool way. It came out in February 2025 and is made by DoubleBee. Basically, you start in the backyard of a new house and just… dig! You’re trying to find stuff to upgrade your gear and maybe uncover some secrets. It even got nominated for a Steam Award for being super relaxing! Plus, the reviews on Steam are overwhelmingly positive, which is always a good sign.

Xbox Game Pass subscribers have more to look forward to in December. While the full list of upcoming games isn’t available yet, fans disappointed to see Mortal Kombat 11 leave on December 16th will be happy to hear that Mortal Kombat 1 is coming to the service on December 10th. Bratz: Rhythm & Style will also be added on December 11th.

Xbox Game Pass: Still to Come in December

Game Date Game Pass Tiers Notes
A Game About Digging A Hole Dec 9 Ultimate, PC, Premium Day-one console release
Dome Keeper Dec 9 Ultimate, PC, Premium Day-one console release
Death Howl Dec 9 Ultimate, PC Day-one release
Mortal Kombat 1 Dec 10 Ultimate, PC, Premium
Bratz: Rhythm & Style Dec 11 Ultimate, PC, Premium

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2025-12-09 17:04