Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is gamer heaven with hundreds of accessible titles at $1 for newcomers
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Streaming isn't just for movies and TV anymore, as video games can now be beamed onto consoles, personal computers and even smartphones with the right service. The leader of the pack is the Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft's latest innovation in gaming that features a vast library of titles accessible with just the push of a button. If you want to be able to play with the push of a console, PC and smartphone button, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the key to the best gaming experience.
Meant as the expanded version of the streaming service, Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to hundreds of quality video games you can play on multiple platforms anytime you have a strong internet connection. Typically running you $14.99 a month, newcomers can join today and pay just $1 for the first month. Whether you own a coveted Xbox Series X or not, Game Pass Ultimate lets you play exciting shooters, racers, platformers and more on your PC and smartphone.
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Too good to be true? Certainly not, and we've got all the info you need on how to upgrade your play.
How much is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Microsoft's top-tier gaming streamer is $14.99 a month, but new subscribers can get the first month of access for just $1. Not only is this cheaper than the standard Ultimate fee, but also a discount from the Game Pass console and PC fee of $9.99 a month. While both of those tiers limit your game access to an Xbox console or a PC respectively, Ultimate lets you access the Game Pass' library of titles on both devices through cloud gaming.
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What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Xbox Game Pass is essentially Netflix but for games, with subscribers able to play hundreds of titles online and then download them if they want to keep them on their devices for less lagging. These titles range from current releases compatible with the Xbox Series X and Series S all the way back to classic hits released during the original Xbox's lifespan in the early 2000s. With an Ultimate subscription, you can play those titles on consoles, PCs and smartphones through cloud gaming. While cloud gaming gets you access to a variety of titles without dealing with long download times that clog up your device's storage, how well those titles run depends on the strength of your internet connection or smartphone data plan.
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Subscribers also get free in-game content and partner offers for the titles they choose to download. They also get two bonus subscriptions with Ultimate: Xbox Live Gold ($9.99 separately), which lets you play online with friends and unlocks access to additional deals on popular titles, and EA Play which grants you access to even more games from Electronic Arts to play for free. Whether you're a frequent streamer competing online with friends on Fortnite or just want to try something new without having to scour your local game store, Game Pass Ultimate is the premiere VIP access to every kind of content you love to press buttons to.
What games are on Xbox Game Pass?
The harder question to answer is, "What isn't on Xbox Game Pass?" If you want the hot new title on the tip of everyone's tongue, there's the slick rhythm action of Bethesda's Hi-Fi RUSH with its vibrant art style and a rocking soundtrack. Fans of co-op gameplay can experience The Game Awards' 2021 Game of the Year, It Takes Two, or get an amazing throwback experience with the recently remastered GoldenEye 007. Sports fans can face off in a variety of titles, including Madden NFL 23, Dirt 5, Skate 3 and more. For those longtime Xbox gamers who first joined when they heard about some shooting Spartan, there's Halo: The Master Chief Collection which contains six of the most famous entries in the Halo franchise, including the first four main games and its two beloved spinoffs, Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach.
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Much like other video streaming services, titles are both added and removed from Game Pass every month. So, you only have a little over a week left to download MLB The Show 22 for an immersive experience of nine innings in Major League Baseball or test your fighting skills with Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid. The good news is you'll have some new titles to test out when April comes around, so get ready for the spooky first-person action of Ghostwire: Tokyo and the colorful adventures in Minecraft Legends.
Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate worth it?
Absolutely! As a recently-converted Xbox gamer, I was blown away by the user-friendly layout of Game Pass and how functional the games available were. Given how new games are a hefty investment nowadays and there's nothing like replaying our favorite childhood titles, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gets you immediate access to the latest and classic games without forking over $60 or more every time. You can even keep your favorite picks and get rid of the ones you fall out with without the fear of wasting money. Check out Game Pass for yourself to find out what gets you hooked to your controller.
Sign up for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $1 (Save $13.99)
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: What to know and how to join for $1
