What are the new Xbox Game Pass prices?
Microsoft has officially announced a major Xbox Game Pass price increase across all tiers. The most dramatic change affects Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which now costs $29.99 / £22.99 per month, up from $19.99 / £14.99.
That’s a 50% jump, making Xbox Game Pass Ultimate more expensive than both PlayStation Plus Premium ($17.99) and Netflix Premium ($18.99).
Here’s the new lineup of Xbox Game Pass plans:
| Tier | Old Name | Monthly Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Core | $9.99 / £6.99 | Online multiplayer, small game library, Xbox Rewards |
| Premium | Standard | $14.99 / £10.99 | 200+ games, cloud gaming, new Xbox titles within 1 year (except Call of Duty) |
| Ultimate | Ultimate | $29.99 / £22.99 | 400+ games, Day One access, 1440p cloud streaming, Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft+ Classics |
Notably, no annual plans are currently listed on the Xbox store, meaning players can’t save by paying yearly!
What’s changing with Xbox Game Pass?
Microsoft says the higher prices reflect “expanded value.” The company is introducing new names and benefits:
- Xbox Game Pass Core becomes Xbox Game Pass Essential
- Xbox Game Pass Standard becomes Xbox Game Pass Premium
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate keeps its name but adds new perks
For Ultimate subscribers, that means:
- Fortnite Crew membership (Battle Pass + 1,000 V-Bucks/month)
- Ubisoft+ Classics (Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Far Cry 6, and more)
- Higher streaming resolution up to 1440p
- Access to 75+ day-one releases annually, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2
- Earn up to $100/year in Xbox Rewards points
Premium members can earn up to $50/year, while Essential members can earn $25/year in rewards.
When will the new Xbox Game Pass prices take effect?
The updated Xbox Game Pass pricing is already live for new subscribers.
Existing members will see the price hike on November 4, 2025, according to Microsoft’s official Xbox Wire post.
Why did Xbox Game Pass prices go up?
Microsoft says the changes reflect an increase in “content value” — particularly new partnerships and higher cloud gaming quality.
However, the price jump has sparked frustration among gamers. Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly negative, with many questioning whether the new perks justify such a steep increase.
Analysts note that even with added content, $29.99 per month means Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs nearly $360 per year, not far from the price of an Xbox Series S itself ($379.99).
Community Reaction: Gamers Push Back
The response was swift. Within days of the announcement, online forums were filled with cancellation posts.
Meanwhile, GameStop responded by promising to keep selling Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at the old $19.99 rate, at least temporarily. The retailer posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“We will continue to sell Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $19.99/month — you’re welcome.”
Other retailers, including Amazon, Target, and Best Buy, are still offering digital Game Pass codes at the previous price — though stock is limited.
How does Xbox Game Pass compare to competitors now?
| Service | Monthly Price | Annual Cost | Day-One Games | Cloud Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $29.99 | $359.88 | Yes | 1440p |
| PlayStation Plus Premium | $17.99 | $215.88 | Limited | 1080p |
| Netflix Premium | $18.99 | $227.88 | N/A | N/A |
Is Xbox Game Pass still worth it?
That depends on how you play.
If you primarily use Xbox for first-party exclusives, cloud gaming, and day-one releases, Game Pass Ultimate still offers strong value, especially with Ubisoft+ and Fortnite Crew added.
However, if you play just a few titles per year, buying games outright may now be cheaper than maintaining an ongoing subscription. For instance, two months of Game Pass Ultimate costs about the same as buying a $70 release like The Outer Worlds 2.
The Bigger Picture: Microsoft Bets on Services Over Hardware
With this change, Microsoft is signaling a long-term shift toward subscription-based gaming ecosystems.
The company recently confirmed it’s exploring an ad-supported, free Xbox Cloud Gaming tier, potentially offering limited access to select titles for no monthly cost.
For now, though, Xbox’s flagship subscription, Game Pass Ultimate, just became one of the most expensive gaming services in the world.
And with Xbox Series S + 1 year of Game Pass Ultimate now costing $739.87, Microsoft’s budget console is starting to look a lot less budget-friendly.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $29.99/month (up 50%)
- New tiers: Essential, Premium, Ultimate
- Ultimate adds Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics
- No annual plans or discounts available
- Price changes hit existing users on November 4, 2025
- GameStop is temporarily offering old pricing
- Gamers debate whether it’s still worth it
The Bottom Line
The Xbox Game Pass overhaul marks one of the biggest price adjustments in the subscription’s history. While Microsoft argues the changes reflect added value, many gamers see the move as another step toward premium pricing in an already crowded subscription landscape.
Whether players stay or switch depends on one question:
Is Xbox Game Pass still the future of gaming, or just another expensive subscription?
