What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a subscription service offered by Microsoft that gives gamers access to an extensive library of games for Xbox consoles and PC. Members of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can enjoy unlimited access to over 100 high-quality console and PC games, including popular titles like Halo, Forza, Gears of War, and many more.
The service combines Xbox Live Gold Membership with Xbox Game Pass, which essentially gets you access to both services for a single monthly subscription fee. This means that members can not only play online with friends and family but also enjoy a vast range of games across a wide array of genres.
One of the significant advantages of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the flexibility it offers to gamers when it comes to the variety of games available. For example, they can enjoy new Xbox Game Studios titles on the same day they are officially launched. That means players can jump straight into the latest releases as soon as they hit the market.
Moreover, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers also get exclusive discounts on games and online content through a dedicated Xbox Game Pass app. This is a perfect opportunity to save money while discovering and playing great games.
The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Service offers an excellent way to discover and play new games without having to commit to purchasing them outright. It is an affordable and easy way to enjoy a wide selection of games while still experiencing the features and benefits of Xbox Live Gold. So, if you are looking for a way to expand your gaming library, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is definitely worth a try.
Frequently Asked Questions about xbox game pass ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes all Game Pass benefits, including more than 100 high-quality console and PC games. New games are added all the time, so there's always something new to play.
Core only has ~25 game pass games. Ultimate has the full console and pc game pass libraries, as well as EA Access. Both have online access.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is by far the best value, costing $16.99 a month. For console gamers who play games online, it's a better deal than either the Core or Console subscriptions. The fact that it also includes the PC library, EA Play, and cloud gaming is just icing on the cake.
From the Microsoft Store, you can only subscribe to a monthly recurring payment.
Here's a full breakdown of Xbox Game Pass plans and prices:
| Xbox Game Pass Core* | Xbox Game Pass for console |
|---|
| Price | $10/month, $60/year | $11/month |
| Downloadable game library | About 25 games for Xbox consoles only | More than 100 games for Xbox consoles only |
| Xbox Studios same-day releases | No | Yes |
| Streaming game library | No | No |
The trial period just got shorter.
According to Xbox's official Game Pass website, the terms for both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass now say new customers can try out the service for 14 days at $1, and then pay the full monthly price afterward.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes online console multiplayer and hundreds of high-quality games. Play games with friends on console and PC and get an EA Play membership – all for one low monthly price. Subscription continues automatically at the regular monthly price unless cancelled through your Microsoft Account.
The good news is, the conversion ratio of 3:2 from Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass Ultimate carries over. You can pay for Core in yearly installments for $60 like XBL Gold, too. 8/29/2023: Microsoft has killed off the $1 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial again, likely due to Starfield's imminent release.
Console-only Game Pass is $11 a month and doesn't have a dollar deal. However, there's now an additional change where you can no longer convert Xbox Live Gold to Xbox Game Pass at a 1:1 ratio, which resulted in “stacking” for extended use.
36 months
Your purchase of Game Pass Ultimate will automatically convert any outstanding time on your subscriptions to Xbox Game Pass or EA Play into time for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at the current conversion ratio, up to a maximum of 36 months. Prepaid time conversion is final, and ratios are subject to change.
Here's a full breakdown of Xbox Game Pass plans and prices:
| Xbox Game Pass Core* | Xbox Game Pass for console |
|---|
| Price | $10/month, $60/year | $11/month |
| Downloadable game library | About 25 games for Xbox consoles only | More than 100 games for Xbox consoles only |
| Xbox Studios same-day releases | No | Yes |
| Streaming game library | No | No |
8/29/2023: Microsoft has killed off the $1 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial again, likely due to Starfield's imminent release. You'll have to pay full price for 1 month of Ultimate to trigger the conversion.
Cost Comparison
| Purchase Separately | Xbox All Access $36.99 for 24 Months |
|---|
| Xbox Series X | $499.99 | Included |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate $16.99 for 24 Months | $407.76 | Included |
| Total | $907.75 | $887.76 |
| Savings | | $19.99 |
Console-only Game Pass is $11 a month and doesn't have a dollar deal. However, there's now an additional change where you can no longer convert Xbox Live Gold to Xbox Game Pass at a 1:1 ratio, which resulted in “stacking” for extended use.
If you have access to larger funds and enjoy a balance of console and PC gaming, then Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the right way to go at $14.99 / £10.99 per month. By opting for this, you even get the freedom to stream via the cloud or play on mobile with further free perks and offers. It's all about versatility.
The Bad. Though the service will be great for most people, Game Pass does look weaker in some situations. If you're a gamer who doesn't have much time to game, then you won't have the ability to take advantage of the huge library the service offers.
