Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Complete Guide to Features, Price & Value (2026)

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $22.99/month as of April 2026, down from $29.99.
• You get 500+ games on Xbox console, PC, and cloud — all under one subscription.
• Bundled perks include EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, and Fortnite Crew.
• 75+ new games arrive on day one every year from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda.
• New Call of Duty titles no longer launch on the service — they arrive roughly one year later.
• Cloud gaming is included with unlimited streaming on phones, tablets, smart TVs, and browsers.
• Microsoft Rewards lets you earn up to 100,000 points per year — enough to offset monthly costs.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is Microsoft’s top-tier gaming subscription. It bundles console games, PC games, cloud streaming, and a stack of third-party perks into one monthly payment. In 2026, the price dropped and new perks were added — but there were trade-offs too. This guide covers every feature, every included perk, how Ultimate compares to the other tiers, and whether it is actually worth your money. For a broader look at all Game Pass tiers, see our complete Xbox Game Pass guide.

What Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription service. It is designed for players who want everything in one place — a large game library, day-one access to new Xbox releases, cloud streaming on any device, and bundled third-party subscriptions that add significant value on top.

Unlike the lower tiers, Ultimate covers both Xbox consoles and Windows PC under a single subscription. You do not need to manage two separate memberships. Ultimate offers a library of 500+ games playable across console and PC, as well as access to cloud streaming, and access to other memberships like EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, and Fortnite Crew.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price in 2026

Game Pass Ultimate dropped from $29.99 to $22.99 a month starting 21 April 2026. This followed criticism from the gaming community after a steep price hike in October 2025, when the service jumped from $19.99 to $29.99 per month.

The price reduction came under newly appointed Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma, whose internal memo — which leaked publicly — signalled that Game Pass had become too expensive for too many players, and that the goal was to evolve it into a more flexible service.

The trade-off was significant. Alongside the price drop, Microsoft confirmed that new Call of Duty titles would no longer launch into Game Pass on day one. More on that below.

Annual Cost Breakdown

Microsoft does not currently offer an annual prepay discount for Ultimate in most regions. Check xbox.com/game-pass for the latest regional pricing and any active offers in your country.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Full Feature Breakdown

Here is exactly what you get with Ultimate, broken down by feature.

500+ Games on Console and PC

Ultimate gives you access to the largest Game Pass library — over 500 titles spanning action, RPG, shooter, racing, simulation, strategy, sports, and indie games. This includes the full console library and the full PC library, both accessible under one subscription.

The library is not static. Games are added throughout each month and some titles rotate out. Microsoft typically gives around two weeks’ notice before a game leaves. You can see what is coming and going at xbox.com/game-pass/games.

Day-One Access to New Xbox Games

Ultimate subscribers get 75+ new games per year arriving on day one — that is Microsoft’s current confirmed commitment, not an estimate. This means every new game from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, and Activision Blizzard lands in the library on its release date.

Notable day-one franchises currently covered include Forza Horizon, Halo, Gears, Starfield, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls. Forza Horizon 6, launching May 15, 2026, arrived day one on Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Each of these titles retails at $60–$70, meaning a single day-one play effectively covers a month of the subscription.

Xbox Cloud Gaming — Unlimited Streaming

Ultimate includes unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming. This lets you stream games to any supported device without downloading them. Xbox Cloud Gaming is now out of beta, with overall cloud gaming hours up 45% year on year as the service has rolled out to millions of new players globally.

Ultimate subscribers get the best streaming quality — 1440p resolution — and the shortest wait times when servers are busy.

Supported devices include:

• Windows PC (via browser or Xbox app)
• Android phones and tablets (Xbox app)
• iPhone and iPad (Safari browser)
• Select LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Meta Quest VR headsets (Quest 2, Pro, 3, and 3S)
• Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles

The Xbox One inclusion is worth calling out specifically. If you still own an Xbox One and cannot yet upgrade to Series X|S, cloud gaming lets you stream current-gen titles like Starfield and Forza Horizon 6 that will not run natively on old hardware. You get to play the latest Xbox releases without buying a new console — which is one of the most underrated benefits of Game Pass Ultimate for older hardware owners.

To start streaming, go to xbox.com/play on any browser, sign in with your Microsoft account, and pick a cloud-enabled game. No download needed.

For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how Xbox Cloud Gaming works and our Xbox Cloud Gaming setup guide.

EA Play — Included at No Extra Cost

Game Pass Ultimate bundles in a full EA Play membership. This gives you access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games and early access trials of upcoming EA titles before they launch. EA Play covers franchises like EA Sports FC, Battlefield, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Dead Space, and Skate.

EA Play on its own costs $4.99 a month. Having it folded into Ultimate at no extra charge adds genuine value, especially if you play EA titles regularly.

Ultimate members also receive monthly EA Play Member Rewards — automatically granted in-game bonuses for popular titles. Recent EA Play rewards have included in-game packs for Apex Legends and Battlefield 6, granted directly without needing to claim anything separately.

Ubisoft+ Classics — 50+ Ubisoft Games Included

Ubisoft+ Classics gives Ultimate members access to a curated library of Ubisoft games, including Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Extraction, playable across console, PC, and cloud.

The Ubisoft+ Classics catalogue covers 50+ titles across multiple iconic franchises — Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Watch Dogs, Tom Clancy titles, and more. A standalone Ubisoft+ subscription costs $17.99 a month, so this inclusion alone adds substantial value to Ultimate.

Fortnite Crew — Monthly Fortnite Benefits

Ultimate includes Fortnite Crew membership every month. This gives you access to the current Battle Pass, OG Pass, LEGO Pass, and Music Pass, plus 1,000 V-Bucks each month and Rocket Pass Premium in Rocket League.

Fortnite Crew on its own costs $11.99 a month. If you play Fortnite regularly, this alone covers a meaningful chunk of the Ultimate subscription cost.

Online Console Multiplayer

Ultimate includes online multiplayer for all Xbox console games, with no separate subscription required. This covers the full multiplayer component of every Game Pass title and any games you own separately.

In-Game Benefits and Perks

Ultimate members unlock in-game benefits in the biggest live-service games, including League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Rainbow Six Siege. These are cosmetic items, seasonal packs, and in-game currency drops that rotate monthly.

Microsoft refreshes perks fairly regularly, with new offers typically introduced at least once a month. Recent selections have spanned over a dozen perks ranging from subscription services to game-specific promotions.

Microsoft Rewards

Ultimate subscribers can earn up to 100,000 Rewards points per year — enough to cover a month or two of subscription costs if redeemed strategically. Points are earned by playing games, completing quests in the Xbox app, and making purchases in the Microsoft Store.

Ultimate and Premium subscribers get more quests and higher payouts than lower tiers, amplifying the earning advantage. You can redeem points for Microsoft Store credit and gift cards at microsoft.com/rewards.

Member Discounts

Ultimate members get exclusive discounts on games and DLC in the Microsoft Store, typically 10–20% off select titles and add-ons. If a game you have been playing through Game Pass leaves the library, you will usually be offered a discounted purchase price to keep it.

Cross-Platform Save and Play

For supported titles, Game Pass handles cross-progression seamlessly. Your rank in Forza Motorsport, your inventory in Diablo IV, your cosmetics in Sea of Thieves — these sync across Xbox, PC, and cloud instances. Start a session on your console and pick it up on your phone without losing progress.

The Call of Duty Change: What Ultimate Subscribers Need to Know

This is the biggest content change to affect Ultimate in 2026.

New Call of Duty titles will no longer launch into Game Pass on day one. Beginning in 2026, future Call of Duty titles will not join Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. New Call of Duty games will be added during the following holiday season — about a year later — while existing Call of Duty titles already in the library will continue to be available.

Microsoft tied this change directly to the April 2026 price reduction. The announcement confirmed both changes on the same day.

What this means for you:

• All existing Call of Duty titles on the service stay there permanently — nothing has been removed.
• New Call of Duty entries from late 2026 onwards will arrive on Game Pass approximately one year after launch.
• If you want new CoD at launch, you will need to buy it separately on top of your subscription.
• If you are not a day-one CoD player, the price drop to $22.99 is a straight win with no meaningful downside.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate vs Other Tiers

How does Ultimate stack up against the rest of the Game Pass lineup? Here is a direct comparison.

Ultimate vs PC Game Pass

PC Game Pass at $13.99 is the closest competitor to Ultimate for Windows gamers. It includes day-one releases, EA Play, and the full PC library. The key things you lose compared to Ultimate are console access, Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, unlimited cloud gaming at the best quality, and the higher Rewards earning rate.

PC Game Pass at $13.99 is the sharpest value-per-dollar option for Windows-only gamers. If you only game on PC and do not use Fortnite or Ubisoft titles, it is worth considering before committing to Ultimate.

Ultimate vs Premium

Premium is $14.99 and covers console gaming with a 200+ game library and cloud access. But it does not include day-one Xbox releases, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, or Fortnite Crew. If you play more than a handful of Xbox first-party games per year, the step up to Ultimate pays for itself quickly.

Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Worth It?

For most subscribers asking whether Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is worth it in 2026, the answer at $22.99 is yes — provided they use more than one or two features regularly.

Here is a simple value breakdown to help you decide.

The Value Case For Ultimate

At $22.99 a month, consider what is bundled in:

• EA Play — $4.99/mo standalone
• Fortnite Crew — $11.99/mo standalone
• Ubisoft+ Classics — part of a $17.99/mo Ubisoft+ subscription

Those three perks alone, purchased separately, would cost far more than the $22.99 monthly price. The 500+ game library, cloud gaming, and day-one releases sit on top of that.

Add in the day-one releases. If you buy just one AAA release per quarter at $70, that is $280 annually. Game Pass Ultimate at roughly $276 a year already breaks even on that alone — before accounting for indie access, cloud gaming, and the bundled perks.

When Ultimate May Not Be Worth It

• You play fewer than 10 hours a month — at that usage level, buying individual games on sale may cost less.
• You only game on PC — PC Game Pass at $13.99 covers most of what you need for less.
• Call of Duty day one is your primary reason for subscribing — you will need to budget for separate CoD purchases from late 2026.
• You replay the same two or three games constantly — a rotating library adds no value if you never explore it.

How to Get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Signing up takes a few minutes. Here is how to do it:

1. Go to xbox.com/game-pass.
2. Select Game Pass Ultimate and click Join.
3. Sign in with your Microsoft account or create one for free.
4. Add a payment method — credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
5. Confirm your subscription and download the Xbox app to start playing.

On console, open the Xbox Store, search for Game Pass, and follow the steps from there. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our getting started guide.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Free Trial

Microsoft occasionally offers a first-month deal for new subscribers — typically $1 for the first month of Ultimate. Free trial offers are limited to accounts that have never had Game Pass before. A payment method is still required, and you will be auto-charged at the regular monthly price when the trial ends unless you cancel.

Check our dedicated Xbox Game Pass free trial guide for the latest available offers.

How to Cancel Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

You can cancel at any time with no penalty. Here are the steps:

1. Go to account.microsoft.com/services.
2. Sign into your Microsoft account.
3. Find Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and click Manage.
4. Select Cancel subscription or Turn off recurring billing.
5. Confirm your cancellation.

Your subscription runs until the end of the current paid period after cancellation. If you are on a free trial, cancel before it ends to avoid being charged for the first full billing cycle. For refund queries, contact Xbox Support.

Using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on PC

On Windows, you access Game Pass Ultimate through the Xbox app. Download it from the Microsoft Store, sign in, and your full library — including all PC titles — will be available to download or stream.

Xbox Game Bar sits alongside your PC gaming experience as an overlay for recording clips, monitoring performance, and managing audio. For the best setup, read our best Xbox Game Bar settings for PC guide. If you run into issues, we cover the most common problems including Game Bar not opening, the performance widget not showing, and the record button being greyed out. You can also browse the full Xbox Game Bar shortcuts list.

If you need to reinstall or update the Xbox app, our guide on installing and updating via the Microsoft Store walks you through it. For a full overview of everything Game Bar can do on PC, visit our complete Xbox Game Bar guide.

Frequently Asked Questions