Although Xbox Game Pass seems to have existed forever, the service has only been accessible since 2017. When Microsoft launched the first version of the subscription service, it offered only a few games—most of which were still in testing and only available to the Xbox Insider Community.
After the initial launch’s success, the service was rolled out to all Xbox Live Gold subscribers, giving access to play-ready games. The service again changed and was rolled out to all Xbox players. However, it met some criticism because, while the service enabled players to access a wide variety of games, online multiplayer still required an Xbox Live Gold subscription (at an additional cost).
The service again received a major overhaul in 2019 with the release of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This bundled Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold into a single subscription and (after a few months) launched Xbox on PC—providing PC gamers using Windows 10 with over 100 titles at launch.
Since then, the Xbox Game Pass has undergone multiple evolutionary changes, including new tiers (Core, Standard, and Ultimate), new benefits, and new features. While each of these updates justifies the fee charged to obtain the service, it is not without its drawbacks. If you’re wondering if this is a service worth getting, buckle up as we uncover the answer below.
Xbox Game Pass Perks
Undeniably, Xbox Game Pass has a number of unique perks. Some of these are similar to the perks you find on other platforms like PlayStation Plus or Ubisoft+. However, others are unique and offer phenomenal value to gamers.
Day One Access
Among the most enjoyable perks of an Xbox Game Pass subscription is access to day-one games. This feature gives you access to the latest games the day they are released, similar to how some online casinos grant access to new online casino games in 2025 as soon as they arrive.
The benefit is that you don’t have to rush to the store and compete with swarms of other gamers to grab a copy of the latest title, hoping the store has enough stock. More than this, because these games are included in the subscription price, you don’t have to fork out large sums to try a game you may not enjoy.
Game Library
An Xbox subscription gives you access to a vast library of games in addition to day-one titles. Depending on your subscription, this may be limited to console or PC games, with Game Pass Ultimate offering titles for both.
The available game library includes older titles mixed in with the latest games from top developers. Some of the most recognizable game franchises in the collection include Assassin’s Creed, Forza, and Halo.
Cost
Purchasing newly released games (or even older titles) can quickly add up. Having access to such a wide variety of games for a single subscription cost can save players hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars annually and leave them with more money for other activities.
In addition, Xbox Game Pass subscribers also gain access to exclusive member discounts and deals on games not featured in the Game Pass library. As these are often significantly reduced prices, they could save you a pretty penny.
EA Play
Beginning in 2020, Microsoft teamed up with EA to pair its Game Pass model with EA’s EA Play subscription service. This gives subscribers access to the large library of EA titles without the need for a separate subscription.
Although PC Game Pass subscribers only received this feature in 2021, it has brought them many benefits. These include 10-hour access to EA’s latest games (like EA FC 25) to see if they enjoy them, member rewards from EA, and a 10% discount on any EA digital purchase not offered through the EA Play or Xbox Game Pass libraries.
Cloud Gaming
There are a number of games in the Xbox Game Pass library that support cloud gaming. These titles don’t require download or installation and can be played immediately by streaming game data from the cloud.
Discoverability of New Games
Another often overlooked feature of Game Pass is that it can help you discover many games you may not have otherwise played through recommendations and just having access to titles you may never have heard of yet stumbled across.
Xbox Game Pass Cons
Despite the many perks that can be accessed through a Game Pass subscription, there are also some disadvantages to using the service. While many of these can be overlooked, some may be a deal-breaker for many gamers.
Game Rotations and Ownership
The most significant downside to the subscription service is that you never obtain ownership of any of the games you download or play. Because the games are offered to you as part of the subscription, the rights to the game remain Xbox’s, and if you cancel your subscription, you’ll no longer have access to these games (even if they’re still installed on your device).
However, the rotation of games from the service is slightly more annoying. Because Microsoft constantly reviews which games are featured in the library, some games are axed periodically while others are added. Should a game you’re playing be on the list of games to be removed, you’ll eventually lose access to it and will need to purchase it separately.
Internet Dependency
Another downside is that Xbox Game Pass requires a constant internet connection. This requirement is present even when simply launching a previously installed game. As such, if your network goes down, you will be unable to play any games.
Cost
Despite being a perk, the cost of the subscription may also be a hindrance to many. At the time of writing, a PC subscription costs $11.99 per month, Core costs $9.99 monthly (console only), Standard costs $14.99 per month (console only), and Ultimate costs $19.99 monthly. These costs could be more than some are willing to pay.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, whether Xbox Game Pass is worth it depends on the user. For heavy gamers who love having access to a large game library and trying the latest titles, the subscription is worth it, as you will easily gain your money’s worth. For casual gamers who may only download one or two games and only play occasionally, paying a monthly recurring fee may be less cost-effective than just buying the game outright.
