If you’re a big console or PC gamer, Xbox Game Pass might be worth it. This is a digital subscription service that gives you access to an ever-growing library of over 250 games, as well as special discounts and offers.
Xbox Game Pass is available for both consoles and PC. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a subscription tier that supports Android phones and tablets from the cloud. We’ll go over everything you need to know about Xbox Game Pass, including how much it costs and what games you get.
What Is Xbox Game Pass?
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass is a monthly subscription service. It was released for Xbox One in 2017 and for PC in 2019.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers have access to over 250 games, which are updated on a regular basis. You simply pay a monthly fee and have unlimited access to those games until your subscription expires or the game is removed from the library.
Console (Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S), PC (Windows 10 and 11), and Ultimate memberships are available (which includes both console and PC games, along with cloud gaming on Android phones and tablets).
All memberships include the following benefits:
- Access to a growing library of over 250 PC/Xbox games
- Xbox Game Studios titles are available the day they are released
- 20% off when purchasing a game from the Game Pass library
- When purchasing related game add-ons, you will receive a 10% discount.
Is EA Play Included With Xbox Game Pass?
EA Play is Electronic Arts’ own video game subscription service. You’ll have unrestricted access to some of the company’s most popular games, including The Sims 4 and Star Wars: Squadrons.
You’ll also get up to 10 hours of early access to select new EA releases, as well as a 10% discount if you decide to buy the full game.
EA Play is included in the Xbox Game Pass PC and Ultimate memberships at no additional cost. If you don’t want the Xbox Game Pass’s other perks, it’s also available separately from EA.
What Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
The top-tier Xbox Game Pass membership is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. In addition to the aforementioned advantages, it also includes:
- Weapon or character skins are available for free in the game.
- Early access to new games on occasion
- You can play games on your Android phone or tablet through the cloud.
- Xbox Live Gold membership, which offers Games with Gold, Deals with Gold, and console multiplayer
You can still use your Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass codes after you join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. These are converted based on a fluctuating exchange rate. One month of Gold or Xbox Game Pass currently entitles you to 20 days of Ultimate.
What Games Do You Get With Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass offers access to hundreds of games. Xbox 360 games (which must be played on an Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One, as Game Pass is not available for the 360), Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One games, and PC games are among them. Some games can be played on both the Xbox and the PC.
Viva Piñata, Fable III, and Mirror’s Edge are among the classic Xbox 360 games included. All of these were fantastic experiences that you can still enjoy today.
Games like The Outer Worlds, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Dirt 5 are available on modern Xbox consoles.
Torchlight III, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Sunset Overdrive are among the PC games available.
All of the games listed above, as well as those available on both Xbox One and PC, are available to those who have purchased the Ultimate pass. Games like Sea of Thieves, Forza Horizon 4, and ARK: Survival Evolved fall into this category.
Remember that the games available change frequently, so your favorite game may or may not remain available through Xbox Game Pass.
When Are New Games Added to Xbox Game Pass?
When new games are added, there is no set schedule. They “are added all the time,” according to Microsoft. Xbox Game Studio titles, on the other hand, will almost certainly be available at launch.
This includes Mojang, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Rare, and Double Fine, as well as all subsidiary developers.
Unlike PlayStation Plus, where monthly games remain in your library indefinitely as long as you’re a subscriber, Xbox Game Pass only allows you to play games from the current catalog.
Because titles can be removed over time, if you’re halfway through one, you’ll have to buy it to continue playing. Microsoft provides discounts on titles that are affected.
How Much Does Xbox Game Pass Cost?
You can cancel Xbox Game Pass at any time because it is billed on a monthly basis. The cost will vary depending on the region, but these are the costs for those in the United States.
The monthly fee for the Console pass is $9.99. The first month of the PC pass is currently available for $1, with subsequent months costing $9.99/month.
The Ultimate pass, which includes both PC and Xbox games, an Xbox Live Gold subscription, and other perks, costs $14.99 per month.
If you own both platforms and want to play online on console, the Ultimate pass is unquestionably the best deal, especially when you consider that Xbox Live Gold alone costs $9.99 per month. For the first month, you can get Ultimate for $1.
Where Is Xbox Game Pass Available?
In the following countries, Xbox Game Pass is available:
Denmark, Colombia, Czechia, Austria, Belgium, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.
There are, however, some limitations. In Russia, for example, membership can only be purchased through local retailers or third-party online sellers.
Cloud gaming is also not available in many countries. The Xbox Supported Countries/Regions page has all of the details.
While Xbox Game Pass is available in a number of major markets, it is still unavailable in a number of lucrative countries, including those where other gaming services are available. Technical limitations, licensing agreements, or local laws could all be reasons for the restrictions.
How Do I Buy Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox’s official website for Console and PC, is the best place to purchase Xbox Game Pass. Although you can purchase codes from other retailers, you’ll usually get the best deal from Microsoft directly.
To play PC games, you’ll need the Xbox app, which you can download via the link above, as well as the most recent version of Windows 10.
The Xbox Game Pass app for Android and iOS is an optional companion piece that allows you to see what games are available and remotely install them to your Xbox.
If you have an Android device and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can use the app to stream games to your phone or tablet.
The Bottom Line
If you have the time to play a variety of games, Xbox Game Pass will be well worth your money. Not only do you have access to current hits, but you also have access to a large back catalog of classics. While Sony offers a similar service in PS Now, Xbox Game Pass outperforms it in terms of multi-device compatibility, price, and game selection.
Well, that’s everything you needed to know about the Xbox Game Pass. We hope this guide helped you. If you liked this, don’t forget to check out our other explainers, best lists, and how-to guides. Furthermore, if you have any questions or suggestions, please use the comment section below to contact us.
