Why You Can Trust CNET Best Xbox Game Pass Deals: Beat the Price Hike With These Subscription Deals
Xbox Game Pass prices just increased, but you can still find ways to save right now.
Getting yourself an Xbox Game Pass subscription is one of the most cost-effective ways to stay up to date with games, but Microsoft recently announced price hikes for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions and made announcements about upcoming changes.
To help you understand the changes and help you find the best plan for you, we've broken down the different membership tiers below. And to help you get signed up for less, we've also rounded up some of the only deals you can take advantage of right now. Additionally, Microsoft announced a new tier that will cost only $15 and will be available in the coming months, so you can still avoid some of the pricier options and enjoy your favorite games. We'll continue to update this page as deals come and go, so be sure to check back often for the best prices available.
Game Pass Core vs. Console vs. Ultimate
This announcement brings new rates and tiers. New subscribers will start paying new rates for all tiers immediately. Folks who are already subscribed to Xbox Game Pass will see price hikes starting in September, which gives them a few months to enjoy current rates. Below we'll break down each tier and its changes. Microsoft also announced a new tier Xbox Game Pass Standard, which will cost only $15 per month. It's due for release in the coming months.
Game Pass Core
Game Pass Core will stay at $10 per month, but their annual rate will go from $60 per year to $75 per year. It covers what was previously included with a Gold subscription, including access to online multiplayer for console gamers. This new membership also includes access to a library of over 25 titles, including popular games like Halo 5: Guardians and Fallout 4.
PC Game Pass
If you're a PC gamer, PC Game Pass is still budget-friendly. It will go from $10 to $12 per month but still includes access to a much larger library of hundreds of PC games and access to new games on Day 1. This subscription also includes an EA Play membership, which adds a few more titles to your library and provides some exclusive rewards and content for select EA games.
Game Pass Console
Game Pass Console subscriptions will be phased out. You'll be able to enjoy it if you're an existing subscriber to this plan, but new sign-ups won't be able to choose this from any of Microsoft's options.
Game Pass Standard
This new tier appears to be Microsoft's replacement for Game Pass Console. It's not available yet but is due to appear in the coming months. Once out, it will cost $15 per month and offer perks such as select discounts, online multiplayer and other benefits of the soon-to-be phased-out Console tier. It won't include games released on day one.
Game Pass Ultimate
Game Pass Ultimate is the best of all worlds and has been more or less untouched by the revamp. It will go from $17 per month to $20, and an Ultimate subscription bundles the benefits of a Core and Console membership. You'll get access to the entire Game Pass library on your console, PC and mobile device, including access to select titles on day one, and you'll have the ability to participate in online multiplayer as well. You'll also get perks like exclusive offers and in-game content, and it includes the EA Play subscription that you get with the PC membership. Like many people, our reviewer called Game Pass Ultimate the "best content deal in gaming" and it's the best option out there for all-around gamers who don't want to compromise.
Best subscription deals available right now
Unlike the comparable subscriptions for PlayStation, there's no official annual membership plan. Deals directly from Xbox turn up occasionally, but they're usually just for new subscribers. Because the revamp is still pretty new, there aren't too many discounts yet, but you can score some savings through third parties with a little digging. To help you save some cash each month, we've rounded up some of the best (and only) ones available right now below.
This CDKeys deal is the best value you'll find right now if you're after a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Ultimate already saves you a little over $3 a month by bundling a Game Pass Core and Console membership, and this three-month subscription deal saves $27 over a 3-month period. Existing or previous Game Pass subscribers can purchase these codes and can be stacked. You can extend your membership and pay for several months ahead of time at a lower cost.
Before prices rise, you can currently grab one month of Game Pass Ultimate via Amazon for $15. The three-month option also costs $15 per month if you want to lock in a lower price for longer.
If you don't fancy signing up for an annual subscription then there is a terrific six-month option that typically runs at $10 a month. Thanks to this CDKeys offer, the subscription gets taken down to the equivalent of around $6 each month.
If you only want a basic Game Pass Core membership, you can score some big savings when you sign up through CDKeys. This deal scores you a 12-month subscription for just $46, which costs just under $4 per month vs. the usual $10. That's a massive $74 saving.