Game Pass vs Game Pass Ultimate – they have the same name, and at first glance, one looks much better. But is it?
Both services are fantastic value for money, depending on what you’re looking to get out of them. The Ultimate edition costs slightly more than the base version as it comes with some additional features that some gamers just need to have. Whether or not it’s right for you, however, determines if the Game Pass Ultimate is worth paying extra for over the Xbox Game Pass.
Game Library
New games are always being added to the extensive game libraries for both Xbox and PC, regardless of the Game Pass version. Including titles like Halo, Minecraft, Diablo IV, and Forza Horizon 5, there’s a very good mix of games that will appeal to players of all ages and genres—with plenty of indie titles, too, of course!
While many games are available for both Xbox and PC, this isn’t always true. Some titles for the Xbox consoles might not yet be available for Game Pass on PC or vice versa. The Xbox Game Pass team is working to ensure games are available for all platforms and intends to provide a single standard catalogue.
Game Pass for PC and the Ultimate version comes with EA Play memberships, which is not included in the basic Game Pass for Xbox consoles. This means the core Game Pass has the smallest library overall, though it’s still pretty substantial.
If the number of games matters, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be your best bet on an Xbox console. Otherwise, the Game Pass for PC is still a great choice for PC gamers.
Xbox or PC?
Xbox Game Pass is available for both consoles and PC. Game Pass Core is exclusive to the consoles and is a weaker offering overall than the Game Pass for PC, which comes with access to hundreds of games. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate covers the Xbox consoles and PC simultaneously and also comes with a huge list of games.
If you want the library on an Xbox console only, the Ultimate Game Pass offers the best library of games, but the Xbox Game Pass Core also works well. For PC gamers, the Game Pass for PC is a fantastic option.
Xbox Cloud Gaming
This is currently only available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (unless you’re looking to play Fortnite), and at the time of writing, it’s still in Beta. Anyone with a full subscription can play console games from the cloud on any compatible device. The number of compatible devices is still growing, and most modern smart devices can be used to stream games directly from Game Pass.
Even if you don’t have a gaming console, you can still be gaming with Xbox Cloud Gaming! This is a great addition to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, making it easy to take an entire library of games on the move without needing a console or laptop.
Price
Naturally, Xbox Game Pass Core is the cheapest option. The basic Xbox console version costs only £6.99 per month, and the price includes access to online console multiplayer plus member deals and discounts. This version does come with the fewest games, but it’s still exceptional value, especially if you just want to test the subscription system.
Game Pass for PC starts at only £1, that alone makes it worth while, then next month is priced at £7.99 per month, making it slightly more expensive for PC gamers, but the value more than makes up for it. It comes with hundreds of quality games, including new games from day one and the EA Play membership, which also adds in member deals and discounts. This is a much better value than the Xbox Game Pass Core.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the most expensive option, priced at £12.99 and gives you access to the best version of the Game Pass. It offers access to hundreds of games on console, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming along with EA Play membership, online console multiplayer, new games on day one, membership deals, discounts, and perks.
Conclusion
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the best version for Xbox consoles, while the basic Game Pass for PC is a solid contender at a great price. Sadly, Xbox Game Pass Core for consoles is the weakest option, with a much smaller game library. The price still makes it a good choice for gamers on a budget as it still offers months of gaming, just with fewer game options.
Giveaway
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