Microsoft makes sures that its Xbox Game Pass service is constantly getting new games so that there's always more games coming to the service than there are games leaving. However, Microsoft still removes games from Xbox Game Pass on a regular basis as well, with some titles getting the boot in the middle of each month and then another batch removed at the end of each month. December 2021 is no exception, with Microsoft ending the month and the year by removing five games.

The five games leaving Xbox Game Pass on December 31, 2021 are eFootball PES 2021, The Little Acre, Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami, and Yakuza Kiwami 2. Out of these games, the ones that will likely be the biggest sting for Xbox Game Pass subscribers are the Yakuza games, as they are critically-acclaimed titles and part of the popular Yakuza franchise from Sega. Not to mention their removal means that Xbox Game Pass subscribers can no longer play through the whole series.

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Prior to December 31, all the Yakuza games were on Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers the chance to play through the entire original saga as well as the latest entry, Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Xbox Game Pass subscribers only had two weeks notice about the Yakuza games' removal, and since the games are fairly lengthy, it's possible that many subscribers are unable to finish all three of them before they're removed.

Xbox Game Pass Games Leaving December 31, 2021

Yakuza Game Pass
  • eFootball PES 2021
  • The Little Acre
  • Yakuza 0
  • Yakuza Kiwami
  • Yakuza Kiwami 2

On the bright side, Xbox Game Pass subscribers can purchase the Yakuza games to own for relatively cheap right now. Xbox Game Pass games are always available at a discount to subscribers so they can buy them to keep, and right now all three of the Yakuza games being removed on December 31 are available to buy for just $4.99. This isn't a bad deal at all and will allow Game Pass subscribers to continue discovering the Yakuza series without breaking the bank.

The other Xbox Game Pass games getting removed on December 31 are The Little Acre, a 2016 adventure game with an art style reminiscent of classic Disney cartoons, and eFootball PES 2021, a sports game that's actually being delisted from digital storefronts completely.

Microsoft has yet to reveal its Xbox Game Pass plans for January 2022, but more information should come to light in the coming days. But while Microsoft has not fully detailed its January 2022 Xbox Game Pass plans, a few games have already been confirmed for next month. Co-op shooter The Anacrusis is launching in early access on January 13, with Pupperazzi and Windjammers 2 releasing as day one Xbox Game Pass games on January 20. More games will be removed from Xbox Game Pass in January 2022 as well, though they have yet to announced.

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