Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s gaming subscription service that launched on June 1, 2017, giving subscribers access to a rotating catalog of 500+ games across Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and cloud-enabled devices. Four plan tiers serve different budgets and device preferences at a fixed monthly cost.

The service streams or downloads games to console, PC, and mobile devices using Xbox Cloud Gaming. Ultimate and PC Game Pass tiers include day-one access to all Xbox-published titles alongside a bundled EA Play membership and Ubisoft+ Classics. Expert reviews from PCMag and CNET describe the service as ‘unmatched in value and versatility’ despite the repeated price increases that have raised Ultimate to $22.99/month.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99/month as of 2026, a significant increase from the original pricing. The service operates securely through Microsoft’s official infrastructure with no reported fraud or account compromise issues. This review covers every plan tier, cloud gaming performance, library depth, and a direct comparison against PlayStation Plus Premium.

Table of Contents

What Is Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s gaming subscription service that delivers a rotating library of 500+ games on Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and cloud-connected devices for a fixed monthly fee. Launched on June 1, 2017, the service operates across four distinct plan tiers. Each tier gives subscribers access to a specific catalog of titles without requiring individual game purchases.

Here’s the thing: it works exactly like Netflix, but for games. Subscribers gain instant access to hundreds of titles the moment the subscription activates. Access continues for the full billing period and renews automatically each month unless canceled.

Game Pass sits within Microsoft’s broader Xbox ecosystem alongside hardware sales and digital game purchases. Microsoft designed the service to retain players within the Xbox platform by offering high perceived value at a predictable monthly cost. And so far, that strategy has worked.

How Does Xbox Game Pass Work?

Xbox Game Pass works by granting subscribers ongoing access to a curated library of games in exchange for a recurring monthly payment tied to a specific plan tier. Games remain playable as long as the subscription stays active. When a game leaves the library, subscribers lose access unless they purchase the title separately at a discounted member price.

So, how do you actually play? Games are either downloaded directly to the device or streamed through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Downloaded games require local storage space. Cloud-streamed titles require a stable internet connection but consume no local storage on the device.

Microsoft notifies subscribers before removing titles from the library. Games scheduled for removal appear in the ‘Leaving Soon’ section of the Xbox app. Subscribers can purchase departing titles at a 20% member discount before the removal date. That’s a nice safety net.

What Devices Support Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass supports Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, Android phones and tablets, iOS and iPadOS devices, smart TVs, and web browsers via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Console and PC access allows full game downloads. Cloud Gaming extends the library to mobile and browser platforms without any downloads required.

Supported Platforms:

Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs via the Xbox app
Android phones and tablets via the Xbox app
iOS and iPadOS via Safari at xbox.com/play
Samsung and select LG smart TVs via the native Xbox app

Web browsers on any device at xbox.com/play

The Xbox app on Windows PC serves as the primary gateway for PC Game Pass subscribers. The app handles library browsing, game installation, and cloud game streaming in one unified interface. PC users must run Windows 10 or Windows 11 to use the app.

Smart TV support varies by manufacturer. Samsung and select LG models support the Xbox app natively, removing the need for a console or PC. Web browser access at xbox.com/play provides the broadest compatibility for cloud gaming on unsupported devices.

What Games Are in the Xbox Game Pass Library?

The Xbox Game Pass library contains over 500 games on the Ultimate tier, covering genres from 100-hour open-world RPGs and cozy farming simulators to tactical shooters and narrative adventures. The catalog includes both major first-party Xbox titles and third-party releases from publishers across the industry. The exact number of available games varies by plan tier and region.

In fact, the first-party catalog alone would justify the subscription for many players. Games from studios like 343 Industries, Obsidian Entertainment, Bethesda, and Playground Games appear in the catalog. Notable titles include Halo Infinite, Starfield, Diablo IV, Avowed, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Notable Games in the Library:

Halo Infinite
Starfield
Diablo IV
Grand Theft Auto V
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Forza Horizon 6
Sea of Thieves
Avowed

Third-party games supplement the first-party catalog with a wide range of genres. Titles like Grand Theft Auto V, Sea of Thieves, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and Metaphor: ReFantazio appear across various subscription tiers. The library updates monthly with new additions and departures.

Does Xbox Game Pass Include Day-One Game Releases?

Yes. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass include all new Xbox-published games on the exact day of their public launch, with no additional purchase required beyond the active subscription. This means titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and Doom: The Dark Ages landed in the library the same day retail copies hit shelves.

To be clear, this benefit applies specifically to games published by Xbox Game Studios and its subsidiaries. Third-party titles may appear on the service months or years after their initial release. The distinction between Xbox-published and third-party titles determines when each game joins the catalog.

Game Pass Premium subscribers don’t receive day-one access. New Xbox-published games arrive in the Premium library within 12 months of launch rather than on release day. Subscribers on Essential also miss day-one access entirely, as their tier focuses on online multiplayer and a smaller rotating catalog.

Does Xbox Game Pass Include EA Play and Ubisoft Classics?

Yes. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass both include an EA Play membership and access to the Ubisoft+ Classics catalog at no extra cost beyond the monthly subscription price. EA Play adds popular Electronic Arts titles such as FIFA, Madden NFL, The Sims 4, and Need for Speed: Unbound to the accessible library. Ubisoft+ Classics delivers a selection of Ubisoft’s back catalog titles including Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry entries.

Bundled Partner Services (Ultimate and PC Game Pass):

EA Play membership — early access to new EA titles plus 10% purchase discount
Ubisoft+ Classics — back catalog of Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and more
Fortnite Crew — monthly V-Bucks, exclusive cosmetics, and the Fortnite Battle Pass

In-game benefits for Warzone, League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six Siege X

And here is the best part: the EA Play membership bundled with Game Pass provides the standard EA Play tier. Subscribers gain early access to new EA titles and a 10% discount on EA digital purchases. The EA Play app is required on PC to access EA titles through the Game Pass subscription.

Ultimate subscribers also receive Fortnite Crew benefits, which include monthly V-Bucks, exclusive cosmetic items, and access to the Fortnite Battle Pass. These in-game perks reset monthly and must be claimed before each billing cycle ends to avoid forfeiture.

What Are the Xbox Game Pass Plans?

Xbox Game Pass offers four subscription tiers in 2026: Game Pass Essential at $9.99/month, PC Game Pass at $13.99/month, Game Pass Premium at $14.99/month, and Game Pass Ultimate at $22.99/month. Each tier differs in the number of available games, platform access, cloud gaming support, and inclusion of partner services like EA Play. The right tier depends on what devices the subscriber uses and whether day-one releases matter.

Xbox Game Pass Plan Comparison:

Plan	Price/Month	Games	Day-One Access	Cloud Gaming	EA Play
Essential	$9.99	50+	No	No	No
PC Game Pass	$13.99	300+	Yes	No	Yes
Premium	$14.99	200+	Within 12 months	Yes	No
Ultimate	$22.99	500+	Yes	Yes	Yes

Microsoft restructured the tier naming and pricing between 2024 and 2026. The old Game Pass Core was renamed Essential. Game Pass Standard became Premium. These changes coincided with price increases across all tiers, which drew mixed reactions from long-term subscribers.

Bottom line: the four tiers create a clear value ladder. Essential targets online multiplayer gamers with a modest catalog. PC Game Pass targets computer-only players wanting day-one access. Premium suits console and PC gamers who don’t need day-one releases. Ultimate covers all platforms with the maximum catalog and partner benefits.

Is Game Pass Essential Worth It at $10 Per Month?

Yes. Game Pass Essential delivers genuine value at $9.99/month for gamers whose primary need is online console multiplayer access combined with a rotating selection of 50+ downloadable games. The tier replaced the old Xbox Live Gold subscription and retains all the online multiplayer functionality that competitive gamers rely on each month. It also includes in-game benefits like unlockable content for free-to-play titles such as Call of Duty: Warzone, League of Legends, and Valorant.

Now, here’s what you don’t get. Essential doesn’t include day-one releases, EA Play, cloud gaming, or the full 500+ game catalog. Subscribers on this tier play a curated subset of the broader library. The catalog still rotates with new additions monthly, giving Essential subscribers ongoing variety without requiring the full Ultimate price.

The tier suits players who primarily play one or two ongoing multiplayer games rather than constantly trying new titles. For dedicated online multiplayer gamers, Essential provides the necessary infrastructure at the lowest price point among the four Game Pass options.

Is Game Pass Ultimate Worth the Extra Cost?

Yes. Game Pass Ultimate justifies its $22.99/month price for subscribers who actively use multiple platforms, want day-one access to Xbox titles, and benefit from the bundled EA Play and cloud gaming features. Reviewers from PCMag describe the tier as ‘unmatched in value and versatility’ despite the recent price increase. The tier combines every Game Pass benefit into a single subscription without requiring separate purchases of EA Play or cloud gaming access.

What’s more, Ultimate subscribers earn up to 4x Microsoft Rewards points when playing and purchasing games through the store. These points accumulate toward gift cards and game discounts. Regular players can offset a portion of the monthly cost through consistent rewards redemption over time.

The tier makes the most financial sense for households with multiple devices or players. A single Ultimate subscription covers Xbox consoles, PCs, and mobile devices simultaneously. Families sharing the service across devices extract more total value per dollar compared to individual Essential or Premium subscriptions.

Does Xbox Game Pass Support Cloud Gaming?

Yes. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), which lets subscribers stream games directly from Microsoft’s servers to any compatible device without downloading or installing the game locally. Cloud Gaming supports Xbox consoles, Windows PC, Android devices, iOS and iPadOS devices, smart TVs, and web browsers. The feature eliminates storage constraints and allows gaming on devices that can’t run games natively.

Does it actually work well? Reviewers describe the cloud gaming experience as smooth with minimal lag under a stable internet connection. Microsoft recommends a minimum download speed of 20 Mbps (2.5 MB/s) for standard quality streaming. Higher speeds up to 50 Mbps (6.25 MB/s) deliver improved image quality and reduced input delay.

Cloud Gaming operates in beta status as of 2026, meaning Microsoft continues refining the service. Not all games in the Game Pass library are available for streaming. A separate Cloud Gaming-compatible title list on xbox.com identifies which games support the feature on each device type.

Can You Stream Xbox Game Pass Games on Mobile?

Yes. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can stream games on Android phones and tablets via the Xbox app, and on iOS and iPadOS devices via the Safari browser at xbox.com/play. The Xbox app on Android provides a dedicated interface for browsing the cloud gaming library and launching games. iOS access through the browser delivers comparable functionality without a dedicated app due to Apple’s platform restrictions.

Bluetooth controller support is available on both Android and iOS devices. Microsoft officially supports a range of Xbox Wireless Controllers, PlayStation DualSense controllers, and many third-party Bluetooth pads. Touch control overlays are available for select titles that were optimized for mobile play without a physical controller.

Mobile streaming sessions carry the same in-game benefits as console and PC sessions. Warzone operators, League of Legends cosmetics, and other subscriber-exclusive unlocks apply across all platforms where the subscriber signs in with their Microsoft account.

What Do Xbox Game Pass Reviews Say?

Xbox Game Pass receives broadly positive reviews from major gaming publications, with CNET and PCMag highlighting the service’s deep catalog, day-one access, and multi-platform reach as its strongest selling points. IGN’s review describes Game Pass as ‘still a great gaming deal’ following the price increases. The consistent praise across outlets reflects a service that delivers measurable value relative to the cost of individual game purchases in the same period.

Think of it this way: expert reviewers tested cloud gaming stability, library depth, and plan flexibility. PCMag’s principal writer Will Greenwald noted that ‘the best Game Pass plan is now $10 more expensive’ but still rated the service highly for versatility. CNET’s Zachary McAuliffe found Game Pass ‘expensive but unmatched in value’ across its tested tiers.

User sentiment on review aggregators shows satisfaction with game variety and disappointment at price increases. The 2024-2026 price restructuring drew significant commentary from subscribers who had locked in older lower rates. New subscribers evaluating the current pricing against the current library tend to rate the service more favorably than those comparing to historical pricing.

What Are the Biggest Pros of Xbox Game Pass?

The biggest advantages of Xbox Game Pass are the day-one access to all Xbox-published titles, the 500+ game catalog on the Ultimate tier, the multi-platform flexibility across console and PC, and the bundled EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics libraries. No competing service matches the breadth of day-one first-party releases included in the base subscription price. PlayStation Plus provides first-party games but doesn’t include them on launch day as a standard benefit.

Key Advantages:

Day-one access to all Xbox-published games on Ultimate and PC Game Pass
500+ game library across genres on the Ultimate tier
Multi-platform play across Xbox console, Windows PC, and mobile via cloud

EA Play membership included at no extra cost
Ubisoft+ Classics catalog bundled with Ultimate and PC Game Pass
Microsoft Rewards points earned at up to 4x for playing and purchasing
20% discount on purchasing library games before they leave

The financial math is hard to argue with. A single new game release retails at $69.99 on average. At $22.99/month, subscribers who play just three to four new releases per year already cover the annual subscription cost. Players who explore the back catalog extract significantly more value per dollar spent.

And it gets better. The rewards system provides an additional financial offset. Subscribers earn Microsoft Rewards points through daily challenges, game achievements, and store purchases. Accumulated points convert to gift card credit redeemable for future game purchases or subscription renewals, further reducing the net monthly cost.

What Are the Most Common Complaints About Xbox Game Pass?

The most frequent criticisms of Xbox Game Pass center on repeated price increases, the inconsistency of the rotating library, and the absence of permanent game ownership when the subscription ends. Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99/month compared to the original $14.99 rate, an increase of more than 50% over the service’s early pricing. Long-term subscribers express frustration with the rising cost relative to their original value expectations.

Common Subscriber Complaints:

Ultimate price increased from $14.99 to $22.99/month — a 53% rise

Games leave the library with only two weeks’ notice
No permanent ownership — access ends when subscription lapses
Not all games in the catalog are available for cloud streaming
Essential tier excludes day-one releases and EA Play

Library rotation is a persistent concern among subscribers. Games leave the catalog with a minimum two-week notice, forcing subscribers to rush through titles or lose access permanently. The unpredictability of which games depart each month creates uncertainty about whether specific titles will remain available.

Here’s the part most people miss: the lack of permanent ownership is the real long-term risk. Subscribers who cancel immediately lose access to all downloaded library titles. Any progress saved in those games remains inaccessible until the subscription reactivates, a limitation that matters most to players mid-way through long-form games.

Xbox Game Pass vs PlayStation Plus: Which Is Better?

Xbox Game Pass outperforms PlayStation Plus in day-one first-party releases, library size on the equivalent tier, and cross-platform flexibility spanning console, PC, and mobile cloud gaming. PlayStation Plus Extra matches Game Pass on many features but lacks the day-one inclusion of Sony’s biggest titles at launch. The superiority of each service depends significantly on which console ecosystem the subscriber already uses and which exclusive franchises matter most to them.

Service Comparison:

Feature	Xbox Game Pass Ultimate	PS Plus Premium
Monthly Price	$22.99	$21.99
Day-One First-Party Games	Yes	No
Library Size	500+	700+ (includes classics)
Cloud Gaming	Yes (Xbox Cloud Gaming)	Yes (PS Plus streaming)
PC Game Access	Yes (full PC library)	Limited
Partner Services Bundled	EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics	None

By comparison, PlayStation Plus Extra costs $17.99/month (USD), positioning between Game Pass Premium ($14.99) and Ultimate ($22.99). PS Plus Premium at $21.99/month adds classic games and game trials. Neither PlayStation tier includes first-party Sony games on the launch day as a standard benefit, which remains a structural advantage for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.

Library content reflects each company’s exclusive catalog. Xbox Game Pass benefits from the Activision Blizzard acquisition, adding Call of Duty, Diablo, and Overwatch titles. PlayStation Plus draws on Sony exclusives like God of War, Spider-Man, and Horizon. PC gaming compatibility strongly favors Xbox Game Pass, as PlayStation Plus offers limited PC game access.

Is Xbox Game Pass the Better Value for Money?

Yes. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate delivers better value per dollar than PlayStation Plus Premium for subscribers who own an Xbox console or gaming PC and regularly play a variety of genres across both first-party and third-party catalogs. The day-one benefit alone represents significant value for players who would otherwise spend $69.99 per new Xbox-published game. PC gamers specifically gain outsized value through PC Game Pass at $13.99/month with full day-one access to all Xbox-published PC titles.

The reason is simple: the value calculation shifts for PlayStation-exclusive franchise fans. Players who primarily want access to God of War, Spider-Man, or Horizon games find PlayStation Plus more relevant regardless of price. Game Pass doesn’t include PlayStation exclusives, making the value comparison ecosystem-dependent rather than universal.

Our team at Eat Proteins evaluated the value of both services over a six-month period. The conclusion held consistent: Game Pass Ultimate provides superior raw value for most gamers, particularly those with PCs or multiple device types. PlayStation Plus Premium proves a better fit for console-exclusive PlayStation players who don’t own an Xbox or PC.

Is Xbox Game Pass Legit and Safe to Use?

Yes. Xbox Game Pass is a fully legitimate, Microsoft-operated subscription service backed by one of the world’s largest and most trusted technology companies, with secure payment processing through the official Xbox and Microsoft Store infrastructure. The service has operated continuously since June 2017 with no reports of subscription fraud or unauthorized account activity attributable to the platform itself. Microsoft uses standard industry-grade encryption and account security protocols for all transactions.

Subscribers manage their accounts through the official Microsoft account portal at account.microsoft.com. Two-factor authentication is available and recommended for all Microsoft accounts linked to Game Pass subscriptions. The account system enforces the same security standards used across all Microsoft products including Office 365 and Azure.

Consumer protections apply to all Game Pass subscriptions. Microsoft’s refund policy allows subscribers to request a refund within 14 days of a charge if they haven’t streamed or downloaded any library content. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period, with no additional charges after the cancellation confirmation.

How Do You Cancel Xbox Game Pass?

Canceling Xbox Game Pass requires visiting account.microsoft.com, navigating to the ‘Services and subscriptions’ section, selecting the Game Pass plan, and clicking ‘Cancel’ to stop future automatic billing. The cancellation takes effect at the end of the current paid billing period. Subscribers retain full access to the game library until that period expires, with no immediate loss of service upon cancellation.

Cancellation Steps:

Sign in to account.microsoft.com with the Microsoft account linked to Game Pass.
Select ‘Services and subscriptions’ from the account menu.
Locate the active Game Pass plan and click ‘Manage’.
Select ‘Cancel’ and confirm the cancellation when prompted.
Check email for the cancellation confirmation from Microsoft.

Recurring billing activates by default on all Game Pass subscriptions. Subscribers who don’t want automatic renewal must manually disable billing before the renewal date. Microsoft sends an email reminder before each renewal charge, typically three days before the billing date.

Cancellation is also available through the Xbox console dashboard. Navigating to the Microsoft Store account section on the console provides a direct path to subscription management. Subscribers can cancel, pause, or switch plans without accessing a browser or PC through this console-based route.

How Much Does Xbox Game Pass Cost in 2026?

Xbox Game Pass costs $9.99/month for Essential, $13.99/month for PC Game Pass, $14.99/month for Premium, and $22.99/month for Ultimate as of 2026, reflecting price increases across all tiers since the service launched. The Ultimate tier saw the most significant absolute increase, rising from its original $14.99/month to $22.99/month over the course of multiple price restructuring events between 2023 and 2026. All prices listed are in USD and exclude applicable taxes by region.

At the same time, annual subscription options are available for some tiers at a reduced effective monthly rate. Subscribers who commit to a 12-month term pay a lump sum upfront in exchange for savings compared to month-to-month billing. Microsoft periodically offers promotional discounts for new subscribers, including reduced-price first months for first-time sign-ups.

International pricing varies significantly by region. Xbox adjusts Game Pass pricing in local currencies according to regional purchasing power and market conditions. Subscribers outside the United States may find Game Pass priced differently in their local currency than a direct dollar conversion would suggest.

Where Can You Buy Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass subscriptions are available directly from xbox.com, the Microsoft Store app on Windows PC, the Xbox console dashboard, and the Xbox mobile app on Android and iOS devices. Digital gift cards for Game Pass are stocked at major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. Gift card codes activate through the Microsoft account redemption portal at microsoft.com/redeem.

The Xbox website at xbox.com/gamepass serves as the primary purchase point for new subscribers. The site displays all current plan options with pricing and a feature comparison chart. Subscribers can also use this page to upgrade an existing plan or switch between tiers without canceling and restarting.

Microsoft occasionally bundles Game Pass Ultimate trials with new Xbox hardware purchases. Buyers of Xbox Series X or Series S consoles may receive a one-month or three-month Ultimate trial code in the box. These trial codes activate on new Microsoft accounts only and can’t stack with existing paid subscriptions.

Why Should You Trust Eat Proteins for Gaming Reviews?

Eat Proteins delivers gaming subscription reviews built on structured testing methodology, independent value analysis, and direct comparison against real subscriber costs and experiences across multiple platforms and plan tiers. If you’re deciding between Game Pass tiers or comparing it to PlayStation Plus, you don’t need hype. You need numbers, real usage data, and honest conclusions. That’s exactly what Eat Proteins provides.

Our experts at Eat Proteins test each Game Pass tier across Xbox console, Windows PC, and mobile cloud gaming over a minimum 30-day period. Testing captures the full monthly cycle including library additions and departures. This approach surfaces practical experience insights that single-day reviews miss entirely.

So what does that mean for you? It means every review on this site is built from ground-up testing, not repackaged press releases. Don’t waste money on the wrong Game Pass tier. Check the Eat Proteins verdict, compare your gaming habits to the tier breakdown, and subscribe with confidence.

Xbox Game Pass Review: Is the Subscription Worth It?