Last updated: June 2026 · US Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass is the best subscription deal in gaming if you actually play what is on the list. At $14.99/month for Ultimate (PC + console + cloud) or $9.99/month for PC Game Pass, one month of access can cost less than a single new AAA title. The trick is knowing what is worth your time and when to buy instead of subscribe.
Current Game Pass tiers (US)
- PC Game Pass — $9.99/month. Hundreds of PC titles including day-one Microsoft exclusives.
- Game Pass Ultimate — $14.99/month. Adds Xbox console, cloud gaming, and EA Play.
- Console Game Pass — $10.99/month. Xbox-only library without PC or cloud.
All tiers include online multiplayer on console (Ultimate and Console). PC Game Pass does not require Xbox Live for PC multiplayer.
Games worth subscribing for right now
The catalog rotates, but these categories consistently deliver value:
Day-one Microsoft exclusives
Starfield, Forza Motorsport, Avowed, and future first-party titles launch on Game Pass at release. If you would buy even one $70 exclusive per year, the subscription pays for itself.
Indie gems you would not try otherwise
Hades, Hollow Knight, Celeste, and dozens of breakout indies sit on Game Pass permanently or for long windows. Discovery value alone justifies a month.
EA Play included (Ultimate tier)
FIFA, Madden, Battlefield, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age titles are bundled. EA Play separately costs $4.99/month — included free in Ultimate.
Back-catalog AAA
Gears 5, Halo Infinite, Prey, Dishonored 2, and older Bethesda titles (post-acquisition) rotate through. Great for catching up on franchises before new entries.
When Game Pass is NOT worth it
- You play one game for months — MMOs, live-service titles you already own (Fortnite, Valorant, CS2). Game Pass adds nothing.
- You prefer owning on Steam — Game Pass PC games leave the catalog. Purchases you make at a discount stay forever, but subscription access expires.
- Short gaming bursts — if you play 2 hours per month, buy individual titles on sale instead.
Game Pass vs buying on sale
Rule of thumb: if a game is on Game Pass and you will finish it within 2–3 months, subscribe. If you want to replay it years later, wait for a Steam or Xbox store sale and buy permanently. Our Xbox deals page tracks Game Pass titles that also go on sale individually.
How to maximize value
- Stack prepaid months — Microsoft occasionally sells 3-month Ultimate codes at ~$30 during Black Friday.
- Use EA Play for sports titles — skip buying FIFA/Madden annually if you are on Ultimate.
- Try before you buy — play a Game Pass title, then purchase at the 20% member discount if you want permanent ownership.
- Cancel between binge periods — subscribe for a month, clear 3–4 games, pause until the next must-play release.
PC Game Pass vs Steam
Game Pass PC and Steam overlap on some titles but not all. Game Pass exclusives (Microsoft first-party) never appear on Steam at launch. Many third-party titles appear on both — compare our deals hub for standalone sale prices before committing to a subscription month.
Bottom line
Game Pass Ultimate at $14.99/month is the best deal in gaming for players who finish 2+ titles per month or want day-one Microsoft exclusives. PC-only players at $9.99/month should still evaluate whether the current catalog justifies the spend — cancel when you are between games.
Track Xbox pricing on our Xbox deals page and Xbox platform deals.