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Since its introduction in 2017, Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass has steadily grown into a Netflix-style subscription service that lets players download or stream a rotating library of more than 450 games.
Separate Xbox console and PC plans are available starting at $10 a month, giving you access to a library of downloadable games on either platform. The top tier, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, even lets you stream games directly to your phone, select Samsung displays, and Fire TV 4K sticks for $20 a month. This removes the need for an expensive gaming PC, Xbox Series X, or Xbox Series S console entirely.
Ultimate members can also play the latest Xbox Studios games as soon as they're released. The same-day releases and sprawling library have made Game Pass a trendsetter for gaming subscriptions, leading Sony to launch a competing platform called PlayStation Plus. You can learn more about how both services stack up in our Xbox Game Pass vs. PlayStation Plus comparison.
If you're on the fence about Xbox Game Pass, we've got you covered with a full breakdown of plans, pricing, and features. And if you're looking for more Xbox coverage, check out our roundups of the best Xbox accessories and best Xbox headsets.
What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a subscription service that gives members access to more than a hundred games on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and support for online multiplayer. The service offers a mix of classic titles dating back to the original Xbox, along with new releases and full access to the EA Play library. Games rotate in and out of the catalog on a regular basis.
New first-party games from Microsoft — like Starfield, Forza Motorsport, and the Halo franchise — are available with Game Pass Ultimate the same day they're released in stores. Several popular indie titles and online multiplayer games, like Lies of P and Payday 3, have also launched on Game Pass.
In addition to the ability to download games on your Xbox console or PC, Game Pass Ultimate allows users to stream many games on their phone, a computer browser, certain Samsung smart TVs, and select Fire TV sticks. This means you can play games from the Xbox Game Pass library even if you don't own an Xbox console, gaming PC, or gaming laptop.
For example, members with a compatible Samsung TV or Fire TV Stick can stream games to their display without any other hardware. You just need to download the Xbox app on your device, pair a wireless controller, and you're good to go. However, not every game that's available on Xbox Game Pass supports cloud streaming.
Members also get special discounts in the Microsoft digital store, as well as offers from partner companies like Discord, Disney Plus, and Marvel Unlimited.
Following a $3 price increase on July 10, Game Pass Ultimate now costs $20 a month. Existing members who signed up before the price hike can continue to pay the old $17 rate until September 12.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($20/month) offers a Netflix-style subscription with hundreds of games for Xbox and PC, along with online multiplayer support for Xbox games. Members can even stream games to mobile devices, Samsung TVs, and select Fire TV sticks.
What is Xbox Game Pass for PC?
Xbox Game Pass for PC is a PC-only tier of the service. It offers many of the same benefits as an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan but does not offer access to games on Xbox consoles or support for streaming games through the cloud.
Following a $2 price increase on July 10, Game Pass for PC now costs $12 a month. PC members who signed up before July 10 can continue to pay the old $10 monthly rate until September 12.
This is the PC version of Xbox Game Pass, which gets you EA Play, exclusive member discounts, and unlimited access to over 100 games on PC for $12 a month.
What is Xbox Game Pass Core?
Xbox Game Pass Core is the entry-level Game Pass tier for consoles that launched in September 2023. It replaced Xbox Live Gold, a separate service previously needed to play Xbox games online.
An Xbox Game Pass Core subscription costs $10 a month or $75 a year. Members get online multiplayer support along with a collection of about 25 Xbox Studios games. Subscribers also have access to the same discounts as other Game Pass members in the Microsoft Store.
Core members do not get access to the full Game Pass library of games with day-one releases and they do not get support for cloud streaming.
Xbox Game Pass Core members can upgrade their subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at any time; the number of days remaining on your subscription will be converted based on the price difference.
An Xbox Game Pass Core membership offers access to around 25 games on Xbox consoles, along with online multiplayer support.
What is Xbox Game Pass for Console?
Xbox Game Pass for Console was the service's midrange tier for Xbox owners, costing $11 a month. As of July 10, this plan is no longer available for new members but remains active for existing subscribers. In the coming months, Microsoft will launch a new midrange console plan, called Xbox Game Pass Standard, to replace Game Pass for Console.
Xbox Game Pass Standard will offer download support for hundreds of games on Xbox consoles, online multiplayer support, and access to member deals and discounts for $15 a month. However, this plan will not feature day-one release or cloud streaming support.
How much is Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass prices range from $10 to $20 a month, depending on which of the four plans you choose. For a limited time, Xbox Game Pass for PC and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate both offer a 14-day trial period for $1 before renewing at the regular price.
Here's a breakdown of Xbox Game Pass plans and prices:
| Xbox Game Pass Core | Xbox Game Pass for PC | Xbox Game Pass for console* | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate |
Price | $10/month | $12/month | $11/month | $20/month |
Downloadable game library | About 25 games for Xbox consoles only | More than 100 games for PC only | More than 100 games for Xbox consoles only | More than 100 games for console and PC |
Xbox Studios same-day releases | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Streaming game library | No | No | No | Yes |
Online multiplayer | Yes | Not Necessary | No | Yes |
EA Play membership | No | PC only | No | Console and PC |
Microsoft store discounts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Free member perks for in-game DLC and partner offers | No | No | No | Yes |
*Xbox Game Pass for Console is no longer available for new members. It will be replaced by the new Xbox Game Pass Standard Plan in the coming months.
What games are included with Xbox Game Pass?
An Xbox Game Pass Console, PC, or Ultimate membership includes more than 100 games. Xbox Game Pass Core members, however, only get access to a library of about 25 games; Microsoft says they will continue adding more games to the Core Collection two or three times a year.
Games are typically available for at least a year, though some titles have rotated out after a shorter period. Games from Microsoft's Xbox Studios, like Halo and Forza, are permanent fixtures.
Not every Xbox Game Pass title is available on both console and PC. Furthermore, only specific games will share progression between the PC and console versions. Similarly, only certain games allow online multiplayer between PC and Xbox consoles. When streaming on a phone, players will stream the Xbox version of the game.
You can check the full list of Xbox Game Pass games on the official Xbox site, and we've included some of the most popular franchises you'll find below.
- Minecraft franchise
- Halo franchise
- Gears of War franchise
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Forza series
- Doom franchise
- Fallout franchise
- The Elder Scrolls franchise
- Age of Empires franchise
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Redfall
- Grounded
- Psychonauts 2
- Sea of Thieves
- State of Decay series
- Battletoads
- Bleeding Edge
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Ori and the Blind Forest
- Crackdown series
Are there deals on Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass plans are often sold at a slight discount from various retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. In the past, we've seen gift cards offering three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for as low as $30.
The only notable Xbox Game Pass promo we're seeing right now is a 14-day trial of Game Pass PC or Ultimate for $1.
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