Xbox Game Pass Adds Day-One Co-Op ARPG

Xbox Game Pass users across several membership tiers can start playing Kernel Hearts beginning today. The day-one title marks the 7th new addition to the service in September 2026 and the 141st Xbox Game Pass release this year.

Kernel Hearts is a co-op action roguelite RPG from Argentina-based Ephemera Games. It puts players in control of a Sailor Moon-like M.A.H.O.U. Unit consisting of four "magical girls" looking to climb the Tower of Babel, battle angelic enemies, and try to save humanity. Its fast-paced combat is built around experimenting with combinations of attacks, spells, and various movement abilities. Between runs, players return to a hub to spend resources on upgrades and equipment, interact with NPCs, and build relationships. The game supports both solo and online co-op play.

Kernel Hearts Joins Two Xbox Game Pass Tiers

Kernel Hearts officially launched for PC and consoles on September 17 at 1 p.m. ET, when it also joined Microsoft's subscription service. Like most day-one releases, the anime roguelite RPG is currently restricted to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Based on the typical cadence at which titles filter down to the lower tier, Kernel Hearts is most likely to reach the XGP Premium library sometime between March and September 2027.

Kernel Hearts is published by Pennsylvania-based Whitethorn Games, a long-time supporter of Microsoft's subscription catalog. Previous Whitethorn titles on Xbox Game Pass include Spray Paint Simulator, Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island, Magical Delicacy, Botany Manor, and Lake.

All Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Release Dates as of September 17, 2026

Date

Game

Game Pass Tier(s)

Platform(s)

Notes

Sep 17

Kernel Hearts

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release.

Sep 17

Ninja Gaiden 4

Premium

Cloud, Handheld, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release. Available on XGP Ultimate and PC GP since Sep 2025.

Sep 22

Well Dweller

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC

Day-one release.

Sep 22

Dune: Awakening

Ultimate, Premium, PC

Cloud, Handheld, PC, Series X/S

Sep 23

Mad King Redemption

Ultimate, Premium, PC

Cloud, Handheld, PC, Series X/S

Day-one 1.0 release.

Sep 25

Rematch

Essential

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Available on XGP Premium since Jan 2026, and on XGP Ultimate and PC GP since Jun 2025.

Sep 25

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Premium

Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC

Available on XGP Ultimate and PC GP since Oct 2024.

Sep 29

Minecraft Dungeons 2

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC

Day-one release.

Oct 2

Keeper

Premium

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Available on XGP Ultimate and PC GP since Oct 2025.

Oct 6

Gears of War: E-Day

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, Handheld, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release.

Oct 8

Forever Ago

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release.

Oct 13

Valor Mortis

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release; originally slated for Sep 25 before delay.

Oct 15

Bluey’s Happy Snaps

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, Console, PC

Day-one release.

Oct 27

The Seance of Blake Manor

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, Handheld, PC, Series X/S

Day-one Series X/S release.

Oct 29

Terrible Lizards

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release.

Feb 18

Persona 4 Revival

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release.

Feb 23

Fable

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release.

Mar 4

Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember

Ultimate, PC

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release.

Kernel Hearts joins Microsoft's subscription catalog alongside the expanded availability of Ninja Gaiden 4, which has now reached the Xbox Game Pass Premium tier. The latest mainline entry in the iconic action franchise originally debuted as a day-one addition to the service in September 2025, when it became available through PC Game Pass and XGP Ultimate.

With Kernel Hearts now part of the catalog, Microsoft subscribers have four more brand-new arrivals to look forward to in September 2026: Well Dweller, Dune: Awakening, Mad King Redemption, and Minecraft Dungeons 2. Gears of War: E-Day is then scheduled to join Xbox Game Pass on October 6. Since that date falls on the first Tuesday of the month, it is also the most likely day for Microsoft to formally announce the October 2026 Wave 1 XGP lineup.

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