Free Games This Month: Every Free Game in September 2026
Free Games This Month: Every Free Game in September 2026
Type: Monthly Roundup
Publish Date: September 7, 2026
Est. Reading Time: 7 minutes
Author: Vaulted.Games
Category: Deals
Tags: free games this month, free games this month xbox, free games playstation plus, Epic free games, Prime Gaming, free games September 2026, Game Pass, PS Plus, free to play, save money
File: Images/featured/free-games-september-2026.png
Description: A clean split-panel composition showing four platform zones (PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, Amazon Prime Gaming), each with its logo and a stack of game cover art. A bold "SEPTEMBER 2026" banner runs across the top. Center badge reads "$250+ FREE." Dark background with each platform's brand color as an accent glow.
Alt Text: Free games September 2026 across PlayStation Plus Xbox Game Pass Epic Games Store and Amazon Prime Gaming with over 30 titles
Excerpt
Over 30 free games hit PS Plus, Xbox Game Pass, Epic, Prime Gaming, and GOG in September 2026, worth $250+ combined. Here's every one, with claim deadlines.
Free games are everywhere right now, and that's exactly the problem. PS Plus drops on the first Tuesday, Epic rotates every Thursday, Prime Gaming trickles out all month, and Game Pass adds titles in waves with no set schedule. Miss a claim window and the game is gone until who-knows-when.
So we did the tracking for you. This is the single reference for everything free in September 2026, across every platform, with the deadlines that actually matter. Bookmark it. We update it as new games drop.
Quick Answer: Best Free Games in September 2026
If you're short on time, claim these five first:
- Chained Echoes (PS Plus) - Metacritic 90. A gorgeous retro turn-based RPG and the single best-reviewed free game this month.
- Astral Ascent (Epic) - Metacritic 89. A stylish, tight roguelite that's free September 10 through 17.
- Dune: Awakening (Game Pass) - Metacritic 77. A survival MMO with a genuinely massive amount to do (60+ hours easy).
- Steelrising (Prime Gaming) - A full AAA soulslike, yours to keep forever, no subscription needed after you claim it.
- Alone With You (Epic) - Metacritic 74. A short narrative sci-fi game that's free right now but only until September 10.
If you only have time to claim a few, start with those.
PlayStation Plus (Essential Tier)
Available: September 1 - October 5, 2026
Requirement: PS Plus Essential subscription ($79.99/year)
Four games this month, including a surprise sports bonus.
| Game | Platform | Metacritic | Hours to Beat | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chained Echoes | PS4 | 90 | 35 hrs | Yes, the standout pick |
| MLB The Show 26 | PS5 | 73 | Ongoing | Yes, if you like baseball |
| Sniper Elite: Resistance | PS5, PS4 | 40 | 9 hrs | Only if the premise grabs you |
| Wobbly Life | PS5, PS4 | 79 | 4 hrs | Yes, for co-op nights |
Don't miss: Chained Echoes is the easy winner here. A Metacritic 90 turn-based RPG that normally runs $24.99, free with your subscription. Sniper Elite: Resistance is the biggest name on the list, but its reviews sit around 40, so temper expectations. MLB The Show 26 landing as a bonus freebie is a nice surprise if you follow the sport, and Wobbly Life is a genuinely fun four-player sandbox that's "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
Claim deadline: October 5, 2026. Add all four to your library before then, even if you're not playing right now. Once they're in your account, they stay claimable for as long as your subscription is active.
Xbox Game Pass
Available: Various dates throughout September
Requirement: Game Pass subscription
Game Pass adds titles in waves all month. Here's what's landed and what's coming, with tier notes where they matter.
| Game | Date | Platforms | Metacritic | Hours to Beat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelldiver | Sept 1 | Console, PC, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| Moonlighter 2 | Sept 2 | Series X|S, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed | Sept 3 | Series X|S, PC, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| Dice a Million | Sept 4 | Series X|S, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| NHL 27 (10-hr trial) | Sept 4 | Series X|S, PC | TBD | Trial only |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War | Sept 8 | Console, PC, Cloud | TBD | ~5 hrs (campaign) |
| The Royal Writ | Sept 10 | Series X|S, PC, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage | Sept 10 | Series X|S, PC, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| RuneScape: Dragonwilds | Sept 15 | Series X|S, PC, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| EA Sports FC 27 (10-hr trial) | Sept 18 | Series X|S, PC | TBD | Trial only |
| Dune: Awakening | Sept 22 | Series X|S, PC, Cloud | 77 | 59 hrs |
| Well Dweller | Sept 22 | Series X|S, PC, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| Mad King Redemption | Sept 23 | Series X|S, PC, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
| Minecraft Dungeons 2 | Sept 29 | Series X|S, PC, Cloud | TBD | TBD |
Don't miss: The day-one launches are the headline. SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed (Sept 3), Dune: Awakening (Sept 22), and Minecraft Dungeons 2 (Sept 29) all hit Game Pass the day they release, which is the single best reason to have a subscription. Dune: Awakening is the deepest of the bunch if you want a game to sink weeks into. Note that the NHL 27 and EA Sports FC 27 entries are 10-hour trials, not full games.
Unlike PS Plus and Epic, Game Pass games don't have a monthly claim deadline. You play them as long as they're in the catalog. But they do leave eventually, so don't sit on a game you actually want to finish. Frostpunk 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 are reportedly leaving around September 15, with more departures still to be confirmed.
Epic Games Store (Free for Everyone)
Available: Weekly rotation, Thursdays at 11 AM ET
Requirement: None. Free Epic Games account. Keep the games forever.
| Game | Free Period | Normal Price | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alone With You | Sept 3 - Sept 10 | $9.99 | Expired |
| Evan's Remains (mobile) | Sept 3 - Sept 10 | ~$4.99 | Expired |
| Astral Ascent | Sept 10 - Sept 17 | $24.99 | Yes, live now, claim it |
| Luftrausers | Sept 10 - Sept 17 | $9.99 | Yes, quick arcade fun |
| Shogun Showdown | Sept 17 - Sept 24 | $14.99 | Yes, coming next week |
| Mindcop | Sept 17 - Sept 24 | $14.99 | Yes, if you like detective games |
Don't miss: Astral Ascent is live right now and it's the highlight, a Metacritic 89 roguelite that normally runs $24.99, paired with the frantic arcade shooter Luftrausers for a combined $34.98 in free value. Both are free through September 17, so claim them this week. Next Thursday brings Shogun Showdown, a turn-based roguelike deck-builder sitting at "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam, alongside Mindcop, a quirky non-linear detective adventure from solo developer Andre Gareis.
Pro tip: Claim every free Epic game, every week, even the ones you'll never play. It takes ten seconds, it's yours forever, and future-you will thank present-you when you suddenly want something to play on a Friday night.
Note: This section updates weekly on Thursdays when Epic rotates. Next week's lineup (September 17-24) is confirmed: Shogun Showdown and Mindcop. The rotation for September 24-October 1 isn't announced yet. Check back, or track it automatically with Vaulted.Games.
Amazon Prime Gaming
Available: Staggered weekly releases throughout September
Requirement: Amazon Prime membership ($14.99/month or $139/year)
Prime Gaming spreads its drops across the whole month, and each game has its own claim deadline and its own storefront. Claim it and it's yours to keep, no ongoing Prime needed to play.
| Game | Available Until | Claim Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Right and Down | Sept 5 | GOG |
| Hiveswap Friendsim | Sept 9 | GOG |
| Airship: Kingdoms Adrift | Sept 16 | Epic (via Luna) |
| Steelrising | Sept 16 | Epic (via Luna) |
| Pyramids and Aliens: Escape Room | Sept 16 | GOG |
| Space Grunts 2 | Sept 16 | GOG |
| In Sound Mind | Sept 23 | Amazon Games |
| Spray Paint Simulator | Sept 23 | Amazon Games |
| Space Grunts: Chrono Shard | Sept 23 | Epic (via Luna) |
| Royal Romances: Forbidden Magic | Sept 23 | Legacy Games |
| Clash: Artifacts of Chaos | Sept 30 | Epic (via Luna) |
| Havendock | Oct 28 | Amazon Games |
| Weakless | Oct 28 | GOG |
| Zoria: Age of Shattering | Oct 28 | GOG |
Don't miss: Steelrising is the headliner, a full AAA soulslike set in an alternate-history French Revolution, and it's free until September 16. In Sound Mind is a well-reviewed psychological horror game worth grabbing before September 23, and Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is a stylish action title with a claim window that runs to September 30.
Note: The Prime roster keeps filling in through the month, with new titles typically dropping on Wednesdays. Luna streaming bonuses may be added but aren't confirmed yet. This section updates weekly on Wednesdays.
GOG Giveaways
No standalone GOG giveaway is live as of September 7. GOG runs its freebies sporadically, usually tied to seasonal sales or anniversary events rather than a fixed monthly schedule, so there's nothing to claim directly from GOG right now.
Worth knowing: every GOG giveaway is DRM-free and yours to keep forever, no launcher required. GOG also runs a "Welcome Gift" of four free games for brand-new accounts, but that's an onboarding perk, not a limited-time monthly drop. We'll flag any real GOG giveaway here the moment one goes live.
The Full September 2026 Free Games Calendar
| Date | Game | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 1 | Sniper Elite: Resistance, MLB The Show 26, Chained Echoes, Wobbly Life (through Oct 5) | PS Plus Essential |
| Sept 1 | Shelldiver | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 2 | Moonlighter 2 | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 3 | SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 3 - 10 | Alone With You, Evan's Remains (mobile) | Epic Games Store |
| Sept 4 | Dice a Million, NHL 27 (trial) | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 5 | Right and Down (claim ends) | Prime Gaming (GOG) |
| Sept 8 | Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 9 | Hiveswap Friendsim (claim ends) | Prime Gaming (GOG) |
| Sept 10 | The Royal Writ, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 10 - 17 | Astral Ascent, Luftrausers | Epic Games Store |
| Sept 15 | RuneScape: Dragonwilds | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 16 | Steelrising, Airship: Kingdoms Adrift, Pyramids and Aliens, Space Grunts 2 (claim ends) | Prime Gaming |
| Sept 17 - 24 | Shogun Showdown, Mindcop | Epic Games Store |
| Sept 18 | EA Sports FC 27 (trial) | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 22 | Dune: Awakening, Well Dweller | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 23 | Mad King Redemption | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 23 | In Sound Mind, Spray Paint Simulator, Space Grunts: Chrono Shard, Royal Romances (claim ends) | Prime Gaming |
| Sept 24 - Oct 1 | Epic weekly rotation | Epic (TBD, not yet announced) |
| Sept 29 | Minecraft Dungeons 2 | Xbox Game Pass |
| Sept 30 | Clash: Artifacts of Chaos (claim ends) | Prime Gaming |
Total value: Adding it up, PS Plus alone is around $180 across its four titles, Epic delivers roughly $45 in keep-forever games, and Prime Gaming stacks 14+ more on top. Conservatively, September 2026's confirmed free-game value clears $250+, and that's before you count the entire Game Pass catalog or the Epic rotations still to be announced.
How to Make Sure You Never Miss Free Games
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Set weekly reminders. Epic rotates every Thursday at 11 AM ET, PS Plus refreshes the first Tuesday of the month, and Prime Gaming drops staggered titles all month (usually Wednesdays). Three recurring alarms cover almost everything.
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Claim everything, play later. Free games on Epic and Prime are yours forever once claimed. Grab them even if they're not your genre. It costs nothing and builds a backlog for a rainy day.
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Check multiple platforms. The best free game of the month isn't always on the platform you use most. September's top pick (Chained Echoes) is on PS Plus, but the best AAA freebie (Steelrising) comes through Prime Gaming. Spread your net.
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Don't let subscriptions go to waste. If you're already paying for PS Plus, Game Pass, or Prime, the free games are money you've already spent. Actually claiming them is the difference between the subscription paying for itself and quietly burning cash.
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Track it all in one place. This is exactly what Vaulted.Games is built for. Connect your accounts and get alerts across PS Plus, Game Pass, Epic, and Prime so you never miss a claim window again.
FAQ: Free Games This Month
Do I keep free Epic games forever?
Yes. Once you claim a free game on the Epic Games Store, it's permanently attached to your account, even if you never install it. The same goes for Amazon Prime Gaming titles once you claim them.
Do I keep PS Plus games if I cancel?
No. PS Plus monthly games only stay playable while your subscription is active. Cancel, and you lose access. Resubscribe, and any game you'd previously claimed comes right back. So it's worth adding every month's games even if you're not playing them yet.
Are Game Pass games really "free"?
They're included with your subscription, not free to keep. You play them as long as they stay in the Game Pass catalog, but games rotate out over time, and you lose access when they leave or when you cancel. Great value, just not ownership.
Is Prime Gaming worth it just for free games?
On its own, probably not. But if you already pay for Amazon Prime for shipping or streaming, the free games are a strong bonus, and September's Steelrising and In Sound Mind are proof the lineup can punch well above "throwaway indie" territory.
Why do free games have different claim platforms?
Distribution agreements. Prime Gaming, for example, hands out games through Amazon's own launcher, GOG, Epic, and even Legacy Games depending on the deal struck with each publisher. It's mildly annoying, but the game is still free once you claim it on the listed store.
The Bottom Line
September 2026 is a loaded month. Here's the shortlist by category:
- Best overall: Chained Echoes (PS Plus). A Metacritic 90 RPG for free is the deal of the month.
- Best day-one value: Dune: Awakening (Game Pass). A brand-new survival MMO with 60+ hours of content, free on launch day.
- Best no-subscription-needed: Astral Ascent (Epic). A Metacritic 89 roguelite, yours to keep forever with a free Epic account.
- Best surprise: Steelrising (Prime Gaming). A full AAA soulslike quietly handed out with your Prime membership.
That's $250+ in free games across five platforms, each with its own rules and deadlines. The only real way to lose is to forget to claim. Let Vaulted.Games track it all for you and send one alert when something free is worth grabbing. Connect your accounts and stop leaving free games on the table.
Last updated: September 10, 2026. We'll update this article as new free games are announced throughout the month.
Sources: PlayStation Blog, Xbox Wire, Epic Games Store, Amazon Prime Gaming, GOG.com
Instant Notification Content
Subject Line: New Article: Every Free Game in September 2026 (30+ Games Across All Platforms)
Preview Text: PS Plus, Game Pass, Epic, and Prime Gaming combined. Don't miss the claim deadlines.
Email Body:
September 2026 is stacked with over 30 free games worth $250+ across PS Plus, Xbox Game Pass, Epic, and Prime Gaming. The must-claims: Chained Echoes (Metacritic 90) free on PS Plus, Astral Ascent (Metacritic 89) free on Epic from September 10, Dune: Awakening launching day-one on Game Pass, and the AAA soulslike Steelrising free through Prime Gaming. Each platform has its own claim deadline, and some windows close fast. We've pulled every free game, every date, and every top pick into one guide. Read the full September 2026 free games list.
Weekly Digest
More than 30 free games are up for grabs in September 2026 across PS Plus, Game Pass, Epic, Prime Gaming, and GOG, worth $250+ combined. Highlights include Chained Echoes (Metacritic 90) on PS Plus, Astral Ascent (Metacritic 89) free on Epic from September 10, Dune: Awakening launching day-one on Game Pass, and the AAA soulslike Steelrising free through Prime Gaming. Every game, date, and claim deadline is in our full monthly guide.
SEO Metadata
Meta Title: Free Games September 2026: Every Free Game on Every Platform
Meta Description: 250+ free games in September 2026 across PS Plus, Game Pass, Epic, and Prime Gaming. Full list with claim deadlines and top picks.
Meta Keywords: free games this month, free games this month xbox, free games playstation plus, Epic free games September 2026, Prime Gaming free games, free games September 2026, Game Pass September, PS Plus September
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