Microsoft is shaking up its Xbox Game Pass pricing. The top-tier subscription—Game Pass Ultimate—has jumped sharply, pushing its annual cost past $350. If you’re a gamer or thinking of subscribing, this change matters. I’ll walk you through what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can still get under the new plans.
What’s new with Xbox Game Pass pricing?
Starting October 1, 2025, Microsoft overhauled its Game Pass tiers. Game Pass Core is now renamed Essential, and Standard becomes Premium. But the biggest shift is in the Ultimate plan, now priced at $29.99 a month—up from $19.99. That raises the yearly cost to about $359.88.
Microsoft says these changes follow its goal to deliver more value—more games, better perks, expanded libraries, and improved streaming quality. Ultimate now includes expanded features like Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, and more “day-one” game launches than before.
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How much will the cost increase hit you?
Let’s break it down so you see what this means for your wallet:
- Ultimate ($29.99/month): With the new price, it costs over $350 for the year.
- Under the older price, it would have been around $239.88 annually.
- Meanwhile, Essential (formerly Core) and Premium (formerly Standard) keep their monthlies at $9.99 and $14.99, respectively, giving annual totals of about $119.88 and $179.88.
- Other tiers get upgrades too: Essential and Premium now include cloud gaming (which used to be an Ultimate-only feature).
If you were planning to subscribe to Ultimate for the full year, this jump is big. But depending on how much you play, the extra features might make it worthwhile.
What new perks come with the Ultimate tier?
With the price hike, Microsoft is stacking on benefits, especially for Ultimate users:
- Over 75 day-one game releases annually
- Higher streaming quality (up to 1440p) in the cloud
- Access to Ubisoft+ Classics
- Fortnite Crew membership included
- A revamped Rewards program: more points, more perks, new discounts
In short: the new Ultimate is meant to be more premium — more games, more features, more extras.
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Is the price hike worth it?
It depends on your gaming habits:
- If you play a lot of new releases, want cloud gaming, and value included extras (Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft+), the higher Ultimate cost may make sense.
- If your playstyle is lighter — just occasional games, or stick to older titles — Premium might fit you better. You’ll still get hundreds of games, cloud access, and many perks, just without all the “day-one” launches.
- Essential is now more capable than before for entry gamers who want online play and a decent game library.
Price increases always sting. Many gamers are upset. But Microsoft is pushing to make Ultimate feel like a high-end service — not just a library but a full entertainment bundle.
What should you do next?
Here is a list of things you should consider doing:
- Review your gaming habits — Are you the kind who plays new releases the moment they drop? Or do you revisit classics more often?
- Compare tiers side by side — Write down which features matter to you (cloud gaming, day-one launches, extra subscriptions) and see which tier gives you the most value without overpaying.
- Decide subscription frequency — Maybe start with a monthly plan instead of annual, so you can change if needed.
- Watch for deals — Microsoft often offers discounts or bundles around holidays or with hardware purchases.
- Stay informed about future changes — This isn’t likely to be the last adjustment; features and pricing will evolve.
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