Xbox Game Pass Deals are scarce — is it still a good buy?

Xbox Game Pass remains the best value subscription in gaming. Microsoft's service compiles an extensive digital library housing hundreds of games, all accessible through a convenient flat monthly fee. Want to play Call of Duty: Black Ops 6? DOOM: The Dark Ages? Don’t want to fork out $70? With Xbox’s recent price hike pushing some titles to $80, Xbox Game Pass is more appealing than ever.

If you love games, and lots of them, you need Xbox Game Pass, but you need to know the difference between the tiers.

Available on Xbox consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, Xbox Game Pass has elevated its offering with the Ultimate tier, bundling various perks into a single, comprehensive package. It includes all Microsoft titles at launch and a plethora of other blockbuster games, as well as access to Xbox Cloud Gaming. But there are also Xbox Game Pass Core, Standard, and PC subscriptions available, and I'll run through the differences.

And yes, you can still squeeze even more value out of Xbox Game Pass. While it already provides outstanding bang for your buck, you can maximize your savings by purchasing vouchers on third-party websites. Scoring discounts on your Xbox Game Pass subscription is possible with a bit of digging around the internet.

Best Xbox Game Pass deals: Xbox Game Pass Core

Xbox Game Pass Core is the cheapest option of the bunch, replacing Xbox Live Gold as the $9.99 / £6.99 per month flat fee for accessing online services and multiplayer. It also includes a curated catalog of 25+ games like Forza Horizon 5, Doom Eternal, and Fallout 76. The cost goes down if you buy in bulk:

• US: 3 months for $15.29 / 12 months for $42.09
• UK: 3 months for £11.99 / 12 months for £32.99

And thanks to a recent update for Xbox Insiders, Core subscribers can now stream select games via Xbox Cloud Gaming and access PC versions of titles where available, previously a feature exclusive to Ultimate.

Xbox Game Pass Core (3-months): was $24.99 now $24.29 at CDKeys

Microsoft's entry-level subscription gives you the basics, but it's also evolved over its predecessor. You still get full access to all online multiplayer on Xbox consoles, Free Play Day weekends for select games, and exclusive discounts and offers. However, you can also play over 30 games for no additional cost, hand-picked by Xbox from first-party studios and third-party partners.

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Best Xbox Game Pass deals: Xbox Game Pass Standard

The Xbox Game Pass Console tier has now been rebranded as Xbox Game Pass Standard as of mid-2025. It still exists in function, but under a new name and with some expanded features.

• Price: $14.99 / £10.99 per month

This tier has become more attractive thanks to the Xbox Insider update. Originally, Xbox Game Pass Standard did not include online multiplayer. That was reserved for Xbox Game Pass Core, which replaced Xbox Live Gold and bundled multiplayer with a small game library.

However, as of August 2025, Microsoft has expanded access for Xbox Insiders, and that includes online multiplayer, cloud gaming and access to some PC titles. This will roll out to all users shortly. So if you're subscribed to Standard and enrolled in the Insider Program, you can now play online multiplayer games like Sea of Thieves, Halo Infinite, or Minecraft Legends without needing Core or Ultimate.

For everyone else not in the Insider Program, Standard still doesn’t officially include multiplayer. But this rollout is expected to expand soon, so it’s worth keeping an eye on Xbox Wire or Insider announcements.

Best Xbox Game Pass deals: Xbox Game Pass PC

Xbox Game Pass for PC is tailored for desktop gamers and costs:

• $11.99 / £9.99 per month

It includes access to hundreds of PC titles, EA Play membership, Day 1 releases from Xbox Game Studios and soon the Cloud Gaming too. New subscribers can still grab 1 month for £1, and returning users may be eligible for the same offer depending on account history.

Best Xbox Game Pass deals: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is regarded as the best value subscription of all the options, as it offers the most features and flexibility. Currently it's priced at:

• $19.99 / £14.99 per month

You get access to the whole library of Xbox Game Pass games on PC and console, access to online multiplayer, and Xbox Cloud Gaming unlocking full-fledged Xbox games on iOS and Android phones, Mac, and almost any other device with a web browser. EA Play also comes bundled too, with around 100 more EA-published games, available on Xbox and PC.

You'll also nab Day-one access to first-party titles like Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2 (all launching October).

Exclusive Game Pass perks unlock extended trials for Spotify, Discord, and Disney+ free of charge, plus exclusive rewards in popular games, as well as other monthly perks and freebies.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months): was $59.99 now $54.99 at CDKeys

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gives you unlimited access to hundreds of high-quality video games across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC, with online multiplayer access on Xbox. You can also stream many of those games to any device with Xbox Cloud Gaming, play a ton of EA's best games through EA Play, and enjoy exclusive perks, in-game DLC, and discounts. Charge up your account and take advantage of this deal.

👀Alternative deals: If you are NEW subscriber, or your sub has elapsed, there is a work around to get you 12 months for $109.96

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Is Xbox Game Pass worth it in 2025?

Is investing in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate worth it in 2025?
Well considering the service recently had its strongest quarter ever with back to back amazing games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Blue Prince and Metaphor Refantazio I'd say yes. At least if you want access to lots of games at once.

The abundance of amazing additions to the service has undeniably positioned it as a must-have subscription, with even more to come as displayed in the most recent Xbox Games Showcase. With the increasing number of Microsoft-made titles on day one, its value ever grows. Making this decision even more enticing are the current Xbox Game Pass deals above, offering the lowest prices available.

The new Cloud Gaming access for Core and Standard subscribers (via Xbox Insider Program) adds more value at the lower tiers, especially for those using handhelds like the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X and Ally, launching October 16. These devices run PC versions of games, making Game Pass access more useful than ever.

In our detailed Xbox Game Pass review, we discuss how the service has become increasingly integral to Microsoft's gaming vision, with continuous investments aimed at enhancing its overall value. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has evolved into a content powerhouse for cross-platform gaming, spanning across Xbox consoles, PC, and now even mobile devices.

Xbox Cloud Gaming is also now much better value than it was this time last year, with the new 'Bring your own Games' initiative, the latest titles added include:

• A Short Hike
• Bugsnax
• DC League of Super Pets
• Don’t Starve
• Everspace
• Evil Genius 2
• Gradius Origins
• Let’s Build a Zoo
• Library of Ruina
• Mafia: The Old Country
• Scorn
• Somerville

Deals are currently more limited than they were before the recent price increases, especially for long-term subscriptions and Ultimate bundles. But even at full price, Xbox Game Pass still delivers exceptional valu, especially with the growing library, day-one releases, and new perks like Cloud Gaming access for Core and Standard users.

Whether you're streaming retro gems or diving into blockbuster launches, it's hard to beat the sheer volume and flexibility packed into each tier.