Xbox Game Pass now available in Japan and Korea

Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass (Image credit: Matt Brown | Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Xbox Game Pass is now available in Japan and South Korea.
  • Xbox Game Pass hits the regions for Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, starting as low as ¥100 or ₩1,000.

Microsoft has expanded its Xbox Game Pass service further into Asia, with the addition of Japan and South Korea to the list of supported countries. The subscription-based library packs over 100 titles across both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, now established as a fundamental pillar of Redmond's gaming efforts moving forward. And while the Xbox One has failed to mirror its western success in the region, its established PC culture proves lucrative for the service's Windows 10 offerings.

Xbox Game Pass is now available for purchase in Japan and South Korea, including Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One consoles and PC, alongside the all-inclusive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier packaged with Xbox Live Gold. Xbox Game Pass costs ¥850 on Xbox One, ¥425 on PC, and ¥1,100 for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in Japan. Similar pricing is reflected in Korea, at ₩11,800 for Xbox One, ₩5,900 for PC, and ₩16,700 for the bundled service. Microsoft also offers a one-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial for ¥100 or ₩1,000, similar to the ongoing $1 deal in the U.S.

Xbox Game Pass translates with the same benefits from existing regions, including its rotating library of titles, Microsoft-made titles on the release date, and further exclusive bonuses. However, the service libraries differ to their overseas counterparts, with 160 Xbox One games and 150 PC games in Japan, and Korea seeing 136 and 117, respectively.

Matt Brown

Matt Brown was formerly a Windows Central's Senior Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft's gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter @mattjbrown.