What Is Xbox Game Pass And Is It Worth It
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Microsofts Xbox Game Pass promises access to over 100 games for a $10 per month subscription fee. Microsoft wants Xbox Game Pass to be the Netflix of video gamesbut is it really worth it?
Update: We originally reviewed Xbox Game Pass in 2017 and found it a little lacking. But, at the end of 2019, Xbox Game Pass now offers a more compelling library of games to play. Check out the current games list. Some new games, like The Outer Worlds, have even been added to Xbox Game Pass at release. Beyond that, Xbox Game Pass is now available for Windows 10 PCs, although the library of games available on PC is different.
What Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is Microsofts premier game subscription service. It functions like a Netflix-for-games, with a rotating catalog of games to install on your console or PC. You can also stream Xbox games to your phone or tablet from the cloud with Xbox game streaming, which is currently still in beta.
The catalog of games includes all first-party Microsoft games and games from a host of third-party publishers. In fact, Microsoft added the entire EA Play catalog to the console service in 2020 at no extra cost. Typically Microsoft adds 3-5 games each month and removes a few that have been featured for a while.
There are technically two Xbox Game Pass services included with Ultimate, one for console and one for PC. You can subscribe to each individually, but each one is only $5 cheaper than Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. That means that its cheaper to subscribe to Ultimate than the other two individually, even if you wouldnt use any of the other perks.
Read also: Xbox Game Pass vs Game Pass Ultimate Which is right for you?
Speaking of perks, theres really a lot packed in there. Heres a quick breakdown of everything included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate:
Lair Of The Clockwork God
Two classic genres of games get smushed into one in this platform/point-and-click hybrid. As Ben you’ll be hunting for items to combine with other items to solve puzzles, while as Dan you’ll be jumping around to progress. The two friends are having their own separate adventures but each can help out the other when you hit a dead end.
But what is all this in aid of? A silly quest to stop the end of the world multiple times over and to teach a robot how to feel emotion. If you enjoy goofy and satirical humor with plenty of self-aware gags about games, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that does this kind of writing better.
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How Much Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $14.99 per month, with no annual plan available. This is still an incredible bargain. Because it combines various console and PC services, youre saving about $20 a month by getting Game Pass Ultimate instead of paying for each service on its own. Plus, theres the cloud gaming feature which is only available as an Ultimate subscriber.
You can also purchase one- or three-month digital codes for the service on Amazon. Click the button below to learn more.
Ea Play On Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Microsoft and EA have been close for a long time now, with EA Access once exclusive on Xbox One. While the exclusivity is no more, what’s about to happen is something nobody expected.
EA Play, a subscription service on its own that allows access to a selection of EA’s vast back catalog of games, will become part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass for PC.
So with one single subscription to Game Pass Ultimate, you’ll not only have access to the Game Pass Library on both console and PC and Cloud Gaming, but soon EA’s subscription service, too.
If you didn’t already think that Game Pass Ultimate is the best value package in gaming, this pretty much seals it.
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Xbox Series X Load Times
Game | |
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43 seconds | 1 min, 52 seconds |
This fast storage also helps enable a feature called Quick Resume on both consoles, which allows you to switch between games incredibly quickly in a lot of cases. The big problem right now is that its not supported by every game, although Microsoft is working to enable it across more titles. When it works, though, Quick Resume is one of the consoles best new additions, and Sonys PS5 doesnt have an equivalent feature.
One of the most significant differences between the Series S and Series X is found in the graphics department. Although both consoles use AMDs RDNA 2 graphics architecture, the Series X has 52 compute units. Thats not only more than double the 20 compute units youll find in the Series S, but theyre also clocked faster at 1.825GHz compared to 1.565GHz. In total, that means the Series X has 12.15 teraflops of graphical horsepower according to Microsoft, compared to 4 teraflops for the Series S.
There arent many cross-platform titles that allow us to see how the performance of the PS5 and Series X compare in practice, but an analysis of Devil May Cry 5 by Digital Foundrysees Sony and Microsofts consoles performing very similarly. In some modes, the Series X offers slightly faster performance, while the PS5 is ahead in others.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Everything You Need To Know
Announced back in 2019, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate program is Microsoft’s latest evolution of its popular service. One of the big requests from subscribers was a single program to combine subscriptions for Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold, and that’s exactly what you get with Game Pass Ultimate.
Oh. and it comes with a little sprinkling of something for PC and mobile gamers bundled in for good measure. Here’s everything you need to know about Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
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Def Jam: Fight For Ny
EA’s hip-hop inspired Def Jam series surprised quite a few people with its solid combat and fantastic soundtrack. What’s more, being able to duke it out with some of the biggest names in the rap game was also quite the treat. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why Def Jam: Fight For NY is such a desirable game.
The disc alone can sell for almost $50, while a complete version of the game tends to average a little over $80. As the years continue to pass and more and more copies fall into the hands of collectors though, these prices are only going to rise.
Southern San Andreas Super Sports Series
Check out a full season of pulse-pounding new racing updates, a fleet of fresh vehicles and more with the GTA Online: Southern San Andreas Super Sport Series. The first of two new racing modes Hotring Circuit is now available along with five new cars. Embrace the intoxicating smell of burnt rubber and premium-grade gasoline.
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The Best Xbox Game Pass Deals
While the service itself is awesome, Xbox Game Pass deals can still be pricey – especially if you go for a full year’s subscription. With that in mind, we’ve hunted down the cheapest offers from across the internet to save you money. These are updated every 30 minutes, so be sure to check back in every now and then if you can’t see a bargain today.
Would you rather get Xbox Live instead? Don’t forget to check out the best Xbox Live deals. We have a feeling the money you save there will come in very handy if you’re on the lookout for Xbox Series X deals. Not only that, but we’re expecting plenty of discounts over the next few weeks, courtesy of Black Friday Xbox Series X deals.
How To Sell An Xbox One
First, get an instant Xbox One trade in price using our valuation engine and we’ll lock it in for 28 days. You can sell CDs, DVDs, Games and other Tech at the same time too.
Then, pack all of your items into a box. Any box as fine, so long as it keeps your items safe during shipping.
Last of all, send your items using one of our FREE shipping options. When they arrive, well check them and pay you by PayPal or direct deposit into your account the next working day.
The Decluttr Price Promise
We know getting the best deal is important, which is why we promise to pay the full amount we offer when you trade in your Xbox One or return it for FREE!
Scan it, send it, spend it – it really is that easy to sell Xbox games for cash with Decluttr.
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How Much Is An Xbox Network Subscription
The basic Xbox Network subscription is free. Anyone can sign up for an Xbox Network account. If you want more perks and features, you’ll need to purchase a Gold account subscription.
Accessing the Xbox Network on the original Xbox console is no longer available. To use the Xbox Network, you must have an Xbox 360 or Xbox One as well as a broadband internet service provider.
Prepare To Go Dark Modern Warfare Is Back

The stakes have never been higher as players take on the role of lethal Tier One operators in a heart-racing saga that will affect the global balance of power. Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® engulfs fans in an incredibly raw, gritty, provocative narrative that brings unrivaled intensity and shines a light on the changing nature of modern war.
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New Games Old Hardware
Microsoft has said you wont have to buy new hardware to enjoy its upcoming first-party titles because many of them will also come to Xbox One. Heres how Xbox chief Phil Spencer described the companys approach back in July, where he said that every Xbox Game Studios game in the next couple of years will be playable on the Xbox One.
You wont be forced into the next generation. We want every Xbox player to play all the new games from Xbox Game Studios. Thats why Xbox Game Studios titles we release in the next couple of yearslike Halo Infinitewill be available and play great on Xbox Series X and Xbox One. We wont force you to upgrade to Xbox Series X at launch to play Xbox exclusives.
And if youre more of a PC gamer and dont own an Xbox One, then Microsoft also typically releases its major titles there as well, and it says it plans to continue this policy this year.
Microsoft has promised to bring Halo Infinite to PC and Xbox One as well as its new Xbox consoles.
There are some caveats you should be aware of. First is that these promises only cover Microsofts first-party titles, aka those published by Xbox Game Studios. Microsoft isnt making any promises about how other publishers like EA, Ubisoft, or Activision will handle their new games.
Microsoft is making big promises about its own games
Hollow Knight: Void Heart Edition
One of the most beloved ‘metroidvania’ games of this generation is available with all its DLC for an absolute steal of a price. Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition delivers the beautifully bleak and brutally difficult 2D platforming action of the original game, complete with four additional content packs that give you new abilities to master and new bosses to vanquish.
The setting is Hallownest, a desolate underground kingdom inhabited by insects, including yourself, but there are few friends to be found. Much of your time will be spent wandering the surprisingly varied environments and fighting enemies, looking for the next boss or a new item that will allow you to explore more and more of the map. If you die, you’ll leave behind some of your currency and magic in a shadow version of yourself, which you’ll have to defeat in a Dark Souls-style corpse run to get your earnings back.
If youâre looking for a challenging sidescroller with a stunning art style, engrossing atmosphere and tons of exploration and replayability, Hollow Knight is among the genreâs best.
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Xbox Series X Price: Game Bundles
Some of the biggest titles are usually partnered with a new console. This year’s instalments include FIFA 21, Fortnite, Rainbow SixSiege and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, all of which are confirmed for the new console.
We know that Microsoft has teamed up with EA to bring over 60 of EA’s biggest games to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which gives you access to 100+ games stored in the cloud.
Halo Infinite would likely have been the most-wanted launch title, and the most popular bundle, but 343 Industries, the studio in charge of the game, recently announced that they had made the “difficult decision” to delay its release until 2021.
Retailers such as Best Buy are already offering the Xbox Series X and Series S bundled with accessories such as extra wireless controllers and subscriptions to the online gaming platform Xbox Live. Stay tuned, and we’ll bring you more as we get it.
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How Much Do Xbox Consoles Cost
Before we discuss specifics, it’s important to consider the price of each Xbox console. While there are other factors that go into deciding if an Xbox One is right for you, the value for money is one of the most practical.
The Xbox One S retails for $300, while the more powerful Xbox One X has a sticker price of $500. There’s also the All-Digital Xbox One S for $250, which lacks a disc drive.
As it turns out, these prices match the new Xbox Series S and Series X exactly. As a result, it doesn’t make much sense to pay for an Xbox One now if you think you might buy an Xbox Series X/S in a year.
If you do get an Xbox One, we’d recommend looking for a second-hand model to avoid paying full price. At the time of writing, it’s difficult to even find an Xbox One in stock.
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Flipsy Trust Verified Stores Buying Xbox 360 Games
The following Trust Verified Stores provide cash quotes for video games. Let them know which Xbox 360 games you have and whether theyre loose, complete, new, or graded. Youll get a quote delivered to your inbox in about 24 hours. Some of the stores have barcode or game title look ups to find your value but many have incomplete databases, so while they may buy your video games they wont show a price. By contacting them with your titles they can do the look up to provide the most accurate price.
Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Worth It
For anyone with a relatively small game library, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is an incredible value. Microsoft is pushing the service hard with its new consoles, and the pricing reflects that. Its easily the best deal in gaming.
That said, if youre someone who plays one or two competitive games online, its probably cheaper to buy the game and pay for Xbox Live Gold. Likewise, for PC-only gamers, Xbox Game Pass for consoles and Xbox Live Gold are useless for you.
For everyone else, though, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cant be beaten. The addition of EA Play in 2020 was the icing on the cake.
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Xbox Series X Price Vs Playstation 5 Price
After many leaks and speculation, Sony confirmed the PS5 Digital and PS5 prices at £360 and £450 respectively. That came as a pleasant surprise to those who’d expected the PS5 to be priced much higher than the rival Xbox Series X.
As it turns out, the full-fat PS5 and Xbox Series X cost the same, although the all-digital Series S undercuts the PS5 Digital Edition by a fair margin of £90 .
Bear in mind, however, that the Xbox Series S is less powerful than the Series X, whereas the PS5 Digital Edition is identical to the standard PS5 except for the lack of a disc drive.
- See how the two consoles compare: PS5 vs Xbox Series X
Rest Of The World: Xbox Series X Pre

Shoppers in Australia and New Zealand were the first to get their Xbox Series X pre-orders in, with the 8am pre-order time arriving at these time zones first.
The price of the Xbox Series X in Australia is AU$749. In New Zealand, it’s NZ$799.
The price of the Xbox Series S in Australia is AU$499. In New Zealand, it’s NZ$549.
Canadians can also now pre-order the Xbox Series X for CA$599 and the Xbox Series S can be pre-ordered for CA$379.
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Love A Game In The Library
Xbox Game Pass members get a discount on games in the Xbox Game Pass library, plus DLC and add-ons. Use the Store tab in the app.
System requirements
Windows 10 | |
Processor | Intel Core i5 AMD Ryzen 5. Quad-core or higher. |
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GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1050 AMD Radeon RX 560 |
Memory |
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System requirements vary by game performance scales with higher-end systems.Not supported on Windows 10 in S mode.