The Complete Xbox Games with Gold List and Details

Updated for September 2021

Games with Gold is Microsoft’s attempt to counter Sony’s PlayStation Plus program, which gives members free games each month. With the program, Xbox Live Gold members are eligible to receive multiple free games on the Xbox Store every month. Due to reader interest, we’ll catalog and archive the Games with Gold program here.

How to Get Free Games

Xbox Live Gold members must log-in to their consoles or the Xbox Marketplace and “purchase” each free game at some point during its promotional period. Games with Gold is available on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Generally, four games are released each month for approximately two weeks, two for each console. Two games are available during the first half of each month, and another two games during the second half. Note, however, that Microsoft occasionally changes this release schedule by, for example, releasing a single Xbox One game for an entire month, or by releasing more than two games per month for each platform.

You don’t need to actually download a game during its period of availability to get it, but you must at least complete the free “purchase” online or via your console in order to qualify. Once a game’s promotional period has expired, it will cease to be free and return to its former price, but if you’ve “purchased” the game for free prior to this, it will be yours indefinitely.

Games with Gold List To Date

Below is a table listing all Games with Gold titles to date. Each title links directly to the Xbox.com marketplace, where Xbox Live members can log in and “purchase” the games during their free period without having to log into their consoles.

“GWG Release” is the first day the game is free with the Games with Gold promotion, “Orig. Release” is the date the game was first released for Xbox, and “Reg. Price” is a game’s current price on the Xbox Store before the free promotion (not the game’s original retail price).

Yooka-Laylee

Available from 8/16/2021 – 9/15/2021, Yooka-Laylee is an open-world platform game that takes users on an adventure to prevail against the corporate villain Capital B. Featuring memorable characters, collectibles, and beautiful scenery, this is a great game for the whole family. 

Warhammer: Chaosbone

An Xbox One exclusive, Warhammer: Chaosbone is available for Gold members from 9/1/2021- 9/30/2021. In a world rampant with war, magic, and rivaling races, the user has the ability to choose from four different races and play with up to four players local and online co-op options.  

Zone of the Enders HD Collection

Available from 9/1/2021 – 9/15/2021, Zone of the Enders is a robot fighting based game that features battling enemies solo or in squads. If you remember this game from the days when the Xbox 360 was the primary Microsoft gaming console, then you’ll be happy to know it’s back with HD graphics. You can now enjoy all of your favorite robot fighting with even crisper resolution.

Staying Updated on the Current Xbox Gold Games

Each game has a separate timeframe of availability. It’s best to stay updated through Xbox to see which games are available. The games list updates every month and some are available for thirty days whereas others are only available every fifteen days.

What games are you playing with Xbox Gold? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.