Ever find yourself cycling through the same old games? If your collection’s getting stale, Xbox Game Pass is definitely your friend. There are hundreds of games right at your fingertips, ready to play whenever it takes your fancy! And you can expect to find some really big titles on there.
On 12th March 2021 Microsoft added 20 classic Bethesda titles to the Games Pass roster. This is huge, since Bethesda are one of the best game developers around. Beloved, critically acclaimed games like Doom, Wolfenstein, loads of Elder Scroll games (including Skyrim) – all of them are now included in Xbox Game Pass. Yes please.
And then there’s EA Play. A whole bundle of epic EA Play games are included with your Xbox Game Pass. That means games like Dragon Age, Mass Effect and a whole bunch of EA Sports games just waiting for you. Or why not say ‘Sul sul’ to The Sims 4?
Sound good? Well then let’s back up a bit. Here’s the lowdown on everything Xbox Game Pass.
What is Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service for your Xbox One or Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S games console. All you have to do is pay a monthly subscription and you get unlimited access to an impressive catalogue of games. Play them as often as you like, for as long as you like. In other words, it’s Netflix for gamers. So put down the remote, pick up the controller and get ready for a gaming binge.
Download and play heavy hitters like GTA V or Sunset Overdrive as well as some of the your favourite old Xbox 360 titles (thanks to a handy feature called backwards compatibility). Microsoft adds new games every month, so if you can’t find your favourite in their 300-strong list, it might just be around the corner.
What’s more, the Game Pass lets you download and play new games (like Outriders and Halo Infinite) the day they’re released – at no extra cost.
What games are on Xbox Game Pass?
There’s a whole range of games, so everyone’s bound to find something they like. There’s FPS (first person shooter) games like Battlefield and Gears of War, or get into the action with Assassin’s Creed and Fallout. Play with people all over the world on multiplayer games like Sea of Thieves, or get stuck into some indie games like Goat Simulator.
For younger gamers, there’s plenty of family-friendly titles too, including Disneyland Adventures and Ori and the Blind Forest. They might even discover some classic Xbox 360 titles like Joyride Turbo or Kameo.
Games are updated all the time, so keep your eye out for fresh favourites or golden oldies.
But, if PC gaming’s more your thing then the Xbox Game Pass for PC has got you covered too. Get access to over a hundred awesome games (including those EA Play titles we mentioned) for just one monthly fee.
What is Xbox Game Pass Core?
Xbox Game Pass Core is the new and improved version of Xbox Live Gold. It’ll let you play multiplayer games online, and gives you access to a collection of 25+ epic titles to play with your mates and other gamers around the world. All for no extra cost! Oh, and there’ll be special member-only deals too - so keep an eye out for those.
If you were already an Xbox Live Gold member, you’ll have been automatically switched over to become a Game Pass Core member on September 14, 2023. And there won’t be any change in pricing either. So, you can just sit back and get gaming without having to do anything at all. Nice.
What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Found some games you and your friends want to play on Games Pass? Then you could be onto a winner with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It includes Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass for PC and Xbox Live Gold for just one low monthly price. So there’s no need to faff around with multiple subscriptions.
Plus you’ll also be able to download and use the Xbox Game Pass mobile app. You can set up new game alerts, get the latest Xbox news and play a ton of different games on your Android phone or tablet from the cloud. It also lets you know when your favourite Xbox friends are online, so you can hop on and join the fun.
Then there are the extra Ultimate perks, like in-game add-ons and DLC and exclusive member discounts!
Image credit: Microsoft.com
What is Xbox PC Game Pass?
If you’re a PC gamer, don’t despair! You’ll get access to hundreds of games with Xbox PC Game Pass. Just like on your Xbox, you’ll be able to download and play games from a huge catalogue – and that includes Day One titles from huge franchises. It also includes EA Play, so you can play EA games at no extra cost. Anybody for Starfield?
All you need is your Game Pass subscription and the Xbox app for Windows PC. That will let you search through and download titles. PC Game Pass members get discounts on DLC and add-ons too.
How do I get Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
You can grab a subscription to Xbox Game Pass at Currys - where you’ll get a digital code that you can redeem straight away. Or, you can sign up straight from your Xbox console. Just head over to the Microsoft Store on Xbox, search for Game Pass and follow the instructions. It’s that easy.
Once you’re subscribed, you’ll see a Game Pass tab in the console dashboard, provided you’ve updated the operating system (OS). You can use this tab to find and download games without going to the Store every time. If you haven’t updated your OS, you can find your Game Pass in the Recently Added channel.
How does Xbox Game Pass work?
You pay a regular monthly fee and in return, get guaranteed access to a large, constantly-updated library of games. As well as games from Microsoft Studios, the Game Pass offers picks from a wide range of publishers including Bethesda, EA, Namco, Capcom, WB Games and SEGA.
Visit your Game Pass tab or the Recently Added channel to view the library of games available. Choose the game you want to play and wait for it to download. The full game will download directly to your console’s hard drive which means you won’t have to deal with the lag and drop in video quality that can happen when streaming games. Once the game is downloaded, you can play offline for up to 30 days. After 30 days, you’ll need to reconnect the game to an internet connection, verifying you have an active subscription.
Is there a limit to how many games I can download?
No, if you have an active Game Pass subscription, there’s no limit to how many games you can download. What’s more, the Game Pass could mean you’re eligible for discounts when purchasing downloadable content (DLC) for Game Pass titles.
What is Xbox Cloud Gaming?
If you’ve got Game Pass Ultimate, you can use Cloud Gaming to stream games on your devices. It’s compatible with Android and iPhone, as well as Macbooks and Smart TVs - so you won’t even need to be on your console. You’ll need an Ultimate membership, a compatible device, a controller and a high speed internet connection – if you’ve got those, you’re ready to jump on the Cloud!
Cloud Gaming titles include huge games like Starfield, multiplayer games like No Man’s Sky or puzzle games like Peggle 2. There’s over 300 to choose from, and more added all the time.
How much is Xbox Game Pass?
There are lots of different plans to choose from – check them all out here.
Image credit: Microsoft.com
What are some of its best features?
If you love to jump on the newest games on Day 1, the Game Pass gives you immediate access to the biggest titles. Simply pre-install the game so that it’s ready to play the minute it’s officially released.
You’ll also get a back catalogue that includes Xbox 360 and 2001 Xbox titles!
Looking for gifts for gamers?
Why not treat them to games, movies and more with an Xbox Gift Card? Meanwhile, our selection of Xbox add-ons will help them get the most out of some of the biggest games out there – check them out.
Is Xbox Game Pass available in my country?
The Xbox Game Pass is currently available in the following countries, with more to come:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
How do I cancel my Xbox Game Pass?
Not feeling it? Or maybe you just want to press pause for a while? You can cancel your Xbox Game Pass subscription online or via your console.
To do it online:
Go to [Cancel a Microsoft Subscription]
Either choose [Cancel immediately] if you want to stop paying and lose immediate access or choose [Stop automatic renewal] if you want to stop paying but continue playing until your subscription expires.
Then just follow the on-screen instructions until it’s done.
To cancel your Xbox Game Pass subscription via your console:
Go to [Settings] > [Account] > [Subscriptions]
Choose [Game Pass], then press [A] on your controller.
Under [Payment and billing], select [Cancel Subscription] and follow the instructions.
Can I still play the games if I cancel my Xbox Game Pass?
No, if you cancel your Xbox Game Pass subscription, you’ll lose access to any games you downloaded while you were subscribed. Games are available to play, in full, only if you continue to pay for the service. If you want to continue playing a game, you’ll need to buy it separately!
Is there a similar service for PlayStation?
If you have a PlayStation, the closest similar service is PlayStation Plus. PS Plus is a subscription-based streaming and downloading service that gets you access to loads of PlayStation 2, 3, 4 and 5 titles through a PlayStation 4 or 5 console or a Windows PC.
Interested? Check out our Xbox Game Pass memberships below!
