We’re now three months into 2026 and the gaming scene just continues to ‘march’ on. And it’s with the new month of March in which we see a host of new Xbox and Game Pass games release to the masses. Don’t think this is going to be a month you can ease into gently. It’s full of blockbusters and bangers that kick the door wide open.
From prestige sequels and extraction shooters to sprawling RPGs, tactical stealth and neon-soaked racers, March is one of those months where your backlog quietly weeps in the corner. Pretty much like February did previously, then.
Whatever, Xbox Series X|S players, and especially Game Pass subscribers, have a serious decision to make about where to sink their time.
We’re here to help and have rounded up the finest new releases set to launch in March, across both Xbox and Game Pass. We’ve got 11 for you to cast your eye over…
| Game | Release Date | Platforms | Game Pass | Play Anywhere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planet of Lana II | 5th March | Xbox Series, Xbox One, PC | Yes | Yes |
| Marathon | 5th March | Xbox Series | No | No |
| Docked | 5th March | Xbox Series | No | No |
| Sumerian Six | 6th March | Xbox Series | No | No |
| GreedFall: The Dying World | 10th March | Xbox Series | No | No |
| John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando | 12th March | Xbox Series | No | No |
| Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection | 13th March | Xbox Series | No | No |
| Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! | 16th March | Xbox Series, Xbox One | No | No |
| Crimson Desert | 19th March | Xbox Series, PC | No | Yes |
| Screamer | 23rd March | Xbox Series, PC | No | No |
| Life is Strange Reunion | 26th March | Xbox Series, PC | No | Yes |
Planet Of Lana II – 5th March
Game Pass Day One
Few games feel as delicate and deliberate as Planet of Lana II.
This sequel builds on the quiet magic of the original Planet of Lana, a game that wowed us first time around, as we stumbled upon it in 2023.
This time we are found returning to a world where nature and technology exist in fragile tension.
Lana is older, more agile, more confident, yet her bond with Mui still sits firmly at the heart of this cinematic puzzle-platformer.
The emotion is unmistakable, carried through detailed animation, environmental storytelling and an orchestral score that swells. BAFTA winning? It probably has as good a shot as any.
And again, expect a game in which puzzles reward observation and timing rather than brute logic. At around 6-8 hours in length, Planet of Lana II will deliver you a game that is tightly paced and carefully constructed.
Our review is on the way, but this could be March’s most emotionally resonant experience. With that Game Pass Day One action, it’s a no-brainer.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Play Anywhere
- Publisher: Thunderful
- Developer: Wishfully
Marathon – 5th March
If tension and action is more your thing, Marathon is ready to test your nerves.
Set on the hostile colony of Tau Ceti IV, this PvPvE extraction shooter drops you into dangerous zones where every decision matters. From Bungie, you should pretty much know what to expect – Scavenge for loot, clash with rival Runners, survive environmental hazards, and get the hell out of there before someone else takes everything from you.
Six Runner shells form the backbone of your build, from the stealth-focused Recon to some brute force of Destroyer. From there, moddable weapons, implants and faction contracts drive long-term progression.
Marathon will be high risk, but in return you’ll get high reward, and a game that has seemingly been built for players who love the thrill of almost losing it all.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S
- Publisher: Bungie
- Developer: Bungie
Docked – 5th March
March’s new games aren’t all about explosions and existential dread. Docked offers something more grounded – and as it’s from the Saber Interactive team, it’s something that will quite possibly surprise.
This realistic simulator puts you in charge of a working port. Yeah, stick with us.
You’ll operate heavy machinery, manage cargo logistics and steadily expand infrastructure to transform a modest harbour into a thriving commercial hub.
Not yet sold? What if we told you that the appeal lies in precision and progression. Every improvement you implement, every upgraded dock, every streamlined workflow, feeds into a larger sense of efficiency and growth. It’s methodical, detailed and quietly satisfying.
For sim fans who enjoy structure, planning and watching systems come together, or those who have previously enjoyed Saber’s workings in MudRunner, SnowRunner and the like, Docked could be an unexpected March time sink.
Sumerian Six – 6th March
We think this one could well be a bit of a sleeper hit as occult science meets WWII stealth in Sumerian Six, a tactical adventure that leans into alternate-history weirdness.
You command the Enigma Squad, a team of scientist-commandos with unique abilities that can be chained together for devastating results.
But mostly this is a game in which success depends on timing, positioning and creative problem solving. Look to slip past patrols, manipulate distractions and eliminate threats before alarms spiral out of control.
The thing is, the deeper you dig into Sumerian Six and the Reich’s plans, the stranger things get. Mutated soldiers, arcane weapons and ancient artifacts raise the stakes considerably.
Should you be a fan of real-time tactical stealth, then you’ll find plenty to chew on here.
GreedFall: The Dying World – 10th March
For RPG devotees, GreedFall: The Dying World could dominate the month.
This prequel (hence the dropping of the ‘2’ in the original name), running ahead of the adventure of the original GreedFall, expands the series’ 17th century-inspired fantasy setting, sending you across the continent of Gacane as war and disease threaten entire nations.
As you should expect with a game of such a name, character creation is deep, companion relationships are meaningful, and every alliance carries weight. Further, combat supports multiple approaches, so no matter whether you utilise a tactical pause, or lean into a hybrid style for flexibility, or go full action, GreedFall: The Dying World will cover the bases. Remember, diplomacy and deception are often as powerful as steel.
With eight recruitable companions and branching consequences, this is a world designed to react to your decisions.
We’ll get you some review thoughts soon.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S
- Publisher: Nacon
- Developer: Spiders
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando – 12th March
Sometimes you just want chaos. John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando promises exactly that.
A Sludge God has unleashed undead horrors across the planet and so there is only one solution – a team of mercenaries who are enthusiastic, underqualified and heavily armed.
Built around co-op play, Toxic Commando mixes class-based abilities, upgrade paths and over-the-top weaponry with vehicular destruction and waves of monstrous enemies. The 80s horror inspiration runs thick, blending humour and carnage in equal measure.
This is a game that promises to be loud, messy and designed for squad nights. You should probably team up as soon as it drops.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S
- Publisher: Focus
- Developer: Saber Interactive
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection – 13th March
The third entry in the Stories spin-off series, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, leans fully into character-driven RPG storytelling. And we know that because we’ve been playing it for a while already…
Twin Rathalos hatch during a time of extinction and rekindled war. As a Rider, you’ll bond with monsters, build a party and uncover a mystery tied to a devastating civil conflict from centuries past.
Turn-based combat replaces the twitch-heavy action of the mainline entries, offering a more strategic, narrative-focused experience.
Stories 3 is colourful and anime-inspired, but don’t mistake that for lightweight – the themes here feel darker and more urgent, and frankly, we feel that this instalment puts it up on a par with the mainline Monster Hunter games.
Our full review is on the way, but for those wanting a story-rich RPG with monster-raising depth, this could be a standout.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S
- Publisher: Capcom
- Developer: Capcom
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! – 16th March
Would you like to know more?
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! embraces retro FPS energy with a thick layer of Federation satire.
Framed as an official training simulation, you’ll blast through Arachnid hordes, making the most of a hefty arsenal that includes Morita rifles, heavy machinery and even tactical nukes.
It goes without saying, but expect fast-paced firefights, secrets and FMV appearances from familiar faces.
It’s knowingly cheesy, proudly explosive and refreshingly straightforward. Sometimes you just need to shoot bugs. Lots of bugs. And as they say, the only good bug is a dead bug.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
- Publisher: Dotemu
- Developer: Auroch
Crimson Desert – 19th March
If March has a blockbuster centrepiece, a game that has been about as hotly anticipated as any, it’s likely Crimson Desert.
Set in the seamless open world of Pywel, you follow Kliff as he attempts to rebuild the shattered Greymanes after a devastating betrayal. The continent feels alive, filled with rival factions and diverging destinies.
Crimson Desert is extremely ambitious in both scope and presentation, aiming super high. We’ll find out if it comes together in full review, but if it delivers, this could be one of the year’s defining releases.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Play Anywhere
- Publisher: Pearl Abyss
- Developer: Pearl Abyss
Screamer – 23rd March
Looking for a return to some arcade racing? You’ll get to do it in style with Screamer.
Five teams, five motivations and a neon-drenched tournament where speed alone isn’t enough, Screamer is back!
Flashy, fast and proudly over-the-top, there’s much to love with this one, as the ECHO system allows you to Boost, Strike and Shield your way through races, turning every track into a battleground.
Further, trigger Overdrive and the chaos ramps up dramatically – no brakes, no mercy, just pure arcade aggression. With online and split-screen modes, this one feels built for competitive nights, embracing style as much as speed.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Publisher: Milestone
- Developer: Milestone
Life Is Strange Reunion – 26th March
Closing out the month is Life Is Strange Reunion, a game that looks to reunite Max and Chloe for what promises to be an emotional finale.
We didn’t expect to be treated to further narrative adventures with Reunion, but a deadly inferno threatens Caledon University in three days and so Max’s rewind powers return.
This time you’ll also control Chloe, navigating nightmares and fractured memories as the clock ticks down.
As the Life Is Strange series does so well, expect branching choices, devastating consequences and a soundtrack engineered to hit you right in the chest.
If narrative adventures are your thing, Life is Strange Reunion will close the month out in style.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Play Anywhere
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Deck Nine Games
March Is Absolutely Loaded
From quiet beauty to chaotic carnage, tactical stealth to sprawling open worlds, March delivers variety at scale. Whether you’re extracting under pressure in Marathon, exploring with Lana, rebuilding in Crimson Desert or bracing for heartbreak in Life Is Strange Reunion, there’s no shortage of heavy hitters.
Clear some space on that hard drive, you’re going to need it.
As always, let us know what you decide to play in the comments below.
