What is Xbox Game Pass? Core, Standard, PC, and Ultimate explained

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service similar to what Netflix is for movies and TV shows. For a monthly subscription fee, you can get access to a massive library of Xbox Game Pass Games to play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. You're able to download the games to your device or play most of them remotely via the cloud as much as you want, as long as they're still part of the service.

It also gives you access to many of Microsoft’s other services, such as the ability to play online with your friends (formerly Xbox Live Gold). In short, if you want to play games online on Xbox, you’ll need to subscribe to one of the Xbox Game Pass tiers.

Depending on your chosen tier, you'll get access to a different number of games, as well as access to games on different platforms within the Xbox ecosystem.

Choosing which Game Pass tier to subscribe to used to be a simple affair, but Microsoft has added new services and levels of access incrementally in recent years, leaving the Core, Standard, PC, and Ultimate tiers all feeling diverse. Here’s a breakdown of what each Game Pass tier offers.

Xbox Game Pass Core

Xbox Game Pass Core is the cheapest option and acts much like the Xbox Live Gold service it replaces, just with some extra benefits. If you’re planning to play online with your friends on Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One, this is the very minimum tier you’ll need to subscribe to, as it gives you access to the Xbox network, as well as a select list of Xbox Game Pass games.

• Online multiplayer via the Xbox network
• A curated list of Xbox Game Pass Core games to play
• Deals and discounts
• Free Play Days

Xbox Game Pass Standard

Xbox Game Pass Standard is the latest tier and somewhat replaces the Game Pass Console subscription, with a few changes. Much like Core, Standard is only for players on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

This tier features everything included with Core, while also giving you access to almost all of the games in the Xbox Game Pass console library. While you’ll be able to play hundreds of games via Xbox Game Pass, you won’t be able to jump into games that launch into the service, from first or third-party developers. How long you’ll need to wait will vary from title to title, and Xbox says it “could be up to 12 months or more.”

• Online multiplayer via the Xbox network
• Access hundreds of Game Pass console games except day-one additions
• Deals and discounts
• Free Play Days

PC Game Pass

As the title suggests, PC Game Pass is only for players on Windows, and opens up the entire PC Game Pass library of games. This tier is pretty unique, as you don’t need to pay to access multiplayer on PC. PC Game Pass includes access to new, day-one releases and the EA Play library of games.

• Access to the entire PC Game Pass catalog
• Play day-one PC Game Pass games
• Access to the EA Play library
• Xbox Game Pass Quests
• Deals and discounts

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the premium tier, packing in everything included in the other subscriptions and many other benefits for players on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.

Alongside being able to play every game in the Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and EA Play libraries, Ultimate members can also earn additional Microsoft Rewards points via Game Pass Quests, free in-game items, or access to other services via Game Pass Perks, or even stream hundreds of Game Pass games to other devices via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

On the topic of Cloud Gaming, if you’re hoping to access Xbox Game Pass on third-party devices like Samsung TVs and Amazon’s Fire Stick, your only choice (currently) is to subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate, as there isn’t any other Cloud Gaming tier available right now.

• Online multiplayer via the Xbox network
• Access to the entire Xbox Game Pass library
• Access to the entire PC Game Pass catalog
• Access to the EA Play library.
• Xbox Cloud Gaming
• Game Pass Perks
• Game Pass Quests
• Deals and discounts
• Free Play Days

Each Xbox Game Pass tier is priced differently, and subscriptions start from as low as $9.99 a month for Game Pass Core and can go up to $19.99 a month for Game Pass Ultimate. Here are the latest monthly prices for each Game Pass tier:

• Xbox Game Pass Core — $9.99 / £6.99 / €6.99 per month
• PC Game Pass — $11.99 / £9.99 / €11.99 per month
• Xbox Game Pass Standard — $14.99 / £10.99 / €12.99 per month
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — $19.99 / £14.99 / €17.99 per month

The games available to you will depend on the tier you’re subscribed to, and Microsoft cycles fresh games in and out of the service monthly — we stay up to date with the latest Xbox Game Pass news to let you know what’s coming and going. We also have a regularly updated list of upcoming Game Pass games for a look farther ahead.

There are hundreds of games on offer from across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, as well as many Xbox 360 and OG Xbox backwards compatible games.

Xbox Game Pass Core subscribers get access to a selection of over 40 games from the Game Pass library, including fantastic hits like Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Vampire Survivors, and Forza Horizon 4. Here is the full list of Game Pass Core games.

With Xbox Game Pass Standard, you can play over 350 games, including big titles such as Gears 5, Fallout 76, and Halo Infinite. However, this tier does miss out on "day one" releases that launch into Game Pass. Xbox Game Pass games on console — Standard members cannot access “day one” games that launch into the service, while Ultimate members can. We have a list of the best Game Pass games to help you get started.

PC Game Pass subscribers have access to over 400 games via the PC Game Pass library for Windows. You also get access to PC games included with the EA Play catalog. Take a look at our list of the best EA Play games for some great experiences to dive into.

Finally, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get access to the lot. You'll have over 500 console games, including new "day one" releases such as Starfield and the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, indie darlings like Botany Manor, and over 450 PC games with the PC Game Pass library. Ultimate also lets you stream a selection of titles to devices like a TV or phone via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Here are all the Xbox Cloud Gaming games you can currently stream.

Xbox Game Pass is a fantastic service for Xbox players new and old, offering thousands of hours of fun for a monthly subscription. Whether you’re looking to boost your Gamerscore with easy Xbox Game Pass games and/or easy PC Game Pass games, or want to play Xbox exclusives without buying them outright, there should be something for everyone.