Last verified: April 2026. Pricing and availability may change.
Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service from Microsoft that gives players access to a rotating library of games on Xbox consoles and PC for a monthly fee. Since its launch in 2017, Game Pass has grown into one of the most talked-about services in gaming. In late 2025, Microsoft restructured Game Pass into four distinct tiers, each with different pricing, library sizes, and perks. Here is what each tier includes and how they compare.
What is Xbox Game Pass
Game Pass works like a rental library. Subscribers pay a monthly fee and get access to a catalog of downloadable games. Titles rotate in and out, though first-party Microsoft games tend to stay permanently. The service spans Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, and cloud gaming on supported devices.
Microsoft restructured Game Pass in October 2025, replacing the old tier system with four new plans: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, and PC Game Pass. Each tier targets a different type of player, from casual console users to all-in subscribers who want everything Microsoft offers.
All Xbox Game Pass tiers compared
The table below shows what each tier costs and what it includes, based on Xbox’s official comparison page.
| Tier | Price per month | Library size | Day-one releases | Cloud gaming | EA Play | Ubisoft+ Classics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $9.99 | 50+ games | No | Yes | No | No |
| Premium | $14.99 | 200+ games | Within 1 year (excludes Call of Duty) | Yes | No | No |
| Ultimate | $29.99 | Full library | Yes (all first-party) | Yes (1440p) | Yes | Yes (50+ games) |
| PC Game Pass | $16.49 | Hundreds (PC only) | Yes (first-party + select third-party) | No | Yes | No |
Essential is the entry-level plan. It gives access to a smaller catalog of over 50 games and includes cloud gaming, but it does not include day-one access to new Microsoft releases. Premium expands the library to over 200 titles and adds day-one games within their first year, though Call of Duty titles are excluded from this tier.
Ultimate is the top tier at $29.99 per month. It includes the full Game Pass library, day-one access to all first-party Microsoft releases, cloud gaming at up to 1440p resolution, EA Play (EA’s own game vault), and Ubisoft+ Classics (a collection of over 50 Ubisoft titles). Since November 2025, Ultimate also bundles Fortnite Crew, a perk valued at $11.99 per month that includes the Fortnite Battle Pass and monthly V-Bucks.
PC Game Pass costs $16.49 per month and is designed for Windows players. It includes day-one first-party releases and select third-party day-one titles, EA Play access, and a large PC-focused catalog. It does not include cloud gaming or Ubisoft+ Classics.
What games are on Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft adds over 75 day-one releases to Ultimate each year, according to the company’s own marketing. The catalog also includes hundreds of older titles from Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One libraries alongside current-generation games.
Notable 2026 additions include Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Subnautica 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (the 2019 original, added in March 2026). Upcoming confirmed titles include Gears of War: E-Day and a Halo remake of the original game.
The March 2026 Wave 1 update, announced on Xbox Wire, also added Replaced and Kiln as day-one releases. A full list of confirmed 2026 Game Pass additions is maintained by Pure Xbox.
EA Play, included with Ultimate and PC Game Pass, adds titles from Electronic Arts such as the FIFA (now EA Sports FC) series, Battlefield, Mass Effect, and Star Wars Jedi games. Ubisoft+ Classics, exclusive to Ultimate, brings in Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and other Ubisoft franchises.
Which Xbox Game Pass tier should you choose
The right tier depends on how you play and what you want from the service.
Essential ($9.99) works for players who want a smaller selection of games and cloud gaming access without paying for day-one releases. It is the most affordable entry point but offers significantly fewer titles than the other tiers.
Premium ($14.99) is a middle ground. The library is four times larger than Essential, and you get most new releases within their first year. However, the exclusion of Call of Duty on day one and the lack of EA Play or Ubisoft+ Classics limit its value for players who want everything.
Ultimate ($29.99) is the all-in option. Day-one access to every first-party Microsoft release, the full game library, two additional subscription services (EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics), Fortnite Crew, and 1440p cloud gaming make it the most comprehensive plan. For players who use Game Pass as their primary way to access games, Ultimate is the tier that delivers the most.
PC Game Pass ($16.49) is the pick for Windows-only players. It includes day-one first-party releases and EA Play at a lower price than Ultimate, but without cloud gaming or Ubisoft titles.
How Game Pass fits into Microsoft’s strategy
Game Pass is central to how Microsoft approaches gaming in 2026. Rather than competing solely on console hardware sales, Microsoft has positioned Game Pass as the primary value proposition across Xbox, PC, and mobile devices through cloud gaming. The acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 added Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and other major franchises to Microsoft’s first-party portfolio, and these titles are being integrated into Game Pass over time.
Cloud gaming, available on Essential, Premium, and Ultimate, allows subscribers to play games on phones, tablets, and browsers without downloading. Ultimate subscribers get cloud streaming at up to 1440p resolution, while other tiers stream at lower quality. This makes Game Pass accessible beyond the console, which is a significant part of Microsoft’s long-term approach to the service.
Frequently asked questions
Does Game Pass include Call of Duty on day one?
Only on the Ultimate and PC Game Pass tiers. The Premium tier receives Call of Duty titles within their first year, but not on launch day. The Essential tier does not include day-one releases at all.
Can you play Game Pass games offline?
Yes, for downloaded games. You can play most Game Pass titles offline after downloading them to your console or PC. Cloud-streamed games require an internet connection. Your console must connect to the internet at least once every 30 days to verify your subscription status.
Is there a Game Pass family plan?
Microsoft has tested family plan options in select markets, but as of April 2026, no official Game Pass family plan is available worldwide. The standard plans are individual subscriptions tied to a single Microsoft account. Game sharing through the Xbox home console feature allows a second user on the same console to access Game Pass games, but this is not a formal family plan.
How does Game Pass compare to PlayStation Plus?
Both services offer tiered subscriptions with game libraries and online multiplayer. Game Pass Ultimate includes day-one access to all Microsoft first-party releases, which PlayStation Plus does not offer for Sony’s own games. PlayStation Plus Premium includes classic PS1, PS2, and PS3 titles, which Game Pass does not have an equivalent for. The two services target similar audiences but differ in library composition and day-one availability.