Microsoft officially announced the first wave of Xbox Game Pass games for October on October 8, with the most anticipated news being that Ninja Gaiden 4, developed by PlatinumGames and published by Xbox Game Studios, will launch day one on Game Pass on October 21.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Day One on Game Pass
Ninja Gaiden 4 is the long-awaited new entry in this legendary action game series, developed by PlatinumGames—renowned for Bayonetta and NieR: Automata—with supervision from Team Ninja to ensure the game stays true to the series’ core spirit.
Game Features
Set in near-future Tokyo, players take on the role of Yakumo, a young ninja prodigy facing the resurgence of ancient enemies. The official description calls it “a cutting-edge adventure where legacy and innovation meet, delivering a highly stylized and unrestricted high-octane combat experience.”
Ninja Gaiden 4 will simultaneously launch on Cloud Gaming, PC, and Xbox Series X|S platforms on October 21, available immediately to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The game is now available for pre-load, with the console version requiring approximately 37GB and the PC version exceeding 50GB.
Other October Game Pass Additions
Beyond Ninja Gaiden 4, Microsoft announced several other October releases:
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Launching October 15, playable on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S platforms. This remastered classic lets players revisit one of the series’ defining entries.
Other First Wave Lineup
- Keeper: A new title from a Microsoft first-party studio
- Ball x Pit: Casual gaming experience
- Supermarket Simulator: Management simulation game
- The Casting of Frank Stone: Horror narrative adventure launching October 14, set in Cedar Hills, playable on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S
PlatinumGames and Team Ninja: A Powerhouse Collaboration
The development team behind Ninja Gaiden 4 has garnered significant attention. PlatinumGames is celebrated for crafting fluid and stylish action games, while Team Ninja is the original creator of the Ninja Gaiden series. This partnership is viewed as a perfect fusion of tradition and innovation.
As an Xbox first-party published title, its day one inclusion in Game Pass demonstrates Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its subscription service content library. For action game enthusiasts, this represents an excellent opportunity to experience a premium action game at low cost.
Game Pass Continues Expanding Content Ecosystem
Microsoft continues providing day-one game releases through Game Pass, including both first-party titles from its own studios and third-party collaborations. This subscription model is transforming how players consume games, allowing subscribers to access a vast game library for a fixed monthly fee.
According to Microsoft’s strategy, new games are added to Game Pass monthly, while some titles are also removed. October’s lineup emphasizes action games, with Ninja Gaiden 4’s addition being the month’s biggest highlight.
Subscription Service Value Analysis
Taking Ninja Gaiden 4 as an example, this AAA action game would likely retail for $60-70 if purchased separately, but Game Pass subscribers can access it for just the monthly fee (Ultimate around $17, PC Game Pass around $10). For players interested in trying multiple games, the subscription service offers exceptional value.
Additionally, the game supports cloud streaming, meaning even players without high-end consoles or PCs can enjoy this graphically impressive action title through the cloud.
Subscription Information:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Approximately $17/month (includes console, PC, cloud gaming, and EA Play)
- PC Game Pass: Approximately $10/month (PC platform games only)
- For more details, visit Xbox Game Pass official website
