Microsoft releases access to five free games on Xbox this weekend
Microsoft has just confirmed excellent news for owners of Xbox consoles who are looking for high-quality fun in the coming days. Between Friday, July 18, and Monday, July 20, 2026, the technology giant will make available a rotating catalog with five digital works at no additional charge. This commercial strategy, already consolidated in the video game market, aims to keep the community engaged, allowing users to try different genres before deciding on a definitive purchase. The current selection ranges from complex simulations to open-world adventures, ensuring options for different audience profiles.
To take advantage of this promotional advantage, interested parties must maintain an active subscription to the Essential, Premium or Ultimate plans of the company’s service. The testing period ends promptly at 3:59 am on Monday morning, following the official Brasília time zone. It is important to note that initiatives like this are usually accompanied by aggressive discounts in online stores. Historically, the company uses these free access days to boost sales of definitive editions, offering price reductions that often exceed the fifty percent mark for those who want to keep the product in the library forever.
Before detailing the mechanics and story of each adventure, check out the complete list of options released for immediate download on the brand’s platforms during this promotional period:
More on this story: Sony surprises and delivers three premium games for free on PlayStation 5
- Grand Theft Auto Online
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
- Crucible: Theater of Idols
- Planet Zoo: Console Edition
- Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports
Build a criminal empire on the streets of Grand Theft Auto Online
Rockstar Games’ famous multiplayer component continues to draw crowds to the fictional city of Los Santos, maintaining impressive relevance years after its original release. During the weekend event, participants can organize complex illicit schemes, acquire luxury properties and participate in the elaborate heist known as The Kortz Center Heist. This specific mission requires tactical planning and coordination with characters such as the mysterious Mr. Faber and agent Raf De Angelis, raising the challenge level of cooperative operations.
An exclusive and very attractive advantage of this work in relation to the others on the list is that free access extends a little further. Players will be able to explore the vast map and evolve their criminal empires until July 21st. Furthermore, the developer has completely dispensed with the need to have Game Pass active in the user’s account to enjoy this specific title, further democratizing access to the game’s universe.
Learn more: Five free titles arrive on Xbox for subscribers to enjoy over the weekend
Intense combats and nostalgia mark the presence of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Admirers of classic Japanese animation get the chance to create their own fighter from scratch and interact with renowned legends such as Goku, Vegeta, Cell and Frieza. The title’s central premise involves time travel to correct anomalies in the franchise’s official history, ensuring that crucial events occur exactly as we know them from the manga and television. The player acts as a temporal ranger, visiting iconic moments and preventing villains from altering the natural course of the universe.
This is an ideal opportunity to test devastating combos, explore a vast semi-open world and evolve your avatar’s skills until you reach the coveted and powerful Super Saiyan level. The mix of RPG elements with traditional fighting mechanics makes progression rewarding, holding the attention of both veterans and newcomers. Deep customization of moves and outfits ensures that no two warriors are the same in the online arenas.
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Survival and psychological horror set the tone in Crucible: Theater of Idols
Fans of dark narratives and oppressive atmospheres will find a full meal in this journey set on the macabre island of Tormentosa, located in an alternative and dark version of Spain. The protagonist, a soldier named Gabriel, must face grotesque creatures and gigantic religious statues to uncover deeply disturbing secrets about the place. The sound design and art direction work together to create a constant sense of imminent danger with each corridor explored.
The combat mechanics bring a tense and innovative twist to the survival horror genre: the player uses the character’s own blood as a resource to generate ammunition for his firearm equipped with spikes. This design decision requires a constant, harrowing balance between attacking incoming enemies and preserving one’s own vitality. Each shot fired costs a fraction of your health, turning confrontations into deadly resource management puzzles.
On the same topic: Epic Games Store makes 12 high-profile games available for free on PC in 2026
Park management comes to life with Planet Zoo: Console Edition
Those who prefer a more strategic pace and focused on long-term planning can take on the role of administrators of a large ecological complex. Developed by the same studio responsible for past successes in the simulation genre, the title demands attention to the smallest details, from building suitable habitats to rigorously monitoring the physical and mental well-being of dozens of highly realistic animal species. The animals’ artificial intelligence reacts directly to the architectural decisions made by the user.
With commands carefully adapted for video game controls, the work allows you to shape the terrain, adjust the temperature of the enclosures and manage the park’s finances in a very intuitive way. The educational aspect also features heavily in this production, providing real-world information about environmental conservation, diet and wildlife habits as the player tries to keep the zoo profitable and attractive to virtual visitors.
Chaotic disputes and classic humor in Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports
To complete the package of offers focused on uncompromised group fun, this purely arcade-style title brings together Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other iconic television characters in four different sports. The football, tennis, golf and basketball matches completely avoid any pretense of realism, relying heavily on traps in the scenery, special cheat items and a lot of visual confusion on the screen, honoring the legacy of classic animations.
Native support for up to four people playing simultaneously on the same console turns the experience into an excellent choice for gathering family or friends on the couch during the weekend. Each animated figure has unique attributes that adapt to different play styles, ensuring that local competitions are always unpredictable and full of last-minute twists. The ease of controls allows people of all ages to compete on equal terms in the first few minutes of the game.
